Pei Yan was not someone willing to sit passively and take a beating.
It was already good enough that he didn’t actively provoke others.
Hearing this, he immediately raised his eyebrows, wanting to say things like “I was just worried about not having an excuse to cause trouble for Peng Eleven—now that he’s delivered himself to my door, how can I pretend I didn’t see him?” But turning his head, he discovered Yu Tang’s face had turned somewhat pale.
He couldn’t help but hesitate for a moment.
There would be many opportunities to deal with Peng Eleven, but insisting at this moment would make Yu Tang worry… that was somewhat counterproductive!
Pei Yan immediately changed his mind.
He smiled and said, “Since you put it that way, I’ll let him off this once. But if he’s foolish enough to come provoke you, you can’t be soft-hearted again.”
Yu Tang nodded repeatedly, feeling that in this life, without those grievances from her past life, and with her parents and brothers all alive and well, even if Peng Eleven wanted to harm her, it wouldn’t be as easy as in her previous life.
However, Pei Yan wasn’t comfortable letting Yu Tang out of his sight. He also had lost his enthusiasm for going to play at Tiaoxitang. He discussed with Yu Tang, “How about I send you to keep my mother company right now?” He added, “There are more people there, and more people has its advantages. Most of the Pei manor’s guards are stationed there too. Even if Peng Eleven wants to do something, he won’t have a good opportunity.”
Looking as if he wanted to entrust her to someone.
Yu Tang feared he would go find Peng Eleven and said, “How about you come with me to accompany Old Madam and watch the dragon boat races? Everyone with any standing in Lin’an City will go pay their respects to Old Madam, right? With so many people, I feel a bit uncomfortable.”
Usually she didn’t seem uncomfortable—she was afraid he would go find Peng Eleven and encounter danger, wasn’t she?
Pei Yan appreciated Yu Tang’s kindness and simply said, “I need to investigate why he came to Lin’an City. The Peng family has no business here, and there’s been no court discussion about abolishing the Quanzhou Maritime Trade Office. I really can’t figure out what he’s doing here.”
If it were her, she would also feel uneasy, wouldn’t she?
Yu Tang then stopped trying to prevent Pei Yan and instead gently instructed him, “Then you must be careful. He’s an earthen pot and you’re fine jade—it’s not worth clashing head-on with someone like him.”
Pei Yan nodded and left A’Tiao behind to serve Yu Tang.
Yu Tang was unwilling and said in a low voice, “You, don’t make me worry.”
That gentle instruction, soft and lingering, with countless turns, expressed indescribable tender affection.
Pei Yan was stunned upon hearing it, then felt like someone who, after being thirsty, had drunk a cup of warm honey water—sweet to the heart, yet not cloying like white sugar.
He couldn’t help but smile, also responding softly with a “yes,” before waving to Qing Yuan and saying, “I’ll accompany you to see Old Madam first.”
Qing Yuan didn’t dare delay and quickly got on the mule cart, directing the attendant woman to follow.
The group traveled along the bustling street. Because it was the Pei family’s mule cart, and because Pei Yan was riding alongside to escort it, passersby all assumed it was Old Madam Pei’s mule cart and voluntarily made way for them. They quickly arrived beside the viewing platform along Tiao Creek.
Old Madam Pei was highly respected in Lin’an. After watching the opening of the dragon boat races, as the sun rose higher, she came down from the viewing platform to rest in a temporarily erected tent behind it. Several young Pei ladies accompanied Old Madam Pei, telling jokes to keep her entertained.
When Nanny Chen came in to report that Pei Yan had sent Yu Tang over, Old Madam Pei was very surprised. Suppressing any unusual expression, she quietly asked Nanny Chen, “What happened?”
“I don’t know!” Nanny Chen also replied quietly to Old Madam Pei. “He only said there was a matter, asking you to take Miss Yu back to the manor later. He’ll personally explain to the Yu family. He also wants Miss Yu to sleep at your place tonight, saying that when he returns, he’ll naturally explain to you.”
The Pei family could be considered all-powerful in Lin’an City. Old Madam Pei guessed whether the two had met privately and been discovered by the Yu family. She smiled and said, “Tell him to rest assured—I’ll definitely keep watch over her for him. Tell him to come back early so he can explain to me properly.”
Nanny Chen also smiled, performed a curtsy, and went to invite Yu Tang in.
Only a few people could accompany Old Madam Pei. Although Yu Tang wasn’t very familiar with them all, she had met them several times. After everyone exchanged greetings, Old Madam Pei, to silence everyone, said to Yu Tang, “I sent people to invite you several times, and you’ve finally come. Today you’ll return to the Pei manor with me to help me copy a few pages of Buddhist sutras.”
Yu Tang naturally couldn’t refuse. Smiling, she agreed and sent Shuang Tao to report to Chen Shi.
The Pei young ladies felt this was quite good and chatted and laughed with her, making it quite lively.
When the sun tilted westward and the final two teams competed for first place, Yu Tang, at Old Madam Pei’s request, supported the old lady nominally as they went to the viewing platform.
The new magistrate was surnamed Wu. He hadn’t brought female family members to his post. He came to pay his respects to Old Madam Pei. Waiting for Pei Yan to arrive, he began beating drums and striking gongs. The two teams that won competed for first place, were awarded silver, and he delivered a long speech about educating the common people before everyone dispersed.
Pei Yan still had to dine with Magistrate Wu, while Yu Tang was taken back to the Pei manor by Old Madam Pei. But even after she bid farewell to the Pei young ladies and, after washing up, settled down to rest in Old Madam Pei’s warm chamber, Pei Yan still hadn’t come.
She tossed and turned, unable to sleep well.
The next morning, forcing herself to be energetic, she went to pay respects to Old Madam Pei, only to discover that Pei Yan had come at some unknown time and was currently keeping Old Madam Pei company while drinking tea.
Seeing Yu Tang, Pei Yan smiled, greeted her with “you’re here,” then instructed the maid beside Old Madam Pei to “serve the meal.”
Yu Tang had a bellyful of questions she couldn’t ask. Suppressing her emotions, she had breakfast with Pei Yan and Old Madam Pei, then escorted Old Madam Pei to the small Buddhist hall to chant sutras before she finally had time to speak privately with Pei Yan.
“Did you find out what Peng Eleven came to Lin’an to do?” she asked urgently. “Did you confront Peng Eleven? Did he come alone or did he bring people?”
Looking as if she feared he had been harmed.
Pei Yan nodded with satisfaction inwardly, though his face showed nothing. He said, “I went to ask him directly. He told me that a friend had asked him to deliver a family letter. I didn’t say much to him. He should know my attitude, so he didn’t hide anything—he went to a family surnamed Gao in Banqiao Town, stayed less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, then left. I also investigated afterward. That Gao family has an adopted son working as a shop assistant elsewhere. The person is apparently quite clever—at the beginning of this year he was promoted to head manager and brought a letter asking his family to go play in Nanchang for some time…”
Banqiao Town, surnamed Gao!
This must be her sister-in-law from her previous life.
Thinking of the events that occurred in her previous life, Yu Tang felt somewhat uncomfortable.
Pei Yan thought she was worried about Peng Eleven and said, “He’s already left Lin’an City…”
But before he could finish his sentence, A’Tiao followed him in and said a few words in his ear.
Pei Yan’s expression changed.
Yu Tang’s heart tightened. She quickly said, “What happened?”
Pei Yan glanced at Yu Tang and, after a moment of silence, said, “Peng Eleven went to find the Qu family brothers who helped you with matters before!”
Yu Tang frowned.
Previously, the Qu family brothers had intended to pledge themselves to Miss Xu but were politely refused by her, so she hadn’t paid further attention to the matter. Why was Peng Eleven looking for them?
Did he want to plant a nail in Lin’an?
Knowing that Pei Yan was guarding against him, he shouldn’t be that foolish.
Pei Yan understood better than she did the power and effectiveness of being straightforward. He also had no time to maneuver with people like the Qu brothers. Seeing Yu Tang’s unease, he said, “Water flows downward, people move upward—don’t think too much. Whatever the Qu brothers want to do, just have someone call them over and ask. As for your side, I sent people to speak with my future father-in-law. Peng Eleven has come to Lin’an City, and I fear he might cause some trouble, so you won’t go back. Stay directly with my mother and go to the villa. My future father-in-law has already agreed. In a bit, have Shuang Tao go back to pack some things for you to bring up the mountain.”
Better yet, don’t bring anything—that way he would have an excuse to make clothes and create jewelry for Yu Tang.
Yu Tang still had some doubts about Peng Eleven seeking out the Qu brothers.
Could it be that in her previous life, the Qu brothers were already working for Peng Eleven?
Then wouldn’t some of her actions have been known to both Peng Eleven and Li Duan?
Just thinking about it gave Yu Tang a headache. She stopped dwelling on these matters, packed her things, and prepared to go up the mountain with Old Madam Pei.
Pei Yan came to tell her that Peng Eleven had gone to see the Qu brothers because he wanted to recruit them to work for him.
Yu Tang said worriedly, “So, what should we do about this matter?”
“Remove the firewood from under the cauldron.” Pei Yan said very casually, “I asked the Qu brothers if they were willing to work for me. The Qu brothers agreed.”
When Yu Tang married over, he would arrange for the Qu brothers to serve by her side—that way, Yu Tang would have people she could use.
This was indeed a good idea.
Yu Tang smiled and said, “What if Peng Eleven finds out? Will he continue trying to entice the Qu brothers to work for him?”
In her heart, only hereditary servants whose entire families’ lives and fortunes were bound together would think carefully before acting and wouldn’t betray easily. People like the Qu brothers, who originally had somewhat ambitious temperaments, might not be willing to sell themselves to the Pei family.
Pei Yan chuckled and said, “Following me is always better than following the Xu family, right?”
The Xu family was in the capital—if they sold themselves to the Xu family, they would have to leave their homeland.
“Moreover, I promised the brothers a steward position.” Pei Yan said lightly, “I’m treating worthy men with courtesy—what could they be dissatisfied with?”
Yu Tang thought about it and felt it really was as Pei Yan said—who knew how many idle groups in Lin’an City wanted to pledge themselves to the Pei family and work for them!
Could this matter be considered settled then?
Yu Tang set the matter aside and accompanied Old Madam Pei and the Pei young ladies up the mountain. Within a few days, Pei family relatives came up the mountain one after another to visit Old Madam Pei and incidentally stay at the villa for a couple of days.
The villa suddenly became noisy.
However, Pei Yan hadn’t let Peng Eleven off.
After Peng Eleven met with the Gao family, the Gao family sent their daughter to Jiangxi, saying it would be easier for her to marry into a good family following her brother. Besides contacting the Qu brothers, Peng Eleven also contacted several other idle groups—some followed him to Fujian, while others remained. As for the capital, the competition for the Jiangxi Provincial Governor position came to a conclusion. With many people pushing and pulling, Tao An very reluctantly was promoted to Jiangxi Provincial Governor. As for Peng Yu, he was suppressed by Zhang Ying and several other senior officials and couldn’t move, probably having to remain at the Censorate for several more years. As for the Li family, Li Yi’s case also reached a conclusion—Li Yi was sentenced to exile in the Northwest. But the Li family refused to give up and wanted to continue appealing. They asked to borrow silver from the Lin family, who agreed verbally but delayed sending the silver. This matter would probably fall through again, and Li Yi’s exile would become a certainty.