Min Yueqing sat on the tatami mat, looking at Xiao Wei lazily resting his big head on her lap, and a brilliant idea came to her involuntarily.
The following morning, the family of three had breakfast with Mr. and Mrs. Min, chatted leisurely for a while, and then slowly boarded the carriage and headed towards the Marquis of Cheng'an's residence.
Although reluctant, Min's mother breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't want her daughter to fall out with her husband's family, because that would likely make her daughter's life difficult.
Mr. Min was quite optimistic and comforted Mrs. Min, saying, "Don't worry, Pei Han is a smart man and he truly loves Qing'er. Look at how well Qing'er is doing in the environment of the Southwest, what do we have to worry about?"
Mother Min was well aware of this principle, but as a mother, she always had endless worries, and she couldn't control herself.
It seems that only the servants of the Cheng'an Marquis's mansion were happy to see Pei Han return. This was not only because they firmly regarded Pei Han as the future Marquis of Cheng'an, but also because of Pei Han's current official position.
The news that Pei Han had been promoted beyond his rank and become the youngest fourth-rank official in the court spread, and all the servants in the Marquis's mansion were in an uproar. They walked out with their heads held higher than ever before, as if afraid that others would not know that they were from the Marquis of Cheng'an's mansion.
The furniture in Hejing Courtyard was mostly moved out two years ago, so it looks much emptier now.
Fortunately, Pei Han had come over yesterday to give instructions, and the servants were very perceptive, knowing that they needed to curry favor with him as soon as possible, and they did their best to serve him. The steward also opened the manor's storeroom and had a lot of useful furniture and decorations brought over.
Min Yueqing didn't have high expectations. After all, they would only stay here for two days and wouldn't come back until they left the capital. So it wouldn't matter if things were simple.
After getting off the carriage, Min Yueqing said to Pei Han, "Shall we go to the main courtyard? It's rare for us to come back, how could we not go and see Madam?"
Seeing Min Yueqing's impatient manner, Pei Han was immediately puzzled.
Why is the lady so eager to visit Lady Liu?
Shouldn't she despise Liu and avoid her at all costs?
Pei Ji was not at all surprised by Min Yueqing's suggestion. In his memory, since Min Yueqing recovered from her illness, she could enter and leave the main courtyard whenever she wanted.
Regardless of his doubts, Pei Han agreed, "Since Madam wishes to go, then let's go and see."
Min Yueqing first dismissed the servants beside her, then called out, "Xiao Wei."
Xiao Wei had been standing in front of the carriage door waiting for Min Yueqing to summon him, and as soon as he heard her voice, he immediately jumped down.
Upon seeing this, Pei Han instantly guessed Min Yueqing's intention, and a smile involuntarily appeared in his eyes.
The three men and the tiger strolled leisurely toward the main courtyard. The servants they encountered along the way, upon seeing the fierce and imposing Xiao Wei, were so frightened that they stammered their greetings, each one bowing their heads and shrinking into a ball.
When Amei and Azhu saw the embarrassing situation of these people, they felt very relieved.
In Amei and Azhu's eyes, these people were adept at flattering the powerful and belittling the weak, kicking someone when they were down, and their hearts were all wicked. During the time when their young mistress was in a daze, these people had made things difficult for them both openly and secretly, and their words were always sarcastic and insinuating.
When they arrived at the main gate, the two guards were the same two people they knew.
The moment they saw Min Yueqing, they felt a chill run down their spines reflexively. One of the maids even felt a throbbing pain in her arm after just one glance from Min Yueqing.
Upon seeing Xiao Wei beside Min Yueqing, the two of them fell silent, letting them in without uttering a sound.
They couldn't even handle Min Yueqing when she was unarmed, let alone the ferocious tiger she brought with her today!
The family of three arrived at the main house without any hindrance. When Liu's head maid, Xi'er, saw them, she tremblingly greeted them and went inside to announce their arrival.
Although Xi'er was trembling with fear at the sudden appearance of the tiger, she remained relatively clear-headed.
Xi'er had personally witnessed how even when Liu was healthy, she couldn't control Min Yueqing and was constantly bullied by her; let alone Liu's current state. Min Yueqing was clearly the future mistress of the Earl's mansion, and Xi'er had no intention of offending her.
The people Xi'er wanted to report to were not the mentally challenged Liu Shi, but Pei Yun, who was always by Liu Shi's side, and Pei Qian, who occasionally stayed here.
When Pei Yun heard that Min Yueqing had arrived, she knew that she had no choice but to see her this time, whether she wanted to or not.
They could use the excuse that Liu was ill and shouldn't see anyone to avoid Pei Han, since Pei Han was a man and it was understandable that Liu, as his stepmother, would be more cautious.
But this approach didn't work on Min Yueqing. As a daughter-in-law, Min Yueqing was entitled to visit her sick mother-in-law, even if she was only a stepmother-in-law.
Besides, Pei Yun had witnessed Min Yueqing's arrogant attitude before. Even if Pei Yun forbade her to enter, she could still barge in on her own.
In fact, Pei Yun was quite surprised by Min Yueqing's decision to have Xi'er announce her arrival today. Judging from Min Yueqing's behavior before going to the southwest, it would have been more in line with her personality to simply barge in.
Regardless of her inner turmoil, Pei Yun wisely instructed Xi'er to invite the person in.
The trip went so smoothly that even Pei Han was a little surprised; it wasn't like this when he arrived yesterday.
Of course, what truly surprised Pei Han was yet to come.
As soon as the family of three entered the main room, Pei Yun and Pei Qian stood up and greeted them, "Big brother, big sister-in-law."
Despite Pei Yun's usual disdain for Min Yueqing and her eagerness to personally sabotage her, she has always held Pei Han in high esteem since childhood.
This stepbrother was exceptionally outstanding, with extraordinary good looks, which made the siblings both envious and jealous. On one hand, they wanted him to disappear, and on the other hand, they resented him for not being their biological older brother.
"Ah...ah!"
Before Pei Yun could finish her internal monologue, a sharp scream beside her brought her back to her senses.
Pei Yun looked at Pei Qian, who was becoming increasingly outrageous, with displeasure and scolded, "Why are you shouting for no reason?"
Pei Qian, his legs trembling, hid behind Pei Yun, stammering, "Look...there...look...a tiger!"
Pei Yun followed Pei Qian's gaze inexplicably, and upon seeing it, she was instantly terrified and broke out in a cold sweat.
Before them stood a massive tiger, its face fierce and menacing. It stared at them with a dangerous look, then bared its sharp teeth and let out a terrifying roar.
Upon hearing the tiger's roar, Pei Yun and Pei Qian's legs went weak and they both knelt down, huddled together, trembling like leaves.
Min Yueqing watched the scene before her with great interest; this was naturally the flash of inspiration she had last night.
She had only intended to scare Pei Yun and Liu Shi, but Pei Qian happened to be there. But it didn't matter; she could just consider it a chance to embolden this pampered young master.
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