Gu Xi thought of the investigation she had someone conduct on Yu Tang.

A native of Lin’an, daughter of a scholar’s family, the household only had a shop and one hundred mu of paddy fields, with three or four servants.

She had previously assumed the Yu family was low-key and reserved, not wanting to cause trouble. Now it seemed they were truly quite poor.

Gu Xi’s pale, slender fingers lightly traced over the bright, dust-free black lacquered tabletop. She smiled silently, then turned around and said warmly to Yu Tang: “Miss Yu, I’ll take my leave first. When Madam Shen is feeling better, I’ll come visit again.”

Yu Tang smiled and nodded. She didn’t even ask after Madam Shen’s condition, simply watching as Shuang Tao saw Gu Xi and her servant out.

Then Yu Tang heard Fifth Miss beside her let out an almost inaudible sigh of relief.

Was Fifth Miss very nervous when facing Gu Xi?

Yu Tang looked at Fifth Miss with confusion.

Fifth Miss’s face immediately flushed bright red as she mumbled: “Miss Gu is very capable, knows everything. I’m timid…”

So it made her feel immense pressure?

Yu Tang struggled not to laugh out loud.

The Gu Xi from her previous life had been the same way—as soon as she appeared, she would become the center of everyone’s attention. Even if in this life she showed some restraint in front of the Pei family, things carved into one’s bones weren’t so easily changed. If she truly had come here with ulterior motives, she probably never dreamed that the very things she took pride in would become obstacles to integrating into the Pei family, right?

Yu Tang only wanted to throw her head back and laugh.

Her mood brilliant, she comforted Fifth Miss: “It’s fine, it’s fine. People as capable as Miss Gu are in the minority after all. We’re all ordinary people—it’s good enough to just watch from afar.”

Fifth Miss nodded repeatedly. Her gaze toward Yu Tang grew even warmer, and she said: “Miss Gu plays well with Second Sister and Fourth Sister. Third Sister likes to play with me.”

Yu Tang thought of that haughty Second Miss and the quick-eyed Fourth Miss.

In other words, currently Gu Xi had won over Second Miss and Fourth Miss.

She was somewhat surprised.

She had thought that the self-disciplined and proper Third Miss would like Gu Xi more, and that the proud Second Miss would compete with Gu Xi for attention.

It seemed she too could misjudge situations.

Yu Tang smiled with pursed lips and returned to the inner chamber. Seeing that the maids had already made the bed and feeling somewhat tired herself, she asked Fifth Miss: “Do you want to rest with me for a while? We can go pay respects to Old Madam An together afterward.”

Fifth Miss thought about it and readily agreed.

The maids attending Fifth Miss came in to remove her makeup and perfume the bedding.

After a flurry of activity, the two lay down side by side.

The young maids lowered the gauze curtains.

Fifth Miss looked at the gauze canopy—it was the ordinary white silver-striped curtain that had been hanging there originally. She couldn’t help but say: “Sister Yu, what color do you like? I’ll have A’Shan bring one over for you. I have many gauze and floral canopies at my place. I’ll give you one.”

“There’s no need.” Yu Tang understood what she meant.

In her previous life, when the young ladies from the Lin family came to visit the Li family, forget bed curtains and bedding—they would only use chamber pots they had brought themselves.

She didn’t have so many particular requirements.

Of course, this was also because she couldn’t afford to be particular.

And whether in her previous life or this one, she had never had the habit of keeping up false appearances.

“I’m only staying here for a few days. Changing things back and forth would be too troublesome.” She smiled and turned on her side to look at Fifth Miss. “Besides, I think even the things I brought from home are about the same as what your family uses to decorate guest rooms. Let’s not trouble our household servants.”

Seeing that she spoke sincerely, Fifth Miss laughed softly and said: “Sister Yu, then let me give you a hand warmer! It was sent from Jinling by my aunt. She said it’s the most fashionable style in Jinling right now, and I think it looks very nice too.”

Yu Tang remembered that Second Madam’s brother from her maternal family seemed to be an official in Jinling.

Seeing Fifth Miss speak so earnestly and not wanting to dampen the young girl’s enthusiasm, she quickly smiled and thanked her: “That would be wonderful! It’s fine at your house with the heated floors, but when I’m at home, I don’t even practice calligraphy anymore. My hands go numb from cold as soon as I stretch them out.”

Fifth Miss had clearly never lived in a room without heated floors. Hearing her say this, she didn’t doubt it at all and was secretly pleased that she had given the right gift.

The two whispered and laughed together for a long time. Drowsiness gradually overtook them, and they slowly fell asleep.

When they were awakened, it was already near the hour of Shen. Fifth Miss sat up in a panic, saying anxiously: “Oh no, oh no, we’re late, we’re late!”

A’Shan was a young girl of fifteen or sixteen. It was said she had served Fifth Miss since the latter’s birth. Being older than Fifth Miss, she smiled calmly and said: “Fifth Miss, don’t worry. Getting up now to dress and wash is just right.”

Fifth Miss glanced to the side and, seeing Yu Tang completely composed, finally relaxed. Patting her chest, she smiled sheepishly at Yu Tang and explained: “I, I’m always in a daze and have been late several times…”

Yu Tang wasn’t truly a seventeen-year-old girl after all. If this had been her previous life at this time, she might have found Fifth Miss laughable, but at this moment now, she only found Fifth Miss adorable.

“Take your time.” She comforted Fifth Miss. “If we’re late, won’t I still be there with you?”

Fifth Miss smiled shyly. While allowing A’Shan to help her get up, she asked: “Have the elder sisters arrived?”

A’Shan smiled and said: “They just came up the mountain. At this time, they probably haven’t settled in yet. Once Miss is ready, it will be just right to go pay respects to Old Madam An together.”

Fifth Miss’s expression relaxed even more.

Yu Tang was secretly puzzled.

Looking at Second Madam’s manner, she was a very easy-going person. How was it that with Fifth Miss, she seemed to be under extremely strict supervision?

After they finished dressing and went out, just as A’Shan had said, they met the three other Pei family young ladies who had come to pay respects to Old Madam An at the entrance to the main hall.

Second Miss was still as proud as before. She wore a honey-colored jacket bordered with silver-red, held a gilt hand warmer with plum blossom patterns, and kept her head held high when looking at people.

Third Miss wore a moon-white vest trimmed with gray squirrel fur and held a white rabbit fur hand muff—fluffy and soft, warming one’s heart just to look at.

Seeing Yu Tang and Fifth Miss, she properly called out “Sister Yu” and “Fifth Sister.”

Fourth Miss ran over excitedly, pulled Fifth Miss’s hand, and after greeting Yu Tang, began chattering about the household’s preparations of New Year goods. Her pale green cloak seemed especially vibrant in this winter day.

Either the people inside had heard the commotion, or a young maid had already gone in to announce them. Nanny Chen came out with a smile to lift the curtain for them, saying: “Old Madam An calculated that the young misses should be arriving and just ordered us to brew osmanthus honey. The young misses have arrived.”

Everyone laughed and entered the room.

Fourth Miss let her maid help remove her outer cloak and said with a loud laugh: “Great-Grandmother is still the best, knowing we wanted osmanthus honey! And she’s so amazing! With just a calculation she knew we would be coming.”

Old Madam An was amused and laughed.

Fourth Miss pulled Fifth Miss and was the first to run before Old Madam An to pay respects.

Old Madam An received her greeting and casually rewarded her with a jade piece to play with.

Fourth Miss was so happy her eyes became crescents from smiling.

Yu Tang had thought Second Miss would compete with Fourth Miss for favor, but unexpectedly Second Miss said nothing and, together with her and Third Miss, went forward to pay respects to Old Madam An.

Looking at the group of beautiful young ladies before her, Old Madam An’s expression was relaxed as she said: “With the New Year approaching, I brought you up the mountain to relax and enjoy yourselves. But you mustn’t run around wildly, or next time I won’t take you out to play anymore!”

Everyone thanked her in unison, laughing softly as they sat around Old Madam An.

Old Madam An asked this one what she had been doing these days, asked that one how her calligraphy practice was going—the atmosphere was very harmonious and warm.

From the corner of her eye, Yu Tang couldn’t help but observe several times Second Miss who sat quietly beside them.

But Fourth Miss somehow appeared beside her ear at some point, whispering with a laugh: “Sister Yu needn’t be surprised. Second Sister is about to be married off, so she’s too embarrassed to play and make a fuss with us anymore.”

Yu Tang suddenly understood, but was glared at fiercely by Second Miss who had heard Fourth Miss’s words.

She could only smile apologetically at Second Miss.

Second Miss turned her face away and ignored her.

Yu Tang was both amused and exasperated.

Nanny Ji came in to ask for Old Madam An’s instructions on whether they could serve dinner.

Old Madam An waved her hand and said: “Serve the meal! The young girls must all be hungry.” Then she said warmly to them: “The kitchen made eight-treasure rice today.”

Which young girl didn’t love sweets?

Several of them cheered.

Fourth Miss even asked Old Madam An quite spiritedly: “Great-Grandmother, can we have dragon’s beard candy and euryale seed cake tomorrow?”

Old Madam An smiled and said: “Certainly. I’ll have the kitchen make them for you later.”

The young girls cheered again.

Everyone was delighted when a young maid came to report: “Madam Shen and Miss Gu have arrived.”

Everyone froze.

The smile on Old Madam An’s face faded somewhat.

“Show them in!” Old Madam An said.

Nanny Chen quietly went to lead the two inside.

Madam Shen had the appearance of someone just recovering from a serious illness. Gu Xi, however, was radiant, wearing a plain blue Hangzhou silk jacket that set off her picturesque features with striking beauty.

Yu Tang’s heart sank as she quickly glanced at Old Madam An.

Old Madam An’s face showed neither love nor hate. Her expression calm, she asked Madam Shen: “Didn’t we tell you to rest in bed and recuperate? Why did you get up? Are you all right?”

“Thank you, Old Madam An.” Madam Shen smiled weakly. “It was just an upset stomach, not any serious illness. A few doses of medicine and I’m fine.”

Old Madam An said: “You still need to rest well. Age shows no mercy. You’re someone in your late forties approaching fifty—you can’t compare to before. You can’t just follow your whims and act recklessly anymore.”

Madam Shen’s expression changed slightly.

Gu Xi quickly said: “Aunt Shen, let me help you sit down to talk!”

Nanny Chen, playing the role of peacemaker, immediately smiled and moved an embroidered stool behind Madam Shen, saying: “Please sit!”

Madam Shen sat down with a pale face. After glancing at the Pei family’s several young ladies, she said: “Didn’t I hear that the young misses had all come up the mountain? I specially came to greet them.”

Old Madam An said neither softly nor harshly: “You are an elder. Even if greetings are needed, they should go pay respects to you. Why would you need to make this trip personally?”

Madam Shen said: “Our two families aren’t like other families. There’s no need to be so particular.”

Old Madam An raised her eyebrows and said nothing.

The Pei young ladies were still young, and Yu Tang was an outsider—they could all get away with it. But Second Miss gave a cold snort.