Chapter 37 Chapter 37 Why can't Pei Zhiji and I...

The residence is simple in population, quiet and sparsely populated. There is only a deep corridor at the entrance, with lush vegetation hanging down, and the artistic conception is enshrined in the curtain.

The secluded corridor leads directly to the inner courtyard, which is different from the outside and exudes elegance. Chickens and ducks gather in a circle, chatting in groups of three or two, and their cheerful cries add to the atmosphere of the city.

Facing the middle of the courtyard is the calm study.

He stroked his beard with a frown on his face, while Lu Suizhu stood there in silence, not saying a word.

Pei Zhiji and Shen Zhuo sat opposite each other.

The jade cup makes a crisp sound and the tea splashes.

He told Chen Zhuo everything that happened during the trip, avoiding the important points and not mentioning the various incidents that happened with Lu Suizhu in Beijing.

The chain of the little yellow dog outside the side room had loosened at some point. Without anyone restraining it, it walked into the house with its head held high and rubbed affectionately against Lu Suizhu's feet.

Then he strode in front of Pei Zhiji with his four paws held high, sticking out his tongue and wagging his tail happily.

This dog never gets close to strangers.

His expression was even uglier. Fortunately, Aunt Li came in in time and took the little yellow dog away. Amid its dissatisfied growls, she locked it away.

This episode was not interrupted until Pei Zhiji took out the token to prove his identity.

Only then did Chen Zhuo truly believe that the person in front of him was the famous Lord Pei from the capital.

Before he could bend down to salute, Pei Zhiji quickly helped him up.

"This is my private trip. County Magistrate Shen, there's no need to be formal. Just treat me as a junior visiting you."

Although Shen Zhuo was far away from the political whirlpool of Shangjing, he was also a person in the government. Pei Zhiji said a few words, and he understood the general idea in his heart. However, this sentence about the younger generation...

He looked up at his daughter who was standing there like a wooden stake, and couldn't help rubbing his throbbing forehead.

"I will conceal Master Pei's identity, please rest assured."

Pei Zhiji nodded with a gentle expression, responding calmly, but his eyes fell on Lu Suizhu who was in a daze beside him.

She pretended not to know him to avoid suspicion, which was so obvious that she was trying to cover up the truth.

He looked left and right, pursed his lips calmly, took a big step, and stood in front of Pei Zhiji, blocking his sight with his body.

He coughed heavily, and when Pei Zhiji came to his senses, his face became even colder and he looked very businesslike.

"I really didn't know about the private mining that Lord Pei mentioned just now. If it is really related to the royal family as you said, I don't mind it, but I am afraid it will affect the people of Fanxi."

"If the number of stolen death row prisoners is not enough, they will definitely find ways to find local men to provide labor. By then, their families will be torn apart, which is definitely not a small matter."

"To be honest, Governor Fan has more power than me. Ever since he came here uninvited to oversee Fanxi's affairs, my power has been gradually undermined."

Lu Suizhu, who was pretending to be stupid, felt sad and helpless when she heard Shen Zhuo's helpless and melancholy tone. She didn't expect that her father, who seemed as tough as a rock, had also had so many difficulties over the years.

Pei Zhiji was right. Trying to keep oneself out of trouble was nothing but wishful thinking. The big net cast by the superiors was invisible and silent, but it had already been deeply buried under the feet of everyone involved.

It would even bar its fangs and claws, not distinguishing right from wrong, and randomly and casually hook people, such as innocent people like Pei Wuyou, Pei Wuji, and her father.

"You don't need to get involved too much in this matter."

Pei Zhiji promised Lu Suizhu that he would ensure the safety of his family.

"No, I am the county magistrate of Fanxi. It is my duty to protect this land. Lord Pei, if you have any plans, please inform me. Although I am a low-ranking official with little influence, I will go through fire and water to help any matter that endangers the people and the country. I will never refuse."

He was calm, clasped his hands together, his eyes were sharp, and he spoke with a chivalrous spirit.

Pei Zhiji opened his lips slightly, feeling awe for the county magistrate before him. He also praised him, "How many people, upon entering officialdom, uphold the noble aspirations of 'holding the emperor's will on the Golden Terrace, supporting the Jade Dragon and dying for him,' and, moreover, 'establishing a heart for heaven and earth, and a life for the people.' County Magistrate Chen has protected his county for many years, remaining steadfast in his devotion. He is truly admirable."

He calmly declined and said, "No, no, if it weren't for Lord Pei's reminder today, I would still be kept in the dark. I really don't deserve your respect and admiration. Now we should collect evidence as soon as possible. Lord Pei, is there anything I need you to do right now?"

"County Magistrate Shen, just transfer one or two of the useless people in this county to me."

He would not refuse such a small matter calmly, but he only wished he could do more to offset the sin of his negligence as a local official.

Pei Zhiji was also satisfied. His original intention was to test the attitude of the Fanxi County Magistrate. He didn't need to be so devoted and obey orders strictly. He just needed to remain neutral and not deliberately obstruct him.

Thinking of this, I couldn't help but feel relieved. It seemed that the court was not full of people who were in power and doing nothing.

He is narrow-minded.

The two of them exchanged official rhetoric, and Lu Suizhu found it boring, so she tiptoed away along the wall.

When I reached the door, the scene outside the window suddenly appeared.

Suddenly there was a scolding.

He spoke calmly and sternly, stopping her from leaving.

"stop--"

Then he walked around Lu Suizhu and said with a stern face, "I don't care how you and Master Pei met."

Lu Suizhu and Pei Zhiji were both stunned.

He looked at Pei Zhiji calmly and meaningfully, with no intention of stopping.

"Lord Pei is a son of a noble family and a close minister to the Emperor. His thoughts and actions are naturally different from those of ordinary people like us. You should also be cautious and keep your distance from him. Don't delay Lord Pei's important work."

Lu Suizhu didn't expect his father to point it out so bluntly. He called out in disbelief, "Dad."

He was calm and resolute, ignoring his daughter's attempts to stop him. His attitude became even tougher. "Before, your parents were busy in Yunshui County and neglected to take care of you. They gave you too much freedom. From now on, you should never return to Xiaofeng Mountain again. Stay at home and don't go anywhere else."

The words are confusing.

"Come here, take the young lady back to her room. Don't leave without my order!"

Aunt Li, who had been standing outside the door, knew that Shenzhu was stubborn as soon as she heard it. She stepped forward and pulled Lu Suizhu's sleeve, trying to pull her back. Seeing that she was standing there and was very unwilling, she whispered to persuade her.

"Miss, the master has such a stubborn temper. It's useless to argue with him now. I think this son-in-law is quite good-looking. When the mistress comes back in a few days, let her have a good talk with the master. Be obedient, and we won't suffer the loss in front of us."

Aunt Li is old and has poor eyesight and hearing. Even if she speaks in a low voice, everyone in the quiet room can still hear her.

Lu Suizhu was really angry and helpless. She broke free from Aunt Li's hand and walked up to Pei Zhiji regardless of anything.

He took a deep breath. What he had just said was clear enough. He never knew that raising a daughter would be so stressful.

Out of sight, out of mind. He no longer cared about official etiquette and was about to leave with a flick of his sleeves.

Before leaving, he did not forget to ask Aunt Li to take the person back to the room and keep an eye on her, and not to let Lu Suizhu out.

"Master Pei, you must quickly track down the whereabouts of that disaster relief fund and rescue County Magistrate Pei from prison."

Lu Suizhu was still struggling to pull Aunt Li's hand.

The man didn't move for a long time, his lips moved, and hesitantly asked: "What will you do if I leave?"

When did he become so indecisive that he couldn't even see clearly what was happening in front of him? Lu Suizhu looked at the helpless man in front of her with some helplessness.

"If you leave, I'll be fine."

This word suddenly woke him up. It was rare for him to be so slow-witted.

"Okay, as for your father, I'll explain it to him after I'm done with my work."

Lu Suizhu nodded. Looking at his back, she couldn't help but ask herself.

What to explain?

There was nothing between them.

What else is there to explain?

The room was locked from the outside. Aunt Li and Uncle Zhang took turns watching outside. He calmly went into the county government office, as if leaving Lu Suizhu behind.

Two days later, Chenzhuo came back and entered after knocking on the door.

Lu Suizhu poured him a cup of tea. He looked listless, calm but also breathless, and his tone was neither salty nor sour.

"Still thinking about him?"

"Father, you're joking. Master Pei and I are just casual acquaintances. There's really no need for you to be so vigilant."

Lu Suizhu drank water by herself. She had been wandering alone since she was a child and was used to doing whatever she wanted. Now she was too lazy to look at Chen Zheng's face.

"Although your father has little experience in love, he is at least an experienced person. The look in his eyes clearly shows that there is something fishy going on."

Lu Suizhu was stunned. She never expected that her father, who was always old-fashioned and serious, would say such words.

"Xu Wenbin told me that you two were very affectionate on Xiaofeng Mountain, and you were very protective of him."

"And there was a rumor in the county before about a man from another place who broke into the miasma to save a girl. Is that him?"

Looking at his silent daughter, he sighed deeply, he was really too angry to bear it anymore.

"Dad is not the kind of person who sticks to family background. Even if you like a bricklayer, carpenter, or a pedantic scholar, as long as he has good character and treats others well, mom and dad will support you." Lu Suizhu finally raised her head.

"But he's the only one who can't."

His calm tone remained firm, leaving no room for negotiation.

"A pedantic scholar is fine, a bricklayer and carpenter is fine too. If Daddy can really put aside the prejudice of family background, why can't Pei Zhiji and I do the same?"

It's getting more and more confusing the more I talk about it.

Lu Suizhu and Shen Zhuo stood up at the same time, and the confrontation between father and daughter was about to break out.

"He's not in good health. Look how thin he is."

"But he's good-looking, I don't care."

He calmly held his forehead, took two breaths, and relaxed for a while.

"Even if he is lucky enough to live a hundred years, what about the Pei family? Throughout history, there have been many aristocratic families, flourishing and flourishing. We saw him build a high building, we saw him entertain guests, and we saw his building collapse. Aren't there many such examples?"

"They are destined to participate in the struggle for imperial power. If they lose, needless to say, the entire family will be overthrown. If they win, he will occupy a high position, with power over the government and the country, and will abandon you like a worn-out shoe. How can your parents protect you? Think about it carefully."

The door was slammed shut, the moonlight trembled, casting shaking waves of light, reflecting the distorted face. He regretted his harsh words, but was also afraid that his words would be useless. He twisted his jaw left and right, becoming so hideous.

He shed tears secretly. If his daughter had been raised by his side since childhood, how could she have met the adults in Shangjing?

He was wrong, he shouldn't have said those harsh words.

But he couldn't take back what he had said.

Is he a good father after all?

Lu Suizhu felt cold all over and her mind was in turmoil, just like the snowy night when she first met Pei Zhiji.

The wind and snow delayed the night.

Crimson, fear, life-saving straw.

At that time, she had no parents to rely on, let alone brothers to depend on.

In the heavy snow, he seemed like a god, unattainable.