Pei Gong exerted pressure
As for Madam Pei, ever since Xuanji entered the manor, her heart had been as if it were being gnawed by a venomous snake, gnawing at her day and night, leaving her no peace.
The grand spectacle that day, the extravagant betrothal gifts that exceeded all propriety, and especially Li Yi's personal welcoming of her, the undisguised fervor and affection in his eyes—all of it pierced her heart like sharp needles. This wasn't taking a concubine; it was clearly welcoming back some priceless treasure, eager to announce it to the world!
Although the servants in the mansion appeared respectful, their whispers and the occasional pity or amused glances they cast at her constantly reminded her that she, the legitimate wife, had been outshone by a lowly maid from a brothel!
She had considered using some methods, but every time she made a move, Li Yi would find out. Although he didn't say it outright, his suddenly cold expression and his few casual yet pointed words, "Harmony in the family brings prosperity" and "Don't be too concerned about trivial matters," were like a bucket of cold water poured over her head, making her dare not act rashly. He had actually protected that lowly maid so thoroughly!
This unprecedented protection and favoritism was like a resounding slap across her pride as a member of the "Hedong Pei Clan." She suddenly realized that all her family background, status, and honor were utterly pale and powerless in the face of this man's unwavering favoritism.
That day, Madam Pei, accompanied by her personal maid and servant, silently entered her maternal home. Madam Pei, seeing her pale face and red, swollen eyes, was startled and quickly went to greet her, asking, "What happened? Did you suffer any injustice at the Li family's?"
Upon seeing her mother, Pei's forced composure crumbled instantly, tears streaming down her face as she buried her face in her mother's arms, sobbing uncontrollably. She spoke incoherently, recounting how Li Yi had grandly taken a concubine, how he favored Yu Xuanji, how he neglected his wife, how he allowed that lowly maid to live alone in a separate courtyard, and how he used the pretext of "appreciating poetry and painting" to linger at Qiwu Pavilion every night… she cried out, recounting every single incident.
She became more and more agitated as she spoke, her voice shrill: "Mother! Has he ever taken me seriously? That Yu woman is nothing but a lowly woman from a brothel, and now she's riding roughshod over me! The entire Li family only cares about her, and I, the legal wife, am just a decoration!"
Madam Pei's face turned ashen upon hearing this, both shocked and furious. She patted her daughter's back to comfort her while shouting, "Outrageous! How dare Li Yi humiliate my Pei family's daughter like this!" She immediately ordered someone to go to the front courtyard to fetch Master Pei back.
When Lord Pei returned home from court, his face darkened completely after listening to Madam Pei's sobbing account.
Throughout his life, he was a man of noble character, valuing family tradition and etiquette above all else. He initially married his niece to Li Yi because he valued Li Yi's talent as a top scholar and the prestigious Li family of Longxi, hoping that Li Yi and the Pei family would support each other and share a bright future. Little did he expect Li Yi to be so ungrateful, favoring his concubine over his wife to this extent!
"Enough!" Pei Gong slammed his hand on the table, making the teacups rattle. Pei Shi's crying stopped abruptly, and she looked timidly at her uncle.
Lord Pei took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and said to Madam Pei, "Go back to your room and rest. I have my own plan for this matter." He then said to Madam Pei, "Keep an eye on her. Don't let her cry herself sick, and don't let her lose her composure in front of outsiders."
That afternoon, Pei Gong wrote a letter and sent it immediately to Li's residence with his trusted family members, stating that he "invited Hanlin Li to come to the residence for a chat." His tone was calm, but it conveyed an undeniable authority.
When Li Yi received the invitation, he was playing chess with Xuanji at Qiwu Pavilion. He unfolded the letter, frowned slightly, and guessed seven or eight parts of the story. He put down the chess piece and said gently to Xuanji, "Lord Pei has invited me, so I must go there. You rest for now, I will come later."
Xuanji looked up at him, her gaze clear and bright, as if she already knew everything. She simply nodded and said, "My lord, you may go."
Li Yi changed into his official robes and traveled by carriage to the Pei residence. His expression remained calm throughout the journey, but his mind raced, calculating his next move. Pei Gong's actions were within his expectations. However, a subtle yet sharp sense of humiliation gnawed at him like a thorn in his back. He, Li Yi, the newly appointed top scholar, a protégé of the Emperor, was now being summoned and reprimanded like a child who had erred, all because of a matter concerning a young lady. Today, he truly tasted the bitterness of power for the first time. But he needed to protect Xuanji without completely severing ties with the Pei family; he had to carefully weigh the pros and cons.
Inside the Pei residence's study, the sandalwood incense still burned, but the atmosphere was entirely different from usual. Master Pei sat upright in the main seat, his expression somber, and went straight to the point:
"Nephew, I've summoned you here today to ask you only one question." Pei Gong's gaze was piercing as he looked directly at Li Yi. "When you took that woman from the Yu family as a concubine, I didn't object. I only instructed you to prioritize harmony within the household and that the woman you chose must be a law-abiding person. But now, why are rumors spreading throughout the mansion, saying that you've spoiled your concubine too much, neglecting your wife, causing unrest in the household, and even... damaging the reputation of my Pei family?"
Li Yi had already prepared his words. He bowed respectfully, his attitude respectful but not flustered: "Lord Pei, you are wise. How could I forget your teachings? Madam Yu is of a simple and unassuming nature. She usually stays in her separate courtyard to study and practice calligraphy. She would never dare to overstep her bounds, much less be disrespectful to you. I often advise her to be mindful of her duties and live a peaceful life."
He paused, looked up at Pei Gong, and his tone became sincere, even with a hint of helplessness: "As for the claim of 'neglect,' it is truly a miscarriage of justice. As an official of the court, I am busy with official duties every day, and I often have to deal with documents and social obligations after returning home. Madam Yu is somewhat literate and sometimes helps me organize documents. If this has displeased Madam, it is my fault for not thinking things through."
He downplayed everything, attributing it to "busy official duties" and "organizing documents," thus denying the substance of "favoring the concubine over the wife."
What kind of person was Pei Gong? How could he not hear the attempt to distance himself and backtrack in his words? He snorted coldly: "Nephew, you've certainly managed to deny it all! Let me ask you, how does the ceremony of taking a concubine exceed the prescribed rules? And what is the explanation for 'Qiwu Pavilion'? Why are all the provisions comparable to those for the principal wife? Are these also Pei's 'exaggerations'?"
Li Yi was startled, realizing that the evidence was difficult to deny completely. He immediately changed his strategy, feigning retreat and showing shame: "Master Pei is right. This matter... was indeed my fault. At the time, I only felt that Yu's background was humble... I was afraid that she would feel inferior, so I wanted to treat her well to put her mind at ease. Now that I think about it, it was indeed too much and caused a misunderstanding. After I go back, I will definitely restrain my spending and be careful with my actions."
Lord Pei stared at him, his gaze deepening, his fingertips slowly tapping the table: "These regulations on expenses can still be enforced. But there is one matter that concerns the very foundation, and I must make it clear to you today." His tone became more serious, "You have been married to the Pei family for two years, yet you still have no children. Now that you have taken a new concubine, you must have even more rules regarding offspring! The legitimate son born to my Pei family's daughter is the future heir of your Li family, and this cannot be compromised in the slightest! This is the fundamental principle and the foundation for maintaining the reputation of both families."
Li Yi's heart skipped a beat. He bowed deeply, his tone extremely solemn: "What Lord Pei said is a profound and clear instruction; I will remember it." A shadow crossed his eyes as he bowed. This was no instruction; it was clearly a warning.
Hearing his resolute answer, Lord Pei's expression softened slightly: "It's good that you understand the implications. Even if Pei has a thousand faults, she is still your wife, representing the honor of the Pei family. I hope you will act wisely and not ruin your future!"
Li Yi bowed in agreement, his back ramrod straight as he left the study, only his clenched fists betraying the turmoil within him. The unquestionable tone of Lord Pei, the deeply entrenched power of the Pei family, felt like invisible shackles, binding him and making it hard to breathe. He had thought that passing the imperial examination would open up a world of possibilities, but it turned out that in Chang'an, the title of top scholar was merely the first stepping stone into the arena of power, far from granting true freedom.
"Only by seizing greater power..."
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