Yu Tang didn’t know what Gu Xi was thinking, nor did she want to know.
She was extremely satisfied with her current life.
Everyone in the family was safe and well, and she was different from her previous life. Not only had she married a satisfactory husband, she was also very happy, learning many new things from Pei Yan and gaining much knowledge.
This was the best kind of life.
What Gu Xi thought? That was already outside the scope of her concern or attention.
With this time, she might as well think about how to make some delicious food for Pei Yan!
A smile playing at the corners of her mouth, Yu Tang discussed with Xu Xuan the clothes and jewelry to wear when visiting the Zhang family, feeling they were on the same wavelength.
A sapphire blue plain jacket with yellow-trimmed pink four-petal patterned Hangzhou silk backing, a Hetian jade “beauties filling the pond” bodice ornament, South Sea pearl earrings—graceful and dignified yet magnificent and splendid.
Xu Xuan was munching on an apple, her words somewhat muffled: “Actually I think your silver-white one embroidered with broken branch flowers looks better, but that old great-aunt of ours is very particular about these things. I’m afraid she’ll think your jacket is too plain and will overthink it, creating unnecessary complications.”
Yu Tang, considering that the Zhang family’s eldest son had only recently passed away, and worried that some elderly people were particular about such things, couldn’t quite make up her mind, which was why she had asked Xu Xuan to help her assess.
She took the opportunity to ask about some of Old Madam Zhang’s preferences.
Xu Xuan sighed: “This old great-aunt of ours truly has excellent taste. Back in her day, she had quite a reputation for virtue. Suitors came in an endless stream, but she personally chose Lord Zhang. Her family didn’t think much of it at first, but unexpectedly Lord Zhang quickly rose to prominence. So she hasn’t suffered any hardships in her life, which is why her temper is particularly strong.” At this point, she gave Yu Tang a meaningful look and said frankly: “Let me tell you something in confidence.”
Yu Tang knew her temperament and immediately dismissed everyone around them.
Only then did Xu Xuan tell her in a low voice: “Since I was little, whenever I heard people talk about her, they all said she had a good life. But my grandmother said that no one is perfect in every way. If things are good now, there must be bad things waiting ahead. This old great-aunt of ours enjoyed her blessings early on.” After saying this, she raised her eyebrows at Yu Tang.
The implication was that Old Madam Zhang was now proving her grandmother’s words true.
Yu Tang couldn’t help falling into deep thought.
Her own fate seemed to be like this too.
Things had been bad to the extreme, yet she had been reborn.
After her rebirth, Heaven seemed to be compensating her. Although she had encountered quite a few incidents, none had truly hurt her to the bone.
Yu Tang’s heart stirred slightly. She nodded: “What you say makes sense. Let’s go visit a temple together someday!” As she spoke, she looked down and saw Xu Xuan’s large belly, then quickly changed her tune: “You’d better stay home. After you finish your confinement, we’ll arrange a proper outing.”
Xu Xuan dismissed her words: “By the time I finish confinement and can go to the temple to offer incense, that will probably be next autumn. Who knows if you’ll still be in the capital then.” At this point, she asked about Yu Tang’s purpose in coming to the capital: “I wonder how long you can stay?”
Yu Tang was completely accompanying Pei Yan. She blushed and smiled: “Old Lord Zhang summoned Third Master here. As for when we’ll return, that depends on what Old Lord Zhang ultimately wants him to do.”
Xu Xuan could also see that Yu Tang had a kind of blind trust in Pei Yan. Whatever Pei Yan did, she had no objections. Unlike herself—she had to know everything Yin Mingyuan did.
There were thousands of kinds of marriages. She couldn’t say that her way was best and Yu Tang’s way was bad.
“How about we go to Tanzhe Temple?” Xu Xuan suggested. “The road there is relatively smooth, the accommodations are good, and the food is decent too. The scenery is also beautiful at this time. After this trip, I’ll stay home properly to prepare for childbirth.” At this point, a trace of melancholy flashed through her eyes.
Yu Tang quickly asked: “What’s wrong?”
Xu Xuan thought for a moment before confiding in Yu Tang: “Actually I’m a bit scared. I’ve heard that women giving birth is like walking through the gates of hell… It’s just that everyone keeps staring at my belly. Yesterday Madam Li even had someone send me a peace talisman, saying she specifically went to Hongluo Temple to request it for me.”
Hongluo Temple was in the suburbs—even by carriage, a round trip would take most of a day.
Perhaps Xu Xuan didn’t just want to go out for fun.
If it could bring peace of mind, it might not be a bad thing.
Yu Tang smiled: “Then let’s make a trip to Tanzhe Temple. I’ve heard the divination lots there are also very efficacious.”
Xu Xuan inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief and smiled: “Great! We’ll invite Lihua too. Her life isn’t easy either. What does it have to do with her that the Zhang family’s eldest cousin passed away? Yet whether it’s her grandmother or her mother, they always like to pull her in to discuss these matters. She can’t not listen or ignore them, which troubles her quite a bit.”
Yu Tang had a very good impression of Miss Zhang. She said “oh” with some confusion.
Xu Xuan then explained: “The main problem is that the eldest branch’s only male heir ranks second among the cousins, not to mention the eldest grandson comes from the second branch. Now the Zhang family is also managed by Second Master Zhang. Lihua’s mother has no intention of replacing the main branch, but she can’t prevent the family elders from worrying, and she has a belly full of grievances too.”
Yu Tang didn’t know what to say.
Xu Xuan sighed: “So Lihua’s marriage prospects are very critical. If she marries too high, it might cause dissatisfaction in the other two branches. If she marries too low, her mother won’t be satisfied. Just yesterday her mother went to my natal home to talk with my mother for half the day. My mother told me to visit their house less during this time, to avoid being pulled in by the old madam to discuss family matters—one wrong response and I’d be covered in blame.”
Yu Tang was startled: “Then you’re still accompanying me to visit the Zhang family?”
“Isn’t it because this is your first time making a social call?” Xu Xuan said, then smiled cunningly. “This old great-aunt of ours cares very much about face. She won’t discuss family matters in front of you, an outsider meeting her for the first time.”
But this time, Xu Xuan guessed wrong.
Old Madam Zhang not only brought up family matters with Yu Tang, she also mentioned something else: “That child will turn eight after the New Year. He can be considered to have been watched over by Xianguang as he grew up. I was thinking that since Xianguang has many friends, perhaps he could help recommend an elementary teacher.”
Yu Tang got quite a fright, thinking that for a family like the Zhang family, it was impossible they would wait until Zhang Shao’s son was eight years old without starting his education.
Old Madam Zhang began to shed tears: “Originally his mother had been teaching him. His father had agreed that when he turned seven, they would formally engage a teacher for him. Who knew… the child didn’t have that fortune. Xianguang and his father were like blood brothers back then. Unlike the child’s two uncles who don’t like socializing and entertaining, barely knowing anyone except people from their own offices, which of the great scholars in Jiangnan doesn’t know Xianguang? I’m not asking Xianguang to personally go invite someone. I just want you to relay a message, see who would be suitable, and recommend them to our old master. Our old master will go invite them himself.”
Yu Tang felt this Old Madam Zhang was somewhat underhanded.
On their first meeting, she was asking her to do this.
One should know that whether the student didn’t study well or the teacher didn’t teach well, the person who recommended them also bore great responsibility.
If Zhang Shao’s son didn’t do well in his studies, would Pei Yan have to continue recommending teachers for him, guaranteeing he would pass the imperial examinations?
Thinking of this, Yu Tang’s heart skipped a beat. She raised her head to look at Old Madam Zhang.
Old Madam Zhang was staring at her with bright, piercing eyes.
Yu Tang’s heart immediately cooled. She smiled: “I don’t really know much about Third Master’s affairs. At home, whatever he says goes. Since you’re asking me to relay a message, I’ll just go relay it to him.” After finishing, she put on an appearance of being very worried that Pei Yan would blame her.
Xu Xuan was startled, then showed an approving look, pressing her lips together as she looked at Yu Tang.
As for Old Madam Zhang, she was very surprised, but having experienced much, when she wanted to hide her emotions they generally couldn’t be detected.
She hadn’t expected Yu Tang to handle matters so impeccably.
She laughed a few times and thanked Yu Tang. Later, when they were going to the rear hall to listen to opera, and she went to the side warming pavilion to change clothes, she couldn’t help saying to Third Madam Zhang: “I originally just wanted to test her a bit. Now it seems this young lady is not only beautiful, she also has depth. Truly rare. What a pity—our eldest grandson and second grandson are both the wrong age compared to their family. Otherwise, forming a marriage alliance with Xianguang might be even better.”
Third Madam Zhang took these words to heart, thinking that she had two sons, and her younger son was only three years old this year!
She laughed heartily and helped Old Madam Zhang to the waterside pavilion for the opera. Toward Yu Tang she became even more enthusiastic than before, even formally establishing regular contact with her afterward. This left Yu Tang very confused, and she even asked Pei Yan: “Does she also have some favor to ask of you?”
Zhang Ying had originally wanted Pei Yan to persuade Fei Zhiwen, but who knew Fei Zhiwen’s mind was made up. Once things settled down at the Zhang family, he planned to retire and return home. Zhang Ying had no choice but to try persuading Pei Yan to enter office again, even citing his elder brother Pei You as an example: “Wasn’t he also a clan heir back then? How did he end up serving as an official in court? This shows nothing is absolute. For you to stay only in Lin’an is such a waste.”
Pei Yan once again very clearly refused Zhang Ying.
Zhang Ying had no choice but to settle for second best, asking Pei Yan to help Zhou Zijing establish connections with Lord Shen, finding a way to transfer him to the Censorate to fill Sun Gao’s vacancy: “The Peng family definitely won’t want to give up their hold on the Ministry of Justice, but on our side, only Zhou Zijing has the appropriate qualifications.”
Zhou Zijing had previously served as an official, but midway through he had retired on the grounds of caring for his elderly father. He had quite a reputation for “filial piety” among scholars. If used well, this could serve as a stepping stone for Zhou Zijing. But Zhou Zijing was too proud—he was unwilling to exploit this reputation and even less willing to scheme for himself.
Zhang Ying had no choice but to ask Pei Yan to step in.
Pei Yan felt that Young Lord Zhang must have heard about something, which was why he had Third Madam Zhang intentionally approach Yu Tang. But he felt there was nothing improper about this. A wife’s status came from her husband’s position. Because he had this capability, others would particularly value Yu Tang. Why should Yu Tang care so much? Wouldn’t it be good to simply enjoy others’ flattery?
He smiled: “Could it not be because you’re particularly wonderful?”
Yu Tang didn’t believe that at all. She said: “These past few days I’ve also visited several families and found they’re all very capable and very composed. They know clearly what relationship each family has with others and what attitude to use. Don’t try to gild my face—I know my own affairs.”
Mentioning this made Pei Yan somewhat unhappy. He said: “And yet you’re still going with Yin Mingyuan’s wife to stay at a temple for several days!”
He didn’t like Yu Tang leaving home, didn’t like returning home and not seeing Yu Tang, and didn’t like working alone in his study.