Gu Xi felt relieved.

It was good that Pei Xuan had returned.

Pei Xuan still doted on Pei Tong very much, and Pei Tong also greatly respected this elder. Having him preside over matters would be more advantageous to them than the cold-hearted Pei Yan.

She immediately stood up.

The Second Madam also stood up with her.

The Second Madam was much more direct than her.

She pressed her palms together, made a salute toward the south, and recited, “May the Bodhisattva bless us.”

This matter was so complicated she couldn’t handle it. Her heart had been panicking the whole time. Now that her husband had returned, she could hide behind him and not manage things anymore.

Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but step forward several paces and exit the flower hall.

Pei Xuan’s face was somber as water as he walked through the pathway crossing the courtyard in front of the flower hall.

He looked up and saw the Second Madam standing by the doorway.

Pei Xuan’s gaze immediately softened a bit. He did his best to make his voice sound gentle as well, saying, “Why are you standing here? The weather is getting hotter. Go back inside quickly.”

Who could care about hot or not hot at a time like this?!

The Second Madam hurriedly exchanged information with her husband in a low voice, “Do you know what happened at home? Yang Eldest Master came to see the Eldest Young Master…”

This wasn’t the time for their husband-and-wife small talk. He nodded and somewhat forcefully interrupted the Second Madam’s words, saying, “I already know. I also had Chen Shu close the main gate. Whatever needs to be said, we’ll discuss when we return!”

In other words, Pei Xuan had known what happened from beginning to end.

The Second Madam breathed a sigh of relief, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly, revealing a genuine smile. “I understand!”

As she spoke, she stepped aside to let Pei Xuan enter the flower hall.

“Second Uncle!” Pei Tong and Gu Xi greeted Pei Xuan in unison. Pei Yan only called out “Second Brother” indifferently, while Yu Tang curtsied to Pei Xuan.

Pei Xuan still gave face to this younger sister-in-law who was only a few years older than his own daughter. He nodded at Yu Tang and said to Pei Yan, “Let them all go back and rest! We men will have a talk.”

His “them” referred to the Second Madam and other female family members, while “we men” referred to the Pei family males.

Gu Xi immediately stood up.

She didn’t want to get involved in the Pei family’s internal strife.

In any case, Pei Tong had already torn his face with Pei Yan. She had also made up her mind to return to Lin’an or Hangzhou after giving birth to an eldest son and raise the child alone.

As for that imperial rank title, she could only count on her own son for it.

However, Yu Tang was somewhat hesitant.

She really wanted to know what had happened. Most importantly, she felt that Pei Yan, being proud and haughty, surely wouldn’t be willing to explain many things, and unwillingness to explain sometimes put one at a great disadvantage. She was a woman, and the world believed women had short vision and their words didn’t count for much. She could use this to help Pei Yan say a few words.

Pei Yan detected Yu Tang’s worry. After thinking about it, he said, “Second Brother, let them stay here. Rather than letting them anxiously guess wildly, it’s better to let them know what happened and make their own judgments.”

“Younger Brother!” Pei Xuan frowned, looking very disapproving.

But Pei Yan didn’t change his mind, saying, “Second Brother, didn’t the Yang family succeed in sowing discord precisely because everyone was hiding things and didn’t want the younger generation to know? Just let them all know what exactly happened back then!”

“But Father…” Pei Xuan said with difficulty.

“Father protected Elder Brother so much, but did Elder Brother appreciate Father’s kindness?” Pei Yan said coldly, his expression cruel. “We think we’re protecting the Eldest Young Master and Second Young Master, but others think we killed their father. Let them judge right from wrong, honor from shame themselves. Whether to split from the Pei family or continue being Pei family descendants—let them decide for themselves!”

Pei Xuan said nothing.

Hearing this, Pei Tong looked at the bitterly smiling Pei Xuan, then at the ice-cold faced Pei Yan. Neither showed the slightest trace of guilty conscience. His heart sank, and he vaguely felt that perhaps things weren’t as absolute as the Yang family had said.

Then what was the truth?!

When his eldest maternal uncle told him those things, he hadn’t believed them either. He’d even angered his eldest uncle by refuting him a few times. But when he returned to the Pei family in a daze and saw Pei Yan’s lofty, disdainful arrogance, it was as if someone had thrown a spark into his heart that was already messy as weeds. With a “bang” it ignited, instantly burning into a sky-covering blaze that consumed his rationality and temperament, making him say things he shouldn’t have said…

But if asked whether he regretted it, it didn’t quite seem so.

It was more like fear.

Fear that the truth would be even more unacceptable than the present!

Pei Tong took a deep breath.

Pei Xuan said helplessly, “Then everyone sit down and talk!” As he said this, his gaze involuntarily fell on Pei Tong. He gently shook his head and sighed with great disapproval.

Pei Tong’s heart grew more panicked. He wanted to say something, but his mouth was dry and he didn’t know what to say.

Pei Xuan had already called loudly for Pei Wu.

Pei Wu quickly came over and responded from outside the door.

Pei Xuan instructed him, “You and Pei Qi guard the entrance. If Yang Eldest Master and Master Gu arrive, invite them to have tea in the reception hall first. After we finish talking here, then invite them over.”

Pei Wu acknowledged and left.

Pei Xuan instructed Nanny Jin, “Close the door.”

Nanny Jin said “Oh,” as if waking from a dream, quickly exchanged glances with Qing Yuan and the others, and walked out.

Qing Yuan and the others also understood and all withdrew in a rush, preparing to close the door.

Who knew Pei Yan would say, “Open both door panels wide. You all guard from a distance—just don’t let anyone approach.”

This way, those in the flower hall could see the courtyard scene at a glance, making it nearly impossible for anyone to eavesdrop.

Yu Tang looked at Pei Yan with great approval.

Pei Yan smiled reassuringly at his wife’s bright, sparkling eyes, and his mood suddenly improved greatly.

Who could possibly satisfy everyone in this world?

As long as those he cared about were satisfied with him, that was enough.

This time Pei Yan smiled unrestrainedly and silently. He even gently handed a fruit to Yu Tang, saying quietly, “Those with clear consciences don’t fear ghosts knocking at midnight. Don’t worry, I haven’t done anything against heaven and conscience.”

Of course Yu Tang believed him, but she still wasn’t at ease, saying softly, “But you still can’t let people gossip about you, be misunderstood, and be bullied!”

So this was what his A’Tang was thinking!

Pei Yan held back hard to keep from laughing aloud.

In the past, his father and mother always feared he would bully others and earn grudges, but now his wife feared he would be bullied and suffer insults… Wasn’t this exactly like thirty years on the east bank, thirty years on the west bank?!

“Alright.” Pei Yan agreed, smiles flowing unstoppably from the corners of his eyes and brows.

Seeing the young couple whispering to each other, Pei Xuan coughed heavily.

Watching Pei Yan and Yu Tang act as if no one else existed, the anger that had just died down in Pei Tong’s heart reignited.

Why should his family be destroyed while his Third Uncle enjoyed a beautiful wife?

Pei Tong stared coldly at Pei Yan.

Pei Yan’s face was expressionless.

Pei Xuan sighed long and deeply before saying, “A’Tong, first tell us what your eldest uncle said to you.”

Pei Tong glanced at Pei Yan, then at Gu Xi, and said in a heavy voice, “My eldest maternal uncle said my father didn’t die of sudden illness.”

Yu Tang and the others all widened their eyes.

Seeing this, Pei Tong was very satisfied and continued, “Because the afternoon before my father passed away, my father sent word to my eldest uncle saying he would go to his place that evening to discuss some matters. As a result, my eldest uncle waited for my father all evening, but my father never arrived. My eldest uncle thought my father had been delayed by something. The next day at morning court, my eldest uncle thought my father would arrive early at the Ye Gate as usual to discuss some matters with him. He even arrived at the Ye Gate nearly an hour earlier than usual for this purpose, but not only did he not wait for my father, my father also inexplicably didn’t attend morning court. It wasn’t until noon that they learned my father had passed away.”

The Pei brothers should have already known about this matter. Whether Pei Yan or Pei Xuan, both were very calm. Pei Xuan even asked Pei Tong, “Then why do you say this matter is related to your Third Uncle?”

Pei Tong’s expression immediately became fierce. He said, “My father and Third Uncle had a very bad relationship. My father believed the imperial throne should go to the capable, while my Third Uncle, like his mentor Zhang Ying, believed in establishing the eldest legitimate son. Because of this, my father and Third Uncle didn’t interact for over half a year and ignored each other when they met. But on the night my father suddenly died, Third Uncle suddenly went to our house and had a big argument with my father. Normally, after something like this happened, Third Uncle would most likely have left in a huff and returned here to spend the night. But that night, not only did Third Uncle stay at my house, but in the middle of the night he didn’t sleep and encountered Father in the garden, who also couldn’t sleep from anger. The two had another argument. Then shortly after Father returned to his room, he passed away. This wasn’t told to me by my eldest uncle—it was told by my mother. My mother has long suspected my father’s death was unusual, just lacking evidence.”

“Because your Third Uncle and your father disagreed politically and argued the night before your father died, you suspect your Third Uncle killed your father?” Pei Xuan looked at Pei Tong as if looking at an idiot.

The fire in Pei Tong’s heart burned even more fiercely. Angry, he suddenly stood up and said loudly, “Second Uncle, you don’t need to make excuses for Third Uncle. If you don’t believe it, just ask Third Uncle yourself why, the morning after my father’s sudden illness, Grandfather suddenly came from Lin’an to the capital, and before my father’s body had even undergone the minor burial rites, Grandfather fiercely argued with Third Uncle? Why did Grandfather severely whip Third Uncle three times then? Even if you don’t know about this, Second Uncle, my mother knows. All these years, hasn’t Third Uncle refused to let my mother enter the capital precisely because he fears she’ll reveal this matter?”

Pei Xuan looked at Pei Yan in astonishment.

Pei Yan didn’t make a sound.

Pei Tong was very dissatisfied and questioned Pei Yan sharply, “Don’t you dare admit it?”

There must be a reason for that.

Yu Tang bit her lip and reached out to tightly grasp Pei Yan’s hand.

Pei Yan’s hand was ice cold and somewhat stiff.

But Yu Tang’s hand was very warm and carried the unique softness of a woman.

Pei Yan suddenly smiled slightly, slowly grasping Yu Tang’s hand in return. His voice calm yet firm, he said, “That’s right. That morning, I was punished by your grandfather, made to kneel before your father’s bed, and severely whipped three times by him.”