Spoiled and mad critic of powerful ministers

Shen Qiongju was taken aback, then gave a gentle smile: "Uncle has made excellent arrangements. If Zhiyan knew, he would be very grateful for your efforts."

"No need for gratitude."

Pei Zhihui walked up to her, and the two were very close.

He still carried a chilling aura, forcing Shen Qiongju to instinctively want to back away, but his gaze held her firmly in place.

"As long as my sister-in-law doesn't think I'm heartless and makes him kneel in the ancestral hall, that's fine." He lowered his voice and said in a volume that only the two of them could hear.

Shen Qiongju raised an eyebrow slightly.

How could this person hold a grudge over such a small thing?

"I'm going to check on Zhiyan." Shen Qiongju made an excuse and left the room.

Pei Zhihui watched her slightly flustered back, the coldness in his eyes gradually dissipating, replaced by an almost tangible gaze.

Of course, he had to make arrangements for Pei Zhiyan.

Only when the Pei family has a new pillar of support can he free up his hands to collect the debts owed to the Pei family, one by one.

.

There was no underfloor heating in the ancestral hall, and a cold wind was blowing.

Pei Zhiyan knelt on the prayer mat, his knees were numb, and his stomach was growling with hunger.

But he gritted his teeth and remained silent.

"Squeak—"

The door was pushed open, and a beam of light shone in.

Shen Qiongju walked in carrying a food box.

"Sister-in-law!" Pei Zhiyan's eyes lit up, then dimmed again. "Did your aunt send you? Is she still angry?"

"It's definitely a matter of anger."

Shen Qiongju squatted down beside him, opened the food box, and took out a plate of steaming braised pork and two large white steamed buns. "However, your second brother has already pleaded for you."

"Second Brother?" Pei Zhiyan was taken aback, grabbed a steamed bun and took a big bite. "Didn't you hate it when I wielded swords and spears?"

"Your second brother did it for your own good."

Shen Qiongju watched the boy wolf down his food, took out a handkerchief and gave it to him, "He found you a powerful master who can teach you martial arts after the New Year. He also said that if you have the ability in the future, he will let you take the martial arts examination."

"real?!"

Pei Zhiyan suddenly looked up, his eyes gleaming with wild joy. "Second Uncle really said that? He wants me to take the martial arts exam?"

"A gentleman's word is as good as his bond," Shen Qiongju said with a smile. "But the prerequisite is that you must first study hard. If you can't even understand military texts, how can you become a great general?"

"I'll read! I definitely will!" Pei Zhiyan was so excited he almost jumped up. "Don't worry, sister-in-law, I'll study hard and, when I become a great general, I'll earn you a title of Lady!"

Tong Yan Wuji.

Shen Qiongju chuckled. Just a month ago, she considered her an enemy, but now she's being asked to become a Lady of the Imperial Decree.

Pei Zhihui stood quietly in the shadows outside the door.

Lady of Imperial Decree?

Her imperial title could only be earned by Pei Zhihui.

.

The Pei family's reunion dinner was served very early.

It may not have fancy dishes, but it's piping hot.

In the very center sat a brass pot, the charcoal fire burning fiercely, and thinly sliced ​​meat rolled in the milky white mutton soup, its aroma domineeringly filling everyone's nostrils.

Liu poured a cup of Tusu wine for everyone, and even the youngest Zhichun got a small sip of sweet water.

"It's Chinese New Year."

Pei Junlan raised her glass, her eyes slightly red, "Our Pei family has survived another year."

Everyone raised their glasses and drank them down in one gulp.

After a moment of quiet unease, a warm atmosphere emerged. Pei Zhiyan buried himself in his food, while Zhichun played happily with the tiger-head shoes.

Shen Qiongju put down her chopsticks, wiped her mouth, and glanced at everyone's faces before finally settling on Pei Junlan.

"aunt."

Her voice was gentle, yet firm: "I want to go back to the Shen family home for the New Year."

The sound of chopsticks hitting bowls on the table stopped.

Pei Zhihui paused, his fingers holding the wine glass still, and looked up at her.

“My father is getting old and has no children. In previous years, I was the one who kept him company on New Year’s Eve.” Shen Qiongju lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes concealing the emotions in them. “Now that I’ve married into the Pei family, I can’t just leave him all alone in an empty house.”

There was a moment of silence in the room.

Liu rubbed her hands awkwardly and looked at Pei Junlan.

When the theft of the blueprints came to light, the Pei family almost drowned Shen Qiongju.

Although the misunderstanding was later cleared up, this thorn remained not only in the hearts of the Pei family, but also in the heart of Old Master Shen.

She was the only daughter of the Shen family, whom they cherished dearly.

Pei Junlan sighed, put down her wine glass, and a look of guilt appeared on her face.

"It's time to go back."

Her voice was a little hoarse, "Back then, our Pei family wronged you and had no face to see your father-in-law. Now that it's the New Year, we can't neglect our proper etiquette."

Pei Junlan turned to look at the silent young man beside her.

"Zhihui."

"Nephew is here." Pei Zhihui put down his chopsticks and sat up straight.

"You go on behalf of the Pei family," Pei Junlan instructed. "There are still two old ginseng roots in the storeroom that were sent by relatives. Also, take the piece of brocade that someone sent a few days ago. You personally escort your sister-in-law back, and you must... apologize to Old Master Shen."

"Be respectful, don't fight back when hit, don't talk back when insulted, do you understand?"

Pei Zhihui's gaze shifted slightly, landing on Shen Qiongju's plain face.

She was looking down at her fingertips, seemingly trying her best to minimize her presence.

"Yes."

Pei Zhihui acknowledged, his voice cool and clear, "Nephew understands."

The wind and snow were fierce, and the carriage crunched through the snow.

Inside the carriage, the warmth of the heater made people drowsy.

Shen Qiongju leaned against the soft pillows, holding a hot water bottle in her arms, but her eyes kept drifting towards the person opposite her.

Pei Zhihui closed his eyes to rest, his long legs slightly bent, occupying most of the space in the carriage.

In the dim light, his face appeared exceptionally pale and cold, like a lifeless jade sculpture.

This guy actually agreed to take her home?

He even agreed to his aunt's outrageous demand that he "never fight back"?

Shen Qiongju felt a little uneasy.

Although the Shen and Pei families were in-laws in the past, due to class prejudice, the Pei family, being scholars, always looked down on Shen's father, who was full of money.

"Have you seen enough?" A cold voice suddenly rang out.

Pei Zhihui didn't open his eyes, but a very faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Shen Qiongju quickly looked away: "Who's looking at you? I'm checking if the window paper is torn."

Pei Zhihui opened his eyes, his deep eyes reflecting the flickering firelight.

"Don't worry, sister-in-law."

He said calmly, "Since I promised my aunt, I will not be rude to the Shen family. Even if your father chases me away with a broom, I will endure it."

Shen Qiongju couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Not at all." Her eyes crinkled slightly. "Although my father has a bad temper, he's a businessman after all, and he won't hit someone who's all smiles. As long as my second uncle doesn't put on that cold face, he'll definitely..."

Before he could finish speaking, the carriage stopped.

We have arrived at the Shen residence.

The vermilion gate was tightly shut, with only two large lanterns bearing the character "Shen" swaying in the wind.

Hearing the noise, the gatekeeper, Old Zhang, opened the door a crack. Upon seeing his young mistress, he immediately opened the main gate with great joy.

"Master! Miss is back! Miss is back with her husband... uh, with Second Master Pei!"

A moment later, Shen Huaifeng, dressed in a dark purple robe, rushed out.

He was still holding two walnuts in his hand, and he had a smile on his face, but when he saw Pei Zhihui following behind Shen Qiongju, his smile instantly disappeared.

"father."

Shen Qiongju quickly walked up and took her father's arm. "Why did you come out in such cold weather?"

"snort."