Xie Zhou and his wife were having their meal in the pavilion.

This pavilion was designed with the ability to hang gauze around it when it was built.

Hanging a circle around, even on the left or right, can block the wind, block insects, and also block the view.

This gauze is easier to work with than a shed. Besides, the eaves are low, making it easier to operate.

It's warmer to wrap around it in winter. It seems to be taking root in the pavilion, maximizing its function.

Now that the gauze is hanging up, Xie Zhou is quite satisfied. He has a wife and dinner; his life is probably complete.

Huan Yue drank a bowl of lean meat porridge; she ate quite a lot of meat that day.

Xie Zhou ate his roast duck and asked his wife if she wanted some more.

Huan Yue didn't eat; he just sat to the side and looked at the flowers.

At first glance, even peonies seem quite ordinary to her, but upon closer inspection, they have a certain charm. It's probably like braised pork: some people find it cloying at first glance, while others love it more and more, wanting to eat it every meal.

Xie Zhou drank some wine while looking at his wife, thinking it best to eat with her.

Xie Zhou asked, "You haven't learned to play the zither?"

Huan Yue asked, "What can you do with learning the zither?"

Xie Zhou remained silent and finished his meal in silence.

If he weren't a dog, Huan Yue would be willing to appreciate handsome men, but things don't always go as planned.

Just like how girls like to have "brothers" in their names? It's said that normal men want to sleep with her.

Xie Zhou leaned closer and looked at her face. Isn't it normal for his wife to be sleeping? It would be a problem if she didn't want to sleep.

Huan Yue glanced at him. Sleeping with someone is easy, but what happens afterward? It's usually the woman who bears the responsibility.

Xie Zhou carried her to Chengen Hall, where they could now play chess.

Chess and the fake heiress are both very clever. Even if the Pei family didn't teach them, the fake heiress is truly intelligent and worthy of being the Crown Princess.

Huan Yue wasn't familiar with it. So there was no need to teach him step by step.

Xie Zhou only wanted to spend time with her. It was late at night, the hall was lit, and the incense burner emitted a faint fragrance, creating a very warm atmosphere.

Huan Yue rarely had such a good day, so he didn't refuse it.

Xie Zhou was extremely surprised. His wife was so talented! No wonder she was his wife. He gave her a kiss.

The eunuch reached the door but then withdrew. As for whether His Highness would be punished by the Empress, His Highness was content with that.

**

Anxingfang, Pei family.

Pei Bo could barely move. As the eldest son, with his father gone, he had to hold things up.

Pei Huanzhao is also an option, but he is still young. Although Pei Bo is useless, Pei Huanzhao isn't much better.

Everyone went to Qinglong Hall, and it was still a large family gathering.

Lady Li sat on the couch, looking like a female Yama, her aura had been very strong lately, and she was not someone to be trifled with.

Cao shrank her neck, and even Qian restrained herself.

The most audacious one was probably Pei Huanzhao's son, who started causing trouble again!

Xia quickly told the wet nurse to take her son out; the old witch's wrath was indeed sinister.

It was difficult for Pei Jinnu, Pei Huanjiao, and Pei Huanfeng to be together. They were all beauties, so beautiful that they would fall over with a gust of wind.

Li Shi stared at Pei Jinnu with a strange look in her eyes.

Pei Jinnu felt a chill run down her spine and hurriedly stepped forward to explain, "Jinnu is just leaving a way out for her family."

Madam Li nodded: "You did a good job."

Pei Jinnu knew that the Pei family had many daughters, so they weren't worth much. She was seventeen, and after a year of mourning until she was eighteen next year, how good could she possibly marry? She looked at Chang Dalang; he was good-looking and not a simple man, but he was suppressed by the Pei family.

Given the opportunity, one might even be able to enter and leave the imperial court.

Pei Jinnu thought to herself that Pei Huanzhao and Pei Huanxu were both useless. If Pei Huanyue needed a brother to back him up, Chang Dalang would be the most suitable.

If she manages things well, she may very well enjoy wealth and prosperity in the future; this turnaround will be even better than that of the Pei family.

Li stared at her, showing no further interest.

The Li family and a large group of people came looking for them.

Pei Jinnu took the opportunity to retreat to the side.

These people are now desperately attacking Pei Huanyue, wanting to execute her directly.

Li Gongchen was Li's grand-nephew, in his thirties, and exuded an aggressive aura, as if he wanted to crush the Pei family.

It's because the Pei family is truly ruined; not only is Pei Bo ruined, but Pei Jing is also incompetent.

Li Gongchen wasn't afraid of Li Shi's fierceness or her age, and he roared at her, "You have to give us an explanation!"

Li snorted coldly: "Explain what?"

Li Gongchen was furious: "I've been demoted to the position of Assistant Magistrate of Yangle County, what do you suggest we do about it?"

Li was a little confused. Where was Yang Le?

Li Gongchen was furious with her attitude: "Yang Le is in Fanzhou! The Wunu Kingdom is eyeing him covetously; he's going there to his death! We're all doing this for you, so what do you suggest we do?!"

Does the Li family not know that so many people have been demoted?

A group of people who had been demoted and were furious!

Some people who had been watching from the back were now enjoying the spectacle even more as it was getting dark.

Pei Bo shouted, "On what grounds are you being demoted?"

Li Gongchen shoved Pei Bo in the face: "What do you think? You're deceiving the emperor! Are we going to die with you?"

Pei Bo's face was splattered with spittle, and he seemed genuinely furious, but still asked, "Aren't there others?" those adults?

Li Gongchen's sinister demeanor was somewhat similar to that of the Li family: "The Duke of Rongguo is reflecting on his mistakes behind closed doors."

Pei Bo felt a chill run down his spine under his gaze: "That shouldn't be the case."

Qian couldn't hold back any longer: "That bitch?"

Li Gongchen angrily said to her, "With your condition, you can't even stand up. It's a huge misfortune for us to help you."

Another group of ladies shouted at the women of the Pei family, as if they wanted to eat them!

Being demoted is no small matter.

If it were the Duke of Rong, it would be a minor matter; but for an ordinary person, it would be disastrous.

Li Shi acted like a spoiled child, refusing to get up, and no one could do anything to her.

They made a ruckus until dark.

Pei Huanzhao spoke up: "What solutions do you have?"

A group of people responded, "What can we do? If we help you save this mansion, we'll be at a huge loss!"

Without this house, the Pei family would not have been able to survive.

Pei Huanzhao didn't believe him: "Tell me if you have any ideas."

After all, no one would do something like this for no reason. Does he think Pei Huanzhao is stupid?

Li Gongchen said bluntly, "It's more accurate to say that Pei Huanyue is unlucky. She can only survive in the Pei family because they are kind enough to raise her."

Qian immediately replied, "Without me, she would have died long ago!"

Pei Huanying said, "The Pei family has raised a thankless wretch."

Pei Huanxu was furious: "If it weren't for the Pei family, would she be where she is today? She repays kindness with enmity. How can someone like that be worthy of her?"

Pei Jing said, "That's perfect, we can make a deal with the Chang family. With the Chang family as witnesses, Pei Huanyue won't be able to deny it."

Li Gongchen said, "Then let's agree on that!"

Everyone still has a lot to do.

Although he was demoted, he could still make some moves before leaving the capital. A quick promotion and wealth were not impossible.

Pei Jinnu snapped out of her daze and quickly said, "This matter cannot be made public!"

A group of people were staring at her!

Pei Jinnu didn't understand much, but she rushed up to the ancestor and shouted, "Who said Pei Huanyue's fate? Is this something that can be said so casually now? Doesn't the sage need evidence?"

The Pei family is deceiving the emperor; how could they lay everything bare before the sage?

Outsiders are unaware of Chang Ziyu's situation.

Who said that Pei Huanyue and Chang Ziyu were switched for Pei Huanyue's own good?

Li Shi snapped out of her daze and shouted angrily, "You can't talk about it!"

She still wants the Phoenix's life! So many people can't think of a solution?

Li was not easily fooled: "Being demoted is your problem. Didn't you benefit from the Pei family's prosperity?"

When Pei Huanyue bestowed the marriage upon them, everyone profited from it.