Chapter 179: Chapter 179: Trouble at the Yao Family
Mrs. Pei finished speaking, and everyone burst into laughter, especially Fang Yuan, who clutched his belly, laughing so hard he couldn’t straighten up.
Cheng Ru, while laughing, couldn’t help but blush, surprised to see this mischievous side of him.
Liking someone is like this, being interested in everything about them, and savoring any story related to them.
Qu Fulan couldn’t help but laugh; her laughter had two reasons: one was that Mrs. Pei was amusing, the other was the contrast in Heir Pei’s personality.
Though his actions now are also reckless, one could imagine he wasn’t too obedient as a child but couldn’t have imagined he’d be such a Demon Lord of Mayhem.
Among everyone, only Prince An and a few others had indescribable expressions.
The partners mentioned by Mrs. Pei, weren’t they?
Originally, they wanted to dig some dirt on Pei Ji’an for future entertainment, but ended up shooting themselves in the foot.
Pei Ji’an wore a bitter expression, "Grandmother, how could you tear down your grandson’s platform in public?"
Cheng Ru looked on, forgetting to avert her gaze; Heir Pei was so handsome, any expression looked good on him.
Mrs. Pei chuckled, "If you don’t want me to talk about it, then quickly find yourself a granddaughter-in-law. Once you do, I won’t talk about it."
"If you keep tearing me down in public, all the potential granddaughters-in-law will run away."
"It’s not that exaggerated. Haven’t you improved now? Once improved, people will like you."
"Mrs. Pei, have some vegetables. This dish is delicious, have some more."
This topic shift didn’t fool Mrs. Pei, "The other day, I heard about a young lady, with good conduct and appearance. I’ll arrange a meeting for you. If you like her, we can settle the engagement. What do you think?"
The heir’s feelings upon hearing this are not yet mentioned, but Cheng Ru’s mood suddenly sank, gripping her chopsticks tightly, nervously watching Heir Pei, rendering the delicacies before her tasteless.
Evidently, she hadn’t done enough to make Mrs. Pei think in her direction, leading to them considering outsiders.
Yet, there are certain things where the lady’s side can’t be too obvious, lest she loses value.
Pei Ji’an first discreetly glanced at a certain direction before lazily speaking, "What’s the rush, Mrs. Pei? My career is unstable now, always busy and away from home. Let’s talk about it again in a few years when things have settled."
"A man should bring home a wife to warm the household as he competes outside," Mrs. Pei could really respond to anything.
Pei Ji’an raised an eyebrow, "Mrs. Pei, you know I have high standards. If I randomly marry someone who doesn’t suit me, what’s the point of bringing them home?"
Speaking of high standards, Mrs. Pei had no words, knowing any further discussion would lead to him bringing up a list of impossible conditions for most people.
Mrs. Pei worried that with her grandson being so picky, he might end up becoming a monk.
Wouldn’t the main branch then be without heirs?
Yet, despite her worries, this grandson was the most decisive, and if he chose not to marry, no one could do anything about it.
What a worry.
If delayed for a few more years, Mrs. Pei wouldn’t be surprised if her grandson brought home any woman just to make her happy, regardless of her background.
Finally, the topic of "forced marriage" came to a difficult close.
Everyone prepared to cheerfully talk about other things, but then a discordant voice emerged.
It was Yao Xing’s voice, "Second Uncle is a paragon amongst men, no need to rush his marriage. Anyway, the line of girls wanting to marry into Pei Mansion can stretch from the eastern gate to the southern gate, nothing to worry about. But Miss Qu, now that you’ve redeemed yourself, it’s about time to discuss marriage proposals. I happen to know..."
Pei Lian couldn’t hold back any longer, "No one will think you’re mute if you don’t speak!"
Whenever the mood was good, she always had to interject and make things awkward, making Pei Lian feel utterly embarrassed.
Yao Xing didn’t expect her husband to embarrass her in front of everyone, and immediately became enraged, "Did I say anything wrong? Is it wrong to express concern with good intentions?"
"Father Yao got entangled in an embezzlement case, and instead of being concerned, you have the heart to worry about others’ lifelong matters. Truly, Third Sister-in-law, you have quite the leisure spirit," Pei Ji’an said, cutting his pork chop slowly.
Yao Xing’s complexion changed immediately upon hearing this.
She knew well enough.
Precisely because she knew, she wanted to mend relations with the main and second branches, hoping they might help smooth things over.
She came today without an invitation, intending to seize the chance to repair some relationships, but whenever it came to matters involving Pei Lian, she couldn’t hold back.
She thought the Yao Family’s issue wasn’t that big yet, that many people were unaware, so she pretended nothing was wrong.
End result, Heir Pei mentioned it publicly, catching Yao Xing off guard, leaving her utterly embarrassed, yet she retorted stubbornly.
"Second, Second Uncle, what are you talking about? I’m too foolish to understand."
Pei Ji’an sneered, "Truly don’t understand? Then I don’t mind telling you, Yao Dezhong engaged in corruption, at a massive scale, already detained under strict watch, and by next month, if not sooner, will be executed as a public example. Do you understand me now?"
Yao Xing was so terrified she stood up with a start, and then everything went black as she fainted.
Then followed the chaos of carrying her out, and naturally Pei Lian couldn’t stay either.
Mrs. Pei was utterly shocked, "Is it true?"
Pei Ji’an smiled, "When have I ever lied in front of Mrs. Pei?"
"Is there any room to maneuver?" Mrs. Pei asked again.
Of course, there is, but he had known about this matter long ago and never leaked a word, meaning he had no intention of getting involved.
"There is, but this grandson won’t intervene," Pei Ji’an stated.
Mrs. Pei understood her grandson’s meaning; while they’re all family and relatives, not every issue is theirs to handle.
But it depends on the person and issue; in this case with the Yao Family, she wasn’t the one who chose this granddaughter-in-law, so it’s not her responsibility.
It’s not about being heartless; some people just can’t be helped, as helping once leads to helping twice.
This was a choice made by Third Madam herself; she has to handle it.
The Pei Mansion isn’t a refuge for others’ whims.
The banquet was ultimately ruined by Yao Xing, and after eating, everyone dispersed, while Pei Ji’an remained to play chess with Qu Fulan.
Though it was nominally to play chess, it was really just an excuse to discuss some matters.
Qu Fulan also had some words she wished to discuss with him, just that she hadn’t had the opportunity to see him.
But amidst the situation with the Yao Family, Qu Fulan wasn’t concerned about them, "With the Yao Family’s troubles, could it implicate the Pei Mansion?"
"Of course not," said Pei Ji’an.
As long as the third brother divorces Yao Xing, the Yao Family’s issues naturally won’t involve the Pei Family.
In truth, regarding the Yao Family matter, he was involved in the investigation, and if it were a family matter, he could discreetly cover up some things, but for the Yao Family, he had no intention of helping conceal anything.
However, since the third branch belongs to the Pei Family, he couldn’t not help at least once; this time was his way of giving them a chance, as long as they used this opportunity to divorce, all would be well.
Otherwise, the third branch would have to face all consequences alone.
Of course, these plans of Heir Pei were unknown to others, especially to those in the third branch.
So what steps they would take depended on their own wisdom.
Particularly Third Madam.
Would she wisely preserve herself, or foolishly try dragging the entire Pei Mansion down with her?