All the women couldn’t go out to watch the excitement?!

That meant Gu Xi couldn’t possibly appear at the scripture lecture.

Yu Tang’s heart immediately bloomed with joy.

Imagining Gu Xi spending two or three hours dressing up radiantly, finally arriving in Lin’an City with great difficulty, settling in at Zhaoming Temple, preparing to attend the scripture lecture, only to be told she couldn’t go on stage, secretly grinding her teeth in anger…

The corners of Yu Tang’s mouth couldn’t help but curve upward.

She quickly covered her mouth.

Fourth Miss was still there debating with Second Miss: “Just because we can’t go watch the excitement doesn’t mean we don’t have to pay respects to our elders, does it? Are we just going to hide in the side rooms and not see anyone? Since we need to socialize, how can our clothing not be proper? I don’t care what Second Sister wears—I’m bringing two sets of clothes to change into anyway. Who knows, they might come in handy!”

Oh right!

Regardless of whether Gu Xi could go to the scripture lecture to present the incense formula, Buddha Bathing Festival day would be Gu Xi’s first public appearance after her engagement to Pei Tong was settled. Many people would surely be curious about Gu Xi, and many would find excuses to see what Gu Xi looked like.

Alas!

That day, Gu Xi was destined to shine brightly.

Not being able to go on stage to present the incense formula probably wouldn’t be as big a blow to her then.

Gu Xi was someone who most loved being the center of attention, most loved standing out subtly without making a fuss.

She just didn’t know whether the Grand Madam would appear.

Would the Pei family’s eldest young master attend?

She hadn’t seen Pei Tong up close yet.

What did he look like? Did he resemble Pei Yan?

Yu Tang’s mind wandered wildly here, and her expression inevitably became somewhat distracted. Fifth Miss noticed and tugged at her lapel. Seeing Yu Tang’s attention fall on her, she asked again, “Sister Yu, have you prepared all your clothing? Do you want to make a few new outfits with us? Grandmother is having winter clothes made for Third Uncle and has invited an old tailor from Suzhou.” As she spoke, she glanced left and right, lowering her voice, “That old tailor has even better skills than Madam Wang and the others. We can also take this opportunity to have them make us something.”

Were all the Pei family members this particular?

Yu Tang quickly said, “No need. I still have new clothes at home that I haven’t worn. I’ll just pick something nice when the time comes.”

Fifth Miss treated Yu Tang as one of her own and continued persuading her, even extending her embroidered shoe: “Look! These are the shoes that master helped make when I just returned. Aren’t they beautiful?”

Only then did Yu Tang notice that Fifth Miss was wearing a pair of lake-green shoes today. Small and delicate, they were embroidered with honeysuckle vine tendrils in oil-green silk thread, with tiny tuberose flowers embroidered in pale pink. Not only were the colors elegant and refined, but the pattern was exceptionally striking. On this small pair of embroidered shoes, over twenty different types of tuberose flowers—some budding, some blooming—were embroidered in various forms. It was breathtaking.

She immediately felt amazed.

Fifth Miss smiled with pursed lips, saying proudly, “Sister Yu, you think they’re beautiful too, right! We girls’ things can’t be casually entrusted to just anyone, but their family’s embroidery work is truly formidable. Having them help embroider a skirt or make some small item—I think it’s quite good.”

What Yu Tang was interested in, however, was the pattern.

If it could be used on the lacquerware in their family shop, it would surely please many women.

After all, preparing dowries was the business of mothers, aunts, and maternal aunts.

Yu Tang was tempted and said, “Do you know where this shop is? I don’t need anything right away, but this embroidered shoe is truly well done. I’d like to have them help make something for me when the time comes.”

Third Miss laughed and said, “It’s rare to find clothing and accessories that move Sister Yu’s heart. However, this shop only accepts orders from regular customers. That they came to our home to make clothes for Third Uncle was only out of respect for Third Uncle’s face. We do know where his shop is, but to have their shop make things, you’d probably need to speak with Head Steward Man to see if he can use our family’s name to schedule an appointment for you in advance.”

This troublesome?

Yu Tang was very surprised.

Fifth Miss quickly said, “It’s fine, it’s fine. He also makes clothes for my father. When he comes, I’ll let you know, and you can think about what you want made then.”

Yu Tang heard the implication. She said, “Does their shop only make clothes for men?”

The several Pei misses all looked hesitant.

Second Miss said, “I don’t think so? My wedding dress was made by them. But my other clothes are made by Madam Wang’s family.”

In other words, they only took on major commissions.

Yu Tang had a general understanding now and silently criticized Pei Yan again in her heart.

This person was too particular. Skills meant for making wedding dresses were forcibly used by him to make Daoist robes.

What was so difficult about Daoist robes? She could make her father’s Daoist robes herself. Was it necessary to find such a tailor master?

However, she was extremely curious about who drew this shop’s patterns and very much wanted to go see. Perhaps she really would need to ask Pei Man for help!

The group chatted and laughed. By the time lamps were lit, Fifth Miss and the others asked Yu Tang to stay overnight—the plate incense the size of foot basins and stick incense as thick as forearms still hadn’t finished burning.

Yu Tang suddenly thought of those who went to temples to light eternal lamps—they usually lit several plates of incense the size of foot basins, and those plate incenses could typically burn for three days and nights.

Could she really wait three days and nights?

Yu Tang quickly asked, “How many days can this incense burn?”

None of the Pei misses knew, so they immediately called someone to ask.

The person who went to ask returned saying, “It can burn for three days and nights.”

The Pei misses nearly fainted.

Third Miss asked even more pitifully, “Do we have to wait three days and nights? I still haven’t finished the small-script calligraphy my tutor assigned. Should I bring my homework over?”

Second Miss said hesitantly, “Or should we go back first and come check again in a couple of days?”

Yu Tang thought this idea was good.

Fourth Miss, however, rolled her eyes and said, “Sister Yu should just stay at our home for a few days. I haven’t finished my small-script calligraphy either. We can’t attend to the incense-making matter. Whether the incense this time is made well or not will require Sister Yu to put in more effort.”

Yu Tang could tell at a glance that Fourth Miss had her own little scheme. However, first, she didn’t know what Fourth Miss was plotting, and second, this matter did indeed need someone to oversee it. After thinking about it, she agreed.

Second Miss quickly had someone report to Hu Xing, having Hu Xing arrange for people to send word to the Yu family.

Chen Shi knew what Yu Tang was doing at the Pei family. Although somewhat surprised to receive the message, she wasn’t resistant.

This wasn’t the first time Yu Tang had stayed overnight at the Pei family. Each time she returned safely and smoothly, so Chen Shi accepted the matter of Yu Tang’s overnight stay. But as a mother, she was still somewhat worried. While helping Yu Tang pack some change of clothes, she repeatedly instructed Shuang Tao to be careful to close doors and windows and such.

Shuang Tao was already used to it and smiled, saying, “Madam, please rest assured. When Miss stays overnight at the Pei family, the guest room is not far from Fifth Miss Pei’s location. Those who come to serve are all people from Old Madam Pei’s quarters—even more dedicated and conscientious than I am. Please don’t worry.”

Chen Shi said with displeasure, “Caution ensures smooth sailing for ten thousand years. You’re staying at someone else’s home—being careful is never excessive.”

Shuang Tao didn’t dare say more and agreed repeatedly, taking Yu Tang’s change of clothes and leaving the door in the sedan chair sent by the Pei family.

Yu Tang, however, was plotting about that tailor shop’s patterns.

After thinking it over, she felt that this matter was probably nothing at all to the Pei family members. Rather than asking Pei Yan for help, she might as well seek out Pei Man.

Early the next morning, after Yu Tang and the Pei misses went to check on the still-burning plate incense and stick incense, the Pei misses returned to their lessons. She then had Shuang Tao go see Pei Man.

Pei Man had been so busy these past few days he couldn’t even spare time for a drink of water.

The Buddha Bathing Festival scripture lecture at Zhaoming Temple had originally been just an idea from the Old Madam’s whim. Eventually, word got out, and not only were people from the Song family preparing to come join the excitement, even the Peng family and Yin family from as far as Fujian were preparing to come see. How to arrange these families’ lodging, meals, and travel were all quite taxing matters. Moreover, Magistrate Tang’s term was up. The route he took through the Ministry of Personnel hadn’t worked out, and to this day there was still no definite word on where he would serve next. Frantically anxious, he was looking for opportunities to ingratiate himself with the Pei family. Having learned about the scripture lecture, he didn’t even care about face anymore and had been finding excuses these past few days to visit Third Master. Shen Shanyan was also constantly appearing before Third Master regarding the marriage matter between the Gu and Pei families… Yet Yu Tang also had business with him, and it was a matter that couldn’t be considered proper business.

Pei Man didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He said to Shuang Tao, “Can you wait until I get through these few days?”

The title of Pei family head steward still carried considerable weight in Lin’an.

Shuang Tao didn’t dare insist and quickly said, “Then I’ll come back after you’ve finished your busy period.”

Pei Man nodded.

Shuang Tao immediately withdrew.

However, as she went out, she happened to brush past Shu Qing. Seeing an unfamiliar face, Shu Qing thought for quite a while before recalling who Shuang Tao was. He couldn’t help but ask Pei Man curiously, “What did the maid from Miss Yu’s side come to see you about?”

Pei Man told Shu Qing the origin of the matter.

Shu Qing smiled slyly and said meaningfully, “You’d best keep this matter in mind. Even if you can’t spare the time right now, have someone reliable handle it immediately.”

He was Pei Yan’s advisor and not someone who spoke casually. Moreover, the reminder in his tone was very heavy.

Pei Man couldn’t help but stop what he was doing and think carefully. He quietly asked Shu Qing, “When I encounter matters involving Miss Yu in the future, should I place them among things that need immediate resolution?”

Shu Qing smiled but didn’t answer.

Pei Man already understood.

He immediately turned and instructed someone to inquire with the tailor who made clothes for Pei Yan.

As it happened, that tailor was right there with Pei Yan, having him try on clothes. Hearing this, Pei Yan was somewhat displeased.

Although this tailor shop operated under the banner of not easily accepting orders, in essence it was still just a business establishment. No matter how good their things were, they weren’t worth Yu Tang’s effort to scheme for.

He dismissed the people from the tailor shop and called Pei Man over, saying, “What does Miss Yu want from their shop? Doesn’t my mother have a dedicated clothing shop? Are the clothes from that shop not good? Or is that tailor woman surnamed something acting arrogantly and neglecting outsiders in the household?”

The corners of Pei Man’s mouth twitched.

Outsiders?

This “outsider” should refer to Miss Yu, right?

Madam Wang sent him shoes and socks throughout the year. He had accepted her goodwill. At a critical moment, he couldn’t very well not say even a word on her behalf, could he?

Pei Man’s expression remained unchanged as he said respectfully, “The woman who makes clothes for the Old Madam is surnamed Wang. She’s very humble and cautious, having served the Old Madam for many years. She shouldn’t be that kind of person, should she?”

Pei Yan sneered, “Plenty of people have two faces. Go investigate this—what exactly is going on?”