Fourth Madam Song had indeed come to speak on behalf of the Peng family. Although Old Madam Pei had come to the capital without even inviting her over for a meal or tea, she already knew that her family was not what it used to be and had been disdained by Old Madam Pei.

But this couldn’t be blamed on her!

If anyone was to blame, it was the Song family’s masters.

They always felt that since their family and the Pei family were relatives, when the Song family had hard times these past few years, the Pei family should be understanding. The festival gifts they usually sent to the Peng family and Wu family were cartloads, but when it came to the Pei family, not only did they not increase them following Pei Xuan’s entry into the cabinet, but they even felt the Pei family didn’t lack these small tokens from their family, so they sent less and less. To the point where these womenfolk were too embarrassed to cozy up to the Pei family’s Second Madam, let alone ask the Pei family to handle matters for them.

Now that the Peng family was about to fall into misfortune and wanted the Song family to help plead for them, these Song family masters thought of her.

But with empty words and no substance, what did she have to ingratiate herself with Old Madam Pei? What qualifications did she have to speak before Old Madam Pei?

So after seeing Old Madam Pei, she didn’t say a single word about the Peng family matters. She just came like an ordinary relative to pay her respects to Old Madam Pei.

Old Madam Pei thought she had guessed wrongly and felt somewhat guilty toward Fourth Madam Song. She not only kept her for lunch but also rewarded her with a gold-inlaid jade dragon and phoenix bracelet when she left.

When Fourth Madam Song returned home and saw First Master Song waiting eagerly, she said without thinking: “The Old Madam’s words implied that she has long stopped managing household affairs. If there’s anything, go directly to speak with Second Master Pei or Third Master Pei.”

She pushed the matter away directly.

Winter had arrived, and New Year was approaching in the blink of an eye. Fourth Master Song was the clan head and managed the family accounts, so he had to return to Suzhou to handle household affairs. The matters in the capital were entrusted to First Master Song.

First Master Song worried about this for a long time and consulted with Fourth Master Song’s advisor who had remained in the capital: “What should we do about this matter?”

Truth be told, they had received quite a few benefits from the Peng family, but these past two years their family had somehow grown distant from the Pei family. A few days ago, it wasn’t that he hadn’t thought of going to see Pei Xuan, but he had never been able to meet him. The Peng family side was pressing urgently, so he had no choice but to steel himself and have Fourth Madam Song go to the Pei residence.

This advisor of Fourth Master Song’s was newly hired after the Song family arrived in the capital—a juren who had failed the examinations and was planning to continue taking them this year, a person with an agile mind. In his years with the Song family, he had seen very clearly what kind of situation the Song family was in and had already firmly decided to resign at the end of the month. Perhaps because of this, he suddenly felt a bit of pity for the Song family’s blindness and couldn’t help but reveal a few honest words: “Seventh Master Peng’s demotion this time isn’t because he did something wrong, but because he incurred the Emperor’s displeasure. I see that the master has done his best. If the Peng family were reasonable, they shouldn’t blame you.”

Favored in the Emperor’s heart.

Peng Yu had lost imperial favor this time.

Unless the Emperor changed, it was quite impossible for Peng Yu to make a comeback.

The Song family could barely protect themselves—why bother meddling in other families’ affairs?

But First Master Song didn’t hear this at all and was still smugly boasting there: “You see, our family isn’t the type that doesn’t know gratitude. A drop of kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring. Back then, if not for Seventh Master Peng, our family’s shipment of goods would still be held up at Commander-General Xuantong’s residence! Even if it’s somewhat difficult, we must find a way to help!”

He all but said: work hard, and the Song family won’t treat you poorly.

That advisor couldn’t even wait until the end of the month. Using the excuse of wandering around outside for two days, he said he had met a fellow townsman and wanted to prepare for the examinations together. He resigned from the Song family’s employment and moved to live in the outskirts of the capital.

The Song family was running around frantically, and then when the imperial edict was officially issued, Peng Yu was not only stripped of his office but also given a “never to be employed again” verdict.

The Peng family was shocked and dismayed.

You must know that when the Late Emperor was alive, he had valued Peng Yu quite highly. When His Majesty ascended the throne, Peng Yu had been extremely cautious and had never done anything wrong. The Peng family never dreamed such a calamity would befall them. Even if they wanted to arrange some backup plans, the next generation of the Peng family only had one person who had earned academic honors, and he hadn’t even passed the Hanlin Academy examination, so there was simply no way to make arrangements.

The Peng family had a gap in generations—for at least ten years there would be no possibility of recovery.

But these ten years were enough for a family to decline.

The Peng family experienced what the Zhang family had gone through back then.

But the Zhang family at least still had Old Master Zhang, barely supporting them through these past few years. Now Zhang Shao’s son had reached the age of spoon dance and had already passed the xiucai examination early on. With many disciples helping out, it seemed they were about to see the clouds part and the sun emerge.

The Peng family only hoped that at this time no one would kick them while they were down. They took out large amounts of silver to manage connections up and down. Even when Peng Yu left the capital, they still hadn’t figured out where exactly they had lost imperial favor.

Pei Xuan privately asked Pei Yan: “Did you manipulate this?”

Pei Yan categorically denied it and even sneered: “Who do you think I am? That I can do whatever I want?”

Pei Xuan pursed his lips and said: “Don’t think I don’t know—who gave Zhou Zijin that ‘Flowers and Full Moon’ painting that he presented to the Emperor a few days ago? Ever since he gained the Emperor’s favor, he’s been constantly muttering about the court’s maritime transport in the Emperor’s presence. I see you want to bring up abolishing the Maritime Trade Office again, don’t you?”

Pei Yan looked left and right but wouldn’t give a straight answer.

Pei Xuan didn’t press him, just said lightly: “Zhou Zijin has been using quite a bit of your silver these past few years, hasn’t he? His expenses grow larger year by year.”

Since the conversation had reached this point, Pei Yan worried his elder brother would misunderstand that he had taken silver from the Pei family’s public funds to give to Zhou Zijin, so he had to say: “Brother Zijin and I can be considered close friends. I can’t say much about other things, but his scholarship is truly first-rate. I’m even planning to have him become Xi’er’s teacher in a while!”

Xi’er didn’t need to inherit the family business, so both Pei Yan and Yu Tang were relatively indulgent with him.

Pei Xuan didn’t expose this either, saying: “It’s fine as long as you know what you’re doing. Previously the Peng family didn’t want to completely fall out with our family, but now you’ve taken away their livelihood, demanding their life and death. The Peng family probably won’t let you off easily. You’d better be careful. You’re a father now too!”

Pei Yan nodded, saying “Brother, rest assured, no matter how irresponsible I am, I couldn’t possibly neglect my wife and children,” but in his heart he didn’t take it seriously, thinking that once Peng Yu returned to Fujian, he would send their family a great gift.

Harming his wife and children and thinking they could just let it go like this—not a chance!

The next day Pei Yan went to see Zhou Zijin.

The two muttered together for a long time, then went mountain climbing together.

Pei Xuan watched with his eyelids twitching.

Meanwhile, Gu Xi learned that those who went to hear Pei Xuan’s lecture that day included not only Pei Tong and others but also friends of Pei Xuan and nephews of his colleagues. She felt very uncomfortable about this. After thinking it over for several days, she took some newly marketed dates to see Second Madam Pei.

Second Madam Pei wasn’t there—they said she had gone to Yu Tang’s place.

Gu Xi hesitated for a moment and prepared to go see Yu Tang, but was stopped by the close attendant matron beside the Second Madam, who smiled and said: “Our Second Madam went to see Fifth Young Master. At this time Fifth Young Master is most likely accompanying Fourth Young Master practicing calligraphy! As you know, studies are important. You’d better go back first! Another day when Second Madam has time, come over again. Or, before you come, send a calling card first to avoid making a wasted trip.”

This was openly driving her away while covertly criticizing her for not understanding rules and lacking proper upbringing.

Gu Xi’s face turned bright red.

She usually visited frequently, and in the past when she came regularly these matrons never stopped her, but as soon as Yu Tang arrived…

Gu Xi knew this had nothing to do with Yu Tang, but she still couldn’t help thinking this way.

“Then I’ll go back first!” Ignoring Yuan’er who was softly clamoring to play with Jiang’er and Xi’er, she turned and left the Second Madam’s main courtyard.

Just as she was leaving, she encountered a matron who served in the Second Madam’s quarters, holding a bamboo basket lined with a coarse cloth orchid-patterned jacket. Meeting her, the matron even smiled and curtsied to her, greeting her: “You’re leaving already!”

Gu Xi felt humiliated and responded vaguely. As she brushed past the matron, she heard a cat meow.

She was startled.

The matron hurriedly explained: “Second Madam had it brought from the Li family. The tabby cat in First Young Madam Li’s quarters had several kittens. She said it’s being raised for Fifth Young Master to play with. Look, we just got back, and we still need to hire a knowledgeable matron to specially care for it.”

Yuan’er could understand speech now. Hearing this, he immediately called out “kitty.”

Even if it was a house cat from First Young Madam Li’s quarters, it still wouldn’t do.

Gu Xi grasped her son’s hand, smiled and nodded to the matron, and quickly walked outside.

Behind her came the voices of several matrons: “Is Second Madam keeping it in her own quarters?”

“Of course! Third Master doesn’t allow cats to be kept at his place. Didn’t you see that Fifth Young Master’s cat is kept in the Old Madam’s quarters?”

“Second Madam dotes on Fifth Young Master, so naturally she has to raise a cat to keep him around.”

“Last time when Sen’er came back, he also liked it. But his maternal grandmother feared Sen’er would get scratched and wouldn’t let them keep one. Second Madam is doing this for Sen’er too.”

“Exactly. With this cat, even if his maternal grandmother is unwilling, there’s nothing she can do. If Sen’er is thinking about coming over, his maternal grandmother can’t very well stop him.”

“Once Third Young Master is married it will be fine. When Second Madam has her own grandson to hold, she won’t go coaxing other people’s children.”

The voices gradually faded into the distance. Yuan’er was still clamoring to go play with his two older brothers, but Gu Xi’s arms holding her child grew tighter and tighter.

After the Laba Festival passed, Xu Xuan suddenly came to see Yu Tang.

She was the managing matriarch with young children, and the Yin family had many aunts—yet she actually had time to come over.

Yu Tang was very surprised and specially brought out Pei Yan’s privately stored rock tea, inviting her to talk in the warm pavilion.

She had actually come to arrange a marriage for Wei Xiaochuan.

Yu Tang couldn’t help but lean forward, asking with concern: “Which family are you matchmaking for?”

Wei Xiaochuan was already at the age of cap ceremony this year. She naturally hoped Xiaochuan’s marriage could be settled quickly, but according to her guess, Xiaochuan’s marriage would have to wait until after the examination results were released. She was still wondering what to do about the marriage if Xiaochuan didn’t pass.

Pei Yan said she was worrying unnecessarily, saying that a student he taught couldn’t possibly fail.

Yu Tang had laughed at Pei Yan then, saying he was too arrogant—everything had its contingencies. What if he didn’t pass?

She still remembered how Pei Yan had sneered at the time, saying: “If he doesn’t pass, he shouldn’t think about marriage either. He should study hard for three years, come take it again, and talk about it after passing.”

She hadn’t expected Xu Xuan to have a suitable candidate so quickly.