Young Master Pei done?

Like hell!

Third Madam Zhu—Madam Zhu—wasn’t even finished yet.

This woman was simultaneously shedding tears and rambling on about her bitter past, spraying spittle all over half of Young Master Pei’s face.

What was the most terrifying thing in this world?

Women.

The female species simply had no reason whatsoever.

One moment she was talking about Master Zhu’s affairs, the next moment her tears burst forth like floodgates opening, like free water that couldn’t be stopped.

Young Master Pei didn’t know whether to comfort her or not.

If he tried to comfort her, with his sarcastic mouth…

That would be difficult!

If he didn’t comfort her, what was with this guilt in his heart?

When Li Buyan arrived, she saw Young Master Pei had turned himself into a human stick figure, grinding his teeth as he walked beside Madam Zhu.

The moment Young Master Pei saw Li Buyan, his eyes burned with eagerness like he was seeing a savior: Hero, saving one life is better than building a seven-story pagoda!

Li Buyan blinked at him: What’s in it for me?

Young Master Pei: Would you like me to pledge myself to you?

Li Buyan silently mouthed: Bah!

After that “bah,” she cleared her throat. “Third Madam, they’re serving the meal at the manor. Have you finished speaking?”

“Finished, finished.”

Madam Zhu fiercely wiped her tears, turned to look at Young Master Pei and said, “You must remember everything I just said.”

“I remember.”

“Make sure to tell it all to Miss Yan.”

“Don’t worry.”

“Not a single word may be omitted!”

Good grief, auntie, will you ever be done?

Young Master Pei’s expression could only be described as enduring humiliation: “Yes, not a single word will be omitted.”

Having received this promise, Third Madam Zhu bowed to Young Master Pei, clutched her handkerchief, and left sniffling.

Young Master Pei waited until she’d gone far, then said with a stern expression, “In my next life, I want to be reborn as a woman. I really want to see just how difficult it is to be a woman who doesn’t cry when she talks.”

“In my next life, I want to be reborn as a man.”

Li Buyan said, “I really want to see just how difficult it is to be a man who isn’t cowardly and fearful.”

Young Master Pei was furious. “What’s wrong with you, woman? Can we ever move past last night’s incident?”

Li Buyan retorted, “What’s wrong with you, man? You already did it, but won’t let others mention it?”

Young Master Pei: “…”

At this moment, First Madam Ling appeared from somewhere.

“Young Master Pei, it should be my turn now.”

“First Madam, let me have a meal first, alright?”

I need to conserve some energy, otherwise my little life will be lost at the hands of you two madams.

Fearing she wouldn’t agree, Young Master Pei quickly added, “I still need to relay Third Madam’s words to Yan Sanhe. If too much time passes, I’m afraid I’ll forget.”

“Then eat quickly and don’t delay!”

Me, delay?

Young Master Pei glared fiercely at Li Buyan: Women, every single one of them is unreasonable!

Li Buyan thought: Trying to reason with women—is this kid stupid?

…

The two returned to the side hall one after the other.

The meal had already been set on the square table—eight dishes and one soup. Just from the appearance, you could tell the manor’s cook had put thought into it.

Yan Sanhe sat in the main seat. “Everyone sit!”

Young Master Pei and Li Buyan sat down without ceremony.

Huang Qi only dared sit on half his bottom.

Yan Sanhe usually insisted on not speaking during meals or sleep, but the Zhu family’s heart demon was too dangerous and urgent—she had to break her dining habits.

“Mingting, eat while you talk.”

Pei Mingting used his chopsticks to pick up a vegetable stalk and relayed everything Third Madam had said to Yan Sanhe.

After hearing it all, Yan Sanhe said, “I’ll summarize Madam Zhu’s words into two points: First, Master Zhu had no temper, was very easygoing, and didn’t put on the airs of the family head.

Second, he won the hearts of the younger generation even more than the old lady did. When the three daughters-in-law’s natal families had any matters and came seeking help, he would always lend a hand.”

Young Master Pei: “Actually, there’s a third point—Master Zhu was henpecked.”

Li Buyan chuckled. “Oh, tell us quickly—how henpecked was he?”

Eat your food!

Young Master Pei retorted in his mind, then turned to look at Yan Sanhe and said:

“Master Zhu listened to everything Madam Mao said. If Madam Mao told him to go east, he wouldn’t go west. If Madam Mao told him to go west, he wouldn’t go east.”

In plain terms, in the entire Zhu Manor, Madam Mao called the shots.

From small matters like what clothes Master Zhu wore to major matters like their children’s marriages, Madam Mao made all the decisions. Master Zhu at most helped divine auspicious or inauspicious omens.

“Third Madam also mentioned something else.”

Young Master Pei said slowly:

“For the Madam’s natal Mao family, no matter how big or small the matter, they had to have Master Zhu personally divine good or bad fortune. Sometimes the three sons couldn’t stand watching and wanted to help divine, but Master Zhu didn’t dare fake it, afraid the Madam would get angry.”

Yan Sanhe took a sip of soup. “From this we can see that Master Zhu greatly respected Madam Mao.”

Respect?

Tch!

Young Master Pei’s face was full of disdain. “That’s called improper husband authority!”

“You’re the most proper!”

Li Buyan just couldn’t stand seeing him so smug. “When you marry a tigress in the future, let’s see if you can maintain your authority.”

Young Master Pei glanced at Yan Sanhe from the corner of his eye.

Ridiculous!

Apart from this lady before me, in this world, who else could make this Young Master Pei lose his husband authority?

Nobody!

That breed is extinct!

Miss Yan swallowed her last bite of rice, set down her chopsticks, and frowned. “Third Madam just said that Madam Mao tried to insert people into the second branch, but the master stopped it.”

“Yes!”

Pei Xiao said, “The second branch has no sons, so Madam Mao bought two maids from outside with wide hips who could bear children. The master unusually put on a stern face and told Madam Mao not to reach her hands so far—to wait two years.”

Yan Sanhe: “Didn’t Madam Mao try to insert people into the third branch?”

“How could she not!”

Madam Zhu had just cried her eyes out over this very matter.

“But they all had to have their birth charts divined by the master first. Those with good charts could enter the door; those with bad charts couldn’t even get through the gate.”

“Master Zhu loved divining birth charts so much…”

Li Buyan asked curiously, “I wonder if he divined the charts of those bed-warming maids in his chambers?”

Young Master Pei snorted through his nose and deliberately raised his voice. “Of course he did! He probably even picked an auspicious day for consummating the relationship!”

Li Buyan clicked her tongue. “You men are really particular.”

You men?

Young Master Pei sneered coldly. “This young master is still a virgin.”

—

Li Buyan raised her thumb. “Not easy—your chastity is still intact.”

“You…”

Young Master Pei was so angry he nearly vomited blood.

Do men have chastity?

Do they?

Do they?

“You two continue your bickering. I’m going to the courtyard to digest my meal.”

Yan Sanhe really couldn’t listen anymore. She stood up and walked out of the side hall. One foot had just crossed the threshold when she saw Zhu Weixi rushing in frantically.

“Miss Yan, Miss Yan, something terrible has happened! My mother just picked up her rice bowl and suddenly collapsed.”

Yan Sanhe’s heart constricted slightly. “Did you pinch her pressure point?”

“We did—she won’t wake up.”

How could she not wake up?

“What about the imperial physician?”

“Big brother has already sent someone to fetch one.”

Zhu Weixi hesitated before speaking. “Miss Yan, could it be that because my brother removed the formation, the Zhu family’s bad luck has started again?”

It shouldn’t happen this quickly!

It had only been one night.

At this moment, Young Master Pei hurried out with a serious expression. “Yan Sanhe, if pinching the pressure point doesn’t wake her, it’s somewhat dangerous.”

Yan Sanhe’s heart constricted again slightly.

“Let’s go take a look!”