My strength increases by one percent every day; I can destroy stars with my bare hands.

After talking with Du Tianfeng, Li Xuancang returned home.

"Father, Mother, I am going to take up my post in Ganquan County. Ganquan County is located on the frontier and the environment is harsh. You should stay in Yangzhou!"

This place is thousands of miles away from Ganquan County. Li Xuancang couldn't bear to let his parents travel back and forth, so he wanted them to stay in Yangzhou.

Yangzhou was a prosperous city, untouched by war and demons, making it one of the few peaceful places in the Great Yan Dynasty.

The two elders shook their heads, their expressions resolute.

"Our family will stay together. Your mother and I are not afraid of hardship."

The elderly couple were adamant about not wanting to be separated from their son.

"Okay, we'll stay family and not separate."

After learning of his parents' thoughts, Li Xuancang decided to take his family to Ganquan County.

The court's handling of the numerous officials in Anzhou spread like wildfire, and soon everyone in Yangzhou's officialdom knew about it.

The handling of Liu Qingyuan, Huang Tianyun, and others was as expected.

The appointments of Li Xuancang and Pei Hongwen surprised everyone, as they were two extremes.

Li Xuancang rose rapidly through the ranks, not only not demoted but promoted, becoming the garrison commander of Ganquan County, where everyone fawned over him.

Pei Hongwen, however, went to Yuanlin County to serve as its governor, which was essentially sending him to his death.

The situation in Yuanlin County was even worse than that in Liuyun County.

Liuyun County still had to be wary of the Anzhou Army. Although they disregarded the law, they dared not do as they pleased and dared not kill high-ranking officials like the county governor.

Yuanlin County, however, had no such concern, as at least five county governors had died there.

The Pei family had already declined, and Pei Hongwen was going to Yuanlin County alone to take up his post, which was no different from sending himself to his death.

"This is really interesting. I wonder if the Pei family regrets their decision back then."

There are no secrets under the sky.

The officials in Yangzhou all knew about the feud between Li Xuancang and the Pei family and the Marquis of Anzhou, and they viewed the Pei family as a joke.

If the Pei family had firmly chosen Li Xuancang back then, they wouldn't be in this situation today.

The Pei family was temporarily staying in a small courtyard belonging to the Liu family. The atmosphere was oppressive, and everyone was burning with anger.

"What a despicable Marquis of Anzhou! He is truly utterly hateful."

Old Master Pei was furious, his white beard trembling with rage.

After these days of investigation, the Pei family now knows that it was the Marquis of Anzhou who interfered, which led to their current predicament.

The Pei family still can't understand why the Marquis of Anzhou not only didn't help them, but instead kicked them when they were down.

"Master, the reason is most likely related to the young lady's marriage."

At this moment, a member of the clan spoke in a deep voice, revealing his guess.

Upon hearing this, Pei Hongwen and Old Master Pei were enlightened, as if struck by a sudden realization.

"I see, I see..."

The two looked dejected as they came to understand what had happened.

"Patriarch, let's take the initiative to dissolve this engagement! The Pei family can't withstand the slightest storm."

Old Master Pei seemed to have all his energy drained away; he was lifeless and looked ashen.

"I see."

Pei Hongwen's fists clenched so tightly they turned white, and his whole body trembled.

This was a great humiliation for him and the Pei family. His eyes were bloodshot, filled with boundless hatred.

Seeing the decline of the Pei family, the Marquis of Anzhou forced the Pei family to personally dissolve the marriage agreement.

The Marquis of Anzhou's family was completely absolved of any blame, and all the infamy fell on the Pei family.

This shows that they were certain the Pei family would never recover and were therefore discarding them like worn-out shoes.

"Master, people from the Marquis of Anzhou's residence have come to request an audience."

A servant came to report that someone from the Marquis of Anzhou's residence had arrived.

The Pei family members were taken aback and were immediately surprised.

"Let him in."

Pei Hongwen composed himself, wanting to see what the Marquis of Anzhou's mansion was planning.

A moment later, a servant brought in an elderly man dressed as a steward.

The old man's eyes and brows revealed undisguised contempt and arrogance.

With his head held high and hands behind his back, he strutted around arrogantly, showing no regard for the now-declining Pei family.

This attitude further enraged the Pei family members, who could no longer suppress their anger.

Before the Pei family could speak, Fu Zhong spoke first.

"Patriarch Pei, how have you been?"

The tone was arrogant and condescending.

"Looking at the current state of the Pei family, this old man finds it truly pitiful and lamentable!"

Fu Zhong flicked his sleeves, his face full of arrogance.

"I have come today to deliver a message from my third son."

"My young master has been accepted as a disciple by a great Confucian scholar of the academy. He has a bright future ahead of him and a smooth path in officialdom. A high-ranking official position in the imperial court will be within his grasp in the future."

"Furthermore, top families in the capital have taken the initiative to show their goodwill, sending noble ladies to seek a marriage alliance between powerful nations."

His words were forceful and arrogant, each one trampling on the dignity of the Pei family.

Pei Hongwen clenched his fists tightly, his face was ashen, and his chest was filled with rage.

Ignoring the livid faces of the Pei family, Fu Zhong continued to speak arrogantly, offering alms.

"Now my third young master has a noble status and a bright future. Your Pei family is no longer worthy of the position of the eldest daughter-in-law of the Marquis's mansion."

"Therefore, if the Pei family is sensible, they should take the initiative to cancel the engagement and dissolve the marriage agreement with dignity."

Pei Hongwen's body trembled, and his eyes widened in horror.

Before he could angrily refute him, Fu Zhong threw out another insulting remark.

"Out of consideration for our past relationship, my young master is kind and generous, and is willing to allow the eldest daughter of the Pei family to enter the manor as a concubine."

"To become my third young master's concubine and serve him personally is a great honor for your Pei family."

Upon hearing this, the entire courtyard fell into a deathly silence.

Fu Zhong continued to apply pressure with a cold, condescending smile.

"As long as the Pei family agrees, the Marquis's mansion can send a group of people to accompany you to Yuanlin County to ensure your safety."

Humiliation, the ultimate humiliation.

This is blatant bullying, kicking someone when they're down, and humiliating their dignity.

"presumptuous!"

Pei Hongwen could no longer suppress the raging fire in his chest; his beard and hair stood on end, and he roared with thunderous fury.

He had spent half his life in high rank and in charge of the Pei family's glory; when had he ever suffered such a humiliating disgrace?

"Go back and tell the Marquis's mansion that even if I, Pei Hongwen, am demoted and my family falls into misfortune, I, the eldest daughter of the Pei family, am of noble character and noble lineage, and I would rather be broken than humble."

"This marriage is null and void, without any charity from you."

Pei Hongwen was so angry that he trembled all over, his blood surged, and he felt a sharp pain in his chest, almost vomiting blood on the spot.

Behind the screen in the side corridor of the courtyard, a slender and delicate figure staggered out.

Pei Qingyuan was dressed in a plain-colored dress, and her face was exceptionally beautiful.

At this moment, her pretty face was pale, her eyes were red, and her whole body was trembling slightly.

She heard every single word of the insults, humiliations, and contempt she had just heard.

My heart is breaking, my liver and gallbladder are about to burst.

Her chest heaved violently, and tears finally streamed down her cheeks.

"I, Pei Qingyuan, would rather die than be a concubine. From this day forward, I sever all ties with Lin Jingyan and have no further connection with him."

Fu Zhong's face darkened. He hadn't expected the Pei family to be so ungrateful, publicly humiliating the Marquis's residence.

"snort!"

Fu Zhong snorted coldly, his face full of gloom.

"Since the Pei family is so ungrateful and has cut off their own path, then we'll see."

"Yuanlin County is teeming with demons and chaos; you should take care of yourselves."

After saying this, Fu Zhong angrily turned and left.

"Miss."

Pei Qingyuan's body went limp, and she staggered back two steps, tears streaming down her face silently like raindrops.

The pain was excruciating, like my heart was being torn apart; I felt utterly heartbroken and devastated.

He fell backward, but Wan Cui quickly caught him.

"A disgrace, an utter disgrace!"

The old man roared hysterically and fell straight down.

"puff!"

Pei Hongwen could no longer hold on, and blood spurted out.