In the study.

Pei Yu’s words were even more direct.

“Mingting’s marriage—my wife and I already have plans. The woman’s family status compared to the Pei family can only be higher, not lower. I can’t let my legitimate son be suppressed by a concubine-born one.”

Hearing the implications, Xie Erli asked, “Uncle Pei has already decided to pass the Pei family business to Mingting?”

“He’s the eldest legitimate son. Passing it to him follows proper order.”

Pei Yu thought of his own circumstances over the years, his expression more resolute than ever.

“Who says the family head must have excellent medical skills? Mingting holds an official position—at least he’s a proper fifth-rank official who can support the family. Add his wife’s family’s assistance, and he’ll sit firmly in the position of family head.”

Xie Erli nodded. “Uncle Pei has considered thoroughly.”

Imperial Physician Pei sighed.

“When parents love their children, they must plan deeply for them. If I hadn’t had my wife’s family’s support back then, how could my mother and elder brother have accepted me? Who knows what chaos would have erupted.”

Precisely because Imperial Physician Pei had tasted these benefits, he was single-mindedly determined to choose a good wife’s family for his son.

Though Yan Sanhe was from the Xie family, she ultimately wasn’t blood-related. Marrying her would provide no support at all.

“Has Uncle Pei already selected someone?” Xie Erli asked.

“Just those few legitimate daughters from princely and marquis households.”

Imperial Physician Pei frowned tightly. “If not for the Ji family matter, matchmakers would have come long ago. Fortunately, Mingting was promoted recently. With his spine straightened, he can succeed without the Ji family.”

“Since Uncle Pei has such plans, you should level with Mingting early.”

“I mentioned it to him early on. This brat turned around and forgot—didn’t take it to heart at all.”

Xie Erli smiled, thinking to himself that wasn’t it because you two spoiled him?

Pei Yu’s expression changed. “…What about Miss Yan’s side?”

“Don’t worry, Uncle Pei.”

Xie Erli recounted Yan Sanhe’s words in full detail to Pei Yu.

After listening, Pei Yu’s lips trembled slightly. In the end, he said nothing, only sighing, “She’s perceptive. What a pity, such a pity!”

…

Was Yan Sanhe perceptive?

Not really!

She simply had self-awareness.

Moreover, she and Li Buyan had already agreed—without finding her roots, she absolutely wouldn’t discuss marriage.

Right now she was eagerly hoping for Xie Zhifei and the others to return so she’d have something to do. Otherwise, these days of immobility were too difficult to endure.

Just as she was hoping, someone returned—only Li Buyan alone.

Seeing Yan Sanhe, Li Buyan’s first action was to fold her arms and lean against the table with a half-smile.

Yan Sanhe saw her expression. “You already know?”

“How could I not rush back? Quick, tell me how you responded. I’m dying of curiosity.”

Yan Sanhe repeated it once.

After listening, Li Buyan froze for a good while before suddenly laughing. “Yan Sanhe, this isn’t your usual style.”

“What’s my usual style?”

“You would directly tell him…”

Li Buyan mimicked Yan Sanhe’s tone: “This warrior, a divine woman isn’t someone you can covet. I’ll point you to a path to survival—hurry home and find your parents.”

Yan Sanhe couldn’t help but laugh.

Li Buyan’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.

No wonder Lord Pei had to act first and report later. When she smiled, she was truly beautiful—her eyes brighter than stars.

“Enough, let’s not discuss this. How was Water Moon Convent?”

“Tangyuan, please bring me a bowl of chilled sour plum soup. This damned weather is killing me.”

“Coming, Miss.”

After finishing a bowl of sour plum soup, Li Buyan felt refreshed and recounted everything she’d heard and seen today following Third Master.

Finally, she pulled a stack of papers from her chest. “Miss, look at these. This is Jingchen’s true handwriting.”

Slender Gold style?

Yan Sanhe read character by character. “This Jingchen from childhood probably wasn’t someone conventional and obedient.”

“What a coincidence—Third Master said the same thing.”

Yan Sanhe froze, frowning at Li Buyan. Li Buyan pursed her lips. “Why are you looking at me? That’s what he said!”

“Where is he?”

“Just arrived at the residence and was intercepted by Steward Xie. Probably went to advise a certain someone.”

“Buyan, carry me to the study.”

“Why?”

“I’ll copy this calligraphy.”

Calligraphy reflects character. Every piece of writing mirrors the writer’s mood at that moment. Different moods produce subtle variations in the characters.

“My young lady, you’re really composed. If it were me, I’d have to go outside to watch the excitement.”

Li Buyan added, “Especially since this excitement involves you.”

“While I’m watching the excitement, they’re watching me.”

Yan Sanhe smiled coldly. “Why build a stage for myself!”

…

Shi’an Courtyard.

Pei Mingting slammed his palm on the table. “I’m not living this life anymore, damn it.”

You still have the face to get angry?

Xie Zhifei looked at him incredulously.

Originally, he thought Yan Sanhe’s attitude made everything clear. After being rejected a few times, this brat should know when to back down.

Instead, the more setbacks he faced, the more determined he became!

“Pei Mingting.”

Xie Zhifei called him by his full name, deciding to throw cold water on him.

“Making such a huge commotion, you acted first and reported later. But have you considered Yan Sanhe’s position?”

“I still have to consider her position? Shouldn’t she be very happy?”

“That’s what you think.”

Xie Zhifei replied, “Everything should be mutual. Have you asked whether she’s willing?”

“How can you ask about this sort of thing? Girls are shy and easily embarrassed.”

“Is Yan Sanhe that type who gets shy?”

Xie Zhifei sneered. “If you, Pei Mingting, stripped naked and stood before her, you’d be the one embarrassed, not her.”

Pei Mingting looked down at himself.

Hey?

Seems right!

“That’s point one.”

Xie Zhifei tapped his head. “Point two—why didn’t you come ask me before you acted?”

Pei Mingting was unconvinced.

“What, do I need your approval for my marriage?”

“If you’d come ask me, I would have told you that before Yan Sanhe agreed to stay with the Xie family, she made three rules with us.”

Xie Zhifei continued, “One of them was that only she could decide her marriage—no one else could interfere.”

Pei Mingting slapped his forehead. “Aiya, then I proposed to the wrong person! I should have proposed directly to her.”

“You…”

Forget angry laughter—Xie Zhifei could be moved to tears by this person.

“Alright, I know I was wrong.”

Pei Mingting bumped Xie Zhifei’s shoulder with his own.

Since learning his parents had rushed frantically to the Xie residence, he’d actually known he was wrong.

Young Master Pei didn’t turn around and forget, didn’t fail to take it to heart. On the contrary, he understood perfectly.

His marriage wasn’t just important to his father—his mother cared, and Zhao Huairen might have plans too. In short: everyone would be satisfied except him.

But living a life—how difficult is that?

When Hu Sanmei was young, she caused such a fuss over Wu Guanyue. Those two were truly separated by heaven and earth.

So when it came to Young Master Pei, should he just accept his fate, compromise, not even struggle, and obediently enter the bridal chamber?

How boring would that be!

“Wushi.”

Young Master Pei hung his head, his voice very low.

“I couldn’t investigate her background. My heart panicked, so I wanted to fight for myself. I didn’t think about her position—I didn’t have time to think. I ran out of time.”

Xie Zhifei’s expression changed drastically. “The people you sent out have already returned?”