Gu Chang’s head was splitting.

Old Master Pei had been dead for three years, which meant Pei Yan had been managing the Pei family’s affairs for three years. Even if there were unbalanced accounts, he would have balanced them long ago. As for how much wealth Old Master Pei had actually left behind, it was impossible to discern anything from the account books.

Moreover, given Old Master Pei’s status and position, three hundred thousand taels of silver—what Pei Yan reported was already a conscientious price. For Pei Tong, who was separating his branch and dividing assets, this was very fair to him.

But he didn’t want Pei Tong to separate his branch.

From a long-term perspective, branch separation was very disadvantageous for Pei Tong.

Setting aside that Pei Tong hadn’t yet entered officialdom, let’s talk about Pei Fei. With Pei You deceased, Pei Tong was the eldest son, making Pei Fei his responsibility. Without the Pei residence’s great umbrella of protection, Pei Fei as a second son who had to rely on his elder brother—what kind of good marriage match could he secure?

Without a good marriage match, how could the brothers support each other and warm themselves together? How could they have good prospects?

Furthermore, regarding Pei You’s so-called examination year mates and colleagues, with Pei Xuan as an uncle whose official career was flourishing, who would bypass Pei Xuan to invest resources in Pei Tong, who hadn’t yet made something of himself and whose future couldn’t be seen?

If Pei Tong truly had matters to attend to, couldn’t he turn to Pei Xuan?

If Pei Xuan helped Pei Tong, this family connection would still exist. If Pei Xuan didn’t help Pei Tong, who would still acknowledge Pei Tong as a member of the Pei family?

Many add flowers to brocade, few send charcoal in snow!

How could Pei Tong be so shortsighted as to agree to leave the clan?

Gu Chang suspected Elder Master Yang had played tricks.

And why hadn’t Gu Xi tried to stop it?

He glared at Gu Xi with some frustration at her failure to meet expectations, shouted “Nonsense!” and said to the two Pei brothers: “This matter should be discussed further!”

Gu Xi felt full of grievances.

She vaguely sensed that her brother wouldn’t agree to the family separation, but after all, she was an inner chamber woman—what basis did she have to stop Pei Tong and Elder Master Yang?

Besides, she felt that separating out like this was also acceptable.

Her own days would certainly get better and better.

Gu Xi pouted and lowered her head.

Seeing this, Gu Chang sighed, feeling he had misdirected his anger at his younger sister.

How many people could be Pei Yan’s match!

If Pei Yan was determined to cast Pei Tong out to live independently, even if he were present, he might not be able to prevent it.

But he still wasn’t willing to give up, unwilling to abandon hope just like this.

He asked Pei Tong: “Your two uncles aren’t petty people. Some matters—you need to think them through carefully. Spilled water cannot be gathered.”

Listening, Pei Tong couldn’t help but hesitate again.

Seeing the situation turning unfavorable, Elder Master Yang beside him hurriedly smiled and reminded Pei Tong: “This is also your grandfather’s intention. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have passed the position of clan head to your Third Uncle. Your leaving maintains proper seniority order—it’s also good for the Pei family.”

He was reminding Pei Tong of what Pei You had done.

It was precisely because of this that Pei Tong felt too embarrassed to just leave like this.

He looked at his two uncles, pondered for a moment, but still couldn’t hold back. After apologizing to his two uncles, he pulled Elder Master Yang outside the door and said in a low voice: “If I leave the Pei family, can you give me that letter my father wrote to you?”

Elder Master Yang immediately became vigilant and said nervously: “What do you want to do? Are you afraid the Pei family will go back on their word?”

“No!” Pei Tong said somewhat embarrassedly, “I wrongly blamed Third Uncle. But I also don’t want to forget about Father’s death. I think, since I’m leaving, I should leave cleanly and not involve myself in the Pei family’s various affairs anymore. The letter Father wrote to you—consider it my gift to them. From now on, I won’t owe the Pei family anything, and they won’t owe me anything either. When we meet in the future, a nod of acknowledgment will suffice.”

How foolish!

Elder Master Yang barely restrained himself from saying these words aloud.

However, young people who hadn’t experienced much always thought everything in this world was so simple. Once they suffered some hardships in the future, they would learn better.

But having him hand over the letter to the Pei family—that was absolutely impossible.

This was one of his means of self-preservation.

He played tai chi with Pei Tong: “There’s no rush. Let’s wait until the family assets are clearly divided before discussing this.”

But Pei Tong didn’t want to lose face anymore.

He had first misunderstood Pei Yan, then taken great advantage of Pei Xuan.

He also wanted to be an upright man, not someone people would say had taken such great advantage of the Pei family.

Pei Tong grabbed Elder Master Yang firmly and said: “Maternal Uncle, please give it to me! Since my maternal elder brother is here too, let’s speak clearly. I don’t want to leave the Pei family owing favors.”

Elder Master Yang frowned almost imperceptibly, unwilling to hand over that letter: “You child, why are you so stubborn? That letter is of great importance—how can it just be handed over like this? Rest assured, I’m keeping that letter not to have the Pei family’s whole clan executed—what good would that do us? Just trust your maternal uncle. I’ll hand it over to the Pei family at an appropriate opportunity.”

After obtaining even greater benefits?

Pei Tong looked at the familiar face of his maternal uncle before him, yet for the first time felt a bone-chilling coldness.

That his family and the Pei family had reached this state today—wasn’t the Yang family the key point of conflict?

Didn’t Maternal Uncle bear any responsibility?

Perhaps there was no one reliable in this world.

Even his Second Uncle had to be considerate of Third Uncle and wouldn’t help him wholeheartedly.

Pei Tong was very disappointed. He gave Elder Master Yang an indifferent glance and said: “Then as you wish.”

Even if their branch left the Pei family, they wouldn’t follow the Yang family’s lead.

If he was leaving, he was prepared to leave completely and no longer associate with these prominent families from Jiangnan.

In the future, they would just be a small family in the capital.

Pei Tong seemed to see, beneath the darkness, the dim yellow lamplight lit in the courtyard where he had grown up since childhood.

So be it!

He had taken advantage of the family, so consider it as owing his two uncles. When he had the capability, he would repay them!

Pei Tong straightened his back, walked inside, and for the first time looked directly at Pei Yan and Pei Xuan, taking the initiative to say to his two uncles: “Second Uncle, Third Uncle, I’ve kept you waiting. I trust you won’t deceive me. I won’t look at the account books. As you said, I’ll move to the courtyard where Father previously lived. But revising the family register, establishing household registration in the capital, and bringing Mother and younger brother over—I’m afraid I’ll still need both uncles to help shoulder some of this burden.”

After speaking, he respectfully bowed to Pei Yan and Pei Xuan, as if he were a completely different person from the one who had just been frantically clamoring to settle accounts with Pei Yan.

Pei Yan and Pei Xuan couldn’t help but exchange glances.

But Pei Tong had already turned to speak with Gu Chang: “Elder Maternal Brother, I’m sorry you had to make a special trip for my affairs. My maternal uncle is right—my leaving the Pei family is better for the Pei family. Let’s proceed with the branch separation!”

Things having reached this point, what use was Gu Chang’s continued opposition?

But in his heart, seeds of dissatisfaction with the Yang family were planted.

Two days later, Pei Tong set the moving date, and Gu Chang found time to visit again.

The things to be taken from the household had all been packed and prepared, just waiting for the auspicious hour to move to the residence Pei You had purchased years ago. Gu Xi had also changed from her previous laziness and stood energetically on the steps of the main hall, personally directing the household servants to dig up several peony plants from the courtyard.

Gu Chang couldn’t help but say: “Why are you digging up the flowers and plants from the courtyard? Do the Pei family people know?”

“They know!” Gu Xi invited Gu Chang inside to sit while saying: “Second Aunt said I could take whatever I liked. These are two relatively rare black chrysanthemums. Even with money, they might not be available for purchase. Pei Xiaguang doesn’t like flowers and plants, so he doesn’t plant much in his courtyard either. Better that I take them!”

These were all small matters.

Gu Chang didn’t elaborate with her but instead asked about the asset division: “Has the money been transferred to the account?”

Gu Xi nodded, looking very satisfied: “Early the next morning, both uncles called Pei Tong over. Besides giving him the money, they also gave him a copy of the account books. They left all the immovable properties to the Pei family, saying that since we’ll be living long-term in the capital and it wouldn’t be convenient to manage them, they exchanged them for an estate near Miyun—over five hundred mu. We all thought it was quite good. We’re just waiting for Mother-in-law to bring younger brother-in-law to the capital.”

This was also good!

Gu Chang nodded.

Gu Xi personally brought in some pastries and fruits for him, sat beside him to keep him company, and said: “Pei Tong went to the old residence to pack up—he’ll return this evening. Elder Brother, please have dinner here before leaving! I always feel the Yang family has ill intentions. Some things would be better if you spoke to him about them.”

Gu Chang had come with this intention as well, so he naturally agreed.

The two siblings rarely had half a day of leisure, speaking intimate words.

On Yu Tang’s side, A’Xing was quietly tattling on Gu Xi: “Didn’t they say she was a young lady from one of the four prominent Jiangnan families? How is she coveting our family’s peony flowers? Can’t she buy them from flower farmers? She has to dig them up and take them away. You’re being too indulgent with her, aren’t you?”

Yu Tang smiled and said: “This wasn’t something I agreed to—it was Second Madam who agreed. I have to give some consideration to Second Madam, don’t I?”

A’Xing pursed her lips but didn’t say anything more in front of Yu Tang.

Yu Tang then asked her: “Are the things for my natal family all packed?”

A’Xing nodded repeatedly.

Yu Yuan was about to return to Lin’an. Yu Tang asked him to help bring some things back. A’Xing helped prepare items for her natal family, while Qing Yuan helped prepare items for her in-laws’ family.

A’Xing said: “I heard from the gatehouse people that Third Master ordered them to prepare a carriage. When the time comes, they’ll escort Young Master Uncle to Tongzhou to board the boat!”

Compared to her previous life, A’Xing appeared more lively and liked to run around everywhere, inquiring about this and that. Through this, Yu Tang learned about many matters concerning the household servants and stewards.

Hearing her say this, Yu Tang couldn’t help but be moved. That evening when Pei Yan returned, she not only diligently helped him change clothes but also took the initiative to lean against his shoulder and rub against him, asking in a sweet voice: “I want to go with you to Tongzhou!”

Pei Yan hadn’t hidden his itinerary at all. Hearing this, he laughed heartily, pinched her chin, and teased her: “You bought too many things—the carriage can’t fit them all. Can’t bring people along.”

“Nonsense!” Yu Tang was displeased and jumped away from Pei Yan’s side, saying: “I asked Pei Wu—he said he specially prepared a carriage for you.” As she spoke, her eyes darted around: “If there really isn’t enough room, then let’s borrow a carriage from the Yin residence! Anyway, Madam Yin can’t do anything these days, so Lord Yin is definitely at home keeping her company. Their family surely has extra carriages.”

Pei Yan smiled and said: “Debts of gratitude are harder to repay. I just spent one hundred and fifty thousand taels of silver these past few days—we need to be frugal.”

Yu Tang immediately pulled out her private savings and said proudly with a smile: “When I came, Father gave me one thousand taels of silver, and Mother-in-law gave me three thousand taels of silver. No need for you to spend—this trip to Tongzhou, I’ll cover all the expenses.”

That wealthy and overbearing little appearance, with playfulness revealing a hint of cunning, made Pei Yan’s heart burn with warmth.