Chapter 64

Chapter 64

When Pei Yue returned, the entire household was filled with joy—except perhaps for Pei Ze, who had been moved back to Jinghua Hall and was clearly displeased.

As the couple came to pay their respects to the grandmother, Pei Ze, as usual, gave them a proper bow, though his sullen expression made it clear he was in a huff. Sitting beside Ming Tang, he played with the furry trim on her clothes, occasionally letting out a little huff, determined to catch his uncle’s attention while his uncle conversed with the grandmother.

With the New Year approaching, the Duke of Dingguo, though he usually resided in an estate outside the capital and stayed out of household affairs, would return to stay for a while. Just thinking about his father put Pei Yue in a bad mood. After briefly mentioning it to his mother and noticing her disinterest, he changed the subject. Glancing at the pouting Pei Ze, he suddenly asked, "Mother, do you remember Zhaoye?"

Mrs. Pei thought for a moment. "The horse A-Jun gifted you a few years ago?"

Pei Yue nodded. "Precisely. Today, I received word that Zhaoye is expecting a foal."

"A foal, at Mama’s place~" Pei Ze, who had been secretly listening, immediately forgot his grievances and eagerly chimed in.

Pei Yue, already aware that the poor black kitten had been named "Little Horse" by Pei Ze, found the name highly misleading but accepted it calmly. He shook his head without hesitation. "The foal I’m talking about will grow up to be ridden—not your Little Horse."

After a moment of thought, Pei Ze’s eyes lit up, and he looked at Pei Yue hopefully. "Uncle, A-Ze wants it~"

Pei Yue mused for a moment before shaking his head. "I was planning to give it to a good boy."

Undeterred, Pei Ze immediately scampered from Ming Tang’s side to Pei Yue’s, calling for tea and snacks to be served to his uncle, then snuggled up to him, showering him with sweet words. His fawning demeanor was exactly like how the kitten had ingratiated itself the day before—Ming Tang could almost see an imaginary tail wagging incessantly behind him.

But Pei Yue remained steadfast, unyielding to Pei Ze’s persistent charm. Pei Ze, who had been sulking just moments ago over being "banished" back to his own room, now racked his little brain for ways to win his uncle over. Remembering the plum blossom painting he had worked on for ages—of his uncle—he hurriedly had it fetched and presented it proudly to Pei Yue like a treasure. With his limited vocabulary, he did his best to describe how much he had missed Pei Yue during his absence and how eagerly he had awaited his return.

"I waited till flowers bloomed~" Pei Ze sighed dramatically, pointing at the plum blossoms in the painting, mimicking an adult’s mannerisms.

"Oh? I thought A-Ze wasn’t happy about Uncle’s return," Pei Yue remarked, eyeing the painting. The slightly disproportionate branches and blossoms gave him pause, and he couldn’t help glancing at Ming Tang.

Pei Ze could barely hold a brush, and his grandmother certainly wouldn’t indulge him in such games. The artist was obvious.

He just hadn’t expected Ming Tang’s artwork to be so... delightfully whimsical.

Pei Ze shook his head innocently. "A-Ze waited for Uncle from the very first day! Waited through many autumns, my hair turned white!"

As he spoke, he sneakily glanced at Ming Tang, relieved to see her watching silently without exposing his momentary lapse. Patting his chest, he was deeply moved.

Auntie is the best!

Pei Yue caught the silent exchange and figured there was more to it, though he kept his thoughts to himself. But the "good auntie" quickly gave him away the next second. "A-Ze’s hair isn’t white at all. It’s jet-black and shiny."

True enough, Pei Yue reached out to check Pei Ze’s head for any signs of graying.

Pei Ze was stunned speechless and instinctively turned to his grandmother for help.

Mrs. Pei thought sadly: I’d love to help, but my own son is giving me looks. Best to stay neutral.

With the promise of a real, rideable foal dangling before him, Pei Ze spent the following days demonstrating the full extent of a child’s wheedling and flattery. His relentless campaign of charm had everyone laughing, and amid the bustling New Year preparations, the mere sight of him became a guaranteed cheer-bringer.

By Little New Year’s Eve, when Pei Kun, the Duke of Dingguo, finally returned from his suburban estate, even Mrs. Pei wore a faint smile in Pei Ze’s presence as the family went through the motions of gathering in Dingyuan Hall to greet him.

For a moment, Pei Kun was disoriented, wondering if she had mellowed with age—had she finally remembered she had a husband?

But as soon as the formalities were over, Mrs. Pei rose, gave a slight nod, and announced, "There’s much to attend to in the household. I’ll take my leave first." With that, she strode out of Dingyuan Hall.

Behind her, Nanny Zhou picked up Pei Ze, while Pei Yue and Ming Tang also stood, bowed slightly, and followed her out.

Dingyuan Hall was suddenly empty, save for Pei Kun and his usual attendants. A flicker of embarrassment crossed his face before he, too, stood and headed toward his quarters in the front courtyard.

Along the way, maids and servants bustled about, all clad in the household’s winter uniforms and full of holiday spirit. The place was indeed busy.

Then, from behind a low wall, Pei Kun overheard two maids giggling: "After all the Young Master’s efforts these days, the heir finally agreed!"

"If he hadn’t, it would’ve been a disaster. My sister in Madam’s courtyard said the Young Master was so worried he barely ate!"

"Madam would never let him skip meals. He’s too precious for that."

"True enough."

The two laughed as they walked, rounding the corner only to almost run into Pei Kun’s entourage. They hastily bowed and stepped aside.

Seeing they were just young, low-ranking maids, Pei Kun wasn't about to punish them—but their conversation piqued his interest. "What were you two discussing just now?"

The older one, recalling that the Duke had returned today and unsure of his temper, trembled. But since the matter was already common knowledge in the household, she stammered out an explanation of how the Young Master had been trying to coax a foal out of the heir.

Finally, she added, "Today, the heir finally agreed. Earlier, we saw Madam and the others heading toward the stables."

Waving them off, Pei Kun stood there frozen for a long moment. So this was the "busy household" that had no time for him?

Too busy spoiling a child—even the new daughter-in-law couldn’t be bothered to show him respect.

Bundled up tight in a cloak with only his eyes visible, Pei Ze still managed to bubble with excitement despite the restrictive attire.

The Duke’s estate boasted an extensive stable—more like a small courtyard. Zhaoye, being pregnant, enjoyed a private stall and was leisurely munching on special treats.

Since they were indoors and sheltered from the wind, Mrs. Pei removed Pei Ze’s hood. Finally free to speak, Pei Ze studied the tall, snow-white mare—even more beautiful than his uncle’s steed—and beamed before frowning in confusion.

This didn’t look like the promised foal at all.

Pei Yue, prepared for this, pointed at Zhaoye. "If A-Ze is willing to wait, once Zhaoye gives birth, the foal will be yours. You’ll be responsible for its care."

"If you’d rather not wait, there are half-year-old colts you can choose from now."

Pei Ze’s interest was piqued. After inspecting the younger horses, he made up his mind instantly. "I want the white horse’s baby~"

The mare was so lovely—her foal would surely grow up just as stunning.

Having decided, Pei Ze cheerfully returned to Zhaoye and announced importantly: "When A-Ze’s rideable foal is born, A-Ze will name it Big Cat!"

The adults fell silent at this announcement.

But since the foal would be his, no one insisted he change the name.

Mrs. Pei, thoroughly charmed by Pei Ze’s antics these days, found his naming convention delightfully whimsical—proof of his innocent, imaginative spirit.

With "Big Cat" secured, Pei Ze didn’t forget his "humble" first pet, Little Horse. Back at Chengyi Hall, he crouched before the kitten and whispered, "Little Horse, next year you’ll have Big Cat as a friend! But Big Cat isn’t a cat—Big Cat is a horse much bigger than you..."

Listening nearby, Ming Tang glanced at the grooming kitten, then imagined the unborn "Big Cat" still in Zhaoye’s belly, and marveled at Pei Ze’s extraordinary mind.

Not long ago, the boy had been stumbling over single words. Now, he was practically composing tongue twisters.

Miraculously, he hadn't gotten himself tangled up this time.

In the evening, after making offerings to the Kitchen God, the family of four gathered in Jinghua Hall for a boisterous family dinner. Ming Tang and Pei Yue returned to Chengyi Hall together, and she finally asked, curious, "Even on Little New Year's Eve, we don't share a meal with the Duke?"

Having married into the family, she had only seen the Duke of Dingguo during the wedding days. She knew there must be some underlying reason but didn't expect the family to seemingly forget about the Duke even on such an occasion as Little New Year's Eve.

After sending the servants away, Pei Yue picked up a small teacup and twirled it in his fingers, his tone indifferent. "It's best he doesn't come. If he did, Mother wouldn't be able to eat a bite."

As the matter involved elders, Pei Yue only knew bits and pieces of the past and didn't elaborate further, stopping at that.

Thinking his explanation might have been too brief and fearing Ming Tang wouldn't grasp just how much Mrs. Pei detested the Duke, he added, "To Mother, he’s long gone from her heart."

The phrasing... "In her heart, he's long gone" versus "He's long gone from her heart"—that made all the difference.

Hearing this, Ming Tang understood: the rift between Mrs. Pei and the Duke of Dingguo ran deeper than she had imagined.

Ming Tang had come to know Mrs. Pei fairly well and recognized her as a magnanimous person. She couldn't help but wonder what the Duke had done to create such irreparable tension between them.

Even now, past the age of fifty, Mrs. Pei still couldn't let it go.

But Ming Tang had always judged people, not situations. Her relationship with Mrs. Pei was harmonious, and she had no intention of prying into her "old wounds."

Whatever the Duke of Dingguo had done, the past was the past. Mrs. Pei was content now—why reopen old wounds? All Ming Tang needed to do was stand firmly by Mrs. Pei's side, united in solidarity.

Noticing Ming Tang lost in thought, as if forgetting he was there, Pei Yue gently set the cup down with a deliberate clink.

Once he had her attention, he stood and extended his hand toward her.

Ming Tang, slightly puzzled, placed her hand in his palm, only for Pei Yue to tighten his grip the next moment. "At any rate, he has no say in our affairs. Rather than dwell on this, You Niang, why don't we turn in early?"

With that, he guided her to their bedroom.