To meet the needs of the plot, let's rewind half a month.
Fu Qiyuan's carriage took about half an hour to travel from Tianjie to Pei's residence.
Fu Qiyuan stood at the gate of the Pei residence for a long time.
The Pei residence is a mansion that the Pei family bought in a wealthy area at great expense.
The so-called "rich area" is, frankly speaking, a place where local officials and powerful families are concentrated; it's not simply a matter of having power or money.
The Pei family mansion occupies a large area, with four courtyards in total. The patriarch of the Pei family, Pei Tianyou, and his four sons and grandchildren live in this four-courtyard mansion, which now has four generations living together.
Pei Tianyou's eldest son, Pei Guangnian, is still mingling in the circles of nobles in the capital. His second son, Pei Guangji, is the prefectural judge of Yuzhou. His third son is an illegitimate son and is assigned to a small place as a county magistrate. His fourth son, Pei Cheng, is the youngest and is kept at home by the late Madam Pei to fulfill his filial duties. In short, he is neither a good official nor a good businessman, so he can only stay at home and live a life of leisure.
With influence in the capital, local dignitaries, and the support of powerful financial groups, the Pei family is undeniably powerful.
Especially in recent years, after the Pei family's money came into contact with the capital, the Pei family gradually forgot what that aunt had said, and no longer kept their heads down and made a fortune in silence, but began to show off in a high-profile manner.
Pei Cheng, the fourth son of the Pei family, and his son are the best proof of this.
Pei Cheng was a regular at brothels and taverns, with several concubines at home and countless mistresses outside. He had even abducted other men's wives and daughters. His son, Pei Wang, followed in his footsteps, but was even more ruthless and violent than his father!
Having settled several murder cases with money and power, Pei Wang's audacity swelled to new heights, until he finally met his match.
It's still a deadly iron plate!
Fu Qiyuan looked at the plaque above his head that read "Pei Family Mansion" and silently counted the days of the Pei family's fate.
Seeing Fu Qiyuan's distinguished and noble appearance, the gatekeeper hurriedly stepped forward to inquire.
Upon learning the person's identity, his expression changed repeatedly, and he hurriedly invited him inside.
As soon as Fu Qiyuan entered the main courtyard, he heard arguing, and one of the voices sounded very familiar.
He glanced sideways at the doorman who had led him in; the man bowed awkwardly, seemingly used to it.
Fu Qiyuan curled his lips into a smile and walked inside with his hands behind his back.
The Pei family had been waiting for Fu Qiyuan to arrive for quite some time; even the gatekeeper knew this, so they didn't send anyone to announce his arrival beforehand. Instead, the gatekeeper brought him in directly.
"Don't you dare make false accusations! How is Yuan'er cold-blooded? He was just upholding the law. You didn't try to help your own son, but now that something's happened, you're blaming me, Yuan'er. What kind of logic is that!"
"Cheng Lan! Your good son is a heartless bastard! My son didn't kill anyone, yet he sentenced him to death and took his life. He's a wicked scoundrel! He'll be struck by lightning!"
"Shut up! You wicked woman, how dare you curse my child! I'll fight you to the death!"
"I'm going to kill you! It's all your fault! If you hadn't written to my master asking me to deal with your son's woman, my son wouldn't have died such a tragic death! Cheng Lan, I'm going to kill you!"
"Stop! Pull them apart!"
Curses, cries, the sound of smashing cups and chairs filled the air.
The gatekeeper stepped forward, trembling, and said, "Master, Lord Fu has arrived!"
The room returned to silence in an instant. Then, Madam Cheng, the wife of the Minister, rushed out of the room, wailing and hugging Fu Qiyuan tightly, crying miserably.
She felt wronged!
Since arriving in Yuzhou, not a single day has passed without her fourth cousin and his wife pointing fingers at her and scolding her. Not a single day has passed without the Pei family's accusations and disdain. Even her uncle, who dotes on her the most, speaks coldly to her, and even her own mother doesn't help her!
Fu Qiyuan helped Madam Cheng to his side, straightened his clothes, and bowed to Pei Tianyou, the patriarch of the Pei family, and Madam Cheng, who came to greet him.
"Fu Qiyuan, son of the Fu family, greeted his maternal great-uncle and inquired about his maternal grandmother's well-being."
Pei Tianyou looked Fu Qiyuan up and down but said nothing.
Madam Cheng stepped forward and helped Fu Qiyuan up, smiling, "Good child, let your grandmother take a good look at you!"
The joy in Madam Cheng's eyes, though faint, was genuine. She took Fu Qiyuan's hand and patted it gently, saying, "He's a good boy, unlike your mother who's so clueless! Come on, let's go inside with your grandmother."
Pei Cheng and Madam Xu stood at the door, glaring at Fu Qiyuan with fiery eyes, as if they wanted to pounce on him and take a bite.
Pei Tianyou snorted coldly at the couple, and at the behest of Butler Pei, the two reluctantly stepped aside.
Madam Cheng greeted her grandson with affection, and Madam Cheng occasionally chimed in. Ignoring the expressions on the faces of the others, the three generations of the family seemed to be getting along very well.
Madam Xu could not stand this scene. Unable to hide her resentment, she asked sharply, "Lord Fu, did you come all this way to give my poor child an explanation? My Wang'er's soul has not yet departed. How can you have the face to put on a show of maternal love and filial piety in the Pei family?"
Old Madam Cheng's face immediately turned cold. She gave Xu a cold look and said nothing more.
After a moment of silence, Pei Tianyou patted the armrest of his chair and shouted at Pei Cheng and Madam Xu, "All of you shut up! If you don't want to stay here, get out!"
Madam Xu's expression changed slightly, and she covered her face with a handkerchief and began to cry softly.
Fu Qiyuan took a sip of food and smiled faintly, "Uncle, there's no need for that. Now that I'm here at the Pei family, this dispute between relatives needs to be resolved. Fourth Master Pei and Fourth Madam Pei, there's no need to hold back. Feel free to speak your mind."
There was no bureaucratic airs, and the kinship ties were acknowledged; this is something that can be discussed.
“A life for a life! My son died unjustly, I want you to pay for his life!” Madam Xu’s words immediately sealed a dead end.
Pei Cheng's expression changed slightly. He glared at Xu Shi, then turned to Pei Tianyou and said, "Father, she's talking nonsense. You don't need to pay her any attention!"
Isn't that insane? Making a county magistrate pay for a death row inmate's life—even the emperor wouldn't dare to do that.
Before Pei Tianyou could say anything, Madam Cheng jumped up excitedly, pointing at Madam Xu and cursing, "You vicious woman! What kind of person is your son? He's good-for-nothing, does nothing but commit heinous crimes, he deserves to die! My Yuan'er is an official of the imperial court, you dare to make my son pay with his life, you must have a death wish!"
Xu was blinded by resentment. At this moment, she was not even afraid of death, so why would she be afraid of threats?
Moreover, her son lost his life because he stood up for the Cheng family, and now she keeps saying that her son deserved to die. This is intolerable!
"I don't want to live anymore! Cheng Lan, you heartless and rotten woman, I'm going to fight you to the death!" As she spoke, Xu rushed towards Cheng.
"If you don't care whether your two daughters live or die, then go ahead and make a scene!"
Old Madam Cheng's sudden remark froze Xu in her tracks.
She also has two biological daughters, one of whom is married and the other is still unmarried.
As if struck by a sudden thought, Xu Shi trembled as she withdrew her hands and closed her eyes in despair.
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