Chapter 74

Chapter 74

With the Lantern Festival concluded, the New Year celebrations drew to a close, and the Pei family gradually resumed its accustomed order.

Families in the capital whose children had been abducted and subsequently recovered learned through various channels that on the day of the Lantern Festival, it was the young madam of the Duke of Dingguo's household who had personally identified a child snatcher. She had ordered the individual's apprehension and sent them to the authorities, enabling officials to swiftly obtain leads and, working through the night, virtually dismantle the entire trafficking ring, rescuing all the children.

In those times, due to inconvenient transportation and sluggish information flow, it was rare for abducted children to be recovered. Having experienced such profound sorrow and subsequent overwhelming joy, these families, though deterred by the Duke of Dingguo's eminent status from personally visiting to express gratitude lest they cause disturbance, often seized the hours before curfew to quietly leave gifts of thanks outside the mansion gates.

Consequently, after the New Year festivities, everyone from the gatekeepers managing visitors to the stewards overseeing the household staff felt a collective sigh of relief, a sense of "finally it's over." The guards, however, were utterly exhausted.

—Time and again, they would spot suspicious figures lurking nearby, grow vigilant, and approach to investigate, only to discover it was yet another person discreetly delivering gifts of gratitude.

After several such occurrences, even when a suspicious person appeared again, they still had to dutifully investigate. How could this not leave them mentally and physically drained?

Upon learning of this, Mrs. Pei felt both proud of Ming Tang and somewhat helpless. As these were expressions of gratitude, unavoidable by nature, she could only increase the guards' monthly wages as a token of appreciation and comfort.

With the emperor's decree to investigate the capital, the events of the Lantern Festival continued to unfold and spread. Once it became known that the Duke of Dingguo's household was involved, the mansion attracted considerable attention. As for Pei Ze, after a few days, he was still fixated on that night's lantern-viewing outing, eagerly longing to go out again.

Mrs. Pei listened to his constant murmuring as she attended to household affairs. When Pei Ze once again grumbled about wanting to go out, she considered the still-bitter cold. Allowing him out for the Lantern Festival had already been an exception, so she immediately refused.

Pei Ze instantly slumped, squatting beside Mrs. Pei with a pitiful expression.

The little cat, *Xiao Ma*, who had temporarily gained residence rights in Jinghua Hall, slowly ambled over and squatted beside Pei Ze, its tail lightly brushing against him. With wide, imploring eyes, it looked at Mrs. Pei, aiding its little master in his appeal.

The expressions of the boy and the cat were almost identical, making the maids watching from the side unable to suppress their laughter. Mrs. Pei, facing this scene directly, felt an even stronger impact and immediately softened, almost relenting.

Just as she hesitated, word came from outside that Ming Tang had arrived.

Pei Ze's eyes lit up, and he twisted his head to look while maintaining his squatting posture. However, all he could see were the swishing skirts of Ming Tang as she walked. Straining, he tilted his head further upward.

Once again, boy and cat moved in perfect sync. But *Xiao Ma*, being a cat, could easily adjust its posture, whereas Pei Ze, tilting back too far, lost his balance and toppled over.

Upon entering, Ming Tang saw this scene. Knowing the floor was carpeted and Pei Ze wouldn’t be hurt, she wasn’t alarmed. After greeting Mrs. Pei, she asked Pei Ze, "What happened?"

Pei Ze was also wondering what had gone wrong—why, in the same position, *Xiao Ma* was fine while he couldn’t maintain his balance. His gaze toward the cat was especially incredulous, as if he had suffered a great betrayal.

Hearing Ming Tang's question, Pei Ze looked up, momentarily forgetting his earlier disbelief, and struggled to get up on his own. His thick padded robes made movement difficult, and rising proved especially challenging.

Several times, the maids nearly stepped forward to help, but Ming Tang signaled them to stay back with a glance.

Mrs. Pei shook her head slightly, disapproving.

"Don’t you think A Ze looks quite amusing like this?" Ming Tang watched cheerfully, encouraging him. "You’re almost there, A Ze! You can do it!"

After one failed attempt, Pei Ze sat on the floor, bewildered by his failure. *Xiao Ma* let out a soft "meow," stretched, and stood up gracefully on all fours. It circled Pei Ze with dainty steps, as if demonstrating its own success.

The scene between boy and pet was indeed entertaining. Mrs. Pei couldn’t help but smile, and though she still disapproved, she began to appreciate the amusement of standing by and watching.

Pei Ze pouted, reached out, and accurately grabbed the tip of *Xiao Ma*’s tail. The cat froze, turning its head to look at him and letting out a few pleading "meows." Satisfied, Pei Ze released it, planted his hands on the ground, flipped himself upright, and strode proudly over to Ming Tang. Then, instantly changing his expression, he whispered in her ear.

Freed, *Xiao Ma* nimbly jumped onto a nearby embroidered stool, curled into a ball, and immediately shed its earlier playful act. Lifting its eyelids lazily, it glanced at Pei Ze before closing its eyes and resuming its usual dignified posture.

Pei Ze remained oblivious, staring hopefully at Ming Tang, waiting for her to speak on his behalf.

Basking in his expectant look, Ming Tang paused teasingly. Seeing his growing impatience, she finally turned to Mrs. Pei. "Since A Ze wants to go out, I recall our family has a hot spring villa not far outside the city. Why not spend a few days there?"

Of course, if Pei Ze was going, she, as his elder, would naturally have to accompany him.

Mrs. Pei hesitated for a moment. Considering that nothing urgent was happening in the capital, the hot spring villa’s warm climate would be harmless, and a trip outside the city might also help reduce the aftermath of the Lantern Festival incident. After a moment’s thought, she agreed.

Though Pei Ze had never been there, he understood the elders' consent meant he could go out. He was instantly overjoyed, eagerly called for the maids to serve fresh tea, and even made a show of pouring it for the two ladies himself.

"Such a clever boy," Mrs. Pei remarked, taking the teacup from him and draining the already scant tea in one sip. Watching Pei Ze's downright fawning expression, she couldn't help but feel deeply suspicious.

When had Pei Ze become like this?

Though she had a hunch, Mrs. Pei glanced at Ming Tang and chose not to dwell on it. Instead, she asked, "What brings you by now?"

Since her marriage, Ming Tang had always come in the morning to pay her respects before leaving promptly, strictly adhering to etiquette. Her visit now surely meant she had something to discuss.

Originally here for another matter, Ming Tang was delighted by the unexpected bonus. Stroking Pei Ze's hair, she replied, "Both my elder brothers have secured provincial assignments. With the New Year's celebrations over, my mother sent word that they’ll soon depart. I’d like to return home to see them off."

This was a proper matter, and Mrs. Pei naturally agreed. Concerned, she asked, "Why so sudden?"

She recalled that Ming Tang's brothers held positions in the Six Ministries and the Censorate. Capital postings were prestigious and cushy, and most were reluctant to serve in the provinces. Moreover, there had been no hint of such intentions from the Ming family before the New Year. Could it be that after their father joined the Grand Secretariat, they had incurred envy or encountered difficulties?

Ming Tang didn’t shy away from explaining, "Originally, neither brother had plans to leave the capital in recent years. But after Father entered the Grand Secretariat at the year’s end, they reconsidered." Fortunately, while transferring from the provinces to the capital was difficult, the reverse was much easier. With their father now a Grand Secretary, their requests for provincial assignments were swiftly approved shortly after the New Year.

The Ming family was decisive in their ways. Ming Rang had previously served as a local official and had some experience, while Ming Li, the second son, had always been restless and harbored no objections to leaving the capital. Their postings were settled quickly, and their belongings were already packed.

Coming from both aristocratic and noble families, Mrs. Pei was accustomed to the tradition where the eldest son inherited titles and secured positions through imperial favor or connections. She didn’t quite grasp the workings of bureaucratic appointments. Initially, she assumed provincial assignments were undesirable, but seeing Ming Tang’s lack of concern, she quickly realized there was no cause for worry and dropped the matter.

With permission granted, Ming Tang set out early the next morning, only to find Pei Yue lingering by the carriage. Surprised, she asked, "Don’t you have work today?"

The New Year holidays had ended, and Pei Yue, now a government official, was required to work long hours, sometimes even overnight. Ming Tang only needed Mrs. Pei’s approval to leave, but Pei Yue would have to request leave—something she found troublesome and hadn’t even considered asking of him.

Unbeknownst to her, Pei Yue was even more astonished. "Your brothers are leaving for provincial posts. As their brother-in-law, of course I must see them off."

Why did You Niang look so surprised?

Unaware of his thoughts, Ming Tang took his arm and boarded the carriage, leaning out the window to tease, "I just thought getting time off would be a pain for you."

Pei Yue frowned slightly, his expression solemn. "Nothing about you is a hassle." Had Imperial Censor Chen done something in the past to make Ming Tang feel otherwise?

He truly meant it, but Ming Tang, flustered by his almost-romantic tone, felt her ears grow warm. Pei Yue, however, remained his usual self, utterly unaware of the effect of his words. For a moment, she wondered—had she misheard, or had he meant nothing by it?

Letting the carriage curtain fall, Ming Tang pondered briefly before dismissing the thought.

Pei Yue, no longer able to see her, replayed her expression in his mind. Had she... blushed?

His mood inexplicably lifted, and by the time they reached the Ming residence, Ming Li, who came out to greet them, noticed immediately.

Now familiar with his brother-in-law, Ming Li was no longer reserved and patted Pei Yue’s arm cheerfully. "I knew you wouldn’t think provincial assignments are bad."

Many friends and relatives had expressed regret upon hearing of his and his brother’s postings, sighing the moment they arrived. Ming Li almost felt embarrassed admitting how long he’d wanted to try his hand as a local official outside the capital.

Pei Yue hesitated, too embarrassed to admit he hadn’t been thinking about the postings at all. He nodded. "There’s a whole world out there. Staying too long in the capital grows dull. Experiencing different customs elsewhere is naturally a good thing."

Ming Li heartily agreed and spent the journey enthusiastically recounting the legendary wonders of his future post. Pei Yue nodded occasionally, offering brief responses. By the time they reached the parlor, Ming Li all but declared him a kindred spirit.

The postings were settled. Ming Tang’s sisters-in-law, Song Zhangru and Li Ningxin, would accompany their husbands, taking their younger children along.

Though Mrs. Ming had firmly decided the matter, as the departure neared, the two women couldn’t help but waver when faced with their sisters-in-law’s farewells. Customarily, women their age—neither newlywed nor childless—were expected to stay in the capital to serve their in-laws and raise their children, rather than follow their husbands to their posts.

Song Zhangru, in particular, had misgivings. Years ago, when Ming Rang was first assigned outside the capital, she—as the de facto eldest daughter-in-law—had accompanied him and even given birth to their first son there. Upon their return, her mother had counted her blessings. Now, with her eldest son of marriageable age, leaving the capital again gave her pause.

Quick to notice, Ming Tang guessed their concerns and smiled. "Sisters-in-law, if you fear my sister and I might complain, just load up on local souvenirs when you return. That’ll keep us quiet and keep us from ‘slandering’ you."

Ming Shao, the elder sister, carried natural authority and couldn’t make such lighthearted remarks, lest her sisters-in-law take offense. She pointed at Ming Tang instead. "You’ve always had a one-track mind for food. I don’t know how you turned out this way."

Realizing that the two sisters-in-law had no intention of finding fault, the atmosphere in the drawing room relaxed considerably. The two sisters-in-law exchanged glances, both feeling a sense of gratitude: when they married into the Ming family, their mothers had mentioned that Mrs. Ming was level-headed and the household had a harmonious atmosphere—their father-in-law’s later promotions were just an added bonus. The more they interacted, the more they felt that the reason their mothers had emphasized was truly rare.

To maintain such harmony consistently for over a decade—how could it not be comforting?

As the auspicious hour approached, their reluctance to part grew stronger. The younger ones who were leaving the capital felt sorrowful, while those who had to stay behind for various reasons also looked downcast.

The family comforted one another, lingering over goodbyes before boarding the carriages and proceeding to the Ten-Mile Farewell Pavilion.

Year after year, the willows at Baling Bridge witnessed sorrowful partings. Though it was still winter, with no willow leaves in sight at the pavilion, the sadness of separation remained undiminished. It was only when Ming Li reminded them, "If we don’t leave now, we won’t make it to the inn we booked," that they finally exchanged heartfelt goodbyes.

The twins leaned out of the carriage window, waving vigorously, and didn’t forget to remind Ming Tang, "Auntie, don’t forget to throw us a welcome-back feast when we return!"

Seeing Ming Tang agree, they cheered and retreated into the carriage.

As the carriages gradually disappeared into the distance, the earlier sadness faded. Those left behind exchanged glances, couldn’t help but smile, shook their heads, and boarded their own carriages to return to the capital.

On the way back, Pei Yue left his horse and joined Ming Tang in her carriage.

The wheels rolled over the cobblestones with a steady rumble. Ming Tang lifted the curtain and glanced at the overcast sky outside, sighing, "Winter in the capital is truly long. After a few years in the south, my brothers might not even want to come back."

Pei Yue paused, surprised. Considering that they had just bid farewell to family and friends, and knowing how close the Ming family was, he thought Ming Tang might be feeling down. He pondered briefly, deciding to invite her for an outing outside the city during his next day off to lift her spirits.

But Ming Tang had already shifted the topic: "Luckily, in a few days, I’ll be going with Mother to the hot spring villa outside the city. The weather won’t matter much then."

Pei Yue: "…"

Since when had his mother and Ming Tang decided on this trip?

If they were going, Pei Ze would naturally follow. So, in a few days, he’d have to say goodbye all over again?