Yu Tang wanted to find an opportunity to see Pei Yan and ask what he meant. However, before she could think of a good excuse, Third Miss and Fifth Miss from the Pei family sent word that they would visit her tomorrow.
Chen Shi was overjoyed and personally went to the market to buy food. Yu Tang couldn’t even hold her back.
When Third Miss and Fifth Miss arrived, the pastries and snacks Chen Shi had made filled the table. Old duck soup simmered on the stove, pork knuckles steamed in bamboo steamers, and meatballs fried in the oil pan… The fragrant aromas filled the air—even more lively and sumptuous than during New Year’s.
Yu Tang smiled helplessly and shook her head. After Third Miss and Fifth Miss paid their respects to Chen Shi, she pulled them to her side chamber to drink tea.
The tea leaves were rock tea Chen Shi had newly bought at the market yesterday. Paired with the poria cakes Chen Shi made, nothing could be more delicious.
Third Miss and Fifth Miss praised it repeatedly and asked about the food Yu Tang had given them that day at Ku’an Temple: “You said then that it was made by your aunt—her hands are truly skillful!”
Yu Tang pushed the nine-compartment plum blossom box in front of them forward and smiled: “When you return, I’ll have Shuang Tao pack some for you.”
The two didn’t stand on ceremony and thanked her with smiles.
Yu Tang chatted idly with them for a while, and only then did she learn that Gu Xi and Pei Tong’s marriage had experienced many twists and turns, with some new developments in recent days.
“I really don’t know what First Aunt is thinking,” Fifth Miss said in a low voice. “She insists on sending Elder Cousin to study at the Gu family. For this matter, she not only approached my mother but also sought out Old Madame Yi and Old Madame Yong. Fortunately, neither of the old madames agreed to act as intermediaries or help her petition Third Uncle about this, otherwise wouldn’t it be a laughingstock?”
Third Miss, however, looked thoughtful and said: “But the Yang family says the same thing. It’s as if Elder Cousin can’t succeed in his studies in our family. In my view, First Aunt doesn’t seem anxious to find in-laws for Elder Cousin, but rather anxious to find a teacher for his studies.”
Yu Tang’s heart stirred as she listened.
In her previous life, Pei Tong had studied at the Pei family but took the provincial examination through the Yang family.
Could this be the real reason First Madam had chosen Gu Xi as her daughter-in-law?
As Yu Tang pondered this, Fifth Miss had already changed the subject, saying: “Anyway, I don’t know what First Aunt wants to do. My mother also said to let me avoid matters involving First Aunt. Once Grandfather finishes his mourning period, my father should take up his official post. Once Third Uncle marries an aunt, my mother will take me and my younger brother to follow Father to his posting.” At this point, she seemed reluctant to part: “But I don’t want to follow Father to his posting, yet I also don’t want to be separated from my mother and younger brother.”
Third Miss seemed to be hearing this for the first time. She said in surprise: “Then you’ll be leaving Lin’an very soon?”
“I don’t know either,” Fifth Miss said hesitantly, then exclaimed “Oh!” to Third Miss: “Let’s not forget the main business!” After saying this, she gave Third Miss a meaningful look.
Third Miss immediately sat up properly and coughed twice before saying seriously: “Elder Sister Yu, we came to find you about the matter of Ku’an Temple.”
Yu Tang was quite surprised and joked with them: “I thought since you were on break, you missed me and came to visit!”
Fifth Miss smiled embarrassedly and said: “We did want to come play with you, but our studies have been quite pressing. We haven’t had any long holidays these days—we would have had to wait until the Dragon Boat Festival to visit you.”
Third Miss also nodded beside her: “It’s true, Elder Sister Yu. If you don’t believe it, you can ask Second Sister and Fourth Sister when you see them.”
“I know. I was joking with you,” Yu Tang laughed heartily. “You came to find me about Ku’an Temple—has something happened there?”
Fifth Miss and Third Miss exchanged a glance, then Fifth Miss said: “After returning from Ku’an Temple, we reported the temple’s affairs to Grandmother. As a result, Grandmother said to let us sisters decide this matter ourselves. From now on, neither my mother nor the great-aunts will interfere in Ku’an Temple’s affairs anymore. Whether to give all the incense formulas to the people at Ku’an Temple or only part of them, whether to present incense at the Buddha Bathing Festival—we must decide everything ourselves.” As she spoke, worry appeared all over her face. “Elder Sister Yu, we’ve never handled such matters before. We’re unsure and would like to ask Elder Sister Yu to join us…” After saying this, she opened her eyes wide and looked imploringly at Yu Tang.
Yu Tang’s heart melted like water under her gaze, and she very much wanted to agree immediately. However, as they said, this matter was of great importance. She had never handled such things either—what if she handled it poorly and implicated Ku’an Temple?
She couldn’t help asking cautiously: “So what do you mean to do?”
Seeing that Fifth Miss’s words hadn’t made Yu Tang agree immediately, Third Miss hurriedly said: “Elder Sister Yu, Fifth Sister and I both think what you said makes sense. The incense formula may mean nothing to us, but to some people, it’s a secret recipe for making a fortune. An ordinary man is innocent, but becomes guilty when in possession of treasure. Originally, though Ku’an Temple was poor, it was peaceful and tranquil. If we cause trouble for Ku’an Temple because of us, wouldn’t that be our fault! Fifth Sister and I both feel we can’t make decisions so casually.”
Yu Tang smiled, feeling very fortunate to have met the young misses from the Pei family. She said: “Then what plans do Third Miss and Fifth Miss have?”
Upon hearing this, Third Miss and Fifth Miss both smiled.
Fifth Miss said: “We think the incense gathering at Zhaoming Temple will be a good opportunity. No matter what, we must seize this chance to make Ku’an Temple’s Buddhist incense famous at the gathering. We must find a way to produce the stick incense or coil incense Third Uncle mentioned. As for the incense formula, we should also follow Elder Sister Yu’s suggestion—give part to Ku’an Temple and keep part ourselves. But now, whether it’s the former or the latter, we don’t know how to proceed.”
Third Miss said: “These past few days, the people we stationed at Ku’an Temple came back to tell us that the masters at Ku’an Temple can’t produce the kind of stick incense and coil incense Third Uncle mentioned. We need to invite an incense-making master to teach them. Second Sister, Fourth Sister, and I have discussed the incense formula matter for ages but don’t know to whom we should entrust it.”
Fifth Miss said: “Elder Sister Yu, how about you manage the incense formula?”
Third Miss continued: “We all know this matter is very troublesome, but besides Elder Sister Yu, we can’t think of anyone else to entrust it to—Second Sister will marry at the latest by next year. As for me, I’m also about to have marriage negotiations. Fourth Sister and Fifth Sister are still too young…”
As they spoke, the two stood up and bowed to Yu Tang: “Elder Sister Yu, please help us.”
Yu Tang quickly pulled them up and said: “Speak nicely. If you do this, aren’t you forcing me to agree?”
“No, no.” Third Miss and Fifth Miss looked alarmed, their foreheads breaking out in anxious sweat. “We… we’ve thought for so long but couldn’t come up with a better solution…”
Yu Tang smiled with pursed lips and said: “All right, all right. You don’t need to be so polite with me. Since I’ve promised you, I’ll certainly think of a way. Moreover, the Ku’an Temple matter was proposed by me—how could I stand by idly?”
Third Miss and Fifth Miss stood with hands hanging down respectfully, looking sheepish.
Yu Tang looked at them and laughed: “Don’t be like this. Sit down and talk.”
Only then did the two sit in the armchairs.
Yu Tang smiled and shook her head secretly but didn’t stand on ceremony with them anymore. Instead, she directly discussed Ku’an Temple’s affairs: “What you’re saying amounts to two matters. First, you don’t know in whose hands to place the incense formula ingredients. Second, Ku’an Temple temporarily can’t produce the stick incense and coil incense Third Master requires. Is that correct?”
The two nodded continuously.
Yu Tang’s mind was already racing. She said: “For the first matter, I’ll recommend someone to you—Young Manager Tong from the Pei family’s Lin’an pawnshop. His family has served the Pei family for generations, utterly loyal. With Old Manager Tong making decisions at the pawnshop, having him temporarily manage Ku’an Temple’s affairs—I think he should have the time.”
The two thought about it and both showed delighted smiles.
Fifth Miss even let out a long breath and said: “I told you we needed to come find Elder Sister Yu to make decisions about this matter.”
Third Miss giggled, visibly relaxed.
Yu Tang continued: “For presenting incense to Zhaoming Temple at the Buddha Bathing Festival, also find Young Manager Tong. Have him figure out how to find an incense-making master to temporarily produce the incense according to Third Master’s specifications. It’s just that such talent isn’t easy to hire. Nine times out of ten, we’ll still need to borrow the Pei household’s reputation and find a way to keep the person at the Pei residence. For this matter, we should inform Third Master in advance.”
The two looked even more relaxed.
Fifth Miss said directly: “Third Uncle is helping Ku’an Temple repair the road and is staying at the villa. We’ll go find Third Uncle right away—he’ll surely agree.”
This was truly like someone offering a pillow when you’re drowsy.
Yu Tang smiled: “That’s perfect. Tomorrow we’ll go to the villa and ask Third Master.”
Fifth Miss looked confused: “We need to go in person? Can’t we have the stewards mention it?”
Of course that would work.
But since Pei Yan acted so mysteriously in front of her every time, she wanted to act mysteriously in front of him once too.
“The matter of Young Manager Tong also requires Third Master’s agreement,” Yu Tang said. “The villa is outside the city. We don’t all need to make the trip—I’ll go once. Whatever news there is, I’ll inform you promptly.”
“Is this… appropriate?” Third Miss said somewhat uneasily. “Originally it was our matter, yet we’ve pushed everything onto you.”
“What’s inappropriate about it?” Yu Tang smiled. “Don’t you still have classes? I happen to have nothing these days. When I get busy, I’ll order you around to run errands! This is what you said—that I should join you in helping the masters at Ku’an Temple make incense.”
The two smiled bashfully.
Yu Tang made the decision: “This matter is settled then.”
She was in a cheerful mood.
Soon she could mystify Pei Yan a bit.
After seeing off Third Miss and Fifth Miss, Yu Tang began preparing the clothing and accessories for tomorrow’s visit to Pei Yan. Early the next morning, she set out for the Pei family villa.
By the time she arrived at the villa, it was nearly noon.
Pei Yan was lying on a reclining chair under a camphor tree with a canopy-like crown in the courtyard, reading a book. When he saw Yu Tang enter, he called A’Ming to bring a rose chair for Yu Tang and pointed at the teapot on the tea table: “Mulberry and chrysanthemum drink. Will you have some?”
It cleared heat and detoxified—just right for spring.
“Thank you, Third Master.” Yu Tang sat down with a smile.