Yu Tang’s eyes widened.

No way?

In her previous life, the Pei estate had bought her family’s mountain forest, then converted it to grow sea buckthorn and processed them into preserved fruits, making money—wasn’t it because he thought growing sea buckthorn to make preserved fruits could be profitable?

How could he be uncertain about it in this life?

What was different between her previous life and this life?

Yu Tang blinked, unable to help testing him: “But I’ve calculated that using sea buckthorn to make preserved fruits would make it very difficult to recover costs. If this mountain forest were yours, what would you do?”

Previously, Yu Tang had sought out Pei Yan several times about the mountain forest matter. Pei Yan had also sent Hu Xing to help her examine it, but Hu Xing had said that nothing would grow in that mountain forest. The Yu family had decided to introduce sea buckthorn from the northwest. After learning of this, he had been rather dismissive, thinking that after the young lady and her cousin struggled with it a few times, they would learn their lesson, so he hadn’t continued to inquire further. Now that the young lady was asking about it again, even having him hypothetically assume it was his land, he guessed whether the mountain forest was currently losing money badly. Since it was now being managed by her eldest cousin, Yu Yuan probably couldn’t account for it to the elders, and she needed to think of a way to help her eldest cousin. So he said, “If this mountain forest were mine, I’d just plant whatever casually, as long as others saw it looking prosperous and thriving. After all, the family’s shops are the main source of income, and I’ve also invested shares with Jiang Chao. There’s no need to labor heart and mind over some miscellaneous tree forest. Moreover, your family has already bought thirty mu of permanent hereditary fields from the Li Duan family. In others’ eyes, you’re already flourishing and prospering.”

Could it be that in her previous life, the so-called sea buckthorn preserved fruits business only looked good on the surface, appearing lively but not truly profitable?

Then the Pei family had taken the initiative to buy her family’s land…

Yu Tang’s heart pounded chaotically as those speculations hidden deep in her heart couldn’t help but surface again.

She held her breath and said softly, “If our family wanted to sell that mountain forest, would you buy it?”

“No!” Pei Yan said without thinking. “I clearly know nothing can grow there. What would I buy it for?”

Yu Tang was so angry her chest hurt. She said loudly, “What if our family encountered some trouble and needed to sell that mountain forest for emergency funds?”

“Then I’d definitely buy it.” Seeing her glare at him, her black and white pupils seeming veiled with a layer of mist, clearly furious, Pei Yan felt somewhat uncomfortable and subconsciously said, “What kind of hypothetical is this? Hasn’t Jiang Chao not returned yet? Your family has at least ten thousand taels of silver to fall back on. You won’t decline so quickly! Master Yu wouldn’t have flashed his wealth and gotten targeted and tricked into going to a gambling house, would he? That would be troublesome…”

This man!

Every time he managed to make her angry for various reasons.

Yu Tang closed her eyes and said sternly, “My father is not that kind of person! Even if you went to a gambling house, my father would never go to one. I was just making a comparison. How can you not distinguish between joking and serious talk!”

Hearing this, Pei Yan became somewhat displeased and said, “Even if I went to a gambling house, I’d be cheating to win other people’s money. Who could win my money! Besides, your family is doing fine. Why would you make this comparison? I’ve helped your family quite a bit, haven’t I? If your family really encountered trouble, would I just stand by and watch your family sell the mountain forest passed down from your ancestors! Your words were inappropriate to begin with, yet you’re still losing your temper. Who did you learn this from? It must be Miss Xu! She’s a famous tigress in the capital. In my opinion, you’d better keep your distance from her in the future.”

Yu Tang was so angry her face turned pale. She didn’t want to acknowledge Pei Yan.

With neither of them speaking, the atmosphere in the room immediately became extremely stiff. A’Cha called from outside through the curtain, “Third Master, the servant attending Magistrate Gu came to report that Magistrate Gu is asking whether you’ve returned to the estate. He has urgent matters to see you about. He also said that no matter what time you return tonight, we must help relay the message to you. He must see you once tonight.”

Pei Yan’s face darkened. Without even glancing at Yu Tang, he stood up and said, “I’m leaving,” then strode out, lifting the curtain as he left the hall.

Yu Tang gazed at the curtain that swayed twice, feeling regretful.

She clearly knew that Pei Yan had also helped her considerably in her previous life. Why did she insist on getting an answer?

Her previous life and this life were already very different. How could there be the same outcome?

What exactly was she trying to do?

Yu Tang sat there with drooping shoulders, feeling so dejected for a long while that she didn’t want to move.

Qing Yuan came in and said softly, “Miss, would you like to rest? Or should I call Qing Ping in to accompany you for a couple games of five-in-a-row?”

Actually, the maids around Pei Yan could play not only backgammon but also Go. It was just that Yu Tang wasn’t proficient, so when they accompanied her, they switched to five-in-a-row.

Thinking of Pei Yan who had left slightly displeased, Yu Tang nodded dejectedly.

Qing Yuan attended to her as she removed her makeup.

She very much wanted to tell Qing Yuan about parting on bad terms with Pei Yan just now, to have Qing Yuan give her advice, but she also felt this matter was too embarrassing and didn’t want others to know.

Hesitating and wavering, even after she retired for the night, she still hadn’t made up her mind.

Therefore, when she woke early the next morning, she said to Qing Yuan, “I remember when we came from Lin’an, we brought mushroom sauce to go with meals. I don’t know if Third Master likes it. Take a jar over for Third Master to try something fresh.”

This mushroom sauce was something Pei Man had given them to season their food in case they had to eat dry rations on the road. It was one of the Pei family’s special sauce products.

This sauce—it might be lacking for anyone else, but it couldn’t possibly be lacking for Pei Yan.

Wasn’t Miss Yu lifting a rock to drop it on her own foot?

Qing Yuan’s eyes showed incomprehension.

Yu Tang explained awkwardly, “I offended Third Master last night and don’t know how to apologize to him. This can serve as an excuse.”

Qing Yuan smiled with pursed lips, finding Yu Tang quite interesting for thinking of such a method, like a child playing tricks.

She said, “Don’t worry, I’ll send a jar of mushroom sauce over right away.”

Yu Tang nodded with a flushed face.

Pei Yan and Gu Chang ate the morning meal together.

They had talked for most of the night yesterday, not dispersing until nearly the hour of the ox, then gathering together again at the hour of the rabbit.

Gu Chang appeared somewhat listless. His voice hoarse, he said, “If I hand over the evidence that Magistrate Sun collected, I need to have a reason, don’t I?”

Otherwise, having betrayed his mentor’s school, how could he stand before the world in the future!

Pei Yan carefully chewed the steamed bun in his mouth. After swallowing, he said slowly, “Then what do you think would be better?”

This was also why Gu Chang hadn’t slept all night yesterday.

Pei Yan somewhat looked down on Gu Chang’s indecisiveness, but more than that, he wanted to muddy the court situation to buy time for Zhou Zijin and pin Peng Yu at the Censorate so he couldn’t move.

He could only say, “Isn’t there still Wei Sanfu? Water can carry a boat but can also capsize it. Are you keeping Wei Sanfu to celebrate New Year with?”

Fine sweat immediately appeared on Gu Chang’s forehead.

He looked at Pei Yan earnestly.

Pei Yan acted as if nothing was amiss and continued eating his gold and silver steamed bun.

Gu Chang suddenly smiled and said, “No wonder your second senior brother breathed a sigh of relief when you left the capital. Your courage is truly great enough. If you don’t become an outstanding person, you’ll become a heroic ghost.”

Pei Yan said nothing.

Watching his calm and composed demeanor, Gu Chang thought about how when people mentioned the current talents of Jiangnan, they would bring up him and Pei Yan. A surge of bold spirit suddenly arose in his heart. He said to Pei Yan, “When shall we go see Wang Qibao? I’ll hand over some of the evidence that Magistrate Sun gave me before I departed to Wang Qibao and have him take it back to the capital.”

At least he still had some courage!

Pei Yan glanced at Gu Chang calmly and said, “Then let’s go pay a visit to Wang Qibao together in a while!”

Gu Chang was about to agree when he saw that young servant called A’Cha beside Pei Yan walk in carrying a small white porcelain bowl. In a low voice, he said, “Sister Qing Yuan had me bring this in. She said Miss had her send it over, worried you wouldn’t have anything to go with your meal this morning.”

This household might be short of things for anyone else, but not for him!

Pei Yan glanced at the dark, indistinct pickled sauce in the bowl. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

Although what was sent over wasn’t anything special, the attitude was good.

He pointed at the table and said, “Just set it down!”

A’Cha set down the sauce and withdrew with a bowed head.

Gu Chang said, “Who sent it? Is it your cousin or your younger cousin?”

Pei Yan felt this was his family matter and had nothing to do with Gu Chang. He didn’t answer him at all, but instead said, “I’m already full. Do you want another bowl of congee? If you’re also finished eating, I’ll go back to my room to change clothes and then we’ll leave!”

Gu Chang had always hoped to distance himself from Sun Gao. Now that he had finally waited for this opportunity, how could he have the mind to randomly guess who had sent sauce to Pei Yan? He only wanted to quickly see Wang Qibao and quickly complete this matter. Hearing this, he stopped eating his morning meal, stood up and said, “Then let’s meet at the sedan hall in a quarter-hour! I’ll change clothes and go out with you.”

Pei Yan nodded, and he and Gu Chang each went about their own business.

Over there, Yu Tang urgently asked Qing Yuan, “Did Third Master accept the sauce?”

Qing Yuan smiled and said, “He accepted it!”

Yu Tang sighed and said, “I never want to quarrel with your family’s Third Master again. Every time it’s me who yields first. What’s the point!”

Qing Yuan smiled and consoled her, “At least Third Master still accepts your apology. Many people want to apologize to him but can’t find the opportunity!”

“You make it sound like this is still a good thing.” Yu Tang wrinkled her nose. “I’ve learned my lesson. I’ll never do this kind of thing again.”

But in her previous life, did her Yu family’s mountain forest make money or not make money in Pei Yan’s hands? Should she continue growing sea buckthorn? Or as Pei Yan said, lose money while making a show of it, just selling the appearance of liveliness?

This was truly vexing!

Yu Tang felt she was a bit foolish.

Miss Xu came running over, asking what she planned to do today, wanting to invite her to continue touring the garden together. “I went back and told Third Madam Yang, and she said we’ve toured at most half of it. She said their family still has a ginkgo garden planted entirely with ginkgo trees, and each tree is as thick as a rice bowl. It’s especially beautiful in autumn. Yin Mingyuan’s grandfather once wrote about it in his own miscellaneous notes, but unfortunately Yin Mingyuan can’t come.” Speaking of this, her eyes suddenly brightened. “A’Tang, what do you think about me dragging Yin Mingyuan to come to Hangzhou again in autumn?”

“This autumn?” Yu Tang said. “You’re getting married in September. Will you have time?”

Miss Xu thought for a moment and said, “Then we can come next year or the year after.”

Yu Tang didn’t quite believe Miss Xu would have that kind of leisure time.

But Miss Xu sighed and said, “I should still be more polite to Pei Xiaguang, so I can visit Pei Xiaguang again in the future.”

Yu Tang grumbled inwardly—Pei Yan was moody and temperamental. Even if you were polite to him now, who knows when you might offend him again? It would be better to be polite to him whenever you wanted to come, which would be more effective.