Shuse Jinjia

Did he hang himself?

Xie Zhaotang was stunned for a moment before he realized what was happening: "Dead? Oh... I'm not gloating, I'm just worried that the Pei family will take their anger out on me!"

Pei Yun hanged herself. She wasn't gloating, but she also felt no guilt. If you can't handle the consequences, don't reach out!

But if Pei Yun really dies, the Pei family will definitely retaliate against her, so she has to implement her fake death plan as soon as possible.

Huo Ling frowned: "It was Pei Yun who did wrong, why is the Pei family taking their anger out on you?"

Xie Zhaotang knew that Huo Ling was somewhat naive in this regard, so he said, "Madam Xu and Pei Yun can find robbers by releasing dogs based on mere rumors. If Pei Yun really dies, do you think the Pei family will reason with me?"

Xie Zhaotang scoffed, "I'm afraid if the Pei family tells the Xie family, my father will personally tie me up and send me to the Pei family to apologize in order to avoid offending them."

Huo Ling's eyes widened in disbelief: "Even if you're a concubine's daughter, you're still Lord Xie's biological daughter. Can he really be so heartless?"

Xie Zhaotang nodded: "In the Xie family, he only acknowledges the legitimate children; he doesn't care about the illegitimate children."

Huo Ling was speechless. She had heard Huo Jing gossip about the Xie family before, and she had also heard that Xie Jianghuai and others were going to give Xie Zhaotang to Lord Gong as a concubine when she came of age.

But Huo Ling felt that the rumors were exaggerated. How could a father harm his daughter like that?

Now that she has heard it from the person involved, she realizes that there really are fathers like this in the world.

"Sister Tangtang, don't worry. Sister Jing has already inquired with the messenger. Pei Yun did hang herself, but the maid found her in time and saved her!"

Huo Ling comforted him, "I don't know Lord Pei and Madam Pei well, but Old Man Pei is a fair man; she won't hold a grudge against you!"

"Don't worry, I'll secretly have people keeping an eye on the Pei family. If they really try anything against you, I'll have my older brother and grandmother step in to help you!"

The two talked for a while longer before Huo Ling went back to rest.

Xie Zhaotang lay on the bed, unable to fall asleep for a long time.

Was Pei Yun's suicide a self-directed and self-acted performance? Or was it a staged act by the Pei family to give her an explanation?

But whatever the reason, unless she wants to fake her death and get away immediately, she can't pursue this matter any further, otherwise the Pei family will never let her go!

The Xie family doesn't know about this yet. Once they find out, she won't even be able to fake her death, let alone take Aunt Shen and Xie Tiantian away...

Xie Zhaotang was lost in thought and didn't fall asleep until almost dawn.

But I had something on my mind, so I woke up after a short while.

After getting up and washing up, she went to say goodbye to Huo Ling, wanting to rush back to Baohua Village to talk to Aunt Shen first.

As soon as I stepped outside, I saw Huo Beiyu standing at the door, seemingly hesitating whether to knock or not.

"Young Master, you came all the way from Baohua Village?" Xie Zhaotang asked. "Did you know about Pei Yun's suicide?"

Huo Beiyu nodded: "I know that Prince Duan sent me a message by carrier pigeon last night!"

Xie Zhaotang fell silent, quietly watching Huo Beiyu.

Huo Beiyu pointed to the guest room: "Shall we go inside and talk?"

Xie Zhaotang turned around and walked back.

Huo Beiyu followed them in. Xie Zhaotang sat down on the bed, while Huo Beiyu stood at the door.

"After Pei Yun hanged herself, the Pei family notified Duan Chengyu. He rushed over and saw Pei Yun's suicide note. Pei Yun said that she was confused, ashamed to face anyone, and felt deeply guilty towards you. She asked her parents to give you all the dowry they had prepared for her after her death as compensation."

"Lord Pei said that even if Pei Yun is saved, she must make amends for what she did to you. The dowry will be given to you as part of your wedding. He only hopes that you can give Pei Yun a chance to make amends and let this matter end here."

Xie Zhaotang couldn't help but scoff, "The Pei family's ancestors weren't peasants, they were merchants, weren't they? Each one of them is incredibly shrewd!"

"Your dowry is for me when I marry you, why don't you just say it's for me to burn after I die!"

The Pei family is trying to protect Pei Yun's reputation. They said they would compensate her with the dowry, but whether she will live to receive it is still unknown!

Huo Beiyu looked at Xie Zhaotang's smile with mixed feelings. The smile was still bright, but it made him feel sad.

"Does Prince Duan also want me to stop here?" Xie Zhaotang asked, tilting his head.

She wanted to see if her partner had any sense of fairness!

Huo Beiyu said in a deep voice, "Young Master Duan said he's transferring all his shares in the pharmaceutical factory to you, only asking that you stop pursuing the matter. He's in a dilemma; after all, they've been engaged for three years, and he can't really force Pei Yun to die!"

"But he said that his wedding with Pei Yun would be postponed, and that he would never forget the life-saving grace you gave him. He said he would do anything for you except ruin Pei Yun."

"Duan Chengyu also said that he would only plead for Pei Yun once, and if she asks for your help again, he will never speak up again."

Xie Zhaotang remained silent.

From Duan Chengyu's perspective, transferring all the shares to himself and making this promise was a way of giving her an explanation.

It would be truly terrifying if he completely disregarded Pei Yun's life or death!

"Young Master, I don't want Duan Chengyu's shares. He hasn't wronged me, and I won't take what doesn't belong to me!"

Xie Zhaotang said, "Let's leave Pei Yun's matter here; I won't pursue it any further!"

Not pursuing the matter doesn't mean she won't retaliate. She'll definitely send Pei Yun a big gift before she leaves!

She stood up and bowed to Huo Beiyu.

"Young Master, since you know about my plan to fake my death and escape, I'll shamelessly beg you to help me get a household registration. Also, could you help me find two corpses that resemble my aunt and sister?"

Huo Beiyu hesitated for a moment before nodding, "This isn't difficult. I can help you. When do you need it?"

Xie Zhaotang said, "Within five days, or ten days if necessary!"

Huo Beiyu frowned: "So soon? Isn't your coming-of-age ceremony still a month away?"

Xie Zhaotang curled her lips in a mocking smile: "Last time, Madam Xu's act of releasing the dogs was exposed. Granny Qiao had only been in jail for a day when Madam Xu came to the Xie family asking me to drop the charges. It's not that I'm pessimistic, but if the Pei family gives the Xie family even the slightest hint, I could be sent away by the Xie family at any time... I can't just sit here and wait to die!"

Huo Beiyu felt as if her words were a boulder pressing down on his chest, so heavy that he could hardly breathe.

"I'll write down the follow-up plans for the pharmaceutical factory, the distillery, and the paper mill in the next few days. Once I'm settled, if you have any questions, Xiaoling can write to me!"

Xie Zhaotang bowed again and said, "That's settled then. You should let me know when you're ready... I'll go back to Baohua Village and make preparations with my aunt first..."

"By the way, if the Xie family wants to sell off my maids after we 'die,' I hope the young marquis can help me buy them. If they want to come looking for me, have Xiaoling give them their addresses. If not, the young marquis can take one hundred taels from my share of the profits to help them settle down..."

She finished giving her instructions and then left.

Huo Beiyu stared blankly at her retreating figure. These words, which sounded like a deathbed message, inexplicably stirred up a violent emotion in him, making him want to destroy something!

This shouldn't be happening!

She did nothing wrong, so why should she be forced to leave her hometown, change her name, and start over in a strange place?

She just doesn't have anyone to back her up. If someone were to support her, everything would be easily resolved!

Just as Xie Zhaotang's figure was about to disappear at the courtyard gate, Huo Beiyu ran up and grabbed her arm as she stepped down the steps.

"Fourth Sister, there's an even better idea than faking your death. Would you like to hear it?"