Yang First Madam certainly hadn’t come to eat, but Yu Tang’s suggestion did move her heart.
Although Pei Yan was the clan head of the Pei family, it was Pei Xuan who held the highest official position. Moreover, Second Madam was older than Yu Tang and came from a scholarly farming family, so she was definitely more capable than Yu Tang. The reason she had originally bypassed Second Madam and had Gu Xi relay the message to Yu Tang was precisely for this reason—she felt that Yu Tang was inferior to Second Madam in every respect and meant to take advantage of her ignorance. But she hadn’t expected Yu Tang to be ignorant to this degree—in her eyes, matters of execution and family extermination were merely trivial affairs.
Had she known this, she would have been better off speaking with Second Madam!
Furthermore, while the Yang family’s affairs were still being concealed, they couldn’t be hidden for much longer. She also wanted to probe Pei Tong’s attitude to see if he would help the Yang family at the critical moment.
If Pei Tong only had the Pei family in his heart and not the Yang family, then they needn’t acknowledge this grandson. After all, he was an ungrateful wretch who could add flowers to brocade but couldn’t send charcoal in snow—what use was such a grandson?
Yang First Madam pondered inwardly and thus didn’t quibble with Yu Tang about not having her join as a guest. She actually felt this arrangement was quite good—she could quietly discuss serious matters with Pei Tong.
When Yu Tang emerged from Gu Xi’s quarters, the guests had all arrived. Besides her son, Madam Qin had brought her daughter and Miss Qin. Old Madam Fei had brought along a grandson of dancing spoon age. Xu Xuan had pulled along her sister-in-law Yin Shi. Second Madam and Fifth Miss were keeping them company, and everyone was drinking tea and chatting in the flower hall.
As soon as Yu Tang entered, she smiled apologetically: “I just went to check on the kitchen and came late. Please forgive me, Old Madam and Madam Qin.”
Old Madam Fei laughed heartily, saying “not at all” and exchanging a few courteous words. She introduced her grandson as her second son’s second son, who was studying well. He had come this time wanting to study alongside Fei Zhiwen. The Pei family had “three jinshi in one family” and was famous in the capital for being a scholarly household, so she had brought her grandson along today to familiarize himself with the place.
This was probably to keep Young Master Qin from feeling uncomfortable—specially brought along to keep him company?
Yu Tang smiled and warmly invited Young Master Fei to have tea, but her gaze fell on Young Master Qin standing beside Madam Qin.
From Miss Qin alone, one could see that just as the Qin family produced beautiful women, they naturally also produced handsome men.
Young Master Qin looked nothing like Madam Qin but bore three or four parts resemblance to Miss Qin. They both had high nose bridges, large eyes, and fair skin. His appearance was outstanding, his bearing excellent—refined and courteous. At a glance, one could tell he was a scholar from an aristocratic family.
As for Young Master Qin’s biological sister, Miss Qin the Elder, she resembled Miss Qin even more. Though only a ten-year-old girl, one could already see that when she grew up, she would be a beauty no less stunning than Miss Qin.
Madam Qin had three sons and one daughter. Yu Tang wondered if the other two sons were also like Young Master Qin—more resembling the Qin family and possessing handsome features.
Yu Tang smiled with pursed lips, her impression of Young Master Qin very favorable.
She looked toward Second Madam.
Second Madam already had the gaze of a future mother-in-law. Not only was she extremely satisfied, her happiness was written all over her face—the corners of her mouth couldn’t quite close. She said warmly to Young Master Qin and Miss Qin the Elder: “Please sit, please sit. No need to be so formal. A’Dan’s Third Aunt and I are not harsh people. You should also feel at ease.”
Young Master Qin and his sister glanced at their mother. Seeing Madam Qin nod slightly, they sat down with flushed faces.
Yu Tang then inquired about Miss Qin the Elder’s daily routine.
Miss Qin the Elder seemed somewhat shy, answering Yu Tang’s questions in soft, gentle tones.
Yu Tang liked her even more.
Fifth Miss was also introverted by nature. If her sister-in-law were too boisterous, Fifth Miss might not be able to get along with her.
Of course, the sister-in-law would marry off in a few years and they would live their separate lives. Sometimes she might even need her natal brother and sister-in-law to back her up. But wouldn’t it be even better if sisters-in-law could get along well?
Yu Tang smiled and said to Madam Qin: “I didn’t expect your young miss to be just like our A’Dan—both gentle and modest.” After speaking, she quickly glanced at Young Master Qin.
Young Master Qin was secretly sizing up Fifth Miss, while Fifth Miss was completely oblivious. Still somewhat childishly, she smiled at Young Master Qin as if greeting him. Young Master Qin immediately lowered his head, not daring to look at Fifth Miss again. His ears turned bright red—rather childish, but also quite endearing.
Yu Tang’s eyes and brows were tinged with a smile.
Madam Qin also saw her son’s appearance and felt this match had an eighty to ninety percent chance of success. Delighted, she said: “She’s just too introverted. No matter what I say, she won’t change. But thinking she’s still young, I haven’t brought her out much.” Then she said to her daughter, “Since you’ve met Fifth Miss today, when I go out in the future, I’ll bring you along. You’ll have someone to keep you company.”
Fifth Miss ranked last among the Pei family’s young ladies. Others always looked after her—she had never looked after anyone else. Hearing this, she couldn’t help but feel eager. She carefully glanced at Second Madam and said: “Mother, the pomegranate flowers, Chinese roses, and moth orchids in the back garden have all bloomed. May I take younger sister to see them?”
The noon meal was still early.
Old Madam Fei smiled and said: “Then let’s all go take a look together. I’ve long known Second Madam raises flowers well. Today I must broaden my horizons.”
Sitting here, they had no opportunity to talk.
Second Madam quickly stood up and smiled: “How can you say I’m skilled with flowers? My mother-in-law is skilled with flowers. Both of us sisters-in-law learned from her. This garden was even arranged by my younger sister-in-law. I just watch the flowers bloom and pluck a couple to put in vases. I dare not accept such praise.”
Old Madam Fei felt the Pei family’s two daughters-in-law, including the granddaughter-in-law Gu Xi, all spoke well and were quite sensible. She couldn’t help smiling: “I remember the Grand Madam only has two sons. Has the younger son’s marriage been arranged?”
Pei Fei’s marriage was difficult to arrange.
First, Pei You’s branch was somewhat awkward within the clan. Second, Grand Madam had her own ideas and might not be of one mind with the Pei family.
If Old Madam Fei wanted to matchmake for Pei Fei, that would be troublesome.
But Old Madam Fei’s status and position were what they were—refusing her wouldn’t be good either.
Second Madam didn’t know what to say for a moment and glanced at Yu Tang as if seeking help.
Yu Tang had been thinking along the same lines as Second Madam. Seeing Second Madam’s expression, she didn’t overthink it and immediately smiled: “We’re all juniors. For Second Young Master’s marriage, you’d have to ask our eldest sister-in-law.”
This meant that neither of the sisters-in-law could make household decisions.
Old Madam Fei felt this was only natural and didn’t inquire further. Smiling, she was supported by her grandson as they headed to the back garden.
Yin Shi had been silent all along, supporting Xu Xuan and listening attentively.
Fifth Miss got along well with Miss Qin the Elder.
The two spoke in low voices, appearing quite harmonious.
Miss Qin supported Madam Qin while Young Master Qin followed behind them, occasionally glancing at Fifth Miss. The flush on his face never faded.
Yu Tang found it very interesting. After seeing off the household guests, she mentioned this matter to Pei Yan: “Young Master Qin’s appearance is extremely outstanding. I was worried Young Master Qin might not fancy our A’Dan, but unexpectedly Young Master Qin was quite attentive to A’Dan. This afternoon they went to the back garden to fish together. Apparently Young Master Qin kept helping A’Dan bait the hooks. When leaving, he even had his sister invite A’Dan to visit their home. I think this match has an eighty to ninety percent chance of being settled.”
Pei Yan frowned upon hearing this and said: “Men should speak of establishing achievements and building careers. What use is good looks? We still need to see how his scholarship is.”
Yu Tang smiled: “In a few days, Old Madam Fei is inviting us to play at her house. You should come too! You can take the opportunity to test Young Master Fei’s scholarship.”
Because today was everyone’s first meeting and it wasn’t certain whether they’d take to each other, the men from both the Pei and Qin families hadn’t participated.
Afterward, Yu Tang brought up Yang First Madam’s matter: “I don’t know if she thought what I said made sense or had other reasons, but after having the noon meal at the eldest young master’s place, she waited until he returned home. The two talked for quite a while before she left. As for the Yang family matter, what are your plans? If you don’t tell me, I won’t know how to handle it either.”
Pei Yan’s expression darkened as he listened. He said: “It’s not that I don’t want to tell you. Gu Zhaoyang’s view is to strike them dead with one blow and be done with it. But I think that’s not good. The barefoot aren’t afraid of the shod. Rather than let them act without restraint, it’s better to leave them a thread of hope so they won’t dare move rashly for fear of losing that hope. Right now it’s a game of nerves—seeing who loses patience first. Today it was Yang First Madam coming to our door. Next time it’ll probably be the Yang family men coming to our door.” Then somewhat mischievously, he pinched Yu Tang’s cheek and smiled: “You answered very well today. If anyone asks you anything in the future, just respond to them the way you did today.”
He didn’t want to involve Yu Tang.
Even in relaying messages, he didn’t want that.
He liked seeing Yu Tang happy every day, only needing to worry about how to refuse Xu Shi’s unreasonable demands.
For other matters, having him was enough.
Yu Tang laughingly knocked away Pei Yan’s hand and said: “I think what you say makes sense. Even a cornered dog will bite! But what exactly does the Yang family have on our family? Do you know?”
“I don’t know!” Pei Yan said unconcernedly. “I guess it’s just letters, account books, and the like. Whatever it is, if it truly goes to court, there are always ways to prove our innocence. What’s important is whom His Majesty will believe.”
The two were intimately sharing private words when Qing Yuan announced from outside the door: “Third Master, Third Madam, at the eldest young master’s quarters… they’ve started quarreling. Do you think you should go over?”
Pei Tong and Gu Xi?
Given these two’s temperaments, they shouldn’t be making such a scene that even the household elders would know.
Yu Tang called Qing Yuan in and asked: “Do you know what it’s about? Does Second Madam know?”
Qing Yuan shook her head: “I don’t know what it’s about. It was Hexiang from Young Madam’s service who said the eldest young master smashed everything in the house and asked you and Third Master to go uphold justice for Young Madam!”
Gu Xi always cared most about face. Could there be some conspiracy or trick in this?
Yu Tang asked: “Where’s Hexiang?”
Since they were being asked to uphold justice, shouldn’t they at least find out what happened?
Qing Yuan said: “She told me with red eyes, saying she still had to go invite Second Master and Second Madam. I couldn’t very well stop her to ask for details.”
Yu Tang and Pei Yan lived closer to Gu Xi and them.
Yu Tang looked at Pei Yan.
Pei Yan’s expression was unpleasant. He said stiffly: “Let’s go consult with Second Brother.”
If they were going to meddle in this business, he and Yu Tang would follow along and take a look. If they weren’t going to get involved, he and Yu Tang wouldn’t go either.