Whatever happened in this residence, especially in the inner quarters, if Old Madam Pei An wanted to know about it, she could know immediately. So when Pei Yan sent Qing Yuan to help Yu Tang arrange her room and even opened his private storeroom for Qing Yuan to freely select items, Old Madam Pei An already knew about it before Qing Yuan had even left Yu Tang’s side room.
She laughed heartily and said to Nanny Chen, “Look at this child—when he wants to be good to someone, he gives his whole heart.” As she finished speaking, her smile gradually faded and turned into a sigh.
As a mother, what she feared most was her child’s deep affection being let down.
Nanny Chen quickly comforted her, “Isn’t this perfect? Miss Yu has entered the residence, so you can observe her from the side.”
Old Madam Pei An nodded, involuntarily feeling that the stifling feeling caused by her eldest daughter-in-law’s arrival had mostly dissipated.
The next day, the Pei residence’s several dozen mule carts set off majestically up Tianmu Mountain.
Passersby along the way couldn’t help but stop and discuss, “Why are the Pei family’s womenfolk going up the mountain so early this year? Aren’t they celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival in the city? Isn’t it still a bit cold to go up the mountain at this time?”
“This is for the Pei family’s stewards to worry about. What does it have to do with you?”
“Speaking of which, I haven’t seen Head Steward A’Man for some days. Do you know what he’s been doing?”
“The Pei family has so many businesses. As the head steward, wherever he goes to inspect, the round trip takes half a month. Isn’t it normal that you haven’t seen him?”
Yu Tang rode in the Pei family’s mule cart and arrived at the country estate.
The stewards had arrived two or three days in advance, and the lodgings had already been prepared. Unlike last year, this year Yu Tang was staying next to Old Madam Pei An, in the courtyard behind Second Mistress.
When Miss Yang learned of this, she couldn’t help but find it strange. She asked the matron at her side, “Is Miss Yu really just a junior of the Pei family?”
Yet she was living even closer to Old Madam Pei An than Second Miss and Fifth Miss of the Pei family.
That matron thought carefully and said with certainty, “She truly is just a junior of the Pei family. Perhaps it’s because this Miss Yu conducts herself with considerable propriety and has won Old Madam Pei An’s favor, so Old Madam Pei An treats Miss Yu with special regard. If Miss feels uneasy, I’ll go investigate further.”
Miss Yang shook her head and smiled, “That’s not necessary. We’re only guests at their home and will leave in a couple of days. There’s no need to stir up complications. I still need to hurry back to the capital—Sister Xu has set the twenty-eighth of September as her wedding date, and I must see her off properly.”
That matron said no more and sent someone to inquire what arrangements Old Madam Pei An’s side had, so their young lady could also prepare her attire and join the liveliness before Old Madam Pei An.
Yu Tang’s heart was clear as a mirror. She felt that the reason she could receive such treatment was mostly because she was about to become engaged to Pei Yan. While the maids were arranging the furnishings in the room, she took a stroll around the courtyard.
This courtyard was about the same size as the one she had stayed in when she came last year, but the scenery was more clear and bright. Besides having flower trellises and flower walls, the small courtyard also had two banyan trees as thick as one could embrace with both arms. Not only were their branches and leaves flourishing, but their roots were gnarled and twisted, emerging from the ground—some could be used as swings, while others could serve as seats like benches.
Yu Tang walked around the two old banyan trees planted together and discovered a tree hollow large enough to fit a person. Her childlike playfulness arose, and she wondered whether to go in and see if it could really hide a person. Just as she was preparing to enter the hollow, she heard Pei Yan’s familiar voice by her ear: “What are you trying to do? Aren’t you afraid little insects will crawl into your clothes?”
She was startled and looked in the direction of the voice to see Pei Yan wearing a moon-white plain robe, standing curiously not far from her beneath another banyan tree.
Yu Tang’s heart filled with joy as she said, “How did you get here?”
Seeing that her eyes lit up upon seeing him and that her voice also carried cheerfulness, Pei Yan’s mood also soared. He said, “I came to see if you’re adapting well.” As he spoke, he walked over and suddenly reached his hand toward her.
Yu Tang’s heart immediately began to pound wildly. She instinctively tilted her head slightly, her voice carrying a hint of wariness as she said, “What are you trying to do?”
Pei Yan’s face darkened. He reached out and removed two tree leaves from the top of her head, then spread his hand to show her, saying, “What did you think I was going to do?”
Yu Tang laughed sheepishly and quickly said, “When did you arrive? Have you had lunch? We left late, so there were still snacks prepared on the cart. I ate several pieces of poria cake. I don’t know who made them—they were so soft and glutinous, very delicious. They seem even better than what our family makes.”
Pei Yan was a bit angry that Yu Tang suspected his intentions, but seeing Yu Tang smile and try to please him like this, the little bit of anger in his heart quickly dissipated.
He said, “Although I left a bit later than you, I rode a horse here and arrived around the same time as you. I’ve already given orders—we’ll have our meal in another hour, then everyone will return to their rooms to rest. In the evening, each household will dine in their own courtyards, eating whatever they want whenever they want, so everyone can be more comfortable and at ease. However, starting tomorrow, it will be three regular meals a day. It’s best not to eat midnight snacks—eating too much at night can easily cause indigestion, and when you’re older, it can easily lead to many ailments.”
Pei Yan lectured her on a pile of health preservation knowledge. What it all came down to was eating less and moving more. She was getting drowsy listening, so she took advantage of a gap to interrupt Pei Yan, saying, “I heard horseback riding is quite tiring. Would you like to come to my room for some tea? I brought some rock tea this time. It’s definitely not as good as what you have in your collection. However, I made some pastries—they’re the kind that are slightly sweet but not cloying. I’m guessing you should like them.”
She had figured out his preferences quite well.
Pei Yan nodded with satisfaction in his heart, not realizing that Yu Tang had interrupted him. Instead, he considered that she lived close to Second Mistress, and after his second brother went back, he would definitely tell Second Mistress about him and Yu Tang. If he went to Yu Tang’s place and was seen by his second sister-in-law, he feared his second sister-in-law might have some unfavorable opinion of Yu Tang. He decided it was better not to visit Yu Tang for the time being.
“I brought Qing Yuan with me,” he said. “Later you can just have her bring the pastries over.” Having said this, he instructed Yu Tang, “My second sister-in-law is here to accompany my mother for a few days and will then go down the mountain. My second brother needs to prepare for his return to office, and there are some gifts and social courtesies that my second sister-in-law must prepare personally. When the time comes, look after my little niece more.”
This would also benefit Yu Tang.
Yu Tang understood his intention and looked at him gratefully, humming in agreement. She couldn’t help but speculate about Old Madam Pei An’s purpose in inviting her up the mountain this time.
Pei Yan gazed at her sparkling eyes and felt as if he were looking into a pool of autumn water.
Truly beautiful!
He sighed inwardly and became somewhat dazed, his tone slowing as he said, “It’s not for any other reason—if you familiarize yourself with the people and affairs in our family earlier, it will be easier for you later. Our family, you could say it’s not very large, but you could also say it’s not very small. The main thing is that those in-laws are numerous and intricately complicated…”
Yu Tang wasn’t someone who didn’t know what was good for her. Having seen Miss Xu’s commentary on those aristocratic families, she knew the difficulties.
“I understand,” she smiled sweetly at him and said, “I definitely won’t let you down.” After speaking, she playfully winked at Pei Yan.
That appearance was mischievous like a little child.
This wasn’t even the main point.
The main point was that not only was Yu Tang not annoyed that he had made decisions on his own, she very happily accepted his arrangements.
Pei Yan was extremely pleased.
The young lady he had chosen was indeed different from others.
Pei Yan couldn’t help but step forward and embrace Yu Tang.
Yu Tang was frightened.
Her whole body went rigid, her mind stopped working, everything went blank. Only after Pei Yan released her did she gradually feel strength returning to her limbs. Her face felt hot, and belatedly she recalled the faint scent on Pei Yan when he had held her, the soft feeling of the moon-white fine cloth of his clothing… She didn’t even dare to raise her head to look at Pei Yan once.
Looking at Yu Tang’s appearance, Pei Yan only then realized his breach of propriety.
His face turned bright red. He felt awkwardly that he should say something but didn’t know what to say. He stammered for a long while, then heard light footsteps from outside along with Qing Yuan’s cautious voice: “Miss Yu, Miss Yu, are you here? Third Master specially sent me over to check.”
Yu Tang raised her head.
Pei Yan felt even more embarrassed. He did something that he wouldn’t be able to understand for a long time afterward.
Pei Yan said in a low voice, “I’ll be going now,” then took to his heels and ran off from the other side.
Yu Tang was dumbfounded.
Qing Yuan appeared before her.
“Miss Yu!” Qing Yuan visibly breathed a sigh of relief and said with joy on her face, “I’ve finally found you. Old Madam’s side sent someone to pass word that we’ll have our meal in an hour. I saw that fresh shad fish was just delivered from down the mountain. I had them stew you a bowl of soup. You can have it first to fill your stomach and rest for a while, so you won’t lack energy later.”
Yu Tang smiled and thanked her, but she couldn’t stop her mind from conjuring up Pei Yan’s somewhat flustered figure. She couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter.
Qing Yuan looked confused, her face full of bewilderment.
Yu Tang laughed even harder.
*
After drinking some hot soup and resting for half an hour, Yu Tang felt full of energy again.
She groomed and dressed herself, then went to Old Madam Pei An’s quarters.
Second Mistress was already there serving her. Seeing Yu Tang, she couldn’t help but look her up and down.
A lake-green plain jacket edged with a thin border of silver-red trim—elegant yet revealing a touch of liveliness. Her skin was so white it seemed to glow, yet her cheeks carried a faint rosiness, like a blooming hibiscus flower, so fresh and vibrant that it made one jealous.
No wonder Third Uncle had plunged in headfirst and couldn’t get out.
Old Madam Pei An, as her mother-in-law, might be dissatisfied that Pei Yan was marrying such a daughter-in-law, but as a sister-in-law, she was very happy. If nothing else, Yu Tang at least wouldn’t be like First Mistress, insisting on suppressing her. Otherwise, back then her husband wouldn’t have tried every means to find an opportunity to take her with him to his post.
She stepped forward with a smile, warmly linking arms with Yu Tang, and said, “Are you hungry? At this hour, it’s a bit late to call it lunch and a bit early to call it dinner, but at least keep Old Madam company and eat a little first. Your courtyard has a small kitchen. When you go back tonight, you can have the maids and matrons cook you some porridge or something as a midnight snack.” Then, thinking that Yu Tang came from a humble background and fearing the people around her might be timid and not dare to light fires, she added, “Or don’t bother with the trouble—come to my place later and have something with our A’Dan.”