The old woman didn’t think much of it and said: “They should return after having dinner! The Tao family and our residence are old family friends. Since Third Master went there, Master Tao couldn’t possibly not keep Third Master and Third Madam for dinner!”
In her view, Gu Xi simply lacked experience.
Back in the day, when the Old Master and Old Madam were young, Old Madam had even disguised herself as a young servant accompanying Old Master to poetry gatherings! Later, when Old Madam had children, she grew too lazy to go out and play with Old Master, and only then did that stop.
Third Master merely took Third Madam out shopping to their own family’s shop—was there really a need to make such a fuss?
The old woman continued: “Should I tell Third Master and Third Madam when they return?”
“That would be troubling you.” Gu Xi never easily offended these elderly servants of the Pei family. She smiled and said: “I originally wanted to come keep Third Uncle and Third Aunt company and chat, but since that’s the case, I’ll go back first and wait for your message.”
The old woman felt quite honored and couldn’t help saying: “Young Madam, I’m not trying to rely on my seniority here. Third Master has become the clan head, and Third Madam is easy to talk to. Although you’re a junior, you’re not much younger than Third Madam in age. If you ask me, you should come visit more often. Look at that eldest young lady from the Zhang residence—she’s from Third Master’s mentor’s family, yet she still comes to visit with Madam Yin every few days. Just a few days ago, she praised the hair ornaments Third Madam made to the heavens. You’re family, yet you don’t come as often as Miss Zhang. If word of this gets out, it won’t look very good.”
Gu Xi sneered inwardly, thinking that your ability to say such things already constitutes “relying on seniority,” yet here you are gilding your own lily. If this were the Gu family, she would have already sent this person packing.
Unfortunately, this was the Pei family.
Since Pei Tong was useless, she had to endure it.
“You’re quite right.” Gu Xi smiled as she listened to the old woman deliver several more pieces of “loyal advice,” then returned to her own courtyard.
The old woman inevitably became somewhat arrogant. When Yu Tang returned, she went to Qing Yuan to boast of her accomplishment: “After all, Young Madam grew up under her stepmother’s care, so she still doesn’t quite understand proper etiquette.”
Qing Yuan was somewhat displeased upon hearing this and said: “She is still Young Madam after all. You should watch your words.”
The old woman came to her senses, her face flushing red. She actually found Gu Xi modest and amiable, and her impression of her improved.
As for Yu Tang, guessing that Gu Xi had come to see them mostly to express her position, she had the reporting servant wait outside while she went to discuss it with Pei Yan first.
Pei Yan was quite happy today.
Yu Tang had bought many things. Although none were particularly valuable, what mattered was that Yu Tang was very pleased—her eyes sparkled brightly, her smile especially radiant, with a bit of that high-spirited quality she had when he first met her.
Seeing Yu Tang enter, he immediately embraced her, and without waiting for her to speak, pulled her into his arms and asked: “Were you happy today?”
Though it was evening, many servants attended her courtyard, so she still felt somewhat uncomfortable. But she knew Pei Yan’s stubborn temperament even better—if she didn’t go along with him, she would definitely be the one at a disadvantage tonight.
Thinking of this, her face burned. She quickly nodded, and fearing he wouldn’t see and would sulk, hastily whispered in his ear: “Happy! I bought so many things today.”
Pei Yan felt very satisfied in his heart. He planted a heavy kiss on her cheek and said: “Then in a while we’ll go out shopping. Besides the Tao family’s shop, the capital has many other places selling different things. I remember once accompanying my mentor to the western suburbs—there’s a place that sells parrots, every bird can speak long sentences and even recite poetry…”
Did she really need to keep birds?
Yu Tang had lived through a rather stifling period in her previous life. Later, thinking it over carefully, her own inability to refuse others was also an important reason.
She immediately said tactfully: “But parrots all like to mimic speech. If we say anything, wouldn’t it just learn and repeat it all?”
Pei Yan paused slightly, but thinking about it, found this very reasonable. Images floated through his mind of the intimate words they spoke during their bedroom games, and desire immediately surged through him uncontrollably. His thoughts wandered as he took Yu Tang’s round earlobe in his mouth, mumbling indistinctly: “A’Tang, what do you want to buy then? I’ll accompany you to get everything! The affairs in the capital are too vexing—when autumn comes, shall we return to Lin’an? From now on we’ll live permanently in Lin’an, and when we have nothing to do, we’ll go stay in Hangzhou for a while. How about it?”
Yu Tang’s body felt somewhat heated, yet her mind conjured images of those several estates with varying scenery under Pei Yan’s name. She leaned on Pei Yan’s shoulder, gently nodding.
Pei Yan’s heart blazed with warmth.
This was what he loved most about his A’Tang.
Wherever he went, she was willing to follow.
Let the affairs of the capital go to hell—he would leave at year’s end and take his A’Tang to climb Mount Tai next spring.
Once they had children, they wouldn’t be able to go anywhere.
He even felt that Yu Tang not having children was also a good thing.
The two clung together intimately on the armchair, kissing deeply.
But before they could do anything more, someone from Pei Xuan’s side came to relay a message, asking them to come speak with him: “Young Master and Young Madam are also at Second Master’s place. They say Young Madam returned to her natal family today, and her maternal uncle sent over some excellent tea.”
Pei Yan and Pei Xuan had actually been waiting for Pei Tong all day, wanting to know whether he would ultimately choose the Yang family or the Pei family.
Pei Tong never came to find them, so they had assumed he had tacitly agreed to stand with the Yang family.
Pei Yan was quite dissatisfied and said irritably: “He really knows how to pick his timing!”
Yu Tang smiled with pursed lips, also feeling these two were somewhat spoiling the mood. However, this timing was what they had set yesterday—no matter what happened, they had to honor it.
She thoroughly kissed Pei Yan several times, personally helped him change clothes, then freshened up herself before going out with Pei Yan.
Having been properly appeased, Pei Yan stopped worrying about Pei Tong’s matter. Walking along the path, he even asked her: “Did you plant many more tuberose flowers in the courtyard? I smell their fragrance filling the entire yard.”
“Is it really that fragrant?” Yu Tang had hired a master to help completely renovate the courtyard, removing miscellaneous trees and planting various flowers and plants. But mindful of Pei Yan, she had planted almost no flowering trees like jasmine or gardenia.
Pei Yan nodded seriously and said: “It’s acceptable!” His tone quite tolerant.
Yu Tang became somewhat hesitant.
She had also ordered over twenty autumn osmanthus trees from the gardener, planning to plant them in the garden near Second Madam’s area. Should she perhaps only plant two or three for appearance’s sake?
Yu Tang pondered this in her heart. Pei Yan became somewhat unhappy and said: “What are you thinking about? If you like them, plant them. Build a greenhouse in the courtyard and live in the greenhouse.”
This temper of his—even good words turned bad in his mouth!
Yu Tang smiled and shook her head, saying: “I was thinking, what flowering trees don’t have such a strong fragrance?”
Pei Yan’s heart felt comfortable again.
He felt he should make Yu Tang even happier. His voice became very gentle as he said softly: “It’s fine! If you really like them, buy an estate and plant it entirely with your favorite flowering trees. When you have nothing to do, you can go look at them.”
Yu Tang was dumbfounded.
Abandoning her perfectly good back garden at home, enduring the fatigue of carriage travel to make a trip out, just to look at a few flowers?
“No need, really no need.” Pei Yan always kept his word, and she truly feared he would follow through on this matter as consistently as always. “Going out is too troublesome. I prefer staying at home.”
“That’s fine too.” Pei Yan began seriously considering this matter, saying thoughtfully: “Why don’t we clear that forest east of our home? It’s a bit far from where we live, closer to the fourth branch, but it’s still within the estate. When you have nothing to do, you can host banquets there to entertain the family’s womenfolk. Why don’t you draft a list, I’ll have Pei Wu handle it, and by next spring, you can plant all your favorite flowering trees there.”
If the family elders learned it was all planted with her favorite flowering trees, wouldn’t they mistakenly think Pei Yan had lost his head over her?
She didn’t want to bear that reputation!
Yu Tang’s mind spun quickly, and she immediately thought of an idea: “What’s the fun in that? Planting trees and grass—isn’t the whole point enjoying the pleasure of planting them yourself? Let’s wait until we return, and then the two of us can go together. When we’re old, we can tell our descendants about what trees we planted and when!”
Pei Yan recalled how his parents seemed to have planted trees when he was young too.
Yu Tang must truly love him deeply to have such thoughts.
His heart bubbled with delight. His gaze rested warmly on Yu Tang’s smiling face as he murmured a low “mm” in agreement.
Yu Tang breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, they had also reached Second Master’s residence, so Pei Yan had no opportunity for any more ideas.
She went smiling with Pei Yan to the main courtyard’s flower hall.
Pei Tong and Gu Xi must have arrived a while ago. Pei Xuan and Second Madam were saying something to them, and there were peeled fruit rinds on the table.
Hearing the commotion, everyone except Pei Xuan stood up, smiling and greeting them.
Yu Tang quickly swept her gaze over everyone in the room.
Pei Xuan’s expression was calm, the same as usual, his emotions unreadable. Second Madam not only smiled on her face, but her eyes were smiling too—clearly in an excellent mood. As for the couple Pei Tong and Gu Xi, one had a stern face looking very serious, while the other smiled without speaking, the picture of propriety and quiet dignity.
What scene were they playing out here?
Yu Tang couldn’t quite figure it out and sat down following Pei Yan.
Second Madam kept winking at her, clearly having something to tell her.
What could have happened in just one day apart?
Yu Tang looked toward Second Master.
Second Master had already begun speaking with his usual composure, instructing Second Madam: “Have all the servants leave the room!”
The servants in the room hardly needed Second Madam to say anything—they immediately filed out of the flower hall.
Second Master didn’t make small talk either, but said directly: “A’Tong, there are no outsiders here now. Just tell us what you’re thinking.” He added: “No matter what you choose, we elders have no objections. After all, you’re grown now and have your own judgment. I still remember when your elder brother was your age, he was already observing governmental affairs at the Six Ministries. Like father, like son—as your uncles, we should trust you.”
Pei Xuan could truly maintain his composure and keep his cool!
Yu Tang looked at Second Master with newfound respect.
So what was Pei Tong thinking?
Yu Tang glanced at Gu Xi.
She felt that given Gu Xi’s personality, she wouldn’t fight a battle without certainty of winning. Whatever choice Pei Tong made would definitely be related to Gu Xi.
But this time, Gu Xi disappointed Yu Tang.
When Gu Xi heard Second Master speak thus, her hands, which had been properly placed on her knees, immediately clenched tightly at her skirt.