Chapter 490 Refusal to Return to the Pei Family
Luo Chengzhi's carriage circled around the city again and again.
Finally, they headed towards the outskirts of the city.
Madam Lu asked anxiously, "Jin Nian, Cheng Zhi lives in such a remote place. How much suffering must he have endured all these years?"
Pei Jinnian patted Madam Lu's hand, "Grandmother, Chengzhi will no longer suffer."
Pei Qing put his arm around Madam Lu's shoulder, offering her some support.
The carriage traveled a long way before finally stopping in an open space.
The Pei family's carriage also quickly stopped.
Guan Yan spoke from outside the carriage: "Master, Madam, the owner of the carriage is coming this way."
Luo Chengzhi walked up to the carriage. "Why are you following me?"
Pei Jinnian lifted the carriage curtain and stepped out.
Luo Chengzhi's expression was indifferent. "Lord Pei?"
Pei Jinnian smiled slightly when he saw Luo Chengzhi's expression. "You already found us, and you were deliberately leading us in circles. But next time, don't go alone in this kind of situation."
If he were following a criminal, it would be dangerous for him to go there rashly.
Luo Chengzhi looked up at Pei Jinnian and said, "This humble subject truly had no idea that the capital prefecture was so idle these days."
The dignified Prefect of Kyoto was actually following a student.
Pei Jinnian wasn't angry. "Although this isn't the place to talk, I want you to meet two people."
Upon hearing Pei Jinnian's words, Luo Chengzhi immediately raised his hand, "No need."
Madam Lu and Grand Tutor Pei paused for a moment in the carriage, then sat back down.
Luo Chengzhi's voice came from outside the carriage.
“I know who the people in the car are. Since Lord Pei has come to find me, he must already know about my background, but I do not intend to return to the Pei family.”
Pei Jinnian asked anxiously, "Why? Now that you are about to take the imperial examination, you will definitely enter the imperial court in the future. Once you return to the Pei family, the entire family will pave the way for you, and you will surely have a bright future."
Luo Chengzhi remained unmoved. "I, Luo Chengzhi, have studied diligently for ten years, and I aspire to serve in the imperial court. I will rely on my talent to enter the court."
Pei Jinnian was speechless as he looked at Luo Chengzhi's upright demeanor.
"You are still inexperienced and do not understand how deep the waters are in the imperial court. Without the support of your family, it will be difficult for you to rise in the court."
He never imagined that one day such words would come out of his mouth.
Luo Chengzhi's eyes showed no emotion; his gaze was clear and pure.
"Lord Pei, I only have one question for you: can the Pei family accept a daughter-in-law who runs a brothel?"
Pei Jinnian was taken aback upon hearing this; he had met Luo Xiangfu before.
At Tianxianglou.
He never imagined that the person was the one his uncle deeply loved.
The Pei family, with its century-old reputation, would never allow such a woman to enter their home.
Luo Chengzhi's face showed an expression of "I knew it."
He spoke calmly, without any anger:
"Luo Xiangfu of Tianxiang Tower is my mother. The Pei family probably won't allow my mother to enter the Pei family."
I guess if I go back to the Pei family, you'll make me sever ties with my mother, or give her a sum of money so she can leave the capital.
Because a member of the Pei family cannot have a mother who is considered a stain on their reputation.
Pei Jinnian was taken aback; this was indeed the best solution.
"Chengzhi, don't worry, the Pei family will not mistreat your mother."
Luo Chengzhi smiled and shook his head gently. "Lord Pei, I think you've misunderstood. As you can see, I was able to study at the Imperial Academy under the tutelage of Daoist Changfeng. Not all the students in this year's class know me, but they've all heard of my name. The brocade I wear is the most fashionable material in the capital, and even the writing implements I use are the finest in the capital. My mother raised me very well. Even though I haven't returned to the Pei family, Lord Pei, do you understand what I mean?"
Pei Jinnian was at a loss for words.
Luo Chengzhi picked up a thick tree branch from the side. "Without my mother, I wouldn't be where I am today. So I won't let anyone take me away from my mother, nor will I let anyone bully her."
He suddenly struck, breaking the wood with his bare hands.
He spoke amidst Pei Jinnian's stunned gaze.
“Lord Pei, I am not a naive child. I hope that the Pei family will not appear in front of my mother.”
Luo Chengzhi did this for two reasons: first, to inform Grand Tutor Pei and Madam Lu in the carriage; and second, to respond to Pei Jinnian's advice. He dared to come to the Pei residence's carriage alone not out of carelessness, but because he had sufficient ability to protect himself.
Before Pei Jinnian could say anything, he heard Pei Qing's voice coming from the car.
"Jin Nian, let's go back to the manor."
Pei Jinnian called out anxiously, "Grandfather!"
The people on the bus fell silent.
Pei Jinnian turned to look at Luo Chengzhi, "If anything happens, remember to come to the Pei residence to find me."
The carriage from the Pei residence departed.
Luo Chengzhi returned to the carriage, and Achun and Ahe asked, "Who are those people in the back?"
Luo Chengzhi began by saying, "Several elders."
Ah Chun and Ah He patted their chests, "Luckily, we didn't take direct action."
Luo Chengzhi looked at the two of them and asked, "Is Third Brother coming back soon?"
Ah Chun and Ah He immediately smiled and said, "We've won the battle, the boss will definitely be back soon."
Ah Chun smiled and said to Ah He, "The boss said he'll buy us pretty hairpins when he gets back."
Ahe touched his now long hair, "Then I'll pick the prettiest one."
Upon hearing this, Luo Chengzhi said, "If Ah Chun and Ah He want hairpins, I can give them to you as New Year's gifts."
Ah Chun and Ah He shook their heads, "No need, the boss will buy it for us."
Luo Chengzhi smiled, no longer as distant as when he saw Pei Jinnian, "Then I also want my third brother to buy me a gift."
He then looked at the two of them and asked, "Have you prepared the required documents for the martial arts examination?"
Ah Chun said, "Steward Li has prepared everything for us, so there's no need to worry."
Inside the Prince of Zhenbei's mansion, Li Jin hummed a little tune with a beaming smile.
"Keep the Prince and Princess's courtyard spotless, inside and out. If I see even a speck of dust, watch out for your monthly allowance."
"Yes, Steward Li."
Li Jin entered Qin Jinzhi's courtyard and said to the maids, "A few days ago, the Prince's Mansion obtained some top-quality fabric. I had someone make a new brocade quilt for the princess, which will be delivered to the manor tomorrow so she can change into it."
"Yes, Steward Li."
Li Jin himself went to the martial arts training ground where Qin Shi'an often practiced martial arts.
He hummed a little tune happily as he polished Qin Shi'an's frequently used weapon.
The servant whispered, "Manager Li wipes this gun barrel three times a day; it's so shiny that even a fly would slip on it."
At this moment, a servant from the front hall came over and said, "Steward Li, someone requests an audience."
Li Jin turned around and said, "They're here."
He did not leave immediately, but wiped the spear before going to the front hall.
Upon arriving at the front hall, Li Jin saw Fang Xiuran, looking travel-worn, gulping down tea.
Li Jin stepped forward and said, "Mr. Fang, why are you in such a disheveled state?"
Fang Xiuran put down his teacup. "Steward Li, please arrange for me to enter the palace to meet the Emperor."
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