No one had expected the person to voice opposition would be Pei Xuan.

He had always given people the impression of being magnanimous and benevolent. Pei Tong and Gu Xi had both focused their attention on Pei Yan, but unexpectedly, Pei Yan was remarkably accommodating. Instead, it was Pei Xuan who, at the critical moment, stepped forward to express his opposition.

Everyone looked at him in surprise.

Pei Xuan’s expression grew even more solemn. He said in a deep voice, “I do not agree with this matter. Leaving the clan is not such a simple thing. Pei Tong is the eldest grandson of the main branch. If he leaves the clan, what would be the reason? And what about Eldest Sister-in-law? The Yang family, relying on their closeness with Elder Brother, can brazenly claim our family is connected to the Second Imperial Prince’s assassination. If they leave the clan and spread words unfavorable to the Pei family, who will take responsibility?” At this point, his gaze bore intensely into Pei Tong. “You already know why your grandfather passed away. Have you thought about how many people like your grandfather there have been in the Pei family’s several hundred years of history? How many unknown sacrifices have been made? We cannot be so selfish. For your sake alone, we cannot disregard the Pei family’s foundation built over hundreds of years and the lives of hundreds of family members.”

“I…” Pei Tong was left speechless, unable to say anything.

However, Pei Yan gave two dry laughs and said, “Second Brother, you don’t need to concern yourself with these matters. The moon waxes and wanes, people rise and fall—these are fundamental truths. The Pei family has been prosperous for so many generations; perhaps today is the time for it to fall apart. Future matters will be worried about by future people. If he wants to leave, let him leave. I refuse to believe that if they spread nonsense outside, they can completely extricate and clear themselves of everything. If Second Brother doesn’t believe me, we can wait and see.”

These cold and irresponsible words coming from Pei Yan’s mouth carried not a hint of dejection, but rather an eager impatience, like a hunter who, having no prey, wished to manufacture a hunt himself.

Pei Tong’s eyes widened.

Gu Xi felt a chill run down her spine.

Yes. Without this confrontation, things would have been fine, but with this confrontation, all the causes and consequences had been laid out, and everyone now knew what had happened back then. It was Pei You who had become embroiled in the succession struggle, and it was also Pei You who had used the Pei family’s resources to help the Third Imperial Prince. Even if they divided the clan, could responsibility for this matter be so simply separated? Could they so simply say it had nothing to do with them?

Therefore, it would be better if Grand Madam didn’t go around making a fuss, but if she did make a fuss everywhere, it wouldn’t just be the Pei family who would be dragged into the water. Perhaps the Pei family could even use this clan division to present it as punishment for their branch.

Gu Xi looked at Pei Yan’s calm face and suddenly felt as if she could see the malicious intent hidden beneath his handsome features.

She immediately became so anxious that her forehead broke out in sweat. She couldn’t help but say loudly, “No, we can’t do this. We won’t divide the clan. Why should we divide the clan? Family members don’t speak as if they’re from separate households. If there are any conflicts, we can talk them out and find ways to mediate. Why make such a scene for everyone to laugh at?”

As long as they remained part of the Pei family, the Pei family couldn’t cast them out, and the Pei family would have no way to shirk what Pei You had done. Only this way would the Pei family protect them!

Moreover, besides the main branch, the Pei family had other descendants. Those descendants only seemed less brilliant because they were overshadowed by the main branch’s radiance. But thinking carefully, any one of them pulled out individually would have formidable strength.

The Li Duan family—wasn’t it because they had Li Yi who held a fourth rank official position?

The Pei family had more than one fourth rank official.

There were also people like Pei Yi who had retired to live at home.

Pei Yan must have calculated all this, which was why he seemed well-intentioned and magnanimous while actually forcing and tempting Pei Tong to leave the clan.

The more Gu Xi thought about it, the more convinced she became of her reasoning, and the more sweat appeared on her forehead.

She was very afraid that Pei Tong would say or do something inappropriate at this moment. She hurriedly tugged at Pei Tong’s sleeve, lowered her voice, and said urgently, “Say something quickly!” Afraid he would act impulsively as before, she disregarded who was present, lowered her voice even more, and hastily admonished Pei Tong: “Dividing the clan—do you want to get mixed up with the Yang family? After Father-in-law passed away, how much has the Yang family helped you? Don’t you have any idea in your heart? Are you prepared to find ways yourself to compensate for all those things Father-in-law did?”

Even if Pei Tong wanted to make up for Pei You’s mistakes, he would need to have the capability to do so.

Pei Tong felt mostly bewildered.

He had merely wanted to find out whether his father’s death was related to the family, yet things had progressed to the point where the family elders wanted him to leave the clan.

Why should he leave the clan?

Just as Gu Xi said, dividing the clan would certainly mean more freedom, but it also meant no one would protect him anymore.

Should he turn to the Yang family?

The Yang family couldn’t even protect themselves—how could they protect him?

But why had things reached this point?

“I don’t know!” Pei Tong murmured, looking around helplessly.

Pei Yan’s expression was calm and self-satisfied, as if this weren’t some important occasion but just casual summer conversation. Yu Tang was wholly focused on monitoring Pei Yan’s emotions, as if nothing else deserved her concern. Pei Xuan looked at him with displeasure, his eyes showing undisguised disappointment. Second Madam shrank in a corner, trying her best to make people ignore her existence. Gu Xi was the same as always—at critical moments, she could never keep her composure, always speaking out to stop him or attempting to change his decision before he had made his final choice.

Or perhaps it wasn’t that she couldn’t keep her composure—she simply had no confidence in him?

The two of them rarely consulted in advance when facing decisions that affected each other’s fates.

His Third Uncle and Third Aunt would probably be different from them, wouldn’t they?

Whenever anything happened, Third Aunt wholeheartedly believed in Third Uncle.

But was this the result of prior consultation, or was it because Third Aunt admired Third Uncle and was willing to bear any consequences of whatever Third Uncle did?

Pei Tong didn’t want to think about it carefully.

Because continuing to think would only make him doubt whether Gu Xi had ever liked him. Was he a man who couldn’t even win over his own wife?

Pei Tong lowered his head and said, “I’m unwilling to leave the clan, but I’m also unwilling to let my father lose his life so meaninglessly!”

Then what should be done?

Gu Xi looked at Pei Tong, feeling she shouldn’t have sympathized with him just now.

Were these words that a person should say?

Gu Xi’s heart was very tired.

She lowered her head and rubbed her forehead.

Pei Yan sneered and said, “Then what do you suggest? Since you feel dissatisfied, think of a way to resolve this matter yourself.”

Pei Tong had no plan in his heart.

He just instinctively felt that if he gave up without saying anything, he would be too sorry to his father who had died young.

He said, “Both uncles are wise and resourceful. Please, could both uncles teach me?”

Pei Xuan’s lips twitched, but he was ruthlessly and coldly interrupted by Pei Yan: “I think my idea is excellent. Since you disagree, then present your own opinions and suggestions. Don’t always expect others to solve problems for you. Aren’t you quite opinionated? After hearing a few words from your maternal uncle, you decided to come settle accounts with us. What? Do you think this is playing a game? When you don’t want to play anymore, everyone has to stop and start over? Are you only like this in front of us elders, in front of these people who value you and therefore indulge you? Or are you like this outside too? Is it because you’ve had a difficult fate since childhood, and the people and things you’ve encountered have all been too unfair to you? When I was outside, I never encountered such good fortune. Can words spoken be taken back? Can deeds done be denied? Must everyone coddle and humor you, acting as if nothing happened! Pei Tong, your life is quite fortunate!”

Not just Pei Tong—even Gu Xi felt deeply embarrassed hearing these words.

She glanced at Pei Tong.

Pei Tong’s face was completely flushed, and he murmured, unable to speak.

However, Pei Yan had no intention of letting him off so easily. He continued, “If you still think this matter is the responsibility of us two uncles and want us to come up with ideas for you, I’ll say the same thing again. You should leave the clan. When others ask, I’ll say that now that I’ve become the clan head, things are awkward for you in the Pei family, so it’s better to establish a separate household. Look, I’ve even thought through the follow-up for you. What else are you dissatisfied with?”

He had all but pointed at Pei Tong’s nose and said, “You have no ability to solve problems—what right do you have to make demands?”

Pei Tong was ultimately unwilling to accept this. He said in a low voice, “How would you have me face my father in the netherworld?”

Pei Yan sneered and said, “When you can enter the netherworld, there are probably still another twenty or thirty years, but if you want to walk out this door, you first need to resolve the current situation. I’ve also invited people from the Yang and Gu families to come over, and I need to give them an explanation. Stop dawdling and choose quickly.” After speaking, he added coldly, “As if you’re the only one in this world with a father and no one else has one. Your father left behind a pile of mess—why should my father have to clean up after him? Don’t you want to know why your grandfather whipped me three times? I told my father not to bother with your father anymore and to expel him from the clan. Let him do whatever he wanted, as long as he didn’t touch our Pei family’s assets. Without the Pei family, what would he amount to?”

Pei Tong’s face alternated between green and white. He lowered his head and remained silent.

Pei Yan then asked Pei Xuan, “Second Brother, what is your opinion?”

By this time, Pei Xuan had come to his senses. Looking at his younger brother with his handsome yet cold and forbidding features, he didn’t know what to say.

Pei Tong was still young and didn’t know how hard-hearted his Third Uncle was, how quick his mind worked.

The moment the Yang family had tried to use their Elder Brother’s matter to threaten the Pei family, Pei Yan had probably already begun laying plans.

This moment was merely when the hidden dagger was revealed.

His resentment toward Elder Brother had long surpassed his affection for his nephew.

If the Yang family hadn’t threatened their family, if Pei Tong hadn’t questioned them, that would have been one thing—Pei Yan would have had no outlet for his anger, and this pent-up resentment would eventually dissipate someday. But Pei Tong had chosen the most inappropriate way and method to interrogate the truth of what happened back then.

Even if he stood on Pei Tong’s side, could Pei Yan remain calm and composed?

Given Pei Yan’s personality, this should only be the beginning—he must have other arrangements he hadn’t yet deployed.

How should he choose?

If he stood with his eldest nephew, he would wrong his own younger brother!

If he stood with his younger brother, he would wrong his own Elder Brother… or rather, not wrong his Elder Brother, but wrong their father’s death.

Sitting in the flower hall, Pei Xuan suddenly felt melancholy and lost, not knowing what to do.

Pei Tong must feel the same way!

His gaze fell upon his nephew.