One hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver?!

Both Gu Xi and Pei Tong were immersed in this unexpected pleasant surprise.

Only Elder Master Yang reacted the fastest. Before Pei Yan’s words had even finished, his mind was already racing rapidly. By the time Pei Yan completed his sentence, he immediately showed displeasure and retorted: “You can’t say it that way! That one hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver was left by Old Master Pei for him to inherit from his father. If thanks are due, it should be to Old Master Pei! And also to his Second Uncle, who yielded his own share…”

How insatiably greedy! Always wanting more!

Pei Yan became even more convinced he had done the right thing. He said coldly to Elder Master Yang: “My elder brother always associated closely with you—did he tell you that the two hundred thousand taels of silver he gave to the Third Prince came from the communal funds?”

Elder Master Yang, Pei Tong, and Gu Xi all stared at him in bewilderment, not understanding what he meant.

Pei Yan’s expression grew even colder as he said: “You don’t think that just because my father was the clan head, he could casually take two hundred thousand taels of silver from the communal funds without recording it in the accounts, do you?”

All three of them felt their hearts skip a beat. Elder Master Yang said even more urgently: “Xiaguang, what do you mean by this?”

Pei Yan said: “My elder brother died suddenly. My father was preoccupied with heavy thoughts and didn’t have time to smooth some things over. After I took charge, I discovered this two hundred thousand taels of silver hadn’t been recorded in the accounts yet. But it’s been three years now—we can’t just keep it off the books forever, can we?”

The smiles on Elder Master Yang, Pei Tong, and Gu Xi’s faces all became forced as they looked toward Pei Xuan.

If Pei You’s household had to settle these accounts, what they said was dividing one hundred and fifty thousand taels would all have to be paid back and still wouldn’t be enough—they’d have to come up with another fifty thousand taels to balance the accounts?

If that was the case, what meaning did this asset division have?

Was it because Pei Xuan knew this that he said he would give up his inheritance rights?

Then what was the point of separating the branch? What was the point of dividing assets?

Pei Xuan could rise to become a third-rank official in the bureaucracy through both luck and ability. When the three of them looked over, he immediately understood their meaning.

How could his father do things that would leave people leverage against him?

Even if he didn’t know about this sum of silver, he could be certain his father had already balanced the accounts long ago. Otherwise, when Gu Chang and the others went to Jiangnan to audit the accounts back then, they couldn’t possibly have failed to discover it.

His younger brother saying and doing this was just trying to cleanly shake off his elder brother’s entire family, wasn’t it?

Why had it come to taking sides again!

Couldn’t Pei Xiaguang just be peaceful for once?

Though Pei Xuan felt somewhat annoyed, he understood even more clearly in his heart that if he didn’t take this opportunity to separate Pei Tong out, there would be even more troublesome matters in the future.

He just felt a bit sorry for the child Pei Tong, not knowing how much silver Pei Yan would divide for him.

And in this lifetime, Pei Tong could probably only obtain silver from his younger brother this one time.

The problem was that Pei Yan could do anything well. Previously when serving as an official, he looked like an official. Now managing the family’s affairs, he looked like a great merchant.

Compared to the money Pei Yan could earn in the future, this bit of silver was truly like drizzle.

Pei Xuan sighed inwardly and said with a bitter smile: “I also didn’t know about this account. But the Pei family indeed has such a rule—whoever misappropriates silver from the communal funds must repay it with interest. Two hundred thousand taels of silver is not a small sum. Even if Father intended to balance the accounts, he needed the opportunity and time to do so!”

Indeed, Old Master Pei had died too suddenly.

But asking their main branch to fill this hole—Elder Master Yang absolutely would not agree.

Pei Tong and Gu Xi were also quite unwilling.

Seeing that the bait was set about right, Pei Yan was ready to reel in the net. He then said: “I won’t beat around the bush with you. The silver Father left to Elder Brother, you can take. What Second Brother gives you is the bond between him and A’Tong—I don’t care and can’t control it. I can only say that I’ll find a way to make up that two hundred thousand taels of silver Elder Brother took. You don’t need to worry about it. Leaving the Pei family clean and clear—that’s my final respect as an uncle to your father!”

This last sentence was directed at Pei Tong.

Listening, Pei Tong’s eyes grew slightly moist.

How wonderful it would be if Father were still alive!

How could he be in such a passive position?

Pei Tong lowered his head without making a sound.

Only now did Elder Master Yang understand why Pei Yan had said those words about “considering it a gift from us two uncles.”

If this was true, then these one hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver really were a gift from Pei Yan and Pei Xuan to Pei Tong.

Elder Master Yang didn’t think this was false. Firstly, Old Master Pei had at most this much private property. Secondly, two hundred thousand taels of silver was indeed not a small sum—settling those accounts would require time and energy.

Then they should quit while they were ahead!

Elder Master Yang pondered this in his heart, afraid that Pei Yan and Pei Xuan might come up with new ideas. He thought it better to secure what they had while they could.

“The child is still young and cannot do without the support of his elders.” He smiled cheerfully, not mentioning those two hundred thousand taels at all, and directly thanked the two Pei brothers: “I won’t say much more. Then according to the two uncles’ wishes, Pei Tong will take his mother, younger brother, wife and children and separate to live independently. In the future, everyone will interact as relatives and won’t worship ancestors together anymore. As for A’Tong’s father’s grave, in my opinion, why not move it to the capital? That way it will be more convenient for A’Tong and the others to pay their respects in the future.”

To live in the capital was not easy.

It wasn’t something you could do just because you became a high official.

There were no estates for sale nearby. Retired officials without permanent property had no income.

Pei Tong couldn’t help but hesitate.

Elder Master Yang just looked at Pei Yan without speaking.

Pei Yan didn’t decline either, saying very generously: “Alright! I’ll look around these next few days to see if I can get someone to part with some land.”

Elder Master Yang and Gu Xi both breathed a sigh of relief.

This matter was thus settled.

With a house, an estate, and finding a way to transfer their household registration, they could live in the capital. Far from all the disputes and complications of the Pei and Gu families. Most importantly, she wouldn’t have to constantly see Yu Tang, address her as “Aunt,” greet her, and pay her respects anymore.

Gu Xi felt as if a weight had been lifted, as though she had experienced a phoenix’s rebirth and been reborn.

A sincere smile bloomed at the corners of her mouth.

But Gu Chang frowned for the third time and asked the young servant carrying the lantern ahead: “You haven’t taken the wrong path again, have you?”

After the evening meal, the Pei brothers had sat with him for a while. Pei Yan had even given him a rare book from the previous dynasty. He was overjoyed, but hadn’t forgotten his purpose for coming to the Pei residence today. After flipping through a few pages, he found it difficult to continue reading. But not knowing what the Pei brothers had said to Pei Tong, even after two rounds of tea, they still hadn’t invited him over to talk. He couldn’t help feeling somewhat anxious and stood up wanting to inquire. Who knew that his foot had just stepped over the threshold when he came face to face with a servant coming to deliver a message, saying he was acting on Pei Yan’s orders to bring him over for a chat.

He hadn’t thought much of it, took the book, and followed that servant toward the inner residence.

But this servant had already circled this artificial Taihu rock mountain three times and still hadn’t brought him to the place for conversation—this made him unable not to feel suspicious.

Upon hearing this, the servant was so frightened he trembled, nearly dropping the lantern in his hands to the ground.

“I, I was just transferred to serve in the inner courtyard.” He stammered, “And it’s nighttime—I got confused about which direction to go for a moment.”

Really!

Gu Chang grumbled inwardly but didn’t take it too seriously. After asking about the specific location of the reception hall, he looked up at the stars, chose a direction, and walked ahead of the servant.

The servant didn’t dare speak and raised the lantern higher to light his way.

Before long, the servant saw a tung oil lantern hung on a tall ginkgo tree not far from the Third Master’s residence.

He secretly breathed a sigh of relief, knowing his task was complete, and his steps became lighter.

When Gu Chang, led by the servant, entered the reception hall and saw Elder Master Yang and the Pei family members looking like they were having a pleasant conversation, he couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows.

Hadn’t the Pei family asked him to come as a witness? Could it be that Elder Master Yang actually hadn’t caused any trouble?

Gu Chang greeted everyone present with the confusion in his heart, but his gaze involuntarily lingered on Yu Tang for a few moments.

Yu Shi was becoming more and more beautiful.

Especially under the lamplight.

Her skin was as white as snow, her eyes bright, her spirit radiant—like a white jade flower blooming under the moon in full splendor, brimming with vigorous vitality that made one’s mood brighten just from looking at her.

Watching this, Pei Yan calmly stood up, blocking Yu Tang behind him, loudly calling for maids to come in and serve tea, then unobtrusively dragged a chair over, blocking Yu Tang’s seat.

Gu Chang’s eyes and brows moved slightly.

Was that what he thought it meant?

He was observing Pei Yan and Yu Tang when Pei Xuan had already told Gu Chang about Pei Tong wanting to separate his branch.

Gu Chang was greatly shocked. He sprang up from his seat and stared sternly at Pei Tong and Gu Xi, saying: “Is what Master Pei said true?”

Seeing him like this, Pei Tong and Gu Xi knew he opposed it. Pei Tong’s speech became somewhat halting: “Yes, yes, it’s like this. Maternal Uncle also knows and agreed. The property Grandfather left behind—Second Uncle doesn’t want it, so Third Uncle and I will divide it equally…”

As for that fifty thousand taels of debt, he felt it was better not to tell Gu Chang.

Gu Chang looked toward Elder Master Yang.

Elder Master Yang coughed lightly with some unease before putting on an air of sitting properly upright and said: “This matter is a long story. Pei Xiaguang separating Pei Tong out was also after careful consideration. After the branch separation, it’s not that they won’t acknowledge A’Tong anymore. A’Tong can still bring his mother and younger brother back to the capital. For A’Tong, while he’s young, venturing out is better for him.”

What nonsense!

If not for the Pei brothers being present, Gu Chang would have cursed out loud.

He knew it—the Yang family accomplished nothing but ruined everything.

If anyone was to blame, it was him for not taking it seriously enough, letting the Yang family interfere in his younger sister’s family affairs and make such a shortsighted decision.

Had he known, he shouldn’t have worried about face and should have waited outside according to the two Pei brothers’ suggestion.

Gu Chang didn’t even want to look at Elder Master Yang, much less speak with him.

He bowed to Pei Xuan and Pei Yan and said sincerely: “Can they not separate the family? They’re still young. A’Tong’s father is gone—if they do anything wrong, please feel free to instruct them, uncles. There’s no need to separate the branch!”

Pei Xuan’s expression was grave. Hearing this, he said: “It’s not that we don’t want to manage A’Tong—it’s because separating the branch is better for A’Tong.” He continued, “Some things, if we as uncles say them, we inevitably appear biased. It’s better to have A’Tong tell you about them later. We invited you here to serve as a witness. The assets that should go to A’Tong—we two uncles won’t keep a single penny for ourselves.”