Yu Tang smiled in agreement, gazing at Pei Yan with eyes that couldn’t look away.

She wanted to see his features clearly—beyond those eyes and brows she loved, what else was there…

But Pei Yan was already smiling as he pulled her up from the bed, urging her: “Hurry! I still have matters to discuss with Mother, with you!”

Was it related to his late return last night?

Yu Tang’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly responded and got out of bed to dress.

Pei Yan didn’t watch her dress as he usually did, nor did he help her select a piece or two of small jewelry while she arranged her hair. Instead, he left the inner chamber.

Soon, voices could be heard from outside.

One was Pei Yan, the other was Pei Man.

They were just too far away to hear clearly.

Something must have happened.

Yu Tang felt somewhat anxious inside, though her face showed nothing. She finished her makeup with a bright smile and went out with Pei Yan to Old Madam Pei’s quarters.

Pei Yan walked slower than usual. He asked Yu Tang: “I need to make a trip far from home. Would you like to come with me?”

“Of course I want to go with you!” Yu Tang answered without hesitation.

These past days, she and Pei Yan had been as sweet as honey mixed with oil. She felt restless if she didn’t see him even for a moment—how much more so if he went far away, not knowing when he’d return, not knowing how long she wouldn’t see him.

Pei Yan smiled, clearly very satisfied with her answer.

She couldn’t help but ask: “Where are you going? Will it take a long time? Should we tell Mother? And the house at Green Bamboo Lane—I should go tell them too, shouldn’t I?”

“Of course,” Pei Yan said with a smile. “Those are all matters for later, easily arranged. I’m asking you first because I want to know what you think in your heart.”

Yu Tang’s face grew somewhat warm, her heart beating wildly, but she still boldly stepped forward and tugged at Pei Yan’s sleeve, saying softly: “I want to go with you.”

This time Pei Yan laughed heartily with raised eyebrows.

Yu Tang felt a bit embarrassed.

Pei Yan had already draped his arm around her shoulders, saying: “I’m planning to go to Jiangxi soon to look at several estates I purchased there.”

Taking Yu Tang along also meant letting her relax and see more of the world.

Yu Tang couldn’t suppress her smile anymore.

After all, most people in Lin’an City had never been to Suzhou in their entire lives, let alone Jiangxi.

Being able to travel far with Pei Yan would truly broaden her horizons.

She couldn’t help chattering away: “When do we leave? Minister Tao is serving as Provincial Governor in Jiangxi—will you visit him then? What’s the weather like there? What should I bring?”

Cheerful as a little bird.

Being able to make Yu Tang happy brought Pei Yan great satisfaction.

The two talked and laughed together, soon arriving at Old Madam Pei’s courtyard.

Naturally, it was better for Pei Yan to discuss such matters with Old Madam Pei.

Yu Tang smiled with pressed lips, accompanying Pei Yan to have breakfast with Old Madam Pei.

Old Madam Pei asked Yu Tang: “Is there some good news? I see you’ve been smiling all along.”

Yu Tang quickly sat up properly and looked toward Pei Yan as if seeking help.

Just as Pei Yan was about to speak, Old Madam Pei asked: “Why did you return so late last night?”

Clearly, whatever happened in the Pei household, Old Madam Pei knew about it.

Pei Yan thought for a moment, set aside the matter of the distant trip, and explained his late return: “That victim who stabbed Li Duan to death was killed just after leaving Hangzhou City. Lord Wu and Lord Li both have massive headaches and rather tactfully sent people to ask if it was my doing.”

Old Madam Pei frowned.

Yu Tang was extremely surprised.

Pei Yan’s mood was low as he spoke of this matter. He said: “I didn’t expect it would turn out this way. I sent people to investigate thoroughly and discovered this matter was connected to that eleventh-ranked fellow from the Peng family. I handed the evidence over to Lord Li—how Lord Li resolves it depends on what he thinks. But I also bear responsibility in this matter. I clearly knew it was Peng Shiyi who instigated him, yet I didn’t take extra precautions, causing him to lose his life for nothing.”

As he said this, his gaze fell on Yu Tang.

Yu Tang had once told him that Peng Shiyi and Li Duan had an unspeakable relationship. He had thought he’d already broken that scheme and could protect Yu Tang, never imagining things would develop and change to reach this point.

Hearing her son’s words held hidden meaning, Old Madam Pei demanded sternly: “What exactly is going on here?”

Pei Yan sighed and concealed the matter of the Yu family’s “Recluse Fishing in Pine Stream” painting, only saying that the Peng family feared the Quanzhou Maritime Trade Office would be abolished and set their sights on the Ningbo Maritime Trade Office. Apprehensive of the Pei family, they asked the Li family for help, hoping to create some trouble for the Pei family so they’d be too preoccupied to attend to business in Ningbo. Who knew the Li family not only failed to help but exposed their tracks, alerting their prey, allowing the Pei family to prepare early and even exposing Li Duan’s deeds. The Peng family, fearing the Li family would implicate them, silenced witnesses by first instigating the victim to stab Li Duan to death, then killing the victim… thereby exonerating Yu Tang and the Yu family.

Knowing Pei Yan’s good intentions, Yu Tang couldn’t very well say anything more.

Old Madam Pei was furious after hearing this: “This Peng family—their methods are far too underhanded. You should have less contact with such people. The heartless rich will come to no good end.”

Pei Yan agreed, saying: “That’s why I handed the person over to the authorities. If we used private punishment, how would our family be any different from the Peng family?”

Old Madam Pei nodded repeatedly.

But Yu Tang saw Pei Yan in a new light.

Having power but not using it requires more self-control and more willpower than abusing power.

Yu Tang deeply admired Pei Yan.

Old Madam Pei began discussing Zhang Ying’s adviser with Yu Tang, but just as she started, Stewardess Chen entered somewhat awkwardly to report that Mister Chen had come again.

Though Pei Tong was somewhat overstepping his bounds, his words weren’t without reason.

This was originally Pei Yan’s business, yet Mister Chen repeatedly disturbed Old Madam Pei.

Yu Tang looked at Pei Yan.

Pei Yan had already instructed Stewardess Chen: “Please have him wait in my study!”

But Stewardess Chen said awkwardly: “That Mister Chen says he’s come to take his leave. He also said he just received a carrier pigeon message from the capital—the Peng family’s seventh master, Peng Yu, has been appointed Vice Minister of Justice, personally recommended by Chief Minister Shen.”

Those few short sentences revealed far too much information.

This forced Pei Yan to take it seriously.

He quickly invited Mister Chen in.

Besides exhaustion, Mister Chen’s face showed anxiety. He got straight to the point: “Before I came, Minister Zhang and I talked for half the night. At the time, we both felt quite justified. But when I arrived at the Pei residence and saw the Pei family’s peaceful life, I began to regret not having advised Minister Zhang more. Yet I never expected my moment’s hesitation would turn into today’s situation. Xiaguang, Chief Minister Shen will likely submit his retirement request very soon. Minister Zhang needs me there—I won’t disturb you further. I’ll depart for the capital tomorrow at first light.”

Pei Yan said nothing.

Mister Chen sighed deeply several times, bowed in salute, and withdrew.

“Wait a moment.” Just as Mister Chen had one foot over the threshold, Pei Yan suddenly called out to him, saying calmly: “I’ll go to the capital with you tomorrow.”

“What?!” Mister Chen was both surprised and delighted.

But Pei Yan said expressionlessly: “Sir, please return and pack your luggage first. On my end, I still need to inform my mother and arrange household matters.”

Mister Chen was already so happy he didn’t know east from west, repeatedly saying “yes.” A man in his forties, yet his steps were as light as a sparrow’s as he withdrew.

The room fell silent.

After a long while, Yu Tang finally helped Old Madam Pei emerge from behind the screen.

“Mother!” Pei Yan called out to Old Madam Pei somewhat helplessly, then looked toward Yu Tang with guilt.

Yu Tang quickly shook her head at him, indicating she didn’t mind.

Compared to going to Jiangxi, naturally the capital’s affairs were more important.

Old Madam Pei was greatly alarmed.

Pei Yan deeply respected his father. Since he had made a promise before Old Master Pei’s deathbed, he couldn’t possibly overturn that promise, but now…

Pei Yan grasped his mother’s hand and said gravely: “Last night I thought carefully for a long time. Rather than constantly defending, constantly avoiding, it’s better to actively participate, catching those people off guard, striking them painfully into silence, striking them so that they must weigh their own worth whenever they think of our Pei family.”

Old Madam Pei didn’t speak for a long time.

She knew her own son.

If Pei You was someone wildly ambitious who would never settle for mediocrity, and Pei Xuan was an honest, dutiful person who always followed rules properly, then Pei Yan was someone with vigorous ambition who never wished to give up yet could silently wait to achieve his goals. Since he felt that current defensive measures could no longer keep the Pei family above it all, he would certainly forge ahead boldly, take the initiative to attack, and find ways to break through the Pei family’s predicament.

Wasn’t this exactly what Old Master Pei had valued when he chose him as clan head?

Both able to exercise forbearance yet not to the point of swallowing grievances.

Keeping him at home was merely out of fear that his youthful vigor hadn’t matured enough in cultivation.

When children grow up, you can’t keep them sheltered at home—you must release them into the wild to fight with others before they can survive in harsh environments.

Old Madam Pei gripped her son’s hand tightly, no longer hesitating. She said with firm resolve: “Since you’ve already decided, don’t be half-hearted. Go to the capital. Thoroughly deal with those dogs who look down on people, let them know that our Pei family lives quietly in Lin’an because we don’t wish to cause trouble—but if someone dares provoke us, we won’t let it go, let them see what kind of family we Pei clan are!”

Her speaking manner was like a general ready for battle—not only showing iron-forged bones but filled with fearless determination to forge ahead.

Yu Tang’s eyes were opened wide, and she felt longing arise in her heart.

Only a mother like Old Madam Pei could raise sons like Pei Yan and Pei Xuan, right?

She should also learn from Old Madam Pei to become a good mother!

She herself became excited by Old Madam Pei’s fighting spirit.

But Pei Yan smiled, withdrew the hand resting in his mother’s palm, and patted the back of her hand soothingly: “Mother, don’t worry. Once I’ve handled the capital’s affairs, I’ll return.”

“If your father and I weren’t confident in you, we wouldn’t have entrusted the Pei family to you,” Old Madam Pei said. “I believe you have your own plans and can handle the Pei family’s affairs well.”

Pei Yan responded with an affirmative sound.

Old Madam Pei stood up, saying: “Since you’ve made your decision, don’t dither about it. You two quickly go back and pack your luggage! Tomorrow at first light I’ll see you off to the boat.” At this point, she thought of the Second Madam and added: “Are you traveling with your second sister-in-law, or separately?”