Chapter 181: Chapter 181: Oblivious
"Late at night, Prince Xiao finds time to visit my territory?" Pei Ji’an spoke with a half-smile.
"You didn’t give my belongings to her," Xiao Shiqing uttered just this one sentence.
Pei Ji’an raised his eyebrows, showing not a trace of guilt, "Oh, you think I’m obliged to deliver them for you?"
Xiao Shiqing remained silent.
The two faced off, neither losing in height nor in aura.
Finally, Xiao Shiqing spoke first, "Pei Ji’an, she is the fiancée I’ve been searching for. Though she served as a maid in your mansion, she has now regained her freedom. The matters between our two families should not involve her. I see you as a person of honor, why stoop to implicating an innocent, such a vile act?"
Pei Ji’an chuckled, "Prince Xiao, you are mistaken. It is you who involves the innocent, not I. If I recall correctly, she just severed ties with you yesterday, yet today you’ve come seeking her. What exactly do you intend?"
Xiao Shiqing gripped the sword tightly, "This is a matter between her and me, an outsider like you has no concern."
"Relevant or not, it’s not up to you, Prince Xiao. One should have self-awareness; it’s unwise to be self-indulgent."
After speaking, both sides fell into silence again.
Indeed, both men are highly proficient on the battlefield and in the court, who could persuade the other?
Xiao Shiqing’s eyes deepened, then he turned and left.
Pei Ji’an watched his receding figure, sneered coldly, and also turned to leave.
...
Yao Xing fainted for an entire night, and upon waking the next day, news of her father’s impending execution spread like wildfire.
The matter wasn’t supposed to escalate so quickly, but the news was being suppressed, initially for the sake of Heir Pei. After all, Yao Xing is the Third Young Madam of the Pei Family, and such courtesy must be extended.
However, Heir Pei insisted on proceeding according to standard procedure, so there’s no need to deliberately hide it or wait for rescue. The news was directly announced, leaving no room for maneuver.
Yao Xing woke early to such news, nearly fainting again, but she knew now was not the time to lose consciousness. If she didn’t act quickly, her father would truly be doomed.
The eldest daughter of the Yao Family first entered the palace, seeking help from her sister who serves as a concubine there, but the concubine’s rank is insufficient, and family members aren’t easy to meet.
Seeking assistance from the concubine proved futile, and Yao Xing knew only the Pei Family could assist the Yao Family. Regardless of Pei Lian’s disregard for her, the family affairs couldn’t be ignored.
Yao Xing concocted a good plan, having Pei Lian petition Heir Pei, then asking her mother-in-law to appeal to Mrs. Pei. With them stepping forward, how could Mrs. Pei or Heir Pei refuse?
When trouble befalls the Yao Family, the only ones more distraught than Yao Xing are the Third Madam. She had handpicked her daughter-in-law, believing she had climbed the ranks by marrying into the Yao Family. Once that concubine in the palace gained influence, the third branch would rise alongside them.
Yet the ship didn’t rise; it was instead thrown with stones, nearly drowning.
The Third Madam may hate the Yao Family’s ineptitude, and while she’s angry with Yao Xing’s usual arrogance, the two families are bonded by marriage; there’s no sense in truly ignoring it.
The saying goes that when one prospers, all prosper; when one suffers, all suffer. The Yao Family must be saved!
Otherwise, if the Yao Family falls, wouldn’t the third branch fall with it?
She took Yao Xing to plead with Mrs. Pei, both mother-in-law and daughter-in-law crying pitifully before her.
"After all, she is a granddaughter-in-law of the Pei Family, Mrs. Pei should help this once. Otherwise, what would outsiders think of our Pei Family?"
Yao Xing also cried, "The granddaughter-in-law acted rashly and ignorantly in the past, offending many. From now on, I will strive to be a better person, no longer bringing trouble to Mrs. Pei."
Annoyed by their tears, Mrs. Pei said, "The outcome will be judged by the Ministry of Justice, not decided by our Pei Family. You should return; I cannot handle this matter."
Even if it could be managed, it wouldn’t be; besides, this case has become so high-profile. If the Pei Family intervenes now, wouldn’t it suggest to others that the Pei Family can do whatever it wants? What emperor would tolerate such ministers?
Pulling the Pei Family into the turmoil for the sake of the Yao Family, Mrs. Pei is not as foolish as the Third Madam.
For her own reputation and interests, she truly disregarded everything else.
Upon hearing Mrs. Pei’s words, Yao Xing’s face turned pale; if Mrs. Pei doesn’t intervene, how could Heir Pei? If Heir Pei doesn’t care, what will happen to the Yao Family?
Without hesitation, Yao Xing knelt before Mrs. Pei, crying, "Mrs. Pei may punish or scold as she sees fit, but please don’t ignore the Yao Family’s plight. The Pei Family has extensive connections; by utilizing them, they can surely rescue the Yao Family from dire straits. I beg Mrs. Pei for mercy, otherwise, if the Yao Family falls, how could I continue living?"
On the other side, although Pei Lian doesn’t like Yao Xing, he also dislikes his wife’s family facing disaster. Isn’t it bringing trouble upon him?
So after much struggle, he found his second brother.
Pei Ji’an wasn’t surprised that Pei Lian came over, but he too had his reasoning, "A nation has its laws, and a family has its rules. It’s not that Second Brother doesn’t want to help, but he can’t. This time, the emperor’s wrath is thunderous; if the Pei Family intervenes recklessly, it would also have to pay the price."
Pei Lian wanted to say more, but Pei Ji’an bluntly replied, "If you have the ability, go outside and find connections. See if anyone is willing to help you. No one is foolish enough to risk their own family for the Yao Family, what’s the justification?"
Pei Lian was left feeling ashamed.
Pei Ji’an had no more words to offer.
The third branch doesn’t appreciate this opportunity; it’s apparent they lack awareness, an entity that cannot be lifted.
Although Pei Lian doesn’t like Yao Xing, he never considered divorcing her, afraid of being criticized for abandoning her and tarnishing his reputation, affecting his future.
Yet, he doesn’t consider that even before the Yao Family collapsed, the couple’s relationship was poor; now that the Yao Family has fallen, the state of their relationship is uncertain, not to mention whether the Third Madam will be content?
When the time comes, it’s unpredictable how the third branch will unravel. In such a family atmosphere, Pei Lian’s prospects in next year’s imperial examinations are foreseen.
Had Yao Xing behaved better usually, the Pei Family would not refuse to intervene. Unfortunately, she squandered everyone’s goodwill, and one must ultimately face the consequences of their actions.
Yao Xing was spoiled from a young age, unaware of human affairs; Qu Fulan, being in business, understands all too well the importance of social graces.
The shop she sought turned out to be owned by a relative of the Wei Family for external lease, and she obtained it.
The rental price and such were at normal market rates, for as they say, even brothers must clearly settle accounts in business, to maintain long-lasting relationships.
After acquiring the shop, renovations began.
Meanwhile, the location for the coffee shop was also chosen, and renovations were underway.
Qu Fulan ran back and forth between both sites every day, overseeing the renovations and monitoring the progress.
She was noticed by Ji Nishang, who went out daily to check on her shop’s business. Seeing Qu Fulan begin renovations on a new shop and unsure of her intentions.
Ji Nishang had long witnessed Qu Fulan’s business acumen, though reluctant to admit, the latter’s skills were indeed superior.
This gave Ji Nishang a sense of crisis; despite her desire to develop her abilities to outperform the other, presently, she has few opportunities to suppress her rival.
The Pei and Xiao Families didn’t originally have dealings with each other; she couldn’t extend her reach into the Pei Family.
But if Qu Fulan returned to the Xiao Family? Aunt would certainly prevent her from being public.
Then, she could learn Qu Fulan’s business tactics.
Ji Nishang isn’t narrow-minded; since obstructing the encounter between her cousin and Qu Fulan doesn’t work, she opted for another approach.
If she can’t avoid it, she might as well keep her close where she can easily control.