Shuse Jinjia

Pei Yu kept his head down the whole time, not daring to look at Old Madam Pei's face until he finished recounting the whole story.

Shuncheng knelt down, not daring to look.

From the moment Zhao Mama heard that Pei Yun had asked Shuncheng to find a beggar to smear Xie Zhaotang's innocence, she stared at Old Madam Pei with concern.

Seeing her face grow increasingly grim, Granny Zhao wanted to tell Pei Yu to stop talking. Was she trying to anger Old Madam Pei to death?

But Madam Pei was stronger than she had imagined; she waited until Pei Yu finished speaking before collapsing.

The room was quiet. After Pei Yu finished speaking, he waited for a long time but his grandmother did not speak. He mustered up his courage and said...

"Grandmother, Yun'er made this mistake because she misunderstood Prince Duan and my attitude towards Xie Zhaotang. Please forgive her this time, considering it's her first offense!"

"Grandma, I will definitely teach her well from now on..."

Madam Pei remained silent for a long time before finally speaking sarcastically, "First offense? Pei Yu, you make it sound so easy. Have you considered what would happen to Fourth Miss if those two beggars had succeeded?"

"Alright, you don't need to defend her anymore. You're all more opinionated than this old woman. I can't control you anymore! Go talk to your father and mother!"

Pei Yu said anxiously, "Grandmother, you can't ignore Yun'er. Prince Duan is here today. If you don't do anything, he might break off the engagement with Yun'er because of this. What will happen to Yun'er then?"

Madam Pei was furious. With a flick of her wrist, she swung the teacup at Pei Yu.

"You reap what you sow. If she dares to do such a thing, she should be prepared to bear the consequences. I'm just an old woman with only one face; how many times can I cover up your shame?"

Madam Pei wanted to say more, but a sudden, dull pain shot through her chest, and she fell backward.

"Madam..."

Granny Zhao was startled and rushed forward to support Old Madam Pei, calling out, "Ying'er, come in quickly and fetch the old lady's medicine..."

Ying'er, who was serving outside, rushed in and, seeing the state of Madam Pei, hurriedly went to fetch the medicine.

Pei Yu was so frightened that he quickly got up and sent someone to fetch the imperial physician.

The courtyard of Madam Pei was in chaos. Seeing that Pei Yu was not paying attention to him, Shuncheng quietly ran away.

He ran to Pei Yun's courtyard, wanting to ask Zisu to run away with him.

Only upon entering did they learn that Zisu had gone out with Pei Yun, leaving behind a maid who said with a smile, "Just now, Young Master Duan sent a servant to find Fourth Miss, saying he wanted to invite her to dine at Juxianlou, so Fourth Miss took Zisu with her!"

Upon hearing this, Shuncheng dared not go to Zisu again. While Pei Yu was still preoccupied with dealing with him, he hurriedly went to his parents and told them what he had done.

Upon hearing this, Shuncheng's parents hurriedly packed a few clothes and took all their money. They called Shuncheng's younger sister back from the kitchen, and the whole family took advantage of the chaos at the Pei family's residence to secretly escape.

Pei Yun was unaware that her actions had been exposed. She dressed up carefully and brought Zisu to Juxianlou.

Duan Chengyu booked a private room. When Pei Yun went in, she saw Duan Chengyu standing by the window. She glanced at her clothes and saw that they were neat and tidy before smiling and going in.

Zisu went next door as usual and chatted with Duan Chengyu's servant, Mancang.

Inside the private room, Duan Chengyu didn't turn around when he heard Pei Yun enter.

His mind was in complete turmoil; he didn't know how to face Pei Yun.

Pei Yun thought he hadn't heard her come in, so she called softly, "Brother Chengyu, I'm here!"

Duan Chengyu didn't turn around. He gripped the window frame with both hands, took a few deep breaths, and then said in a deep voice.

"Pei Yun, the young marquis and I are working together to build a pharmaceutical factory. Xie Zhaotang is clever and resourceful, so we asked her to help us come up with ideas for the factory."

Pei Yun gritted her teeth. That night, Shuncheng returned and reported that the beggar was about to harm Xie Zhaotang, but was saved by Huo Beiyu.

These past two days she's been thinking of other ways to deal with Xie Zhaotang. Could Duan Chengyu have come to see her today because he wants her to allow him to take Xie Zhaotang as a concubine?

"Not long ago, the young marquis and Xie Zhaotang had a dispute. I valued her talent, so I went to mediate between them. On the carriage, I also talked with her about building a pharmaceutical factory."

Duan Chengyu turned around to face Pei Yun and said, word by word, "Xie Zhaotang and I are completely innocent and have not done anything inappropriate."

Pei Yun was stunned for a moment. Why was Duan Chengyu suddenly explaining things to her?

Is there some kind of rumor circulating outside?

Duan Chengyu looked at Pei Yun, his voice growing calmer and calmer, just like his thoughts. He said softly.

"Pei Yun, Pei Yu and I grew up together, and I watched you grow up too. In my memory, you are well-educated, gentle, and virtuous. So three years ago, when your mother and my mother joked about arranging a marriage, I agreed!"

Pei Yun was even more confused. Why was Duan Chengyu recalling the past for no reason?

But today I realize I don't understand you!

Duan Chengyu's voice turned hoarse as he said, "I was just thinking, if you have doubts, why don't you just ask me directly? Why are you suspecting me based on mere rumors?"

"If another woman appears in my life in the future, will you use the same methods to deal with her? If I have concubines or illegitimate children, will you also resort to such cruelty for your own sake...?"

Pei Yun felt her head buzzing, and her mind went blank for a moment as she looked at Duan Chengyu.

"Brother Chengyu... what are you saying? Did Xie Zhaotang say something to you?"

She gripped the corner of the table tightly, trying to remain calm.

Shuncheng did this, and he even disguised himself. He managed to escape successfully, so Duan Chengyu couldn't possibly know.

Xie Zhaotang must be making baseless accusations against me!

"Brother Chengyu, tell me, what exactly did Xie Zhaotang say to you? I can explain!"

Pei Yun pinched her thigh, trying to clear her mind.

But she was, after all, a woman confined to her home, still young, and impatient; she didn't even realize that her voice was trembling slightly.

Duan Chengyu had also served in the military for a few years, and upon seeing Pei Yun's appearance, any remaining hope he had vanished completely.

Shuncheng did not slander Pei Yun; she was indeed the mastermind behind this!

"Pei Yun, Xie Zhaotang didn't complain to me. It was the young marquis who found out about the matter in Shuncheng."

Duan Chengyu said wearily, "Gentle and virtuous, ruthless and cruel, I no longer understand which side of you is real... I need to think about this engagement some more..."

"Let's not see each other for a while, let's both calm down..."

After Duan Chengyu finished speaking, he walked out.

Pei Yun grabbed Duan Chengyu's arm anxiously, crying out, "Brother Chengyu, what did they say? I didn't do anything! Don't listen to their nonsense..."

"Don't treat me like this! At least give me a chance to explain!"

Duan Chengyu looked at her. Pei Yun was so anxious that she cried. Tears slid down her fair face, making her look pitiful.

In the past, Duan Chengyu would feel sorry for her whenever she showed this side of herself, but now, he only felt that Pei Yun was like an actress.

Ask her to explain whether she's trying to pin all the blame on Shuncheng.

Just like how Madam Xu set her dog on Aunt Shen, but made Granny Qiao take the blame!

"Pei Yun, things have been exposed. If you feel guilty and remorseful, I'll still respect you! Denying it is the worst possible strategy..."

Duan Chengyu pulled away from Pei Yun's hand and strode away.

Pei Yun lost her balance and fell to the ground. She didn't have time to cry; she bit her hand and frantically tried to think of a solution.

She can't let the engagement be called off!

She must find a way to make amends!

……

Xie Zhaotang stayed overnight at the Huo family's house, chatting with Huo Ling and Huo Jing until late at night before going to sleep.

She had just finished washing up and lay down in bed when Huo Ling suddenly ran over and knocked on her door.

As soon as Xie Zhaotang opened the door, Huo Ling said anxiously, "Sister Tangtang, Pei Yu just sent a letter saying that Pei Yun has hanged herself..."