Xu Xuan looked at Yu Tang’s expression and mischievously winked at her, saying: “Guess who it is?”

Yu Tang couldn’t help but laugh and said: “I originally thought it might be someone from the Xu or Li families, but it seems not. Don’t keep me in suspense either. I don’t believe you won’t tell me after lunch.”

Xu Xuan laughed heartily.

Indeed, she had also initially looked among the Xu and Li families, simply because both families had girls of suitable age for Wei Xiaochuan. She couldn’t help but say: “Of course I hope to form another marriage alliance with your family! But someone came seeking me out. After thinking it over repeatedly, I felt this marriage match might be even better, so I brazenly came to ask your opinion.”

This meant the woman’s side had proactively proposed this marriage match!

But since coming to the capital, Wei Xiaochuan had been studying at home the whole time and hadn’t gone out socializing. Which family would have taken a liking to him?

Yu Tang was somewhat worried about encountering families like the Song or Wu families.

She still hoped Wei Xiaochuan’s future wife would value Wei Xiaochuan’s character and learning more.

Yu Tang couldn’t help but sit up straight and said: “Which family are you matchmaking for?”

Xu Xuan also became serious and said with a smile: “Never mind you—even I never dreamed of this. It’s Young Master Shen Fang, who is staying at your home, wanting to act as matchmaker for his younger sister.”

“Ah!” Yu Tang was dumbfounded.

Xu Xuan also sighed: “Who could have imagined! Logically speaking, they already know each other. If they had such intentions, they should have mentioned it long ago. Why wait until coming to the capital, until now, to bring it up? And it was only after hearing that you asked me to matchmake for Young Master Wei that they came seeking me out through various channels.” As she spoke, she changed tack and praised: “This shows that the Shen family very much hopes to form this marriage alliance. I also thought it over carefully and feel it’s quite good. Shen Fang is from the main branch of the Shen family.”

His younger sister was a legitimate daughter of the Shen family.

Moreover, with the woman’s side proactively seeking the match, their sincerity was evident.

Yu Tang became even more afraid there was something in this they didn’t know about.

Xu Xuan explained to her in detail: “They say they knew each other before but only spoke a few times. They knew Young Master Wei was learned, studied diligently, and admired him. It was on the journey to the capital this time that they discovered Young Master Wei was also very good as a person—broad-minded, resolute in temperament, and with his own opinions. He’s a rare person of upright character who doesn’t lack pure goodness. Young Master Shen has a younger sister who is his parents’ late-in-life daughter. She’s outstandingly beautiful, quiet and virtuous. Her parents treasure her like a pearl and are unwilling to marry her far away. She’s already reached the hairpin ceremony age but still hasn’t been betrothed.” She added: “He actually brought this up with me some time ago. I hadn’t seen his sister and couldn’t agree readily, so I found an excuse and had Madam Qin help inquire about it. Reportedly that young lady is indeed quite good. I figured that although the Shen family hasn’t produced any third-rank officials in recent years, there are quite a few clan members serving as officials. Last year someone became a successful candidate in the same year as your family’s Pei Bo and Pei Chan, only he wasn’t selected for the Hanlin Academy and was posted externally to serve in the Jiangxi area. Although Young Master Wei’s family circumstances are somewhat modest, he was chosen by Shen Fang himself. Once married, with such suitable in-laws, naturally there won’t be any conflicts. What do you think?”

No wonder Shen Fang had been avoiding Wei Xiaochuan these past few days!

Yu Tang smiled and said: “If we’re talking about family background, naturally our Xiaochuan would be getting the advantage. But as you know, when marrying a wife, one should marry virtue. Especially in circumstances like the Wei family’s—they’re counting on Xiaochuan to bring glory to their ancestors. Although he’s the youngest son, he’s no less important than the eldest. If the wife is lacking in understanding human nature and worldly affairs, I’m afraid the household won’t function smoothly.”

“Understood!” Xu Xuan smiled and said: “Then I’ll hold off for now and wait until you’ve made inquiries before discussing further.”

“That’s not necessary either.” Yu Tang always felt one should treat others with sincerity. She said: “Just tell Young Master Shen that since they’re already acquainted, why not discuss it again after the examination results are released?”

She could also properly inquire about the character and conduct of this Miss Shen.

Xu Xuan smiled and said: “Young Master Shen probably fears that waiting until Young Master Wei succeeds in the examinations before discussing it would raise suspicions of despising poverty and loving wealth, so he simply brought it up before the spring examinations.”

Yu Tang smiled and said: “If Miss Shen manages household affairs well, this really would be a good match.”

After all, Shen Fang was her full brother. His sister’s marriage would still require reporting to their parents at home. Since he had this intention, he surely had already sent word back home. Calculating this way, he probably had this plan in mind within a day or two of arriving in the capital.

Yu Tang nodded repeatedly. After seeing Xu Xuan off, she immediately wrote a letter to Madam Wei.

Madam Wei was also a very shrewd and capable person, and she was her own daughter-in-law. She would certainly be able to find out clearly about the situation of Young Master Shen’s sister.

What she hadn’t expected was that just after sending off Xu Xuan, the Pei family’s Second Young Miss had someone deliver a calling card.

Yu Tang was very surprised. She took the card to see Old Madam Pei and said: “I really didn’t expect that as soon as she arrived in the capital, she would come to see Xi’er. She also said she brought a calico cat for Xi’er.”

Old Madam Pei was also very happy.

Among the Pei family’s several granddaughters, her life had been the most difficult. The old lady also hoped she would be well.

Old Madam Pei couldn’t help but say: “Go ask Second Daughter-in-law if she knows any good physicians. Since she came to the capital to seek medical treatment, we should at least help inquire.”

Yu Tang smiled and said: “Not only Second Sister-in-law’s side, but Second Brother and Third Master are also helping to ask around! I’ve also asked Madam Yin and Young Madam Yang. As soon as there’s news, they’ll come tell us.”

Old Madam Pei nodded and discussed with Yu Tang the menu for entertaining Second Young Miss Pei and invited a female storyteller. Only then did she let Yu Tang go about her business while she herself went to teach Jiang’er arithmetic.

But the old lady was somewhat distracted today, so much so that she made mistakes several times.

Jiang’er was a filial good child. He tactfully reminded Old Madam Pei, and seeing her strained expression, he simply took the initiative to suggest resting for a while and carefully helped Old Madam Pei to the warm pavilion beside them to drink tea.

Old Madam Pei saw that at such a young age he already had outstanding bearing, being gentle, respectful, and modest. Her heart ached greatly, thinking that no matter what, she couldn’t hold this child back. She put down her tea cup, took his hand, and asked him softly: “Have you thought about what you want to do in the future?”

Jiang’er simply smiled and said: “Did Grandmother hear Father say he wants to pass the heir apparent position to Third Brother?”

Old Madam Pei was shocked and reproached Pei Yan: “And he calls himself a father—doesn’t even know how to speak properly!”

Jiang’er defended his father, saying: “Father asked me long ago. I hadn’t thought through what I wanted to do at the time. But Father told me that responsibility and rights are equal. If I want to gain something, I will certainly lose something. If I’m willing to give up, I’ll have other gains. I think Father makes sense. Moreover, I think the capital is very good. I want to stay in the capital for a while.” As he spoke, his eyes sparkled: “Brother Yin He is only two or three years older than me, but he has extraordinary knowledge and is already reading the Analects. He’s even secretly followed his father to the Hanlin Academy’s library. I also want to be like him—read all the books in the world, travel all the mountains and rivers in the world, witness the world’s wonders, so as not to waste this life.”

With so many things to do, how could he be content to stay in Lin’an, content to engage in merchant affairs?

Old Madam Pei felt both gratified and happy. She hugged Jiang’er and kept calling him “my dear child,” saying: “It’s certainly good that you have such great aspirations, but studying is also hard work, and it’s possible to achieve nothing. You must think it through clearly.”

Jiang’er smiled and said: “Grandmother, rest assured. Father said that for the path you choose yourself, even if you have to crawl, you must finish it.”

Speaking such heretical words again, and even teaching them to the child.

Old Madam Pei said: “Nonsense. Sometimes your father is right, and sometimes he’s wrong. If you know it’s wrong, must you still continue down that path?”

Jiang’er smiled with pursed lips and didn’t argue with his grandmother.

He could feel his grandmother’s love for him, and also feel the love of his parents and younger brother.

Therefore, whenever they had thoughts different from his, he could always forgive and be tolerant.

He changed the subject, smiling: “Did Second Cousin Sister say when she’ll come visit? I’m planning to paint a picture of a flower cat to give her. She’ll surely love it.”

Old Madam Pei happily agreed and accompanied Jiang’er in painting. In her heart, however, she thought: where does Second Granddaughter like cats? Isn’t it because she has no children, feels lonely, has a strong personality, doesn’t want others to see through her, so she raises cats as children?

Two days later, Second Young Miss Pei arrived as scheduled.

The cat she brought for Xi’er had flower spots like copper coins, different from the tiger-striped cat that Second Madam had brought back to coax Xi’er and Sen’er. But both cats had strong temperaments. When they met, they first fought, and moreover, Second Young Miss Pei’s cat won.

This worried Second Madam: “With two kings unable to coexist, must we give one of the cats to someone else?”

Second Young Miss, who was much more aloof than before, smiled and said: “That won’t be necessary. After this fight, they’ll be fine in a few days. You just need to watch that they don’t run over to Third Uncle’s place. Third Uncle is fiercer than a tiger.”

Everyone laughed heartily.

That copper coin cat was also kept.

Everyone liked it very much.

Only Pei Yan complained: “Didn’t we say we’d just bring it over to look at? How did it end up being kept?”

Yu Tang had to say: “Isn’t Second Aunt staying at the Yang family’s place? Her mother-in-law doesn’t like cats, so we’re helping her take care of it for a few days.”

Pei Yan sneered and said: “She has the nerve to antagonize her mother-in-law, yet we have to cover for her—what’s that about?”

Yu Tang hurriedly covered his mouth and said: “Where is there an uncle encouraging his niece to quarrel with her mother-in-law? It’s fine if you say it to me, but don’t go shouting it loudly.”

These years Pei Yan had been generous and righteous outside—everyone praised him. He truly only said such things in front of Yu Tang.

He took the opportunity to kiss Yu Tang’s palm, changed his clothes, and went to discuss New Year matters with Pei Xuan.

Pei Xuan told him that First Master Peng wanted to arrange a meeting with the brothers.

Pei Yan showed no mercy and said: “It’s almost New Year—why does he have time to run to the capital!”

Pei Xuan looked at his younger brother’s completely reckless appearance and said with a headache: “Even wild geese leave traces of their passing. Whatever you’ve done, sooner or later someone will know.”

Pei Yan said: “He’s arranged to meet you, not me. If you think I should go, I’ll make the trip with you. If you’re just giving me a heads-up, I already know.”

This guy—he’s a father now, yet still so willful!

He had cut off the Peng family’s source of income like this—it was like killing someone. Pei Xuan feared that if the two brothers went together, they’d be trapped in a room and beaten by the Peng family. Helplessly he said: “Fine, you stay home. I’ll go.”

Pei Yan didn’t care and asked Pei Xuan: “Do you know that Pei Fei is doing salt certificate business with others?”