Inside the Ninth Princess's residence, Liu Rushi truthfully told Xiao Xiuning about the Pei family's affairs.
Even Xiao Xiuning, who held a high position and had seen much of the world, was stunned upon hearing this.
"How could the Pei family, a prestigious clan of Dali, commit such an outrageous act that would incur the wrath of both heaven and man!"
"Unauthorized alteration of slave status is a serious crime. Doesn't the magistrate of Qinghe County know this? I will definitely report this matter to my father."
Upon hearing this, Liu Rushi indeed grabbed the angry Xiao Xiuning and patiently explained.
"Princess, please don't be angry. That's what I thought too, but what good would it do even if I appealed to His Majesty?"
"The Pei family is a powerful clan with many factions and great influence in the court."
"Let alone the fact that the deceased was just a maid, even if she were a young lady from some wealthy family, at most the Pei family would just be reprimanded."
"The perpetrators remain at large, which does nothing to change the situation."
Xiao Xiuning also calmed down after hearing this. Although she was angry inside, what Liu Rushi said was indeed the truth.
"What does Zian mean?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Liu Rushi's gaze fell on her.
Xiao Xiuning blushed and quickly coughed twice.
"What does the Duke of Zhenguo intend to do?"
Liu Rushi smiled calmly upon hearing this.
"The marriage between the princess and my young master was bestowed by His Majesty, and with all the officials as witnesses, there is no need to conceal it."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xiuning couldn't help but look at Liu Rushi in front of her, as if trying to discern something from her expression.
Unfortunately, apart from the word "open and honest," Xiao Xiuning could see nothing else.
There was no jealousy, no envy, and no dissatisfaction or resentment.
Xiao Xiuning sat up slightly, and the two seemed to have reached a subtle equality in terms of status.
Liu Ru, neither humble nor arrogant, took out a document and handed it to Xiao Xiuning.
"My young master hopes that Your Highness will send away all literate servants and maids in the manor tomorrow morning."
"Then, if any people on the streets or in the alleys do not understand its meaning, please ask them to read and explain it to you."
Xiao Xiuning took the document and looked at it, her eyes revealing shock.
He looked at Liu Rushi and said seriously after a moment.
"Very well, go back and tell the Duke of Zhenguo that I will certainly live up to your expectations."
Meanwhile, inside the Lu family mansion.
Lu Yunxue, looking haggard, sat opposite Pei Jianzhi, who had been demoted to a commoner.
Since being demoted and stripped of her title, Lu Yunxue has thought a lot.
A feeling of regret kept welling up in my heart.
I used to mock him for being neither good at literature nor martial arts.
She had witnessed Mu Zi'an's bravery in the battle of Luzhou.
She had already appreciated Mu Zian's literary talent during the trip on the pleasure boat.
Such a man, skilled in both literature and martial arts, is the dream husband of countless women.
However, he pushed it away forcefully.
At this moment, Lu Yunxue still vividly remembered Mu Zian's indifference and resistance towards her on the city wall of Anping County that day.
They were as if they had never met before, completely strangers.
But the past is gone.
Mu Zian's aloofness made Lu Yunxue realize that there was no longer any chance for them to be together.
Moreover, Mu Zi'an is about to become the emperor's son-in-law, so it's even less likely that he, a mere eighth-rank officer, could have any contact with her.
The more this happened, the more unwilling Lu Yunxue felt.
"Xue'er, Xue'er."
Pei Jianzhi's voice pulled Lu Yunxue back to reality.
Seeing Lu Yunxue's dazed appearance, Pei Jianzhi couldn't help but frown.
Why did you suddenly lose focus?
Lu Yunxue was a little flustered and smoothed the stray hairs at her temples.
"It's alright, it's alright."
Pei Jianzhi did not pursue the matter further upon hearing this.
After all, he is now just a commoner.
Even though Lu Yunxue's official rank was low, she was still an official, and Pei Jianzhi was naturally one rank lower than Lu Yunxue.
"Xue'er, don't be fooled by my current status as a commoner. It won't be long before I'm valued again."
"Right now, we're just waiting for this storm to pass and enduring it for the time being."
"With the connections and influence of my Pei family, the future remains bright."
Pei Jianzhi was so confident because the Pei family had a strong literary tradition, and there were very few people like him who took the path of military strategy.
Therefore, as long as the Pei family still wants to get involved in the military, he is the best and only option.
Although he is now implicated in the main branch of the Pei family because of Pei Shaoji's matter.
However, Pei Jianzhi believed that he would be able to regain his power soon.
Upon hearing this, Lu Yunxue wore a tired smile.
In comparison, Pei Jianzhi does indeed still have a chance, after all, the Pei family's status speaks for itself.
Without Mu Zian's help, his path to promotion would inevitably be fraught with difficulties.
Therefore, from now on, he can only follow Pei Jianzhi down this dark path.
"I know my own abilities, Pei Lang. Right now, I'm just a tiger fallen into the plains."
"A temporary setback is nothing to fear. As long as Pei Lang has the determination to improve, he will surely be able to shine again in the future."
Upon hearing this, Pei Jianzhi's face lit up with a smile, and he grasped Lu Yunxue's hand and said.
"I knew Xue'er understood me."
Lu Yunxue frowned and subtly withdrew her hand.
"I certainly trust Pei Lang."
Upon seeing this, Pei Jianzhi's smile froze.
But he immediately laughed as if nothing had happened.
"Xue'er, you don't know, yesterday Mu Zi'an went to my Pei family's mourning hall and made a scene. He even had to ask a mere maid to stand up for him. It's simply laughable."
A look of confusion appeared on Lu Yunxue's face.
Upon seeing this, Pei Jianzhi explained the whole story.
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