Yu Tang was different from Pei Second Madam.

Pei Second Madam had been raised in the inner quarters since childhood. After coming of age, she had married into a prestigious aristocratic family that emphasized propriety. Not only that, but her husband respected her and her mother-in-law liked her. Having experienced few difficulties, she naturally could think of fewer solutions.

Yu Tang had grown up living among commoners and was from a merchant family. Her neighbors all around valued getting things done well rather than following rules.

She whispered to Pei Second Madam: “Send a trusted person to make contact with the Qin family’s servant women.”

This was how they used to inquire about the Pei family’s affairs in the past.

Although they couldn’t ask about major matters, for minor matters they could get accurate information every time.

And through these minor matters, one could precisely see what a person’s character and capabilities were like.

Pei Second Madam was still somewhat hesitant, saying: “Servant women lack discernment. Won’t this backfire?”

Yu Tang smiled and said: “We’re just having them inquire about some minor matters in the Qin household. As for what the people are like, we still need to make our own judgments. For instance, if those servant women think their master is stingy, we need to ask clearly what kind of stingy? If it’s withholding the servants’ monthly wages, that’s inappropriate. But if he’s like that toward himself as well, then it can’t be called stingy. It’s either living frugally or being too miserly in daily life. Living frugally is fine, but if daily life is too miserly, even if A’Dan has plenty of dowry, it’s useless. If the parents-in-law in the household live like that, as a junior, how can she go against her parents-in-law? No matter how good the son-in-law is, if A’Dan marries into such a family, she’ll just suffer along with them. We’d need to carefully consider such a household.”

Second Madam nodded continuously, very convinced as she consulted Yu Tang: “Then how do we distinguish between frugal and miserly?”

“That’s even simpler,” Yu Tang smiled. “Look at how he treats those around him. Frugality is a style, but it doesn’t mean not eating or drinking. Being miserly means not wanting to part with even a single copper coin. If you ask him to buy some good food or wine, it would be like asking for his life.”

“What you say makes sense.” Second Madam nodded repeatedly. She discussed with Yu Tang for a long time and even had Yu Tang help select which old servant to send to inquire, asking her who would be suitable.

Yu Tang really wasn’t comfortable making this household decision.

But Nanny Jin, who was at Second Madam’s side, had watched Pei Dan grow up and cherished Pei Dan like the apple of her eye. She definitely wouldn’t harm Pei Dan.

Yu Tang recommended Nanny Jin.

Second Madam agreed readily.

After Nanny Jin found out, she even came to thank Yu Tang specifically, feeling that Yu Tang thought highly of her and gave her face. So regarding Pei Dan’s marriage, she was also very dedicated and earnest, not being at home for several days in a row. By the time she had inquired thoroughly enough, the Dragon Boat Festival had already passed.

Yu Tang and Pei Second Madam went together to watch the dragon boat races.

At that time they were in a private room at a restaurant. Accompanying them were Xu Xuan and Yin Shi. After they arrived, they discovered that the private room to their left held the Li family’s female relatives, while to their right were Mrs. Qin and Old Madam Fei, along with an unfamiliar woman in the prime of her youth who was exceptionally beautiful, as elegant and refined as a lotus flower.

Yu Tang guessed this should be Miss Qin who was about to marry into the Fei family.

It seemed Old Madam Fei was quite reliable after all, knowing her son liked beautiful women and finding a beautiful daughter-in-law.

She and Second Madam brought Pei Dan and Pei Hong to pay respects to Old Madam Fei. Mrs. Qin seemed particularly satisfied with Pei Dan, holding Pei Dan’s hand and talking for quite a while. Pei Dan was naturally somewhat shy, but because she didn’t know the Qin family favored her as a daughter-in-law, she answered questions quite generously, which made Mrs. Qin like her even more.

As for Old Madam Fei, for some reason, after the Pei family’s female relatives had paid their respects to the Li family’s female relatives, she invited the Pei family’s female relatives to have lunch together. After lunch, she actually found an opportunity to ask Yu Tang privately: “What do you think of Miss Qin’s appearance? Is she presentable?”

Her tone was full of worry.

This was Yu Tang’s first time seeing Miss Qin. They hadn’t even exchanged many words, so she vaguely tried to gloss over this matter. Who knew Old Madam Fei would sigh and say: “Zhiwen has worried me since he was small. Among all the siblings, he’s the most troublesome, but also the most capable. I only hope for his well-being, yet he always feels I’m controlling him. When he said he wanted to earn an imperial appointment for his first wife, didn’t I agree? I really don’t know what he’s thinking.”

Yu Tang could only say: “The deceased takes precedence. Minister Fei is a person of loyalty and righteousness. You should be happy.”

As for whether he truly had loyalty and righteousness, she had no definite conclusion—she was just comforting the elderly woman.

But Old Madam Fei nodded seriously and said: “I only hope that this time he can settle down and live properly. He’s not young anymore, and he doesn’t even have an heir. Just thinking about it keeps me awake at night. Later when I go underground and see my mother-in-law, how will I explain to her!”

The little person in Yu Tang’s heart wiped the sweat from her forehead. She hurriedly said: “As the saying goes, raising a son without teaching him is the father’s fault. What does Minister Fei’s love of causing trouble have to do with you? Just set your mind at ease! Isn’t he about to marry and have children now?”

Old Madam Fei’s expression cleared greatly. She sighed emotionally: “If his first wife had been able to talk to me like you do, why would I have looked down on her? You don’t know—no matter what I said or asked, she was like a mosquito buzzing. I never heard her clearly even once.”

Yu Tang couldn’t respond to this. She smiled and said: “My master says I’m just ignorant and brash. Who knew that when I came to you, I’d get praised instead? When I go back today, I must tell him so I can feel proud too.”

Old Madam Fei laughed heartily upon hearing this, seeming to be in a good mood. She didn’t mention her former daughter-in-law anymore, but instead spoke of Miss Qin, saying: “I know that Zhiwen’s willingness to marry this time is thanks to your Xiaguang. I won’t say much more. I see Miss Qin is also an introverted person. I’d like to ask you to visit our home often when you have time—just consider it as helping our Zhiwen.”

Yu Tang couldn’t figure out Miss Qin’s personality at all. She couldn’t just agree to Old Madam Fei like this. Moreover, what Pei Yan said made sense—it was impossible for everyone to like you. But life was short, and what mattered most was making yourself happy. People who didn’t like you—there was no need to associate with them.

She didn’t respond but instead said with delight: “Has Minister Fei’s wedding date been set?”

Old Madam Fei didn’t think much of it and stopped talking about Miss Qin. Instead, she found Yu Tang lively, cheerful, and amusing to talk to, quite to her liking. She smiled and said: “He’s not young anymore. Our two families have set the wedding date for the second day of the eighth month this year. After marrying his wife, they can celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival together. It’s just a bit unfair to Miss Qin—we’re rushing things a bit.”

“This date is well chosen,” Yu Tang immediately pulled the topic even further away. “I heard people say that after the Mid-Autumn Festival in the capital, they start storing up for winter—buying cabbage and radishes to put in the cellar. With the new bride entering the household and the family becoming more settled, it’s perfect timing to arrange winter affairs.”

Old Madam Fei had also lived in the capital with her husband for a period when she was young. She knew how the capital prepared for winter. She smiled and said: “I thought the same thing, which is why I set the wedding date before the Mid-Autumn Festival.”

Yu Tang took the opportunity to talk with her about how the capital prepared for winter. Old Madam Fei, perhaps feeling she was too young, began giving Yu Tang pointers based on her own household management experience.

As long as they weren’t discussing the Fei family’s inner quarters affairs, Yu Tang was willing to listen.

She breathed a sigh of relief and chatted with Old Madam Fei for a while.

Old Madam Fei’s impression of her became even better. On the way back, she said to Mrs. Qin: “I think the Pei family is quite good. Setting aside everything else, just their eye for selecting daughters-in-law is quite excellent.” She also sighed emotionally: “When Madam Pei and I were young, we once met in the capital. At that time, I thought her personality was too strong and that she might suffer losses in the future. Who knew it was I who suffered losses instead. This shows that in some matters, she’s more capable than me and has better judgment!”

Thinking of the hesitant expression on her husband’s face when he discussed the Pei family marriage with her, Mrs. Qin couldn’t help but say: “Then what do you think of the Pei family’s Fifth Miss?”

“Isn’t Yu Shi the main branch’s wife of the Pei family?” Old Madam Fei said. “She’s only a few years older than the Pei family’s Fifth Miss. With such a reasonable in-law from the natal family, even if the Pei family’s Fifth Miss has some shortcomings, her natal family elders will help advise and discipline her. Moreover, the Pei family’s upbringing is there—even if she’s lacking, how lacking could she be?”

Mrs. Qin felt this made sense and became somewhat eager to settle this matter.

After the Dragon Boat Festival, she even had someone send some new wheat over for the Pei family’s female relatives to make cold noodles.

It just so happened that Nanny Jin had also finished inquiring about what needed to be investigated.

Minister Qin apparently wanted to advance further in his career, so he disciplined both Mrs. Qin and his several children quite strictly. This strictness wasn’t about frugality in daily life, but rather about conduct and behavior. Although Young Master Qin wasn’t exceptionally brilliant in his studies, he was steady, generous, worked hard at his studies, and took good care of his younger siblings. Everyone in the Qin household, from top to bottom, spoke of this eldest young master with great respect.

Second Madam listened with delight, saying repeatedly: “This is wonderful! This is wonderful!” After speaking, she still felt a bit uncertain and asked Yu Tang: “What do you think?”

Yu Tang also thought it was good.

Only then did Second Madam feel settled. She discussed having Pei Xuan invite Mrs. Qin to visit their home.

Pei Xuan had his own methods of inquiry. Having found out that the Qin family’s household culture was very good, he not only agreed but also suggested inviting all the Qin family members over: “They’ve served as officials in Jiangzhe, and we’re from Jiangzhe. There’s no harm in getting closer.” He also had Pei Yan clear his schedule as well: “You should attend too.”

This was almost the final mutual assessment.

If the two young people didn’t take a liking to each other, this matter would be treated as if it never happened. If the two young people did like each other, when the Qin family sent someone to propose marriage, the Pei family wouldn’t hesitate and say they needed to consider it.

Soon the two families arranged a time for the banquet—a day when both vice ministers had their rest day.

Yu Tang and Second Madam prepared for several days for this occasion. Even what color bowls and chopsticks to use troubled Second Madam for a long time. It was only when Gu Xi went to the public storehouse to borrow pastry molds that she found out the Pei family was inviting the Qin family over as guests.

She frowned.

Yu Tang hadn’t told her in advance.

After returning, she felt somewhat unhappy. It was her wet nurse who advised her: “If you knew about it, you’d still have to help out, and after helping, no one would say anything good. Not having to go—isn’t that just perfect? No need to be angry.”

Only then did Gu Xi feel somewhat better.

Yu Tang and Second Madam certainly hadn’t forgotten about her, but they hadn’t intended to let her know the true purpose of the invitation, so they hadn’t asked her to help. It was only two days before the banquet that they informed her.