Pei Yan was very unhappy in his heart. He felt he should go ask Yu Tang what she meant, yet instinctively felt that going to ask about this matter now might not be quite appropriate. Moreover, he vaguely felt there was some very important matter he hadn’t attended to, but what it was, he couldn’t recall for the moment.

He paced back and forth in the room. A young servant came in to report that Gu Chaoyang was requesting an audience.

Pei Yan’s brows locked into the character for “river.”

This Gu Chaoyang—not coming early, not coming late, but always showing up whenever he had matters to attend to.

With a stern face, Pei Yan sat in the grand armchair and said sharply, “Show him in.”

Gu Chaoyang strode inside.

He had just returned from outside and was still wearing his guest-visiting attire—a sapphire blue robe with five-bat clustered flower patterns, a bright blue waist sash, and a rattan-yellow pouch embroidered with green bamboo. The vibrant colors set off his jade-like complexion and elegant bearing.

Pei Yan subconsciously frowned again.

Gu Chaoyang had conversed very pleasantly with Deng Xuesong, achieving the purpose of today’s meeting. In a good mood and thinking that Pei Yan’s side surely had a chaotic mess of affairs keeping him overwhelmed, he naturally wouldn’t quibble with Pei Yan over anything.

He sat down across from Pei Yan with a smile. After the maidservants served tea and refreshments, only then did he ask: “Is everything going smoothly on your end?”

Initially they had agreed that Sun Gao’s side would be Wang Qihe’s responsibility, while the Jiangnan region would be Pei Yan’s responsibility.

Though he didn’t know how far along Pei Yan’s progress was, the fact that Yin Hao hadn’t left yet indicated matters hadn’t reached a conclusion—Pei Yan’s affairs weren’t yet complete.

Looking at his spirited features, Pei Yan suddenly remembered what he had forgotten earlier!

He had forgotten to have someone investigate when and how Yu Tang had become acquainted with Gu Chang…

Pei Yan immediately felt Gu Chaoyang was like a peacock spreading its tail feathers, without regard for the occasion, flaunting wildly as if afraid others wouldn’t know how full of ambition he was at this moment.

“What wouldn’t be going smoothly on my end?” he said slowly, though his muscles tensed tightly like an arrow nocked on a bowstring, ready to shoot at any moment. And the more it was like this, the more he would appear calm and composed, even magnanimous and open-minded—he didn’t want to waste emotions on his opponent. “Everyone already discussed and agreed beforehand to act according to our respective assignments. Even if things aren’t smooth, that’s only temporary.”

Indeed! With matters having developed to this point, everyone could only exert their utmost effort to push forward. Could they possibly regret it and withdraw?!

Gu Chaoyang didn’t make a sound.

Pei Yan said: “What did you want to see me about?”

He knew what Gu Chaoyang had gone to do and why he had done it. Judging by Gu Chaoyang’s appearance, things should have gone quite smoothly. Coming to find him now—could it be he wanted to take things further with Deng Xuesong and was asking him and Yin Hao to accompany him to invite Deng Xuesong to dinner?

Pei Yan didn’t really want to go.

He didn’t want people to know he had also exerted effort in this matter.

Though there were no walls without cracks in this world, there was still a great difference between openly acknowledging something and letting others wildly speculate.

Who would have known Gu Chang would smile and say: “I saw Miss Yu from Scholar Yu’s family yesterday. I heard their family is quite familiar with yours. Could you find a servant woman familiar with Miss Yu? I have some matters I’d like to inquire about.”

Pei Yan’s hackles immediately rose, like a lion whose territory had been invaded. Even his gaze became sharp and severe: “What are you inquiring about Miss Yu for? Our two families have close ties—if you have any questions, you can also ask me.”

Gu Chang clearly sensed Pei Yan’s rejection, but he assumed Pei Yan had misunderstood him as prying into inner chamber affairs. He didn’t take it to heart, and because of Pei Yan’s attitude, he felt this matter indeed wasn’t quite suitable to ask Pei Yan about. After thinking, he said: “If you’re also not too clear about it, then never mind. When there’s an opportunity, I can go ask Old Madam Pei just the same.”

What did Gu Chang mean?

One moment urgent and impatient, the next moment unhurried and methodical—what exactly was he trying to do?

Pei Yan’s gaze toward Gu Chang still carried a measure of vigilance.

Gu Chang laughed despite himself, feeling he had indeed been too eager.

He changed the subject, exchanged some reminiscences with Pei Yan, then stood to take his leave.

Pei Yan watched his departing back, an uneasy feeling arising faintly in his heart.

But who could make him uneasy?

Yu Tang’s face suddenly surfaced in his mind.

Pei Yan got a terrible fright.

Could, could it be Yu Tang?

Only then did Pei Yan realize that while talking with Gu Chang just now, he had been tense the entire time.

He recalled his father’s assessment of him.

Saying that compared to his two elder brothers, he possessed beast-like intuition.

He had once felt unhappy about this.

But later, many facts proved he indeed had such intuition.

Pei Yan felt very uneasy.

He circled round and round in the room.

Yin Hao came to see him. Seeing him in this state, he said in astonishment: “What’s wrong with you? I just heard Gu Chaoyang came to see you? Did something go wrong on his end?”

“No!” Pei Yan didn’t want Yin Hao to know what he was thinking. He didn’t even want people to notice Yu Tang. He asked Yin Hao, “What did you come to find me about?”

Yin Hao said: “Tao Qing has arrived. He’s staying at the Qingfeng Inn and has arranged to meet us at the Qingfeng Inn tonight.”

The Qingfeng Inn was an inn the Tao family operated in Hangzhou city. It was clear Tao Qing wasn’t prepared to let others know he had come to Hangzhou.

Pei Yan said with displeasure: “The two of us going there together will be even more conspicuous, won’t it? If he truly doesn’t want people to know, he should stay at Lingyin Temple. After we meet with Wang Qibao tomorrow, we can go to Lingyin Temple to burn incense and can borrow the abbot’s meditation chamber.”

Yin Hao laughed: “When it comes to these schemes and tricks, none of us can compare to you. I’ve always been quite curious—here you are, also a son of a distinguished family, raised reading the classics of the sages, yet when doing these things, you’re just naturally more quick-witted than us…”

With a stony face, Pei Yan interrupted Yin Hao’s words, saying: “Are we meeting tonight or tomorrow at Lingyin Temple? Hurry up and make a decision. I’m young—I listen to my elder brothers!”

“Tsk tsk tsk!” Yin Hao didn’t believe him. “I’ll listen to you. We’ll meet at Lingyin Temple tomorrow.”

Perfect—he could urge Yu Tang and the others to go to Lingyin Temple earlier.

He still needed to ask her clearly how she knew Gu Chang.

Pei Yan immediately prepared to go see Yu Tang. Walking to the door, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

No, he couldn’t go just like this!

Last time he hadn’t been able to restrain his temper and asked her about this matter, ending up offending her. He had finally thought of a way to make amends, and if he made her unhappy again over this matter, he wouldn’t be able to think of another way to apologize for the time being. To be safe, he should endure a bit longer and wait until tomorrow at Lingyin Temple to discuss it.

Pei Yan turned back.

However, why hadn’t Yu Tang sent someone to deliver a message to her father?

She wasn’t that kind of person!

Pei Yan began agonizing over this matter again.

He thought and thought but couldn’t figure it out no matter what.

He felt he needed to consult someone about this.

Zhou Zijin loved to meddle in others’ affairs the most and had encountered many situations—he was the best candidate. Unfortunately, he had gone to the capital.

Gu Chaoyang—that definitely wouldn’t work!

Pei Yan let out a light snort.

In this courtyard, only Yin Hao remained.

But Yin Hao couldn’t even manage the affairs in his own household properly. Even if he came up with an idea, it would probably be a terrible one.

What about… Tao Qing!

He was honest and kind, treating him like a younger brother. Most importantly, he was upright and sincere with people. Even if he made a fool of himself, Tao Qing wouldn’t spread it around, much less mock him.

Once Pei Yan thought this way, his heart felt like grass was growing in it—he couldn’t calm down for even a moment.

He first sent someone to summon Qing Yuan over, having her find a way to persuade Yu Tang to go burn incense at Lingyin Temple tomorrow. Then he changed his clothes and, traveling light with minimal attendants, quietly went to the Qingfeng Inn.

Tao Qing had already retired for the night. Hearing that Pei Yan had come, he broke out in a cold sweat. Throwing on some clothes and slipping on his shoes, he rushed out, personally welcoming Pei Yan into the main hall to sit. Dismissing the attendants, he personally went to make tea for Pei Yan while asking: “Has there been some unexpected development?”

Pei Yan sat down. Looking at Tao Qing’s thin face under the dim yellow lamplight, he suddenly realized his own absurdity. Touching his nose, he didn’t know what to say for quite some time.

Seeing a trace of awkwardness revealed in his expression, Tao Qing’s heart skipped a beat. He thought that with Tao An’s qualifications, competing for the position of Jiangxi Provincial Inspector was indeed somewhat of a stretch. Apart from needing the Zhang family’s help to maneuver, they would probably also need to request assistance from the Li family, Shen family, and Jiang Hua. The ones who had devised the plan to promote Tao An were Yin Hao and Pei Yan. Seeing Pei Yan like this, could it be the plan had gone awry before it even began?

But he had always been steady and had weathered great storms, knowing some matters depended on fate and opportunity. Though somewhat disappointed, he didn’t have too much attachment to it. Moreover, this was a favor Pei Yan was doing for the Tao family—all the more reason he couldn’t make things difficult for Pei Yan.

After pouring tea for Pei Yan, he also brought out a box of pastries and placed it on the table, saying: “These are pastries from the Guangzhou region. I specifically had people prepare them for the Qingfeng Inn. Many guests who’ve stayed here have become repeat customers just for these pastries. Try them and see if they suit your taste.”

Pei Yan then thought of how Yu Tang’s family always seemed to be making pastries to give to others—their family must really enjoy making pastries. He said: “Then please wrap some up for me to take back. I’ll… let the people around me try them.”

Tao Qing was just afraid he would be overly courteous with him. Hearing this, he gladly instructed his personal servant to package the pastries and said: “You and A’an have always had a close private friendship, and you’re several years younger than A’an. I regard you as a younger brother in the family. Whatever you have to say, just speak directly—between brothers, there’s no need to be so courteous or have so many reservations!”

Pei Yan looked into Tao Qing’s calm eyes. His mouth went dry, and for a moment he didn’t know what to say.

Tao Qing didn’t press him, only refilling his tea at appropriate moments.

After drinking three cups of tea in succession, Pei Yan felt that continuing to delay like this would only waste time. He simply closed his eyes and told Tao Qing about Yu Tang’s matter. However, he still maintained some vigilance and didn’t tell Tao Qing about his plan to push the Song family out, only saying he had introduced a major business opportunity to the Yu family.

Tao Qing’s mouth fell open, not knowing what to say for quite a while.

He asked Pei Yan carefully: “Does Old Madam know about Miss Yu?”

“Of course she knows!” Pei Yan said, puzzled, and told Tao Qing about how the Pei family members all liked Yu Tang.

Tao Qing breathed a sigh of relief.

Looking at Pei Yan’s face full of innocent ignorance, he decided to play dumb.

Because even if this matter needed to be made clear, it shouldn’t be made clear by him.

Moreover, Miss Yu came from humble origins. Whether Pei Yan would be willing to disregard worldly opinions and marry Miss Yu was also an unpredictable matter.

He smiled and said: “From what you’ve told me, Miss Yu doesn’t seem like someone whose anger has dissipated. Could it be that Miss Yu simply hasn’t connected these two matters at all?”