Despite this, both Chen Shi and Yu Tang felt like sitting on pins and needles—this was not a place to stay long. The two discussed going to tell Lei Zhi and heading early to the place where the Pei family was setting out the vegetarian banquet.

Who knew that when they went out, they would see a group of young servants unloading trunks and cases.

From the tone, it was First Madam Pei’s sister-in-law from her natal family, Lady Yang, coming to pay condolences, arranged to stay in guest rooms not far from here.

No wonder they had heard a commotion earlier.

Chen Shi and Yu Tang, fearing they would attract others’ attention, quietly found Lei Zhi and took their leave from her.

Lei Zhi thought the mother and daughter felt it was too lonely there. Thinking it was almost time to start the banquet anyway, she put down what she was doing and led them toward the hall arranged for the midday meal.

It was noon in summer, the sun glaring. But the large trees on both sides of the Pei family’s corridors blocked out the sky, with cool breezes blowing—very comfortable.

In the distance, Yu Tang saw several men walking from the opposite corridor.

The man in the middle appeared to be twenty-three or twenty-four years old, with an upright build, wearing mourning clothes, a pale face, a high nose bridge, and a slightly raised tense jaw. Though his bearing was flamboyant, his brows revealed gloom.

It was actually that man in blue she had encountered at the pawnshop that day.

Yu Tang’s almond eyes widened.

He, how could he be here?

This was the Pei family’s inner courtyard!

Lei Zhi hurriedly tugged at Yu Tang’s sleeve, saying urgently, “Miss Yu, that’s our Third Master and his friends. You, you should avoid them.”

Third Master?!

The Pei family’s Third Master?!

No way?!

Yu Tang looked at Lei Zhi, then looked at the person opposite, suspecting her eyes were blurred and her ears were ringing.

Seeing Yu Tang staring straight at the Third Master without even turning her eyes, Lei Zhi was so anxious she was covered in sweat. Unable to care about propriety or impropriety anymore, she pulled Yu Tang to hide at the corner of the corridor.

Chen Shi, seeing this, blocked in front of Yu Tang.

Pei Yan looked straight ahead, walking past from the opposite corridor.

However, several of the men following behind him turned back to glance at Yu Tang.

Yu Tang didn’t notice any of this. She was still caught in the shock that the man in blue was the Pei family’s Third Master.

When Lei Zhi led her to continue forward, she still somewhat disbelievingly sought confirmation from Lei Zhi: “The Third Master, how is he so young?”

Lei Zhi said, “Third Master is the old master’s son born in old age.”

She knew he was a son born in old age!

But she didn’t know he looked so young!

Back then, she had even guessed he was a young master from one of the other two branches.

She had even taken him for a Pei family relative.

No wonder he didn’t have a good expression at the time.

Yu Tang’s face turned red as she said, “How old was your Third Master when he passed the examination to become a Hanlin bachelor?”

Lei Zhi said, “Twenty-one years old.”

This couldn’t be blamed on her.

When her father was twenty-one years old, he was still a child scholar.

Yu Tang pouted.

Chen Shi stopped her daughter, saying, “Don’t be rude! Walk your path properly.”

Criticizing the Pei family’s people in the Pei family—that was too impolite.

Yu Tang could only shut her mouth.

Chen Shi still wasn’t at ease, saying, “You promised me you wouldn’t stir up trouble. No matter how curious you are, you must hold it in.”

Yu Tang helplessly nodded.

Lei Zhi heard the mother and daughter’s words had hidden meaning and nervously asked, “Did something happen?”

Chen Shi said, “Nothing, nothing. This little girl of mine just has too much curiosity.”

A trace of amusement flashed in Lei Zhi’s eyes as she said, “Everyone who sees our Third Master is very surprised. Miss Yu isn’t the first.” As she spoke, she looked back over her shoulder, then said quietly, “Third Master is most likely going to visit Lady Yang.”

“Visit Lady Yang?” Yu Tang said, her expression somewhat strange.

Were Third Master Pei and Lady Yang on such good terms?

“That’s our First Madam’s sister-in-law from her natal family.” Lei Zhi said, “Our First Madam’s natal family brother serves as Commissioner of Transmission in the Court of Transmission, a full third rank!” At this point, Lei Zhi glanced around for a moment. Seeing no one around, she revealed a disdainful expression and said, “Just now Lady Yang felt unwell, saying something about the arranged courtyard not being good, asking the First Head Steward to help change to another one. The First Head Steward too—reporting such a small matter to the Third Master. Third Master, because of the old master’s matter, these past few days hasn’t been eating or drinking well, hasn’t closed his eyes at all, his heart is vexed, and the First Head Steward just ran into him. Just watch—the First Head Steward is going to get an earful.”

She didn’t know if this was part of Lady Yang’s scheme.

Yu Tang thought to herself.

Chen Shi listened with trepidation, saying quietly, “Perhaps the First Head Steward also has no way to handle Lady Yang?”

“Lady Yang isn’t that kind of person!” Lei Zhi dismissed this, saying, “The First Head Steward is a bit of the type to rely on his seniority to bully others, but Third Master is the least likely to accept that approach. Before, he still had the old mistress protecting him. Now the old mistress has fallen ill because of the old master’s matter—who still has the leisure to care about him! He doesn’t even look at what time this is!”

What scene was this now?

Neither Chen Shi nor Yu Tang could comment well. Chen Shi went along with Lei Zhi’s words for a few sentences until they reached the hall where the banquet was set.

Heat rushed at them in the hall, which was densely packed with many people sitting.

Yu Tang saw several familiar faces—they should be neighbors from their area.

Perhaps because they had left the mourning hall, sadness also quickly dissipated. Everyone was talking and laughing. The hall was noisy and lively—not like a funeral ceremony, but more like a wedding banquet.

Yu Tang thought of Third Master Pei’s appearance just now, then thought of the grief she felt when she received news of her parents’ deaths in her previous life. She couldn’t help but sigh.

Only true family members would have heart-piercing sorrow.

Lei Zhi arranged Chen Shi and Yu Tang at a table toward the back.

It was quieter there, with a cross breeze, relatively cool. Seated at the table were also female family members from some gentry families of Lin’an City. Among them was a round-faced young girl about the same size as Yu Tang. Seeing her, she smiled broadly and greeted her, even wanting to sit together with her.

Yu Tang thought for a long while before recognizing her as Ma Xiuniang, the daughter of Scholar Ma’s family in the city.

In her previous life at this time, they had gotten along quite well. When she married, Ma Xiuniang had already married a child scholar surnamed Zhang and specifically had someone bring her a pair of silver bracelets worth a full five taels of silver as a dowry gift. She also sent word to her that if she had any difficulties, she could seek her out.

It’s just that later the Li family’s methods were vicious. Fearing she would implicate Ma Xiuniang, she didn’t dare contact her. Until her death, she never had the chance to thank her.

Yu Tang’s eyes moistened. Gripping Ma Xiuniang’s hand, she sat down beside her.

Lady Ma said to Chen Shi, “Look at these two girls—so close they’re like one person. It makes us seem like that Queen Mother who drew the river, wanting to separate them too.”

Chen Shi couldn’t help but laugh.

Ma Xiuniang asked Yu Tang, “Where did you go? I was just looking for you earlier.”

Yu Tang said, “I was just in the residence! Where were you just now? I didn’t see you either.”

Ma Xiuniang muttered, “That’s strange.”

Yu Tang changed the subject, saying, “When did you arrive? We haven’t seen each other in some days—what have you been busy with?”

Ma Xiuniang talked about her own affairs.

Chen Shi, seeing Yu Tang was tight-lipped, breathed a sigh of relief and began exchanging pleasantries with Lady Ma.

On Yu Tang’s side, however, she listened somewhat absentmindedly.

She was still thinking about Third Master Pei’s matters.

She truly never dreamed he was that legendary Pei family clan head.

In vain she had previously worried he would stand on the wrong side in this conflict, but who knew he was someone who wouldn’t accept even a small loss.

In her previous life, not only did he firmly occupy the position of clan head, but he also had those Pei family children serving as officials outside dancing to his tune.

Later, the Pei family produced two more presented scholars—one was the primary branch’s eldest young master, one was another branch’s Young Master Chan.

The primary branch’s eldest young master was suppressed by him. She didn’t know if the other branch’s Young Master Chan was promoted by him?

Speaking of which, he hadn’t previously held her accountable for using the Pei family’s name. She still owed him a favor.

Originally thinking he was a young master from some branch, she could find some famous painting or antique to send as thanks. But now that he was the Pei family’s Third Master, even if she found famous paintings or antiques, he probably wouldn’t care for them.

How about treating this matter as if it never happened? She would just act as if she didn’t know his identity?

Yu Tang, as soon as she thought that the man in blue was the Pei family’s Third Master from her memory, hidden behind the Pei family like a shadow enveloping Lin’an City, she felt like facing an abyss, trembling with trepidation, feeling she could face unknown danger at any time.

Ah, Third Master Pei had so many matters to attend to. She could only hope he had already forgotten her and what she had done.

However, his expression was much more gloomy than when she last saw him. Before, the impression he gave her was cold and distant. But now, the impression he gave her was violent and irritable. He seemed calm, but was actually very displeased. Like a taut string that could lose reason at any moment from being unable to hold on.

Was it caused by his father’s death?

When her parents passed away she was also sad, but not like this.

Old Master Pei’s passing seemed to have taken away certain things from him that kept him calm and composed.

When her parents passed away, what she felt more was pain.

Third Master Pei and Old Master Pei’s relationship must have been very good.

Yu Tang was sighing inwardly when she suddenly noticed Ma Xiuniang shaking her hand and saying, “I was just talking to you—didn’t you hear? What are you thinking about?”

She immediately came back to her senses, saying, “I’m sorry, I was just thinking about other things. What did you want to tell me? I’m listening!”

Ma Xiuniang didn’t pursue it, saying, “I said in another ten days there’s a temple fair at Zhaoming Temple. Do you want to go together with me?”

If she hadn’t mentioned it, Yu Tang would have truly forgotten this matter.

In her previous life, the Li family’s second young master, Li Jun, supposedly saw her at Zhaoming Temple’s temple fair and took her to heart, demanding to marry her or die. The Li family, considering he wasn’t the son inheriting the family business, reluctantly agreed to this match and asked a matchmaker to come propose marriage.

In this life, she never wanted to have any entanglement with the Li family again.

“I won’t go.” Yu Tang said, “You know my mother’s health isn’t good. I need to stay home and keep my mother company.”

Ma Xiuniang nodded to show understanding. Chen Shi, who had been listening to bits and pieces nearby, however said, “It’s rare for Xiuniang to invite you out to play. You should go! Old Woman Chen is at home.”

In her previous life, her mother had also urged her to go out and play like this.

Yu Tang’s eyes moistened slightly as she said, “I don’t want to go. The weather is too hot. I’d rather stay at home. To avoid getting heatstroke.”

Hearing this, Lady Ma scolded Ma Xiuniang, saying, “Look at A’Tang. You should also stay at home and not go anywhere.”

“Mother!” Ma Xiuniang was thunderstruck. She pleaded for a long time, but Lady Ma wouldn’t agree.

Yu Tang was embarrassed, saying, “How about you come play at my house instead! What’s fun about a temple fair? It’s hot to death—even if you get ice, it melts in your hand before you can eat it. If you come to my house, I’ll have my father go buy us ice, and there’s also sweet melons chilled in well water to eat.”

Ma Xiuniang immediately happily agreed, excitedly talking with her about visiting.