Lu Xiuyuan was tidying up the books on the table when he saw someone standing in front of him, so he quickly stood up.

"Lord Pei."

Pei Minxue cleared his throat. "It's so late, aren't you leaving yet?"

"I've just finished what I was doing, and I have to go now."

"Perfect timing, I'm free anyway, why don't we go together?"

Lu Xiuyuan hesitated, "My home is in a remote area, and I'm afraid it's not on the way to you, sir."

"I happen to have nothing to do today, so I'll come to your house for a visit and chat with you about official business."

Although Lu Xiuyuan did not know what official business he had to discuss with Lord Pei, he could not refuse.

Pei Minxue boarded Lu Xiuyuan's carriage. In his entire life, Pei Minxue had never ridden in such a simple carriage.

Lu Xiuyuan was leading the horse, and Pei Minxue asked, "Why don't we hire a groom?"

On this day, the nights are chilly, so sitting in the car is always much more comfortable.

“My elderly mother needs to take medicine every month. It’s better to save this money for a rainy day.”

Pei Minxue had never worried about money, so he couldn't comment on it.

I passed by a stall selling roasted chestnuts.

"Please wait a moment, sir, I'm going to buy some things."

Pei Minxue saw Lu Xiuyuan get out of the car and go to a famous pastry shop in the capital to buy some pastries and a bag of sugar-roasted chestnuts.

Pei Minxue had also bought this pastry before.

A single package of pastries would be enough for Lu Xiuyuan to hire a groom for a month.

"I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting for so long."

"Nothing's wrong," Pei Minxue feigned curiosity, "You actually like eating these pastries?"

"My wife loves to eat these, so I buy some occasionally."

Pei Minxue remained silent, and Lu Xiuyuan stopped his car at the entrance of the alley.

"My lord, my home is in an alley, and the carriage can't go any further."

Pei Minxue got off the carriage, and Lu Xiuyuan tied it up before leading the way.

Pei Minxue looked around, somewhat alarmed.

Pei Minxue knew that Lu Xiuyuan was poor, but he never expected that he would live in such a mixed place.

As you walk through the alley, you can still hear the laughter and shouting of the people living nearby.

Pei Zhi was, after all, Pei Minxue's own sister, so Pei Minxue felt a little uncomfortable.

Lu Xiuyuan led Pei Minxue into the house. When Pei Zhi saw Pei Minxue arrive, she raised her eyebrows slightly.

Pei Zhi questioned Pei Minxue with her eyes, asking why he had come over.

Pei Minxue shrugged innocently; there was nothing he could do, he was being urged on relentlessly by Xiao Chengci.

Xiao Chengci wanted to see Pei Zhi, but he didn't dare to ask her directly, so he could only ask Pei Minxue to go find Pei Zhi.

Pei Minxue was so annoyed that he shamelessly followed Lu Xiuyuan today.

Pei Zhi's expression was also not good. "Mother brought people back today. They are sitting in the inner room. Why don't you go in and take a look?"

Lu Xiuyuan hesitated and looked at Pei Minxue behind him.

"I'll entertain you, sir. You go in first and take care of things inside."

Sensing the impatience in Pei Zhi's tone, Lu Xiuyuan dared not delay any longer and hurriedly went into the inner room.

Pei Minxue followed Pei Zhi into the kitchen, a small kitchen, where Pei Minxue watched Pei Zhi cutting meat.

Pei Minxue felt a pang of sadness.

"Tell me, how do you allow yourself to live like this?"

Pei Zhi countered, "Then what kind of life should I live?"

"You should have quite a bit of jewelry. Why don't you pawn it, buy a nice house, and have people waiting on you? Wouldn't that be more comfortable?"

"Where you live is where you live, isn't it?" Pei Zhizhen didn't think there was anything wrong with her current life.

For Pei Zhi, whether she suffered or was served in these worlds, she didn't really care.

All she cared about was completing the task.

However, perhaps she won't be able to stay here for much longer.

The courtyard wasn't large, and Pei Minxue heard the noise outside from inside the kitchen.

What was that sound?

Pei Zhi, chopping vegetables, said, "This has nothing to do with you, don't go out."

Pei Minxue craned his neck and looked around, but couldn't see anything.

Inside the house, Lu's mother sat on the floor, wailing loudly.

A few days ago, Lu's mother was stabbed back by Pei Zhi, and she felt uncomfortable no matter what she thought about it.

After moving here, Lu's mother would often get together with the aunties next door to chat, whether she had something to do or not.

Lu's mother was furious and told him about it.

They called Pei Zhi a barren hen, yet they still disrespected her as their mother-in-law.

It is also said that Lu Xiuyuan is someone who forgets his mother after marrying a wife.

She was bullied by Pei Zhi, but Lu Xiuyuan pretended not to hear it.

As a result, someone suggested to Lu's mother that she arrange for Lu Xiuyuan to take a concubine.

Not only did Lu's mother have an extra person to serve her, but the concubine could also give birth.

Once Lu Xiuyuan has another woman, he won't wholeheartedly help his wife anymore.

This way, Lu's mother can have another helper.

Mother Lu was intrigued and nodded in agreement.

Lu Xiuyuan is the top scholar in the imperial examination. Although he is poor now, he will surely rise to great heights in the future.

Sure enough, Lu's mother brought the person back today without even saying hello.

Pei Zhi was too lazy to deal with it; after all, Lu's mother was her mother-in-law.

If she argues with her mother-in-law, she will be the one who ends up in the wrong.

Pei Minxue overheard a woman seemingly cursing Lu Xiuyuan.

"Is this your mother-in-law?"

"Um."

Pei Minxue started sighing again, "Your mother-in-law doesn't seem like someone easy to get along with."

Pei Zhi said calmly, "It used to be alright."

Since her family was poor, Pei Zhi was able to marry Lu Xiuyuan, so Lu's mother naturally treated Pei Zhi with all her heart.

Now that Lu Xiuyuan has passed the imperial examination, his mother feels that he is different now, and he stands up straight.

Inside the house, Lu Xiuyuan let his mother curse him.

"Mother, have someone take her back later."

"Are you trying to kill your mother? You're a man, what's wrong with having three wives and four concubines?"

Lu's mother pointed to the door and said, "Is it because your daughter-in-law disagrees? I'm going to find her now."

"Mother." Lu Xiuyuan blocked the doorway, preventing his mother from leaving.

"It has nothing to do with her, it's just that I didn't want to."

"Also, Mother, after this matter is over, I will rent a new courtyard, and you can live here. I will hire people to take care of you."

Lu's mother was a little taken aback.

"I come to visit you whenever I have time, whether I have something to do or not."

Lu's mother pointed at Lu Xiuyuan, "What do you mean? You want to separate from me?"

"My God, husband, come and see your good son."

Lu's mother sat on the ground, wailing, "I almost went blind raising you, and this is how you treat me?"

"What's the point of me living? I might as well be dead."

"Mom, I am very grateful for the hard work you put into raising me."

Lu Xiuyuan grabbed his mother's arm. "So, I will take care of you and let you live out your days in comfort. I will hire people to serve you and will not let you suffer at all."

“I will try my best to visit you every day. I will not abandon you, but please don’t involve Aya.”

Lu Xiuyuan said solemnly, "Mother, Aya has already suffered a lot following me, I can't let her suffer any more."