Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 183 Where is the Pei Family a Thousand Years Ago?

It is usually rainy during the Qingming Festival, and today the sky has been overcast all day, but the rain has not fallen.

But at that moment, it suddenly started to drizzle, and then it grew heavier and heavier until it poured down.

The area in front of the Pei family ancestral hall was quiet; there wasn't even a person holding an umbrella.

The Pei family stared blankly at their third uncle's body on the ground. Even Pei Qingyan called him "Third Uncle," and most others would have to call him "Grandpa Third Uncle." He was a highly respected elder of the clan, which was why Pei Qingyan found it difficult to take any drastic action.

As a result, the so-called highly respected elder was infiltrated by an outsider and openly murdered in front of the ancestral hall.

Even Pei Qingyan's mind was buzzing at this moment, and he didn't know what to say for a while, so he quickly analyzed and deduced in his mind.

Through the misty rain, Pei Chuyun watched Lu Xingzhou and her brother confront each other, her eyes even more hazy than the rain, as if she were in a daze.

He was brought along to be the backbone of the team so that someone could offer advice if any problems arose. Pei Chuyun herself hadn't expected that Lu Xingzhou, someone who usually weighed the pros and cons so carefully, would take such the initiative. He was now even at risk of being directly taken down by Pei Qingyan, not to mention what would happen in the future.

Unless Pei Chuyun gains the ability to influence the Pei family's behavior in the future, but that's unlikely for at least the next ten years.

He was just standing up for her.

Lu Xingzhou calmly reached out and brushed aside Pei Yu's limp sword, speaking loudly amidst the silent sound of the downpour: "The hatred between parents and children is irreconcilable. Pei Xiang should be pleased that Chu Yun has such filial piety, which means that she can also protect you in this way."

Pei Qingyan's eyes flickered slightly as he slowly said, "Yun'er's matter is a family affair of our Pei family, so let's leave that aside for now. But on what grounds did Young Master Lu break into our Pei family ancestral hall and kill members of our Pei family?"

"To avenge my beloved's parents." Lu Xingzhou bowed deeply. "I am unworthy, but I wish to propose marriage to Miss Chuyun to Prime Minister Pei. This man's head is merely one part of the betrothal gifts."

Many members of the Pei family had their mouths half-open, unable to close them for a long time.

Awesome.

You broke into the Pei family and killed people, and then you turned your killing into a marriage proposal gift, didn't you?

Unfortunately, no one will accept it, and Pei Qingyan certainly won't either: "If Young Master Lu wants to propose marriage, then let's follow the proper etiquette and invite a matchmaker to our door openly and formally, and then we can discuss it further."

Lu Xingzhou smiled brightly: "Then thank you, Prime Minister Pei."

"Of course, I wouldn't agree even if they came."

"..."

Pei Qingyan said calmly, "Now we need to discuss your matter of disguising yourself and trespassing into the Pei family. Guards, seize this absurd scoundrel, give him one hundred strokes of the cane, and throw him out."

Anyone with discerning eyes could tell that Pei Qingyan meant she wouldn't pursue the matter further; she was merely saving face for the Pei family. With Lu Xingzhou's cultivation level, even if a servant were to beat him ten thousand times, it would be like a mere tickle, causing absolutely no harm.

Suddenly, Pei Chuyun jumped up as if waking from a dream, blocking Lu Xingzhou's way: "Don't hit him! What's wrong with him helping me get revenge? I'm the one who brought him in. Either kill me or let outsiders see how Prime Minister Pei protects his woman and child!"

Lu Xingzhou glanced at Pei Qingyan, then at Pei Yu beside him. The expressions on the father and son's faces were practically identical.

Lu Xingzhou tapped Pei Chuyun's shoulder from behind: "Um, don't rush..."

Like a cat about to explode, Pei Chuyun obediently stepped aside when touched so lightly.

Pei Qingyan: "..."

Lu Xingzhou coughed lightly: "I, Lu, have been unruly, trespassing into the Pei residence and disturbing the ancestral hall. I am willing to accept Prime Minister Pei's punishment without any resistance. However, I hope that for the sake of the Dan Academy, you will spare me some face. Firstly, let Brother Pei do it himself, and secondly, let the punishment be carried out in a quiet, secluded room..."

Pei Qingyan thought to himself that this guy was really sensible, and said calmly, "Alright. Yu'er, take him to a quiet room, and you will carry out the punishment yourself. If you skip a stroke, you will be held responsible."

Pei Yu sighed helplessly, "Brother Lu, please."

Pei Chuyun took small, quick steps to follow, but Pei Qingyan grabbed her and then swept his cold gaze across the room: "Third Uncle died suddenly from a terrible illness. Remember that. If anyone leaks even half a word about what happened today, they will know the extent of my power!"

The onlookers knew the seriousness of the matter; if handled poorly, it could cause a huge uproar in the Pei family. They dared not speak carelessly and bowed to acknowledge the order: "Yes, we know."

Pei Chuyun sighed. Actually, if you really wanted to do it, it would be that simple.

Pei Qingyan was somewhat hesitant to look at her daughter and whispered, "You just obediently follow along to the ancestral worship. As for Lu Xingzhou... Yu'er knows what to do."

Pei Chuyun knew this by now, of course. Not only would Lu Xingzhou and Pei Yu not be beaten if they entered the meditation room, they might even get some meat.

In the quiet room, Pei Yu helplessly poured wine for Lu Xingzhou: "Brother Lu, you were too impulsive today. In fact, even if you didn't make a move, with Chu Yun's abilities, assassinating him on the way in a few days would be a piece of cake. Why did you have to make such a big fuss today?"

Lu Xingzhou said, "I endured ten years of revenge against the Huo family. I know very well what it feels like to have your enemy right in front of you but have to hold back... If I had the ability to take revenge, I wouldn't want to endure it for even a moment, let alone be stopped by my own father. Can Brother Pei understand Chu Yun's emotions at that moment?"

Pei Yu remained silent. "Besides, at that moment, who could be sure that your third uncle wouldn't be sent back to Hedong under Prime Minister Pei's tight surveillance, never to return?" Lu Xingzhou sighed, "Brother Pei, when it comes to weighing the pros and cons, I'm not necessarily less capable than you. But when will you ever consider the feelings of your own daughter and sister?"

Pei Yu remained silent for a long while before finally raising his glass in a toast: "Although she is not my mother... I can still imagine this feeling. On behalf of my sister, I thank Brother Lu."

After they finished drinking, Pei Yu continued, "Now that I've thought about it, Brother Lu's subsequent words were quite appropriate. Saying he's cutting himself off from the Pei family is indeed a bit arbitrary, and my father might even admire it. But if I may be frank, at least in the short term, my father will definitely have to distance himself from you even more. Otherwise, in the eyes of the clansmen who know about this today, it would be tantamount to tacitly approving an affair and protecting an adulterer, which is really too ugly. Killing Third Uncle might still be considered reasonable in everyone's mind, but this is really not reasonable at all."

"So why can't we just talk about it openly, about a secret affair and adultery?"

"Brother Lu, do you really not know?"

"what?"

"Although we don't talk about Princess Chaohuang's matter, it doesn't mean we don't have our suspicions. Since you have Princess Chaohuang, what do you mean by proposing to Chuyun?" Pei Yu said, "We even wondered if you were pursuing Chuyun on the surface just to put on a show for His Majesty, to make him think that you and Princess Chaohuang have no affair. I'm sorry, but the reputation of our Pei family's daughters is not something Brother Lu can use to scheme against us."

Lu Xingzhou pondered for a moment, then shook his head and chuckled, "When I told Chu Yun we were going to publicly pursue her, I really didn't think of this aspect. At the time, we were just thinking that she would have a lot of unwanted suitors, and I would act as her protector and fend them off. Now that you've mentioned it, I realize that it does have this effect... Hmm... In that case, I'd like to ask Brother Pei, if it weren't for Princess Chaohuang's matter, would the Pei family have been willing to discuss marriage with me?"

Pei Yu shook his head: "It's difficult. Our aristocratic families value lineage too much... Even if Brother Lu is from the Huo family, the Pei family wouldn't look down on him, let alone the fact that Brother Lu doesn't even acknowledge the Huo family. He's essentially an orphan with no background. Father would find it hard to consider a marriage alliance with someone of such a background. The reason he's letting Chu Yun and you get along now is because Brother Lu himself is truly outstanding... But if we were to actually discuss marriage, there would be some problems."

"So why try to shift the blame onto my relationship with Princess Chaohuang?" Lu Xingzhou chuckled. "If you're unwilling, you're unwilling."

Pei Yu paused for a moment, then chuckled, "That's true."

“I understand the Pei family’s thinking, so when I told Chu Yun I was going to pursue her, we both knew it was a joke and a shield; we never really meant it.” Lu Xingzhou paused here, “But Brother Pei…”

"how?"

"A family's standing is something one creates oneself. Where was the Pei family a thousand years ago?" Lu Xingzhou said calmly. "I, Lu Xingzhou, will one day rise to the highest rank and sit on equal footing with your father. I hope that before that day comes, the Pei family will not marry off their daughters indiscriminately, otherwise it will not look good for everyone."

Pei Yu's expression changed slightly.

This statement doesn't just refer to Lu Xingzhou's personal strength, but also to other things... For example, if he and Princess Chaohuang are not in that kind of relationship, but merely his right-hand man, then if Princess Chaohuang were to ascend to that position one day, wouldn't Lu Xingzhou be just like Prime Minister Pei today?

As Pei Yu was pondering these thoughts, Lu Xingzhou stood up and smiled, saying, "Thank you for your leniency with the hundred strokes of the cane, Brother Pei. I won't delay your ancestral worship any longer. I'll take my leave now."

The Pei family spent the entire morning preparing for their ancestral worship ceremony.

In the afternoon, Pei Chuyun stood by the window of her attic, quietly watching the rain pattering outside. Her beautiful eyes were somewhat melancholy, and her mind seemed to have wandered off somewhere.

She had been itching to go out and find Lu Xingzhou, but there was someone else she needed to wait for.

She knew her master would come.

Sure enough, not long after, I heard my master's voice in my ear: "What did you see today? Pei Qingyan is heartless and ungrateful. He only cares about his family. He feels guilty and tries to make amends for you, but he will never be the kind of father you want."

Pei Chuyun did not answer.

The master's words continued: "Pei Jingshan is merely a fourth-rank official. Among those who killed your mother, he was just a lackey. There are still high-ranking and powerful figures in the clan involved. Do you think Pei Qingyan would turn against them for the sake of you and your mother?"

Pei Chuyun finally said, "He won't."

"If you want revenge, you can't rely on him, and you should even consider him a threat. The only thing you can truly rely on is your sect, because your sect also wants to avenge the former saintess."

Pei Chuyun was silent for a moment, then said, "I know."

The master's voice was very satisfied: "I will find another opportunity to convey to you what to do next."

"Yes."

"As for Lu Xingzhou... he seems to be completely captivated by you. You can step up your efforts to achieve true control. This man has great potential and is worth considering."

Pei Chuyun responded calmly, "Okay."

The voice had disappeared at some point, indicating that it was quite wary of Pei Qingyan's presence and dared not linger.

Pei Chuyun, who had always been like a wooden doll, only saying "yes" and "okay," finally managed a slight smile.

What I can hope for is not just my master's school.

You want me to control him, right? Okay.

(End of this chapter)