Avenge him?
Eleventh Master Peng inwardly sneered coldly upon hearing this.
Once things had changed, who would still remember his contributions?
First there was the scheming of clan members, then the abandonment by his elders. The gloom in his eyes deepened, yet he dared not show even a trace of it.
The Peng family was powerful. Without the Peng family’s protection, he would simply be walking a dead-end road.
Back then, he had endured the scheming of his clan members—wasn’t it for precisely this reason?
But going round and round, in the end he still couldn’t escape this trap.
Eleventh Master Peng suppressed the unwillingness and rage in his heart, respectfully bowed and replied “Yes,” adding, “I will follow whatever arrangements the family makes.”
Master Peng was satisfied and nodded. He stood up and patted Eleventh Master Peng on the shoulder, adopting an air of sincere confidence as he said, “There’s no other way. The Peng family has already paid quite a price for your Seventh Brother’s matter. We still have some favor debts to repay, so it’s not convenient to openly break with the Pei family right now. But our Peng family isn’t so easily bullied either—we’re keeping an account of this matter with the Pei family. Killing someone only requires a nod of the head, but pursuing it this relentlessly is somewhat excessive. However, you must understand that the Pei family isn’t what it used to be. Being so unforgiving is also their way of establishing authority. Now that we’ve given them this concession, Third Master Pei isn’t a fool—he’ll appreciate this favor. As for you, endure for a few years first. Once Third Master Pei has vented his anger, I’ll personally take you to their door to apologize, and this matter will be settled.”
When all was said and done, they still didn’t consider Eleventh Master Peng’s dignity worth anything.
Even in his current state, he still had to go apologize to Third Master Pei.
Eleventh Master Peng couldn’t hold back and said, “Elder Brother, no matter how capable Second Master Pei is, he wouldn’t go this far to protect Third Master Pei, would he? Must we still go apologize to Third Master Pei?”
Master Peng thought for a moment before replying, “Zhang Ying wants Third Master Pei to return to office, but Third Master Pei has somehow been unwilling to agree. However, after the death of the Zhang family’s eldest son, the Zhang family has no successors, leaving a huge vacancy. Everyone now has an opportunity. Since the Zhang family has no one available, Third Master Pei’s return to office is only a matter of time.” After speaking, worried that Eleventh Master Peng might suspect the Peng family was merely trying to comfort him, he added, “We’re doing this as a precaution. Otherwise, why would we repeatedly humble ourselves before a mere Third Master Pei?”
When all was said and done, they were still concerned about the possibility of Pei Yan entering government service one day.
This was the kind of life that inspired envy, wasn’t it?
Eleventh Master Peng said nothing, absentmindedly listening to Master Peng’s consolations while calculating his own plans.
By the time Pei Yan learned of this matter, Eleventh Master Peng had already been sent by the Peng family to Gansu, ostensibly because the Peng family wanted to establish a horse ranch there and had him manage it.
Pei Yan still wasn’t reassured. He privately instructed Pei Qi, “Have someone keep watch on him. If he leaves Gansu, I want to know immediately. If there are any difficulties, mention it to my Second Brother—my Second Brother has fellow examination candidates serving as officials in Gansu.”
Pei Qi was most willing to handle such matters and readily agreed.
Upon leaving, Pei Yan casually asked the maid on duty, “What is Third Madam doing?”
He often asked such questions out of the blue, and only asked once—he just wanted to know what Yu Tang was doing and didn’t need her to do anything in particular. Yet if the people around him couldn’t answer, he would be displeased. The problem was that everyone who could serve by his side was extremely astute. After a few times, everyone around him knew that if they wanted to make Pei Yan happy, they’d better know what Yu Tang was doing at all times. When Pei Yan asked, they had to answer correctly without any mistakes.
The maids around Yu Tang suddenly became extremely popular. Everyone liked to hover near her personal maids, just to know what Yu Tang was doing at any given moment.
This young maid also knew Pei Yan’s habit and quickly said, “Third Madam was just trying on clothes earlier, saying she was going to attend the banquet at Minister Jiang’s household.”
Pei Yan nodded and went to Yu Tang’s quarters.
For once, Xu Xuan wasn’t there today—she’d been summoned by Mrs. Li to the Li residence. Yu Tang was discussing with Qing Yuan which outfit to wear to the wedding banquet.
Qing Yuan thought the sapphire blue jacket with gold embroidery all over looked quite nice. The silvery-white jacket with intertwining floral patterns in Hangzhou silk also looked beautiful. The verdant green jacket with phoenix tail medallion patterns in Shu embroidery laid on the bed was also eye-catching. It was truly difficult to make a decision.
“Wear the verdant green one.” Pei Yan’s voice suddenly appeared in the room.
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice.
They saw Pei Yan wearing a moon-white plain Daoist robe with a black silk cap, not wearing even a single hairpin, yet radiating brilliance like pearls and jade as he walked in.
Yu Tang couldn’t help but smile as she stepped forward to greet him, saying, “Why did you come over at this time? Are you almost finished with your tasks at hand?”
“I’m just busy for nothing.” Pei Yan complained unhappily, “Today Senior Brother Fei even called me over to write Daoist liturgical texts for him. It’s not like he can’t write them himself, but he insisted I help write a few pieces, saying his staff writers aren’t as good as me. Isn’t that obvious? If those staff writers could write better than me, why would they be working as his staff instead of taking the imperial examinations?”
Yu Tang smiled with pursed lips.
It seemed that ever since returning from Tanzhe Temple, the relationship between Fei Zhiwen and Pei Yan had suddenly become much closer. Not only did Fei Zhiwen frequently invite him over to dine and talk, he’d even dragged Pei Yan to several poetry gatherings and spring outings hosted by his fellow examination candidates. Each time Pei Yan returned, he complained that Fei Zhiwen treated him like an errand boy. However, she felt there was nothing wrong with this. Pei Yan was young, and although he was talented and admired by many, that was also because he was Zhang Ying’s final disciple. Now with Fei Zhiwen endorsing him, it would be extremely helpful for his future network of connections.
For this reason, she had specifically had Hu Xing send food to the Fei household several times as an expression of gratitude.
“So do you have time today?” Yu Tang asked Pei Yan. “Shall we go dine at Second Sister-in-law’s place later? Everyone’s been busy with their own affairs lately—it’s been so long since we all gathered together for a meal!”
Back when they lived at the Yu household, Yu Bo and Yu Wen’s families often ate together, chatting about family matters—it was a form of interaction. People grow closer the more they interact. “Distant relatives aren’t as good as close neighbors”—that’s what it meant.
Pei Yan didn’t mind either. He discussed with Yu Tang what clothes they should wear to the Jiang family banquet, mingled around for quite a while, then in the evening went to Pei Xuan’s quarters.
It was quite coincidental—Pei Xuan happened to be not so busy today and had no social engagements. When he returned from the government office and saw Pei Yan and Yu Tang, he was quite pleased. He had Second Madam fetch a jar of the white liquor that had been sent from Shandong a few days ago, wanting to have a few good drinks with Pei Yan.
Second Madam was currently experiencing smooth sailing in all matters and was in very high spirits. Hearing this, she said, “Then you brothers drink white liquor, and younger sister-in-law and I will drink Jinhua wine. Let’s all have a good meal together.”
Pei Xuan laughed heartily.
The maids and servants went to make arrangements.
The two families went to the flower hall.
Second Madam also had servants open all the door panels of the flower hall. The gardenias and four o’clocks were budding and about to bloom, their fragrance already spilling forth.
Pei Yan sneezed.
Pei Xuan immediately had Second Madam move the flowers, apologetically saying to Pei Yan, “Look at me—I completely forgot about that.”
Pei Yan wiped his nose and said, “Never mind. I need to gradually adapt anyway. No need to move them all—just reduce the number of pots.”
Yu Tang worried and said, “Should we have a physician examine you? Your nose never seems to get better.”
“No need!” Pei Yan said. “It’ll be fine once this season passes. No need to go to such trouble.”
Although he said this, Yu Tang still took it to heart. After finishing dinner, when everyone moved to the back garden for tea, she quietly asked Second Madam in a low voice, “Could you help see if there are any renowned physicians in Jinling? If we can invite them over, please find a way to have them examine him. We’re not familiar with people in the capital, so I’ll ask Mrs. Yin to help look around.”
Second Madam nodded repeatedly and brought up Fifth Miss, who was nearby listening to their conversation with perked ears. “When you go to the Jiang family banquet, have A’Dan stay by your side. I’m afraid I’ll be busy with social obligations and she’ll be left alone. This is her first time formally appearing before the various madams of the capital households!”
The impression she made, good or bad, would affect Fifth Miss’s marriage prospects.
Yu Tang understood Second Madam’s meaning and couldn’t help but be quite surprised that she was entrusting Fifth Miss to her care.
Second Madam smiled and grasped her hand, saying, “Don’t underestimate yourself. Everyone who’s met you says you’re steady and composed—that’s the best quality.”
Speaking too much leads to mistakes. For a woman, being steady and composed was better than anything else.
Yu Tang thought that while she might not compare to Xu Xuan in other aspects, she could still guarantee remaining calm, composed, and error-free. She agreed readily.
Second Madam breathed a sigh of relief. She was just about to tell Yu Tang which families would be attending the Jiang family banquet when she heard Pei Xuan’s voice suddenly rise several pitches in excitement, saying, “Regardless of anything else, this matter is your achievement. If Fei Zhiwen can compete for a position in the Grand Secretariat, it will be much easier for Old Minister Zhang’s side. As for my situation, my teacher’s meaning is that I shouldn’t rush—I should build a solid foundation and take it slowly. If I can watch from the sidelines and reap the fisherman’s profit, that would be the best outcome.”
Pei Xuan’s teacher had only been able to preside over the imperial examinations years ago because he’d managed to slip through during a power struggle among several factions. Therefore, Pei Xuan’s fellow examination candidates weren’t particularly useful to him. Only Pei Xuan, who not only benefited from the Pei family’s influence but also had Pei You as a ruthless supporter while he was alive, had been able to stand out.
Everyone in the Pei family knew this. Although Pei Xuan had become Vice Minister of Revenue, he didn’t have much opportunity to enter the Grand Secretariat as a Grand Secretary.
Pei Yan smiled ruefully and said, “The Head of the Hanlin Academy position is quite comfortable. No wonder he likes disciples like Second Brother.”
Pei Xuan chuckled, unconcerned, and also brought up the Jiang family celebration with Pei Yan. “Didn’t he personally come to deliver the invitation to you?”
Given the relationship between Pei Yan and Jiang Hua, Jiang Hua should have sent a junior family member to personally deliver the wedding invitation to Pei Yan.
Pei Yan shook his head and said, “Let him be! The relationship between us fellow disciples deteriorating to this point wasn’t something that happened overnight. Breaking off contact doesn’t matter.”
Although Pei Xuan felt it was a pity, he still stood by his younger brother’s side and consoled him, saying, “This might be for the best. That man is too troublesome. Breaking off the relationship might actually be a good thing.”
Pei Yan said nothing.
Yu Tang paid attention to the movement on Pei Yan’s side.
The Jiang family had never sent a separate wedding invitation to Pei Yan. It wasn’t until two days before the Jiang family banquet that—whether because Jiang Hua felt embarrassed after thinking it over or for some other reason—Jiang Hua’s eldest son personally came to deliver the wedding invitation to Pei Yan.
He was the same age as Pei Yan. When he saw Pei Yan, he was rather haughty, performed a perfunctory bow, addressed him as “Uncle-Master,” made a few dismissive remarks about being too busy, and then presented the invitation.
Pei Yan didn’t exchange much small talk with him either. After a few polite words, he offered tea as a gesture of dismissal.
Jiang Hua’s eldest son still looked somewhat indignant as he left.
Yu Tang felt sorry for Pei Yan.
Wasn’t the Jiang family looking down on people with snobbish eyes?
When all was said and done, they were still bullying Pei Yan for not having entered government service.
Would Jiang Hua’s eldest son dare show such attitude when delivering a wedding invitation to Fei Zhiwen?