As for after the tenth day, it wasn’t that Pei Yan didn’t want to bring Yu Tang along—it was that after Magistrate Wu learned the Pei family intended to sponsor the prefecture yamen’s Lantern Festival celebration, he began visiting Pei Yan frequently. Pei Yan didn’t want Yu Tang to meet outside men, so he could only reluctantly leave Yu Tang at home. Consequently, when discussing the Lantern Festival celebration with Magistrate Wu, he couldn’t help occasionally revealing a bit of impatience.

Magistrate Wu didn’t know the reason and only assumed Pei Yan was irritated by these trivial matters. For the next several days, he perceptively refrained from disturbing Pei Yan, allowing Pei Yan to properly take Yu Tang to enjoy the lantern festival.

After the lanterns were put away, there were several consecutive days of clear skies. The wind blowing on one’s face was warm, without the previous cold.

Yu Tang found Manager Tong and bought some gastrodia, fleeceflower root, and ginseng. She put them in paper boxes, had Qing Yuan carry them, and went to the Second Madam’s place.

They had already decided to set out for Shandong on the twentieth. Everything was already packed—they were just waiting to pay respects at Old Master Pei’s grave before departing.

Pei Fifth Miss’s face was full of reluctance. She hugged Yu Tang’s arm and repeatedly said to her, “When the time comes, speak nicely to Third Uncle and have him visit us in Shandong. My father wrote saying that the Shandong Provincial Surveillance Commissioner formerly impeached the Imperial Academy together with Third Uncle and greatly admires Third Uncle. This time when Father goes to Shandong, he’s received much support from him. When the time comes, find a way to encourage Third Uncle to bring you along.”

There was actually such friendship in official circles?!

The little person in Yu Tang’s heart wiped its forehead while she smiled and pinched Fifth Miss’s cheek.

Fifth Miss led Yu Tang to the main hall.

On the Second Madam’s side, everything that needed packing was already packed. She was now worrying about the several parrots Pei Hong was raising. She said worriedly to Yu Tang, “I don’t know if they can make it alive to Shandong.”

Yu Tang felt that whoever raised them should be responsible. She smiled and asked about Pei Hong, “Where did he run off to?”

At the Lantern Festival celebration, this boy had bought over ten lanterns with his attendants. Walking down the street, everyone avoided him—he was like a little tyrant. Pei Yan had watched at the time without saying anything, but he handed him over to Pei Man, having Pei Man not only escort the Second Madam’s family to Shandong but also having Pei Hong follow Pei Man to help.

Who knew if Pei Man could keep this boy under control!

The Second Madam sighed and said, “He was hauled onto the boat by the Head Steward. Tonight all the boatmen need to board the ship.”

Since they were going to Shandong, the journey was long and distant. The Pei family had moored their three-masted sailing ship at Shao Creek dock for the Second Madam’s journey.

Yu Tang didn’t know what to say.

Previously when Pei Xuan was around, Pei Hong was quite obedient. But as soon as Pei Xuan left, Pei Hong became like a cat let out of its cage, causing trouble every day.

However, Old Madam Pei had also said that if children don’t cause trouble, should adults cause trouble instead? Causing trouble wasn’t important—what was important was not causing the same trouble again.

Yu Tang quite agreed with this.

The two chatted for a while, and it was time for the midday meal. Pei Yan wasn’t home today.

With spring opening, Pei Yan had to supervise the spring plowing at the various farms.

He had been rather busy lately.

Yu Tang went with the Second Madam and the Fifth Misses to mooch a meal at Old Madam Pei’s place.

The Second Madam laughed cheerfully, feeling Yu Tang was quite well-behaved, knowing to frequently go accompany Old Madam Pei. She then said, “After I leave, the household will be even quieter. In the future, you should visit even more frequently.”

By rights, Old Madam Pei had two grandsons under her knees—Pei Tong and Pei Fei. Pei Tong had even married a wife. Old Madam Pei’s side should be very lively, but for some unknown reason, Old Madam Pei had exempted Pei You’s branch from morning and evening attendance. The First Madam was also probably holding a grudge in her heart. She simply pretended to be ill and hid in her own courtyard without coming out. This left the Pei Tong brothers at a loss as to what to do. They had used attending to illness as an excuse not to even attend the Lantern Festival celebration.

Although Yu Tang and Gu Xi lived under the same roof, since Yu Tang had encountered Gu Xi on New Year’s Day when going to pay New Year’s respects to Old Madam Pei, she hadn’t encountered her again.

This could also be considered one of the advantages of marrying into a large household, right?

Yu Tang teased herself inwardly, smiled brightly, and nodded to the Second Madam, saying gratefully, “I understand! Second Sister-in-law, rest assured. In the future, I’ll definitely frequently go accompany Mother.”

The Second Madam nodded with satisfaction and a smile.

The two went shoulder to shoulder to Old Madam Pei’s place.

Unexpectedly, when they entered Old Madam’s courtyard, they saw a green-robed scholar-looking person around fifty years old standing in the center of Old Madam’s courtyard. Several young male servants stood by, all sweating profusely, each with an expression of being caught in a dilemma.

Both the Second Madam and Yu Tang were somewhat curious. They quietly exited the courtyard, turned a corner, and re-entered the courtyard from the back.

Nanny Ji should have received word. As soon as they entered, they saw Nanny Ji.

She hurried forward and hastily explained in a low voice, “He’s an advisor to Old Master Zhang. He insists on seeing Old Madam once. If Old Madam won’t see him, he won’t leave. But Third Master isn’t home. We can neither forcibly drive him away nor just leave him standing there. None of us know what to do!”

The main thing was that Old Madam Pei was unwilling to see him, right?

Yu Tang pondered secretly in her heart. She wasn’t in a position to express opinions and could only say to Nanny Ji somewhat worriedly, “After all, he’s someone who served Old Master Zhang. We can’t fail to give him face. Just wear him down. No matter what, don’t offend him completely.”

Nanny Ji smiled bitterly and said, “We know that too. But this isn’t really a solution. If Third Master could hurry back, that would be best.”

As they spoke, several people had already entered Old Madam Pei’s main hall.

Old Madam Pei was clearly somewhat unhappy, but seeing them, she still pulled herself together and had people bring out candy and fruits for Yu Tang and Fifth Miss to eat.

Yu Tang thought that as an elder, this was somewhat embarrassing. But Old Madam Pei waved her hand dismissively and smiled, saying, “You’re only a few years older than Dan. If I tell you to eat, just eat.”

Yu Tang and the others smiled and sat down around Old Madam Pei. She first peeled an orange for Old Madam Pei. Old Madam Pei had just received the orange when they heard someone speaking outside: “What are you putting yourself through this for? Third Uncle isn’t home. Doing this—aren’t you putting my grandmother in a difficult position?”

It was Pei Tong’s voice.

Yu Tang and the Second Madam couldn’t help but exchange glances.

The advisor’s voice came from outside. Because his voice was flat, those inside the room couldn’t hear clearly what was being said.

But Old Madam Pei’s gaze immediately became sharp. The old lady’s face sank. After a long silence, she said, “Invite the Eldest Young Master and that Master Chen inside!”

Nanny Chen secretly sighed and went to invite the two men in.

Yu Tang, the Second Madam, and the others retreated to the study on the east side. Only after Pei Tong and that Master Chen had left did the several people come out.

Old Madam Pei then ordered the meal to be set.

Yu Tang and the Second Madam couldn’t help but exchange glances again, both wondering in their hearts whether they should have their midday meal here.

But Old Madam Pei said, “This has nothing to do with you! Having you here to accompany me makes me feel better.”

Yu Tang and the Second Madam smiled and agreed, doing their best to tell jokes about household matters, wanting to make the atmosphere more relaxed.

Old Madam Pei’s face gradually showed some smiles.

Yu Tang then thought that when Pei Yan returned, she should tell Pei Yan and have him find a way to send away this advisor from the Zhang family. Otherwise, constantly making requests like this made everyone uncomfortable.

Unexpectedly, that night Pei Yan didn’t return until almost dawn. When he came back, his face was full of exhaustion.

Thinking he must have rushed through most of the night, Yu Tang felt extremely heartbroken. She hastily rose and personally attended to him, helping him wash and change clothes, and instructed Qing Yuan to bring in a bowl of the black-bone chicken ginseng soup stewing on the stove.

Pei Yan didn’t speak. Not until he had changed clothes and washed his face, and the cool night dew was gone from his body, did he tightly embrace Yu Tang and say in a low voice, “Let me hold you for a while.”

As if he had suffered a blow, with a trace of dejection.

Yu Tang didn’t want to ask anything. She hugged Pei Yan hard and even gently stroked his back, as if this way she could reduce his exhaustion and add some warmth. Even when Qing Yuan brought in the chicken soup, Yu Tang didn’t hide shyly as usual. Instead, she gently shook her head at Qing Yuan, indicating she should quietly and softly place the chicken soup on the table. After she withdrew, Yu Tang said gently to Pei Yan, “Do you want to drink some chicken soup? Warm your stomach first, then get a good sleep. We can talk after you’ve rested your spirits.”

Pei Yan leaned against Yu Tang for a while before finally giving a low “Mm,” but didn’t get up.

Yu Tang could only hug Pei Yan again, settle him to sit on the imperial consort couch beside them, and go get the chicken soup.

Pei Yan drank it in one gulp.

Whether he had caught his breath or the chicken soup truly could make one feel warmth, Pei Yan’s complexion improved considerably, but he still showed no intention of speaking with Yu Tang.

Yu Tang could quite understand this feeling.

In her previous life, when she learned that the Li family was most likely the murderer who killed her whole family, she too hadn’t wanted to say a single word.

She attended to Pei Yan as he rested.

Pei Yan closed his eyes, as if sleeping from extreme exhaustion. But Yu Tang had shared too much intimacy with him—listening to his breathing, she knew he hadn’t fallen asleep and didn’t much want to talk.

She gripped his hand tightly and said softly, “Sleep! I’ll watch over you from the side. If there’s anyone, I’ll call you.”

Pei Yan squeezed Yu Tang’s hand twice in return. His breathing slowly became long and deep as he fell into a sound sleep.

Yu Tang let out a long breath, only then discovering her back was covered in sweat.

She was slightly stunned.

She seemed to be more worried about Pei Yan than she herself had imagined…

Now it was Yu Tang who couldn’t sleep.

But Pei Yan still woke earlier than Yu Tang expected.

He said “good morning” to Yu Tang with a smile, his fair face full of vigor and vitality, showing not a trace of last night’s dejection. In the bright morning light, he seemed to glow.

Yu Tang sat up with a start, feeling as if she were dreaming.

Pei Yan smiled and pinched her nose, saying, “Hurry and get up! The sun’s about to burn your bottom. Fortunately, Mother only has you pay your respects on the first and fifteenth. Otherwise, with you like this, you’d definitely be gossiped about as a lazy daughter-in-law.”

The more he acted this way, the less Yu Tang dared to ask.

Afraid of stirring up his sad matters, afraid he wasn’t prepared to answer, afraid he didn’t want to bring it up again, afraid he wouldn’t be happy… And moreover, this kind of “fear” was different from the “fear” before.

The “fear” before was thinking that at worst, she’d find a way to coax him.

The “fear” now was that just thinking about it made her heart ache—an ache to the point of being unable to breathe.

Yu Tang’s hand covered her chest.

Pei Yan looked at her with concern and said, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

“Oh,” Yu Tang said, “no, it’s just that I got up too quickly and I’m still a bit dazed.”

Pei Yan smiled and said, “Then hurry and get up for breakfast. After we go see Mother together, you can come back and catch up on sleep.”

Yu Tang’s heart wouldn’t stop pounding.

She was done for—she felt heartbroken for Pei Yan, even to the point of not wanting him to worry about her!

She must have fallen in love with Pei Yan, right?!