"Zhi'er, go and write letters to the Qin family, the Sun family, and the Yun family, inviting them to visit the Pei family." Pei Jian spoke slowly, his eyes filled with darkness. "Tell them that... the Pei family has developed a health-preserving soup, and we invite them all to try it."

"A nourishing herbal soup?"

"Zhi'er, this is just an excuse."

Pei Zhi nodded upon hearing this, "I will go and do it right away."

After leaving the main courtyard, Pei Zhi's steps gradually slowed down, her heart filled with unease and a sense of unease.

"Young Master, it's windy outside. We should hurry back to the courtyard to avoid catching a cold."

Listening to the words of the maid beside her, Pei Zhiwei sighed almost imperceptibly, "Ah Hao, I always feel that something is happening in the shadows, but it is also very close to me."

Ah Hao is Pei Zhi's personal maid. She grew up with Pei Zhi and is the person Pei Zhi trusts the most.

Before Pei Jian was seriously injured, when Pei Zhi was just an ordinary daughter in the family, it was A Hao who always protected Pei Zhi. Therefore, Pei Zhi would tell A Hao everything.

“This servant does not understand what the young master is saying, but this servant knows that the young master is unhappy.”

Ah Hao pursed her lips. "Young Master, the Great Yu is currently advancing with unstoppable momentum. Are you worried about this?"

Yes and no.

Pei Zhi felt the wind whistling past her ears, glanced at A-Hao whose nose was already red from the cold, and finally strode towards her own courtyard.

Inside, the warmth that enveloped her made Pei Zhi let out a heavy sigh.

“I used to stay in this courtyard, and my older brothers ignored me. At that time, I just wanted to develop some novel things that could attract my father’s attention.”

Pei Zhi placed her hand above the charcoal stove, and her thoughts began to wander.

"Later, my father appointed me as the young master, and I made up my mind to make the Pei family even more successful. Anyone who obstructs the Pei family is my enemy, Pei Zhi."

"But Ah Hao, I suddenly feel really lost..."

“Young Master’s goal is clear and firm, so why are you still confused?” Ahao brewed a pot of tea for Pei Zhi. “Ever since Young Master returned from Luoming, he often seems lost in thought.”

"Yes, why are we still confused?"

Pei Zhi pursed her lips, unable to bring herself to say it... She felt her father was becoming strange...

"Alright, Ah Hao, it's the same old rule, call me when it's time for dinner." Pei Zhi finished her tea in one gulp, and then headed towards the side room in the courtyard.

"I understand."

As Pei Zhi walked into the side room, A-Hao stood under the eaves to keep watch.

"Ah Hao, is the young master starting his research again? Is he researching poison or medicine today?" the servant in the courtyard asked with a smile. Upon hearing this, Ah Hao quickly made a shushing gesture, "Don't disturb the master."

A hint of pride flashed across Ah Hao's face. Her young master had sworn an oath at his late wife's grave that he would definitely develop a medicine that could cure all poisons and make the Pei family respected by the whole world.

Although the Pei family is skilled in both medicine and poison, the young master rarely touches poison.

"Okay, alright. I'll bring you a charcoal stove so you don't get too cold and the young master will be worried."

The courtyard was filled with joy, while in the side room, Pei Zhi meticulously refined ancient texts.

......

The other families arrived in Longyou almost immediately after receiving Pei Zhi's letter.

The second master of the Qin family, the head of the Sun family, and the head of the Gong family came in person. Although it was within Pei Jian's expectations, his heart still trembled slightly when he saw the three of them.

For so many years, the Pei family has been looked down upon by the aristocratic families, so how could they have the "blessing" of having the heads of the other families personally come to Longyou?

"Brother Qin, Brother Sun, Brother Gong, your arrival in Longyou is truly an honor for our humble abode."

"Brother Pei, you flatter us. It is a blessing that the Emperor of Yu personally sent medicinal herbs to the Pei family. We are not fortunate enough to enjoy such a thing. That's why we came here this time to see what kind of medicinal herbs the Emperor of Yu sent."

The head of the Sun family spoke first, then seemed a little embarrassed. They had specifically discussed bringing the Pei family along before they came.

But he couldn't contain his temper when he saw Pei Jian.

Why is it that they were all defeated by Da Yu, while the Pei family suffered no losses and even gained a good reputation, becoming the head of all aristocratic families? They should see if the Pei family is worthy of the title.

"Please come in."

Pei Jian's expression remained unchanged as he invited the three into the Pei residence.

Upon entering the Pei residence, the overwhelming aroma of medicine caused the three to frown. Following Pei Jian to the front courtyard, the Gong family head also seemed somewhat agitated. "Brother Pei summoned us here, didn't he say he wanted us to see some... good prescriptions for health maintenance?"

"Brother Gong, don't be anxious."

Pei Jian curled the corners of his lips. "Actually, the prescription is secondary. The main reason I invited the three of you here is to take this opportunity to discuss matters concerning aristocratic families."

"Oh, so now the Pei family head is in charge of the aristocratic families?"

Qin Er Ye, who had been silent until now, spoke up in a nonchalant manner. As soon as he finished speaking, Pei Jian's expression finally changed.

"Nowadays, the Pei family is the only place where we can talk, so I took the liberty of calling everyone here. Please don't be offended, Second Master Qin."

"Alright, just say what you have to say, stop beating around the bush." ​​The head of the Sun family waved his hand. He had figured it out; Pei Jian's usual indifferent demeanor was most likely an act.

"What our family needs most right now is calm."

Pei Jian's voice was unhurried, which gave it a certain charm that made people believe him.

"The reason we suffered repeated defeats before was that we were not adequately prepared. Take the Battle of Gaixian not long ago, for example. Did we not have 20,000 elite troops? We did, but we just did not expect that Dayu would send so many soldiers."

Perhaps Pei Jian's words made some sense, and everyone present fell silent.

"If we don't calm down and think carefully about how the aristocratic families should deal with Dayu, we will have no chance of winning."

"Brother Pei's words make sense."

The head of the Gong family spoke first, "We have lost twice in a row because we were too confident in ourselves."

"Yes, Dayu is different from all the countries before. I suggest that we all temporarily make good relations with Dayu. As for the relationship between Dayu and the aristocratic families, let the Pei family mediate it for the time being. What do you all think?"

"Can."

Pei Jian smiled after hearing the others' agreement. "Alright, we've finished discussing the important matters. Now we can take you to see the prescription."

"I only knew that Brother Pei was calm and composed before, but after hearing your words today, I truly understand why." The head of the Gong family also spoke up, "Alright, the Gong family is willing to do as Brother Pei just said."

"However, how will the Pei family mediate our relationship with the aristocratic families?"