Chapter 326 Lou Qingyao

The words, "I'm afraid Lingnan won't be able to hold out," brought a heavy, oppressive silence to the room. Both father and son knew that they were inextricably linked to Lingnan. If Lingnan were to fall, their Prime Minister's mansion would face confiscation of property and extermination.

Pei Chengkun remained silent, his face tense. Pei Hanming wanted to ask him why he was so deeply involved with the Prince of Lingnan, but he opened his mouth and didn't ask. There was no point in dwelling on it now.

"Go back and rest."

After a while, Pei Chengkun's voice rang out, but Pei Hanming did not get up to leave. Instead, he asked, "Son, I heard about the letter from Lingnan a couple of days ago. What did it say?"

Pei Chengkun frowned slightly upon hearing this, as if he didn't want to bring it up. However, he still replied, "Your aunt wants to go back to the capital."

"What?" Pei Hanming exclaimed in surprise, realizing his lapse in composure. He looked somewhat embarrassed, but still managed to say, "My aunt has already... how can she come back? Besides, the Duke of Chu's mansion is not what it used to be."

They all knew very well that back then, the entire Prime Minister's residence, including the Xie family, accused the old Duke of Chu of heartlessly annulling the engagement, leading to Pei Tinglan's suicide. At that time, the Duke of Chu's residence hadn't recovered and swallowed their anger. But the Duke of Chu's current temperament meant he wouldn't tolerate such behavior.

When the old Duke of Chu died, Jiang Yu almost killed the Earl of Qingshan. If Jiang Yu knew that Pei Tinglan was not dead, who knows what he would do? It's not that they are afraid of Jiang Yu, but there is simply no need to fight him openly now.

“I have already replied to her, telling her not to return to the capital for the time being,” Pei Chengkun said. Then he explained to Pei Tinglan, “Your aunt has been away from the capital for many years, and it’s understandable that she misses her family.”

Pei Hanming nodded, then stood up, bowed, and left. Actually, he harbored some resentment towards Pei Tinglan. Since she had faked her death and left the capital, and even married the old King of Lingnan, living a relatively comfortable life, why did she still have to attack the Duke of Chu's mansion, creating another enemy for them?

If they hadn't attacked the Duke of Chu's mansion, perhaps the Xie family wouldn't have fallen. If the Xie family hadn't fallen, they would have had greater leverage. Now, the Xie family has been destroyed by Jiang Yu, leaving only Xie Ning'an. Judging from the current situation, Xie Ning'an also hates the Prime Minister's mansion; otherwise, why hasn't she contacted them privately even once after the Xie family's downfall?

He guessed that Xie Ning'an had already sided with the Duke of Chu. He couldn't say anything about it; the Xie family's money shops and trading companies had all been handed over to the imperial court, and the Duke of Chu was in charge of reforming the trading companies and money shops. Xie Ning'an's close association with the Duke of Chu was the most sensible choice.

However, it's unclear whether Xie Ning'an is merely feigning compliance or genuinely seeking refuge. That's why the Lingnan side sent someone to test Xie Ning'an.

After thinking about all these things, Pei Hanming remembered his eldest son. He intended to return to his study to rest, but instead turned back to his wife's courtyard. The old woman who was dozing at the courtyard gate opened her eyes upon hearing footsteps, and immediately stood up and bowed when she saw him, "Master."

Pei Hanming grunted and stepped inside. The old woman hurriedly ran off to inform Madam Pei's personal maid that the master had arrived. A moment later, the light in Madam Pei's bedroom came on. Pei Hanming went over and saw Madam Pei standing at the door in her undergarments.

"Why are you up?" Pei Hanming asked as he walked inside. Madam Pei smiled and said, "My husband is up at this hour too, and he hasn't rested either."

His voice held a hint of heartache, which eased Pei Hanming's mood somewhat. Madam Pei went over to help him undress. Pei Hanming allowed her to serve him, asking, "How has Qitang been these past few days?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Pei's face showed worry. "Now many people in the capital know that Qitang cannot have children, and he is unwilling to go out and see people."

"Hmph!" Pei Hanming snorted heavily. "He holds an official position; he can't just stay at home every day and not go to the yamen to work, can he?"

Madam Pei forced a smile and explained for her son, "He hasn't adjusted yet. Once people have forgotten about it, he can go back to school..."

"Nonsense." Pei Hanming pushed Madam Pei aside, walked to the chair and sat down, his voice stern with reproach: "A doting mother spoils her son. It's just that the rumors say he can't have children. Everyone in the capital knows that Jiang Yu was married and divorced. How could she enter the court and be on duty every day? She's not even as good as a woman."

Madam Pei lowered her head and remained silent, but in her heart she thought, "You say my son is inferior to the Duke of Chu? Are you the same?" Of course, she could never say these words out loud.

Pei Hanming was angry for a while, then asked Madam Pei, "Did you see that Imperial Physician Lou's daughter today?"

"I saw it." Madam Pei sat on the edge of the bed and said with a frown, "I delivered the things over, but Lou Qingyao wouldn't take them. However, Madam Lou took them. Madam Lou also assured me that the matter was over and they would not let Lou Qingyao mention it again."

"Yes, it's best if things can be resolved amicably." Pei Hanming was satisfied with the matter, and his expression improved. However, just to be on the safe side, he still said, "Have someone keep an eye on Lou Qingyao."

"I know, I've already had people keeping an eye on her. Lou Qingyao hasn't left the Lou residence these days," said Madam Pei. "In a few days, I'll go to the Lou family again and have them send Lou Qingyao away as soon as possible."

"Well, if all else fails, then..." silence them.

Without needing to be said, Madam Pei understood. She said, "Imperial Physician Lou values ​​Lou Qingyao highly. If it weren't for that, I would have taken action long ago."

Pei Hanming knew his wife's methods, and his anger subsided considerably. He took off his coat and said, "It's best not to let her speak. Let's think of a discreet way."

Madam Pei nodded, and after he got into bed, she lay down as well. She lowered the bed curtains and lay down, turning to look at the person beside her, saying, "Yue Qin is acting strangely. I'm afraid she's thinking about divorce. Yesterday I went to the Yue family and spoke with Madam Yue. Husband, you should also speak with your father-in-law."

What did they talk about? Nothing more than using both soft and hard tactics to get Yue Qin's parents to put pressure on her so that she would no longer have the idea of ​​divorce.

Pei Qitang's wife was named Yue Qin.

"Don't worry, she wouldn't dare," Pei Hanming said. "Do you think divorce is as simple as that?"

Jiang Yu was able to thrive after her divorce because she had the ability and the Chu State Duke's mansion accepted her as a divorced woman. What about someone else?

“Not everyone has the means to get a divorce,” Pei Hanming said slowly, closing his eyes.

Ever since Jiang Yu appeared in the capital, he's heard that many women who are having a hard time are also trying to get divorced. How utterly foolish!

Madam Pei closed her eyes as well. In truth, she envied Jiang Yu. Like her, she came from a prominent family, married well, and her husband was respectful; everyone said she was living a good life. But who wouldn't want to control their own destiny?