“What are your plans?” Yu Tang asked Pei Yan.

Otherwise, why would he send Lin Shi to Ku’an Temple when everyone else was at a loss?

Pei Yan had no intention of hiding things from Yu Tang. He said, “I want Li Jun to take over his mother’s affairs.”

Yu Tang didn’t understand.

Pei Yan said, “If Lin Shi were cared for by the Li family’s main branch, it could barely be said to be what the Li family should do. But now, with Lin Shi at Ku’an Temple, as her son, if Li Jun allows Lin Shi to continue living at Ku’an Temple, how will others evaluate him? He must bring Lin Shi to his side to care for her. Even if he has no way to bring Lin Shi to his side to care for her, he must return once to erect a tombstone for Li Duan and properly settle Lin Shi’s future life. All of this will be no small burden for Li Jun. I doubt he’ll be able to personally care for Lin Shi. The best solution would be to entrust Lin Shi to the Li family’s main branch for care. But the Li family’s main branch has already split from their family. After Li Duan’s death, many people said this was Li Yi’s karmic retribution. The Li family’s main branch may not be willing to share Li Jun’s burden. Even if Li Jun entrusts Lin Shi to the Li family’s main branch, the main branch won’t possibly care for Lin Shi wholeheartedly.”

This way, it could also be considered avenging Wei Xiaoshan. Yu Tang should be very happy, right?

But between Yu Tang’s brows was only a sense of melancholy.

When will the cycle of revenge ever end?

She hoped their grievances could stop here!

Yu Tang said with considerable emotion, “People still shouldn’t do bad things. Once bad things are done, even if retribution doesn’t immediately fall on oneself, it will fall on others.”

Pei Yan believed in this, which was why he only believed in this lifetime. However, the words and actions of predecessors did indeed influence the behavioral principles of descendants. Li Yi had indeed brought disaster upon his family members. Most importantly, Yu Tang hadn’t become happy because of this matter.

He thought and thought again, then said in a deep voice, “Should we inform the Wei family? Although Li Duan’s was an undeserved disaster, in the end it could also be considered avenging the Wei family’s second young master…”

Yu Tang didn’t hide it from him. She told Pei Yan about how she had gone to pay respects to Wei Xiaoshan with complicated feelings, and said, “The Wei family members aren’t very clear about the details of all this. Some things, as long as we ourselves know, that’s enough.”

Pei Yan was immediately healed by Yu Tang’s honesty and that phrase “we ourselves.”

He smiled and said, “Then good. Let’s go have dinner at Mother’s place tonight, shall we? I heard that the Qian family sent some seafood delicacies to Mother. Let’s go mooch a meal.”

The Pei family didn’t lack these things. Pei Yan did this only to create more opportunities for Yu Tang to interact with Old Madam Pei.

Yu Tang understood his intentions. When she went to Old Madam Pei’s place, she not only complimented the Qian family profusely but also discussed Madame Shi’s skills following Old Madam Pei’s topic.

Seeing that Yu Tang also quite liked Madame Shi, Old Madam Pei decided that next spring, she would invite Madame Shi into the residence to give massages and such to these old ladies who didn’t move around much.

Yu Tang could also benefit from this.

Pei Yan naturally raised both hands in approval.

The two accompanied Old Madam Pei through a happy meal. Then the younger generation began coming to pay their respects to Old Madam Pei. Seeing Pei Yan and Yu Tang there, the younger ones began chattering about the Lantern Festival lanterns. Among them, Fifth Miss was most enthusiastic, saying, “Third Uncle, my mother said we’ll set out after the fifteenth. Once we go to Shandong, who knows when we’ll be able to return. This might be the last Lantern Festival I spend at the Pei family for several years. Please approve it! Let’s hold a lantern festival this year for the Lantern Festival.”

Pei Yan loved hearing these words.

This year was Yu Tang’s first year marrying in—it should be properly celebrated.

He smiled and said, “Then I’ll first have the steward go ask Magistrate Wu what his plans are?”

Since they were doing it, they should do it big.

The Pei family might as well sponsor the prefecture yamen to hold a Lantern Festival celebration.

Magistrate Wu had also just taken office this year.

He would definitely like it.

Pei Yan secretly made up his mind.

Pei Fifth Miss jumped excitedly and hugged Yu Tang’s arm, saying somewhat presumptuously, “Third Aunt is still the best! After Third Aunt married in, Third Uncle has become so much easier to talk to. In the future, we’ll need Third Aunt to speak on our behalf more often.”

Yu Tang’s face turned red. She smiled and said, “What does it have to do with me? Clearly you were the one who asked your Third Uncle!”

Fifth Miss then said, “It’s useless when I ask. Before you married in, Third Uncle refused me countless times. Only this time did he agree so readily.”

Everyone then thought of Pei Yan’s reputation for being “difficult to talk to” and burst into laughter.

Old Madam Pei was old and loved seeing the household lively and bustling. Afraid that Pei Yan wouldn’t take this matter to heart, the next day she even had Nanny Chen go urge Pei Yan and ask whom Pei Yan had sent to manage this matter.

Unexpectedly, Nanny Chen returned and told Old Madam Pei, “An advisor to Old Master Zhang has come. Third Master is receiving that old gentleman. I didn’t dare disturb them and came back first. But I told A’Ming about it. Once Third Master is free, he’ll tell Third Master immediately. Third Master definitely won’t forget about this matter.”

But Old Madam Pei frowned, lightly tapping the tea table beside her. She didn’t speak for quite a while.

Nanny Chen stood beside her with hands lowered respectfully, not daring to make a sound. But Old Madam Pei suddenly said, “What is the Third Madam doing?”

A few days ago, Yu Tang had returned to her maiden family. By rights, she should be staying at home at this time.

But Nanny Chen said, “The Third Madam has gone to Ku’an Temple.”

Old Madam Pei was slightly stunned.

Nanny Chen said, “Ku’an Temple sent a message saying that this year’s incense and candle business has been very good. Now that the year’s end has arrived, they calculated the accounts and invited the Third Madam to go review the ledgers. The Third Madam felt this was a good thing. She discussed it with the Second Madam and also brought all three young misses along. She even borrowed an accountant from Third Master to go with them. They should have gone there to audit the accounts.”

This was the proper attitude.

Old Madam Pei nodded and stood up without warning, saying to Nanny Chen, “Come, let’s go see Third Master.”

Nanny Chen was already accustomed to Old Madam Pei’s sudden visits. Without alarm or panic, she gave instructions, had a shoulder palanquin brought over, and accompanied Old Madam Pei to Geng Garden.

Pei Yan was very surprised by his mother’s arrival.

His mother wasn’t someone who liked to interfere in outer courtyard matters.

He saw off Zhang Ying’s advisor and hurried to welcome his mother over.

Old Madam Pei didn’t beat around the bush with Pei Yan. She said directly, “What did the Zhang family come to find you for? What are your plans?”

Pei Yan also didn’t want to hide things from his mother. He said, “My mentor wants me to go to the capital to help Elder Brother Zhou establish a foothold, and also help Second Brother Zhang. After the New Year, my mentor plans to find a way to promote Second Brother to Vice Minister of Works.”

From fourth rank to junior third rank seemed like an unbridgeable chasm, especially difficult to cross for hereditary nobility scions like Second Master Zhang who relied on ancestral honors.

Old Madam Pei frowned tightly and said, “So you’re planning to go to the capital?”

“I’m not planning to go,” Pei Yan said. “Don’t worry. I promised Father.”

His promise not only didn’t relax Old Madam Pei’s furrowed brows—instead, some sorrow was added to her eyes. She remained silent for a long while, hesitating to speak. In the end, she still said nothing and left, supported by Nanny Chen.

Pei Yan gazed at his mother’s retreating back, unable to come back to himself for a long time.

Zhang Ying’s advisor spent the New Year in Lin’an—at this time, even if he wanted to rush back, there was no way. The boats had stopped, and the inns had closed for the holiday.

Pei Yan accompanied Yu Tang back to her maiden family as usual on the second day, and went to Yu Bo’s place on the third day.

Wang Shi welcomed Yu Tang through the door with a face full of joy. Then she and Chen Shi went to Xiang Shi’s place. A little maid had just served them tea when she couldn’t wait to tell Yu Tang and her daughter, “Our family is going to have another addition!”

That is to say, Xiang Shi was pregnant.

Yu Tang and her mother were somewhat surprised but still joyfully congratulated Wang Shi.

Wang Shi said with emotion, “I didn’t expect it to be so fast either. But this is a good thing.” Then she asked about Yu Tang, “What about you? Is there any news?”

Yu Tang shook her head with a flushed face.

Chen Shi’s expression dimmed.

Wang Shi hastily said, “These things can’t be rushed. Besides, Tang is still young. Becoming a mother in a few years will be just right. Look at your eldest sister-in-law—she was almost twenty when she married out. Both giving birth and being pregnant went smoothly, which shows that young ladies still shouldn’t marry so early.”

“Yes, exactly!” These words comforted Chen Shi. Her expression immediately changed from cloudy to sunny, and she nodded repeatedly.

Yu Tang felt too embarrassed to speak.

Pei Yan didn’t seem anxious at all. He even said things like “not having children is just fine—we can enjoy a few good years together.” He wanted to take her to Mount Tai once spring opened, saying that Mount Tai was where emperors performed feng and shan sacrifices, and that a life without going there once wasn’t worthwhile, and things like that.

She didn’t know if it was true or false.

Yu Tang muttered to herself. Pei Yan was plied with drinks by Yu Bo, Yu Wen, and Master Wu whom Yu Bo had invited to accompany the new son-in-law, getting thoroughly drunk. On the way back, he not only squeezed into the same sedan chair as Yu Tang, but after returning home, he wasn’t peaceful either. He held Yu Tang’s hand and wouldn’t let her go make him sobering soup. He insisted Yu Tang stay with him—she couldn’t leave even for a moment. He was just like a little child.

Yu Tang felt so heartbroken. Disregarding the teasing looks from Qing Yuan and the others, she stayed with him the whole time. After making a fuss for most of the night, even Old Madam Pei was alarmed.

She couldn’t stop laughing.

Nanny Chen was somewhat worried and said, “Should you go take a look?”

Old Madam Pei said “Bah!” and responded, “I’m not going to concern myself with their affairs! If he wants to show off in front of his father-in-law and eldest brother-in-law, he shouldn’t be afraid of embarrassment. At least he was clever enough to know not to lose face at the Yu family—he only started making noise after coming home.”

Nanny Chen could only smile along.

Old Madam Pei still felt heartbroken for her son and had people send some ginseng over, saying it was to replenish Pei Yan’s vitality.

Pei Yan’s face was as black as the bottom of a pot. He took the opportunity to act spoiled before Yu Tang: “The only two times in my life I’ve gotten drunk were both at my father-in-law’s place. You need to compensate me!”

Yu Tang said in surprise, “When did you get drunk another time?”

Pei Yan said righteously, “It was that time when Father-in-law called me over to ask if I truly wanted to marry you. You actually don’t remember.”

With a look of great shock and great disappointment, he said, “Tang, so you haven’t been taking my affairs to heart at all. You need to make amends. My head hurts. Today I’m planning to lie in bed all day. You need to stay with me and read to me.”

After all was said and done, he just wanted her by his side.

Yu Tang had never seen anyone clingier than Pei Yan.

Even small children were rarely like this.

But she inexplicably liked Pei Yan clinging to her this way.

It was as if she were very important, as if he couldn’t do without her.

As a result, right up until the tenth day, Yu Tang was like Pei Yan’s accessory, being taken wherever he went.

Yu Tang suspected he hadn’t been drunk at all—he wanted to use this drinking episode as an excuse to keep her by his side.