Transmigrating to the Qi Family - Chapter 132

Pei Che is just speaking with a few people and hasn’t noticed the situation over there. When the murmurs around him grow louder, he glances over, his face suddenly darkening. He quickly strides down.

The servant is still verifying the couple’s invitation and hasn’t noticed Pei Che approaching.

“Are you sure you came with an invitation?” His gaze is filled with suspicion. People like him have sharp eyes, and from the way the couple is dressed, they don’t even compare to the second-tier maids in the estate.

“It’s real.” The man hurriedly nods. The woman beside him glances around and whispers, “Can we go in now?”

“What’s the rush? It’s still early!” The servant raises his eyelids slightly, inwardly cursing these country bumpkins for their lack of sense. Usually, when the poor relatives of the Duke’s household come, they at least give some money.

“Uncle, Aunt, you’ve come from afar. I, as your nephew, failed to welcome you from a distance and have been remiss!” Pei Che clasps his hands and bows, such a solemn greeting making those nearby even more curious. After all, the ones who have just entered are all high-ranking officials and nobles, but none have seen the heir personally come down to greet them.

“He… Heir?” The servant turns his head, trembling all over, immediately lowering himself submissively. “I didn’t know they were your guests. Just now, Young Master Min told me to be vigilant, fearing someone with ill intentions might sneak in. I was just… just taking a closer look.”

Pei Che doesn’t even glance at him. Instead, he addresses Uncle Jiang and his wife, “There are always some lowly scoundrels in the house with dog eyes who look down on people. Please don’t take offense, elders. When I find the time, I’ll make sure to deal with them properly.”

His voice is neither too loud nor too soft, but just loud enough for Pei Pu and Pei Min, who aren’t far away, to hear. Their faces change, knowing that Pei Che is taking this opportunity to reprimand them.

Uncle Jiang, facing his imposing nephew-in-law, hurriedly waves his hand. “It’s fine, it’s fine, no harm done. Where’s Ah Miao?”

“He’s in the backyard now,” Pei Che smiles slightly and personally leads them inside. His attitude makes it clear to everyone in the estate that their young master highly values the young madam; otherwise, why would he treat these country folks with such respect?

…

“Oh, isn’t this Lady Pei?” Lady Wang, the wife of the Duke of Cheng’en, enters the garden with a few female relatives and immediately walks toward Madam Pei.

Madam Pei’s previously smiling face instantly freezes. “Haha, good morning, Lady Wang.”

“What’s so good?” Lady Wang feigns a complaint. “Running from one house to another, I haven’t had a day to rest. I’ve barely been home these past few days. But luckily, the day after tomorrow, it’ll be my turn to host a banquet. Lady Pei, you absolutely must honor us with your presence.”

Madam Pei’s smile becomes a bit forced. “How could I refuse an invitation from Lady Wang? Congratulations in advance.”

Lady Wang sighs, “What’s there to congratulate? My youngest son just isn’t up to par. He only ranks twenty-second in this year’s provincial exam, nowhere near your family’s Heir Pei. By the way, what about Pei Pu and Pei Min? When will their scholar banquets be held?”

Madam Pei feels too embarrassed to respond. Just then, a young woman behind Lady Wang suddenly says, “I’ve seen the copied list, and it seems those two aren’t on it.”

Lady Wang gasps in surprise. “Really? Oh dear, I’ve always heard that Lady Pei’s two fine sons are quite extraordinary in their studies. How could they have failed the provincial exam? Ping’er, are you sure you didn’t remember it wrong?”

The young woman, somewhat indignant, replies, “Mother, I’m certain. The only person named Pei on the list is the Heir.”

Their back-and-forth drives Madam Pei’s blood to rush up in fury. Looking at the ladies in the garden pretending to chat but actually perking up their ears to pay attention to this side, she feels dizzy and almost faints.

“Oh my, Lady Pei, what’s the matter?” Lady Wang asks with a look of concern. “Are you worried about their studies? After all, your sons are still young. Maybe in another five or seven years, they’ll pass the exams.”

Madam Pei, gritting her teeth in anger, finally forces out a few words. “Thank you for your kind words, Lady Wang. I’m feeling a bit unwell, so I’ll take my leave first!”

Without giving Lady Wang a chance to reply, Madam Pei hurriedly leaves with the help of her maid.

Having won this round, Lady Wang coldly smiles. She wants to see how arrogant she will be now!

After they leave, the two senior maids that Grandmother Pei has sent to assist Madam Pei exchange uneasy glances and quickly report to Grandmother Pei that there is no one managing the backyard at the moment.

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Pei snorts coldly. “Useless! Can’t handle a few sharp words—where’s their dignity? What about the third and fourth ladies?”

“The third and fourth madams are here, but…” The maid hesitates to continue.

Grandmother Pei doesn’t need to hear the maid finish her sentence to understand what she wants to say. Both women come from small, humble families and usually follow behind the second wife. At larger events, they tremble when they speak, naturally unable to hold the situation together.

The trouble is, none of the guests today are of the same generation as Grandmother Pei. If she goes out to greet them personally, people might laugh at the Duke’s household for lacking proper hosts.

After much deliberation, Grandmother Pei says, “Go ask Che’er’s wife to come.”

Jiang Miao has originally been helping Pei Che greet guests at the front. However, after Jiang Miao visited Grandmother Pei and returned, his whole demeanor has changed.

Seeing this, Pei Che quietly asks with concern, “Ah Miao, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Jiang Miao shakes his head with a bitter expression. “No, your grandmother wants me to go to the backyard to entertain the guests.”

“What?” Pei Che is a bit surprised and immediately starts walking off. “I’ll go talk to Grandmother.” Without asking for a reason, he wants to go directly to her and tell her not to send Jiang Miao.

“Don’t go!” Jiang Miao pulls him back. “I already agreed.”

Pei Che is even more surprised. Ah Miao, who has always prided himself on being a tough and masculine man, is actually willing to go entertain guests in the backyard? He has always hated being treated like a lady.

“Why?” Pei Che asks.

“Why else? Your grandmother is old and has a high status. Is it appropriate for her to entertain guests? And your second aunt, who was just insulted, is now claiming illness and staying in her own courtyard, not coming out. There’s no one in charge in the backyard. If something goes wrong, wouldn’t a good event turn into a disaster?” Jiang Miao feels like he is stepping up in a crisis, and a sense of responsibility surges in him.

“What happened to my second aunt?” Pei Che still doesn’t know what has transpired in the backyard.

Jiang Miao tells Pei Che what he has just found out and says, “This feud should have been caused last time. The mother of the person who quarreled with us last time is this Madam Wang.”

Pei Che nods in understanding. “No wonder Lady Wang keeps poking at others’ sore spots.”

“Exactly. If I were your second aunt, I’d be furious too,” Jiang Miao says.

“In that case, I’ll have to trouble you to handle this for me, A-Miao. Take Chan Yi and Wen Jing with you when you go. They know some martial arts, so if anything happens, let them deal with it.” Pei Che knows there are too many dirty tricks in wealthy families, and he worries that Jiang Miao might unknowingly fall into someone’s trap.

Jiang Miao is stunned—Chan Yi and Wen Jing know martial arts? They both look so frail and delicate!

With this question in mind, Jiang Miao keeps secretly observing the two on their way to the garden.

“Master Jiang, is there something wrong with us?” Chan Yi glances at herself, then at Wen Jing, confused.

“No!” Jiang Miao quickly replies, “I just heard from your Heir that you both know martial arts.”

“It’s just a minor skill, nothing worth mentioning,” Chan Yi humbly says.

Jiang Miao suddenly feels a pang of envy. He doesn’t even know minor martial arts! Today is another day to resolve to start training!

When they arrive at the garden, Chan Yi and Wen Jing speak up to alert the guests inside. Once everything is ready, Jiang Miao walks in.

At that moment, the guests are gathered in small groups of threes and fives, staring at Jiang Miao and whispering among themselves.

Since Jiang Miao is used to being in business, being stared at doesn’t bother him much. He says, “Ladies, I apologize for the earlier neglect. I hope you don’t mind.””

With that, he gestures, and the maids following behind Chan Yi and Wen Jing bring out various items: snacks like pastries and fruits, musical instruments like guqins and flutes, and toys like kites and shuttlecocks. In addition, knowing that many of these young ladies are well-educated, Jiang Miao has prepared brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones for them to compose poems or paint. Chessboards, flower-arranging tools, and tea sets are also scattered around for those interested to use.

All of these are items already available in the household, and Jiang Miao has ordered them to be gathered together. He thinks it would be good to give the ladies something to do; otherwise, they might just sit around chatting and end up in conflicts, like what has happened earlier between Madam Pei and Lady Wang.

To be honest, these young ladies are quite familiar with all the items here, but it is rare for so many of them to be available at once.

As the guests gradually spread out and find activities they are interested in, Jiang Miao breathes a sigh of relief. As long as no trouble arises, they can do whatever they like.

People are still quite curious about Jiang Miao, but most of them are reserved and won’t initiate conversation with a man outside their family. Even though Jiang Miao’s status is that of a man married to Pei Che by imperial decree, to everyone else, he is still undeniably a man. Who would dare to stop Jiang Miao and chat with him?

Jiang Miao is busy trying to mediate a quarrel between two young girls — all because of a kite shaped like a beautiful woman. After speaking with them for a while, the two reluctantly stop arguing, each choosing a different kite, saying they will race first to decide who will get the beautiful woman-shaped kite.

Jiang Miao stands to the side, watching with interest. Too bad it isn’t spring—if it were, they could take advantage of the east wind to fly the kites even higher.

At that moment, a maid leads someone over. Jiang Miao casually turns his head, and when he sees who it is, he immediately smiles. “Second Aunt, you’ve come!” He looks past Aunt Jiang, searching for others. “Where’s my cousin Xiaoyu and my younger sisters?” He has arranged for the family’s carriage to bring them all to the Jiang residence and sent people to fetch them again in the morning. Why does only one person arrive?

Aunt Jiang explains, “Xiaoyu didn’t want to come, and your younger sisters haven’t been out much. If they caused any trouble, it wouldn’t be good. Besides, I know you’re busy today, so I didn’t bring them along to avoid causing trouble for you.”

“How can it cause trouble? Second Aunt, you’re being too considerate,” Jiang Miao says. “The more people, the merrier. Later, let’s set up a table in my courtyard and have a proper meal together as a family.”

Second Aunt Jiang smiles but doesn’t reply. Even though Ah Miao doesn’t mind, they know they should be more mindful. In these large households, people are rarely easygoing. If even a servant at the gate can act like that, how much better can the others be?