Throughout the generations, the Pei family patriarchs had all lived in Lixue Hall on the eastern route of the Pei residence. Old Madam Pei had also moved out after Old Master Pei’s death, but Pei Yan was unwilling to move and still lived in Gengyuan, where he had originally resided. Seeing that the main branch was still in mourning and Pei Yan had not yet married, the elders of the Pei family didn’t press him about it.
However, when his marriage was settled, he set up the bridal chamber in Shuyu Mountain House next to Gengyuan.
This caused some dissatisfaction among the older generation.
Yet Pei Yan offered no explanation, insisting on redecorating Shuyu Mountain House and even transplanting a ginkgo tree that had originally been planted at Lixue Hall to Shuyu Mountain House.
Old Master Yi inevitably had to visit Old Madam Pei, saying with some emotion, “I know this child is filial. But the state has its laws, and families have their rules. You can’t just let him do as he pleases like this!”
Old Madam Pei picked up her tea cup and gently blew on the floating leaves on the water’s surface, but she didn’t drink the tea. Instead, she set down the cup and said, “You also know Xiaguang’s stubborn temperament. Originally, the position of patriarch should have been inherited by A’You’s branch. Now the burden has fallen on his shoulders—he probably has his own plans. I think in this matter, you should all just go along with him. Let him live wherever he wants to live.”
Old Master Yi couldn’t help but think further.
Could it be that Pei Yan was actually planning to return the position of patriarch to Pei You’s branch?
This wasn’t impossible.
Back then, when they moved from Luoyang, the main branch had no sons, so it was their branch’s ancestor who took over the patriarch’s position. Later, when the main branch had a son, their branch’s ancestor returned the patriarch’s position to the main branch.
With Pei Yan’s pride, he really might do such a thing!
However, Old Master Yi didn’t quite approve of such an arrangement. He reminded Old Madam Pei, “No matter what, in my view, neither A’Tong nor A’Fei are suitable candidates. In this matter, Elder Sister-in-law, you must provide more guidance. The Pei family has what it has today because the main branch has contributed greatly. We can’t let my old brother be unable to close his eyes even in the underworld!”
Old Madam Pei thought the same way.
She assured Old Master Yi, “Rest assured, such a thing definitely won’t happen.”
Old Master Yi’s worried heart only settled halfway as he left with a sigh.
Old Madam Pei hadn’t slept well for several nights in a row.
Those around her simply thought she was happy because Pei Yan was getting married, but only she herself knew she was afraid that Pei Yan truly harbored such thoughts—to return the patriarch’s position to Pei You’s branch.
She also knew that the slender, thin ginkgo tree had been planted by Old Master Pei’s own hands the year Pei Yan was born. Old Master Pei had also said he hoped this tree would be like Pei Yan—growing peacefully and smoothly into a towering tree.
Although Pei Yan appeared indifferent on the surface, he often watered this tree and had almost watered it to death.
If he had transplanted this tree to Shuyu Mountain House, eight or nine times out of ten he had made up his mind to live at Shuyu Mountain House in the future.
Old Madam Pei sighed inwardly.
By the time the people who had been causing a ruckus in the bridal chamber had dispersed and everyone had retired to rest, she was filled with myriad thoughts and couldn’t sleep no matter what.
Nanny Chen led people in to light calming incense for her.
But suddenly she didn’t want to sleep. She thought of when she and Old Master Pei had just married—the two of them would often lie side by side in bed, envisioning the future. How many children would they have? What if they had sons? What if they had daughters, how should they be raised… But now, he had left her behind and departed, leaving her alone in this world to suffer.
Old Madam Pei suddenly felt grief welling up from her heart, her eyes brimming with tears.
Nanny Chen quickly said, “What’s wrong with you? Should I read Buddhist scriptures for you? Or shall we go sit in the old master’s study for a while?”
Old Master Pei’s study was still preserved, its furnishings just as they had been during his lifetime, with decorations changed according to the four seasons.
Old Madam Pei missed that person who had accompanied her for half her life.
She nodded, her voice somewhat hoarse as she said, “That’s fine. Let’s go sit in the old master’s room for a while.”
Nanny Chen breathed a sigh of relief and instructed the maids to bring a cloak and hand warmer, then supported Old Madam Pei as they headed to Lixue Hall.
The dim yellow lamplight shone on the bluestone path, radiating a warm glow.
Nanny Chen gently consoled Old Madam Pei in a soft voice, “Now that Third Master has also married, in a little while, Old Madam, you’ll be gaining more grandchildren. By then, this courtyard will become lively. Third Madam is young after all and still has much to learn. When the time comes, the grandchildren’s upbringing will still require your supervision from the side. You must take care of your health so that Third Master’s children can also be like the several grandchildren of the Qian family’s main branch—each one scholarly.”
Old Madam Pei thought of her youngest son’s mischievous behavior as a child, and immediately felt much better. She couldn’t help but laugh, saying, “I’m not as important as you say. They’re both intelligent people. Without me, they’ll certainly manage very well.”
As she spoke, she suddenly didn’t want to go to Lixue Hall anymore.
She stood at the entrance to the path, pondering for a moment, then said to Nanny Chen, “Let’s go to Shuyu Mountain House.”
Nanny Chen was startled and wanted to ask, “What are you going there for? Surely you’re not going to eavesdrop?” But immediately she realized she had thought wrongly.
Old Madam Pei was not that kind of mother.
She followed Old Madam Pei to Shuyu Mountain House.
The guests had dispersed, and Shuyu Mountain House was quiet. Only a few old women keeping night watch were yawning as they swept the courtyard.
Red firecracker paper was scattered everywhere, a bright red expanse like a red carpet spread out, very festive.
An old woman was about to go inform Qing Yuan but was stopped by Old Madam Pei, who said, “I’m just here to take a look. Don’t disturb Third Master and Third Madam. After all, this is their wedding night.”
The old woman smiled apologetically, not knowing how to respond.
Old Madam Pei then said to the old woman, “You come along with me too! If we encounter anyone from Xiaguang’s courtyard, you can help greet them.”
The Pei family was very large. Someone like Old Madam Pei didn’t necessarily know everyone from every household, especially since Pei Yan had recently readjusted the duties of the household servants.
The old woman immediately respectfully agreed and accompanied Old Madam Pei.
Old Madam Pei then asked her, “Is the head maid at Shuyu Mountain House still Qing Yuan? What about Qing Yan? Is she in charge of Gengyuan? Haven’t the people from both sides been merged? Where did you originally serve? When were you transferred here? Do you only manage cleaning the outer courtyard? Do you know where Third Master planted the transplanted ginkgo tree? I’d like to go see it.”
“I know!” the old woman answered, leading Old Madam Pei toward the transplanted ginkgo tree while responding, “I was originally responsible for cleaning Shuyu Mountain House. After Third Master moved here, he still had me serve. The people from Gengyuan and Shuyu Mountain House haven’t been merged. Miss Yan is still in charge of Gengyuan, and Miss Qing Yuan has been transferred here. As for who will specifically be responsible for what, we’ll have to wait until Third Madam has completed the family recognition ceremony for new arrangements…”
Shuyu Mountain House was called a mountain house because it was built on a small hillside with undulating terrain, possessing considerable rustic charm.
As Old Madam Pei was being supported by Nanny Chen and the old woman, they had only walked halfway when it began to rain.
The rain wasn’t heavy—just a light drizzle—but it had a lingering, continuous quality.
Nanny Chen became very anxious and couldn’t help saying, “Winter rain is harmful to people. We should turn back!” She also instructed the old woman, “Why don’t you go find an umbrella! Or have them bring a sedan chair.”
“No need!” Old Madam Pei stopped and turned toward a nearby pavilion, “Let’s rest here.”
Nanny Chen didn’t dare let Old Madam Pei stand in the rain, thinking it was good to take shelter for a bit.
However, the old woman was clever. She ran down the hill in the rain, calling out as she ran, “You and Old Madam wait a moment—I’ll go get an umbrella right now.”
If she could have a sedan chair brought, that would be even better—as long as they didn’t disturb Third Master.
Nanny Chen silently praised her.
But Old Madam Pei suddenly pointed at a ginkgo tree below the pavilion, saying, “Look, is that the one the old master planted before?”
Nanny Chen raised the lantern for a closer look. The tree still had a brand-new red cloth tied around it—exactly the method commonly used by the Pei family’s gardener.
“It really is!” Nanny Chen moved closer and stood on tiptoe to look more carefully, confirming, “I can see two characters faintly carved on the trunk.”
When Pei Yan was young, because he was naughty and refused to memorize his books, Old Master Pei had once punished him by making him stand under the tree. Even while standing as punishment, he hadn’t been quiet, carving two characters for “Pei” on the tree.
“Unfortunately, it’s a bit far away and not very clear to see.” Nanny Chen said, “How about I go down to look while you sit here and don’t move.”
“No need.” Old Madam Pei, seeing the rain had a tendency to grow heavier, somewhat regretted her willfulness. If she fell ill, Pei Yan would have to attend to her sickbed during his newlywed period—wouldn’t that be tormenting the young couple?
She said, “We can come look tomorrow. Once that old woman brings the umbrella, we’ll go back!”
Nanny Chen didn’t insist.
Old Madam Pei walked over.
She discovered that beside the ginkgo tree there was also a hibiscus plant.
In October weather, with a tree full of buds—clearly it was nighttime, yet like spring flowers meeting spring rain, the flower calyxes were quietly blooming, revealing tender red petals that seemed to struggle to open fully. The heavily laden flower branches seemed almost unable to bear their weight. Against the backdrop of the straight and tall ginkgo tree, they inexplicably conveyed the allure of “a maid helping her up, delicate and weak.”
Old Madam Pei smiled despite herself.
Had it been too long since the household had seen such an unrestrained flowering tree?
Ever since the old master’s death, her third son found such flowering trees annoying. Everyone in the household revolved around him, naturally taking his preferences as their own, pinching off the flowers before they even bloomed.
That this hibiscus tree could remain—she didn’t know if it was because everyone had been busy with Pei Yan’s wedding these days and forgot, or because its location was remote and no one had noticed?
But in this night scene, it gave rise to a feeling of warmth and glimpsed rippling beauty.
How nice!
Old Madam Pei decided to instruct the people at Shuyu Mountain House that if Pei Yan didn’t give orders, they shouldn’t pinch off these flowers.
When they bloomed into a tree of gorgeous color, it would be extraordinarily beautiful.
Old Madam Pei, surrounded by maids and old women, returned to her room, leaving behind that tree of flower buds to be gently tapped by the fine rain threads, drop after drop, until those buds trembled and opened a corner, then were forcefully entered as if conquering territory, penetrating straight to the flower chamber, blooming the first flower with no defenses and under compulsion.