TTTQF Chapter 81

Drawing a Circle if You Can’t Write

Che’er greets Grandmother.

Pei Che bows and greets her. As he steps through the gates of the Duke's manor, he reverts to his previous well-mannered, meticulous self, even the expression on his face shifting back to a more formal smile.

"Come and sit down," Grandmother Pei pats the spot beside her. Once Pei Che is seated, she asks, "I hear that the Imperial Academy dismissed you yesterday afternoon. Why do you only return to the manor now?"

Pei Che is prepared for this question, knowing that Grandmother would surely ask it. He replies, "The Qingming Festival is a significant event. As a son of the Pei family, Mu’er should also be present. So, yesterday, right after I left the Imperial Academy, I went to fetch Mu’er. I originally intended to leave after a brief visit, but Jiang Miao isn’t home, leaving only a young child there. So I stayed to help look after him for a while." In his mind, since Grandmother already knows about the holiday at the Imperial Academy, how could she not know where he went?

Grandmother Pei nods and doesn’t pursue the matter further. Instead, she begins talking about the Qingming Festival.

"In past years, it was always your second uncle who led the Pei family to the ancestral graves for the Qingming rites. Traditionally, such rites are the responsibility of the main branch of the family. Grandmother hopes that this year, you will lead them to perform the rites."

Pei Che pauses, then says, "Grandmother, I believe this may be inappropriate."

"Why?" Grandmother Pei fixes her gaze on Pei Che, with a probing look in her eyes.

"Although I have been conferred the title of heir, I have yet to establish a family or career. In the eyes of the elder members of our clan, how am I any different from a child? Even though Second Uncle is of a secondary branch, he is still the Duke. It is only right and proper for him to lead everyone in the rites, so as to avoid any criticism." Pei Che shares his thoughts.

Grandmother Pei nods, "You make a valid point. If you are too eager to act right after being named heir, others might see it as a sign of overreaching ambition. As you said, let him handle it this year."

Pei Che agrees, and Grandmother Pei continues, "With the wedding approaching, there are many things to attend to in the manor. Remember to select two people to go shopping with Nanny Gao."

"Chan Yi and Wen Jing in my courtyard have always been reliable. I’ll have them accompany Nanny Gao," Pei Che says.

"Che’er," Grandmother Pei’s expression becomes more serious, "Grandmother wants to ask you one more time, are you truly intent on marrying that man? If you are unwilling, Grandmother will ask the Emperor to rescind the decree, no matter what."

Pei Che doesn’t understand why she would say such a thing and responds, "Grandmother, I’ve thought it through—I want to marry him."

Grandmother Pei lets out a silent sigh. "Are you truly sincere about this? Grandmother remembers that you used to visit those pleasure houses with the Han family's children. Didn’t you like girls back then?"

Previously, Grandmother Pei thought that Pei Che marrying a male spouse was something he was forced into. But over time, his behavior has made her think that perhaps this is something he truly wants.

Feeling awkward that his grandmother brings up old matters, Pei Che explains, "At that time, I was young and foolish, and that’s how I ended up in those places by mistake. After that incident, I never went there with Han Qin and the others again. As for matters between men and women, I never gave it much thought before, and I won’t think about it now."

After hearing this, Grandmother Pei feels even more distressed, but she doesn’t know what to say. The matter is already settled unless the Emperor suddenly changes his mind. Otherwise, this male spouse will certainly enter their household.

Grandmother Pei says a few more words to Pei Che, and then asks him to go back and rest.

After leaving his grandmother’s courtyard, Pei Che doesn’t return to his own quarters but instead goes to Pei Mu’s courtyard.

Earlier this morning, after Pei Che rests, he suggests bringing Pei Mu back to the manor. But the child resists, shaking his head and even trying to hide behind Jiang Miao so Pei Che cannot find him.

Pei Che feels helpless. He knows that Pei Mu wasn’t happy living in the manor; even he sometimes prefers staying at the other place. But ancestor worship is an important event, and if Pei Mu doesn’t attend, it might cause gossip. Besides, Pei Mu is much better now than before, and Pei Che secretly hopes that through this event, everyone will see that his brother is not the incarnation of the mountain spirits and ghosts they claim him to be, nor does he suffer from some soul-loss syndrome.

One side wants to leave, and the other wants to stay, leading to a stubborn standoff between the brothers. Jiang Miao, unable to bear watching, has to kneel down and persuade Pei Mu to go back with his brother. After much coaxing and repeated promises that Pei Mu will only need to stay at the manor for three days, Pei Mu finally, albeit reluctantly, agrees to return.

Before Pei Che went to see Grandmother Pei, Pei Mu was in a bad mood and refused to enter the courtyard. It’s uncertain whether he has gone inside by now.

"Young Lord, you’re here!" Hearing the announcement at the entrance, Xing’er quickly changes her expression and greets Pei Che with a bright smile.

Previously, she has hoped to use reverse psychology to get Pei Che to take her along when he goes out, but she didn’t expect Pei Che to hand her over to Chan Yi and Wen Jing with just one sentence. These past days have been unbearably difficult for her. She thought that when Pei Mu returns for the Qingming Festival, she could win over the little brat and make him more comfortable in her courtyard. But who could have predicted that after his trip, the brat would become even more uncooperative? When she reaches out to pull him inside, he even forcefully slaps her hand away.

How can this be allowed? Xing’er’s brows furrow in anger, and she almost loses her temper right then. But with so many people in the courtyard, she can’t act out. If they were in Pei Mu’s room, she would definitely teach him a lesson!

Pei Che nods, his gaze fixed on the stubborn little figure in the center of the courtyard. With a sigh, he asks, “He still refuses to go inside?”

Xing’er says aggrievedly, "The young master not only refuses to go inside but also kicks and hits those of us who try to persuade him... He never used to act this way. I wonder if he’s been led astray by someone during his time away. Young Lord, I think it would be better if the young master stays in the manor. There are too many bad influences outside."

Pei Che looks at her strangely, “Mu’er has never hit anyone while he was over there. Why would he act like this the moment he returns? What did you do to him?”

Xing'er is shocked. In the past, when she speaks about the young master’s behavior, the young lord never doubts her. Why does everything change after he goes out?

“Young Lord, I only tried to bring the young master inside. Everyone here saw it—I didn’t do anything to him,” Xing'er replies, lowering her head and shedding tears, as if deeply saddened by being suspected.

“Forget it, I’m not accusing you. If Mu’er doesn’t want to go inside, then he won’t. I’ll take him to rest in my courtyard.” Pei Che is a little irritated by her whining. He steps forward, squats down, and whispers a few words to Pei Mu. Then he stands up and takes Pei Mu by the hand, leading him away.

It isn’t until they are about to exit the courtyard that Xing'er realizes what is happening. She rushes to the entrance, blocking their path.

“Young Lord, the old madam has instructed that the young master should rest in his own courtyard. You can’t take him away!”

“Grandmother is only worried that Mu’er might be bullied if he goes outside; she didn’t intend to confine him here.” Pei Che glares at her, displeased. “Xing’er, you’ve overstepped your bounds!”

His tone is sharp, and Xing'er quickly moves aside, no longer daring to block their way. It isn’t just Xing'er; the others in the courtyard who overhear are also somewhat frightened.

Pei Che leads Pei Mu back to his own courtyard, which hasn’t changed at all since they left over a month ago. Chan Yi and Wen Jing, one in charge of the interior and the other in charge of the exterior, have managed the courtyard very well.

When they hear that Pei Che is bringing Pei Mu over, they immediately begin preparing. By the time they arrive, everything from tea to snacks is ready.

Once Pei Mu is in his brother’s courtyard, he is less resistant, though he still looks listless and unhappy. When Pei Che asks him if he wants something to eat or drink, Pei Mu shakes his head and refuses everything.

Pei Che feels a bit helpless. He recalls Pei Mu’s life at Jiang Miao’s place and regrets not bringing back the cat called "Xiao Baidian." Having the cat around would probably make Pei Mu happier.

However, not having the cat isn’t a big issue. Pei Che quickly remembers that Pei Mu has a daily routine at Jiang Miao’s house and asks, "Mu’er, would you like to go to your brother’s study to practice calligraphy?"

When Pei Mu hears the word “study,” he is silent for a moment before finally nodding in agreement.

Pei Che’s study is naturally much larger than the one at Jiang Miao’s place, and the furnishings and tools in it are of higher quality. Not to mention the bookshelves that are almost as tall as the walls, filled with books that would surely drive any book lover mad with envy if they were to see them.

After lifting Pei Mu onto the chair, Pei Che realizes that the desk is too high for a child. Pei Mu can’t reach it at all. The chairs at Jiang Miao’s place are custom-made, perfectly suited for the two children to sit on.

Seeing no other option, Pei Che orders someone to bring a smaller table so that Pei Mu can start practicing his writing. Without any model to follow, Pei Mu writes many characters on the paper. From the speed and fluidity of his strokes, it is clear that he has truly memorized these characters.

Suddenly, Pei Che has an idea. Containing his excitement, he asks softly, “Mu’er, you know how to write. Can you use characters to talk to your brother? If you can, could you write the word 'good'?”

Pei Mu hesitates for a moment, then looks up at Pei Che before lowering his head again. Just as Pei Che starts to feel a bit disappointed, Pei Mu writes an awkward-looking character for "good" on the paper.

Pei Che is overjoyed and wants to hug Pei Mu, but he is afraid of startling him.

“Mu’er, why don’t you want to go into the courtyard today?” Pei Che is eager to know why Pei Mu refuses to enter the courtyard this time.

Pei Mu frowns and heavily writes the words "don’t want to."

“You don’t want to go in? Is it because being inside reminds you of bad things, or is it because of the people there?” Pei Che asks, his tone a bit anxious.

Pei Mu thinks for a while before he understands the question. "Not good," he writes these words on the paper.

Pei Che is about to ask what exactly is "not good," when he sees Pei Mu write a few more words—"Brother Miao is good."

Pei Che thinks for a moment and realizes that since Pei Mu mentions Jiang Miao, the "not good" part must also refer to a person. Is it that Pei Mu feels the people in the courtyard aren’t good because Jiang Miao has treated him so well during this time, or is it that the people in the courtyard have never treated him well?

During the long period when Mu’er shows no reaction to the outside world, Pei Che always worries that he might be bullied. Servants tend to flatter the powerful and step on the weak, so every time Pei Che is alone with Pei Mu, he checks to see if he has any injuries. Fortunately, each time he checks, he finds nothing.

Thinking of this, Pei Che carefully observes Pei Mu and notices that his left wrist is red, as if someone has gripped it forcefully.

“Mu’er, who did this?” Pei Che asks, his eyes cold as he stares at Mu’er’s wrist.

Pei Mu tilts his head, thinks for a moment, and then writes the character “儿” on the paper. He then draws a circle in front of the character.

“Yuan’er? Quan’er?” Pei Che guesses, but he recalls that there doesn’t seem to be anyone by those names in Mu’er’s courtyard.

Pei Mu grows a bit anxious. He thinks for a moment, then adds a line to the circle, as if he is drawing a picture.

Pei Che looks at the drawing, and suddenly, a realization hits him. “Is it Xing'er?”

Pei Mu nods repeatedly. He doesn’t know how to write the character for "Xing," so he follows Brother Miao’s teaching method for Xiao Shitou—if you don’t know how to write it, just draw a circle.

“Has she pinched your hand before?” Pei Che asks in a deep voice.

Pei Mu nods, then points to his face, buttocks, and legs, indicating that Xing'er has pinched those places too.

“What else has she done?”

Pei Mu lowers his head and writes the characters “不饭” (no food).

“She didn’t give you food?” Pei Che’s eyes turn slightly red, his heart nearly overwhelmed with pain and guilt. He prides himself on caring for his younger brother, but he hasn’t noticed how much Mu’er has suffered when he isn’t around!

Pei Mu doesn’t notice his thoughts. He first shakes his head, then nods.

“Mu’er, you stay here and practice your writing. Brother will be back shortly.” Pei Che forces a smile, which disappears the moment he leaves the room.

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