Yang First Madam and Gu Xi couldn’t help but stand up.
Yu Tang was startled upon seeing this.
In her impression, these two always sat firmly and steadily when they saw her.
Reborn for a lifetime, even the people in her memories had changed!
She sighed and shook her head inwardly, then walked over with a smile.
After everyone exchanged greetings and sat down again, the young maids served tea and refreshments before withdrawing and closing the door. Only then did Yu Tang smile and say: “I don’t know what urgent matter brought First Madam here today? The household is hosting guests, so we haven’t been able to attend to you properly. Fortunately, Young Madam is meticulous and invited you over for tea, otherwise we would have truly neglected you.”
These words sounded polite enough, but anyone coming when the household was hosting guests, yet without any mention of inviting her to sit and have a meal, practically amounted to saying outright that she had come at an inopportune time.
Yang First Madam’s expression changed.
But Gu Xi didn’t want them quarreling in her quarters. She quickly smiled and said: “Elder Maternal Aunt rarely visits, so of course she must come sit in my room. Otherwise, when my husband finds out, he’ll surely say I’m not filial to my elders and don’t understand propriety.” After speaking, she forked a piece of apple and placed it by Yang First Madam’s hand. “Please try this. It was sent over from Yantai in Shandong a few days ago. They said their family also produces tribute goods. Second Madam had someone send over a basket, and I found it no worse than the tribute variety. If you also find the taste good, I’ll have someone send some over for Maternal Grandfather, Maternal Grandmother, and the several uncles and aunts to try as well.”
Was this meant to shut her mouth?
Yang First Madam thought angrily, but she couldn’t afford to openly break with the Pei family at this moment, so she could only swallow her anger and accept it.
Gu Xi shot meaningful looks at Yu Tang.
Just like in her previous life—the scene was exactly the same as when she would disparage her with veiled remarks in front of outsiders and then force her to bow her head and apologize.
Yu Tang couldn’t help but laugh.
Since Gu Xi liked showing off so much, let her show off then. Anyway, neither she nor Second Madam liked appearing in public. No matter how much Gu Xi bustled about outside, when it came time to make final decisions, others would still have to come ask Second Madam or her for their opinions.
So let her jump around all she wanted.
She only needed to nod at things she thought were good and shake her head at things that weren’t.
Yu Tang believed that with Gu Xi’s intelligence, she wouldn’t do anything to harm the Pei family’s interests.
She nodded at Gu Xi.
Gu Xi breathed a sigh of relief.
Yu Tang was someone without much discernment. She was very afraid Yu Tang would say something inappropriate at this moment and anger Yang First Madam, causing the two to start quarreling right here.
On one side was her husband’s family, on the other was her mother-in-law’s maternal family—it wouldn’t be good for her to take either side.
She wanted to admonish Yang First Madam a bit, so she took the opportunity to say: “Speaking of which, it’s quite interesting. Second Uncle only just received the official seal as Shandong’s Provincial Administration Commissioner before being transferred to the capital. He stayed in Shandong for less than ten days—those Shandong officials hadn’t even gotten to know him properly—yet they treat Second Uncle as if he were a Provincial Administration Commissioner who had served in Shandong for a long time. Not only do they constantly send local specialties, but officials coming to the capital on business also frequently call on Second Uncle. We feel quite embarrassed about it.”
Was this bragging?
Yang First Madam could barely maintain the smile on her face.
Their Yang family was suffering through deep waters and scorching fires—why should the Pei family act as if nothing had happened and continue enjoying everyone’s flattery?
Her voice became somewhat shrill: “There’s a common saying: when people leave, the tea grows cold. Your family’s Second Master was promoted, not dismissed. Never mind staying in Shandong for only ten days—even if he hadn’t stayed a single day but just had his name registered, those Shandong officials wouldn’t dare slight your Second Master. Perhaps they’re even celebrating having such a person to help them climb to higher branches!”
You know it well!
Gu Xi looked at Yang First Madam with a beaming smile and said: “You’re quite right. People nowadays are too good at networking. Even without connections they try to create connections—how much more so when there actually are some connections? So Second Uncle instructed Second Aunt that for those sending gifts, if we find them good, we keep them and pay for them. If we feel we can’t use them or they’re not good, we return them directly. Unfortunately, everything sent from Shandong has been good quality, so we could only pay money for it all. At least we don’t have to search everywhere ourselves—it saves our family a lot of trouble.”
That tone, that manner—as if she were the matriarch in charge of this household.
Yang First Madam sneered inwardly and glanced at Yu Tang.
Who knew Yu Tang would seem utterly unmoved, sitting beside them with a cheerful smile, just watching Gu Xi go on and on.
Coming from a minor household—that’s just how they are, can’t even understand a simple conversation.
Yang First Madam cursed a few times in her heart and couldn’t help saying: “So doesn’t that mean everything sent from Shandong goes to Second Madam? Does Second Madam also pay for it all?”
Of course not.
Everyone benefited from eating the goods—how could they let Second Madam pay the silver?
Especially since Second Master’s salary was very low, essentially nothing.
Yu Tang wouldn’t fall for that trap!
She smiled and said: “We also want to share in the benefits—but we’re not taking advantage! How could we let Second Madam pay the silver!” Then she changed the subject, once again asking about Yang First Madam’s purpose for coming. “Your sudden visit today—is there some urgent matter?”
Yu Tang had already guessed why Yang First Madam had come. She wanted to quickly send Yang First Madam away. After all, Fifth Miss’s side was most important. Moreover, she had already asked Pei Yan about it—their Pei family and the Yang family could never reconcile. They would definitely have a falling out eventually. Whether they offended them now or later made no difference.
Yang First Madam indeed stopped dwelling on those trivial details. She drank two mouthfuls of tea, took several deep breaths to calm her dissatisfaction, then smiled and said: “It’s still about that matter I asked Young Madam to relay last time. I know the Old Madam doesn’t like our family’s young aunt, but for some matters, it’s not about liking or not liking—what’s most important is looking at the current situation. Third Madam doesn’t understand these things, but Third Master certainly does. I feel that if some matters turn into direct confrontation between the masters, there’ll be no room for maneuvering. Better for us womenfolk in the inner quarters to discuss things first, let the masters of both families know about this matter, then when they talk about it, making decisions will be much easier. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be me coming forward to discuss this matter.”
Yu Tang pretended ignorance while understanding perfectly well. With an expression of sudden realization, she nodded and said: “So that’s it! I was wondering before—my mother-in-law has already spoken, yet you wanted us daughters-in-law to make household decisions. Isn’t that making things difficult for us? So you just wanted us to relay a message!”
Yang First Madam heard her speaking like an ignorant child. Her anger flared up and she couldn’t help saying in a muffled voice: “So how did you tell Third Master about it?”
Yu Tang widened her bright, distinct eyes and said: “I haven’t told Third Master about this matter yet!”
“What?!” Yang First Madam was furious.
Did she even know how important this matter was?
If she hadn’t made this trip, would their Yang family have continued sitting at home waiting for news from this side?
No wonder the Pei family showed absolutely no reaction.
She immediately said sternly: “Such an important matter—how could you not tell Third Master? Do you know what you’ve done? If this were urgent military intelligence, you would have been beheaded eighteen times already.”
Yu Tang remained unperturbed.
Listen to that tone—those who didn’t know would think she was a Yang family daughter-in-law or junior!
She was merely habitually treating people with courtesy before force. Yet Yang First Madam still treated her like a soft persimmon to squeeze at will!
Yu Tang’s expression became even more innocent as she said aggrievedly: “Everyone knows my mother-in-law opposes this matter. How was I supposed to tell Third Master? I even discussed this matter with Second Madam—Second Madam doesn’t dare tell Second Master either. As I see it, either we just forget about this matter, or you personally go tell Third Master yourself.”
Yang First Madam trembled with rage.
What kind of creature had Pei Yan married?
She should go tell Third Master herself?
Had all the Yang family men died or something!
Perhaps Pei Yan would even think their Yang family looked down on him, acting superior and condescending toward the Pei family by sending an inner quarters woman to discuss such matters with him!
Yang First Madam was beside herself with anger and said: “You just tell him honestly, that’s all. It’s just relaying a message, not asking you to make decisions.”
Yu Tang saw that her face had turned livid and felt very satisfied inwardly. She continued her act, saying: “I’m just afraid Third Master won’t be pleased!” At this point, she turned her gaze to Gu Xi, who had been silent all along. “How about Young Madam personally goes and tells Second Master! Second Master has a good temper, and Young Madam is better at speaking than I am. Plus there won’t be any risk of the message getting garbled in transmission.” As she spoke, she clapped her hands as if she thought this was an excellent idea.
Yang First Madam was stunned, but after the shock passed, she felt this idea was indeed quite good.
This way they could avoid directly confronting Pei Yan while still letting the Pei brothers know the importance of the matter.
She looked at Yu Tang’s carefree face with mixed feelings and said: “So do you know how important this matter is?”
Yu Tang’s tone was cheerful as she smiled and said: “When we were at Zhaoming Temple, people said that only the Pei family could produce those two hundred thousand taels of silver. But later didn’t everyone make it clear that this matter had nothing to do with the Pei family? Perhaps your Yang family made a mistake! I believe this matter has nothing to do with the Pei family!”
That resolute tone left Yang First Madam completely speechless. She felt that talking with such a person was truly exhausting.
Yu Tang saw things were about settled. She quickly stood up and said to Gu Xi: “First Madam rarely visits. You shouldn’t attend today’s banquet—take good care of First Madam instead. I won’t accompany you. First Madam, please stay for the noon meal today, won’t you? I’ll tell the kitchen.” After speaking, she lifted her feet and walked outside, not even giving Yang First Madam or Gu Xi a chance to decline.
Gu Xi frowned but could only stay here to entertain Yang First Madam.
She certainly couldn’t bring Yang First Madam to the main courtyard. What if Yang First Madam recklessly said things detrimental to the Pei family? The Pei family wouldn’t look good either.
“Elder Maternal Aunt,” she smiled and personally refilled Yang First Madam’s tea. “I remember my husband saying before that you and my mother-in-law both love crispy duck the most. I recall the kitchen is making that dish today. Please sit for a while—I’ll have Hexiang make a trip to the kitchen right away. I’ll also have them make some tofu balls, fried yellow croaker…” As she spoke, she called loudly for Hexiang to come in and gave her detailed instructions.