Pei Wenxuan closed his eyes and leaned back in the carriage, quietly contemplating all the possibilities of this visit to the Pei family.

Although Lady Wen’s health wasn’t great, in his past life she had lived for over ten more years without any major illnesses in between. So this sudden incident calling him back happened just after Li Rong established the Supervisory Bureau—the timing was far too coincidental.

If it wasn’t Lady Wen being critically ill, yet the Pei family summoned him back, then it could only be about Li Rong’s affairs.

Li Rong was now targeting all the major aristocratic families. Causing trouble for Li Rong was difficult, but causing trouble for him was much less so. After all, with clan laws and family rules above, even Li Ming would find it hard to interfere in the Pei family’s internal matters.

Going back today, the Pei family probably planned to use both kindness and intimidation to make him persuade Li Rong.

If Lady Wen was truly critically ill, he’d go back and see her, that was all. But if they were falsely using Lady Wen’s critical illness as a pretext to cause him trouble, he would settle accounts with them properly.

Having made up his mind, Pei Wenxuan arrived at the Pei family entrance. He raised his eyes to scan the surroundings and spotted the hidden guards who had been following him in the shadows. He withdrew his gaze, descended from the carriage, and entered the Pei residence.

As soon as he alighted from the carriage, someone approached respectfully: “Eldest Young Master, please.”

Pei Wenxuan tucked his hands into his sleeves and followed the person forward, saying only, “Didn’t you say my mother was critically ill? Why aren’t we heading toward Mother’s courtyard?”

“The First Madam is waiting for you in the main hall.”

The person didn’t answer directly, responding only with this. Pei Wenxuan understood what was happening.

He followed the person all the way to the main hall and saw that almost everyone from the Pei family was present. His grandfather sat in the place of honor, his mother sat beside him, several clan elders sat below, along with his two uncles. His cousins stood to the side, and guards surrounded the entire courtyard. Pei Wenxuan led two subordinates Li Rong had assigned him into the courtyard, bowed to those seated one by one, and said respectfully, “I pay my respects to Grandfather, Mother, all the elders, and all the brothers.”

After bowing, Pei Wenxuan raised his eyes to look at Lady Wen, saying calmly, “I heard Mother was critically ill, so I rushed back. But now it seems Mother’s noble body is unharmed.”

“I… I called you over…”

“I was the one who called you over.” Seeing Lady Wen stutter, Pei Xuanqing spoke directly. “Knowing you wouldn’t come back, I had your mother summon you.”

“Grandfather jests,” Pei Wenxuan smiled gently. “When family elders summon me, how dare Wenxuan not return? You could have just sent someone directly. Falsely claiming Mother was critically ill only made your grandson worry needlessly.”

“Worry? You still know how to worry?”

Pei Xuanqing slammed his palm on the table: “If you knew how to worry about family members, you wouldn’t have instigated the Princess to do such wicked things!”

“I don’t understand Grandfather’s words.”

Pei Wenxuan’s voice was flat. Hearing him speak this way, Pei Liwen immediately became angry. Standing up, he said, “You’re still playing dumb? Tell me, wasn’t the Princess establishing the Supervisory Bureau your instigation?”

“The Supervisory Bureau was the Princess’s own idea. What does it have to do with Wenxuan?”

Pei Wenxuan raised his eyes to look at Pei Liwen: “If Third Uncle is dissatisfied, just go speak with the Princess directly. All you elders arranged such a grand display here today,” Pei Wenxuan turned to survey everyone, “is it all for this matter?”

“Wenxuan,” Pei Xuanqing spoke again, “you are the Princess’s husband. If she acts without considering consequences, won’t you exercise restraint either? Now the other families have all come asking questions. The Princess never involved herself in political affairs before, but after marrying you, she started causing trouble. You say it has nothing to do with you—even if the family believes you, who else will?”

“So then?” Pei Wenxuan looked at them flatly. “What do you all mean today?”

“What do you mean ‘what do we mean’?” Pei Liwen said angrily. “Is this the attitude you use when speaking to your elders?!”

Pei Wenxuan remained silent, raising his eyes to look at Pei Lixian, who had been sitting to the side without speaking. Seeing Pei Wenxuan ignore him, Pei Liwen charged forward to strike. Pei Wenxuan sensed his intent, twisted his head around, and shouted angrily, “You dare?!”

This loud shout startled Pei Liwen. For a moment his anger deflated. Hand raised, he said, “You… you’re just a junior. What wouldn’t I dare about hitting you!”

“Third Uncle, have you thought this through clearly?” Pei Wenxuan said coldly. “I am the current Prince Consort. If you strike me today, you’re slapping Princess Pingle’s face.”

Hearing Pei Wenxuan’s words, Pei Liwen’s hand remained suspended in midair, somewhat awkwardly. Pei Lixian sighed and raised his eyes to look at Lady Wen sitting in the chair, saying somewhat helplessly, “Sister-in-law, I told you—Wenxuan married Her Highness and lost his sense of propriety. He’s still young and doesn’t know the depth of things. Sister-in-law must exercise a mother’s dignity and teach him more. Look, he’s only been married this short time and has already forgotten he’s a member of the Pei family.”

Pei Wenxuan finally heard Pei Lixian speak. He raised his eyes to look at Pei Lixian. Pei Lixian didn’t glance at him once, only saying to Lady Wen, “Sister-in-law, Wenxuan is still young. Don’t let him be ruined midway.”

“Second Uncle speaks correctly.” Hearing Pei Lixian’s words, Lady Wen seemed to steady her resolve.

She raised her eyes to look at Pei Wenxuan, took a deep breath and said, “Wenxuan, you must listen more to the family’s advice. Regarding the Princess’s affairs, you must advise her more. Don’t let her make enemies of so many aristocratic families. When it involves the family, the Princess is the Princess, but our family doesn’t have an immunity from death.”

“So then?” Hearing Lady Wen’s words, Pei Wenxuan laughed in anger. “Is this what they told you to say? What do you plan to have me do?”

“You go back and tell Her Highness to abandon her intentions. Just forget about the Qin family case. Your maternal uncle is also involved in this matter. Tell Her Highness not to get involved.”

“Excellent.” Pei Wenxuan smiled. “If that’s all, you should have said so earlier. Is there anything else?”

“Wenxuan!” Lady Wen heard the mockery in Pei Wenxuan’s words. Being watched by so many people, she became angry and shouted loudly, “What kind of attitude is this? Do you still have me as your mother in your eyes?”

“I do. But in your eyes,” Pei Wenxuan looked at her seriously, “do you still have me as your son?”

Lady Wen was stunned by his question. Pei Xuanqing beside her coughed lightly: “Daughter-in-law, this child needs discipline.”

Hearing these words, Lady Wen seemed to remember something. She stood up urgently: “You’ve rebelled! Someone, bring the family rod!”

Hearing Lady Wen’s words, Pei Wenxuan lowered his eyes and laughed quietly.

Lady Wen was unnerved by Pei Wenxuan’s laughter, stuttering, “What… what are you laughing at?”

“Mother,” Pei Wenxuan said slowly, “did they tell you that only by beating me could they give the other aristocratic families an explanation and also intimidate the Princess? In the future, every time I instigate the Princess, they’ll cause me trouble. Eventually I’ll quiet down.”

Lady Wen was momentarily stunned. Outside, servants rushed in and raised their hands to restrain Pei Wenxuan. Pei Wenxuan shouted, “Don’t touch me! I’ll kneel on my own!”

With that, Pei Wenxuan raised his hands to remove his outer robe, calmly placed it on a small table beside him, then straightened his back and knelt down.

He stared at Lady Wen, saying calmly, “Mother, I anticipated today’s events long ago. I just never expected it would be you.”

Looking into Pei Wenxuan’s eyes, Lady Wen was completely dazed.

A moment later, the sound of a cane striking his back suddenly rang out. Pei Wenxuan’s expression didn’t change—he simply gazed at her quietly.

Lady Wen trembled. She wanted to speak when she heard Pei Lixian say, “Sister-in-law has always been unable to bear such scenes. Let sister-in-law avoid this in the inner hall.”

Lady Wen looked at Pei Lixian blankly, then was supported by maids who half-dragged, half-pushed her out.

The cane struck Pei Wenxuan’s body viciously. Once Lady Wen left, those people increased their force. The cane hit his body with piercing pain, instantly draining the color from his face.

Cold sweat fell profusely from his forehead. At this time, Li Rong had also rushed to the Pei residence.

Xun Chuan had already led people to the Pei family entrance. As soon as Li Rong arrived, Xun Chuan stepped forward respectfully: “Your Highness.”

“How long has he been inside?”

“I heard he just entered, less than fifteen minutes ago.”

Xun Chuan followed behind Li Rong, lowering her voice: “The hidden guards haven’t responded. Something must have happened inside.”

Li Rong’s expression changed slightly. She personally stepped forward to knock on the gate. As soon as the gatekeeper opened the door, Xun Chuan pressed her sword against it. Li Rong shouted lowly, “Ram it.”

Those beside her forcefully rammed the door open. The gatekeeper was knocked to the ground, exclaiming in shock, “You…”

“This Princess’s Prince Consort just entered your Pei residence,” Li Rong raised her hand and directly drew a sword from a guard beside her, pointing it before the gatekeeper, saying coldly, “Where is he?”

“Prin… Princess Pingle.”

The gatekeeper realized who had come, stuttering, “The Prince Consort… the Prince Consort is in the main hall.”

Li Rong ignored him. Holding the sword, she turned and led everyone straight toward the main hall.

She understood clearly what Pei Wenxuan wanted to do.

With Pei Wenxuan’s intelligence, how could he not know what coming to the Pei residence today meant? Now all the major aristocratic families were eyeing the couple like tigers. Not daring to move against her, they would naturally cause trouble for Pei Wenxuan. Injuring Pei Wenxuan was also a kind of warning. Why would Pei Wenxuan still come? What was he after?

Nothing more than that little scheme in Pei Wenxuan’s heart—using his own injury as an excuse to bite off a piece of flesh from the Pei family.

But did she need him to bite off this piece of flesh from the Pei family?

Li Rong couldn’t clearly explain why she felt this way. She only felt an indescribable anger—perhaps feeling that someone had slapped her face, or perhaps feeling that Pei Wenxuan was being reckless.

She led people through the corridor to the main hall courtyard. Xun Chuan ordered someone forward, and they kicked open the main door.

The instant the door burst open, everyone suddenly turned back. Then they saw the woman standing in the doorway—wearing a red, gold-threaded, phoenix-embroidered palace dress, holding a long sword, standing at the entrance with people behind her.

Pei Wenxuan’s eyes suddenly widened. Seeing the scene inside, Li Rong laughed in anger.

She held the sword and strode quickly into the main hall, walking to stand before Pei Wenxuan.

Pei Wenxuan stared at her blankly. Li Rong looked down from above at the kneeling Pei Wenxuan, saying coldly, “Why are you still kneeling? This Princess has arrived—why haven’t you stood up?!”

Pei Wenxuan knew Li Rong was extremely angry. His back was covered in wounds, yet he still gritted his teeth to support himself, swaying as he stood before Li Rong.

“They called you over. Why didn’t you notify me?”

Li Rong stared at him. She wanted nothing more than to slap him, but upon seeing this person’s pale complexion, she forcibly suppressed this urge.

Pei Wenxuan smiled bitterly, saying quietly, “Your Highness, it’s not a big matter. You had business tonight.”

“So you just endured it here? What if I hadn’t come today?”

Li Rong spoke, then turned her head to sweep her gaze across everyone: “If this Princess hadn’t come today, were you planning to beat the Prince Consort to death here?! Who gave you the dog’s gall to dare touch this Princess’s person!”