Chapter 257: Actions Speak Louder Than Words
"It’s not Chen Shujing."
Pei Yan understood Mei Wanying’s temperament. She was fiercely loyal and would unconditionally stand by Xue Xingyao’s side.
Xue Xingyao had already divorced Chen Shujing, so that was a clean break.
Ah Yin would not have any dealings with Chen Shujing.
Her best friend’s stance was her stance. Ah Yin had always been this protective of her own.
Pei Yan was protective of his own, too.
Mei Wanying’s stance was his stance!
It wasn’t like he was crazy. Why would he bring Chen Shujing before Ah Yin?
That would just be upsetting Ah Yin!
The Pei Yan of the past wouldn’t do such a thing. Now that Mei Wanying was pregnant and needed to maintain a peaceful state of mind, Pei Yan would be even less likely to do anything that would upset her.
Hearing it wasn’t Chen Shujing, Mei Wanying relaxed.
Hugging the Little Raccoon, she used its small paw to pat Pei Yan’s arm. "Hurry up and tell me clearly. Stop keeping me in suspense."
Ling glanced at Pei Yan. "Daddy, hurry up and talk."
Little Mei Hua meowed twice, as if also urging Pei Yan on.
Pei Yan clicked his tongue, feeling his status at home was in jeopardy.
Even a Little Raccoon dared to cry out at him. It was walking all over him!
But this was his daughter’s beloved pet, so he couldn’t even say a single harsh word to it.
His large hand ruffled the Little Raccoon’s glossy, smooth fur. The Little Raccoon stretched out its little head to nuzzle his palm.
The man’s lips curved into a slight smile.
’For the sake of its cuteness, I won’t hold a grudge against it.’
He cleared his throat and began to explain the teacher’s background.
"She’s a female scholar, with the surname Xi. Her family has a long tradition of farming and scholarship, and has produced many remarkable individuals."
"The scholar traveled through various states with her elders from a very young age and has authored books. It’s just that she lives a reclusive and simple life and keeps a low profile, so her scholarly fame isn’t as widespread as others. Not many people have taken notice of her."
"You read travelogues written by Mr. Xi when you were young. You even said that the person who wrote the book, having seen the world, must be an open-minded and broad-minded woman."
"Before finalizing the decision, I read all the books written by Mr. Xi and even tested her. The policy essays she wrote are pragmatic, not superficial. For every issue, she can propose a countermeasure, with every solution being practical."
"Ah Yin, your evaluation back then was spot-on. Mr. Xi is a person of great depth and does things in a structured way. She’s the most suitable person to start Lingling’s education."
"There’s a saying, ’a child at three foretells the person at seven.’ Lingling needs to learn to read and write, but she also needs to learn a systematic way of handling matters. This is very important."
Without a systematic approach, matters become a tangled mess.
Good things can turn into bad things.
Pei Yan felt that cultivating his daughter’s ability to manage affairs was of utmost importance.
Mei Wanying was a noble lady raised in the inner chambers; reading was a part of her daily life.
Even if one couldn’t become a renowned female scholar, one still needed to have some knowledge. Otherwise, you’d be a laughingstock in social circles.
Mei Wanying couldn’t remember the incident Pei Yan was talking about.
But she knew of the Xi Family. Like the Chen Family, they were a renowned noble family with a tradition of farming and scholarship.
To receive such praise from Pei Yan proved that this Mr. Xi was truly extraordinary.
Starting one’s education was a major event, one that would have a profound influence on Ling.
Mr. Xi was knowledgeable and experienced, truly suitable for Ling.
Mei Wanying agreed with Pei Yan’s arrangement.
But her confusion wasn’t resolved yet. "The Xi Family and the Chen Family are related by marriage?"
She had read Mr. Xi’s book when she was little, which proved Mr. Xi was older than them.
Regarding matters of the previous generation, unless one deliberately inquired, Mei Wanying didn’t know much.
Pei Yan nodded. "In terms of generation, she is Chen Shujing’s aunt by marriage. The Xi Family and Chen Family were joined by marriage; the scholar married Chen Shujing’s youngest uncle."
After a pause, Pei Yan continued, "The men of the Chen Family are not allowed to take concubines, unless they are over thirty and still without an heir. Only then can the matter be considered. You should know about this."
Mei Wanying hummed in agreement.
When Ah Yao was being matched with Chen Shujing, this "no concubines" rule scored him a lot of points.
Later, when Ah Yao’s resolve wavered, this was likely one of the reasons.
Men from good families who didn’t take concubines were truly too few.
Chen Shujing was detestable, but compared to the sons of other prominent families, he did have many good qualities.
It was no wonder Ah Yao had once wavered.
Mei Wanying asked, "What does the ’no concubines’ rule have to do with the scholar?"
Pei Yan said, "She and her husband were married for many years without an heir. The family elders made the decision and brought in a concubine for Chen Shujing’s youngest uncle."
This wasn’t a topic for a child to hear, so Mei Wanying covered Ling’s ears.
"And then?"
The Chen Family’s main branch wasn’t in the Capital City. For the scholar to come teach in their manor, she would naturally have to stay here.
For a married woman to travel far from home, she would inevitably have to get past her husband’s family.
’Don’t tell me they divorced?’ Mei Wanying thought.
Pei Yan and Mei Wanying seemed to share the same thought. "Not a divorce. She repudiated her husband. The Chen Family kept it under tight wraps, so no gossip spread."
"Of course, the Chen Family didn’t get their wish either. The one who couldn’t have children, the one with the physical ailment, turned out to be Chen Shujing’s youngest uncle."
"Mr. Xi has been living in the Capital City all these years, living a reclusive life and editing many books. Her scholarship is on par with the great Confucian scholars."
Mei Wanying was speechless.
As a fellow woman, she could understand Mr. Xi’s decision.
There is no room for a third person in a relationship between a man and a woman.
If it were her, she also wouldn’t be able to accept Pei Yan having a child with another woman.
’Besides, you can live without a man. It’s not like you can’t survive.’
’Why should you wrong yourself?’
Meeting Mei Wanying’s gaze, Pei Yan raised an eyebrow. "Don’t even think about it. You won’t be leaving me in this lifetime."
Her thoughts having been seen through, Mei Wanying once again used the Little Raccoon’s paw to pat Pei Yan’s face. "Actions speak louder than words."
Little Mei Hua let out a meow, seconding Mei Wanying’s words.
Ling also nodded, not quite understanding.
Pei Yan laughed out loud, pulling them all into his arms and deliberately asking, "How about this?"
Ling was about to be squashed flat, crying out, "Yikes, yikes! Little Mei Hua, save me!"
The Little Raccoon was also being held, unable to even save itself, and could only meow in protest.
It was a lively scene!
Mei Wanying didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "We haven’t finished our serious conversation."
Afraid of hurting her belly, Pei Yan relaxed his hold. Little Mei Hua deftly squeezed its way out and leaped lightly to the floor.
It struggled to its feet and pawed at Ling’s little foot, trying to lead her to "escape" from there.
Pei Yan set his daughter down and patted her on the back. "Daddy and Mommy need to talk for a bit. You two go play in the courtyard."
Ling couldn’t understand what they were saying and had long been wanting to go outside and play.
Without hesitation, she turned and ran out with the Little Raccoon.
Mei Wanying: "Back to the topic at hand. Tell me more about Mr. Xi. I want to understand more so I don’t offend her."
Pei Yan wasn’t interested in other people’s family matters, but since this concerned Ling, he had of course investigated everything thoroughly.
He told Mei Wanying everything, one detail at a time.
A smile played on the man’s lips. "Although Mr. Xi is a woman, she has an untamable spirit, a gentle exterior with a firm core. She’s truly suitable for Lingling."
Children are very impressionable, and Pei Yan wanted Ling to have a sharp edge.
If the teacher were timid and shrinking, wouldn’t she lead their good daughter astray?
Enveloping Mei Wanying’s hand in his palm, he said, "Our child doesn’t need to have her sharp edges smoothed down."
The corners of Mei Wanying’s lips turned up as she deliberately teased him, "Aren’t you afraid the children will be covered in thorns and end up pricking you?"
"I’m not afraid."
The man’s palm rested on Mei Wanying’s lower abdomen, his expression proud. "I’ll be waiting for that day."