Pei Yan was someone who had known what he wanted since childhood.

Of course he knew what he wanted!

But precisely because he knew, he didn’t know how to voice it.

Seeing him remain silent for so long, Tao Qing guessed somewhat.

If Pei Yan merely wanted to take Miss Yu as a concubine, he wouldn’t consider so much. It was precisely because Pei Yan intended to marry Miss Yu as his wife that he felt both hope and fear, unable to make up his mind for the moment.

This also aligned with Pei Yan’s consistent style of conduct.

Then he needed to discuss the feasibility of this matter with Pei Yan from the perspective of taking a wife.

Tao Qing thought for a moment and said, “Does Old Madam have any arrangements for your marriage?”

How could parents not have expectations for their children’s marriages?

But if Pei Yan were a child living within his parents’ expectations, he wouldn’t be so willful, nor would he be so hesitant about this matter.

He said, “That’s why I’m worried whether she’s willing to walk this path with me.”

A marriage without parental blessing—his pressure might be even greater than Yu Tang’s. If Yu Tang suffered grievances, she could confide in him, complain to him, have him solve things. But whom could he turn to? He feared ending up like Fei Zhiwen—racking his brains trying to find solutions while the other party had long since conceived the desire to leave.

“In your heart, I’m not someone towering and capable of protecting you”—such lack of trust hurt more than anything.

Pei Yan let out a gentle sigh.

Tao Qing carefully recalled everything about Miss Yu.

But he truly had little contact with Miss Yu. Besides being pretty with particularly bright and lively eyes, he had no other memories of her.

Perhaps he should persuade Pei Yan to give up?!

This thought flashed through Tao Qing’s mind and was immediately rejected.

He hadn’t been in contact with Pei Yan for several years, and Old Master Pei had passed so suddenly. Though Pei Yan had taken over as head of the Pei family, his temperament remained as rebellious as before—you said east, he insisted on going west. If he felt this marriage was inappropriate, Pei Yan would probably become even more determined.

Tao Qing quickly tested the waters, saying, “People are all different. Miss Yu isn’t necessarily like Lord Fei’s wife. Don’t worry unnecessarily or be overly concerned.”

Pei Yan nodded slightly.

Watching him, Tao Qing secretly shook his head inwardly.

Pei Yan had clearly already made up his mind. Telling him all this was probably just to unburden himself.

At this moment, he dared even less to displease Pei Yan.

Tao Qing said carefully, “But we don’t know what kind of person Miss Yu is. Isn’t Miss Yu accompanying Miss Xu in Hangzhou? Why don’t you try to understand Miss Yu better? That way, whatever you do in the future, you’ll be prepared—it’s always safer.”

Though he said this aloud, he felt very apologetic toward Yu Tang in his heart.

This was tantamount to encouraging Pei Yan to privately approach Yu Tang. But comparing the two, he naturally sided more with Pei Yan, so he could only apologize to Miss Yu.

Who knew that hearing this, Pei Yan’s eyes would light up, his expression immediately turning from cloudy to sunny as he said happily to Tao Qing, “Elder Brother, it was right to talk to you about this. How did I not think of it? Before formally asking a matchmaker to propose, I should ask Miss Yu’s opinion. She has a resilient character, is clever and quick-witted, resourceful and strategic—if she agrees, she’ll definitely be able to walk this path with me.”

Speaking to this point, he became excited, suddenly standing up and beginning to pace back and forth in the pavilion. As he walked, he continued, “Elder Brother is right. People are all different. I don’t really understand the Fei family’s situation either—it was Senior Brother Fei rambling to me when he was drunk, and I only heard fragments. Miss Yu is different! She not only dares to speak but dares to act. My main task now is to get her to agree. But how can I get her to agree?”

Pei Yan’s words gave Tao Qing a headache.

But what could he do?

This was the advice he had given.

If things went wrong… if it wasn’t Pei Yan giving him trouble, it would be Old Madam giving him trouble.

Either way, he couldn’t wash his hands of it or escape.

Then he might as well help Pei Yan succeed.

At least he wouldn’t have offended both parties.

Feeling somewhat resigned, he said, “It’s like doing business—as long as interests align, you can definitely come to an agreement.”

Interests align!

Pei Yan didn’t like that phrasing.

Tao Qing felt his headache worsen.

He said, “Let me give an example. With A’an’s marriage, I wanted to find someone who could help his official career but wouldn’t overshadow him, making A’an defer to their family in everything. So A’an’s wife is the daughter of a prominent family in our area that only gained official titles in the recent two generations. This way, everyone can both help and protect each other. A’an’s wife’s family thinks the same way—hoping to find a son-in-law with family foundation. Our two families’ interests align. This marriage is a good match.”

Shouldn’t it be “goals align” rather than “interests align”?

Pei Yan remained dissatisfied, but Tao Qing had already begun asking about the Yu family. He had neither the inclination nor time to correct Tao Qing. “What other family members does Miss Yu have? What is her father like? Does he get along well with neighbors?”

Question after question, a whole string of them.

Pei Yan briefly told Tao Qing about Yu Tang’s family situation.

Tao Qing then said, “You see, if the Yu family insists on recruiting a live-in son-in-law, no matter how excellent you are, they won’t agree, so you need to resolve that issue first. As for Miss Yu, if she wants to marry someone skilled in business to manage her family’s affairs, you won’t have a chance. But if she wants to marry a scholar, you’re definitely the best choice.” Saying this, seeing Pei Yan’s solemn expression as if treating this matter as something world-changing, knowing full well that Pei Yan disliked the phrase “interests align,” he couldn’t help teasing, “Isn’t that ‘interests aligning’? So you see, for any matter, you must find the right method. With the right method, it will definitely work. Just rest assured.”

Pei Yan nodded repeatedly, quickly calculating in his mind.

Yu Wen’s side was easy—their family’s talk of recruiting a live-in son-in-law was nothing more than fear that after their daughter married, without blood brothers to support her, if she were bullied at her husband’s family, she’d have no one to back her up, plus they wanted someone to inherit the family business. Yu Bo and Yu Yuan were both excellent candidates to help. Once these two issues were explained, Yu Wen would definitely agree to this match.

Yu Tang’s side was somewhat difficult though.

He had no idea what kind of person she liked or what she thought about her own marriage. But as Tao Qing had said, by taking this opportunity to proactively get to know Miss Yu, wouldn’t he learn everything?

Pei Yan was full of confidence, certain he wouldn’t end up like Fei Zhiwen.

Of course, Fei Zhiwen’s wife probably wasn’t anything good either. If things weren’t working out, they could have just divorced amicably, but instead she became involved with an estate steward before requesting divorce. No wonder Fei Zhiwen was melancholy and dejected. If it were him, he’d want to die.

Pei Yan couldn’t sit still. He wanted to quickly send Tao Qing off and go see Yu Tang. Fortunately, he hadn’t completely lost his head and knew to ask Tao Qing if there was any particular reason for his visit.

Tao Qing smiled and said, “I’ve already made arrangements with Wang Qibao. I wanted to invite you to dinner together tonight—I don’t know if you’re free this evening?”

He really didn’t want to go out.

But Tao Qing had just helped him tremendously and was someone he respected, so he had to agree. He even asked Tao Qing, “Should we call Second Brother Yin too?”

That way someone could help him deflect drinks.

When he returned, he could also go see Yu Tang.

Yin Hao was also working to help the Tao family with Tao An’s bid for Jiangxi Provincial Governor, so of course he should be invited together.

Pei Yan immediately said, “I’ll have someone fetch him right away.”

But Yin Hao hadn’t finished writing the invitations yet when A’Cha was already waiting outside.

Third Madam Yang, knowing he was going drinking that evening, feared he’d become too relaxed and careless, and quickly instructed him, “Drink less tonight. Tomorrow you still need to meet with the Gu family, and the newly purchased estate hasn’t been decided yet.”

Yin Hao felt overwhelmed. He entrusted Third Madam Yang, “Even if you send me to view estates, I can’t tell anything. You’d better decide for me. Xiaguang is waiting urgently—I’ll go ahead first.”

With that, he ran off.

Third Madam Yang had no choice. She kept Miss Xu and Yu Tang at home to prepare for tomorrow’s meeting with the Gu family while she went with Fourth Steward to view estates. She didn’t return until lamplight time in the evening, famished.

Miss Xu and Yu Tang had already had their evening meal and were sitting on beauty couches under the eaves, cooling themselves while making decorative knots and chatting. “…If Miss Yin doesn’t live in the capital in the future, Gu Zhaoyang definitely won’t be able to enter the gates of capital gentry families, which will be very troublesome. I don’t care about others—I just want to know how you can get to the capital? Why don’t your family open a lacquerware shop in the capital too? You can use Yin Mingyuan’s calling card at the government offices, and they won’t dare give your family trouble. Plus, once you’re in the capital and know more people, it’ll be easier to find a suitable live-in son-in-law. Lin’an is still too small. All the capable people have left.”

Yu Tang didn’t have such grand ambitions. She only hoped that those who had harmed her in her previous life would all meet misfortune.

She listened with a smile and said, “That’s not something I can decide. Besides, the capital’s weather is too cold—I fear I won’t adapt. Our family at most wants to open a shop in Hangzhou. The capital is still too far.”

Miss Xu said, “Then go find Pei Xiaguang. If he hadn’t mentioned it, we wouldn’t have known that Lord Qin is being transferred to the capital. His information network is very well-informed. Ask him for a calling card, and when doing business in Hangzhou, no one will dare provoke your family.”

That would depend on how much profit the Jiangchao business could make.

If they had sufficient capital, their family should indeed open a branch in Hangzhou.

Yu Tang pondered this, then looked up to see Third Madam Yang being supported by a maid as she walked in.

She quickly rose with a smile to greet Third Madam Yang, asking if she’d had dinner yet. Learning she hadn’t, she had A’Fu go instruct the kitchen servants, then stood there asking whether Third Madam Yang’s outing had gone smoothly, which estate they’d decided to purchase, and so on, before taking her leave.

Third Madam Yang grew even fonder of Yu Tang, thinking that after finishing with the Yin-Gu engagement, she should also keep an eye out for Yu Tang and find her a good family.

Miss Xu naturally clapped her hands in approval.

Completely unaware of this, Yu Tang had just returned to her quarters when she learned that Pei Yan, who had come to see her, was currently sitting in the hall waiting for her.

Yu Tang asked Qing Yuan curiously, “Didn’t Third Master go out drinking with Grand Master Tao and Lord Yin?”

How could he be coming to see her at this hour?