Climbing on the Sparrow Branch – CH 590

Chapter 590: The Twenty-Ninth

The twenty-ninth of the lunar year was a sunny day.

Tomorrow was New Year’s Eve, and the other two branches of the Pei family came over early today.

With the addition of two more families, the courtyard became much livelier.

An Zhi was nearing her due date, so Madam Meng was still busy taking care of things. Madam Xu led several women in a game of flower cards, while An Zhi and Pei Xuan sat on the other side, eating melon seeds.

Looking at Pei Xuan’s fair face, An Zhi patted her slender palms. “I just heard your mother say that your marriage seems to be settled?”

At the mention of marriage, Pei Xuan immediately blushed, lowered her head slightly, and whispered, “It’s not settled yet, but both families are quite satisfied. We would have to wait until after the New Year to have our birth dates and times calculated.”

Hearing this, An Zhi knew it was pretty much true. “Whose family is it?”

“It was the eldest son of the third branch of the Cheng family. Fourth Aunt should know him,” Pei Xuan said.

An Zhi naturally knew of him, though she was not very familiar with him. However, Cheng Huan had mentioned him briefly, saying he was a decent person. “The Cheng family has a good reputation; you’re very fortunate to be married into them.”

Pei Xuan herself was also quite satisfied. The Cheng family had a solid foundation, and currently, Duke Cheng was a high-ranking official in the court. As long as she was willing to work hard, her future would not be bad.

An Zhi knew that young women were easily embarrassed, so she did not say anything more, just keeping it to herself.

Laughter occasionally came from the mahjong table opposite. Soon, Madam Meng arrived, saying that the banquet had been prepared and they could take their seats.

An Zhi and her two sisters-in-law walked at the front. Madam Xu kept glancing at An Zhi’s belly.

“Fourth Sister-in-law, I see your belly is quite round, just like when I was pregnant with Lan’er. I heard you cannot eat fish; is that right?” Madam Xu had lost some weight recently because Pei Que had resigned from his official post, which had also made things difficult for her husband. She was now somewhat resentful.

An Zhi touched her belly, knowing that Madam Xu meant she would have a daughter, but for her, a daughter would be fine too. “I cannot eat fish, and even now I can hardly swallow any. According to my second sister-in-law, I’m very likely to have a girl. If it really is a girl, then I would take your good wishes.”

Madam Xu subtly curled her lip, inwardly cursing An Zhi for being hypocritical. As the matriarch of a prominent family, she certainly wanted a son; without one to inherit the family enterprise, her husband would take concubines, and eventually, the inner quarters might be handed over.

Seeing An Zhi still smiling, Madam Xu felt even more that An Zhi was being fake and silently prayed that An Zhi would have a daughter to see if An Zhi would still be smiling then.

Noticing the sneer on Xu’s lips, Madam Meng said, “Fourth Sister-in-law is still young. As long as her first child is safe and sound, whether it was a boy or a girl, she can have more. Besides, childbirth is not a one-size-fits-all matter. When I gave birth to Kun’er, I could not eat anything with a fishy smell.”

An Zhi chimed in, “Yes, as long as it’s safe, everything else is minor.”

While they were talking, the group arrived at the reception hall, took their seats, and began to eat.

The women of the second and third branches stayed until dinner was over before leaving the host’s house, while the male guests went to the old master’s courtyard.

Madam Meng and her daughter rode in the same carriage, waiting for the second branch’s carriage to start moving before following behind.

Pei Xuan drank a small cup of wine that evening, her rosy cheeks flushing slightly. Leaning against her mother’s arm, she smiled softly. “Mother, today I overheard my second aunt and uncle complaining that my fourth uncle has fallen on hard times, and they do not need to flatter him anymore.”

“Your second aunt has always been short-sighted; she only sees her immediate surroundings and does not consider anything more. Your fourth uncle and aunt are no ordinary people, and besides, your grandfather did not seem worried at all today; he must have already planned this out,” said Madam Meng.

“I think so too,” Pei Xuan said, nuzzling her mother’s arm. This might be her last New Year at home, and she felt particularly reluctant to leave.

The carriage slowly crossed the street and stopped in front of the Pei family’s third branch.

The servant outside reminded her that they had arrived. Madam Meng patted her daughter’s arm and said softly, “We’ve arrived.”

The mother and daughter alighted from the carriage one after the other. Just as they were about to enter the Mansion, Pei Xuan suddenly noticed a figure in the corner of the wall not far away. The figure looked very familiar.

“Mother, is someone there?”

Madam Meng turned to look but saw no one. “No one. You’re probably drunk. You should drink less in the future. Just one cup and you’re drunk.”

Pei Xuan rubbed her eyes and looked again. There really was no one there. “I might really be drunk.”

After Pei Xuan and her mother entered the gate, a tall figure slowly emerged from the corner.

Qian Jinyu stared at the words “Pei Manor” and did not go any further.

“Master, did you not dislike Young Lady Pei? Why did you escort her all the way back?” the servant Qian Jinyu asked, puzzled. “When you were arranging the marriage, you directly rejected her. And it seems Young Lady Pei is about to get engaged. Even if you have feelings for her now, it’s too late.”

“Engaged?” Qian Jinyu suddenly turned his head. “When did she get engaged?”

“Not…not yet, but almost.” The servant was startled and stammered, “Master, are you really…interested in Young Lady Pei?”

Qian Jinyu did not know how he had ended up following them. Hearing the servant’s question, he immediately thought of his previous encounters with Pei Xuan.

In the west, Qian Jinyu had met many women, more unrestrained than those in the capital. Many would directly give him gifts, but he had never been moved.

But ever since he held Pei Xuan’s hand, he often thought of her. At first, he thought it was just youthful impetuosity. But after several more chance encounters with Pei Xuan, he always remembered the sweet dimples on her cheeks when she smiled.

Licking his lips, Qian Jinyu turned and walked into the darkness. He felt it was necessary to speak with his mother.

After Qian Jinyu left, An Zhi also spoke to Pei Que about Pei Xuan and the Cheng family.

“Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law are indeed quite ambitious,” An Zhi said, in a compliment.

Many people had ambitions, which was not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes, being a little opportunistic was better than being a saint.

Pei Que nodded in agreement. “With Duke Cheng in the Cheng family, they can at least hold on for several more years. Anyone with a bit of ability can climb the ranks. Besides, the Cheng family has a good reputation. When Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law chose their son-in-law, it was not all for profit; they were also thinking of Pei Xuan’s well-being.”

“Yes, I think Pei Xuan herself is very willing,” An Zhi said with a smile to Pei Que. “Let’s just wait and drink the wedding wine. The Third Branch of the family are all shrewd people; they will not make any mistakes.”

Pei Que wiped his face and began to take off his clothes. “Do not worry about Third Brother’s family, but Second Brother is still a bit unreliable. If Second Sister-in-law asks you anything, you have to be careful of her. She’s quick-witted and does not think things through.”