Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 182 His Ayi
Following Pei Chuyun to the small square outside the Pei family ancestral hall, Pei Qingyan and others were already waiting there, while some elderly and middle-aged people in fine clothes looked at Pei Chuyun with shining eyes.

These were all members of the Pei clan of Hedong, including Pei Qingyan's cousins, uncles, and other relatives. Since they lived near the capital but far from their ancestral hall, they didn't return to Hedong. Instead, they went to the capital to worship their ancestors with Pei Qingyan.

Pei Chuyun had only recently returned to her ancestral home and this was the first time she had met these people.

The little enchantress, with an impeccable elegance and a radiant smile, bowed gracefully: "Greetings, uncles and elders."

In reality, he was keeping a close eye on everyone's expressions out of the corner of his eye.

Most of them didn't look too good either, with polite but distant smiles on their faces, and their eyes clearly showing scrutiny and disdain.

After all, Pei Qingyan had taken in an illegitimate child from outside and given him the treatment of a legitimate daughter, which was really against the rules of aristocratic families. As a result, the Pei family had been secretly ridiculed by many powerful clans, so it was normal for people to be unhappy, but it couldn't be considered malicious.

Given Pei Qingyan's power and status, she wouldn't express her displeasure, and she would give him the face he deserved: "This is Chu Yun. We've heard that she's talented and beautiful, and famous throughout the capital. Seeing her today, it's true."

Pei Chuyun gracefully returned the greeting: "Your Excellencies are too kind."

Her eyes were already locked on an old man with a white beard. This man didn't say a word of politeness, and his eyes didn't show the politeness and indifference of others, but rather a fleeting look of horror.

Pei Yu chuckled and said, "Don't underestimate Chu Yun just because she's been living away from home. Her manners, talent, and even her cultivation are a great source of pride for the Pei family in the capital. Your uncles probably don't know yet, but a few days ago, Chu Yun challenged and defeated the top rookie. Although our Pei family has produced quite a few top rookie winners, Chu Yun is only eighteen years old."

Pei Qingyan stroked his beard and smiled, clearly satisfied with his daughter.

After all, his daughter was impeccable in every way, except for always sneaking off to meet her lover in the middle of the night. This was the lingering poison of a woman's incestuous relationship, which was really difficult to control. Pei Qingyan couldn't very well act like a patriarch and punish her right after recognizing her, for fear of making his daughter feel a loss of belonging. So he could only turn a blind eye for the time being.

Pei Yu is still helping his sister keep it a secret, does he really think their father doesn't know? Their father knew long before Pei Yu. But his daughter also has the identity of a chameleon, how are you going to discipline her? If she's unhappy, she'll just go back to the clan, how are you going to manage her? Lock her up like a prisoner? Then what's the point of bringing her home? There's no affection, just creating an enemy.

Now we can only hope that after she gradually integrates into the family, she will become estranged from or even break with the Charming Maidens' Joyful Union Sect. After all, any normal person knows how to choose between the Pei family and the Charming Maidens' Joyful Union Sect.

Once she makes her choice and there's no turning back, then she can be disciplined. Anyway, right now she's just having a secret rendezvous with a lover, not provoking others everywhere. For someone from a family of prostitutes to maintain this level of purity is practically commendable... Old Pei said his emotions were temporarily stable.

Just as he was thinking this, he heard the white-bearded old man say, "Qingyan, it's almost time. It's time to enter the ancestral hall."

Pei Qingyan glanced at the sky and nodded, saying, "Good. Yun'er, stand behind your father."

The old man said, "Wait a minute. This is the position of the legitimate daughter. Historically, no concubine's daughters have ever accompanied the head of the family into the ancestral hall. It's already good enough that they can pay their respects outside."

The air suddenly fell silent, and Pei Qingyan's face darkened: "Third Uncle, His Majesty has granted Yun'er the privilege of entering the Imperial Academy. I don't believe Third Uncle doesn't know what this means."

There's almost no precedent for imperial favors being bestowed upon sons and daughters of concubines; those are the privileges of legitimate sons and daughters. So, when the emperor issued this favor, it meant that he recognized Pei Chuyun as the daughter of a second wife, that is, a legitimate daughter.

With this as a foundation, generally no one will take it seriously anymore. Even if someone does, it's someone whose interests have been harmed, like Pei Yu, who has the right to be dissatisfied. What does it have to do with others? Pei Yu himself likes this younger sister quite a bit, so why should others complain? Pei Qingyan never expected that someone would bring this up during the Qingming Festival ancestral worship.

The third uncle slowly said, "His Majesty's favor didn't explicitly state that it meant elevating her to the status of a legitimate daughter. If the head of the family insists on elevating her, isn't there a missing procedure?"

Pei Qingyan frowned, and Pei Yu's expression changed.

Of course, there's a missing procedure: the memorial tablet of Pei Chuyun's birth mother must be placed in the position of his legal wife, officially recognizing her as his second wife.

But doing this would really anger Pei Yu. Originally, Pei Chuyun wouldn't have forced this thing on herself. As long as Pei Yu's bottom line wasn't challenged, the siblings could get along well. But once it was challenged to this extent, Pei Yu would definitely explode.

Pei Qingyan would never risk alienating his only son just to elevate Pei Chuyun's status; that would be utterly insane.

Bringing this up in public is a classic case of looking for trouble. Pei Qingyan's expression finally darkened: "It's just a formality, do you really have to embarrass His Majesty?"

Uncle San said calmly, "The so-called formalities can be small or big. Our aristocratic families are different from those nouveau riche. Etiquette and regulations are the most important thing. If we shake the rules today, it will set an example for others in the future, and the family will be in chaos. His Majesty will not sigh for you and me. As the head of the family, Qingyan should be responsible for the family, not just for his own likes and dislikes. As elders, we have the responsibility to offer advice."

Pei Qingyan coldly said, "Since Third Uncle is so particular about rules and regulations, fine, Qingyan admires you. As an elder, Third Uncle should set an example first. Your son should resign from his position as Chief Secretary. He gave three thousand spirit stones to Prefect Zhang for a mere position, which undermines the rules. If this continues, the higher-ups will set an example for the lower-downs, and the Great Qian will surely be in chaos. Our friendly nations will not sigh for you and me."

Third Uncle: "..."

Pei Qingyan continued, "And that Tao thing that Third Uncle keeps outside... it's really against etiquette. Since Third Uncle values ​​manners and rules so much, it would be best to send her home in a sedan chair as soon as possible. If Third Aunt makes a fuss, I'll help her speak up. After all, we're a large family, and rules come first. Oh, by the way, about Xiao Zhong's place as a student in the Imperial Academy, I'll talk to Instructor Sun and make sure it's done according to the rules. My Third Uncle is an upright man and doesn't like these kinds of things that don't follow the rules..."

"Pfft..." Pei Yu burst out laughing; it was the first time he had ever seen his father do something like this.

Uncle San's face twisted in anger. He lowered his voice and gritted his teeth, saying, "Qingyan, you should know what Uncle San really means."

Pei Qingyan remained expressionless: "I don't know. I only know that the ancestral worship ceremony is approaching, and my third uncle has temporarily given me something to do."

Third Uncle said, "Did our ancestors know that you brought the vixen into their house and made a fool of yourself in front of their ancestral tablets?!"

The crowd was in an uproar.

Pei Qingyan's expression also changed. He really didn't expect this guy to expose this matter in public. Is this something that can be said in public?
Just as he was racking his brains for a solution, he heard Pei Chuyun say softly, "So you recognize me."

Uncle San gritted his teeth and said, "Of course I recognize her." "Why do you recognize her?" Pei Chuyun stepped forward, her voice chilling, "Is it because you killed a woman who looked the same?"

Pei Chuyun herself didn't have a strong sense of "avenging her mother," after all, she had never experienced a day of maternal love and didn't even know anyone. But if her mother had really been murdered, and the murderer was standing right in front of her, then anyone would be stirred up emotionally.

If it weren't for these people, I could have grown up under my mother's love, instead of being constantly exploited and having no one I could trust. I wouldn't have been trained in matters of love and sex from a young age, constantly thinking about what kind of man I would seduce and how to use my virginity.

Is that a normal life? Who gave it to us?!
Pei Chuyun stepped forward, her demonic energy surging: "I was initially skeptical of the whole story... but I didn't expect someone would step forward. Tell me, besides you, who else is it?"

"Speak!" Pei Chuyun suddenly accelerated, grabbing at her third uncle's throat with one claw.

Uncle San was shocked and retreated. He thought that Pei Chuyun's defeat of the top rookie was just a show put on by Pei Qingyan to promote his daughter. He didn't expect that she was really that strong!

He's so old and he still hasn't reached the third rank... The third rank is ultimately the highest level threshold in this world. Ninety-nine percent of people in the world are stuck here and can't make any progress. Under the same cultivation level, how can he, old and decrepit, compare to Pei Chuyun's speed?

"Snap!" Seeing that her third uncle couldn't avoid the claw, Pei Chuyun's attacking wrist was grabbed.

Pei Chuyun suddenly turned her head, only to find Pei Qingyan holding her hand with a complicated expression: "Leave this matter to your father."

Pei Chuyun lowered her eyes.

Pei Qingyan sealed his third uncle's speech acupoint with a finger and said calmly, "Pei Jingshan spread rumors, slandered the family members, undermined family unity, and damaged the family's reputation. According to the family rules, he is hereby stripped of all his positions within the family and is placed in confinement pending trial."

A group of servants rushed forward and took Uncle San away. Uncle San tried to speak, but his mute acupoints were sealed, and he couldn't utter a sound.

It seemed like a swift and decisive move, arresting the third uncle on charges of "spreading rumors and slandering his children," and warning everyone present "not to spread rumors"—a truly ruthless method.

Pei Chuyun lowered her eyes, still feeling disappointed.

Judging from this behavior, the father knew who the murderer was.

And even knowing who the murderer was, there was no retaliation... until someone else was about to cause trouble in public, the only recourse was "dismissal and confinement".

Pei Chuyun could understand that Pei Qingyan couldn't act recklessly in his position, and this handling of the situation was perfectly normal from his perspective. However, from the perspective of a father wanting to make amends for his child and a man who felt obligated to avenge his lover, it was still quite disappointing.

She finally spoke in a low voice: "You...know who it is, right?"

Pei Qingyan pursed his lips, and said in a low voice as if he had difficulty speaking, "Yun'er, things in this world are rarely as one wishes. As a father, I must not make any mistakes."

“Yes.” Pei Chuyun smiled somewhat sarcastically: “Family, reputation, status… are always more important than other things, I understand.”

Pei Qingyan was somewhat embarrassed and did not respond.

Pei Chuyun said in a low voice, "I know that Master's calculations are even more elaborate than yours. So wanting someone who can set aside all concerns and stand up for me even if it means suffering losses... is that just wishful thinking?"

Pei Qingyan sighed: "Why bother..."

Before he could even utter his words, a scream suddenly came from his third uncle.

Pei Qingyan suddenly turned his head and saw a servant escorting the body suddenly punch his third uncle in the dantian, directly destroying all his internal energy.

Before the guards escorting him could react, he suddenly reached out and flung his third uncle toward Pei Chuyun's position: "Revenge is only truly satisfying when done personally."

As if on cue, Pei Chuyun moved towards her uncle's side without even looking when he screamed. Just then, her uncle swung the weapon at her, and Pei Chuyun gracefully slapped it away with both hands.

With a loud crack, Uncle San's bones shattered, and he fell to the ground with a thud, dead on the spot.

Pei Yu swiftly moved towards the servant's location, pointing his sword horizontally: "Who are you?"

The servant removed his disguise, revealing Lu Xingzhou's handsome face: "Ayi's matter is my matter, Brother Pei, please forgive me."

Pei Yu's expression was complicated: "Brother Lu, you attacked and killed an elder of the Pei family in front of the Pei family ancestral hall. This is tantamount to cutting yourself off from the Pei family..."

He stopped abruptly halfway through his sentence.

My sister just said, "I want someone who will stand up for me even if it means I'm taken advantage of, regardless of any other concerns." Is this just a pipe dream?

Generally, yes.

People living in this society always have to consider too many things, and Pei Qingyan is no exception, nor is Pei Yu.

However, even if he cuts ties with the Pei family and it becomes difficult to cooperate with them again, or even if they become enemies, isn't there someone right in front of him who will stand up for his "Ayi"?

(End of this chapter)