Yu Tang felt that by saying this, perhaps Fei Zhiwen, for the sake of Lady Fei having already passed away, might be willing to stay on in order to posthumously bestow upon Lady Fei an official rank title or something similar.

Hadn’t Old Minister Zhang been trying to get Pei Yan to persuade Fei Zhiwen to continue as an official?

Who knew that upon hearing this, Pei Yan would snort coldly, pinch her chin, and say: “You don’t actually think this way yourself, do you?”

Yu Tang’s heart skipped a beat.

Pei Yan had retired from office—she would never have an official rank title in this lifetime.

Thinking of his temperamental behavior made her temples throb with a dull ache. With a strong survival instinct, she said: “Not at all. Aren’t I just trying to help you? Minister Fei perhaps feels he has nothing left to pursue, which is why he wants to retire. But didn’t you say so yourself? Minister Fei’s heart still very much loved Lady Fei, so I’m guessing Lady Fei’s death must have had a lot to do with their poor marital relationship.”

For instance, melancholy and depression.

“Didn’t you mention before that the Fei family has been discussing this matter extensively? If Minister Fei truly retires, then the people in his household will definitely have no scruples, and they’ll be able to say anything. But if he continues as an official, never mind anything else, just for the Fei family’s own interests, they would have to restrain the family members from spreading rumors outside. At least it would preserve Lady Fei’s reputation.”

Whether Lady Fei’s reputation mattered or not wasn’t even within Pei Yan’s consideration—he hadn’t thought about it at all, and naturally wouldn’t have used this point to persuade Fei Zhiwen.

Now hearing Yu Tang put it this way, it seemed there really was something to it.

However, he still didn’t take it to heart.

Whether it was the Zhang family’s predicament or Fei Zhiwen’s decision to stay or leave, ultimately neither affected him much. The reason the Pei family had retreated to Lin’an was precisely to avoid being drawn into the upcoming succession struggle—the merit of supporting the dragon certainly had its benefits, but the consequences of backing the wrong side were even more severe. Moreover, with such merit came becoming a powerful minister. For a family like the Pei family that had served as officials for generations, they preferred being pure ministers, and being pure ministers allowed them to proceed more safely.

Pei Yan curled the corners of his mouth, not believing Yu Tang’s explanation at all. He said: “What’s in the heart will slip out in words.”

This was truly accusing someone so wrongly that even crying injustice was useless!

Yu Tang was extremely angry.

But Pei Yan laughed: “If you beg me, I might not be without a way to earn you an official rank title!”

Yu Tang mocked him: “Fine! How do you want me to beg you? I’d actually like to see what method you have to earn me an official rank title!”

Pei Yan held her while laughing, whispering in her ear: “You give me several sons, and I’ll teach them well. Won’t your official rank title come then?”

When requesting the conferment of official rank titles, the legitimate mother was petitioned for first.

Yu Tang didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She pushed Pei Yan resentfully and chided: “This is a temple—can’t you be peaceful for even a few days in a temple?”

“What nonsense are you thinking!” Pei Yan scolded her with a stern face. “I’m merely giving you advice, yet you make it sound as if I have no sense of propriety at all. Am I that kind of person?”

If they weren’t in a temple, Yu Tang felt he would definitely be exactly that kind of person.

But Yu Tang still overestimated Pei Yan.

Pei Yan wasn’t peaceful in the temple either. Although he didn’t go all the way to the final step, he frolicked with her through most of the night, making her suddenly understand his usual mischief. Even grinding her teeth to dust, she couldn’t hold back and kicked Pei Yan in the chest, only to have him grab her foot and tease her for quite a while longer.

Yu Tang swallowed down her fury, grateful that at least she hadn’t begged him—this kick was delivered at just the right moment.

She dozed off in a daze for a while, and then it was already dawn.

Yu Tang hurriedly got up to wash and dress, changed into plain clothes, and opened the door.

A young monk brought breakfast. Yu Tang sent someone to inquire whether Xu Xuan had risen yet, ignoring Pei Yan who was eating at the same table with her.

Usually in bed it was Pei Yan begging Yu Tang, but this time he had nearly made Yu Tang beg him.

He was extremely pleased with himself, and knowing Yu Tang had lost face, he couldn’t help but act humble and submissive before her, occasionally mentioning that today’s side dishes were quite good, or moving buns in front of her, and even proactively discussing today’s itinerary with her: “This morning you’re going to offer incense, right? We’ll go together. After lunch, you can rest in the temple while we go climb the mountain. We’ll return in the evening to have dinner together. Tomorrow morning we’ll all return to the city together.”

Yu Tang ignored him.

He chuckled, gently grasped her hand, and whispered in her ear: “Don’t be angry anymore. I promise I won’t do that again.”

Yu Tang finally looked at him properly, her expression much better than before.

Pei Yan smiled slightly, feeling smug inside.

He didn’t want to do that again either.

Next time, he had to actually taste the fruit to be proper.

Pei Yan happily accompanied Yu Tang to Xu Xuan’s place, then happily accompanied them to offer incense. They also drew fortune sticks and sat for half the day at the place where fortunes were interpreted.

During this time, Zhou Zijin wanted to interpret fortunes for them, but was “invited” out by Yin Mingyuan. Yin Mingyuan even said to Pei Yan: “These things are just to give them peace of mind. Minister Zhou would surely cause trouble—why make them unhappy?”

So there was another sensible person lurking here!

Pei Yan smiled without speaking.

This time both Yu Tang and Xu Xuan drew supreme good fortune sticks. Coming out of the fortune room, both their steps were light and cheerful, and they huddled together whispering.

Yin Mingyuan, looking as if he feared Xu Xuan might bump into something, followed behind somewhat nervously.

Zhou Zijin, who feared nothing more than peace in the world, stayed beside Yin Mingyuan talking about how they had rested in the side room yesterday.

Pei Yan shook his head watching this. Gradually squeezed aside by Zhou Zijin, he ended up walking alongside the unhurried Fei Zhiwen.

Fei Zhiwen smiled at him, his tone very casual as he said: “Did you ask for me yesterday?”

Pei Yan made a “tsk” sound in his heart.

This senior fellow apprentice of his really kept things close to the vest. Coming along with them this time was actually just to ask about this, wasn’t it?

But why ask Yu Tang?

By rights, he should have asked Lady Xu instead.

Could it be because Yu Tang’s background and circumstances were similar to Lady Fei’s?

Pei Yan pondered this inwardly, but his expression showed nothing, and he answered quite quickly: “I asked. She said women probably all value reputation most, and what they most hope to obtain should be official rank titles!”

Fei Zhiwen was taken aback.

Pei Yan hurried to say: “Don’t look at me like that. I don’t plan to enter office. However, I promised my wife that I’d find a way to earn her an official rank title.”

Fei Zhiwen laughed, feeling this was indeed something Pei Yan would do.

Seeing that he still maintained an impassive expression, Pei Yan found his affected manner somewhat annoying. He raised his eyebrows and spoke bluntly: “Senior Brother, I’m not trying to criticize you, but sometimes you really are a bit selfish. Lady Fei is gone, and you say you want to retire, but have you thought about how others will discuss Lady Fei? Others won’t blame you—they’ll only say Lady Fei held you back. That while alive she didn’t bear you a son, and in death she still prevents you from being an official. If you truly don’t want to be an official anymore, don’t use Lady Fei’s matter as an excuse. You might as well just say your health isn’t good and you can’t serve as an official! And about remarrying—Lady Fei already had a poor relationship with your parents when she was alive. With you making such a fuss, they’ll definitely hate Lady Fei to death.”

Fei Zhiwen was stunned.

Pei Yan was too lazy to pay him any more attention. He stepped forward several paces, catching up with Zhou Zijin and the others.

He felt he should give Fei Zhiwen some time to carefully think through these matters.

In the afternoon, Fei Zhiwen said he was too tired and didn’t climb the mountain with them. Pei Yan didn’t hide anything from Yin Mingyuan and directly asked Zhou Zijin what his plans were, also saying: “You’d better not agree to our teacher’s request. But if you do agree, you must do it to the best of your ability. I definitely don’t approve of you acting this way.”

Yin Mingyuan also felt Zhou Zijin’s approach wasn’t good, saying: “Where in this world is there anything perfect? Why don’t you all advise Old Minister Zhang to temporarily keep a low profile instead? With Minister Shen acting this way and all the vice ministers eager to make their move, I’m afraid the Li family will set aside the Zhang family this time and act independently.”

Because Zhang Ying’s disciple Jiang Hua also had the ability and qualifications to compete for a Grand Secretariat position.

Only then did Zhou Zijin make up his mind, saying: “All right then! As for the specifics of what to do, we’ll discuss it thoroughly when we get back.”

Yin Mingyuan, having the Zhang family on one side and the Li family on the other, maintained neutrality and couldn’t get involved in either. After descending the mountain, he went to accompany Lady Xu.

Pei Yan and Zhou Zijin talked until dinner before each returning to their own lodgings.

Yu Tang had already been waiting for him for a while. Seeing him return, she immediately had A’Xing serve dinner and asked him: “Where is Minister Zhou having dinner? Why didn’t you invite him over?”

Invite him over to think about how to paint your portrait?

Pei Yan cursed Zhou Zijin twice in his heart, sat at the table and picked up a bowl, saying: “Eat quickly. After we eat, we’ll invite the Yin Mingyuan couple out for a stroll. The scenery here is quite nice.”

The trees were tall, and the paths were shaded.

Yu Tang smiled and agreed. The two finished their meal and went out to find the Yin Mingyuan couple.

Unexpectedly, they encountered Fei Zhiwen on the way.

Fei Zhiwen was alone, sitting on a stone bench beside the mountain slope, staring blankly at the distant forest. No one knew what he was thinking about. He looked particularly lonely, which softened Yu Tang’s heart. She glanced at Pei Yan.

Pei Yan shook his head lightly at her, preparing to quietly go around from the side without disturbing Fei Zhiwen.

The two were walking on tiptoe and had just passed the place where Fei Zhiwen was sitting when they heard Fei Zhiwen’s voice from behind: “You’re out for a walk! Are you going to Yin Mingyuan’s place?”

Pei Yan looked at Yu Tang helplessly and said: “Senior Brother Fei? I didn’t notice just now and didn’t see you sitting here…”

Fei Zhiwen glanced at the sunset clouds on the horizon, smiled without exposing Pei Yan’s lie. Actually, he felt that even if he did expose Pei Yan’s lie, Pei Yan would probably continue with another one without changing expression to fool him.

He smiled and stood up.

Yu Tang hurried forward to curtsy to him.

He nodded at Yu Tang and said to Pei Yan: “Didn’t you say before that you wanted me to continue staying at the Ministry of Personnel? I’d like to take advantage of this moment when there’s no one around to discuss this matter with you in detail.”

Did this mean he wanted to stay?

Pei Yan was surprised.

But Yu Tang alertly said: “Since my husband needs to discuss serious business with Minister Fei, then I’ll go back first.” She also reminded Pei Yan, “The evening wind is still a bit chilly. Don’t stay out too late.”

Pei Yan couldn’t very well keep Yu Tang there. He said: “How about having a maid escort you to Mingyuan’s place so you’ll have company? I’ll come get you after I finish talking with Senior Brother Fei.”

Yu Tang didn’t want to disturb the Yin Mingyuan couple. She politely declined and returned to her own lodgings.