Pei Yan’s expression grew even colder as he sneered inwardly.

How foolish!

He didn’t know how such a person had entered officialdom and become an official.

He couldn’t even be bothered to speak with Elder Master Yang anymore, saying simply, brutally, and directly: “What? My second brother yielding isn’t enough for him? You want me to yield too? Why should I yield? Because of your sarcastic goading tactics? Or because Pei Tong believes every rumor he hears and points at my nose calling me Pei Yan?”

Both Elder Master Yang and Pei Tong’s faces flushed bright red.

Yu Tang, however, silently groaned “oh no” in her heart.

She understood Pei Yan’s temperament all too well—when he spoke like this, he would be very blunt.

Of course, bluntness wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. But if the targets of that bluntness were Elder Master Yang and Pei Tong, one couldn’t blame Yu Tang for judging a gentleman’s heart with a petty person’s mind, thinking the worst of Elder Master Yang and Pei Tong, and believing that when faced with interests, they might take things out of context and put Pei Yan in a dangerous position.

Without consulting Pei Yan first, she soothingly patted his shoulder and said with a smile: “Elder Master Yang and Young Master, please don’t take offense. Our Third Master has a straightforward temperament, as you know. So many things just happened—it’s no wonder he’s angry. Moreover, the assets Old Master left behind were originally meant for the three masters. Whether much or little, they’re all keepsakes. Second Uncle feels for his nephew, and how could Third Master not feel the same? Otherwise, he wouldn’t have introduced Lord Yin to Young Master this time, hoping Young Master could study well with Lord Yin and bring honor to the ancestors.

“Regarding the branch separation, by rights, it’s not my place to speak. However, I think this matter should probably be mentioned to Lady Pei. It wouldn’t be quite right to separate so rashly right now. As for dividing the assets, shouldn’t we wait until Lady Pei arrives in the capital?”

She was only thinking of not letting Pei Yan leave himself open to criticism regarding money matters—she hadn’t thought much beyond that.

The Second Madam, however, thought Yu Tang was speaking up for her. And she was indeed somewhat unwilling to give her share to Pei Tong—not because she felt sorry about the silver, but because she felt that Pei Tong’s attitude toward them on ordinary days was merely so-so, yet now they were making Pei Yan seem heartless by contrast for Pei Tong’s sake. It wasn’t worth it.

She also hurriedly said: “Yes, yes. Third Sister-in-law is absolutely right. Old Master’s assets were left to his three sons—otherwise, Old Master would certainly have left a will. Since that’s the case, we cannot go against his wishes. That would be unfilial! How to divide the assets—I think we should sit down and discuss it properly.” Finishing, still afraid Pei Xuan would insist on his decision, she couldn’t help but rise and stand behind Pei Xuan like Yu Tang had done, quietly warning him: “Are you trying to look good by stepping on Third Uncle?”

Pei Xuan truly hadn’t thought that much.

He simply pitied Pei Tong—having such a troublesome mother and a bottomless pit of a maternal family, there would be many places requiring money in the future.

He had no intention of asking Pei Yan to also relinquish his inheritance rights.

The Second Madam’s words struck like thunder, jolting him awake. He couldn’t raise the matter of dividing assets again.

Watching this, Elder Master Yang’s mind raced.

Pei Xuan certainly sincerely wanted to give his rightful share to Pei Tong. With the Second Madam’s reminder, he fell silent, showing he felt somewhat reluctant in his heart. This indicated that the assets Old Master Pei left behind were not a small sum—at the very least, no less than his estimate.

If this was truly the case, by the time Lady Pei arrived in the capital, everyone would have pondered it several times over. They would have considered all the advantages and disadvantages clearly. At most, Pei Tong would only get his rightful share. If Pei Xuan and Pei Yan were even more ruthless in their hearts, since they didn’t know how much property Old Master Pei had left, the two brothers working together could tamper with the accounts. Perhaps Pei Tong wouldn’t get a single penny, or even if he got money, outsiders might think it was the two brothers yielding to their nephew.

Why give face to the two Pei brothers!

Elder Master Yang felt that branch separation was a small matter, but dividing assets was a major one.

And it had to be done immediately.

While the Pei family’s second son hadn’t fully come to his senses yet.

He immediately said: “What did the two Pei Masters invite Lord Gu and me here for? Wasn’t it to serve as witnesses? Does Lady Pei not trust Lord Gu and me?”

The implication was that there was no need to wait for Lady Pei to arrive—the assets should be divided immediately.

Gu Xi also figured it out.

She felt that Pei Xuan’s current silence was most likely—eighty or ninety percent—because he regretted it.

Since he regretted it, there was profit to be gained here.

She shot Pei Tong a meaningful glance.

Pei Tong hesitated somewhat.

He had felt Second Uncle’s goodwill, but he only wanted to take what rightfully belonged to him and didn’t want to take advantage of his two uncles or cause the Second Madam to misunderstand.

In the past in Lin’an, Second Uncle and Second Madam had taken quite good care of their branch.

But Pei Yan’s words also made sense. He had previously been disrespectful to Pei Yan, so Pei Yan’s displeasure and unwillingness to yield his share was only human nature.

Should he apologize?

As Pei Tong pondered this, Pei Yan quietly said to Yu Tang: “Don’t interfere in this matter!”

He knew Yu Tang was worried about him, but this was a trap he had dug for Pei Tong. How could he be willing to let Yu Tang become one of those luring Pei Tong in?

He wanted Pei Tong to jump in with eyes wide open.

He wanted any bad matters to have nothing to do with Yu Tang.

Pei Yan squeezed Yu Tang’s hand and emphasized again: “I know what I’m doing. Yielding to Second Brother is fine, yielding to Elder Brother is not. In life or death, he never thought well of me—why should I yield to him? Speaking of seniority, I’m still the youngest son! He should be the one yielding to me!”

Yu Tang listened and breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as Pei Yan didn’t insist verbally that “what’s rightfully mine, why should I give to others,” it would be fine.

People all liked to sympathize with the weak. She didn’t want to give to Pei Tong, but she also didn’t want to let Pei Tong and the others seize upon anything to use against them.

She gently stroked Pei Yan’s arm again and said softly: “I understand. I’ll listen to you.”

Pei Yan gave a satisfied “mm.”

Seeing that no one responded to him, Elder Master Yang became even more convinced he had guessed correctly. Growing increasingly anxious, he could only say again: “As for my younger sister, I’ll make the decision. Would she not trust her own brother?”

The corners of Pei Yan’s mouth curved slightly upward—this was exactly what he was waiting for.

But before he could speak, Elder Master Yang smiled again and said: “A’Tong is a child—some things are difficult for him to say. But I, as his uncle, can speak freely. He’s young, with a widowed mother and young brother—there will be many places requiring money in the future. I also know this takes advantage of you, but I think A’Tong has taken your kindness to heart. Xiaguang is angry with A’Tong and unwilling to acknowledge him—I can understand that. Plus, Xiaguang has just started his own family and also has many places requiring money. Second Master, I won’t be polite about your deep righteousness and kindness—I’ll thank you on behalf of our A’Tong. He will certainly be very filial to you in the future.”

This was forcing Pei Xuan to acknowledge his earlier words and give his share to Pei Tong.

Both Pei Tong and Pei Xuan blushed. Pei Tong felt embarrassed seeing his uncle act this way. Pei Xuan thought of how he had indeed just had the notion of taking back his inheritance rights for his younger brother’s sake.

Pei Xuan stammered, not knowing what to say.

Gu Xi, however, saw the problem and understood why Elder Master Yang was so eager to divide the assets.

The more hurried the matter, the more advantageous for them.

Her fingers twisted her handkerchief as she hesitated over whether to say something, but the Second Madam sighed.

From the looks of it, Pei Tong was determined to have their family’s share.

It wouldn’t do for Pei Xuan not to keep his word, and offending Pei Yan wasn’t their intention either.

The Second Madam could only say: “Both the palm and back of the hand are flesh—if we look after Young Master, we can’t look after Third Uncle. Since our master wants to yield it, then divide what our family yields between you!”

This also put Pei Yan on the hot seat, but at least it divided some assets to Pei Yan, which could be considered compensation!

Pei Xuan also came to his senses, thinking, then let it be this way!

As for his younger brother, he could only explain to him privately.

Though his younger brother had a temper, he wasn’t an unreasonable person. Even if unhappy for a time, given enough time, it would pass.

Pei Xuan closed his mouth.

Now Gu Xi grew anxious.

If they waited any longer and Pei Xuan regretted it, at most they could only get one-third. Now, though they couldn’t get two-thirds, they could get half. That was always better than one-third.

Afraid that Pei Xuan’s household would go back on their word, she stood up and bowed to Pei Xuan and the Second Madam: “Thank you, Second Uncle and Second Aunt. For such great kindness, we can only repay it in the future.”

This confirmed the matter of the second household relinquishing their inheritance rights to Old Master Pei’s estate.

Elder Master Yang breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Gu Xi with appreciation, feeling this nephew’s wife was truly good—clever enough at critical moments. However, seeing two-thirds turn into one-half, he still felt somewhat unwilling.

Pei Yan spoke: “Father left behind three hundred thousand taels of silver in private assets. There are account books for all of this. I’ll have someone fetch the master ledger right now. If you find no problems looking at it, then we’ll divide accordingly.”

“Th-three hundred thousand taels?!” Elder Master Yang, Pei Tong, and Gu Xi all gaped in shock.

Only the two brothers Pei Xuan and Pei Yan remained composed.

They had long known how much silver Old Master Pei left behind.

Yu Tang was also very surprised, thinking that the second household had just relinquished inheritance rights to one hundred thousand taels of silver.

She couldn’t help but look toward the Second Madam.

The Second Madam’s face first showed surprise, but she quickly calmed down.

Words spoken were like water spilled—one couldn’t go back on them just because the silver amount was large. How then could Pei Xuan conduct himself?

But one hundred thousand taels… she still felt the loss keenly.

Consider it as if Old Master had left everything to his eldest and third sons.

Her husband could support the household—that was a golden rice bowl for life. They simply wouldn’t eat from their parents’ bowl.

Thinking this way, her mindset quickly became peaceful. She even said: “We won’t look at the account books. As long as you find no problems with them, that’s fine.”

Yu Tang greatly admired the Second Madam, and even Pei Yan looked at her with new respect.

It seemed they could only compensate the Second Madam in the future.

Thinking this, Pei Yan looked toward Yu Tang.

Yu Tang’s expression was also very calm, though her eyes sparkled when looking at the Second Madam.

The corners of his mouth curved slightly upward.

Yu Tang had always been able to keep her composure—as expected, she showed no emotion over these one hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver.

Both he and his second brother had married excellent wives.

He could have handled this matter better, but Pei Tong’s changes forced him to cut the Gordian knot and resolve this matter as quickly as possible in the shortest time.

Speaking of which, he also felt somewhat sorry toward Yu Tang.

Pei Yan coughed lightly and said: “Then it’s settled. A’Tong is re-establishing his family register. We as uncles are giving A’Tong one hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver to help him revive his family business.”