Pei Zhan entered the Liang Family, and sure enough, Liang Chen and Xu Yin had already finished drinking.
Liang Chen was in the front yard seeing Xu Yin off to his carriage.
Pei Zhan voluntarily cupped his hands towards Xu Yin: "I sincerely apologize. Due to the recent busyness in the camp, it was only just now that I found a free mont. What, Vice Minister Xu, you’re leaving already? Co, co, we must have a drink together, so as not to have rush over in vain."
Xu Yin looked at him with a smile: "General Pei, you’ve gone to great trouble. Let’s leave it for tonight, for I must rise early tomorrow, and drinking more would delay things."
Pei Zhan said: "What a pity."
Xu Yin laughed again: "Now that the borders are stable, Ah Zhi should arrive in the capital soon. I ca today to ask Shaoyang, whether to hold a reception for him at Xu Mansion or West Wind Tower, or perhaps choose another place? At that ti, I will formally invite General Pei to be a distinguished guest, and we can enjoy ourselves with drinks."
Pei Zhan said: "Vice Minister Xu is considerate in every way, indeed a ticulous person."
Xu Yin shook his head smilingly: "Not at all, it’s just as it should be."
After saying this, he turned to Liang Chen: "You insisted on not allowing to see off the old lady’s short stay at the temple tomorrow, so I will comply. Recently, the governnt office is indeed quite busy.
"I’ll visit her when she returns."
Liang Chen laughed: "You have your own matters to attend to; there’s no need to be so attentive in every regard."
Pei Zhan asked: "What, Aunt is leaving the mansion for a short stay?"
"Mother said she’s been dreaming of Aunt lately and wants to stay at the temple for a while to recite sutras for her. Today, I spoke with the abbot of Baihe Temple and arranged for a Zen temple."
Xu Yin also said: "It’s just as well, previously the Commandery Princess and I set up a recital session for Taiping, which wasn’t perfect. I’ve sent soone to send several volus of scriptures during the fifteenth incense offering. They’ll look after the old lady on the way."
Pei Zhan let out an "Oh." Turning his gaze forward, he spotted a chubby little figure behind the pillar. He beckoned: "Brother Xuan, what are you doing here so late?"
Liang Xuan ca over, saluted the three in turn, then tugged Liang Chen’s sleeve: "Father, I want to stay at the temple with Grandma too. To copy scriptures for Aunt."
Liang Chen frowned: "With your scribble-like writing, you talk about copying scriptures? I think you genuinely just want to avoid studying!"
Xu Yin said with a laugh: "When I was his age, I couldn’t even hold a pen properly. He’s not aiming for official exams in the future, so why restrict him so?"
Liang Chen then laughed.
After this conversation, Pei Zhan and Liang Chen escorted Xu Yin to the carriage and saw him out of the gate.
Before Xu Yin left, he lifted the curtain, revealing a face that appeared almost devilish under the moonlight: "It’s unfortunate today. Ming Zhi, I’ll arrange to et you in advance another day, and the three of us can have a good gathering then."
Pei Zhan smirked, watching him onto the main street.
As the street quieted down, Liang Chen withdrew his gaze first, scrutinizing Pei Zhan up and down: "What business do you have in the camp lately? You were lying again."
"Who says there isn’t?" Pei Zhan, unflinching, turned and entered the house, "I have to manage everything, big and small, and since Cheng Laosan is on leave, there’s even more to handle."
Liang Chen grunted while holding Liang Xuan by the hand: "Keep lying. You think I can’t see you’re doing it on purpose."
Pei Zhan said nothing, stepped over the threshold, and casually made his way to the wing they both frequented, as if entering his own ho.
Walking beside him, Liang Chen asked: "Why does it seem you bear so displeasure towards Xu Yin?"
"We’re not familiar. How could there be displeasure?"
Pei Zhan lifted his robe to sit in the room, the air still holding the scent of food and wine, indicating the banquet was previously set here.
He looked around before glancing back at Liang Chen, who sat at the head seat: "Unlike you, I only t him after leading the army back to the capital last year, the first ti being at the Golden Throne Hall. Before then, I hadn’t even seen him once. Since then, it’s been only three or four months, and I’ve seen him just two or three tis; how could there be any like or dislike?"
Liang Chen had tea served, observing him: "You, this silent type, once you speak, it’s hard to keep up with you.
"But indeed. On my return, I also find him more matured and composed than before, not as full of youthful spirit."
Pei Zhan took a sip of tea, then put it down: "After all, he’s now Prince Rong’s son-in-law."
At this point in the conversation, the room fell silent.
Liang Xuan, munching on peanuts nearby, looked at them: "Why does Prince Rong’s son-in-law keep coming to the Liang Family?"
Both of them stared at him, unsure how to explain.
Liang Xuan tugged at Pei Zhan: "Uncle, Uncle, I want to go to the temple with Grandma to recite scriptures for Aunt, please help plead for ."
Pei Zhan looked at his big round face: "I also think Prince Rong’s son-in-law shouldn’t co to the Liang Family so regularly."
That remark left Liang Chen silent. He then said: "Don’t cause trouble. Xu Yin has already done quite altruistic things. If the Liang Family doesn’t accept him, it would be ungrateful."
Pei Zhan said nothing more. He turned the cup in his hand a few tis before sending Liang Xuan away: "Go back to your room, I’ll try convincing your father."
Liang Xuan happily hugged him: "Thanks, Uncle!"
Once he left, Pei Zhan looked at Liang Chen: "Six years ago, when Taiping was alive, did Aunt and sister-in-law ever ntion a dagger?"
"A dagger?"
Liang Chen raised his head in surprise.
...
In the morning, Fu Zhen was still combing her hair when Ru Yi ca to report two matters.
First, Fu Jia’s wet nurse had returned, so Ziyan could move back.
Second, two people were at the gate, claiming to be guards invited by Fu Zhen.
Fu Zhen imdiately slipped on her shoes and went to the front yard—sure enough, they were two guards sent by Pei Zhan!
"What are your nas?" she asked.
They bowed their heads: "Li Jiang, Li Huai!"
Fu Zhen nodded: "What you two ought to do should have been instructed by your general before you ca. Hereafter, follow orders accordingly. Li Jiang, you’re responsible for my mother’s safety, and Li Huai, you will ensure my younger brother’s safety. Rember to always keep them safe, and do not ntion your origins.
"Regarding remuneration, I will give each of you twenty taels of silver monthly. For the skills taught by Zhang Cheng and the others, this fee will be calculated separately.
"In summary, as long as you work well for , whatever your general promised, you certainly won’t receive less from ."
The two had been briefed by Pei Zhan before coming, initially thinking this Miss Fu was so sort of two-faced person, but were surprised by her deanor; they paused before loudly acknowledging the order and were then led away by Zhang Cheng.
Watching them leave, Fu Zhen called her maids: "These two, although reliable, aren’t people who will stay here long-term. There’s no need to worry about the safety of my mother and brother Jia, but you all should also be cautious in your daily activities, avoid causing any embarrassing mishaps for others to see."
Pei Zhan doesn’t trust her, Fu Zhen also doesn’t trust him!
Now forced to use his people, and with him agreeing so willingly, she naturally has to remain a bit guarded, not letting him get to the bottom of things, that would be too passive!
Still, she owed him a favor. Since Fu Zhen planned to curry a little favor, manners mustn’t be spared.
She had Zhang Cheng pack two boxes of tea leaves, along with two bags of fish maw, and two bags of bird’s nest, to send to Pei Zhan.
Pei family’s eldest sister-in-law is beautiful and vain!
Both the fish maw and bird’s nest Fu Zhen chose were the best; Pei Zhan naturally doesn’t eat these, but if he gives them to his mother, she’d surely like them!
Otherwise, he could let his wife have them, there’s no woman who doesn’t love this.
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