Yin Hao returned to his lodgings, and a young attendant told him, “Third Master Pei waited for you quite a while. Seeing you hadn’t returned, he left.”

“How long ago did he leave?” Yin Hao asked in astonishment. “Didn’t he leave any message?”

The young attendant shook his head. “Third Master Pei left less than a quarter hour ago. When he heard you weren’t here, he just sat there and drank several cups of tea in succession without saying a word.”

Fearing Pei Yan had some urgent matter, Yin Hao didn’t even change his clothes and immediately went to Pei Yan’s lodgings.

Who knew that the young attendant in Pei Yan’s room would tell him Pei Yan wasn’t there? When he asked where Pei Yan had gone, the attendant didn’t know either.

Yin Hao had no choice but to summon the Fourth Steward and have him help search for Pei Yan.

The Fourth Steward asked several people before discovering that Pei Yan had gone to Tao Qing’s place.

Although the Yin and Pei families had been friends for several generations, without Pei Yan’s instructions, he shouldn’t reveal Pei Yan’s whereabouts to Yin Hao.

Though the Fourth Steward already knew Pei Yan’s whereabouts, he continued “searching for him.”

Yin Hao waited anxiously, his heart burning with impatience.

Meanwhile, Pei Yan had just intercepted Tao Qing at the door.

Seeing him, Tao Qing’s face lit up with delight. He pulled him along saying, “Your timing is perfect. I’ve already prepared everything. The finest jade carvings, a mutton-fat jade belt without a single flaw, plus some calligraphy, paintings, and antiques—I had people bring them from other households first. I calculated, and they must be worth at least this much.” He held up one palm.

While following Tao Qing inside, Pei Yan sneered, “Elder Brother, these things might be acceptable as gifts to me, but giving them to Wang Qibao… I’ll be frank with you—he comes from humble origins and likes nothing but gold.”

“Ah!” Tao Qing looked at the loads his young attendants were carrying and stopped in his tracks. He quickly said, “Xiaguang, I’ll write you a promissory note. Lend me one thousand taels of gold first. Later I’ll have someone repay it to your family’s silver shop in Guangzhou. What do you think?”

If Pei Yan didn’t want to help him, he wouldn’t have given him this hint.

He nodded perfunctorily and strode toward the study with Tao Qing. “Elder Brother, there’s something I’d like to ask you.”

Tao Qing’s steps paused slightly, then he quickly took two quick steps to walk shoulder to shoulder with Pei Yan. “Go ahead!”

In his heart, however, he was thinking: It’s not about that Miss Yu again, is it?

Speak of the devil!

Pei Yan said, “Elder Brother, I know you’ve traveled far and wide, and who knows what situations you might encounter, so your household specifically employs guards. If I remember correctly, before you took charge of the household, affairs were managed by one of your great-aunts. Though she didn’t travel everywhere for trade, she managed your family’s shops and estates and definitely had to go out. Her personal guards couldn’t have been men. Could you give me two women skilled in martial arts? If they’re older servants that would be even better—I’ll buy their entire household over.”

Tao Qing raised an eyebrow and said deliberately, “The Pei family in Lin’an has always accumulated virtue and good fortune. Any outsider entering Lin’an can’t escape your family’s eyes. What do you need women skilled in martial arts for? And only two of them. If I remember correctly, your family has quite a few female relatives. Can you really manage with just two people?”

Only then did Pei Yan realize his mistake.

He could only say stiffly, “I was just afraid that if I asked for too many, you wouldn’t give them to me!”

Tao Qing said, “My great-aunt ran the household for thirty years. The people around her came in waves—there must have been twenty or thirty at least. Even that servant beside Miss Xu was requested by Old Master Xu back then. You’ve helped our family so much—not to mention two women skilled in martial arts, even if you wanted eight or ten, I’d definitely find a way to get them for you!”

What should have been warm words, when spoken in Tao Qing’s tone, sounded to Pei Yan’s ears as though they carried a hint of displeasure. Moreover, Tao Qing was quick-witted. For Pei Yan to gain an advantage from him required full concentration and alertness. His mind raced quickly. “Elder Brother, saying this means you won’t give them to me! Isn’t this accusing me of using a favor to extort repayment? You can’t frame me like this!”

Tao Qing said, “If I accuse you of using a favor to extort repayment, will you stop asking me for people?”

Pei Yan froze.

He finally understood that Tao Qing was joking with him.

Which meant Tao Qing had already seen through his intentions.

His ears immediately burned, though his face showed nothing. He simply spoke shamelessly and directly. “Elder Brother, just tell me whether you’ll give them or not! I need them urgently! If I can’t borrow people from you, I plan to ask Second Brother Yin for help.” At this point, he even sighed as if helpless. “You know how Second Brother Yin is—everything about him is good, except when he drinks he can’t quite control his mouth and likes to tell Second Sister-in-law Yin everything. I figured it’s more reliable to ask Elder Brother.”

Pei Yan had enjoyed success from a young age and hadn’t suffered many setbacks.

Tao Qing felt the joke had gone far enough. If he continued, Pei Yan would probably explode. And if he offended Pei Yan over this, that would be even more inappropriate.

He smiled. “Rest assured, I’ll have someone select two households and send them over right away. Almost everyone in the household knows some martial arts. If you want older servants there are older servants, if you want younger women there are younger women, there are even boys. In any case, I guarantee no one will think of it.”

Pei Yan really did covet this type of person from Tao Qing’s household.

He waved his hand magnanimously. “Elder Brother, you’re not standing on ceremony with me, so I won’t stand on ceremony with you either. That one thousand taels of gold—just consider it payment for buying those two households. You don’t need to repay it.”

Tao Qing was dumbstruck, then burst into hearty laughter. “Spending gold like dirt! Then I’ll accept it!”

He had sent out quite a few gifts these days. The ready silver from the nearby shops had been nearly depleted. The distant shops couldn’t solve immediate problems, so taking Pei Yan’s gold to tide things over for a while was good.

Having gotten what he wanted, Pei Yan immediately felt relieved.

He felt that buying one of the Tao family’s traditions with one thousand taels of gold was still worthwhile.

Moreover, this way the inner courtyard at home could have several unexpected hands.

He immediately wrote a receipt for Tao Qing, not only allowing Tao Qing to send someone to collect the gold, but also advising Tao Qing, “You might as well cast it into something like a golden ox or golden bowl to give to Eunuch Wang.”

Tao Qing had already found out that Wang Qibao was born in the Year of the Ox.

He understood and smiled. “I know what to do now!”

What were golden oxen and golden bowls? He would send Wang Qibao a parasol tree made of gold.

Thinking of that one thousand taels of gold, Tao Qing said to Pei Yan, “When you leave, take the servant sweeping the courtyard with you too. Use her for a few days first. When you return to Lin’an, give her back to me.”

Pei Yan hadn’t expected that even this small inn would have such talented people. He said shamelessly, “Elder Brother, since when have you become so petty? Since you’re giving the person to me, how can there be any reason to take her back? Why don’t you just let me take her directly back to Lin’an!”

Tao Qing couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s not that I don’t want to give the person to you, but this servant once served my great-aunt. When my great-aunt passed away, she said to let her retire comfortably in Hangzhou. She herself was idle and voluntarily helped out at the inn. I can’t force her.”

Pei Yan’s thoughts raced. “So if she’s willing to stay of her own accord, you won’t interfere!”

Tao Qing raised his hand to strike.

Pei Yan lifted his foot and ran outside.

Tao Qing didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He called after him, “Don’t do anything rash. I’m speaking from the heart. Whether she’s willing to go is still uncertain!”

Pei Yan didn’t care about any of this.

Since someone who could retire comfortably would rather stay at the Tao family’s business to help, it meant she hadn’t forgotten her master’s kindness. How could she be impossible to command?

Pei Yan thought that this servant needed to protect Yu Tang’s safety—taking initiative versus being perfunctory were completely different situations. He might as well humble himself and personally invite this servant.

The servant Tao Qing mentioned had never married and had been granted the surname Tao. People called her Nanny Tao. Though already over sixty, her back was straight, her eyes clear, her hearing sharp. Despite having a full head of white hair, her complexion was ruddy and her color excellent.

Knowing the purpose of Tao Qing bringing Pei Yan over, Nanny Tao didn’t hesitate at all and immediately agreed to go help sweep the courtyard at Pei Yan’s place for a few days.

Tao Qing felt somewhat guilty after all and said softly to Nanny Tao, “The Tao family has encountered some trouble this time. Just consider it as helping me.”

Nanny Tao respectfully bowed to Tao Qing and smiled. “My life was saved by Great-Aunt. While she lived she wanted to protect you all. That you can use me is my honor—how could I deserve your calling it help? I’ll pack my bundle right away and go with Master Pei.”

Seeing this, Pei Yan didn’t dare presume. He politely said “thank you” to Nanny Tao.

Nanny Tao smiled and repeatedly said “I wouldn’t dare,” then went to pack her belongings.

Tao Qing said irritably, “I’ve done right by you as your elder brother, haven’t I?”

Pei Yan knew how to say nice things too and smiled. “That’s why everyone follows Master Tao in calling you ‘Elder Brother’!”

Being recognized by his younger brother’s friend was also a very comforting thing for Tao Qing.

The two chatted idly for a bit, then discussed many possible scenarios for meeting Wang Qibao. Only then did Tao Qing personally see Pei Yan and Nanny Tao out.

When they returned to the Pei residence, Pei Yan was intercepted at the door by Yin Hao.

He looked at Nanny Tao behind Pei Yan, unable to speak for quite some time.

Pei Yan couldn’t be bothered with him. He said to Yin Hao, “Whatever matter you have, wait until I come back,” then went enthusiastically to Yu Tang’s quarters as if he’d gotten a fun new toy.

Yu Tang had already retired for the night.

Qing Yuan was ordered to summon Yu Tang.

Yu Tang rubbed her sleepy eyes and said drowsily, “Third Master Pei brought a servant and wants me to get up to see him?!”

Qing Yuan smiled bitterly. “That’s what Third Master said.”

Yu Tang sat there in a daze until Qing Yuan served her a few sips of tea, and only then did she fully wake up.

What was Pei Yan up to now?

Extremely annoyed, Yu Tang suppressed her temper, dressed and groomed herself again, and went to the hall to meet Pei Yan.

Pei Yan was frowning, pacing back and forth.

Those unfamiliar with him would think he seemed very agitated. But in Qing Yuan’s eyes, having served him since childhood, Pei Yan was clearly very excited.

Qing Yuan couldn’t help but glance at Yu Tang.

Yu Tang had barely managed to control herself from yawning, and her manner inevitably carried a hint of languidness, like a gorgeous flower blooming half-open under the dim yellow lamplight.

Pei Yan’s eyes went a bit blank. It wasn’t until Yu Tang asked him if he had come so late because of some urgent matter that his heart trembled and he came back to his senses.