In that evening’s banquet, Mr. Ren drank until his face was flushed, unable to hide his joy and excitent.
He couldn’t have dread that his daughter would be so accomplished. Coming to the Capital City, she not only t so many distinguished friends but even Mr. Pei, such a grand figure, attended the Ren Family’s banquet.
The other attendees looked at Mr. Ren with envy, making him feel quite proud.
But once everyone dispersed, Mr. Ren could not help muttering, "Why would Mr. Pei humble himself to attend our family’s banquet, what does it an?"
It wasn’t that Mr. Ren was undervaluing himself, it was just that he didn’t dare to think in that direction. What kind of status does the Pei Family have? And what kind of standing does the Ren Family hold? It’s a world of difference, beyond imagination, so the more he thought about it, the more confused he beca.
Originally, Mr. Ren thought that having the Third Miss of the Pei Family co over was already sothing to be proud of. But since the ladies ate and drank in the backyard without showing themselves upfront, saying it was a matter of pride would be overstating it. Yet when Mr. Pei ca, mingling warmly and drinking with Mr. Ren, it really left him overwheld to the point where he could barely speak, just drink.
Due to the reputation of the second Mr. Pei, the Pei Family is a notable presence in the Capital City. For such a noble figure from such a family to drink and converse with a re rchant, who would believe it if it were said out loud?
Even Mr. Ren felt a bit bewildered, wondering if he had drunk too much and was rely imagining it all?
Ren Hua, upon hearing her father’s words, couldn’t provide an answer either. She was puzzled too, unable to fathom why Mr. Pei would co to their ho.
But she quickly thought of how at Qu Fulan’s opening, the Pei family’s young masters had also attended. Perhaps it’s just a habit within that circle?
At her house, only Mr. Pei ca, yet at Fulan’s house, even Heir Pei and Prince An attended. She didn’t even seem startled by it. In saying this, it must be due to her own lack of experience, and she thought she should learn more from Fulan about conduct and decorum.
The next day, Ren Hua went to the Pei Mansion to find Qu Fulan, but halfway there, Mr. Pei called out to her.
"Miss Ren."
Ren Hua turned her head to see Mr. Pei standing under the osmanthus tree by the moon gate.
"Mr. Pei." Ren Hua approached and offered a bow.
The maid leading the way tactfully withdrew.
Mr. Pei gazed at Ren Hua but didn’t speak imdiately.
Last night, he dreamt again, and the dream was still about her.
He had discovered a pattern; if he saw her one day, he would dream of her that night for certain.
This situation was unprecedented. Besides finding it strange, Pei Yuan also started to feel so ripples of thought in his heart.
As the saying goes, which young girl doesn’t yearn for love? The reverse holds the sa. Which young man doesn’t? Even if one is already married, in the past, it was purely obeying one’s parents and the matchmaker without genuinely experiencing what love feels like.
Now, with dreams suggesting so, the fluttering sensation in one’s heart is sothing any man would understand.
Pei Yuan thought, maybe everything was predestined.
*
Letters arrived from the front line. After reading them, Heir Pei burned them over the candle.
Although he was now residing permanently in the Capital City, he continually maintained contact with the borderlands.
If any unrest arose, he could quickly mobilize.
But any matters relating to the border ntioned by his parents in their letters were always passed over in a few words, leaving the rest to inquire about his major life events.
Pei Ji’an didn’t need to read his fellow generals’ letters to sense the state of affairs at the border through his parents’ letters.
If everything weren’t stable, how could they be in the mood to ask about such matters?
Just as Heir Pei finished reading, the voice of a guard ca from outside the door.
"The young master has arrived."
Pei Yuan sought out his second brother for a private talk.
"I wish to marry Miss Ren from the Ren Family as my wife, but I’m afraid our parents won’t agree, especially the ancestors, so I want to ask for your help in persuading them."
Pei Ji’an took a sip of tea, savoring it for a long ti before he reacted, asking, "Which young lady has caught your eye, big brother, that you’re worried the family would not approve?"
Pei Yuan’s expression remained unchanged, "It’s Miss Ren from the Ren Family."
Pei Ji’an took another sip of tea and chuckled, "Which Ren Family?"
A hint of embarrassnt crossed Pei Yuan’s face. After a mont’s silence, he coughed before continuing, "It’s Miss Qu’s friend, Miss Ren Hua."
"Cough, cough, cough..." This ti it was Pei Ji’an’s turn to cough, almost choking on his tea.
"Do you think it’s inappropriate?" Pei Yuan asked.
Once Pei Ji’an finally composed himself, he paused for a while before saying, "It’s not about whether I find it appropriate; have you already spoken to her about this?"
"I haven’t." Pei Yuan shook his head.
Being the son of a prestigious family, he knew better than to fail in propriety. Engaging in private discussions would not only tarnish his family’s reputation but also that of the young lady.
Pei Ji’an tapped the table with his index finger and asked, "Big brother, you’ve only t her a few tis, and you want to marry her?"
Though even grown n find such topics embarrassing, Pei Yuan nodded, "Coincidentally, Tuan also likes her."
Pei Ji’an couldn’t help but laugh, "So, do you like her, or are you marrying her because Tuan likes her too?"
Pei Yuan thought for a mont and said, "Both."
Initially, he wasn’t very keen on marriage, but if Tuan liked her, it was fine by him to marry her. Now that he was satisfied as well, it was all the better.
No man wouldn’t want to marry a woman who moves his heart.
It was only after a few dreams that Pei Yuan fully realized this issue.
Pei Ji’an nodded, "So you’re worried because she cos from a purely rchant background, and second uncle and aunt, as well as the matriarch, might not agree?"
"Exactly."
The Pei Family, even at a minimum, would require a bride from a scholarly family, and even the daughter of a Scholar would suffice. In this society, rchants hold a low status, and marrying a pure rchant’s daughter would certainly be hard for the elders to accept.
That’s why Pei Yuan sought his second brother for help; his brother’s words carry weight at ho, and their parents and the matriarch would consider them seriously.
"It is indeed challenging." After Pei Ji’an said so, Pei Yuan furrowed his brows, thinking his brother might not be able to handle it. But then he heard him say, "But it’s not impossible."
Pei Yuan’s eyebrows imdiately relaxed, "Then I’ll be relying on you, and if it succeeds, I’ll be sure to show my gratitude."
Yet, Pei Ji’an added, "Don’t rush to thank , brother. Let first feel out the matriarch’s opinion. If she doesn’t mind, then everything will be fine; otherwise, we might need to take a longer view. In the anti, brother, please don’t let this leak."
Pei Yuan naturally agreed.
Pei Ji’an also asked, "Have you ntioned your intention to her, and does she agree?"
Pei Yuan couldn’t help thinking of when he ntioned wanting to marry her. She was first taken aback, followed by a reddening of her cheeks and ears...
"She didn’t refuse."
Young girls are always reserved, and marriage should be determined by the parents and matchmaker; asking her privately had already overstepped. She couldn’t directly agree, but her shy silence was the best response.
Pei Ji’an witnessed his elder brother’s journey through courtship, with so many back and forths and delays. Now, finally finding soone he likes, and she doesn’t object, everything is ready, only the final push is needed.
Pei Ji’an knew he should be happy for his brother, but sohow he felt a bit of a sting in his heart.
It always seed that sothing was amiss, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
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