First Young Madam Peng truly had an exquisite heart. As soon as her personal maid handed the seating chart to Grand Master Peng and spoke, Grand Master Peng immediately understood his nephew’s wife’s meaning.

He unobtrusively scrutinized Pei Yan, who sat beside him talking with Zhou Zijing.

He knew Pei Yan would not be so docile. Sure enough, on the very first day of the sutra lecture assembly, he had produced a seating chart—was this meant to give these families a show of authority?

However, the Peng family was no pushover either.

Since Pei Yan had already done things to this extent, if the Peng family continued to hide and conceal their person, it would seem too petty.

Grand Master Peng returned the seating chart to First Young Madam Peng’s personal maid, and his desire to form a marriage alliance with the Pei family grew even stronger.

According to Eleventh Peng, besides Pei Yan and Pei Tong from the principal branch, the Pei family’s eligible bachelors also included Pei Chan and Pei Bo from the collateral branches.

Pei Bo still showed nothing particular yet, but Pei Chan had already obtained the rank of scholar and was about to participate in the autumn examinations.

If the Peng family wanted to marry a daughter into the Pei family but couldn’t secure Pei Yan, they could only choose this Pei Chan.

Grand Master Peng said quietly to that maid, “Go tell First Young Madam that I understand. Tell her to make her own decisions about whatever matters arise. I will speak with Eleventh and have him follow First Young Madam’s instructions.”

It would be best if they could create some incidents to give the Peng family an opportunity to form a marriage alliance with the Pei family.

This nephew’s wife of his was always clever and capable—she would certainly understand his meaning.

The maid respectfully acknowledged and withdrew.

Having received Grand Master Peng’s confirmation, First Young Madam Peng felt much more at ease.

She sat there smiling and exchanged pleasantries with Fourth Lady Song and the others. Then she saw the young servant called A’Ming from Pei Yan’s side walk in and report to Old Lady Pei, “Eleventh Master of the Peng family heard that a sutra lecture assembly was being held here. He rushed over and finally arrived today. He wishes to come in and pay his respects to you. Would you like to see him or not?”

Since it was someone from Pei Yan’s side who came to speak, Pei Yan must feel that Old Lady Pei should meet him.

Old Lady Pei nodded and smiled, “Then please invite Eleventh Master in!”

A’Ming withdrew.

The maids and elderly servants beside Old Lady Pei came forward and formed a line like flying geese, blocking all the unmarried young ladies of the Pei family, Song family, and other households behind them.

First Young Madam Peng watched in secret amazement, yet couldn’t help admiring in her heart.

The Pei family truly deserved to be an aristocratic family passed down for hundreds of years—they handled matters without a single leak.

Then First Young Madam Peng heard Fourth Lady Song ask with a smile, “The Eleventh Master of the Peng residence—wouldn’t that be the Eleventh Master whose face was ruined by bandits on his way home after participating in the autumn examinations?”

First Young Madam Peng’s brows furrowed and she was about to respond when, unexpectedly, Second Young Madam Peng beat her to it and said with a smile, “Rest assured, it’s not as severe as the rumors. Eleventh Master only has a scar on his right cheek. After all these years, with the family’s good medicinal materials flowing like water, it’s no longer very noticeable now. Otherwise, Third Master Pei wouldn’t have let him come see Old Lady.”

First Young Madam Peng couldn’t help cursing her sister-in-law as a “fool” in her heart.

Even if Fourth Lady Song was curious, she didn’t need to speak about their own people herself, opening her mouth to say she feared the female family members present would be frightened by Eleventh Master.

She could only help Second Young Madam Peng make amends, saying, “Back in the day, our family’s Eleventh Uncle nearly became the provincial examination’s top scholar. Third Master Pei respects our Eleventh Uncle’s scholarship, which is why he’s letting Eleventh Uncle come greet Old Lady. You really mustn’t frighten the old ancestors!” After speaking, she even gave Second Young Madam Peng a meaningful look.

Second Young Madam Peng felt that First Young Madam Peng’s words were somewhat putting gold on their own faces.

Back then, everyone said Eleventh Peng would win first place in the provincial examination, but after the autumn examinations, he only came in third.

For First Young Madam Peng to say this—wasn’t she afraid others would laugh?

She was about to say something more when Eleventh Peng had already walked in following A’Ming.

Although his face was pale with a very prominent purple-red sarcoma on it, his posture was upright. In brocade robes and jade crown, with sword-like brows sharp and carrying some heroic spirit, seeing him did not make people feel afraid. They would only feel that sarcoma was like dust on a bright pearl—it was too unfortunate it grew on his face.

“Old Lady!” His voice was low yet mellow, like aged wine, unforgettable once heard.

Yu Tang, who had been talking with Fifth Miss Pei sitting behind her, turned deathly pale. Not only did she forget to speak, even her body became rigid.

“What’s wrong with you?” Everyone else was attracted by the newcomer, craning their ears to hear what was happening outside. Only Third Miss Pei immediately noticed Yu Tang’s abnormality and asked with concern, “Is there something we haven’t prepared properly?”

In Third Miss Pei’s heart, Yu Tang was a gentle and wise person who smiled at everyone and responded to whatever anyone said. But at this moment, Yu Tang not only ignored her but became increasingly pale as the voices outside grew louder.

Today the dharma hall was particularly crowded with people. Even though the Pei family’s servants had carefully lit sandalwood incense, it still made people feel somewhat stifling.

“Could Sister Yu have heatstroke?” Third Miss Pei said worriedly, stepping forward to support Yu Tang.

Fifth Miss also stood up, preparing to immediately send someone to fetch a physician if Yu Tang’s condition seemed wrong.

Who knew that Yu Tang, usually so gentle and courteous with people, not only ignored them but also very rudely slapped away Fifth Miss’s outstretched hand with a “smack,” stood up abruptly, took two steps forward to stand behind the maids blocking their way, and stood on tiptoe to look outside.

The disgusting purple-red sarcoma, sword-like sharp brows, and that half-smiling gaze that looked over yet seemed bone-chilling in the dim lamplight… it was actually him!

That person who had attempted misconduct toward her at Ku’an Temple and then killed her when he failed!

In her previous life, she didn’t know who he was? Didn’t know why he appeared in the wing quarters where she stayed at Ku’an Temple? Didn’t know why he had struck her down so viciously?

She had always thought he was an idle helper hired by Li Duan.

But what had they just said?

He was Eleventh Master of the Peng family.

Someone who nearly won first place in the provincial examination.

Someone with scholarly rank who could become an honored guest at Pei Yan’s table, a son of an aristocratic family!

Why?

The pain of being stabbed multiple times, the slowly numbing and freezing limbs before death, and the fishy smell of blood flowing on the ground—all those pasts that she had firmly suppressed in her heart since her rebirth, prepared never to mention again, were suddenly torn open from her heart, forcing her to face them. They made her tremble as she wanted to know why this person was so valued by Pei Yan? What was Pei Yan’s relationship with him? In her previous life, was her death related to Pei Yan?

Yu Tang felt dizzy and confused, her fingers ice-cold, her legs weak—she could hardly stand.

“Sister Yu! Sister Yu!” Fifth Miss and Third Miss surrounded her from left and right. Third Miss said even more anxiously, “No matter what it is, we’ll talk about it later. Right now, Little Five and I will help you sit back down. Please don’t push us away again.”

All the families had heard of this Eleventh Peng. His coming to pay respects to Old Lady Pei had already made the Song, Wu, and other young ladies extremely curious, and they were all watching the commotion outside. Yu Tang’s movement was quite noticeable, so naturally all the families saw it and were staring at them strangely. Miss Wu had even already begun saying to Gu Xi in a voice that everyone could hear, as if whispering privately, “What’s wrong with this Miss Yu? Has no one taught her that boys and girls should not sit together after age seven? No matter how fine a man from outside is, there’s no reason to rush over eagerly to join the excitement. The Pei family is really unlucky—how could they invite such a person to attend the sutra lecture assembly, bringing ridicule upon themselves for nothing? How humiliating!”

Gu Xi was still advising there, “Miss Wu, perhaps Miss Yu has her reasons? When we don’t know the circumstances, it’s better to say less.”

Miss Wu sneered, “What reasons could there be? She probably heard about Eleventh Master Peng’s reputation from somewhere and wants to show her face in front of him, right?”

Since he was their family’s uncle, both Peng young ladies glared at Miss Wu.

Sixth Miss Song, however, covered her mouth and laughed, looking as if watching a joke.

Seventh Miss Song probably also quite despised Yu Tang’s behavior in her heart. Pretending not to have heard, she asked the maid beside her, “Didn’t they say the sutra lecture assembly starts at the hour of the snake? How long until then?”

Fifth Miss Pei was so anxious she broke out in sweat.

Second Miss Pei, however, felt Yu Tang had lost face for their family. She stood up and quickly walked toward Yu Tang, saying in a low voice, “Miss Yu, please return to your seat. If there’s anything, Great-aunt will naturally call for you. You don’t need to attend to Great-aunt right now!”

For the sake of the Pei family’s dignity, she forcibly suppressed her displeasure and found an excuse for Yu Tang’s behavior.

Who knew Yu Tang would not appreciate it? Like a ghost hitting a wall, she spun round and round in place, and her mouth kept mumbling something no one could understand.

Third Miss Pei and Fifth Miss Pei, who were closest to her, suddenly changed color.

The two of them were close and heard clearly—Miss Yu was clearly repeatedly saying she wanted to find their third uncle.

The two couldn’t help exchanging glances.

Both saw panic in each other’s eyes.

Third Miss Pei usually deferred to her sister in everything, which was why she followed Second Miss’s lead and didn’t manage anything. In truth, she was more decisive and bolder than Second Miss.

She stepped forward and pulled Yu Tang behind her, blocking Second Miss who was charging over with a face full of anger, and said, “Sister Yu has heatstroke. I’ll take her down to see a physician right now.” After speaking, without waiting for Second Miss to respond, she both forcibly pulled Yu Tang and called to her personal elderly servant, “Hurry over and help me escort Miss Yu out.”

That elderly servant had been paying attention to the young lady she served and immediately ran over upon hearing this.

However, Third Miss Pei’s shout also alarmed the people outside.

Old Lady Pei looked behind her.

The maid standing behind Old Lady Pei stepped aside.

Eleventh Peng had come on orders, so naturally he paid special attention to the Pei family’s young ladies.

He took the opportunity to glance over coldly and saw a woman as beautiful as peach blossoms looking at him with a snow-white face.

Since having his face disfigured, Eleventh Peng particularly disliked such women.

His gaze turned cold and his brows furrowed slightly. Just as he was calculating in his mind who this was, that woman closed her eyes, her legs went soft, and she collapsed.

“Oh my!” Old Lady Pei immediately stood up.

Several old ladies and madams also looked over at the sound.