After a moment of silence, Pei Minxue poured himself a full glass of wine and drank it all in one gulp.

As far as Pei Minxue was concerned, even if Pei Yin was unbearable, as long as the error in her identity was not discovered.

Pei Minxue was also sincere, and he doted on Pei Yin as his own younger sister for more than ten years.

So now we know that Pei Yin made a lot of mistakes.

Seeing Pei Yin in such a predicament, it wasn't so easy for him to get over this mental hurdle.

Xiao Chengci was thinking about what he had said to Pei Zhi before, and his expression was not very good.

Pei Minxue and I started drinking, one cup for you, one cup for me, and that's how we started.

Pei Zhi was the only one enjoying a table full of delicious food.

Then, a wail came from next door.

Pei Minxue paused in his grip on the wine glass, and the sound came from next door.

Isn't the second prince's private room right next to theirs?

The servant knocked softly on the door and came in to report.

"I've already sent someone to talk to them next door and ask them to lower their voices."

Pei Zhi and the others could hear the noise even inside the private room, let alone the servant standing at the door.

Whether it was Pei Zhi's imagination or not, the wails seemed to be getting louder and louder.

The door to the next private room was suddenly opened. "You lowly servant, shout louder so everyone can hear you."

The Second Prince's voice was clear and melodious, followed by Pei Yin's even more tragic wails.

Pei Minxue could no longer bear it, so he put down his wine glass and got up.

Pei Zhi said sternly, "Sit down."

Pei Minxue, his face turning ashen, said, "Didn't you hear? He did this on purpose."

Xiao Chengci, fearing that Pei Zhi might feel uncomfortable hearing this, said, "I'll leave."

Pei Zhi glared at Xiao Chengci: "You sit down too."

Pei Zhi looked at the servant: "Close the door for me."

The servant quickly got up from the ground and closed the door.

Pei Zhi put down her chopsticks and questioned Pei Minxue, "What were you doing there?"

Pei Zhi didn't give Pei Minxue a chance to speak.

"You knew he did it on purpose, and you still sent it up?"

Pei Zhi then looked at Xiao Chengci, "This time, the Second Prince might back down because of his elder brother, or to save face for the Crown Prince."

"And then what?"

Pei Zhi asked, "After today's events, what will happen to Pei Yin after she returns to the residence with the Second Prince?"

"In public, the Second Prince is considerate of you and wants to save face, but in private, doesn't he vent all his anger on Pei Yin?"

"Brother, if you really want to save her, help her get rid of her status as a concubine. Otherwise, don't do anything. Otherwise, you'll be harming Pei Yin."

Pei Zhi had seen many men like the Second Prince, and she despised this type of man the most.

But the second prince was lucky and was born into the royal family.

After listening to Pei Zhi's words, Pei Minxue calmed down.

Pei Minxue admitted that Pei Zhi's words made a lot of sense.

If he rushes forward now, the Second Prince, concerned about his reputation, might let Pei Yin off the hook.

But afterwards, the Second Prince will surely repay Pei Yin a thousandfold.

The wailing from next door then stopped.

Perhaps it's because the Second Prince is tired.

Or perhaps the second prince simply found it uninteresting.

Pei Minxue asked with some curiosity, "Don't you hate Pei Yin?"

In truth, Pei Yin had been using Pei Zhi's identity for over a decade.

Pei Zhi was somewhat puzzled: "Why should I hate her?"

"All the good days she's had over the years should have been yours."

Pei Zhi countered, "What constitutes a good day?"

Pei Zhi did not think that Pei Yin's life of being waited on in the Duke's mansion was a good life.

For more than a decade, Pei Yin has been learning every day how to be the mistress of a wealthy and powerful family.

Music, chess, calligraphy, painting, needlework—every word and action was taught to me daily.

"Hate someone because you are not as good as them; jealousy breeds hatred."

Pei Zhi said confidently, "I don't hate her."

Pei Zhi's words also indirectly indicated that she did not believe she was inferior to Pei Yin in any way.

When an ordinary woman is brought back and compared to a wealthy heiress like Pei Yin, she will inevitably feel inferior, and perhaps even resentment.

Pei Zhi didn't take these things to heart, so naturally she didn't feel any hatred.

Pei Minxue sighed, somewhat impressed by Pei Zhi.

Pei Minxue looked at His Highness the Crown Prince, intending to discuss Pei Zhi's remarks with him.

As a result, Pei Minxue noticed that His Highness the Crown Prince was staring intently at Pei Zhi.

If he weren't still here, Pei Minxue would always worry that Pei Zhi would be devoured by Xiao Chengci.

A round of applause came from outside, and now the show downstairs was really starting.

There were opera singers, magicians, storytellers, dancers, and musicians playing the guzheng and guqin.

As the magic trick improved, Pei Minxue clapped continuously.

"Minxue, go down and give them some tips."

Pei Minxue nodded, "I'll just give it to the servants at the door and have them deliver it."

Xiao Chengci glanced at Pei Zhi and saw that Pei Zhi was watching the performance below the stage intently.

"Go ahead." Xiao Chengci stared at Pei Minxue with an expression that said, "If you don't go, you're dead."

Pei Minxue sensed something; perhaps His Highness had something to say to Pei Zhi?

Pei Minxue stood up: "Then I'll go."

"After you've given the tip, you can go talk to Lao San about business."

Pei Minxue thought for a moment, "I'll talk to the Third Prince for about fifteen minutes. Does Your Highness think that's alright?"

Xiao Chengci thought for a moment, "Go change your clothes after you're done talking."

Pei Minxue pressed on, "Then, Your Highness, how much time do you think it will take for me to change my clothes?"

Pei Zhi said coldly, "He means that once you go down, you don't need to come back up."

Xiao Chengci never expected that Pei Zhi would overhear his little scheme.

"I didn't mean that. It's just that Minxue thinks the performance is clearer from downstairs, right?"

Helpless, Pei Minxue could only mutter a reply before getting up to take his leave.

After Pei Minxue left, Xiao Chengci slowly moved to Pei Zhi's side.

Xiao Chengci turned around and saw Pei Zhi staring intently at the performance in the hall.

"Zhizhi, I've been working hard to learn some new things lately."

Pei Zhi didn't quite understand: "What?"

The noise from the audience was a bit loud, so Xiao Chengci reached out and closed the window, and the room immediately became much quieter.

"I was too inexperienced before. I've had someone teach me. Would you like to try it out?"

Xiao Chengci's gaze was so intense that Pei Zhi immediately understood what he was talking about.

"You had someone specifically train you? How did you learn it?"

Compared to Xiao Chengci's learning outcomes, Pei Zhi was more curious about how Xiao Chengci learned and from whom he studied.

What is the learning process like?

"I learned from those men who specialize in serving people. They have some skills. I've learned a lot of new things. Why don't you give it a try?"

Pei Zhi's thoughts couldn't help but wander a little.

Pei Zhi hesitated slightly: "That's not appropriate."

That's definitely inappropriate, especially since we're still outside.

For some things, it's not too wrong to stop after making a mistake once.