Yu Tang felt either option was fine.
What she hadn’t expected was that just as the two had decided to tour Yongfu Temple, they ran into Pei Yan and Yin Hao head-on.
Before Yin Hao was posted to Huai’an, he had spent six years at the Hanlin Academy. Not only did he frequently visit Yin Mingyuan, he often went to the Xu residence to mooch meals. Miss Xu had practically been raised before his eyes. Combined with Miss Xu’s lively and adorable nature, he was very fond of her, treating her less like a sister-in-law and more like a younger sister.
Miss Xu was also very close to Yin Hao.
Seeing Yin Hao, she immediately rushed forward joyfully.
“Second Brother!” she said coquettishly, “Where did you two run off to? We waited for quite some time!”
Yin Hao smiled and nodded to Miss Xu, but his gaze involuntarily fell on Yu Tang.
Yu Tang wore a water-green plain robe, yet her lips were rosy red, her hair jet black, her skin snow white, standing gracefully there—more delicate and beautiful than spring flowers.
He couldn’t help asking: “And this young lady is?”
Miss Xu hastily introduced her: “Miss Yu. A good friend I made after going to Lin’an City. This time, as a good host, she’s accompanying me to tour Hangzhou.”
Yin Hao had heard Third Madam Yang mention this before, but hadn’t expected the person to be so beautiful, with bright, clear eyes and a composed demeanor.
How wonderful it would be if she could become a daughter-in-law of the Yin family.
While greeting Yu Tang, he pondered in his heart whether the Yin family had any suitable young men.
Over there, Pei Yan had long since grown impatient. He asked Yu Tang: “Where are you two planning to go?”
They had already met with Tao Qing. After learning that Wang Qibao would support Tao An in competing for the position of Jiangxi Provincial Inspector, Tao Qing had already gone down the mountain to prepare gifts for Wang Qibao.
Seeing there were outsiders present, Yu Tang continued to give Pei Yan face, saying: “We’re planning to tour Yongfu Temple.”
Yongfu Temple was relatively small, with a style completely different from Lingyin Temple.
Pei Yan then suggested to Yin Hao: “Why don’t we also go tour there?”
Yin Hao opened his eyes wide in surprise.
How could two grown men appropriately tour a temple together with two young ladies?
Realizing his slip of the tongue, Pei Yan hastily said: “We’ll go over there to talk!”
Yin Hao didn’t suspect anything. Smiling at Miss Xu, he said: “You provide us some cover so we can follow you from a distance.”
That could work.
Miss Xu readily agreed.
Pei Yan began racking his brains thinking of how to get rid of Yin Hao.
But just as they reached the side gate of Lingyin Temple, they actually encountered Gu Chang.
“Miss Yu!” He was both surprised and delighted. “We really are fated!”
Yu Tang was very surprised. Smiling, she nodded to Gu Chang, which counted as a greeting. It was Yin Hao who said: “Chaoyang, you came to Lingyin Temple without even asking me along? I thought you’d gone out on business, so I dragged Xiaguang over. This person—whatever he does, he keeps a stern face. Most boring fellow there is. If I’d known you were coming, I wouldn’t have asked him!”
His tone was full of complaint.
Those familiar knew he was joking with Pei Yan. Those who didn’t might think he was scorning Pei Yan.
Gu Chang naturally wouldn’t take it seriously.
He laughed good-naturedly.
Pei Yan, who originally shouldn’t have taken it seriously either, glanced at Yu Tang. Seeing her completely unperturbed appearance and thinking of Tao Qing’s words, his heart immediately felt ice-cold, and his face darkened.
Without thinking, Yin Hao grabbed Gu Chang and said: “Where are you headed? We’re planning to tour Yongfu Temple. Want to join us?”
Gu Chang glanced at Yu Tang and smiled: “Excellent! I happened to have nothing particular to do and was wondering whether to have a vegetarian meal at Lingyin Temple before returning or just go down the mountain now. Since you’re planning to tour Yongfu Temple, why don’t we all stay and have dinner at Lingyin Temple before returning? I’ll be the host!”
But when he looked at Yu Tang, the corner of his eye inadvertently swept past Pei Yan.
He discovered Pei Yan’s expression looked terrible.
Gu Chang was slightly stunned inwardly, thinking Pei Yan couldn’t have taken Yin Hao’s joke seriously, could he? If so, then his character was very narrow-minded, and he was someone who couldn’t take a joke. Could Pei Tong have unknowingly offended Pei Yan over some small matter?
It seemed he needed to keep this in mind and properly question Pei Tong about it.
Gu Chang led the way ahead, introducing Yongfu Temple to Yin Hao: “…Founded by Master Huili. Same as Lingju Temple and Lingyin Temple. It was originally called Ziyan Temple, later renamed Yongfu Temple…”
Yin Hao listened absentmindedly, his mind racing, wondering what exactly Pei Yan wanted to discuss with him. What method could he think of to leave Gu Chang on the sidelines?
Pei Yan fell behind them, gradually drawing closer to Miss Xu and Yu Tang.
He suddenly felt this wasn’t bad either.
Though Gu Chang was annoying, his appearance had tied up Yin Hao, which could be considered doing one good deed.
After thinking, he simply slowed his pace and walked alongside Miss Xu and Yu Tang.
“When is Miss Xu returning to the capital?” Pei Yan made conversation. “I heard from Qing Yuan that Miss Xu plans to go shopping in a few days to buy local specialties to take back. I happen to want to bring some things for Mingyuan and the Zhang residence. I’d like to ask Miss Xu for help.”
Miss Xu was still thinking about the abbot master of Lingyin Temple’s paintings, so naturally she was warmer toward Pei Yan than usual.
She smiled: “Many thanks, Third Master. When the time comes, just have your steward deliver them to the servant woman accompanying my household.”
Pei Yan expressed his thanks, then thought of ways to converse with Yu Tang: “After Miss Xu leaves, Miss Yu will also be returning to Lin’an City, right? Let’s return together then. The new Zhejiang Provincial Administration Commissioner will be arriving to take up his post in the next few days. If we return together, we can look after each other.”
Before Yu Tang could answer, Miss Xu said in surprise: “Zhejiang is changing Provincial Administration Commissioners?”
Pei Yan smiled and nodded: “The imperial edict came down last month. He should arrive in the next few days.”
Miss Xu asked: “Who’s replacing him? What will Lord Qin be doing?”
Pei Yan’s gaze lingered on Yu Tang for a moment before saying: “Li Guang, the former Yunnan Provincial Administration Commissioner, is being transferred to Zhejiang as Provincial Administration Commissioner. Lord Qin is being transferred to the capital to serve as Vice Minister of Rites.”
Miss Xu had an elder brother serving as Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Rites.
Her mind became somewhat chaotic.
She didn’t know if Third Madam Yang had visited Lord Qin during her visits to old friends.
If she hadn’t gone, she wondered if there was still time to go now.
After pondering for several breaths, she asked Pei Yan shamelessly: “Has Lord Qin’s transfer order already arrived in Hangzhou?”
Pei Yan said: “It should have arrived. However, given Lord Qin’s temperament, before Lord Li arrives, he probably won’t make it public.”
Miss Xu became a bit anxious. She whispered to Yu Tang: “Why don’t you go to Yongfu Temple first? I have something urgent—I need to give A’Fu some instructions.”
Though Yu Tang didn’t know what connection Lord Qin’s transfer from Zhejiang had with Miss Xu, judging by Miss Xu’s appearance, she suspected Pei Yan had deliberately told Miss Xu this news. She vaguely sensed Pei Yan was trying to get rid of Miss Xu.
Her heart immediately began pounding like a drum.
Should she go with the flow and listen to what Pei Yan would say to her? Or should she continue ignoring him and accompany Miss Xu to handle her business?
Yu Tang hadn’t managed to hesitate for even half a breath when Pei Yan already said: “Then I’ll accompany Miss Yu and wait for you here! Go and come back quickly.”
Lingyin Temple was no more than an arrow’s flight from Yongfu Temple. They were also taking the side gate—the trees were lush, the stone path secluded, with no worshippers around. It indeed wouldn’t be quite proper to leave Yu Tang alone here.
Miss Xu responded with “Good,” told Yu Tang “I’ll be right back,” and hurriedly took A’Fu to talk under a large tree nearby.
Pei Yan’s gaze fell on Yu Tang as if it were tangible.
Yu Tang pretended not to notice, looking around as if surveying the surrounding scenery.
Pei Yan coughed lightly.
Only then did Yu Tang subconsciously look over.
She saw Pei Yan with a tense expression, holding his fist-clenched hand in front of his mouth, coughing again.
Yu Tang said: “Did you catch a chill or is your throat uncomfortable? Should we have a physician look at you? If I remember correctly, there are medical monks within Lingyin Temple. Though I don’t know how skilled they are. How about I have Qing Lian accompany you back to have a look?”
Pei Yan’s face instantly darkened like the bottom of a pot.
After a long while, he finally said with a stern face: “Are you still angry about me asking how you knew Gu Chang?”
Gu Chaoyang had become Gu Chang.
Yu Tang was quite surprised and instinctively denied it: “No.”
Pei Yan said: “You’re lying! Otherwise, when I mentioned elevating Jiang Chao, why weren’t you the least bit happy?”
Yu Tang was stumped by the question.
A trace of triumph flashed in Pei Yan’s eyes. Feeling that Tao Qing was indeed like an elder brother and very reliable, he continued: “I don’t have any other meaning. I just find it very strange how Gu Chang keeps running into you repeatedly. It’s not as if the Gu family doesn’t have a residence in Hangzhou. Now that he’s a Censor, returning to the Gu family could be considered returning home in glory, yet he’s being secretive about it and staying at my place. I’m afraid he has some ill intentions toward you…”
In both her past and present lives, Yu Tang most hated people having “ill intentions” toward her.
In this life, she had already crawled out of the mire of her previous life. What right did Pei Yan have to speak of her this way?
Furious, she said: “Third Master’s words are mistaken. I’m merely the daughter of a poor scholar, born humble, raised in the alleyways. What is there about me worth others’ attention…”
Before Yu Tang could finish speaking, Pei Yan realized he had said the wrong thing again, and moreover… this time was even more serious than last time.
He hastily tried to remedy it: “Look at you, a perfectly good young lady, acting willfully—that’s one thing—but why is your temper so fierce? Gu Xi’s marriage engagement was broken off by you, wasn’t it? The Li Duan family got into trouble because of you, didn’t they? What is Gu Chang’s background? If he’s interested, wouldn’t he investigate?”
Yu Tang’s mouth fell open in shock.
Seeing this, Pei Yan felt greatly reassured inwardly, but his words remained merciless: “Can’t you be more careful? I’m anxious to death over here, yet there you are chatting and laughing with Gu Chang! Tell me, how did you come to know Gu Chang? So I can analyze it for you.”
Only then did Yu Tang realize that in this life, she truly hadn’t had any opportunity to know him before Gu Chang spoke to her.
How should she cover up this lie?
Sweat broke out on Yu Tang’s forehead.
And Pei Yan was still pressing her: “Think carefully—when was the first time you saw him? What did he say to you? What was his expression at the time?”
Pressed urgently, Yu Tang steeled herself and said: “I truly don’t remember! Ever since I had that dream, sometimes I simply can’t distinguish which things I dreamed and which I actually experienced!”
Pei Yan stared at Yu Tang in shock, an uneasy feeling rising in his heart.
Could it be that Gu Chang’s approach to Yu Tang truly had some ulterior purpose?
Pei Yan wanted to question Yu Tang more carefully, but Miss Xu had already finished giving instructions and was coming this way.
He couldn’t say more and could only solemnly instruct Yu Tang: “Don’t speak with Gu Chang anymore. I will investigate this matter thoroughly.”