Yu Tang stood there quietly, watching Li Duan come to his senses with cold eyes, and eagerly tried to make up for his mistakes: "Brother, even if I have to pay the Yu family's debt on behalf of my mother, it should be me, the elder brother, who should come forward. You don't have to worry about this matter, I will take care of it."
After that, he bowed to Pei Yan, his twelfth uncle, Yu Wen and Mr. Wei, with a sincere expression and a sincere tone, "Miss Yu is right. I was biased in my actions. I only thought about my family's difficulties, but did not put myself in Miss Yu's shoes. How about this? I will perform a three-day ritual for the second son of the Wei family in Zhaoming Temple, and then I will go to the Yu family to compensate on behalf of my mother!"
He looked at Yu Wen and others expectantly.
Yu Tang listened and sneered in his heart.
I felt insulted when I was confronting her, but after Li Jun stood up, I felt honored. How could such a good thing happen in the world!
Everyone present here knows that the Yu family had worked very hard to obtain this apology from the Li family, but the people outside who were watching the excitement did not know this. When they saw Li Duan kneeling at the gate of the Yu family begging for forgiveness, they would think that Li Duan was kind-hearted and filial to his mother, and that he knew his family had done something wrong and was sincerely apologizing!
Did she do so many things just to let Li Duan reap the benefits, gain fame, and be in the spotlight at the last moment? !
Even if we have to go to their house and kneel, it should be Li Jun who should do it.
Li Duan is really a dog that can't change its bad habits. He did a lot of things like this in his previous life.
Yu Tang took a step forward and wanted to object, but was grabbed by her father.
The reason why Yu Wen agreed to let Yu Tang come forward was because he was not sure about what Yu Tang was going to do, and Yu Tang was angry, and he wanted to let Yu Tang vent it so that he wouldn't always be worried about it and it would become a worry for his daughter in the future.
Now that the dust has settled, he doesn't want his daughter to be in the spotlight anymore.
If this gave the country gentlemen present a bad impression of their daughter, no matter how much they made things difficult for the Li family or how much they punished the Li family, it would not be enough to compensate for the loss of their daughter's reputation.
Although his daughter keeps saying that she doesn't care and that she will do anything with a risk of her life, he feels sorry for her and is afraid that something bad might happen to her, and he can't afford to take the risk.
"Atang!" Yu Wen said in a serious tone, "Don't interfere in this matter anymore. You have to listen to me. If there is anything, Dad will negotiate with the Li family. From now on, you will stay behind Ayuan obediently, just like when you first came in. Do you understand?"
It was rare for her father to speak to her in this tone, and Yu Tang immediately understood her father's determination.
But she still refused to give in.
"Father," she whispered to her father, "he must be labeled as unfilial and cannot be allowed to go."
"I know." If you say how much Yu Wen admired Li Duan in the past, you can tell how disappointed he is now.
Li Yi was not at home, and Li Duan was the eldest son who could support the family. If you say that the things done by the Li family had nothing to do with Li Duan, no one would believe it. But Li Duan did bad things while trying to clear his name. Even the girls in the brothels would not dare to do this.
Li Duan is nothing but a hypocrite.
Yu Wen'an patted his daughter's shoulder soothingly, held her behind him, bowed to Pei Yan and the others, and said, "Everything happened for a reason, there is no need to make a fuss. The death of the second son of the Wei family is the main issue, and it is also the main purpose of our visit today. As for apologizing to the Yu family, it is just a side job. However, whoever caused the trouble should clean up the mess. Since the kidnapping was caused by the second son of the Li family who was eager to get a phoenix, let the second son of the Li family solve it!"
The implication was that Li Jun should go to Yu's house to present gifts.
Yu Wen explained it so clearly that everyone present had a keen mind and could not help but understand what he meant.
This was exactly what Pei Yan wanted.
The Li family dared to take in so many refugees on the Pei family's territory. Not only did they not have the ability to cover up the matter, but they also treated them as fools. The Li family needs to be taught a lesson.
How to teach the Li family a lesson? Let's start with the eldest son of the Li family who is so proud of himself!
Pei Yan took a sip of tea and said, "Master Yu is right. Young people, who can avoid making mistakes? But if they make mistakes, they can correct them and take responsibility, which is the best. The second son of the Li family has such courage and awareness. As elders, we should not only protect him but also encourage him. This matter is settled."
Li Duan was of course dissatisfied and wanted to say something, but he had a stupid brother.
Li Jun's eyes were moist with gratitude. He walked forward respectfully and bowed deeply to Pei Yan. When he raised his head, his eyes were full of determination: "Master Pei San, Uncle Twelve, and Uncle, I, I will definitely reflect on myself and behave properly in the future. I will never do anything that will worry the elders in my family again."
The twelfth uncle of the Li family's main branch was also a smart man, otherwise he wouldn't have looked dumb when he entered the house. Seeing Li Jun treating Li Duan in a daze, the more he looked at Li Jun, the more he liked him. He naturally spoke to him in a loving tone: "You don't have to bear any burden. Master Pei San is right. Everyone makes mistakes when they are young. Just know how to correct them." Then he helped Li Jun to plead with Master Yu Wen and Master Wei, "What do you two think?"
This is the Yu family's business. Yu Wen has said so. What opinion can Mr. Wei have?
He nodded repeatedly without saying anything, and took the opportunity to lift up Yu Wen: "Master Yu also meant the same thing. Since everyone has the same idea, just like Master Pei San said, this matter is settled."
Mr. Wu watched and shook his head inwardly.
The second son of the Li family is truly an honest and decent man. It can be said that good things come out of bad things.
"As it should be, as it should be!" The country gentlemen present were discussing this, and some who wanted to curry favor with Pei Yan told Li Jun, "You should thank Third Master Pei for this. Third Master loves and cherishes talents, so he is willing to protect you like this. You should abide by the rules in the future and not let Third Master down."
Li Jun said yes repeatedly.
Li Duan's forehead was bulging with veins, and he wished he could just throw this little brother out.
He knew Li Jun was stupid when he was a child, but he never thought Li Jun could be this stupid.
No, after he goes back he will have to tell his father to take Li Jun to his new post and stop him from causing trouble at home.
Li Duan made up his mind and felt better. Then he heard Yu Wen say, "The apology has been resolved, but the second son of the Wei family can't just die like this. Shouldn't we discuss how to punish the murderer?"
Everyone was stunned, looking at each other in bewilderment.
Is this not over yet?
Didn’t the Li family’s chief steward already take the blame for the Li family’s misfortune?
What else does the Yu family want?
Mr. Wu is on good terms with the Yu family and was invited by Mr. Yu. He doesn't know what Yu Wen is planning, but that doesn't stop him from helping the Yu family.
He said, "Hui Li, if you have anything to say, just say it in front of Master Pei. Everything can be discussed! Just like the apology just now, didn't you think it was acceptable to let the second master of the Li family pay compensation to your family on behalf of Madam Li?"
Li Duan gritted his teeth upon hearing this.
Is this the result of their discussion?
These country gentry are so shameless in trying to curry favor with Pei Yan.
Although he is old enough to be Pei Yan's father, he still calls Pei Yan "Third Master" in front of him, and he wishes he could call Pei Yan "brother".
Thinking of this, Li Duan felt even worse.
When will he be like Pei Yan, being treated as an elder and respected wherever he goes...
Yu Wenzheng was waiting for this sentence, and said without hesitation: "The two refugees and the chief steward of the Li Mansion should be handed over to the government for punishment according to the law. This is also the law that ordinary people like us should abide by. But this matter was caused by the poor supervision of the Li family, which made the chief steward of the Li Mansion so arrogant that he didn't know the height of the world. If he is not severely punished, there may be another chief steward Li. In my opinion, not only should the chief steward be punished, but also his family and aunts and uncles should be expelled from the mansion as a warning to others."
Li Duan's mouth was twisted with anger.
Everyone knows that the chief steward of the Li family is taking the blame for his master. Not only can the master not save his life, but even his family. Who will dare to work for the Li family in the future?
What’s the difference between this and asking his mother to kowtow and pay tribute to the Yu family!
The Yu family really goes too far.
Do you really think that the Li family is afraid of the Yu family?
Before Li Duan could even say "no", Pei Yan's cold voice rang in his ears: "It's feasible! If one person commits a crime, the whole family will be punished. This is also the law of our dynasty. It can serve as a warning to those who don't follow the rules. If the emperor breaks the law, he will be punished just like the common people. No one can get away with it!"
"Master Pei San!" Li Duan's face suddenly turned as dark as the bottom of a pot, and he said, "This matter needs to be discussed..."
But before he could finish his words, Li He, who had been standing behind his father like a shadow, suddenly stood up and scolded Li Duan, "Shut up! Master Pei San heard you say that you were conceited and made allowances for your youth. Don't be ignorant of the importance of things and confuse the hierarchy. We, the clan, have accepted this matter on behalf of your family. You step back and stop talking nonsense."
"Uncle He." Li Duan certainly didn't take Li He seriously. He shouted, "Those people have been servants in our family for generations. How can you drive them all out of the house without asking any questions..."
Li He had waited so long for this opportunity to attack Li Duan, how could he let Li Duan escape so easily?
He shouted, "Li Duan, do you want to bypass the clan and make your own decisions?"
Li Duan really wanted to say "yes".
But he couldn't say it.
The order of seniority and lineage is the family law passed down by our ancestors. If this is messed up, the world will also be in chaos.
In his heart, he no longer took the clan family seriously, but he couldn't say it out loud.
Li Duan could only shut up in frustration, but he was thinking in his heart that it was impossible for the Pei family to take the list and count their servants in front of people. Once they left here, he would naturally find a way to excuse the chief steward and his family. There was no need for him to confront these people at this time.
He felt slightly relieved.
Pei Yan had already raised the tea bowl in his hand, and said in a clear and calm voice: "Thanks to all the neighbors and the Yu and Wei families for inviting me to be the middleman. My meaning is here. Whether the Li family will comply or not - I am not a parent official, and I am not an inspector. It depends on the Li family's intention. Today's matter has come to an end. I am still in mourning, so it is not convenient for me to invite everyone to drink. I will not keep you today. When I am out of mourning, I will invite everyone to drink a few cups. When that time comes, please don't mind and take the time to come."
This is what it means to see someone off.
"Master Pei San, you are too serious!"
"I will definitely come, I will definitely come!"
"Then you take a rest first, we'll take our leave now!"
Everyone stood up.
Pei Yan didn't bother to be polite with them. He stood up and saw them off.
In the past, Old Lady Pei would personally escort people to the gate.
The country gentlemen were still a little uncomfortable, but when they looked at Pei Yan's young face and thought about his background as a successful candidate in two imperial examinations, they felt that this was natural.
After Yu Wen and Master Wei thanked Pei Yan for coming, they followed the crowd out, but were stopped by Pei Yan: "Master Yu, please stay, I have something else to ask you!"