Yu Tang went “oh” in her heart.

Could it be that the decision Pei Tong was about to speak would make Pei Xuan and Pei Yan very unhappy?

Then why would Pei Tong still say this?

If he remained silent and let today pass, everyone would know his decision.

Or perhaps he wanted to tell his two uncles face-to-face in person?

Yu Tang frowned slightly.

If Pei Tong did this, wasn’t he afraid his two uncles would suspect he was challenging their authority as elders?

Yu Tang couldn’t help but prick up her ears.

But before Pei Tong could speak, Gu Xi, who shouldn’t have been speaking at all, jumped in ahead of Pei Tong with a beaming smile, picking up on Pei Xuan’s words: “Second Uncle is right. But people of exceptional talent like father-in-law are rare. If there are any shortcomings, please forgive us, both uncles.” Having said this, she turned her face to look at Pei Tong. “If mother-in-law and younger brother-in-law come to the capital, I’ll return to Lin’an. Grandmother is advanced in years after all. Second Uncle serves as an official in the capital, Third Uncle also has important matters to attend to. Although father-in-law has passed away, he still has you and younger brother-in-law as his two sons, who should fulfill filial duties on his behalf. In our branch, none of you have time, so let me go on your behalf to attend to Old Madam and contribute my modest efforts.”

As she spoke, her eyes gleamed coldly, icy as swords.

Everyone in the room was stunned.

At this moment, every sentence she could say had intent behind it.

What did “if mother-in-law and younger brother-in-law come to the capital” mean?

Under what circumstances would First Madam and Pei Fei come to the capital?

Naturally, if the Yang family and Pei family were forming a marriage alliance!

First Madam, as the Yang family’s daughter and the Pei family’s eldest daughter-in-law, would definitely need to be present.

If the clan branch had no children of appropriate age, they would need to select from other branches. Among these selections and viewings… there would be much discussion, and determining specifically whose children would be chosen was still unknown.

First Madam would definitely appear as well.

Was Gu Xi’s meaning that if the Yang and Pei families formed a marriage alliance, she would leave the capital and return to Lin’an to serve Old Madam?

Yu Tang looked at Gu Xi in astonishment.

Was she… planning to live separately from Pei Tong—if Pei Tong chose to help the Yang family?

Yu Tang looked toward Pei Yan.

Pei Yan’s eyes still held lingering surprise that hadn’t dissipated.

Yu Tang lightly cleared her throat and blinked her eyes.

Pei Yan was too familiar with Yu Tang’s little gestures. He shook his head at her, indicating she shouldn’t interfere, and also sat there lowering his eyelids, looking deeply thoughtful, as if pondering something.

Yu Tang also quieted down. Looking at Pei Tong again, Pei Tong’s face had already flushed completely red.

It seemed everyone had understood Gu Xi’s meaning.

Pei Tong looked quite embarrassed.

Had they not reached an agreement before coming?

This wasn’t like Gu Xi’s character.

In her previous life at the Li family, she would always first persuade Li Duan before going to Lin Shi to say this and that. Lin Shi suffered several losses because of this, and Yu Tang had also learned quite a few methods of doing things from Gu Xi.

It was impossible that after being reborn once, she would lose these survival skills.

A flash went through Yu Tang’s mind, and she suddenly understood—it wasn’t that Gu Xi hadn’t discussed this with Pei Tong, but that Pei Tong simply wasn’t willing to discuss it with Gu Xi, so Gu Xi had no idea what Pei Tong’s decision was. That was why Gu Xi would speak out her own plans without hesitation before Pei Tong made his decision.

Wasn’t she afraid of offending Pei Tong by doing this?

Or perhaps Gu Xi simply no longer cared about offending Pei Tong.

Yu Tang thought of Gu Xi’s guarded posture when speaking with Pei Yan yesterday, overlapping with the expression Gu Xi wore in her previous life when deciding to deal with her and handle Li Duan.

Yu Tang sighed quietly in her heart.

Gu Xi had already smiled and said: “Both uncles and aunt, it’s not that I won’t help A’Tong, it’s just—I’m with child. I think it would be better for me to return to Lin’an to rest during my pregnancy.”

She dropped another earth-shattering thunderbolt, blasting everyone in the room to pieces.

Second Madam was the first to recover, grasping Gu Xi’s hand in delighted surprise: “Is, is this true? This is wonderful! Our family hasn’t had a new addition in so many years. When did you find out? What did the physician say? Is there anything you especially want to eat? Do you have experienced servants attending you? Should we write to your natal family? If you find it troublesome, shall I assign two of the servants who cared for me to you first?”

One question followed another, her heart full of joy at welcoming a new life.

Gu Xi glanced at Pei Tong and said softly: “I shouldn’t really be saying this at this time—it hasn’t been three months yet. But I’m just so happy, I couldn’t hold it in…”

Pei Tong’s face had already turned from red to white, showing not the joy of soon becoming a father, but rather appearing somewhat shocked and disappointed.

Could it be he didn’t know Gu Xi was pregnant?

Yu Tang looked toward Pei Yan again.

Pei Yan’s brows were locked, his expression stern.

Though Pei Xuan found it unexpected, like Second Madam, he felt this was a joyous occasion. However, pregnancy was women’s business, and as an uncle, it wasn’t appropriate for him to inquire too much. Still, he happily instructed Second Madam: “Your sister-in-law is still young and probably doesn’t understand these matters. You must take extra care in looking after Young Madam. I’ll write to mother right away to see how she wants to arrange things. I’ll have to trouble you during this time!”

Second Madam nodded repeatedly, saying: “Don’t worry, master.” Then she sighed joyfully: “Our family now has double blessings!”

Yu Tang asked in surprise: “What other joyous occasion is there?”

Second Madam said delightedly: “The Qin family has sent a matchmaker and will formally propose marriage tomorrow.” Her eyes and brows couldn’t hide her smile. “I wanted to tell you this morning, but you and Third Master went out. The Qin family’s people came early this morning, and I told A’Dan, who agreed. This match is truly made in heaven. Who would have thought that while our two families didn’t interact in Hangzhou, we would become in-laws in the capital instead? It’s truly fate!”

Yu Tang repeatedly offered congratulations.

But Second Master chided Second Madam: “Compose yourself! It’s just a children’s marriage, look at you!”

For the first time, Second Madam contradicted Second Master in front of everyone: “I’m not saying anything in front of outsiders! I’m just so happy. A’Dan’s marriage has always weighed heavily on my mind. You know, girls aren’t like boys—once married, they belong to someone else’s family. If the son-in-law isn’t good, the daughter suffers with him, and even if I died a hundred times it would be useless!” As she spoke, her eyes reddened.

Yu Tang quickly comforted her: “This also depends on fate. Look, didn’t A’Dan find a good match? This shows A’Dan is blessed. You don’t need to worry anymore.”

“That’s why I’m talking so much!” Second Madam said. “Don’t laugh at me, everyone!”

“How could we!” Gu Xi, thinking of the events of recent days and coming to her senses, also quickly offered congratulations to Second Madam.

For a time, everyone chatted happily about A’Dan’s affairs, setting aside Pei Tong’s matter, and the atmosphere became very harmonious.

Yu Tang felt slightly glum though.

She had married before Gu Xi, yet Gu Xi was about to become a mother while she still showed no signs.

However, if Gu Xi’s child was older than hers, Gu Xi’s child would still have to respectfully call her child “aunt” or “uncle.” Thinking of that scene was quite amusing.

She consoled herself, feeling her mood improve considerably. Seeing Second Madam continuing to talk about Fifth Miss’s marriage with lingering enthusiasm, she prepared to chime in with a few more words. But when she looked up, she saw that Pei Yan had at some point brought in a teapot and refilled her tea.

He usually wouldn’t even eat fruit unless someone peeled it for him first.

Yu Tang was puzzled.

Pei Yan had already returned to his seat, casually placing the teapot on the tea table beside him.

Wasn’t he going to refill tea for the others?

As Yu Tang thought this, she heard Pei Yan speak coldly, interrupting Second Madam’s joy: “The family has been quite lively lately. A’Tong, what are you thinking? Just say it directly! As for how things will be arranged in the future, we’ll discuss that later.”

In other words, he was telling Pei Tong to take a position quickly, and whether Gu Xi returned to Lin’an would depend on what Pei Tong decided!

The topic returned to Pei Tong, and everyone else in the room fell silent.

Pei Tong glanced expressionlessly at Gu Xi and said in a low voice: “I’ll follow the arrangements of my two uncles. I’m a junior—the Yang family’s affairs shouldn’t have involved me in the first place. When my maternal aunt came to the house seeking help, I already spoke on her behalf. Whether it succeeds or not should properly be decided by the family’s elders in charge.”

This meant he wouldn’t help the Yang family after all!

Gu Xi visibly relaxed and looked at Pei Tong with a joyful smile.

But Pei Tong didn’t look at her, instead looking at his two uncles.

Pei Yan remained cold and icy, but Pei Xuan was gratified, saying warmly: “It’s excellent that you can think this way. A’Tong, rest assured—the Yang family is your maternal family after all. We must give face even if not for the monk then for the Buddha. We won’t put you in a difficult position.”

Pei Tong greatly trusted his second uncle. He stood up and respectfully performed a deep bow to Pei Xuan and Pei Yan.

The atmosphere became quite solemn.

Second Madam quickly smiled and said: “A’Tong, get up quickly. Family doesn’t speak in two voices. If we’re harmonious and work together, this household won’t fear anything.”

Pei Tong smiled in agreement.

Everyone relaxed.

Second Madam then proposed: “The weather is nice tonight, let’s go sit in the pavilion in the outer courtyard!” Then she spoke again of A’Dan’s marriage. “When she marries, you as her eldest cousin will need to carry her out the door!”

The atmosphere was rarely so harmonious.

Pei Tong quickly smiled in agreement and added: “Don’t worry, Second Aunt—if the groom isn’t sincere, I absolutely won’t let him through the door.”

Everyone laughed heartily.

Yu Tang also enjoyed this kind of atmosphere and smiled with pursed lips. Only Pei Yan, from beginning to end, said nothing more, his face tightly drawn.

On the way back, she couldn’t help but advise Pei Yan: “I know Pei Tong’s words still made you unhappy. But Second Uncle and Second Aunt were both so cheerful—don’t spoil the mood too much.” She also sighed: “Second Uncle and Second Aunt are truly good-tempered. Seeing you like this, they bore no grudge. Having such elder brother and sister-in-law is a blessing we cultivated in our previous lives.”

Who knew Pei Yan would give a cold “hmph,” answering beside the point: “Don’t feel sad either. I don’t think that Gu woman is necessarily truly pregnant—she might be using it to control Pei Tong. How convenient that just as we’re forcing Pei Tong to choose, she turns up pregnant. Only you would believe it!”

Yu Tang thought of that refilled cup of tea.

Was he trying to comfort her?

She stopped walking and looked at Pei Yan’s flawlessly perfect profile. Her vision suddenly blurred slightly.