TTTQF Chapter 83

Whispering Words Over Tea

"At the time of late spring, during the Qingming Festival, Shiyuan, along with the young men of the Pei family, stands solemnly before the ancestors' memorial, mourning the heroic spirits of their forebears and expressing their grief and remembrance...

Pei Che leads Pei Mu, following the changes in the ceremonial text, sometimes bowing, sometimes rising, at times with deep sorrow, at other times covering their faces with tears. As a prestigious family in Liangjing, the Qingming ancestral rituals cannot be taken lightly. The intricate procedures rival those of the royal family, far more than the common folk's simple offering of paper money to express filial piety.

They rise before dawn to prepare, and only by dusk do they return to the Duke's residence. A full day of frequent standing and kneeling, with not a single careless movement allowed, leaves everyone feeling a little tired.

Among them, Pei Che is more tired than others. Besides performing the ancestral rites, he also leads the younger generation in a separate ritual at the cemetery newly established outside the ancestral tomb. The rule that those who die violently cannot be buried in the ancestral tomb is taken more seriously by the great families than by ordinary people. Even someone as powerful as Pei's grandmother dares not suggest burying Pei Shijie and his wife in the ancestral tomb and instead finds another way, laying them to rest as close to the family's ancestral tomb as possible, hoping they too can receive the ancestors' protection.

"Mu'er, if you're sleepy, lean on your brother. I'll carry you back later," Pei Che says in the carriage. Pei Mu, his eyelids heavy, his little face full of fatigue, struggles to stay awake. Only after hearing Pei Che's voice does he relax, leaning onto Pei Che and falling into a deep sleep in the blink of an eye.

Pei Che hugs him tighter, takes out the cloak from the carriage, and wraps him up to prevent him from catching a cold. Pei Che is very pleased today because Pei Mu behaves just like a normal child, even better than those who cried because of the oppressive atmosphere. He believes that soon, Mu'er will be completely well!

Meanwhile, others in the carriages also discuss the changes in the two brothers, especially Pei Mu's performance today, which astonishes everyone.

Pei Pu and Pei Min from the second branch, along with Pei Peng from the third branch, are riding in the same carriage. Pei Pu and Pei Min have been studying in Yicheng and only returned to the manor a few days ago. Although they have learned about the major events that occurred through letters, they have no idea about Pei Mu's changes."

"Brother Peng, what's going on with Pei Mu? Did our eldest brother find a renowned doctor to cure him?" Pei Pu asks, puzzled.

Pei Peng, straightforward as always, snorts and says, "Who can cure that little demon's illness? I hear from my mother that it might be because his fate is at odds with the Duke's residence, so after leaving the manor for a while, he seems to have gotten a bit better."

"If he hasn't been in the manor, then where has he been?" Pei Min asks, glancing at Pei Pu and continuing to inquire.

"It is said that he is staying with our eldest brother's male wife," Pei Peng says with disdain. What decent person would marry a male wife? His eldest brother usually appears so dignified and virtuous, yet who would have thought he had such tendencies!

"Have you ever seen his male wife?" Pei Min is curious. The situation is so unusual that even in Yicheng, he's heard many rumors. Some say the male wife is as handsome as Pan An, while others claim he looks like Zhong Kui.

Pei Peng shakes his head. "His male wife is a peddler from the outer city. Why would I go to such a place? I don't know what Grandmother was thinking, actually agreeing to let our eldest brother marry such a man into the family."

"It was a marriage decree by the emperor. How could Grandmother refuse?" Pei Pu interjects.

"True, it's hard to defy the Emperor's orders." Pei Peng nods, "But it's strange. Not only does the Emperor decree this marriage for our eldest brother, but he also confers the title of heir on him. Who knows what the Emperor is thinking?"

At these words, Pei Pu and Pei Min's expressions change slightly. After all, their father is the current Duke Zhongguo, but the heir is Pei Che, which makes their positions in the household somewhat awkward.

Now the mansion is filled with undercurrents, and while some people support them, no one dares to disobey Pei Che's orders anymore. Just like yesterday, when Pei Che directly deals with over twenty servants in Pei Mu's courtyard, including a few born into the household. Their parents don't dare make a fuss and quietly take them back to treat their injuries.

When the carriage arrives at the Duke's residence, Pei Che gets off carrying Pei Mu. A nearby servant quickly reaches out, trying to take Pei Mu from him, but Pei Che stops him. He takes Pei Mu back to his courtyard and settles him down. Just as he is about to rest, Chan Yi comes in to report that the old lady has sent someone to invite him over.

Pei Che changes his clothes and goes to see his grandmother, noticing that she looks particularly haggard today. He asks with concern, "Grandmother, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Grandma Gao, have you asked a doctor to come and see her?"

Grandmother Pei replies, "No need for a doctor. I just feel a bit sorrowful, that's all. Are your parents... okay?"

Pei Che quickly answers, "The family we hired to tend the graves is diligent. Father's and Mother's tombs are always clean, and the incense is kept burning year-round. You can rest assured. I also took the memorial text I wrote at the Imperial Academy today and burned it at the graves, so I'm sure they received it."

Grandmother Pei blinks, hiding the moisture in her eyes, and smiles, "That's good. By the way, your brother—did he make any mistakes today?"

In the past, although Pei Mu was taken along, he would always be led by a servant to stand at the back. This time, Pei Che keeps him by his side, standing just behind Pei Shiyuan, so Grandmother is naturally a bit worried.

"Grandmother, don't worry. Mu'er was very well-behaved. He did whatever I did and didn't cry or cause any trouble the entire time."

Grandmother Pei nods, not asking further, and changes the topic.

"Che'er, are you going to the Imperial Academy tomorrow, or will you go early the day after?" she suddenly asks as their conversation winds down.

"Is there something you need me to do, Grandmother?"

"No, it's just that you haven't had a meal with me in a long time."

Pei Che smiles, "That's easy. Tomorrow morning, I'll come and have breakfast with you, and after that, I'll head to the Imperial Academy."

"You're going early tomorrow morning?"

"Yes, I need to drop Mu'er off to Ah Miao first."

Grandmother Pei pauses, "About what happened with Xing'er, it was my oversight. Since she's already been sold off, why not leave your brother here in the manor? I'll keep a closer eye on him."

If she'd said this the last time, Pei Che might have considered it. But now, having seen how much livelier Mu'er has become in the company of Jiang Miao and Xiao Shitou, he can't bear to leave him in a place that isn't good for him.

"Grandmother, you're not in the best health, so there's no need for you to worry about Mu'er. Ah Miao's place is very good, and Mu'er likes it there more."

Grandmother sighs. "Very well, let him stay there a bit longer. Anyway, in two months, Jiang Miao will officially join the family."

...

The next morning, after having breakfast with his grandmother, Pei Che takes Pei Mu and boards the carriage. Throughout the journey, Pei Mu radiates happiness, frequently peeking out through the gaps in the carriage window, eager to see familiar scenery.

Pei Che assumes that Jiang Miao is likely not at home at this time, so he instructs the coachman to head directly to the Jiang family's small shop. Upon arriving, Pei Che hasn't even stepped out of the carriage when he sees Jiang Miao hurriedly running out from inside. He says something to the coachman, who then steers the carriage down a side path.

"Luckily I recognized your carriage just now. If you'd gotten off at the entrance, there's no way my shop would have stayed peaceful!" As soon as Pei Che steps out, he is greeted with a complaint. He recalls how Jiang Miao had been surrounded by onlookers for days last time and can't help but laugh.

"Doesn't that work out for you? It means you can make more money."

Jiang Miao rolls his eyes at him. "Then why don't you skip your studies and stay here to help me run the shop? With Young Master Pei as the storefront, business would definitely be booming."

Pei Che laughs again, just about to respond when a noise from behind reminds him that he still hasn't brought Pei Mu down from the carriage.

"Xiao Mu! You're back! Is this a gift for me? Thank you, sweetheart!" As soon as Pei Mu gets off the carriage, he rushes toward Jiang Miao, holding up a small cloth bag for Jiang Miao to take.

After Jiang Miao pats his head and praises him, Pei Mu's face turns a little red, and he seems somewhat bashful.

Watching their interaction makes Pei Che feel a bit envious. He thinks Jiang Miao is being a bit too biased—both of them are members of the Pei family, yet the treatment is so different. Could it be because he hasn’t brought Jiang Miao a gift?

Thinking this, Pei Che clears his throat to get their attention and says, "There's a chest on the carriage filled with books, copybooks, and writing materials—all for Xiao Shitou. Has he gone to school?"

"Yes, he just had a day off yesterday. Xiao Shitou really needs these things, so thank you, Young Master Pei. Where's the chest? I'll go get it," Jiang Miao says with a smile.

With just a glance from Pei Che, the coachman jumps down and carries the large wooden chest into the courtyard. Jiang Miao hurriedly tries to help, worried it might fall.

Pei Mu follows them inside without being told, leaving Pei Che, who has no one paying attention to him, to enter on his own.

Once the chest is placed down, the coachman leaves. Jiang Miao opens it to check the books and supplies inside, thanking Pei Che again.

"No need to be so polite. You've been looking after Mu'er so well, and I don't go a day without thanking you," Pei Che says. He notices that Pei Mu is staring intently at the bag in Jiang Miao's hand and can't resist reminding him, "Aren't you going to see what Mu'er brought you?"

Jiang Miao glances down at Pei Mu, pats his head, and then opens the bag, pouring its contents onto the table. As he lifts it, he feels that the bag is surprisingly heavy and wonders if it is a beautiful stone that Pei Mu picked up.

"This... What is this? Why is there so much silver?" Jiang Miao is shocked as he looks at the pile of shining silver pieces. He picks up a gold ingot from the heap and exclaims, "There's even a gold one?"

Pei Mu has been watching his every move. When he sees Jiang Miao focusing on that single gold ingot, he can’t help but feel a bit regretful. If only he had brought more!

"These are the New Year's gifts Mu'er receives from the elders in the family. It's the traditional money given to the younger generation," Pei Che explains.

"Xiao Mu, thank you. Brother Miao appreciates your kindness. But this silver, you should let your brother take it back and save it for when you grow up and get married," Jiang Miao says, deeply moved by how thoughtful the child is.

When Pei Mu sees Jiang Miao push the silver back toward Pei Che, he quickly grabs it and pushes it back to Jiang Miao, his eyes fixed on him.

"Just take it. Mu'er likes you, and if you don't accept it, he'll be upset," Pei Che says.

"Alright, then I'll keep it safe for you," Jiang Miao says, putting the silver back into the bag and storing it away.

"By the way, have you had breakfast yet? If not, I can go get something to fill your stomachs," Jiang Miao offers.

"Sure," Pei Che agrees. He has eaten breakfast with his grandmother that morning, but the soft, bland foods she prefers don’t suit his taste, so he hasn’t eaten much.

Jiang Miao goes to the kitchen and picks out a few items that Pei Che hasn't tried before, then brings them out on a tray.

"What is this?" Pei Che asks, pointing to the golden, crispy fried dough sticks.

"Fried dough sticks, it's great with soy milk. This is shepherd's purse egg dumplings, this is tea egg, and these are soup-filled steamed buns. They're all quite tasty," Jiang Miao says, listing off some of the signature breakfast items from the Jiang family's shop.

Pei Mu, who often eats these foods, has already picked up a spoon and is eating the egg dumplings. Pei Che starts with a soup bun, and the burst of flavor immediately delights his taste buds, prompting him to quickly eat one bite after another.

After eating his fill, he sighs contentedly, "If only the breakfasts at the Imperial Academy were as delicious as the food at your shop."

"Oh, come on. I think the food at Jingcui Garden is pretty good. It's just that you're used to it. If you eat at my shop a few more times, you might start to think it's not so great either," Jiang Miao replies.

Pei Che disagrees, "No way. I could never get tired of the meat sauce you make, and the breakfast at your shop is just as good. It's a shame that I won't be able to come out again until the Dragon Boat Festival." He lowers his eyes and sighs, looking dejected.

"...If you like the food that much, I'll just bring it to you more often."

Pei Che is secretly happy in his heart, but he keeps up his nonchalant demeanor. "Wouldn't that trouble you too much? You're so busy, and I’d hate to impose on you to bring me food."

"It's no trouble at all. I don't have to walk there myself. Business has picked up, and I have more helpers now, so I'm not as busy as I used to be."

Since Sister Xiao Yu came to the shop, she has been working there too. She's quick and efficient, handling both kitchen and other tasks with ease. Jiang Miao originally wants to have her come by to take her mind off things, but seeing how she is doing, he feels that keeping busy is probably better for her than being alone with her thoughts.

"Then I'll take you up on that," Pei Che says, squinting his eyes with a sly smile, like a fox that has just stolen a chicken.

Jiang Miao lets out a huff of laughter, having already picked up on the subtle flattery in Pei Che's words. If he weren’t so good-looking, who would bother indulging him?

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