Pei Yan waved his hand at Yu Tang with a nonchalant air and said, “I still have matters to attend to. Go on in! Remember to go over early tomorrow. As for Miss Gu’s side, I won’t let her appear, but you also need to be careful yourself. I notice Miss Gu has quite a lot on her mind too.”

She could even instigate Gu Chang to come find him—let’s see if he couldn’t rebuke Gu Chang to death.

Meddling in their family affairs—this was the first time in his life he had encountered such a thing!

Having said this, he walked away with carefree elegance. Yu Tang wanted to thank him but didn’t have time.

However, this was truly good news.

Yu Tang stood there filled with joy, the corners of her upturned mouth unable to come down for quite a while.

She returned to the room in high spirits.

The old servants from the Wei and Wu families were about to take their leave of Chen Shi. Chen Shi, seeing Yu Tang’s happiness that couldn’t be concealed no matter what, exchanged a few polite words with the old servants from both families, then served tea.

The old servants from both families respectfully performed curtsey bows to Chen Shi and Yu Tang, then carefully withdrew. But as soon as they left, they couldn’t help quietly discussing: “Miss Yu is growing more and more beautiful.”

“Isn’t that so? Before, one just felt she was eye-catching at first sight, but now seeing her makes one unable to resist wanting to look again and again.”

“The way she conducts herself is also especially dignified! Just now, the tone of her speech—both straightforward and appropriate and considerate—in all my years, I’ve rarely seen the like.”

“No wonder Old Madam Pei likes to invite her into the residence as a companion! Who knows in the future who will be fortunate enough to become their family’s son-in-law?”

The two chattered as they walked away. On Chen Shi’s side, she pulled her daughter into the inner room, sat down by the bed, and said in a low voice, “What did Third Master call you over for?”

She was deeply afraid her daughter had offended someone from the Pei family.

After all, the matter of feigning illness was something she had agreed to.

Yu Tang quickly patted her mother’s hand soothingly and quietly told Chen Shi about the Li family matter. But considering Chen Shi’s capacity to accept things, Yu Tang concealed Pei Yan’s plans for the Li family and only mentioned that the Li family had committed crimes.

Hearing this, Chen Shi’s tears fell in streams as she said vindictively, “Serves them right! Their family deserves such retribution.” As she spoke, she pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the corners of her eyes, then said, “This is great news! When I see Madam Wei tomorrow, I must tell her about it properly, and we should go offer some incense sticks to the Bodhisattva.”

Although the Li family deserved what they got, Chen Shi wasn’t the type who enjoyed speaking ill of people behind their backs. The Li family had committed crimes—naturally there would be people spreading the word everywhere. There was no need for her to speak of it. She just needed to secretly celebrate with Madam Wei.

She asked Yu Tang, “For families like theirs, won’t they have to forfeit large amounts of silver? Can they still keep that house they newly bought in Hangzhou?”

If the Li family returned to Lin’an City, she would definitely have those families friendly with her ignore the Li family.

Yu Tang said, “That depends on how the court ultimately judges it. However, as you know, even the wealthiest person can lose everything when involved in a lawsuit, let alone a major case like the Li family’s? Even if they can keep the house in Hangzhou City, the estate is so large—maintaining such a large estate also requires quite a lot of silver.”

If Li Duan still wanted to continue with the imperial examinations, the expenses would be even greater. Even if the Li family still had some savings, eight or nine-tenths of it would probably be depleted.

Thinking about this, Yu Tang increasingly felt that Pei Yan was truly a good person.

This was indeed much better than what she had previously thought—killing Li Duan or preventing Li Duan from ever taking the examinations.

It was like dangling a piece of meat in front of a wolf-dog, but forever letting it see but not eat, and making it rack its brains trying to figure out how to get that meat.

She couldn’t help but say, “This matter is thanks to Third Master. If he hadn’t sent people to investigate the Li family, those things Li Yi did wouldn’t have been exposed so early, and the Li family couldn’t have been criminally detained. Mother, it’s easy to paint a tiger’s skin but hard to paint its bones; you can know a person’s face but not their heart. Although Third Master is eliminating harm for the people, there’s no guarantee some people won’t attack Third Master for being devious and framing fellow townsmen for their own selfish interests. You know about this matter, I know, and Father knows—that’s enough. As for other people, we absolutely mustn’t reveal even half of it, lest Third Master do a good deed yet bring trouble upon himself.”

Chen Shi nodded repeatedly and promised, “Even to Madam Wei and Madam Wu I won’t say anything. I’ll just say the Li family committed crimes, and I heard Pei family people mention it, so I’m telling them.”

Yu Tang nodded.

Chen Shi then sighed, “Third Master is truly a good person! And so good to our family too! When you encounter him in the future, you must be respectful. Toward Old Madam Pei, you should also be sincerely filial.”

Yu Tang secretly pursed her lips.

With Pei Yan’s personality, even a clay figure would be angered to life. Every time she was with him, she restrained her temper and accommodated him, alright? Respect—that was only superficial respect. But she could be more filial to Old Madam—the elderly lady treated people with magnanimity and generosity. Even without this connection to Pei Yan, she would still treat Old Madam well.

But in front of Chen Shi, of course she wouldn’t say any of this and just smiled and responded “Yes.”

After the two finished organizing things for attending the scripture lecture tomorrow, they each went to rest.

On Gu Xi’s side, however, the atmosphere was very solemn.

She said, “Elder brother, I don’t believe the First Master Pei left such dying words. Although I’ve only met Young Master Pei twice, from his words and behavior, he greatly respects his father, and his respect for his mother also stems from his father having valued his mother greatly while alive. I don’t believe Young Master Pei is someone who breaks faith. I feel there must be some misunderstanding in this?”

The veins on Gu Chang’s forehead bulged as he exploded, “Would Pei Xiaguang lie to me? Your marriage to the Pei family was settled too hastily.”

Gu Xi’s face turned alternately pale and red.

There was something she hadn’t told Gu Chang.

When the First Madam initially came to test her intentions, she had actually already found out that she wasn’t the best candidate in the First Madam’s mind. The First Madam was most satisfied with her own niece from her natal family. It was only because Young Master Pei and his cousin had mutual affection, and he treated all the other Yang family cousins as his own sisters, that he couldn’t suddenly accept switching to someone for a marriage alliance—that was all.

But to her, the Pei family’s eldest young master was the best marriage prospect she could access.

She didn’t want to give up.

That’s why she had the marriage settled so quickly.

But now it was too late to say anything.

She couldn’t break off engagements twice in such a short time, especially when one of the families was the Pei family.

The Pei family couldn’t afford to lose this face, and the Gu family wouldn’t easily agree to her breaking the engagement like last time.

She could persist in her views in front of Gu Chang for another important reason—she trusted her eyes and instincts. The First Madam definitely had selfish motives, which she had seen through at the time. But Young Master Pei couldn’t possibly be the kind of person her elder brother described. With Young Master Pei’s birth, character, and appearance, he could completely find someone better than her—he had no need to deceive her in such matters.

Thinking this way, Gu Xi immediately gained confidence.

She said in a serious voice, “Elder brother, in this matter, the old woman says the old woman is right, the old man says the old man is right. I think it would be better to call Young Master Pei over and discuss with him what to do about this. After all, this is his own affair. We’re just lending a hand. How things ultimately turn out still requires his own decision. Elder brother can also take this opportunity to see what kind of person he is. In looking for a husband, I don’t expect him to be able to help elder brother much, but he also can’t hold elder brother back.”

The implication was that if Young Master Pei was truly so worthless, she wanted to break the engagement.

Only now did Gu Chang regret that the siblings shouldn’t have gotten involved in the Pei family’s grievances. It was just that the Pei family was a fat piece of meat—after learning about their family’s details, it was hard not to be tempted.

“Then let’s meet the Pei family’s eldest young master,” Gu Chang said solemnly. “If he’s not of much use, we’ll think about what to do!”

Breaking the engagement was impossible—they could only see if they could use the Pei family and Pei Yan’s control over Pei You’s branch.

The siblings exchanged a knowing glance.

Gu Chang sent someone with his calling card to invite Young Master Pei over.

Pei Tong lived with his younger brother Pei Fei, second uncle Pei Xuan, and cousin Pei Hong in the western meditation courtyard, very close to where Gu Xi was staying. In less than two quarters of an hour, he arrived.

He had just turned eighteen this year and had features five or six-tenths similar to Pei Yan’s. In the prime of youth, he was like a slender, upright young bamboo—youthful yet already showing some backbone.

One could tell he was a child who had received careful family cultivation and education.

Gu Chang nodded secretly. He had originally wanted to talk properly with Pei Tong, but thinking of Pei Yan still waiting in the conference hall, he got straight to the point. After inviting Pei Tong to sit down, he told Pei Tong everything about his visit to Pei Yan.

Pei Tong’s eyes widened in shock. As soon as Gu Chang’s voice fell, he jumped up and said loudly, “Impossible! My mother most respects my father. If my father had left such dying words, she couldn’t possibly violate Father’s dying wishes.”

Gu Chang’s heart sank as he said, “Are you saying Pei Xiaguang is lying?”

Pei Tong did indeed suspect this, but the coldness and warmth after his father’s death had taught him that if he challenged an elder’s authority, people would only suspect his ulterior motives.

He immediately said, “No, I’m not doubting my third uncle. Rather…” At this point, he suddenly stopped, his face showing a hesitant expression.

Gu Chang frowned and said, “Have you thought of something?”

Pei Tong’s eyes dimmed as he said in a low voice, “When Father passed away, my younger brother and I were both not by Father’s side… Mother wasn’t either… Grandfather was by Father’s side…” He looked up at Gu Chang, his eyes firm and resolute. “But I dare swear that until Grandfather’s death, he never mentioned to me that Father had left such dying words. I only know that before Grandfather’s death, he called over the two great-uncles Yi Gong and Wang Gong and said he wanted Third Uncle to be the clan head. So no matter what outsiders say, everyone in our family has always acknowledged Third Uncle as the family head. I just find it strange—if my father had left such dying words, why didn’t Grandfather ever tell me? Why didn’t Third Uncle mention it before? Mother and Father always treated each other with respect. After Father’s death, Mother has been melancholy and depressed. Her natal uncles and aunts are all very worried about her. My younger brother and I are both boys—inevitably there are oversights in our words and actions. Mother feels days pass like years. She’s been wanting to return to her natal home to stay for a while after Father’s mourning period ends, but she’s unwilling to be separated from us brothers, which is why she wanted me to go study at our maternal grandfather’s place.

I wanted to take care of Mother, so I didn’t object either.

Father’s dying words suddenly appearing—I, I don’t know what to do either?”