Though she said this, Pei Yan was still extremely angry and continued complaining to Yu Tang about Zhang Ying: “He’s an old fox too. Since he can’t completely retire, he should properly arrange careers for those around him. If he can’t, then he should completely retire and not concern himself with worldly affairs. Thirty years on the east side of the river, thirty years on the west—which family can stand at the peak forever without coming down? When reading history books, everyone understands clearly, but when it comes to themselves, each one is unwilling to accept it, each one thinks they’ll be the exception. Previously, the most powerful family in the capital was the Xu family. How did the Zhang family rise? Wasn’t it by stepping on the Xu family? Has the Xu family said they want to find ways to pull the Zhang family down? Who’s first, who’s second—this naturally goes round and round. One should find ways to stand in the first tier, not always think about being number one.”
Yu Tang listened quietly, slowly pondering in her heart. The more she pondered, the more she felt Pei Yan’s words made sense.
Getting in wasn’t easy, and getting out wasn’t easy either.
This truly fit the saying “every family has its own difficult scriptures to recite.”
It was clear that even wealthy noble families each had their own hardships.
And Pei Yan only grumbled like this in front of Yu Tang. Usually he wore an aloof expression that made Mister Chen’s heart turn cold. There were many things he wanted to ask Pei Yan but didn’t dare, leaving Pei Yan suddenly leisurely.
When a person is leisurely, they inevitably think about this and that. Fortunately, Pei Yan had prepared early. Every day he and Yu Tang “read books” and “painted pictures” in the cabin, carefree and happy as immortals. He tormented the bashful Yu Tang until she simply gave up in despair, covering her ears like an ostrich as if nothing had happened. When seeing Second Mistress, she forced herself to remain calm and could even discuss with Second Mistress whether, since Second Master had sent people to Liaocheng to meet them, Pei Yan, Yu Tang, and the others should stay in Liaocheng for a few extra days.
According to Pei Yan’s view, there was nothing worth seeing. But Second Mistress wanted Yu Tang to stay a few days, saying: “Once we part this time, who knows when we’ll see each other again?”
If Pei Xuan’s official fortune was good, after three years with a rating of “capable official,” he might possibly be transferred to the capital. If his official fortune was poor, after completing his nine-year term, he might be transferred somewhere even more distant. Wherever he went, as long as Pei Xuan didn’t retire, the opportunities for the sisters-in-law to meet wouldn’t be many.
Though Yu Tang was reluctant to part with Second Mistress and Fifth Miss, she deferred more to Pei Yan.
But Gu Xi very much wanted to disembark and look around.
Though they traveled by boat, staying on the boat for an entire month with Pei Yan as an elder present meant she spent eighty to ninety percent of her time only in the cabin. She was truly sick of it.
She asked Pei Tong: “You’ve been visiting Third Uncle these past days—how does Third Uncle treat you?”
Pei Tong felt somewhat embarrassed.
Pei Yan wasn’t close to him. When his father was alive, Pei Yan was in the ancestral home. By the time Pei Yan tested into the capital, he had already moved out of the Pei family’s old capital residence. Then after his father died, the clan head position that should have belonged to their branch was handed to Pei Yan instead… He didn’t really understand Pei Yan very well either.
This past month or so, Pei Yan made him feel like he’d come to the wrong place.
Pei Yan very much liked bringing Yu Tang along, even teaching Yu Tang calligraphy practice, painting, and fishing. He would even bring Yu Tang to stroll on the deck in the evenings.
As a nephew, he naturally couldn’t very well insert himself.
This way, though he often found opportunities to encounter Pei Yan, in reality even when they met face-to-face, there were very few opportunities to say anything.
He felt this was Pei Yan’s tactful way of refusing his attempts to get close.
He just felt too embarrassed to tell his wife, as if it made him seem incompetent, unable to handle even such small matters.
Pei Tong said vaguely: “It’s alright.”
Gu Xi sat closer, looking at him full of expectation: “Why don’t you tell Third Uncle we should stop in Liaocheng for two days? You and your second uncle can have a good talk too. After meeting this time, who knows when you’ll see each other again! As for fearing we’ll delay the itinerary, just add some silver and have the boatmen travel at night for a few days.”
Pei Xuan still treated Pei Tong quite well.
Pei Tong hesitated somewhat.
But before he could figure out how to discuss this matter with Pei Yan, the boat had already docked at Liaocheng wharf. They didn’t wait for Pei Xuan who was coming to meet Second Mistress—instead, they waited for an adviser Pei Xuan had brought to Liaocheng.
“Third Master.” He respectfully saluted Pei Yan, handed him a letter written by Pei Xuan, and said: “Second Master says he’s waiting for you in the capital.”
Pei Yan was very surprised. After reading the letter, he learned that just after Pei Xuan received the official seal of Shandong Provincial Administration Commissioner, an imperial edict arrived from the capital transferring Pei Xuan to serve as Vice Minister of Revenue, with orders to assume office in the capital within fifteen days. Pei Xuan had barely secured the Provincial Administration Commissioner’s seal before handing it back out and racing to the capital through the night.
This was a promotion!
Everyone on the boat was delighted beyond measure. The clever ones even ran to ask Second Mistress for rewards.
Second Mistress joyfully opened her trunks and took out silver beans to reward everyone.
But Pei Yan frowned, brought Pei Xuan’s adviser aboard, and traveled through the night racing directly to the capital.
Unexpectedly, just after the boat left the wharf, they were intercepted by the Liaocheng Prefect who had rushed over upon hearing the news. He insisted on seeing Pei Yan off and brought up his relationship with the Fei family: “Fei Zhiwen is my uncle.”
Pei Xuan’s adviser also whispered in Pei Yan’s ear: “He’s the son of Minister Fei’s father’s cousin within three degrees of mourning.”
Pei Yan had no choice but to disembark to socialize.
Gu Xi poked Pei Tong: “You should go along too!”
Pei Yan hadn’t called for Pei Tong. Pei Tong hesitated somewhat.
Gu Xi encouraged him: “Opportunities are created by people and given to those who actively utilize them.”
Pei Tong thickened his face and followed.
The Liaocheng Prefect was naturally very enthusiastic. Pei Yan didn’t drive him away either. He breathed a sigh of relief and gradually opened up, socializing with those people in Liaocheng official circles, gradually feeling the pleasure of being like a fish in water.
Pei Yan didn’t stop him and even created some opportunities for him.
When Pei Tong returned to the boat and looked at Gu Xi again, he felt she was worthy of being Gu Chang’s sister—some of her words were quite reasonable.
Taking advantage of his intoxication, he discussed with Gu Xi somewhat probingly: “When we return to the capital, let’s still live in the old residence!”
Before leaving, First Madam had told him to stay at his maternal grandfather’s home, but he had privately decided to stay in his own family’s residence.
Gu Xi said in surprise: “Were you previously planning to stay at Maternal Grandfather’s home? Didn’t we already discuss this matter before?”
Pei Tong’s face reddened. He stammered: “I was just afraid you wouldn’t be accustomed… I saw you staying in the cabin these past days…”
Gu Xi somewhat forcefully interrupted him: “Not accustomed is not accustomed, but we can’t do things that displease our elders and make others laugh at us just because we’re not accustomed. We’re following Third Uncle back to the capital and moving into the Pei family’s old residence to serve our elders—this is what we should do. Who can find fault with it?”
She knew her mother-in-law was someone who caused more harm than good. She took this opportunity to admonish Pei Tong a few times.
Pei Tong made some random humming sounds and stopped talking. From his appearance, he seemed to agree with Gu Xi’s words.
Gu Xi breathed a sigh of relief.
They traveled day and night, finally arriving at the capital before the Buddha Bathing Festival.
Mister Shu and Zhou Zijin came to Tongzhou wharf to meet them. Accompanying them was also the Zhang family’s third son, Young Minister Zhang.
As soon as Pei Yan disembarked, Zhou Zijin gave him a bear hug.
Young Minister Zhang watched from the side, laughing. He said to Pei Yan: “Welcome to the capital. Your second brother was summoned into the palace by the Emperor and couldn’t come meet you today. Tomorrow when we return to the capital, we’ll hold a welcoming banquet for you at Laishun Restaurant.”
“Better not,” Pei Yan said, pushing Zhou Zijin away. After exchanging salutes with Young Minister Zhang, he smiled: “Tomorrow let’s just have something simple at our home. Afterward, I can also go pay respects to Master.”
Given the complex situation in the capital now, Young Minister Zhang didn’t insist. Smiling, he agreed. Everyone didn’t go to the courier station but instead rested at the largest inn in Tongzhou City.
Young Minister Zhang had also brought his wife.
Specifically to receive the Pei family’s female relatives.
Zhang family’s Third Mistress came from a northern wealthy noble family background. She was tall, robust, plump, and fair-skinned, with the particular forthright enthusiasm characteristic of northerners.
“I’ve long heard Xiaguang married an incomparable beauty. Seeing you today, it’s truly well-deserved.” Zhang Third Mistress laughed heartily at Yu Tang: “Since you’ve come to the capital, you should walk around properly—Tanzhe Temple, Hongluo Temple, Chang’an Street—you must see them all.”
Yu Tang very much liked such straightforward people and expressed thanks repeatedly.
Second Mistress and Zhang Third Mistress were also meeting for the first time. Everyone exchanged pleasantries. Accompanied by Zhang Third Mistress, they had dinner in the back hall of the rented courtyard, rested for the night, then the next day changed to horse carriages and rushed toward the capital.
This was Yu Tang’s first time riding in a horse carriage. She felt that though carriages were more imposing than mule carts, they were also more bumpy.
Second Mistress endured the entire journey. As soon as she got off the carriage, she vomited.
Yu Tang didn’t have time to carefully examine what the Pei family’s old residence looked like. She busily helped Second Mistress to the residence arranged for her.
Fortunately, Pei Xuan had already left the office and was waiting at home. Seeing Second Mistress had vomited until her face turned white, he quickly stepped forward to personally take over, helping pour tea and water to attend to Second Mistress.
Seeing this, Yu Tang immediately withdrew and returned to the courtyard where she was staying.
Qing Yuan had already begun directing maids and matrons to arrange the residence. The inner courtyard’s stewardess was already respectfully waiting outside for Yu Tang to summon her.
Yu Tang was also exhausted. She didn’t want to force herself. After speaking briefly with that Stewardess Min, she had everyone dismissed. She herself was attended by Qing Yuan, washing and changing clothes, then went to the inner residence’s flower hall specifically for receiving female guests to entertain Zhang Third Mistress.
When Zhang Third Mistress learned Second Mistress had vomited so badly she couldn’t dine with them, she said self-reproachfully: “I thought you might not be very accustomed, but I didn’t expect it to be this severe. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have rushed back with the men. After all, we don’t eat with them anyway.”
“No one expected it,” Yu Tang said politely. She led Fifth Miss and Gu Xi to represent the Pei family in entertaining Zhang Third Mistress.
After Zhang Third Mistress returned, she praised Yu Tang unceasingly before Zhang Old Madam: “She’s truly beautiful! Among all the female relatives of our several families combined, not one is as beautiful as her. No wonder Xiaguang didn’t want to marry the Li family’s young lady back then.”
Zhang Old Madam didn’t much care about this and pursued the question about Fifth Miss Pei Dan: “How is that young girl?”
Zhang Third Mistress said hesitantly: “She hasn’t fully matured yet, but her features—she looks like she was stamped from the same mold as Pei Second Mistress. Her temperament also seems very gentle and obedient…”
Such a young girl would be fine to marry in as a second daughter-in-law. But as the eldest daughter-in-law… that would be somewhat improper. Moreover, there was a five or six-year age difference.