What mother-in-law doesn’t love hearing praise for her son-in-law!

Aunt Ji became even more enthusiastic toward them, lowered her guard, and told them about the Pei family’s affairs: “There are many matters in the household—three head stewards and seven stewards. The First Head Steward manages all the large and small affairs of the family. The Second Head Steward manages the household’s general affairs and social relations. The Third Head Steward manages the household’s accounting office and the outside shopkeepers. Among the seven stewards, the First Steward follows the First Head Steward; the Second and Third Stewards follow the Second Head Steward; the other four stewards follow the Third Head Steward. Among them, the Seventh Steward specifically manages inner residence affairs. For example, I report to the Seventh Steward.

“As for Manager Tong, his ancestors served the old ancestor. Later, when the Pei household was able to establish roots in Lin’an, their family made great contributions. Before the old ancestor passed away, he released the Tong family from bondage. But the Tong ancestors were grateful people. Although released from bondage, they never left and continued helping manage the pawnshop. They’re especially respectable—different from other hereditary servants.” As she spoke, there was pride in sharing this honor.

As long as one lived in Lin’an Prefecture, one inevitably had to deal with the Pei family to some degree.

The current Yu family, whether rebuilding their shop or because of that painting, had developed deeper dealings with the Pei family.

In her previous life, it was the Pei family’s Third Master who became clan head.

Therefore, Yu Tang didn’t have as many speculations about this matter as Yu Wen or Chen Shi did.

But the Pei old master’s funeral revealed too much information.

For instance, when the merchants of Lin’an City had matters to attend to, they sought the First Head Steward. When Old Master Pei died, it should have been the Third Head Steward who managed outside business who was presiding over Old Master Pei’s funeral arrangements. The Second Head Steward, who should have stepped forward to help with the funeral at this time, didn’t know what he was doing.

How did the Pei family’s Third Master become clan head?

What happened during that time?

Were the three head stewards now united in serving the Pei family’s Third Master, or did each have their own thoughts?

Who were the Pei family Third Master’s people? Who stood on the side of the primary branch?

Even though Yu Tang had married into the Li family in her previous life, because she was trapped in the back residence, she didn’t know much about the Pei family’s affairs.

In her previous life, she had never heard anyone criticize the Third Master.

It seemed that as soon as he appeared in the Pei family, he already monopolized power, had the final say, and the entire clan submitted with no one daring to object.

She didn’t want the Yu family to be drawn into this Pei family affair.

And that man in blue she encountered at the pawnshop—judging by his age, he shouldn’t be one of the two young masters from the primary branch. So what was his relationship to the Pei family?

Could he be a young master from one of the other two branches?

Which side was he on now?

Did he know that the one who would ultimately win this war would be the Pei family’s Third Master?

Judging from her previous life’s events and that Pei family Third Master’s temperament, after becoming the Pei family clan head, the Pei family’s Third Master was most likely the type where those who submit prosper and those who resist perish.

She didn’t know if that man in blue would avoid his cutting edge because of this.

From his appearance, he also seemed unruly and untamed…

Yu Tang’s heart was in chaos. She couldn’t sort out clearly whether at this moment she wanted more for the Yu family to avoid disaster or wanted to know about that man in blue’s circumstances… but she could no longer stop her attention to the Pei family.

Yu Tang said, “Then the Third Head Steward must be very busy! Managing outside affairs and household affairs. Don’t the First and Second Head Stewards help out?”

Aunt Ji suddenly realized she had said too much. But Yu Tang had such an unworldly appearance that she vaguely responded that “the First and Second Head Stewards have other matters” and changed the subject, saying, “I see the scholar’s wife’s health is still quite weak. If you plan to use vegetarian food at our residence after paying respects to the old master before returning, I’ll have someone take you to rest at noon in the wing rooms behind the side hall. The midday sun is too harsh—be careful of heatstroke.”

Fearing she would arouse Aunt Ji’s suspicions, Yu Tang had to temporarily stop.

Chen Shi thanked Aunt Ji and spoke of Old Master Pei’s kindness to her.

While Yu Tang listened, she observed her surroundings.

She discovered that along this entire route, she really hadn’t seen a single flower of another color.

This showed that this Third Master’s orders were now absolutely enforced, with no one daring to disobey on the surface.

Yu Tang became even more worried.

She just didn’t know how the Pei family’s Third Master had risen to power.

Did he force everyone to comply with Old Master Pei’s will? Or had the Pei Third Master already held the emperor hostage to command the lords before Lu Xin and others spread rumors?

She was distracted. When she heard commotion, she discovered that she and her mother had already followed Aunt Ji into a courtyard filled with earth-shaking wailing. Many neighbors like them were mourning here. On both sides, the Buddhist and Taoist ceremonies had long chanting with rhythmic recitation. The three-legged bronze tripods taller than people had incense sticks like a forest, with white smoke curling upward. If not for the white banners hanging everywhere, she would almost have thought she had entered some temple.

Chen Shi was choked and coughed several times.

Aunt Ji said, “Please follow me!”

Leading them through the many mourning women into the side hall to kowtow and offer incense to Old Master Pei’s portrait in the central hall.

As she rose, Yu Tang carefully examined Old Master Pei’s portrait.

Three wisps of long beard, silkworm eyebrows, almond eyes, broad forehead and full cheeks, wearing a blue-green brocade round-collar襴 robe with five bats and medallion flowers, smiling, looking very kind and benevolent.

She didn’t know who painted this portrait—the brushwork was extremely skillful. Not only was the likeness vivid, but even subtle expressions were captured. Even though Yu Tang didn’t understand painting much, she could feel the painter’s skill.

She wondered which master had painted it.

When Old Master Pei had this portrait painted, did he ever think that after his death the Pei family would have a struggle for clan leadership?

Truly the impermanence of worldly affairs.

In the sound of mourning, Yu Tang suddenly felt somewhat sorrowful.

Her eyes moistened and tears fell.

Chen Shi wept even more uncontrollably.

Yu Tang and Aunt Ji supported Chen Shi on either side as they left the side hall.

Aunt Ji thought briefly, called over a maid named Lei Zhi, and instructed her, “This is Scholar Yu’s wife and eldest miss. Take the madam and miss to rest in the wing rooms in the back.” Then to Chen Shi she said, “I still have duties outside, so I won’t accompany you. I’ll come see you later.”

Changing from wing rooms to side rooms—this was clearly Aunt Ji looking after them.

Chen Shi and Yu Tang hurriedly thanked her, saying, “We can rest in the wing rooms.”

Aunt Ji said in a low voice, “It’s fine! Those side rooms were originally guest rooms for the inner residence’s female family members. They haven’t been arranged for receiving guests, so letting you rest there for a day won’t matter.”

This was also Aunt Ji’s goodwill.

The mother and daughter thanked her repeatedly. Seeing Aunt Ji speak sincerely, and with servant women coming to ask Aunt Ji for instructions, not wanting to delay her time, they gratefully agreed and followed Lei Zhi up the western corridor.

“Such a good person—how could they just pass away like that?!” Chen Shi was still immersed in sadness, wiping tears with her handkerchief while murmuring with emotion.

Yu Tang comforted her mother a few times, looked up and discovered that following Lei Zhi through twists and turns, they had arrived at a secluded small courtyard.

In the courtyard were green bamboo and streams, plank bridges and spirit rocks, arranged very exquisitely. The sound of mourning came faintly, making the small courtyard seem even more tranquil.

Lei Zhi pushed open the door of the western wing room, invited Chen Shi and Yu Tang inside, and said in a low voice, “Madam Yu, please rest here for a while. I’ll come invite you when it’s time for the midday meal.” After speaking, she personally poured tea for the two.

Yu Tang looked at the wing room’s uniform black lacquer furniture, sky-blue bed curtains, and blue and white porcelain vases holding one tall and one short stem of bowl-sized white evening magnolias—the arrangement was clean, elegant, neat, and comfortable.

Changing from wing rooms to side rooms, she guessed this place should be prepared as a resting place for female family members of the Pei family’s relatives and old friends. Aunt Ji probably saw that her father was a scholar and her mother was frail and congenial in conversation, so opened a back door for them and arranged for the mother and daughter to stay here.

Chen Shi accepted the tea and warmly thanked Lei Zhi.

Yu Tang thought that since Aunt Ji could have Lei Zhi do this task, Lei Zhi must have a good relationship with Aunt Ji. She accepted Lei Zhi’s tea, thanked her saying “Sister Lei Zhi has worked hard,” and said, “That we can rest here is all thanks to Aunt Ji and Sister Lei Zhi’s blessing. In a few days when Aunt Ji and Sister Lei Zhi aren’t busy, we’ll come again to express our thanks.”

Lei Zhi hadn’t expected Scholar Yu’s family mother and daughter would be so polite to her as well. She couldn’t help but look at Yu Tang a few more times.

Yu Tang wore ordinary clothing, was of medium height, had gentle features and eyes, a refined temperament, and delicate skin that was whiter than frost and snow, like congealed fat.

Lei Zhi was astonished.

Miss Yu was actually a great beauty not inferior to the Pei family’s madams and misses.

Yu Tang was originally magnanimous by nature. Later, after having some incredible experiences, her conduct became even more neither servile nor overbearing, calm and composed.

She let Lei Zhi look.

Instead, Lei Zhi felt a bit embarrassed, lowered her head, and respectfully said, “Miss Yu is too kind. I will definitely convey your words.”

“Aunt Ji and Miss Lei Zhi are both thoughtful!” Chen Shi exchanged a few more pleasantries with Lei Zhi, personally saw Lei Zhi out the door, and only then showed her fatigue, collapsing onto the arhat bed in the room.

Yu Tang thought that this was a back door Aunt Ji had opened for them—it wouldn’t be good if people discovered it. So she closed the window lattice facing the courtyard and opened the one facing outward. And even when opened, she didn’t dare open it fully, opening half and leaving half concealed. Then she went to wring out a handkerchief for her mother to wipe her sweat, saying, “Mother, rest for a while first. Lei Zhi will come call us when it’s time for the midday meal.”

Chen Shi nodded, feeling apologetic in her heart, saying, “If it weren’t for my poor health, we wouldn’t need to impose on the Pei family for a vegetarian meal. We said we came to offer incense to Old Master Pei, but we’re imposing on their family for a meal.”

Yu Tang comforted her mother, “The Pei family is a household of bells and tripods. They won’t mind one or two meals.”

Seeing Yu Tang’s forehead covered in sweat, Chen Shi said with concern, “Don’t push yourself either. If you feel hot, find a place to rest and cool down. Don’t come to offer incense to Old Master Pei only to get overheated yourself.”

“I know!” Yu Tang responded, brought over a small wooden stool, wanting to help Chen Shi massage her legs.

Chen Shi was both surprised and delighted, saying, “Oh my! This is too much—I’ve never enjoyed such blessing from my daughter before!”

Yes!

In the past she didn’t understand, didn’t know to cherish it.

Only now did she know how rare and precious such togetherness was.

Yu Tang’s eyes stung. Acting coquettishly, she glossed over this matter and sat by Chen Shi’s legs to massage them.

Chen Shi enjoyed her daughter’s filial piety while chattering to her, “People say those with fortune are born in the sixth month, those without fortune die in the sixth month… Old Master Pei did so many good deeds… Fortunately both masters were home, so when he passed his sons were by his side. But it’s also unfortunate—the white-haired sending off the black-haired, with the First Master gone…”

Yu Tang let it go in one ear and out the other, thinking of all those mountains, forests, tea estates, streets, and wharves all marked with “Pei.” She couldn’t help but think with emotion: Could it be because the Pei family practiced only small acts of kindness?

Outside there suddenly came a commotion.

Both Chen Shi and Yu Tang froze.

Yu Tang thought of Aunt Ji’s words and said quietly to Chen Shi, “You sit first. I’ll go take a look!”