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

The lobby fell into a deathly silence; no one spoke.

Pei Qingyuan's face was deathly pale, a sight that tugged at the heartstrings.

She had thought that with the intervention of a great scholar, her father would not have to risk his life again to go to Yuanlin County.

Unexpectedly, the Marquis of Anzhou's mansion intervened and refused to let the Pei family go.

Although she was a prodigy at the academy, she felt insignificant in the face of the Marquis of Anzhou's mansion.

After a moment of silence, Old Master Pei slowly said, "Gather all the family resources and come with me to visit the Du family."

Old Master Pei could only think of the Du family.

When Du Tianhao served as the garrison commander in Anzhou, his relationship with the Pei family was fairly good.

The Du family and Prince Ning are also at odds, and whether the Pei family can overcome this difficulty depends on whether the Du family helps them.

"Grandpa, I'll go with you."

Since it concerned her father's future, Pei Qingyuan took it very seriously and prepared to go with her grandfather, Pei Taigong.

Old Master Pei nodded and did not object.

The Pei family's resources were quickly inventoried, and they had nothing of note left; their possessions were rather meager.

The Pei family members were also helpless; this was all they could offer.

Let's go!

The group quickly arrived at the Du family residence, identified themselves, and requested to see Du Tianhao.

Du Tianhao and Du Tianyuan were discussing when the butler came to report.

"Master, Lord Tianhao, the old patriarch of the Pei family has come to request an audience with you."

Upon hearing this, Du Tianhao and the other man's expressions darkened slightly.

"It's almost time for officials from all over the country to return to the capital to report on their duties. The Pei family has been running around trying to find a solution, but they have been suppressed by the Marquis of Anzhou. They must be here because of this."

Du Tianyuan was very knowledgeable about the affairs of the court and the capital, and immediately understood the Pei family's intentions.

"The Pei family was quite supportive of me back in Anzhou, so let him in!"

Du Tianhao decided to meet with Old Master Pei to prevent the Du family's enemies from seizing the opportunity to make a big fuss.

After the butler left, Du Tianyuan reminded him, "You should know about the grudges between the Pei family and Xuancang. Although Xuancang is magnanimous and doesn't hold grudges, his parents have always harbored resentment. You need to handle this carefully."

After saying that, Du Tianyuan got up and left.

He was Li Xuancang's future father-in-law, and meeting the Pei family was somewhat awkward for him.

Old Master Pei and Pei Qingyuan were brought to the scene soon.

"Greetings, Lord Du."

Old Master Pei bowed to Du Tianhao.

"Greetings, Lord Du."

Pei Qingyuan also hurriedly followed suit and bowed.

"I no longer hold any official position, so there's no need for such formalities."

With Anzhou already fallen, Du Tianhao, the garrison commander of Anzhou, was now merely a figurehead.

Du Tianhao glanced at Pei Qingyuan, somewhat surprised that she would come with Old Master Pei.

After glancing at it casually, he looked away.

"Lord Du, I have come to ask you for a favor. I hope you will consider our past relationship and help the Pei family. The Pei family will be eternally grateful."

Old Master Pei spoke frankly about his purpose, his words earnest and his pleas pleading earnestly.

"Old Master Pei, you flatter me. I am just a commoner now, and there is really nothing I can do to help you."

Du Tianhao refused without hesitation.

He did have some connections with the Pei family, but they were just normal social interactions and there was no deep relationship between them.

If it were anyone else, the Du family would have stepped in to help them in order to deal with the Prince of Ning's faction.

However, since the people who came were from the Pei family, the Du family also had to consider the thoughts of Li Xuancang and the Li family.

When Du Tianhao rejected her without any mercy, Pei Qingyuan's face turned pale and her body swayed slightly.

Old Master Pei's face was full of bitterness, his lips trembled, and he wanted to speak, but Du Tianhao had already begun to shoo him away.

"Gentlemen, I have other matters to attend to. Please make yourselves at home."

After saying that, he left without giving the two of them a chance to speak.

"Ugh!"

Old Master Pei looked dejected. "Let's go!"

He seemed to have been drained of all his energy, and he could barely walk.

After leaving the Du family, Pei Qingyuan's pretty face was firm, and she made up her mind.

Old Master Pei returned to the Pei family, and Pei Qingyuan came to the Du family again, but not to see the Du family members, but to see the Li family members.

The Li family entered the capital with great fanfare, and many people knew that they had settled in the Du family's residence.

Mr. Li was resting in his room, while Du Ruomei was keeping Mr. Li and Li Xiu company, their laughter filling the air.

"Once Xuancang returns, I'll arrange for you two to get married immediately, so I can hold my grandson as soon as possible."

Li's mother's eyes were full of longing; as long as she could see Li Xuancang get married, she would have no regrets.

"aunt……"

Du Ruomei blushed, looking embarrassed.

"Madam, a woman who calls herself Pei Qingyuan has come to see you."

A servant came to report, and Li's mother and Li Xiu were very surprised.

"Pei Qingyuan, what's she doing here?"

Li's mother's face immediately darkened, ruining her good mood for the whole day.

When the Pei family broke off the engagement, the Li family was furious and still hasn't gotten over it.

They hadn't mentioned it before because they didn't want Li Xuancang to recall painful memories, but that didn't mean they had let it go.

"Let her in. I want to see what she's up to. I want to see what kind of beauty she has that would make her reject my son."

Li's mother was very emotional and wanted to ask Pei Qingyuan in person why he had suddenly changed his mind and made his son a laughing stock.

"Auntie, should I excuse myself for a moment?"

As Li Xuancang's fiancée, Du Ruomei knew Pei Qingyuan and was even more aware of what had happened in Anzhou, so she wanted to avoid the topic.

"No need. You are the future mistress of the Li family. Why should you avoid us?"

Li's mother's words made Du Ruomei overjoyed and feel reassured.

A moment later, Pei Qingyuan was brought to the scene.

Du Ruomei looked at her and saw that she was indeed stunningly beautiful, with a faint air of scholarly elegance about her. No wonder she was so popular.

"Greetings, Madam."

Pei Qingyuan was also meeting Li's mother for the first time, and she bowed respectfully to her.

"No need, Miss Pei's gift is not something I can accept."

Li's mother's words made Pei Qingyuan's face stiffen, and she felt uneasy.

"Miss Pei, what brings you here? What can I do for you?"

Li Xiu said in a calm tone.

Pei Qingyuan took a deep breath and suppressed her emotions.

"Qingyuan has taken the liberty of visiting you to inform you that the Marquis of Anzhou's residence is plotting against the Marquis of Wu'an."

Pei Qingyuan's words were startling, and Li's mother and Li Xiu's expressions changed upon hearing them.

Their biggest concern was Li Xuancang, and they were terrified when they heard that someone wanted to deal with him.

Seeing the two of them act this way, Pei Qingyuan pressed her advantage and said, "The Marquis of Anzhou's mansion and my Pei family are sworn enemies. They are also suppressing my Pei family now. As long as the old lady helps my Pei family overcome this difficulty, we can join forces to deal with the Marquis of Anzhou's mansion in the future."

Li's mother and Li Xiu were ultimately too naive and were immediately intimidated by Pei Qingyuan, their resolve wavering.

"Aunt, elder sister, this Miss Pei is exaggerating. The Marquis of Anzhou's mansion has long since declined; how could it dare to be an enemy of the Marquis of Wu'an?"

Du Ruomei knew that Pei Qingyuan was exaggerating and trying to use the Li family's power to help the Pei family overcome their difficulties, so she exposed her lies on the spot.

"Don't worry, Aunt and Eldest Sister. My father is in court. Even if someone wants to harm Marquis Wu'an, he can stop them."

As soon as Du Ruomei spoke, Pei Qingyuan knew that something terrible had happened.

As expected, Li's mother and Li Xiu's expressions changed, and they glared at her angrily.