Yu Tang was on Pei Yan’s mind. He hurried back as fast as he could, finally making it home right at the hour of shen, only to learn that Yu Tang had gone with Third Madam Yang and Miss Xu to the Yin family’s newly purchased residence and hadn’t returned yet.
Though he muttered to himself “It’s just arranging a new residence—does it really need to take this long?”, he actually understood that when women got involved in such matters, they wouldn’t feel tired even if it took all day.
Should he go over there to see?
Pei Yan felt eager to try.
But he also felt it was somewhat inappropriate… or rather, somewhat embarrassing.
Third Madam Yang was there. Even if he went, he could at most catch a glimpse of Yu Tang, and Yu Tang didn’t know what he was thinking anyway.
Thinking about apologizing to Yu Tang last time made his heart feel stifled.
But just staying at home like this, he felt somewhat unwilling.
What should he do?
Pei Yan sat cross-legged on the meditation chair in his study, his face somber. The maids and servants attending him in the room didn’t dare breathe loudly.
Fortunately, a letter arrived from the capital. He frowned and sent everyone around him away, pulled a book from the bookshelf behind him, and stayed alone in the study, decoding the letter according to their prior agreement using the book’s content.
The letter was from his mentor, the former Minister of Personnel Zhang Ying, who had already retired from office.
He wanted Pei Yan to come to the capital with Pei Xuan after the mourning period ended.
Pei Yan looked at the letter. After a long while, he got up, took out a small blue and white porcelain bowl, and burned the letter in it.
Calculating the time, Zhou Zijin probably hadn’t reached the capital yet.
But he had already sent a message by carrier pigeon, informing Zhang Ying of Zhou Zijin’s itinerary.
Zhang Ying still wanted him to go to the capital, and to bring his elder brother as well.
Did his mentor want to give important positions to their Pei family?
But he had promised his deceased father that he would stay in their hometown to guard the family business and protect the clan members…
Pei Yan was in a bad mood.
Fourth Steward came in to ask for instructions: “You mentioned earlier about having Chief Steward Hu come over. The shop has an apprentice returning to Lin’an tomorrow. Do you want to send a message?”
Pei Yan couldn’t help thinking of the Yu family’s mountain forest.
His brows furrowed tightly as he said: “Have him hand over the Zhaoming Temple matters to someone else and come to Hangzhou immediately.”
Fourth Steward bowed in acknowledgment and withdrew.
Pei Yan had no heart to sit idle in the study. He walked alone along the small lake in the back courtyard. The sky gradually darkened, but he didn’t notice.
Yu Tang and the others, however, returned earlier than planned. Third Madam Yang even asked for Fourth Steward as soon as she entered, inquiring about Pei Yan: “Has he had dinner? Would it be convenient for us to visit him at this time?”
Fourth Steward quickly glanced at Yu Tang before saying: “Third Master has been alone ever since returning from Chunfeng Pavilion. He’s currently taking a walk by the lake in the back and hasn’t had dinner yet. I was just worrying about what to do.”
The implication was for Third Madam Yang to decide whether to go report to Pei Yan.
Yu Tang was secretly alarmed and couldn’t help saying: “It’s already this late—how has Third Master still not had dinner?”
In her mind, Pei Yan was someone who took good care of himself. What major matter must he have encountered to not even eat dinner?
Third Madam Yang was also secretly alarmed.
Yu Tang was a very well-bred young lady. Hearing that Pei Yan hadn’t eaten dinner, she had actually spoken out of turn, ahead of her.
Thinking further about Yu Tang’s relationship with the Pei family, a possibility occurred to her.
Third Madam Yang glanced at Miss Xu.
Miss Xu, however, was quite composed. Having been pampered and raised by everyone since childhood, Yu Tang speaking a bit casually like this was nothing at all. Therefore, she didn’t notice Third Madam Yang’s look at all, but instead thought along the same lines as Yu Tang and asked curiously: “Has something happened?”
Fourth Steward naturally wouldn’t casually discuss Pei Yan. He replied: “This humble one doesn’t know either. Third Master hasn’t spoken all afternoon.”
The Yin family people weren’t very familiar with Hangzhou. The matchmaker Yin Hao had brought was found by Third Madam Yang through Qin Wei’s wife. Third Madam Yang was very concerned about how the marriage arrangement between the Yin and Gu families was progressing, so she had sent someone to follow that matchmaker. Before the engagement process at Chunfeng Pavilion between Yin Hao and the Gu family was even complete, she already knew what had happened there.
Yu Tang and Miss Xu were with Third Madam Yang, so what Third Madam Yang knew, they also knew.
Hearing this, the three looked at each other in dismay.
Third Madam Yang instinctively felt that Pei Yan was mostly worried about the marriage between the Yin and Gu families. She quickly said: “Please help us inform Third Master. If it’s not convenient for Third Master today, we’ll seek an audience tomorrow.”
Fourth Steward had also been worried about Pei Yan’s bad mood. Now that someone was requesting to see Pei Yan, he naturally welcomed it.
Who knew that upon hearing Third Madam Yang and the others had returned, Pei Yan immediately invited them to the lakeside pavilion to talk.
Fourth Steward went to relay the message while pondering why Pei Yan wanted to meet Third Madam Yang and the others in the pavilion.
Was it because not only was the scenery good there, but it was also close to where Third Madam Yang and the others were staying?
Fourth Steward thought for a long time without understanding, but Third Madam Yang and the others were already before him. He could only stop his thoughts and led the three women to see Pei Yan with a smile.
By the time they arrived, Pei Yan had already tidied up the pavilion and set out tea, snacks, and fruits.
Pei Yan glanced at Yu Tang. Seeing her expression calm and content, a hint of a smile couldn’t help appearing in his eyes. He said to Third Madam Yang: “You’ve worked hard today! I heard from the servants that you haven’t had dinner yet. I happen to not have eaten either. Why don’t we have them set the meal here? We can dine together. After we talk, you can also return to rest earlier.”
Third Madam Yang gladly agreed, thinking to herself that no wonder everyone said Pei Xiaguang was considerate and thoughtful—it was truly well-deserved.
Several people sat down according to rank, drank a few sips of tea, ate a couple of fruits. The atmosphere was harmonious. Third Madam Yang explained her purpose: “I’ve already heard about what happened at Chunfeng Pavilion. I came especially to thank you—your Second Brother Yin doesn’t really manage household affairs, so he inevitably overlooks some things. If you hadn’t reminded him, he would have made a big mistake today.”
Pei Yan didn’t understand and glanced at Yu Tang.
Yu Tang recalled what the person Third Madam Yang had sent to Chunfeng Pavilion had said and smiled with pursed lips.
Under the setting sun, her eyes shone brilliantly like stars.
Pei Yan had a moment of distraction. By the time he came to his senses, he no longer knew what Third Madam Yang had just said.
Seeing Third Madam Yang smiling and waiting for his response, his ears felt burning hot. He could only say shamelessly: “You’re saying…”
Third Madam Yang simply thought she had spoken too obliquely, so she smiled and spoke frankly: “I also know that a girl’s dowry shouldn’t be calculated so clearly. Otherwise, before the girl even marries into her husband’s family, she first makes her in-laws wary, and the days ahead will only become colder. It’s just that the Gu family’s situation is different. Minister Gu’s father is too unreliable. It’s better for us to be the villains than for the girl to marry over and later have a rift with Minister Gu’s father and stepmother over some dowry.”
Only then did Pei Yan understand. Third Madam Yang was thanking him for reminding Yin Hao to clarify Miss Yin’s dowry with the Gu family in advance.
He didn’t think it was a big deal and smiled: “Miss Yin is also like my younger sister. Of course I have to stand on her side.”
Third Madam Yang nodded and sighed: “When the aunts of the older generation married out, whether it was Minister Zhang or Minister Li, they were still studying hard at the academy then. The family elders wanted to help but feared hurting their sons-in-law’s self-esteem, so they didn’t make any arrangements for the dowries—they just wanted to let their sons-in-law live more comfortably and focus their minds on studying. Minister Gu is forming a marriage alliance with our family when he’s already successful and famous, so it’s better to make some arrangements in advance.”
But shouldn’t such arrangements be better proposed by Gu Chang?
Pei Yan believed Gu Chang was a smart person. His eyes looked at Yu Tang, but he smiled and asked Third Madam Yang: “What did the Gu family say?”
Yu Tang’s eyes widened.
What was wrong with Pei Yan today? With every sentence he spoke, he looked at her. Did he have something to say to her privately?
She wondered whether she should find an opportunity to ask Pei Yan later.
Over there, Third Madam Yang was obviously very satisfied with this matter and hadn’t noticed the exchanged glances between Yu Tang and Pei Yan. She smiled and said: “This time Second Brother did things quite reliably too. At first, he didn’t mention anything. Later, when the matchmakers brought up the dowry, he said there was no need for any arrangements. But when the Gu family heard about it, Gu Chaoyang took the initiative to propose following Jiangnan’s custom of stipulating the dowry’s ownership when marrying off daughters. Minister Gu’s eldest uncle also chimed in from the side—probably guarding against Gu Chaoyang’s father. Second Brother went with the flow and reluctantly agreed.”
As for what he really thought, who could know?
But having such a father, Gu Chang must have felt quite ashamed!
Pei Yan’s goal had been achieved. Of course, he couldn’t connect this matter to himself, so he insincerely praised Yin Hao lavishly.
The Yin family’s aunts were famous for doting on their natal family. Third Madam Yang, such a shrewd person, surprisingly didn’t doubt anything at all. She accepted all of Pei Yan’s praise of Yin Hao without ceremony and even said: “We knew long ago that Second Brother became more and more capable after being posted outside. We should have let him leave the capital a few years earlier.”
Pei Yan could only remind Third Madam Yang with a smile: “This also depends on opportunity. In a few years, won’t Second Brother Yin still have to return to the capital?”
Others dared not take external posts, fearing they couldn’t return. But Yin Hao had an uncle-in-law who was a Grand Secretary in the current court. For him, an external posting was like escaping a life of living under his elders’ noses to go play outside for a while.
Everyone talked for a few more sentences, then Fourth Steward personally set out the meal.
No talking during meals or sleep.
Yu Tang kept feeling that Pei Yan was constantly looking at her, but when she raised her head, she only saw Pei Yan looking down eating his meal. She could only assume she was overthinking things.
Pei Yan, meanwhile, was thinking about how to find an excuse to escort Yu Tang back. Unfortunately, Third Madam Yang and Yu Tang lived next to each other. Even after finishing dinner, he hadn’t found an opportunity.
The next day, the Gu and Yin families formally exchanged betrothal gifts. Yu Tang was pulled along by Third Madam Yang, and Pei Yan was dragged along by Yin Hao. The two didn’t encounter each other all day, let alone speak a word.
Pei Yan decided to return home early.
It was at this time that Hu Xing arrived in Hangzhou travel-worn.
Pei Yan found him much more pleasing to the eye. Before Hu Xing could even settle in, he called him to the study and asked about the Yu family’s mountain forest.
Hu Xing’s mind turned rapidly.
He had already mentioned that mountain forest to Pei Yan several times. Now that Pei Yan was bringing up the old matter again, did this mean he wanted him to definitely find a solution for the Yu family’s mountain forest? Or had he not taken the previous matter to heart, didn’t remember it, and was asking him about it anew?
Hu Xing felt it was probably the former.
With Pei Yan’s intelligence, his memory couldn’t possibly be poor.
But he really didn’t know what to do about that mountain forest!
Hu Xing’s heart was bitter, but the flattering words that came out were sincere: “You are well-traveled and knowledgeable. The estate manager was able to grow oranges in summer only by following your advice. You’re naturally someone who comes up with ideas, and I’m naturally someone who runs errands. Just give your orders, and I guarantee I’ll handle this matter perfectly.”