"It was late spring, the Qingming Festival, Shiyuan and the other sons of the Pei family stood solemnly before the spirits of their ancestors, mourning their heroic spirits and expressing our grief..."
Pei Che led Pei Mu, following the changes in the content of the sacrificial text, either bowing or standing up, either mourning or covering their faces with tears. As a noble family in Liangjing, the Qingming Festival ancestor worship is naturally not negligent. The rules are as complicated as those of the royal family, and it is not comparable to ordinary people burning paper money to show filial piety.
They got up before dawn to prepare, and were not able to return to the Duke's Mansion until the evening. After a day of frequent standing and kneeling, they could not be careless in their behavior and could only stay in a proper manner, which made everyone look a little tired.
Among them, Pei Che was more exhausted than the others. In addition to offering sacrifices to the ancestral tomb, he also had to lead a group of young people to offer sacrifices in a separate cemetery outside the ancestral tomb. The rule that people who died suddenly should not be buried in the ancestral tomb was more important to the aristocratic families than to ordinary people. Even a strong woman like Grandmother Pei did not dare to propose the idea of burying Pei Shijie and his wife in the ancestral tomb. She could only find another way and bury them in the place closest to the Pei family's ancestral tomb, hoping that they could also be cared for by the Pei family's ancestors.
"Mu'er, if you want to sleep, just lean on me. I'll carry you back later." In the carriage, Pei Mu's eyelids drooped, and his little face was full of fatigue, but he still tried hard not to fall asleep. It was not until he heard Pei Che's voice that he fell on Pei Che's body and fell into a deep sleep in the blink of an eye.
Pei Che hugged him tighter, took out the cloak from the car, and wrapped him up to prevent him from catching a cold. Pei Che was very relieved today because Pei Mu behaved exactly like a normal child today, even better than those children who cried because of the oppressive atmosphere. He believed that soon, Mu'er would be completely well!
The people in other carriages were also discussing the changes in the two brothers, especially Pei Mu's performance today, which amazed everyone.
Pei Pu and Pei Min from the second house and Pei Peng from the third house rode in the same carriage. Pei Pu and Pei Min had been studying in Yicheng before and had just returned to the mansion a few days ago. They had learned about the major events that had happened during this period through letters, but they had no idea about Pei Mu's changes.
"Brother Peng, what happened to Pei Mu? Did big brother visit many famous doctors and cure him?" Pei Pu was very confused.
Pei Peng was a straightforward person. Hearing this, he curled his lips and said, "Who can cure that little monster's illness? I heard from my mother that it might be because his fate conflicts with the Duke's Mansion. So he seems to be getting better after leaving the Duke's Mansion."
"He has not been in the mansion for some time. Where has he been?" Pei Min looked at Pei Pu and continued to ask.
"It is said that he went to his elder brother's male wife." Pei Peng was very disdainful. Who would marry a male wife? Seeing his elder brother usually looked so handsome, he didn't expect that he actually had a homosexual tendency!
"Have you seen his male wife?" Pei Min was a little curious. This matter was too bizarre. Even in Yicheng, he had heard a lot of rumors. Some said that the male wife was as beautiful as Pan An, and some said that she looked like Zhong Kui.
Pei Peng shook his head: "His male wife is a peddler from the outer city. How could I go to such a place? I don't know what grandma is thinking. She actually agreed to let my eldest brother marry such a man?"
"This is a marriage arranged by the emperor. How could grandma not agree?" Pei Pu said.
"That's right, the emperor's order is hard to disobey." Pei Peng nodded, "But it's strange, the emperor not only issued an order to grant my eldest brother a marriage, but also conferred him the title of Crown Prince. I don't know what the emperor is thinking?"
After these words came out, the faces of the two brothers Pei Pu and Pei Min changed a little. After all, the current Duke Zhongguo was their father, but the Crown Prince was Pei Che, which made the two brothers' status in the mansion awkward.
Now the undercurrents in the mansion were turbulent. Although there were some who supported them, no one dared to disobey Pei Che's orders. Just like what happened yesterday, Pei Che directly dealt with more than 20 servants in Pei Mu's courtyard, including several house-born children. Their parents did not dare to say a word, but quietly took them back to treat their injuries.
When the carriage arrived in front of the Duke's Mansion, Pei Che got off the carriage holding Pei Mu. The servant beside him reached out to take her away, but was stopped by Pei Che. He took Pei Mu back to the courtyard and settled her down. Just as he was about to take a rest, he heard Chan Yi come in and report that the old lady had sent someone to invite him over.
Pei Che changed his clothes and went over. He found that Grandmother Pei looked particularly haggard today, so he asked with concern: "Grandmother, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell? Grandma Gao, have you asked the doctor to come and see you?"
Grandmother Pei said, "Why do we need to call a doctor? I am just a little sad. Are your parents... okay?"
Pei Che hurriedly said, "The family that is guarding it is very attentive. My father and mother's graves are very clean, and incense is offered all year round. Don't worry. I will also take the sacrificial texts I wrote in the Imperial College to burn today. I'm sure they will receive them."
Grandmother Pei blinked to hide the moisture in her eyes, and said with a smile: "That's good. By the way, your brother, did you make any mistakes today?"
In the past, although Pei Mu would also bring him along, he would always be led by a servant and stand at the back. This time, Pei Che brought him along himself, standing behind Pei Shiyuan. Naturally, Grandmother Pei was a little worried.
"Don't worry, Grandma. Mu'er is very well behaved. He did whatever I asked him to do and he didn't cry or make a fuss the whole time."
Grandmother Pei nodded, stopped asking questions, and turned to talk about other things. "Che'er, are you going to the Imperial College tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow?" Grandmother Pei suddenly asked at the end of the conversation.
"Grandma, do you have anything for me to do?"
"Nothing, it's just that you haven't had dinner with your grandmother for a long time."
Pei Che smiled: "What's the difficulty? Tomorrow morning, I will come to your place to have breakfast with you. After breakfast, I will go back to the Imperial College."
"Tomorrow morning?"
"Yes, I still have to send Mu'er to A Miao first."
Grandmother Pei paused and said, "I neglected the matter of Xing'er. Since she has been sold, why not leave your brother in the mansion? I will keep a close eye on him."
If he had said this last time, Pei Che might have considered it again. But he had seen Mu'er becoming more and more lively with Jiang Miao and Xiao Shitou, so he naturally couldn't bear to keep him in this place that was not a good place for him.
"Grandma, you are not in good health, so please don't worry about Mu'er's affairs. Miao's place is very good, and Mu'er likes it there more."
Grandmother Pei sighed: "Well, let him stay for a while. After two months, Jiang Miao should be able to move in anyway."
The next morning, after Pei Che had dinner with his grandmother, he took Pei Mu on the carriage. Along the way, Pei Mu was filled with joy, and from time to time he looked out through the gap in the window, hoping to see the familiar scenery in the next second.
Pei Che thought Jiang Miao was not at home at this time, so he ordered the driver to go directly to Jiang's shop. When they arrived at the destination, before Pei Che got off the car, he saw Jiang Miao running out in a hurry and said something to the driver, who then drove the carriage into the small road next to it.
"Luckily I recognized your carriage just now. If you got off at the door, I wouldn't have any peace in my shop!" Pei Che was greeted with a complaint as soon as he got off the car. He remembered the last time Jiang Miao was surrounded by people for several days, and couldn't help laughing.
Jiang Miao rolled his eyes at him and said, "Then don't go to school, stay here and help me run the store. With you, Master Pei, as the face of the store, the business will definitely be booming."
Pei Che laughed again and was about to speak when he heard a noise from behind. He then realized that he had not yet taken Pei Mu out of the car.
"Little Wood! You're back. Is this a gift for me? Thank you, baby!" As soon as Pei Mu got out of the car, he rushed towards Jiang Miao, and at the same time raised the small cloth bag in his hand high, motioning Jiang Miao to take it.
After being touched on the head and praised by Jiang Miao, two little red clouds appeared on Pei Mu's face, and he actually felt a little shy.
Pei Che felt a twinge of anger when he saw the interaction between the two. He felt that Jiang Miao was a little biased. They were both members of the Pei family, but they were treated so differently. Was it because he didn't bring a gift for Jiang Miao
Thinking of this, Pei Che coughed dryly, attracting the two people's attention, and said, "There is a box in the car, which contains books and copybooks, as well as pens, inkstones, and other things. They are all given to Xiao Shitou. Did he go to study?"
"That's right. I just had a day off yesterday. Xiao Shitou is in need of these things. Mr. Pei is so thoughtful. I want to thank you on behalf of Xiao Shitou. Where's the box? I'll go and move it down." Jiang Miao said with a smile.
Pei Che gave the driver a look and he jumped off the cart and carried the big wooden box into the yard. Jiang Miao stretched out his hand to stop it, fearing that it would fall.
Pei Mu followed in consciously, and Pei Che, who was left alone, had no choice but to go in by himself.
After the wooden box was placed, the driver went out. Jiang Miao opened the box and looked at the books and school supplies inside, and thanked Pei Che again.
"Don't be so polite. You usually take care of Mu'er, and I can't help but thank you every three sentences." Pei Che said. He noticed that Pei Mu was staring at the bag in Jiang Miao's hand, and couldn't help but remind him, "Don't you want to see what Mu'er gave you?"
Jiang Miao looked down at Pei Mu, then reached out and touched his head before opening the bag and dumping it on the table. He felt that each of the stones was quite heavy, and wondered if they were the beautiful stones that Pei Mu had picked up.
"This... What is this? Why is there so much silver?" Jiang Miao was very surprised when he saw the silver things on the table. He reached out and picked up the gold ingot from the pile of silver ingots and said, "There is actually another gold ingot?"
Pei Mu had been paying attention to his every move. When he saw Jiang Miao pick up the gold and look at it again and again, he couldn't help but feel annoyed. I should have taken a few more!
"These are what Mu'er received during the Chinese New Year. They are New Year's money given to the younger generation by the elders in the mansion."
"Thank you, little Mu Tou. I appreciate your kindness. But let your brother take the money back and save it for when you grow up and get married." Jiang Miao was very touched. This child is so sensible!
When Pei Mu saw Jiang Miao push the silver to Pei Che, he quickly reached out to grab it back and pushed it back to Jiang Miao, still looking at Jiang Miao steadily.
"Take it. Mu'er likes you. If you don't accept it, he will be sad."
"Okay, I'll keep it for you." Jiang Miao put the silver back into the bag and hid it.
"By the way, have you had breakfast? How about I go out and get you something to fill your stomach?"
"That's fine." Pei Che said. He had eaten with his grandmother in the morning. The old lady liked to eat soft and mushy food, which was not to his taste. He put down his chopsticks after eating not much.
Jiang Miao went to the kitchen, picked up a few dishes that Pei Che had not eaten before, put them on a tray and took them out.
"What is this?" Pei Che asked, pointing at the golden and crispy dough sticks.
"Fried dough sticks are delicious when paired with soy milk. This is shepherd's purse and egg dumplings, this is tea eggs, and this is soup dumplings, they are all delicious." These are also the signature breakfast items of Jiang's Shop.
Pei Mu often eats it, and now he has picked up the spoon to put the egg dumplings into his mouth. Pei Che ate a steamed bun first, and the delicious smell in his mouth opened up all his taste buds, so he started to stuff it into his mouth one bite after another.
After eating, he sighed with satisfaction: "If only the breakfast in the Imperial College could be as delicious as in your restaurant."
"Come on, I think the food at Essence Garden is delicious, but you're just used to it. If you eat the food at my restaurant a few more times, you might not find it tasty anymore."
Pei Che retorted: "How is that possible? I never get tired of the meat sauce you make, and the same goes for the breakfast in the store. It's a pity that I have to wait until Dragon Boat Festival to come out next time." He lowered his eyes and sighed, looking lonely.
“… If you like it, I’ll bring it to you more often.”
Pei Che was secretly happy in his heart, but he still looked the same on the surface: "Am I troubling you too much? You are so busy, and you still want to bring me food. I really feel bad."
"It's not like I'm walking there by myself, so why would I bother? Now that business is on track and I have more helpers, I don't have to be as busy as before."
After Sister Xiaoyu came to the store, she started working in the store. She was quick and nimble, and did everything quickly and well, whether in the kitchen or under the kitchen. Jiang Miao originally wanted to bring her here to relax, but looking at her, he thought it was a good idea. Having something to do is much better than being alone and thinking about random things.
"Thank you very much." Pei Che narrowed his eyes and smiled like a fox who had stolen a chicken.
Jiang Miao snorted and laughed. He had already heard what Master Pei had just said. If it weren't for his good looks, who would be willing to indulge him
Ugly fish,
(End of this chapter)