Third Madam Yang couldn’t help but praise Steward Tong’er: “Truly capable!”
Steward Tong’er felt honored.
Third Madam Yang then led Yu Tang and Miss Xu in busily arranging the residence, while Yin Hao forcibly dragged Pei Yan to the restaurant where they would meet with the Gu family.
Whatever Gu Chang had said to his family, the person who came to discuss the marriage arrangement with the Yin family was Gu Chang’s eldest uncle—that is, the Gu family’s clan head Gu Shou. Gu Chang’s father, however, did not make an appearance.
When Gu Shou saw Pei Yan, his eyes lit up. He smiled and came forward, taking the initiative to greet Pei Yan.
Last time when Gu Xi and Pei Tong became engaged, it was Gu Xuan who represented the Gu family.
He said with regret: “Last time I heard you had gone to Huai’an, and I was thinking at the time how unfortunate the timing was. I was planning to invite you over in September to eat crabs and admire chrysanthemums. I never expected our two families to be so fated—to meet at Chaoyang’s marriage arrangement. This shows our two families are destined to become in-laws.”
These words were rather fawning, and Gu Chaoyang found them very uncomfortable to hear.
Fortunately, because of Gu Xi, Pei Yan and Gu Shou were of the same generation, which saved him from too much embarrassment.
Pei Yan looked down on the Gu family’s second branch, but his impression of Gu Shou, who had been struggling to support the Gu family all along, was fairly acceptable. Moreover, today Gu Chang’s marriage would be formally settled, and Gu Chang would surely have many troubles in the future. He was in an excellent mood and didn’t begrudge his warmth. He smiled and said to Gu Shou: “I didn’t expect to meet you here either. How is your health? Some days ago I heard my mother say that your eldest son caught a cold—is he better now?”
Gu Shou’s son was naturally fine, otherwise Pei Yan wouldn’t have brought up this matter. Gu Shou smiled and said: “He just didn’t listen to his elders and removed his outer garments too early.” He then pulled his eldest son forward to pay respects to Pei Yan.
His eldest son was more than ten years older than Pei Yan, yet upon seeing Pei Yan could only address him as “Uncle.” Pei Yan’s mood improved even further.
Everyone sat down to discuss Gu Chang’s marriage arrangement. Pei Yan treated himself as mere decoration—not only saying not a word, but even finding time to think about the Yu family’s mountain forest.
The best method would naturally be to change and plant something else. But if Yu Tang insisted and didn’t agree to change what was planted, then they could only work on improving the sea buckthorn trees themselves.
Sea buckthorn trees… were very common in the northwest, but in the south, especially in Lin’an, they had almost never existed. Could they work on this angle? Also, what special properties did sea buckthorn fruit have that could be used to attract people? He needed to find someone to ask. It would be best if they had medicinal properties. Then, made into dried fruit or preserves, there should be a way to sell them.
Pei Yan finally made it through lunch. Thinking that they would discuss specific engagement matters in the afternoon and he didn’t want to wait around here, he wanted to go back and see what Yu Tang was doing. But he was held back by Gu Shou: “You’re not just some outsider—there are some matters that require your help in making decisions!”
Gu Shou still took fairly good care of the son and daughter left behind by his cousin’s first wife, especially now that Gu Chang had become accomplished and Gu Xi was capable—he was even more willing to lend a hand.
Gu Chang’s father was unreliable. When he had previously discussed Gu Chang’s engagement with Gu Chang’s father, the father had been quite pleased at first. But after listening to a few words from Gu Chang’s stepmother, he began haggling over money. He even said something about how their Gu family had been a scholarly family for generations, and if they placed too much emphasis on material goods, they might be looked down upon by other prominent Jiangnan families. For Gu Chang’s engagement, following ancient rites, they just needed to manage to send a pair of wild geese. As for other things like tea, wine, and pastries, they should just make a token gesture and send them in pairs.
He stopped just short of saying they should only send a pair of wild geese and nothing else.
Gu Shou knew he couldn’t count on Gu Chang’s father in this matter. But he could neither break clan rules by spending extra money on Gu Chang’s marriage, nor could he possibly use his own personal savings to subsidize Gu Chang.
Thinking of how shabby Gu Chang’s wedding would be, and then thinking of how Gu Chang always kept himself presentable and dignified wherever he went, his heart not only ached but wanted to help Gu Chang and Gu Xi.
The best method was to have Pei Yan present as a witness—it wasn’t that Gu Chang had been negligent toward his in-laws, but rather that Gu Chang’s father was shameless and unwilling to spend money on his eldest son. That way, when it came time for Gu Xi to marry out, if her dowry didn’t look very good, Pei Yan could be understanding about it. He might even feel sympathy for Gu Xi and speak a few good words on her behalf before Old Lady Pei, so that Gu Xi’s days in the Pei family wouldn’t be too difficult.
His considerations were long-term and thorough, but he couldn’t withstand Gu Chang feeling it was shameful. Gu Chang said: “Uncle, Wang Qibao is in Hangzhou city, and Xiaguang has been rather busy these days. Don’t force him.” Then he said to Pei Yan: “These are all small matters on my end. You’re not an outsider, so I won’t stand on ceremony with you.”
Seeing Gu Chang’s strained smile, Pei Yan knew that what followed wouldn’t look good. He had no desire to let others know what role he played in the marriage between the Yin and Gu families, much less sit here listening to the Yin and Gu families exchange veiled remarks.
He unceremoniously rose to take his leave.
Yin Hao naturally tried to make him stay.
This was his first time presiding over the marriage of a junior family member, and it was also the first time he didn’t have the guidance of “aunts” and “elder sisters” at his side. He was terrified of doing something improper that would make the Yin family a laughingstock. This was why he had insisted Pei Yan come along.
Now that Pei Yan was leaving, seeing that the Gu family couldn’t keep him, he immediately stood up and said to Gu Shou: “You are an elder—let me see Xiaguang off.” After speaking, he gave Gu Chang a look, telling him to keep Gu Shou company.
Gu Chang nodded.
Yin Hao saw Pei Yan out of the private room. After walking just a few steps, he said: “If you leave, what am I supposed to do?”
Pei Yan glanced at Yin Hao.
No wonder everyone said the Yin family men couldn’t do anything except study and serve as officials.
It seemed Yin Hao was also someone who had been spoiled by the Yin family’s “aunts.”
He said: “Didn’t you bring a matchmaker? When the time comes, let the matchmaker do the talking. You just need to nod or shake your head. Don’t tell me you can’t even do that?”
Yin Hao raised his hand to smack Pei Yan’s head.
Pei Yan quickly walked forward several steps, avoiding Yin Hao’s palm, and said displeasedly: “Don’t take liberties with me just because you’re my senior. Be careful or I’ll abandon your family and not care anymore.”
“Does it look like you’re caring?” Yin Hao quickly caught up with Pei Yan and said: “Can’t I nod and shake my head? The question is when is it appropriate to nod and when to shake my head, isn’t it? Speak properly to me. Don’t forget—you were the one who recommended this marriage. If my cousin marries poorly, don’t expect to have any peace either.”
Pei Yan felt no guilt whatsoever. He said: “If you thought it wasn’t good, no matter how much I recommended it, you couldn’t possibly have been moved. Don’t push everything onto me.”
He also felt that this person Yin Hao really had no redeeming qualities aside from serving as an official and studying. He even kept a mistress outside and produced an illegitimate son. Thinking about it, he felt a bit sorry for Madam Yin.
Yin Hao grabbed his arm and wouldn’t let go. He said: “Hurry up and give me an idea. What if their family’s betrothal gifts are very expensive? What do I do? Otherwise, open up your private treasury and let me pick out a couple of items.”
These prominent families who were old friends all knew that Old Master Qian had specifically left all his private collection to Pei Yan by name. Rare antiques that were difficult for others to obtain were for him only a matter of whether he liked them or not.
The Gu family was after all one of the four great surnames of Jiangnan. Although they weren’t as prosperous as before in recent years, a lean camel was still bigger than a horse. What if they brought out some antique calligraphy or painting as betrothal gifts? Their side would also need to prepare corresponding items as dowry to maintain face for their aunts.
The Yin family was no worse than the Gu family, but the problem was that their family placed more importance on their daughters. So when the daughters married out, they all received substantial dowries. The family’s good things had been scattered away bit by bit. This was also an important reason why the Yin family gradually faced financial difficulties by the time it reached Yin Hao’s hands.
Pei Yan knew the Yin family’s affairs in great detail. Seeing Yin Hao making designs on his private treasury, he couldn’t help saying sardonically: “So that’s why you insisted I had to come—you were waiting here for this! But you’re overthinking it. The Gu family won’t possibly send anything particularly expensive as betrothal gifts. You don’t need to worry about not being able to reciprocate.”
Yin Hao’s heart tightened. He grabbed Pei Yan’s shoulder and said: “What do you mean by that?”
Pei Yan felt that since the Gu family was being dishonorable, he couldn’t be blamed for digging another pit for Gu Chang. Who told him to provoke their little girl when he had nothing better to do!
“My eldest sister-in-law is eagerly hoping for my nephew to marry soon!” he said. “But Miss Gu’s dowry list supposedly hasn’t been sent over even now.”
In other words, the Gu family was dragging out their daughter’s marriage, wanting the Pei family to make concessions.
Yin Hao was dumbstruck.
This was unimaginable in their Yin family.
Seeing this, Pei Yan felt that Yin Hao and his Pei family were both victims. He should be more generous with Yin Hao. He couldn’t help saying warmly: “You needn’t worry. Your Yin family values Gu Chaoyang, not his father. What does his father matter? You just need to negotiate with the Gu family’s clan head about how to handle your aunt’s dowry. In the future when there are nephews, will they prefer an uncle who is generous with gifts, buying them writing implements and sweets? Or will they prefer a grandfather who is stingy?”
Hearing this, Yin Hao felt greatly reassured and couldn’t help asking Pei Yan for advice again: “How should I arrange with the Gu family about my aunt’s dowry?”
Hearing this, Pei Yan wanted to roll his eyes, but thinking of Gu Chang, he still patiently said to Yin Hao: “What arrangements do your married-out aunts’ dowries have with their husbands’ families?”
Yin Hao thought carefully and said: “There are no arrangements! Since it’s their dowry, naturally it’s theirs to dispose of as they wish.”
Sigh! No wonder in earlier years everyone considered it an honor to marry a Yin family daughter.
Pei Yan said: “Different people require different approaches. If it were me encountering a family like the Gu clan, I would stipulate: how should your aunt’s dowry be handled in their family? How should it be handled if there’s a divorce? How should it be handled if there are children after marriage? And how should it be handled if there are no children?”
In short, they couldn’t let the Gu family gain benefits and take advantage.
Yin Hao, this man who never managed household affairs, suddenly understood. He felt Pei Yan had opened a door for him. He said eagerly: “Watch me!”
As if he were going to bully someone.
Though indeed, he was going to bully someone—before the person had even married over, they were already guarding against this and that, clearly not treating the Gu family as honorable people.
Pei Yan tugged at the corner of his mouth and decided to add more fuel to the fire: “I’m only saying this because there’s no other way—who told the Gu family elders to be so unreliable? My nephew’s marriage still doesn’t know how to proceed. Fortunately, Grandfather’s mourning period hasn’t passed yet, so it can still cover for them somewhat.”
Yin Hao immediately felt united in indignation and said to Pei Yan: “If it weren’t for Gu Chaoyang’s sake, who would bother dealing with such a family?”
Pei Yan smiled and said: “Who’s to say otherwise?”
Only then did he stride away.