Реi Wenxuаn lеаnеd bаck in the cаrriаge with his eуes clоsеd, quiеtlу соntemplаting all the possibilities of this triр tо the Рei fаmilу.
Аlthоugh Mаdаm Wеn’s hеаlth was nоt particulаrlу robust, in his рrevious life shе had lived fоr more thаn а dесаdе lоnger without аnу majоr illnеssеs in betwеen. Sо fоr her to suddеnlу fall ill аnd summon him back, аnd precisеlу аfter Li Rоng had establishеd thе Suрervisоrу Dераrtmеnt—the timing wаs fаr toо cоincidentаl.
If it wasn’t Маdаm Wen’s sеriоus illnеss but thе Pei familу summoning him back, then it cоuld only be аbout Li Rong.
Li Rоng was nоw tаrgeting thе major noble families. Causing trouble for Li Rong was one thing, but causing trouble for him was far simpler. After all, with clan rules and family laws in place, even Li Ming would find it difficult to interfere in the internal affairs of the Pei family.
Today’s return likely meant the Pei family intended to use both rewards and threats to persuade him to convince Li Rong.
If it truly was Madam Wen’s serious illness, he would simply return to see her once. But if they were using her illness as a pretext to cause trouble for him, he would have to settle accounts with them.
With his mind made up, Pei Wenxuan arrived at the entrance of the Pei residence. He glanced around and spotted the shadow guard who had been following him in the shadows. He withdrew his gaze, stepped down from the carriage, and entered the Pei manor.
As soon as he alighted, someone approached and said respectfully, “Eldest Young Master, this way.”
Pei Wenxuan tucked his hands into his sleeves and followed the person forward, asking, “Wasn’t it said that my mother is seriously ill? Why aren’t we heading toward her courtyard?”
“The Madam is waiting for you in the main hall.”
The person did not answer directly, offering only this response. Pei Wenxuan understood the situation.
He followed the person to the main hall, where he saw almost the entire Pei family gathered. His grandfather sat in the highest seat, with his mother beside him. The remaining seats were occupied by several elders of the clan, along with his two uncles. His cousins stood to the side, while guards surrounded the entire courtyard. Pei Wenxuan entered the courtyard with the two subordinates Li Rong had assigned him and bowed respectfully to those seated, saying, “Greetings to Grandfather, Mother, esteemed elders, and brothers.”
After bowing, Pei Wenxuan looked up at Madam Wen and said calmly, “I heard Mother was seriously ill, so I hurried back. But now it seems Mother’s health appears to be fine.”
“I… I called you here…”
“It was I who called you here,” Pei Xuanqing interjected, seeing Madam Wen stammering. “Knowing you wouldn’t return, I had your mother summon you.”
“Grandfather jests,” Pei Wenxuan said with a gentle smile. “How would I dare not return when summoned by the elders of the family? You could have simply called for me. Falsely claiming Mother’s illness only caused unnecessary worry for your grandson.”
“Worry? You still know how to worry?”
Pei Xuanqing slammed his hand on the table. “If you truly cared about your family, you wouldn’t have encouraged the princess to do such wicked deeds!”
“Grandfather’s words, I do not understand.”
Pei Wenxuan’s voice remained calm. Hearing him speak this way, Pei Liwen grew furious and stood up, saying, “Are you still pretending to be ignorant? Tell us, was it you who encouraged the princess to establish the Supervisory Department?”
“The Supervisory Department was the princess’s own idea. What does it have to do with me?”
Pei Wenxuan looked up at Pei Liwen. “If Third Uncle is dissatisfied, you can speak directly to the princess. Esteemed elders, have you gathered in such a grand formation today,” Pei Wenxuan turned to glance at the crowd, “just for this matter?”"Wenxuan," Pei Xuanqing spoke again, "you are the princess's husband. If she acts without considering the consequences, shouldn't you be more cautious? Now the other families have come knocking. The princess never involved herself in political matters before marrying you, but ever since she became your wife, she’s been stirring up trouble. Even if you claim it has nothing to do with you, and even if our family believes you, who else would?"
"So what?" Pei Wenxuan looked at them calmly. "What is your point today?"
"What do you mean, 'what is your point'?" Pei Liwen shouted angrily. "Is this how you speak to your elders?!"
Pei Wenxuan remained silent, his gaze shifting to Pei Lixian, who had been sitting quietly all this time. Seeing that Pei Wenxuan was ignoring him, Pei Liwen rushed forward, intending to strike. Sensing his intent, Pei Wenxuan turned his head and roared, "How dare you?!"
His shout startled Pei Liwen, who faltered mid-motion, his hand still raised. "You... you, a junior! What’s stopping me from hitting you?!"
"Third Uncle, think carefully," Pei Wenxuan said coldly. "I am the Imperial Son-in-Law. If you strike me today, you are slapping Princess Pingle in the face."
Hearing this, Pei Liwen’s hand hung awkwardly in the air. Pei Lixian sighed and looked helplessly at Madam Wen, who was seated in a chair. "Eldest sister-in-law, I told you—since Wenxuan married Her Highness, he’s lost all sense of propriety. He’s still young and doesn’t understand the gravity of things. As his mother, you must assert your authority and teach him properly. Look, it hasn’t been long since the wedding, and he’s already forgotten he’s a member of the Pei family."
Finally hearing Pei Lixian speak, Pei Wenxuan raised his eyes to look at him. Pei Lixian didn’t spare him a glance, addressing only Madam Wen. "Eldest sister-in-law, Wenxuan is still young. Don’t let him ruin himself halfway."
"Second Uncle is right," Madam Wen said, seeming to steady herself after hearing Pei Lixian’s words.
She lifted her gaze to Pei Wenxuan, took a deep breath, and said, "Wenxuan, you must listen more to the family’s advice. You should persuade the princess not to antagonize so many noble families. If this drags our family into trouble, remember—she is a princess, but our family has no immunity from punishment."
"So?" Pei Wenxuan laughed bitterly at her words. "Is that what they told you? What do you expect me to do?"
"Go back and persuade Her Highness to drop this matter. Let the Qin Shi case go. Your maternal uncle is involved in this too. Tell the princess not to interfere."
"Fine," Pei Wenxuan chuckled. "If that’s all, you could have said so earlier. Anything else?"
"Wenxuan!" Madam Wen detected the mockery in his tone. Feeling the weight of everyone’s stares, she grew furious and raised her voice. "What kind of attitude is this? Do you still see me as your mother?"
"I do," Pei Wenxuan replied earnestly, looking straight at her. "But do you still see me as your son?"
Madam Wen was stunned by his question. Beside her, Pei Xuanqing cleared his throat and said, "Daughter-in-law, this child needs discipline."
Only then did Madam Wen seem to remember something. She stood up abruptly and cried, "How dare you defy me! Someone, bring the family punishment!"
Hearing her words, Pei Wenxuan lowered his eyes and let out a low, bitter laugh.
Madam Wen grew flustered at his laughter and stammered, "You... what are you laughing at?""Mother," Pei Wenxuan said slowly, "did they tell you that beating me is the only way to give the other noble families an explanation and serve as a warning to the princess? That if I ever incite the princess again, they’ll come after me, and eventually I’ll learn my lesson?"
Madam Wen was taken aback. Servants rushed in from outside and reached out to restrain Pei Wenxuan, but he shouted, "Don’t touch me! I’ll kneel myself!"
With that, Pei Wenxuan removed his outer robe and calmly placed it on a small table nearby. Then, he straightened his back and knelt down.
He stared at Madam Wen and said calmly, "Mother, I anticipated today’s events, but I never expected it would be you."
Madam Wen looked into Pei Wenxuan’s eyes, completely stunned.
A moment later, the sharp crack of a rattan cane striking his back echoed through the room. Pei Wenxuan’s expression remained unchanged as he continued to gaze at her calmly.
Madam Wen trembled. As she tried to speak, Pei Lixian interjected, "Sister-in-law has always been uncomfortable with such scenes. Let her retreat to the inner hall for now."
Madam Wen glanced at Pei Lixian in confusion before being half-led, half-pushed out by her maids.
The rattan cane struck Pei Wenxuan’s body with brutal force. Once Madam Wen was gone, the blows grew heavier, each strike sending searing pain through him, draining the color from his face.
Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. By this time, Li Rong had already arrived at the Pei residence.
Xun Chuan had led her people to the entrance of the Pei estate. As soon as Li Rong arrived, Xun Chuan stepped forward and said respectfully, "Your Highness."
"How long has he been inside?"
"I heard he entered less than a quarter of an hour ago."
Xun Chuan followed closely behind Li Rong, lowering her voice. "The shadow guard hasn’t responded. Something must have happened inside."
Li Rong’s expression darkened. She stepped forward and knocked on the gate herself. As soon as the gatekeeper opened it, Xun Chuan pressed her sword against the door. Li Rong commanded sharply, "Break it down."
Her attendants forced the gate open with a violent crash, knocking the gatekeeper to the ground. He cried out in alarm, "You—"
"My Imperial Son-in-Law just entered your Pei residence," Li Rong said, snatching a sword from a nearby guard and pointing it at the gatekeeper. "Where is he?"
"Prin… Princess Pingle."
Realizing who had arrived, the gatekeeper stammered, "The Imperial Son-in-Law… he’s in the main hall."
Ignoring him, Li Rong turned, sword in hand, and led her people toward the main hall.
She understood exactly what Pei Wenxuan was trying to do.
With his intelligence, how could he not know what awaited him at the Pei residence today? The noble families were watching them closely, and since they dared not target her directly, they would naturally take their frustrations out on Pei Wenxuan. Hurting him was a warning. So why had he come?
It was nothing more than Pei Wenxuan’s little scheme—using his injuries as an excuse to take a piece of the Pei family’s wealth.
But did she need him to take that piece from the Pei family?
Li Rong couldn’t quite explain the anger simmering inside her. Perhaps it was the humiliation of being challenged, or perhaps it was frustration at Pei Wenxuan’s recklessness.
She led her people through the corridors to the courtyard of the main hall. Xun Chuan ordered her men forward, and with a single kick, they forced the doors open.
As the doors swung wide, everyone inside turned abruptly. Standing at the entrance was a woman in a red palace gown embroidered with golden phoenixes, holding a sword, her people arrayed behind her.
Pei Wenxuan’s eyes widened in shock. Li Rong took in the scene before her and let out a cold, bitter laugh.She strode into the hall with sword in hand, stopping before Pei Wenxuan.
Pei Wenxuan stared at her in a daze. Li Rong looked down at the kneeling man and said coldly, "Why are you still kneeling? I've already arrived—stand up!"
Pei Wenxuan knew Li Rong was furious. Though his back was covered in wounds, he gritted his teeth and forced himself to rise, swaying as he stood before her.
"They called you here—why didn't you inform me?"
Li Rong glared at him, nearly raising her hand to slap him, but the sight of his pale face made her restrain the impulse.
Pei Wenxuan smiled bitterly and whispered, "Your Highness, it's nothing serious. You have important matters tonight."
"So you just endured it here? What if I hadn't come today?"
As she spoke, Li Rong turned and swept her gaze across the crowd. "If I hadn't come today, were you planning to beat the Imperial Son-in-Law to death right here? Who gave you the audacity to lay a hand on someone under my protection?"
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