TTTQF Chapter 92

Not Afraid of Trouble

In the carriage, Pei Che looks at Jiang Miao with a face full of apology, repeatedly wanting to speak but swallowing his words. It is Jiang Miao’s first visit to his home, and he has planned to take them on a tour after taking their measurements and then invite them to stay for dinner.

But unexpectedly, first it is the grandmother’s perfunctory attitude, and then the malicious words from Pei Qi. The Duke’s residence shows a clear attitude of displeasure, which shatters all his plans.

As they approach Yifeng Street, Pei Che finally asks in a low voice, “Ah Miao, you’re not... thinking of changing your mind, are you?”

Jiang Miao looks puzzled. “What are you talking about?”

Pei Che shakes his head. “It’s nothing... I just wanted to apologize again for today. I’m sorry you had to go through this.”

"It's okay, it's not your fault. Besides, didn’t your grandmother punish them?" Seeing the embarrassment written all over his face, Jiang Miao tries to comfort him.

In fact, Jiang Miao is a bit upset about today’s events. It isn’t because they are targeting him specifically, but because Xiao Shitou is also discriminated against.

Seeing Xiao Shitou’s aggrieved expression while standing up for him against Pei Qi makes Jiang Miao feel a tinge of guilt.

Actually, when the rumors first spread that he is the Duke’s heir’s male wife, Jiang Miao quietly goes to see Master Yu to gauge his reaction. Generally speaking, scholars have a certain pride and might dislike such matters. He thinks that if Master Yu reacts strongly against this, he would have to consider transferring Xiao Shitou to another school. At that time, he would conceal their relationship to prevent Xiao Shitou from being bullied.

However, Master Yu does not show any rejection or displeasure; he treats him as a parent of a student, discussing Xiao Shitou’s academic issues and nothing more. The people around him also show a friendly attitude. At that time, he thinks the local people are quite open-minded, but he has forgotten that sometimes the difference between people can be even greater than that between people and dogs.

“I will clarify things with them once I return home,” Pei Che assures. He has thought that a marriage decree would be enough to silence everyone.

“Hmm.” Jiang Miao nods, suddenly realizing the meaning behind Pei Che’s earlier question. “Hey, you’re worried I might change my mind, aren’t you? Afraid I might back out of the marriage?”

Pei Che looks a bit embarrassed. “I wasn’t... I just feel that it’s unfair to drag you into this mess.”

“Don’t worry, now that we’ve come this far, I won’t back out,” Jiang Miao says. He isn’t the kind of person to back out at the last moment. “But I might not get along very well with your family members."

"It doesn’t matter. I said I wouldn’t restrict you. If they make things difficult for you, you don’t have to tolerate it. Do as you see fit,” Pei Che sighs. Since the day he obtained that imperial decree, the Duke’s Manor has been destined to lose its usual tranquility. No, perhaps from the time he came of age, he was destined to be entangled in this matter. Unless someone among them is willing to give up.

Jiang Miao smiles. “That’s good. But you don’t need to worry. I’m usually easygoing. As long as they don’t provoke me, I won’t cause trouble.”

"I believe you." Pei Che nods. It is clear from how well he gets along with neighbors and business associates that he is indeed cheerful and optimistic.

While they are talking, the carriage stops. Jiang Miao gently nudges the two children who are sleeping against him, urging them to wake up.

Xiao Shitou rubs his eyes and obediently heads for the door. Pei Mu follows closely but is stopped by Pei Che.

“Mu’er, you need to return to the mansion with your brother.”

Pei Mu shakes his head vigorously, the word "rejection" written all over his body. Today's Duke's Mansion is still very annoying to him!

Pei Che is about to persuade him again but decides to let it go. “Forget it, if you don’t want to go back, then don’t.” As soon as he lets go of his hand, Pei Mu rushes out of the carriage, quickly following Xiao Shitou into the yard after being lifted out by the coachman.

Pei Che smiles wryly. It seems that Mu’er really has no feelings for the Duke’s Manor.

“He’ll be fine when he’s older,” Jiang Miao says. “Did you want him to return to the mansion because your grandmother wanted a family reunion?”

Pei Che shakes his head slightly. “During the Dragon Boat Festival, the palace traditionally hosts a banquet for the officials to show imperial favor. In previous years, Mu’er was unwell and never attended. This year, he’s much better, so I want to take him in to see it.”

Jiang Miao is surprised. “Wow, you get to attend a palace banquet? How many dishes are there at a court banquet?” Jiang Miao thinks of the Manchu-Han Imperial Feast, which has a total of 108 dishes. If he could eat it once in his lifetime, he would be satisfied.

Pei Che laughs. As expected of Jiang Miao, when he hears about the palace banquet, the first thing he thinks of is still food. If everyone's mind were as simple as his, there would be fewer troubles in this world.

“What are you laughing at? Just tell me!” Jiang Miao says. Having only seen state banquets on TV before, he is eager to hear firsthand details now that he is in this ancient world and has someone who has actually attended a state banquet.

“I don’t really remember the dishes at the palace banquet, and they change every year. But I think the dishes at the palace banquet aren’t as good as what you cook for us,” Pei Che says.

Jiang Miao laughs heartily. “You’re exaggerating. If my cooking were better than the palace banquet, I’d be working as an imperial chef.”

Pei Che replies seriously, “I truly believe so. There are many people at a palace banquet, and the dishes need to be prepared well in advance. It’s impossible to cook them fresh, so most of the dishes are steamed, boiled, or stewed, with a few cold dishes.”

“Alright then, but when you attend the banquet tonight, make sure to observe the dishes and satisfy a commoner’s curiosity, will you?” Jiang Miao requests.

Pei Che naturally wouldn’t refuse. He thinks to himself that Jiang Miao doesn’t need to be so curious. After their marriage, there will be many opportunities to attend palace banquets, and they can slowly see and taste everything then.

The two chat for a long time in the carriage, so long that Xiao Shitou and Pei Mu can’t help but come out to check if the carriage is still there. They think Jiang Miao has left with Pei Che.

Jiang Miao gets off the carriage. He and the children watch as the carriage slowly leaves, and then he takes them back to the house.

“Xiao Shitou, tell me about your performance today,” Jiang Miao says seriously once they are back in the house.

Xiao Shitou immediately lowers his head and then, feeling guilty, looks up at him and says softly, “I was wrong. I shouldn’t have fought with him. I should have reasoned with him.” This is what Jiang Miao has taught him about getting along with his classmates.

“No,” Jiang Miao shakes his head.

Xiao Shitou is puzzled and tries to recall what Jiang Miao has taught him but can’t figure out what he has done wrong.

“Brother, I don’t know,” Xiao Shitou says, looking at Jiang Miao with a pitiful expression.

“Let me tell you. Your mistake today wasn’t the fighting; it was not protecting yourself properly. You were the one who started the fight, right? But before you acted, did you observe the differences between you and him? He’s older, taller, and stronger than you. If Xiao Mu hadn’t been there to help you, you would have been at a disadvantage. Not only would you have been beaten, but you’d also be labeled as the one who started the trouble. How unprofitable!”

“Ah?” Xiao Shitou looks confused, unable to believe what he is hearing.

“‘Ah’ what? Listen carefully. If you encounter a situation like today’s where communication doesn’t work, first assess the differences between you and the other person. If there’s more than one person on the other side, you should hold back. A good man doesn’t suffer immediate losses. There’s no need to risk yourself for a moment of bravado. If they want to scold, let them scold. Just pretend it’s a cat meowing. If someone bullies you like this, you should come back and tell me or Brother Pei Che. We’ll help you resolve it then.”

“Mm-mm!” Xiao Shitou is very excited and takes note of Jiang Miao's teachings.

“If you’re facing just one person, like today, and they’re stronger than you, then wait until you have no way to avoid it or can’t tolerate it anymore. Carefully observe their weaknesses and focus on attacking those areas. Even if you can’t win, make sure to fight fiercely so that they’ll be scared whenever they think of you in the future…”

These are Jiang Miao's own experiences from when he used to fight. Xiao Shitou listens very attentively, almost as if he is taking notes. Pei Mu is sitting on a small bench beside Xiao Shitou, stroking a cat with his hands, but his ears are pricked up, also listening very carefully.

"In short, remember one thing: We don’t seek trouble, but we’re not afraid of it either," Jiang Miao says.

In the past, Xiao Shitou was with the children of ordinary people, all of whom are powerless and unimportant. When it comes to raising their children, the priority is naturally to avoid causing trouble. When interacting with them, reasoning and persuasion are the best approaches.

In the future, Xiao Shitou will have to deal with people from powerful families, who are the darlings of their households and tend to be more domineering. If you always give in to them, they might become even more aggressive.

“Brother, I understand!” Xiao Shitou nods seriously, his face clearing of the previous signs of grievance and frustration. His earlier unhappiness is mainly due to feeling that he has caused trouble for his brother.

"It's good that you understand," Jiang Miao says, patting his head and sending him inside to practice his writing.

After dealing with Xiao Shitou, Jiang Miao sits down next to Pei Mu. He recalls how Pei Qi called him “little monster” today and how everyone in the mansion, except for Pei Che’s courtyard, seems to ignore his presence. Even though he is the son of the former heir and the direct grandson of the Pei family’s matriarch.

"Xiao Mu, do you want to talk?" Jiang Miao asks.

Pei Mu looks up at him with a hint of confusion.

“I mean, do you want to speak like I am now? Don’t you want to call me ‘brother’ like Xiao Shitou does?” Jiang Miao has noticed that when Pei Mu stands in the courtyard today, he exudes an aura of powerless vulnerability. Because he can’t speak, others unconsciously ignore his presence.

Pei Mu tilts his head, his mouth opening and closing slightly, but no sound comes out.

“Yes, just open your mouth and talk. Your brother says that when you were younger, you spoke very well. You can speak; as long as we practice more, one day you’ll be able to talk just like us.” Jiang Miao paints a hopeful picture for him, encouraging him to work hard in this direction.

Pei Mu watches Jiang Miao’s mouth closely while he speaks. After Jiang Miao finishes, Pei Mu also tries to open and close his mouth, but no sound comes out.

Jiang Miao takes his little hand and places it on his own throat, looking into his eyes, and says, “Mu’er, you see, when you speak, it’s not just your mouth that moves. The sound actually comes from your throat. Let’s try it together, okay?”

Pei Mu is shocked as he feels the vibrations under his hand. After Jiang Miao releases his hand, Pei Mu places his hand on his own neck, trying to make it vibrate but turns red-faced without success.

Jiang Miao smiles and begins teaching him how to produce sound. Since Pei Mu has spoken before and has previously made other sounds unconsciously, he learns quickly.

By the time Xiao Shitou finishes practicing his calligraphy and comes out of the study, Pei Mu is already able to open his mouth wide and produce a hoarse “ah-ah” sound.

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