Chapter 6: Anecdote
In her previous life, Yu Tang didn’t think much about the third master becoming the Pei family’s patriarch. Mainly because when she knew about the Pei family’s third master, she had married to the Li family, and the third master was already the patriarch. But now thinking back, she’s curious.
Although the Pei family’s inheritance was considerable , but being the patriarch, it meant that he must give up pursuing a career in officialdom, and stay in the rural areas to safeguard their land. How can being a patriarch compare to the glory of being a high official and leaving their name in history?
With such a large clan like the Pei family, many of the Pei’s family sons became ministers in the imperial court. In order to assist them when they encountered any difficulties in their post, the Pei family will provide the necessary funds for them to carry out their official duties with ease. This is also an important reason why the Li family desperately wants to earn more money – their family also wants to be like the Pei family, able to move up the ranks and cultivate generations of well-respected literary scholars and prominent officials.
Of course, Yu Tang only knew about this after her marriage into the Li family.
Although this person Lu Xin was not a person of good character, but he has many questionable friends in the shadows and thus is well-informed. Although the information may not be 100% true, but you can’t disregard it either. Since he said that the Pei family is in an uproar due to the selection of the next patriarch, it’s likely to be some what true. After all, there can’t be smoke without a fire. At least the Pei family have had arguments over this matter.
But is the third master of the Pei family such a person?
Yu Tang thought about the impression that the third master of the Pei family gave her in her previous life.
Mysterious, low-key, powerful and dignified.
Firmly grasping hold of the Pei family, and controlling the entire city of Lin’an.
Like a hawk hovering in the skies above, on an average day, people may not be aware of its presence, but once something big happens, you can feel his power from the shadows.
Even with the Li family trying so hard to form good relationships with the Pei family, she has yet to see this elusive third master; many at times, the Li family wanted to interfere with business in Lin’an behind the backs of the Pei family, but yet lacked the courage to do so.
Will this kind of person fight with the eldest house just for the position of being the patriarch?
Yu Tang was very skeptical.
However, she still smiled at Lu Xin. “Uncle Lu’s information is really accurate! Since it was the grand elder’s decision to let third master Pei stay at home and inherit the family business, the Pei family would naturally respect this decision out of filial piety. What is there to fight about?”
In the past, Yu Tang didn’t care about such matters. Lu Xin was surprised to hear this, and smiled as he said to Yu Wen: “A-tang has grown up, she has her own opinion now!”
However, his words implied that when adults speak, and Yu Tang, being a young girl, should not casually interrupt their conversation.
Unfortunately for Lu Xin, Yu Wen didn’t feel there was anything wrong with his only daughter listening in to their conversation and speaking up if she was confused about something and wanted to clarify.
He laughed and said proudly, “Of course. Our A-tang has grown up, is wiser now, knows how to care for and be considerate of her parents.” As he spoke, he thought that his daughter’s suddenly maturity was due to the things that happened at home recently, and his heart could not help but feel some pain for her, His expression turned slightly gloomy and he sighed.
Yu Bo, on the other hand, was intrigued by Lu Xin’s words.
As he was always out on business, he could better appreciate the power the Pei family held. It can even be said that even the smallest disturbance in the Pei family would cause turbulent waves that will affect the market.
“So, who will inherit the family business? The eldest master or the third master?” He was more concerned about this question, “Can Mr. Lu be more specific.”
Seeing that both brothers didn’t understand the implication of his words (about Yutang), Lu Xin was a little displeased in his heart, but he could not say anything much so he coldly said, “How can the patriarch of the Pei family be decided so quickly? Although the Pei family grand elder is the patriarch now, but the Pei family now has a total of three branches. If it was passed to a son from the eldest branch, there’s nothing to say. But now Pei family’s grand elder wants to give this patriarch position to the youngest branch, skipping over the eldest and the second branch. Of course, the other two branches will definitely not agree! This matter still has to be fought.”
As he said the last sentence, his tone was slightly gloating.
Yu Tang became even more disgusted with this person.
Only a few moments ago, he was mingling with the Pei family, but now he’s looking forward to troubles the Pei’s family will face.
She secretly rolled her eyes.
Yu Bo knew that Lu Xin always spoke like this and did not take it to heart, but was a bit worried: “I wonder when will the Pei Family’s affairs end. If the Pei family continues to just let Changxing Street remain in this state ……”
Even if the Yu family have the silver to rebuild their stores, there’s also no way for them to get customers.
Who would visit a pile of ruins to buy something?
Lu Xin wasn’t concerned about this at all as he continued to ramble on about a lot of gossip surrounding the Pei family. For example, the Pei family’s eldest master married the eldest daughter of so and so, the two sons are good at studying, and grew up studying with their maternal grandfather. even at a young age, they were already fast learners.
The second master is a peacemaker who will just agree for the sake of making peace, married the Pei’s grand elder’s friend’s daughter, and they have a boy and a girl.
The third young master was a son born to the grand elder in his old age. Ever since he was young, he was already very naughty, and liked to play with toy guns and sticks, and didn’t like to read. When he was seven or eight years old, he couldn’t sit still and would often skip classes and go to the gardens to listen to the opera and watch street performances. When he became a little older, he learned to gamble and bet on cockfights. The Pei family’s stewards would always frantically search the streets for him and he was an infamous rake. Every time the Pei family’s eldest master wanted to discipline him, the grand elder would protect him.
At that time, everyone said that the reputation of the Pei family that lasted for hundreds of years will be ruined by him. However, who knew that he actually breezed through the imperial examination and became a court official? Not only to the outsiders, but even the Pei family’s people were shocked, thinking that it must have been a mistake. The Pei family’s grand elder showed blatant favoritism. While the third young master was in school, he would give additional allowances. He also had the intention to arrange a good marriage – any less then a third rank official’s Di daughter will not do. Strangely enough, this really happened. A third rank official was interested in arranging a marriage between them for his eldest daughter. If it wasn’t for the sudden death of the eldest master, the marriage might have already happened ……
Yu Tong listened with great interest.
She had never heard of these anecdotes about the third master of the Pei family in her previous life.
When people spoke about the third master of the Pei family, they all used respectful words to admiringly say “I know him”, or “I have seen him” or “The third master and I had a drink and a meal” and so on. She never knew that the third master of the Pei family had been so frivolous and impetuous when he was young.
She had always thought of the third master of the Pei family as being a stable, knowledgeable and sensible son of the family since young!
Yu Wen also seemed to have not heard of the Pei family’s third master’s childhood days, which also seemed unbelievable.
Lu Xin said unconcernedly: “The strong triumphs over the weak. Being so young and yet he is already in the sixth division as cabinet minister, the Pei family is also actively nurturing him. Who would dare ridicule him? It’s only people like us with no status or power that dares to say such things.”
Yu Wen knew he was going to vent his frustrations, so he hurriedly cut in and consoled him, “You are better than me. My father is in the lacquerware business, but your father is at least a scholar, and he worked as an advisor for Minister Zuo. So you came from a scholarly family.”
Minister Zuo’s name is Guangzong, with a scholar origin, during his time as governor of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, he has helped to prevent ships and goods from being lost to pirates, and helped the people of Jiangsu and Zhejiang greatly. He was subsequently promoted to becoming a minister of Military Affairs, and after his death was posthumously named Xiangmao. He was a famous and capable minister of Jiangsu and Zhejiang and was extremely well-respected.
Even a young girl like Yu Tang, who didn’t care about outside affairs, has also heard of this person’s name and his meritorious deeds.
Lu Xin became proud and asked Yu Tang’s mother to bring wine, as he wanted to drink two cups with the Yu brothers and talked about his ancestors’ deeds after three rounds of wine: “…… My father once personally accompanied Minister Zuo to the sea, and drew specialized maps, and also helped Minster Zuo train the navy.”
Yu Tang felt that Lu Xin was only bragging.
This evening meal lasted well into the night and Yu yuan supported a drunk Lu Xin to recuperate in one of their guest rooms.
The next day, Lu Xin slept until late into the morning.
His face was pale and his breath still stank of wine as he hurriedly looked around the house for his shoes: “It’s over! It’s over! Where did you get all these servants from? How come they can’t even do this little thing well. You know that the funeral for the Pei family’s eldest old master is today. I still have duties to handle! But yet you didn’t wake me up earlier! You want me to be in trouble?!”
Yu Wen felt guilty and helped him find his shoes that he had left at the bottom of the bed, while saying apologetically, “Don’t worry, it’s fine. The Pei family’s estate is very close to us. I’ll ask Ah Cao to take you there by the shortest way.”
“Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!” Lu Xin urged, not even taking a sip of tea, before following Yu Wen’s family servant, Ah Cao, out the door.
Yu Tang watched from behind the curtains and silently laughed, turning to accompany her mother to breakfast.
Eldest aunt and cousin Yu Yuan came to see Yu wen.
Yu Yuan took the eulogy piece written by Yu Wen overnight and left, but eldest aunt stayed behind.
Yu Tang thought they might be discussing the batch of goods that were burned in the store, and listened through a little corner in the window.
Eldest aunt was here to convince her father to go to Jiangxi to buy lacquerware.
Yu Tang’s heart felt better.
After sending his eldest sister in law to the door, Yu Wen went out and said he wanted to go to the store to check on the situation
By now, Madam Chen already knew that the family’s shop had been burned, but she didn’t know the seriousness of the situation yet, so she personally sent Yu Wen out with an admonition: “Lives are more important then the silver we possess. The Yu family’s affairs have always been taken care of by eldest uncle. Without him, our family business would not have lasted. Have an amicable discussion – our family can always pay more for the losses.”
Yu Wen nodded carelessly, and when he returned in the evening, he told Madam Chen and Yu Tang, “Big brother and Ah Yuan have to go to Jiangxi for an urgent trip, so we have to make some dry food and preserved vegetables for them to eat on the journey.”
Madam Chen agreed with a smile and went to the kitchen with old Aunty Chen.
Yu Tang, however, breathed a long sigh of relief.
Things at home were slowly moving for the better. In time, they will be free from the shadows of the previous life.
Yu Tang happily went to the kitchen to help her mother.
Lu Xin, however, came to their house again with a downcast face.
He said to Yu Wen bitterly, “You’ve really harmed me this time! When I arrived at the Pei residence this morning, the young masters of the Pei family had already started and the chief steward of the Pei family gave me a fierce glare. Who does he think he is?! He is just a dog raised by the Pei family. If not for the Pei family’s sake, who will know of him!”
As Lu Xin rarely uttered strong words, Yu Wen was momentarily surprised. Lu Xin continued: “No! I can’t stay in Lin’an any longer. I can’t stay in Lin’an anymore. There is no point in staying in stagnant water. I want to go to the capital. My father still has a few old friends in the capital.” He said, turning around and took Yu Wen’s hand, “Don’t I still have that ‘Pine Creek Fishing Hidden lake’ painting in your possession? The other day you said you liked it and wanted to buy it. Two hundred taels of silver. You can have it for two hundred taels of silver.”
Chapter 6: Anecdote
In her previous life, Yu Tang didn’t think much about the third master becoming the Pei family’s patriarch. Mainly because when she knew about the Pei family’s third master, she had married to the Li family, and the third master was already the patriarch. But now thinking back, she’s curious.
Although the Pei family’s inheritance was considerable , but being the patriarch, it meant that he must give up pursuing a career in officialdom, and stay in the rural areas to safeguard their land. How can being a patriarch compare to the glory of being a high official and leaving their name in history?
With such a large clan like the Pei family, many of the Pei’s family sons became ministers in the imperial court. In order to assist them when they encountered any difficulties in their post, the Pei family will provide the necessary funds for them to carry out their official duties with ease. This is also an important reason why the Li family desperately wants to earn more money – their family also wants to be like the Pei family, able to move up the ranks and cultivate generations of well-respected literary scholars and prominent officials.
Of course, Yu Tang only knew about this after her marriage into the Li family.
Although this person Lu Xin was not a person of good character, but he has many questionable friends in the shadows and thus is well-informed. Although the information may not be 100% true, but you can’t disregard it either. Since he said that the Pei family is in an uproar due to the selection of the next patriarch, it’s likely to be some what true. After all, there can’t be smoke without a fire. At least the Pei family have had arguments over this matter.
But is the third master of the Pei family such a person?
Yu Tang thought about the impression that the third master of the Pei family gave her in her previous life.
Mysterious, low-key, powerful and dignified.
Firmly grasping hold of the Pei family, and controlling the entire city of Lin’an.
Like a hawk hovering in the skies above, on an average day, people may not be aware of its presence, but once something big happens, you can feel his power from the shadows.
Even with the Li family trying so hard to form good relationships with the Pei family, she has yet to see this elusive third master; many at times, the Li family wanted to interfere with business in Lin’an behind the backs of the Pei family, but yet lacked the courage to do so.
Will this kind of person fight with the eldest house just for the position of being the patriarch?
Yu Tang was very skeptical.
However, she still smiled at Lu Xin. “Uncle Lu’s information is really accurate! Since it was the grand elder’s decision to let third master Pei stay at home and inherit the family business, the Pei family would naturally respect this decision out of filial piety. What is there to fight about?”
In the past, Yu Tang didn’t care about such matters. Lu Xin was surprised to hear this, and smiled as he said to Yu Wen: “A-tang has grown up, she has her own opinion now!”
However, his words implied that when adults speak, and Yu Tang, being a young girl, should not casually interrupt their conversation.
Unfortunately for Lu Xin, Yu Wen didn’t feel there was anything wrong with his only daughter listening in to their conversation and speaking up if she was confused about something and wanted to clarify.
He laughed and said proudly, “Of course. Our A-tang has grown up, is wiser now, knows how to care for and be considerate of her parents.” As he spoke, he thought that his daughter’s suddenly maturity was due to the things that happened at home recently, and his heart could not help but feel some pain for her, His expression turned slightly gloomy and he sighed.
Yu Bo, on the other hand, was intrigued by Lu Xin’s words.
As he was always out on business, he could better appreciate the power the Pei family held. It can even be said that even the smallest disturbance in the Pei family would cause turbulent waves that will affect the market.
“So, who will inherit the family business? The eldest master or the third master?” He was more concerned about this question, “Can Mr. Lu be more specific.”
Seeing that both brothers didn’t understand the implication of his words (about Yutang), Lu Xin was a little displeased in his heart, but he could not say anything much so he coldly said, “How can the patriarch of the Pei family be decided so quickly? Although the Pei family grand elder is the patriarch now, but the Pei family now has a total of three branches. If it was passed to a son from the eldest branch, there’s nothing to say. But now Pei family’s grand elder wants to give this patriarch position to the youngest branch, skipping over the eldest and the second branch. Of course, the other two branches will definitely not agree! This matter still has to be fought.”
As he said the last sentence, his tone was slightly gloating.
Yu Tang became even more disgusted with this person.
Only a few moments ago, he was mingling with the Pei family, but now he’s looking forward to troubles the Pei’s family will face.
She secretly rolled her eyes.
Yu Bo knew that Lu Xin always spoke like this and did not take it to heart, but was a bit worried: “I wonder when will the Pei Family’s affairs end. If the Pei family continues to just let Changxing Street remain in this state ……”
Even if the Yu family have the silver to rebuild their stores, there’s also no way for them to get customers.
Who would visit a pile of ruins to buy something?
Lu Xin wasn’t concerned about this at all as he continued to ramble on about a lot of gossip surrounding the Pei family. For example, the Pei family’s eldest master married the eldest daughter of so and so, the two sons are good at studying, and grew up studying with their maternal grandfather. even at a young age, they were already fast learners.
The second master is a peacemaker who will just agree for the sake of making peace, married the Pei’s grand elder’s friend’s daughter, and they have a boy and a girl.
The third young master was a son born to the grand elder in his old age. Ever since he was young, he was already very naughty, and liked to play with toy guns and sticks, and didn’t like to read. When he was seven or eight years old, he couldn’t sit still and would often skip classes and go to the gardens to listen to the opera and watch street performances. When he became a little older, he learned to gamble and bet on cockfights. The Pei family’s stewards would always frantically search the streets for him and he was an infamous rake. Every time the Pei family’s eldest master wanted to discipline him, the grand elder would protect him.
At that time, everyone said that the reputation of the Pei family that lasted for hundreds of years will be ruined by him. However, who knew that he actually breezed through the imperial examination and became a court official? Not only to the outsiders, but even the Pei family’s people were shocked, thinking that it must have been a mistake. The Pei family’s grand elder showed blatant favoritism. While the third young master was in school, he would give additional allowances. He also had the intention to arrange a good marriage – any less then a third rank official’s Di daughter will not do. Strangely enough, this really happened. A third rank official was interested in arranging a marriage between them for his eldest daughter. If it wasn’t for the sudden death of the eldest master, the marriage might have already happened ……
Yu Tong listened with great interest.
She had never heard of these anecdotes about the third master of the Pei family in her previous life.
When people spoke about the third master of the Pei family, they all used respectful words to admiringly say “I know him”, or “I have seen him” or “The third master and I had a drink and a meal” and so on. She never knew that the third master of the Pei family had been so frivolous and impetuous when he was young.
She had always thought of the third master of the Pei family as being a stable, knowledgeable and sensible son of the family since young!
Yu Wen also seemed to have not heard of the Pei family’s third master’s childhood days, which also seemed unbelievable.
Lu Xin said unconcernedly: “The strong triumphs over the weak. Being so young and yet he is already in the sixth division as cabinet minister, the Pei family is also actively nurturing him. Who would dare ridicule him? It’s only people like us with no status or power that dares to say such things.”
Yu Wen knew he was going to vent his frustrations, so he hurriedly cut in and consoled him, “You are better than me. My father is in the lacquerware business, but your father is at least a scholar, and he worked as an advisor for Minister Zuo. So you came from a scholarly family.”
Minister Zuo’s name is Guangzong, with a scholar origin, during his time as governor of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, he has helped to prevent ships and goods from being lost to pirates, and helped the people of Jiangsu and Zhejiang greatly. He was subsequently promoted to becoming a minister of Military Affairs, and after his death was posthumously named Xiangmao. He was a famous and capable minister of Jiangsu and Zhejiang and was extremely well-respected.
Even a young girl like Yu Tang, who didn’t care about outside affairs, has also heard of this person’s name and his meritorious deeds.
Lu Xin became proud and asked Yu Tang’s mother to bring wine, as he wanted to drink two cups with the Yu brothers and talked about his ancestors’ deeds after three rounds of wine: “…… My father once personally accompanied Minister Zuo to the sea, and drew specialized maps, and also helped Minster Zuo train the navy.”
Yu Tang felt that Lu Xin was only bragging.
This evening meal lasted well into the night and Yu yuan supported a drunk Lu Xin to recuperate in one of their guest rooms.
The next day, Lu Xin slept until late into the morning.
His face was pale and his breath still stank of wine as he hurriedly looked around the house for his shoes: “It’s over! It’s over! Where did you get all these servants from? How come they can’t even do this little thing well. You know that the funeral for the Pei family’s eldest old master is today. I still have duties to handle! But yet you didn’t wake me up earlier! You want me to be in trouble?!”
Yu Wen felt guilty and helped him find his shoes that he had left at the bottom of the bed, while saying apologetically, “Don’t worry, it’s fine. The Pei family’s estate is very close to us. I’ll ask Ah Cao to take you there by the shortest way.”
“Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!” Lu Xin urged, not even taking a sip of tea, before following Yu Wen’s family servant, Ah Cao, out the door.
Yu Tang watched from behind the curtains and silently laughed, turning to accompany her mother to breakfast.
Eldest aunt and cousin Yu Yuan came to see Yu wen.
Yu Yuan took the eulogy piece written by Yu Wen overnight and left, but eldest aunt stayed behind.
Yu Tang thought they might be discussing the batch of goods that were burned in the store, and listened through a little corner in the window.
Eldest aunt was here to convince her father to go to Jiangxi to buy lacquerware.
Yu Tang’s heart felt better.
After sending his eldest sister in law to the door, Yu Wen went out and said he wanted to go to the store to check on the situation
By now, Madam Chen already knew that the family’s shop had been burned, but she didn’t know the seriousness of the situation yet, so she personally sent Yu Wen out with an admonition: “Lives are more important then the silver we possess. The Yu family’s affairs have always been taken care of by eldest uncle. Without him, our family business would not have lasted. Have an amicable discussion – our family can always pay more for the losses.”
Yu Wen nodded carelessly, and when he returned in the evening, he told Madam Chen and Yu Tang, “Big brother and Ah Yuan have to go to Jiangxi for an urgent trip, so we have to make some dry food and preserved vegetables for them to eat on the journey.”
Madam Chen agreed with a smile and went to the kitchen with old Aunty Chen.
Yu Tang, however, breathed a long sigh of relief.
Things at home were slowly moving for the better. In time, they will be free from the shadows of the previous life.
Yu Tang happily went to the kitchen to help her mother.
Lu Xin, however, came to their house again with a downcast face.
He said to Yu Wen bitterly, “You’ve really harmed me this time! When I arrived at the Pei residence this morning, the young masters of the Pei family had already started and the chief steward of the Pei family gave me a fierce glare. Who does he think he is?! He is just a dog raised by the Pei family. If not for the Pei family’s sake, who will know of him!”
As Lu Xin rarely uttered strong words, Yu Wen was momentarily surprised. Lu Xin continued: “No! I can’t stay in Lin’an any longer. I can’t stay in Lin’an anymore. There is no point in staying in stagnant water. I want to go to the capital. My father still has a few old friends in the capital.” He said, turning around and took Yu Wen’s hand, “Don’t I still have that ‘Pine Creek Fishing Hidden lake’ painting in your possession? The other day you said you liked it and wanted to buy it. Two hundred taels of silver. You can have it for two hundred taels of silver.”
