Chapter 69

Chapter 69

Missing dinner was a fleeting hunger, but in an environment where every whisper could be heard, Ming Tang had no choice but to maintain her composure under the knowing gazes of her maids.

Even emperors could skip morning court; missing one meal was hardly a major transgression. Besides, she hadn't neglected any important matters.

After paying their respects to Madam Pei at Jinghua Hall, the couple changed into brand-new red robes. Pei Ze, resembling a vibrant little lantern, was brimming with excitement, urging Ming Tang, "Let’s go, let’s go~"

The two families had already reached an understanding. Ming Tang signaled Nanny Zhou to carry Pei Ze, and the group boarded the carriage, heading for the Ming residence.

In this era of peace, under the emperor’s benevolent rule, the people of the capital lived in contentment. The streets bustled with smiling faces. Though it was the New Year, some shops remained open, and street vendors hawked their wares. Thus, when Pei Ze lifted the carriage curtain, his eyes widened with wonder and delight.

Moments later, the procession arrived at the Ming family gates, only to find a flurry of activity. Ming Shao and her family had arrived at the same time.

Spotting the approaching carriage from afar, Ming Shao held her eager youngest son close, while reminding her two older sons, "Behave properly when you greet your aunt and uncle. Don’t be rude."

Both boys, already in their teens, readily assented.

Soon, the Pei family’s carriage halted. Ming Shao watched as Pei Yue dismounted first, then turned to help Ming Tang alight. Their seamless coordination spoke volumes of their bond, and a broad smile spread across Ming Shao’s face.

When a young child was then carried down, she showed no surprise, beckoning to Ming Tang with a smile, "You live closer—how did you end up arriving after me?"

Ming Tang quickened her pace, took her sister’s hand, and naturally linked arms with her. "If I hadn’t been delayed, how would we have met right at the gate?"

She then introduced, "This is A Ze."

Ming Shao subtly observed the child in the nursemaid’s arms. Seeing him gaze at her with curiosity, yet subtly leaning towards Ming Tang, she understood his deep trust in her aunt and gave a slight nod.

After a lively exchange of greetings between the two families, the sisters, having been apart for so long, began chatting right at the entrance. It wasn’t until Song Zhangru, the eldest daughter-in-law, who had been waiting impatiently at the inner gate, grew curious about their delay and sent someone to hurry them along, that the group finally entered the mansion together.

Back in her maiden home, the two husbands naturally kept a respectful distance. Ming Tang walked arm-in-arm with her elder sister, chatting and laughing, seemingly oblivious to the mood of those following behind.

For Pei Ze, however, this was his first time in such an unfamiliar environment. Seeing Ming Tang, whom he trusted most, engrossed in conversation with others, he couldn’t help but feel a little neglected. By the time they reached the parlor, his mood was still somewhat subdued.

Yet, within moments, he was utterly captivated.

The Ming family’s third generation comprised six children—three boys and three girls. Ming Shao, after her marriage, had also borne three sons. With everyone gathered, even the simple act of greeting each other became a bustling affair.

Pei Ze tried to recognize each person, but by the third, his head was already spinning. When he saw the identical twins, Ming Jin and Ming Yu, his eyes widened in disbelief, looking left and right, as if the world had suddenly become unfathomable.

Inheriting the Pei family’s handsome features, Pei Ze was naturally adorable, and bundled in his bright red attire, he was even more endearing.

Among the younger generation, the eldest was already sixteen and well-mannered. Even Ming Shao’s youngest son, at six, was old enough to understand things. Suddenly faced with a cousin so much younger and so charming, they were all quite fascinated.

Noticing his confusion between Ming Jin and Ming Yu, they immediately seized the opportunity to tease him, engaging him in a guessing game.

The eldest sons of each family, considering themselves too mature for such childish games, instead gathered around the adults, serving tea and water, seizing the chance to eavesdrop on discussions of court affairs and national matters, fulfilling their intellectual curiosity as scholars.

The womenfolk also sat together, chatting while occasionally glancing at the children.

The spacious parlor soon became so boisterous it was almost deafening.

Not only was Pei Ze unaccustomed to such commotion, even Pei Yue initially found the lively atmosphere a bit overwhelming. Sipping his tea quietly, he watched as his father-in-law, provoked by his third brother-in-law, glared and thumped him on the head, while the latter clutched his head in mock pain. It was a sight quite unlike the composed and dignified figures they usually presented in public.

His gaze drifted to Ming Tang, who was laughing so heartily in Madam Ming’s embrace that her hair was coming undone. Her elder sister seemed to scold her sternly, but then joined in the laughter. Pei Yue couldn’t help but wonder—was the Ming family always like this?

Lost in thought, he was startled by a sudden burst of laughter from the children playing with Pei Ze. The little boy stood opposite the group, looking put out, before turning to Ming Tang for help.

In just a short while, it seemed an argument had broken out. Song Zhangru and Li Ningxin, as daughters-in-law, both felt a pang of worry.

Seeing how their mother-in-law treated the young lord as if he were her own grandson, they hoped their children hadn’t caused trouble with a three-year-old.

Ming Tang turned at the noise and beckoned the children over, ruffling Pei Ze’s hair. "What’s the matter?"

Pei Ze pointed at Ming Jin and Ming Yu. "This is sister, and this is also sister. They say it’s wrong."

Ming Shao’s youngest son, Zhang Dun, shouted, "No, no!" He pointed at Ming Jin. "This is elder cousin!" Then at Ming Yu. "This is younger cousin!"

Ming Yu protested, "How can you call me ‘younger cousin’? I’m your elder cousin too!"

It was Ming Wan, who had been observing nearby, who clarified, "Little cousin A Ze couldn’t tell A Jin and A Yu apart. A Jin said, ‘I’m the elder sister,’ so A Yu had him guess who she was. When he said, ‘You’re the elder sister,’ everyone laughed."

The adults, who had been worried about a childish quarrel escalating into awkwardness: "..."

Ming Tang found it amusing. "To A Ze, aren’t all of you his elder brothers and sisters?"

Pei Ze nodded vigorously, as if having found a champion. Clinging to Ming Tang’s leg, he looked up with a proud, justified expression.

With that settled, the parlor returned to its lively state. Ming Tang called Zhe Liu over and announced to the children, "Come get your New Year’s money—first come, first served~"

This had been a Ming family tradition since Ming Tang’s coming-of-age ceremony. Familiar with their aunt’s ways, the children gathered around Zhe Liu, choosing the red envelope that caught their eye from her tray before congregating like it was part of the tradition.

Pei Ze, holding the envelope Ming Tang had given him, tilted his head curiously at the older children. With an encouraging nudge from Ming Tang, he waddled over on his little legs.

Once everyone was ready, they began opening their envelopes.

The amounts inside varied, bringing cheers or groans. Listening to the alternating cheers and groans, even Madam Ming, who knew they were just having fun, couldn’t help rubbing her forehead.

Though young, Pei Ze was quick to open his envelope. However, not knowing the value of the contents, he wasn’t sure how to react.

Ming Yu, who had only gotten ten taels this year (her bad luck this year), rolled her eyes at her brother Ming Zuo, who had drawn eighty. Spotting the banknote in Pei Ze’s hand, she let out a wow: "Little cousin got the luckiest draw this year!"

The amounts in their aunt’s envelopes were fixed, and the one who drew the highest sum traditionally treated the others to a feast to share the good fortune.

Though Pei Ze still didn’t understand what the notes meant, the sudden attention and the warmth in everyone’s eyes made him puff out his chest, instinctively adopting the air of the luckiest winner.

Then, he dashed back to Ming Tang and presented his envelope like a treasure. "Mama, good thing~"

It wouldn’t do to take back a gift already given. Ming Tang was torn between laughing and sighing.

Seeing the earnest look in Pei Ze’s eyes, she accepted it. "Fine, I’ll keep it for you." Noticing the little ones watching closely, she waved a hand generously. "A Ze’s too young, so I’ll take care of it for him. Go ahead and decide what feast you want—just let me know."

By noon, the children were seated around a table, with Pei Ze, as the sponsor, put at the head of the table like an honored guest. "The one who pays sits at the head!"

This seemed to set off a chain reaction. The nursemaids and maidservants found themselves with little to do as the older children took turns serving Pei Ze, placing suitable dishes in his bowl. "The one who pays eats first!"

For Pei Ze, this was his first time experiencing such a lively meal. Once full, he waved off further offerings regretfully. "A Ze’s full~ Can’t eat more, or I’ll get fat~"

His childish words had the adults, who had been laughing all afternoon, laughing all over again.

After lunch, Pei Ze, already best buddies with his new cousins, was carried off by Ming Xia to "visit" his quarters, trailed by a retinue of nursemaids and maidservants.

Watching the boisterous group depart, Madam Ming sighed. "Once the New Year passes and the second and third sons leave for their posts, the house won’t be this lively anymore."

This was the first Ming Tang had heard of it. After a moment’s thought, she understood—it was customary for officials to gain experience governing regions before assuming high-ranking positions in the capital. Her second brother, Ming Rang, had served outside the capital but never as a chief administrator, while her third brother, Ming Li, had never left the capital at all. With their father’s recent promotion, it was only natural for them to gain experience elsewhere.

Madam Ming naturally understood this reasoning, so Ming Tang didn’t bother trying to console her with such words and simply smiled, saying, "When the time comes, Big Sister and I will bring everyone back often—enough to keep you so busy you won’t have time to sigh."

Ming Shao nodded. "You Niang’s child is still easy to handle at this age, but our little one is at that 'annoying to everyone, even dogs' stage." As their grandmother, you mustn’t get fed up with them then."

In Madam Ming’s eyes, all the younger generation were wonderful, and even her own daughter couldn’t say otherwise. She retorted with a laugh, "Don’t visit too much—focus on your own lives."

The mood lightened again, and Song Zhangru, who had already decided to accompany her husband on his assignment but hadn’t known how to broach the subject, busied herself setting up the leaf card table.

Li Ningxin had never been good at cards, so she didn’t join the game, merely sitting by to watch. Ming Tang played leaf cards with Madam Ming and the others all afternoon, managed to win back the money she’d spent on the midday feast, and wore a smug grin.

Tallying up the results, Madam Ming and Song Zhangru had lost a little, while Ming Shao had lost the most. She tweaked her younger sister’s nose. "No wonder you agreed so quickly this time—you were plotting this all along."

Ming Tang waved her hand, refusing to admit it. "Originally, I figured today was my day to lose money and thought playing the generous spirit for New Year’s wouldn’t be bad. Who knew my luck would be unstoppable? Can’t blame me for that."

Ming Shao was equal parts annoyed and amused. "You’ve been memorizing cards since childhood—who doesn’t know that about you?"

As the sisters bantered, they sent someone to fetch the children, who had been playing all afternoon, and bid a reluctant farewell to Madam Ming.

On the way back, as usual, they rode together in the carriage. Pei Ze, exhausted from an afternoon of play, quickly nestled into Ming Tang’s arms and drifted off. His small, soft body was warm like a tiny heater, and Ming Tang didn’t find it uncomfortable at all.

But holding him made it harder to stay steady during turns. Just as she swayed slightly, Pei Yue wrapped an arm around her shoulder to steady her.

The journey passed in silence until they arrived. Pei Ze finally woke up as they disembarked, rubbing his sleepy eyes and nuzzling into Ming Tang’s arms, refusing to be carried by Nanny Zhou. "Sleep with Mama~" he whined.

Ming Tang, utterly charmed by his cuteness, was about to agree when Pei Yue, who had been silent the whole way, put his foot down. "No."

Pei Ze was fully awake now. He glanced at his uncle. "A Ze, pay rent~"

With that, he reached for the small drawer in the carriage table—he remembered there were usually pastries inside.

Pei Ze was stubborn, but Pei Yue was sterner. Ming Tang looked between the two and simply hopped out of the carriage first. "You two work it out?"

Pei Ze was stunned. Giving up on the pastries, he let Nanny Zhou carry him out but spent the entire walk trying to persuade Ming Tang. Pei Yue, however, with his long legs, easily caught up to Ming Tang ahead, took her hand, and shot a glance back at Pei Ze.

Receiving his uncle’s look, Pei Ze grew even more sulky. As they reached the fork between Chengyi Hall and Jinghua Hall—a spot he knew well—he adamantly refused to let Nanny Zhou take him back, making his case logically, "Pony gets to, why not A Ze?"

Pei Yue looked at him. "Want to bunk with the cat?"

Pei Ze blinked. He understood—one pastry only earned him the same treatment as the pony.

"Two?" he tried.

At the impasse, Ming Tang turned and kissed Pei Ze’s cheek, messing up his hair. "A Ze, go back with Grandmother, okay?"

Even Auntie’s on their side... Pei Ze blinked, seriously weighing his options for a few seconds before tilting his head and pointing to his other cheek.

Though he hadn’t succeeded in staying, he got another kiss, which made up for it. He nodded in surrender and said earnestly to Ming Tang, "Mama, come early tomorrow, tell A Ze about brothers and sisters~"

Ming Tang nodded just as seriously. "Okay."

Waving goodbye, Pei Ze nestled into Nanny Zhou’s arms. As they passed Pei Yue, he couldn’t resist a couple of triumphant "hmphs," rubbing his cheek with a bright grin.

"Uncle didn’t~"

Pei Yue: "......"

Ming Tang, who had witnessed the whole exchange: "......"

Talk about out of the frying pan and into the fire.

Glancing at Pei Yue’s expression, Ming Tang suppressed a laugh and took his hand. "For the Lantern Festival, will Yue have time to see the lights with me?"

Of course he would.

Pei Yue nodded primly.