Pei Yuan barely slept all night and stood guard outside Pei Jian's door before dawn.

Seeing Pei Jian stand up, she quickly explained that she had mistaken him for someone else and wanted to break off her engagement with Qiao Zixi.

Unexpectedly, he was severely reprimanded by Pei Jian.

"Do you think marriage is a game?! Do you think you can just decide to agree to a marriage with the Marquis of Anyang and then back out as you please?!"

"Your mother just went to the Marquis of Anyang's residence to present the betrothal gifts the day before yesterday, and today you want to break off the engagement. If outsiders see this, they will definitely think that our Pei family and the Marquis of Anyang's residence have developed a rift. How am I supposed to work with the Marquis of Anyang in the future?!"

"Things have come to this point, you have to go through with the marriage whether you want to or not! As for that Su Muxi, if she behaves herself, that's fine, but if she tries to use this to stir up trouble, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Pei Yuan hurriedly recounted Qiao Zixi's arrogant and malicious nature. This time, Pei Jian did not reprimand her but considered the matter carefully before speaking, "In that case, you should strictly control her after she is married into the family."

Pei Jian, however, was thinking about how to negotiate some terms with Qiao Xiuyuan.

His son is a refined and virtuous gentleman who is willing to marry a woman with a tarnished reputation like Qiao Zixi. Qiao Xiuyuan would surely express his gratitude.

Pei Yuan walked towards his courtyard in a daze, filled with regret and resentment, and in the end, he hated Xie Xuan.

If Xie Xuan hadn't told him that the Empress was going to bestow a marriage upon Qiao Zixi, he wouldn't have been in such a hurry to have his mother go to the Marquis of Anyang's residence to propose marriage.

Now he's in a difficult situation.

Just as Pei Yuan was feeling troubled and pondering how to cancel the engagement, Pei Yi's mocking voice rang out from not far away.

"Congratulations, elder brother! If you ask me, you really hit the jackpot this time. If you hadn't mistaken the person, you wouldn't have gotten engaged to the daughter of the Marquis of Anyang. I've heard that the Marquis of Anyang's daughter is incredibly beautiful and charming. You're really lucky with the ladies!"

Pei Yi was born to a concubine and was only one year younger than Pei Yuan. He was no less handsome or talented than Pei Yuan, but because of his status as a son of a concubine, he was inferior to Pei Yuan in every way.

On the surface, he was polite and respectful to Pei Yuan, but in reality, he was secretly competing with Pei Yuan.

Pei Yuan naturally sensed the gloating in Pei Yi's tone. He glanced coldly at Pei Yi and said with a half-smile, "Second brother's information network is truly impressive!"

He had just mentioned the mistaken identity when Pei Yi received the news. It seems that Pei Yi has someone he arranged to be by his father's side.

He really underestimated his younger brother!

Pei Yi's expression remained unchanged as he continued with a smile, "My brother's information network is indeed impressive. I also know that Marquis Anyang will be returning to the capital early tomorrow morning. With his return, Marquis Anyang will surely be highly valued by the Emperor once again. As Marquis Anyang's future son-in-law, elder brother, you are sure to have a bright future as well. However, there is one thing I am not sure about, and I don't know whether I should tell you, elder brother."

Pei Yuan's face was gloomy, and he had no patience to listen to Pei Yi's suspense. "Since it's something that's uncertain, then let's wait until Second Brother has confirmed it before you tell me!"

After saying that, he prepared to leave.

But Pei Yi hurriedly said, "I heard that Miss Qiao's face was badly damaged last night. As Miss Qiao's future husband, it would be better for you to visit her at the Marquis of Anyang's residence! If this news is false, it's just a false alarm. But if it is true, we should find a famous doctor to treat Miss Qiao as soon as possible!"

Upon hearing this, Pei Yuan paused for a moment, then turned around and headed towards the gate of the mansion.

Pei Yi wouldn't make things up, so does that mean Qiao Zixi's face really is ruined?

Could it be the work of Su Muxi?

Pei Yi sneered as he watched Pei Yuan's hurried departure.

Everyone thought that between Qiao Zixi and Su Muxi, Marquis Anyang would definitely side with Qiao Zixi, his biological daughter, but he saw the opposite result.

If Marquis Anyang were to return and learn that his son had divorced Su Muxi, that his wife had hired someone to commit arson, and that his daughter had made things difficult for him in every way, he would surely settle scores with these close relatives.

Although he didn't know the specific reasons, he knew that Marquis Anyang valued Su Muxi very much.

Therefore, Pei Yuan gained absolutely no benefit from marrying Qiao Zixi. Moreover, Qiao Zixi's appearance was now ruined, making her even less appealing.

Oh!

What does it matter if she is born of the legitimate wife?

Sooner or later, he, that illegitimate son, will trample me under his feet!

Pei Yuan rushed to the Marquis of Anyang's residence, but did not see Qiao Zixi. The gatekeeper made various excuses, and he could not force his way in, so he had no choice but to leave first.

However, he became even more certain of what Pei Yi had said.

Qiao Zixi's face was ruined.

If that's the case, then it will be even more difficult for him to annul the engagement.

Otherwise, people would think he was a hypocrite who judged people by their appearance, and that he only broke off the engagement after learning that Qiao Zixi's appearance was ruined.

He really had no way to defend himself!

The day passed quickly, and the next morning, the south gate was surrounded by the Imperial Guards, and no one was allowed to enter or leave at will.

Today is not only the day that Marquis Anyang returns from inspecting the defenses on the northern border, but also the day that Crown Prince Ye Zeyu returns to the capital in triumph.

Although the Marquis of Anyang was an important official, he did not have such a grand display.

Therefore, the Imperial Guards sealed off the city gates and strictly controlled the streets in order to welcome the Crown Prince back to the capital.

Su Muxi has been going to Shanci Hall every day for the past few days. In addition to changing Azhu's dressings, she also occasionally receives patients who come from afar to seek her medical help.

The series of events that occurred after her divorce from Qiao Ziming caused a great stir in the capital. While people were watching the spectacle, they would also occasionally talk about her medical skills.

In the eyes of the common people, the imperial physicians who could treat the emperor must have the most superb medical skills.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!