As Old Madam Pei An listened, her expression became somewhat stern.
She remained silent for quite a while before finally saying, “Which family’s young lady understands her husband’s family very well before marriage? Don’t they all gradually figure things out after marrying over?”
This daughter-in-law didn’t even know where she was yet, and her son was already wholeheartedly making plans for her.
She had thought that this youngest son of hers was cold-hearted and would be different from his two older brothers. But what was the result? Not only was he exactly the same, he was even worse, afraid she would suffer grievances and wanting to give her “lessons” in advance.
Where in the world was there such logic?
Old Madam Pei An picked up the tea cup at hand and took a cold sip, finding the tea bitter and unpalatable. She couldn’t help but frown at Nanny Chen, who was serving at her side, saying, “Who made this tea? Although the weather is getting hotter, there’s no reason to drink cold tea. Quickly have someone change it.”
Nanny Chen hurriedly took the tea cup and quickly tested it with her finger, discovering the tea’s temperature was just right. She knew that Old Madam Pei An was unhappy because of Pei Yan’s words. She quickly glanced at Pei Yan, not knowing if Pei Yan understood her meaning, then lowered her head and smiled in acknowledgment before withdrawing to make fresh tea.
Pei Yan didn’t need Nanny Chen to remind him—he already knew his mother was unhappy.
Logically speaking, his mother wasn’t the type of person who was unreasonable or petty, yet this time she had done something rather small-minded. He speculated that this was mostly due to the shadow left by his two older brothers, especially his eldest brother, who had caused his mother so much anger back then for the sake of his eldest sister-in-law. At that time, he had sworn that after he married a wife, he would never let his mother worry again. He hadn’t expected that when it came to his turn, he would still displease his mother.
So he crouched down in front of his mother, his hands supporting her knees as he looked up at her and said in a low voice, “The Yu family is of ordinary origin, and I’m someone who takes pride in myself. I don’t want others to laugh at me. In this matter, aside from Mother, I don’t want anyone else to know, and aside from Mother, there’s no one else I can entrust it to. Please help me.”
Pei Yan had been a beautiful child since he was young, like a golden boy. When he was two or three years old, not even as tall as the desk, when the old master scolded him from behind his writing desk, he would refute the old master’s words in his childish voice. That appearance of tilting his head while speaking was adorable enough to melt one’s heart. At that time, the old master had smiled and said to her, “Look at this sharp tongue—who knows which family’s young lady he’ll harm in the future.” Later, as he grew older, girls would tease him when he went out, bringing back either a bag of fresh fruit or a bag of candy. The old master, afraid he would rely on his good looks to misbehave, managed him even more strictly. He was also obedient, never flirting around. When he saw his eldest brother upsetting her, he even knew to comfort her, his face iron-blue as he said he would stand up for her…
In the blink of an eye, the child had grown up and was about to marry and have children. But in front of his mother, he still looked like this child, growing ever more handsome, still needing his mother’s protection.
Old Madam Pei An’s eyes suddenly brimmed with moisture.
She gently stroked her son’s smooth, glossy black hair and said warmly with a smile, “Alright! Mother will help you. Our third son has always been superior to others in every way. The wife he finds will definitely be better than others’ too.”
Pei Yan visibly relaxed.
He truly didn’t want to make his mother sad, and even more so didn’t want there to be any rift between his mother and Yu Tang.
The matter of having his mother guide Yu Tang was something he had thought of after going to see Yu Wen today.
However, he seemed to have started having Yu Tang accompany his mother very early on. Could it be that deep down, he had such worries very early on?
These thoughts flashed through his mind and were quickly tossed to the back of his head. He leaped up, smiled, and embraced his mother, calling out “Mother” in a coquettish manner.
So happy!
Was it because she had agreed to his request, or because she was willing to help his future wife?
These thoughts flashed through Old Madam Pei An’s mind and were also quickly suppressed in her heart. She smiled and said, “You want me to help your future wife familiarize herself with the family situation earlier—what are your plans?”
Pei Yan never did things he wasn’t confident about. Since he had such an idea, he certainly had an implementation plan. But he was undoubtedly the smartest kind of person and immediately sensed his mother’s displeasure. He simply turned the tables, handing the initiative in this matter over to his mother.
“I just thought of this a moment ago,” he said. “As for how exactly to handle it, I don’t have a clear plan in my heart yet. Besides, this matter still depends on whether you agree or not, doesn’t it?”
After speaking, he smiled at his mother somewhat sheepishly and added, “Mother, no one knows the affairs of the inner chambers better than you. What do you think would be the best way to handle this?” As he spoke, he added rather childishly, “In any case, we can’t let families like the Song family or Wu family pick out any faults!”
This child!
Old Madam Pei An’s heart softened. She smiled reprovingly and said, “Look at your competitive nature—I don’t know who you take after! Your father and I aren’t like this at all.”
How could she let the Song family or Wu family laugh at her son?
Old Madam Pei An thought for a moment and said to her son, “Don’t worry about this matter anymore. Leave it to me!”
Pei Yan happily hummed in agreement. Without asking what Old Madam Pei An had in mind, he left somewhat joyfully just like that.
Old Madam Pei An couldn’t help but shake her head. She said to Nanny Chen, who had returned with fresh tea, “Would you say he’s carefree? He knows to support Yu Shi. Would you say he’s meticulous? He just tosses Yu Shi to me like this and leaves!”
No one understood Old Madam Pei An’s concerns better than Nanny Chen.
She smiled as she handed the tea to Old Madam Pei An, and while smilingly massaging Old Madam Pei An’s shoulders, she said in a gentle voice, “How could Third Master possibly be a rash person? Look at how he’s managed the Pei family since taking over—which matter hasn’t been arranged properly? This is because he trusts you, doesn’t it? He trusts that you’ll help him, trusts that you’ll arrange everything well, trusts that you have your own calculations. Speaking of which, Third Master is truly the closest to you. He dares to say anything and dares to let you help with any matter!”
The implication was that compared to the eldest master’s bias back then—questioning every detail whenever it involved the eldest mistress, no matter how trivial—and compared to the second master’s indifference, never asking about anything but also never making any requests, Third Master’s way was truly intimate.
Old Madam Pei An understood Nanny Chen’s meaning and nodded thoughtfully.
Very soon, Pei Yan received the news.
He couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat at his own cleverness.
The relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was truly an art. He could occasionally guest-star in it, but having him do this every day—he couldn’t stand it. This kind of thing could only be left to Yu Tang to figure out for herself.
He hoped she had the ability to handle his mother.
Yu Tang hadn’t even married over yet, and he was already getting a headache.
Compared to the treacherous undercurrents of the Pei family, the Yu family seemed quite peaceful.
Yu Bo personally arranged the banquet, calling on Yu Yuan to properly thank Old Master Wu.
Yu Wen was pulled away by Chen Shi to change clothes. Chen Shi couldn’t help but complain to Yu Wen in a low voice, “Don’t go too far! Third Master Pei treats you as an elder, so you should have the bearing of an elder. Sitting there without moving and having Old Master Wu see the guest out for you—what kind of behavior is that? Aren’t you afraid Third Master Pei will laugh at our family in private?”
“He wouldn’t dare!” Yu Wen said with his neck stretched out. “Which family’s father-in-law doesn’t treat his son-in-law this way? Isn’t he my future son-in-law? What’s wrong with me having someone else see him out?”
“Old stubborn fool!” Chen Shi couldn’t persuade him and cursed in frustration.
Yu Wen strode away. When he arrived at the hall where Old Master Wu was being entertained, he immediately changed to a smiling face and spoke with Old Master Wu about the cargo from Jiangchao’s ship: “I don’t know if it can arrive smoothly. If the young lady’s wedding date is set for the end of September, I wonder if there’ll be time to prepare the dowry.”
This meant he intended to use all the profits from that maritime trade as dowry for his daughter.
Old Master Wu felt that Yu Wen was truly worthy of being an educated man—responsible and bold. When he disagreed, he disagreed, but once he agreed to this marriage, he could determinedly give the young lady face. He was someone worth befriending deeply.
He gave a thumbs up and said, “If you’re not at ease, why don’t we make a trip to Ningbo?”
The two began muttering and planning Yu Tang’s dowry.
Yu Tang felt this was quite unnecessary.
She was from whatever kind of family she was from. No matter how much dowry she had, others would know. There was no need to stand on tiptoes pretending to be a tall person. She advised her mother and her aunt, who was busy on her behalf, “Just do it the same as when neighbors marry off their daughters. Others will only praise our family for being proper.”
Chen Shi and Wang Shi wouldn’t listen at all. Yu Tang intended to have Xiang Shi and Ma Xiuniang help persuade them, but who knew that Nanny Chen from Old Madam Pei An’s side would suddenly visit. She was very polite to Chen Shi and Wang Shi, saying, “The weather is hot now, and Old Madam wants to take several young ladies to the country estate to escape the heat. Last year, Miss Yu went along as well. This year, Old Madam still wants to invite Miss Yu to go together. I wonder what the two madams think?”
When the future mother-in-law extended an invitation, although they didn’t know if it was good or bad fortune, could the Yu family refuse?
Chen Shi and Wang Shi hurriedly and respectfully agreed. After seeing Nanny Chen off, they began to worry and speculate about what Old Madam Pei An meant.
Yu Tang couldn’t bear to see the two elders worry, so she simply had Shuang Tao privately go see Nanny Ji.
Nanny Ji already knew about the matter between the Pei and Yu families, so she naturally treated Shuang Tao even more warmly than before. She smiled and told Shuang Tao not to worry—Old Madam Pei An really was just inviting Yu Tang to escape the heat together. Moreover, she promised that if Yu Tang had any matter, she would definitely immediately send someone to inform the Yu family.
Upon receiving such a reply, Chen Shi and Wang Shi felt somewhat at ease. They busied themselves helping Yu Tang pack her clothing and accessories, and according to the time agreed upon with the Pei family, they sent Yu Tang to the Pei residence.
Yu Tang’s mood was very calm.
She had a great gap with Pei Yan. This gap couldn’t be bridged by a dowry or other things. The only thing she could do was to properly manage her marriage with Pei Yan after marrying into the Pei family, letting others gradually recognize her worth.
When considering these things, she couldn’t help but think playfully that actually, it didn’t matter if others didn’t recognize her worth—as long as Pei Yan thought well of her and Old Madam Pei An thought well of her, that was enough.
In her previous life at the Li family, she had tried to please this person and that person, but in the end, no one appreciated it. When she stood in opposition to the Li family and stopped trying to please anyone, everyone felt she was not to be trifled with. They were all unwilling to provoke her or offend her, and instead treated her courteously.
What she couldn’t accomplish when being kind, she achieved by keeping a stern face.
Yu Tang went to pay her respects to Old Madam Pei An with a smile, just as she had done before.
Old Madam Pei An also appeared no different from usual. She asked about the health of Yu Tang’s family elders, asked what she had been doing these past days, then picked up her tea and told her to go find the several young ladies of the Pei family to play: “They heard that you’ll be going up the mountain with us this year just like last year. They’re very happy and have been asking when you’ll arrive!”