Chapter 42: Concubine

"Second Young Master, are you really going to marry my daughter?" Chen's father felt a little bit unbelievable about Pei Jingyuan's proposal, because although Pei Jingyuan was a bastard's son, he was a bastard's son of the Duke's Mansion after all, which was something that merchants like them could not reach.

Since ancient times, scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans have been the order of the day. Even though his family is now extremely wealthy, their status is extremely low in front of these officials. Even if they are a seventh-rank official, they have to bow their heads. Therefore, from the beginning, he had no intention of marrying his daughter to an official family.

But now, with rumors about his daughter spreading wildly outside, it would be difficult to find a marriage for his daughter with a well-matched family in the future, so he is worried now!

Now, when he heard Pei Jingyuan's request to marry his daughter, and then took a closer look at Pei Jingyuan, he found that he was a handsome man with a noble family background. He now felt that he was dreaming.

It was already a high marriage for the daughter of a merchant to become a concubine of such a family, not to mention that the other party offered her a co-wife right from the start. How could he not be moved?

Pei Jingyuan said to Master Chen affirmatively: "Of course, if you talk about Miss Chen, it was all because of my elder brother. But my elder brother's health condition now, I believe everyone knows that it is not easy to marry a wife now, so why would he marry another one? Moreover, my elder brother is kind-hearted. If it were not for the continuation of the family line, I am afraid he would not even have this marriage. He can't bear to let a woman be a widow for him in the future."

Pei Jingyuan sighed, looked at Chen's father and continued, "But now, Miss Chen's reputation has been damaged because of this. My elder brother and I feel guilty, so I am willing to take responsibility for this matter and share my elder brother's worries. I just wonder if Master Chen is willing to marry his daughter to me?"

"Yes, of course I am willing. It is an honor for our Chen family that our daughter can marry the second young master." Seeing Pei Jingyuan humble himself like this, how could Mr. Chen have the nerve to refuse?

Thus, the marriage was quickly finalized.

When Pei Jingyuan left Chen's house, his face was filled with joy! He originally thought that this was a very difficult matter, but he did not expect that Xu Qingyue's interference would turn it into a blessing in disguise. Marrying a concubine is not a trivial matter. After the Chen's house was settled, Pei Jingyuan returned to the house and reported it to the Duke and the Duke's wife.

"What? You want to marry a concubine?" The Duke and the Duchess looked at him in surprise after hearing Pei Jingyuan's words.

Pei Jingyuan nodded firmly and said, "Yes, father, mother. Now, Miss Chen's reputation has been damaged, and we have to take responsibility for it. But now, the relationship between the eldest brother and the eldest sister-in-law is very strong. If the eldest brother is asked to marry again, I am afraid that the eldest sister-in-law will not be willing. It just so happens that Qingyue is pregnant now. If I marry a concubine at this time, it is also human nature, and it just so happens that Master Chen has agreed."

Pei Jingyuan's words sounded somewhat high-sounding. Not only did he conceal his own little thoughts, but he also made people feel that he did this just to solve problems for everyone.

At this time, Xu Qingyan, who was standing aside, couldn't help but sneer in her heart when she heard Pei Jingchen's shameless reason. [This male protagonist is really good at speaking! It's obvious that he wants to marry Miss Chen and get financial help from her family, but he said that he is helping everyone solve problems! No wonder the entire Duke's Mansion will fall into his hands in the future! Oh! How can I stop this marriage? If he really marries Miss Chen, then he will succeed step by step. Then, won't the prince and I die without a burial place in the future! ]

After hearing this, the Duke was surprised and couldn't help thinking: How could the entire Duke's Mansion fall into Pei Jingyuan's hands? Although Jingchuan's health was not good and the imperial physician had already declared that he would not live for more than two years, he never intended to let this bastard inherit the Duke's Mansion. Even if it was the worst plan, he was now planning to train Jingchuan's future children, and his grandson would be the heir to the Duke's Mansion. No matter what, it would not be the turn of this bastard, right? Moreover, if the Duke's Mansion was handed over to the bastard in the future, wouldn't people laugh at him?

The Duke's wife's face instantly darkened when she heard this. A bastard actually wanted to replace her son!

So, the Duke's wife said to Pei Jingyuan coldly: "Jingyuan, now that Qingyue is pregnant, you want to marry someone else. Aren't you afraid that she will be disappointed? Aren't you afraid that outsiders will say that you are heartless? Mother thinks that this matter should be forgotten for the time being."

When Pei Jingyuan heard the Duke's wife say forget it, she immediately became anxious: "Mother, I have just gone to the Chen Mansion to ask for marriage, and Chen's father and others have also agreed to my son's marriage. I am afraid it is impossible to regret it now."

When Xu Qingyan heard what Pei Jingyuan said, she couldn't help but think: [It's true that she can't regret it. If the Duke's Mansion cancels Miss Chen's marriage at this time, her reputation will be completely ruined. If she wants to cancel the engagement, it's not impossible. But Miss Chen has to take the initiative to bring it up, otherwise it will make her current reputation even worse. Oh... I think I still have to find an opportunity to meet Miss Chen and persuade her not to marry Pei Jingyuan. After all, if she marries Pei Jingyuan, she will not only be eaten up by him, but also be killed by Xu Qingyue, and the entire Chen Mansion will suffer. Miss Chen is a kind girl. I am here for her in this life. I am kind-hearted and I can't watch her jump into the fire pit without anyone to rescue her. ]

Xu Qingyan couldn't help but think: This book itself is a story about a heroine. Those who try to snatch people from the heroine will not have a good ending in the future.

Xu Qingyan felt that since she had already traveled into this book, and after interacting with Chen Feifei, she knew that Chen Feifei was obviously a very good girl. However, she really couldn't bear to see such a good girl die in the end.

After hearing Xu Qingyan's thoughts, the Duke's wife thought that Miss Chen was so kind, so she would just be a good person to the end!

After hearing what Xu Qingyan said, the Duke's wife swallowed back what she wanted to say. Forget it, since her daughter-in-law is going to take action, she will leave it to her! So, she said nothing.

After returning to Tingyuxuan, Pei Jingchuan knew Xu Qingyan's idea, so he suggested to her: "Qingyan, I think my second brother is not a good match for Miss Chen, but if Miss Du Chen ruins our reputation because of this, I want to ask Miss Chen to come out and let me recognize her as my adopted daughter. This will not only clear up the rumors, but also be good for her future marriage."

After hearing what the Duke's wife said, Xu Qingyan was overjoyed: [Adopting a daughter? This is a good idea! The young master is really smart and considerate! I was just worrying about how to persuade Miss Che, whether she was willing to marry Pei Jingyuan, and how to help her save her reputation? The young master really gave me a good idea, I love him so much! ]

Then, Xu Qingyan took Pei Jingchuan's hand with a smile on her face and said, "Great! Young Master, this idea is really a brilliant one! I also think that my second brother is not a good match. Miss Che deserves a better husband!"

Pei Jingchuan couldn't help but curl up his lips when he heard Xu Qingyan's words. Of course, he would not let Pei Jingyuan get what he wanted, let alone let him replace himself and get the Duke's Mansion.

——Two days later——

Xu Qingyan and the others successfully made an appointment with Chen Feifei, and they agreed to meet at Zuijiang Tower.

Early in the morning, Xu Qingyan and Pei Jingchuan came to the booked room, but when the agreed time was almost here, they still hadn't seen Chen Feifei who came for the appointment.

Xu Qingyan thought this was a bit strange, and said to Pei Jingchuan: "Young Master, why don't we go out and take a look? Miss Chen is not someone who would break an appointment, why hasn't she shown up yet?"

Pei Jingchuan nodded in agreement with Xu Qingyan and said, "Okay!"

When the two of them walked out of the room and were about to go outside to take a look, they didn't expect that not long after they walked out of the room, they saw a lot of people gathered downstairs and heard strange discussions.

Xu Qingyan and Pei Jingchuan looked at each other and saw the confusion in each other's eyes.