Transmigrated into the fat wife of the future prime minister

Chapter 257 The Pei Family
Xu Qingmeng looked at the two people in front of her, dismissed the servants around her, and left as well, presumably because the two of them needed some alone time.

For so many years, Madam He had always thought that the Pei family had forgotten her, but she never expected that the Pei family would not give up on her all these years.

The Pei family was truly a family of high rank and wealth, a household of great wealth and influence. The current head of the Pei family, who was also He's father, inherited the title of Marquis of Zhenbei. In the struggle for the throne many years ago, he firmly stood by the side of the current emperor.

This is also why the Pei family has been trusted for so many years since the Emperor ascended the throne; the Emperor's grace is boundless, and their favor has never waned.

Since ancient times, it has been difficult to fathom the emperor's intentions. There have been many instances where emperors have been suspicious of powerful ministers. However, the reasons for this, besides the emperor's paranoia, also include the ministers' excessive greed for power.

However, the head of the Pei family was a clever man. He commanded an army of 300,000 men, the eldest son of the Pei family, who was also the elder brother of the He family, served in the Ministry of Revenue, and the second son of the Pei family, Pei Cheng, repeatedly made outstanding military achievements. In addition, Pei Qingwan married the son of the prime minister. At that time, the Pei family was at its peak!

Within a month, the head of the Pei family submitted eight memorials requesting to resign, citing old age and poor health. He also mentioned that his wife, Madam Pei, had been depressed due to the loss of her daughter, and that he wanted to stay with her in her final days. He handed over his 300,000-strong army as a reason.

The Emperor was quite pleased with the Pei family head's tact and, after feigning a desire to retain him, agreed. On the surface, the Pei family was not as powerful as before, having lost most of its influence, but the Emperor did not mistreat the Pei family.

Next, Pei Cheng became a favorite of the emperor, receiving promotions multiple times, and the Pei family continued to bestow rewards upon him.

Xu Qingmeng actually admired the Pei family head's charisma and insightful nature.

After all, how could other powerful families not be able to imagine such a simple principle?

No, how could I not know? I just didn't want to do it.

Once someone has tasted power, how could they be willing to give up what they have gained? Just like Shen Qingwan, who enjoyed the wealthy life of the Pei family, how could she let the He family take it away?

"Sister, Mother has been looking for you all these years. She always feels that she didn't protect you well and is constantly blaming herself. Please go back and see her, okay?" Pei Cheng said sincerely.

"I know you're right to be so thoughtful about the harm Pei Qingwan has caused you, but does Mother really only have a few years left?"

How could Madam He not know that she had been unfilial all these years? Even in just a few days, she still felt maternal love and kinship! She wasn't heartless, but now that she was going to the capital alone, Gu Yunyi and Xu Qingmeng would definitely disagree.

"okay!"

Upon hearing Madam He's reply, Pei Cheng was incredibly excited. "Then let's go to the capital right now!"

"No, I didn't say we should go now. We'll go after Yunyi passes the exam. Zhizhi and Ruirui are still too young, and Yunyi will be taking the academy exam next year..."

Even so, Pei Cheng was still excited. As long as his sister acknowledged it, it wouldn't be a problem. After all, so many years had passed, and Pei Qingwan hadn't been dealt with yet. Even if his sister went back, it wouldn't be safe for her.

"Hmm, sister, can I stay at the Gu family's house? And Yunyi is so weak, how can he protect you? I can teach him." Pei Cheng looked at Madam He cautiously, his expression quite amusing.

There was no reason for Madam He not to agree, after all, he was her own younger brother, sharing the same blood.

Pei Cheng was overjoyed to see that Madam He had agreed, and then went to find Gu Yunyi.

When Xu Qingmeng arrived at the kitchen, she saw that Madam He was no longer as melancholy as before, and knew that she had figured things out.

Meanwhile, Madam He went to have the servants prepare the guest rooms and also went to a nearby store to buy a jar of fine wine.

When he returned, he told Xu Qingmeng that this little stall actually cost twenty taels of silver. Although it had relieved him of a long-cherished wish, it was still too expensive, and even Xu Qingmeng felt very distressed.

Before long, the hot pot was almost ready, and it was time to eat.

Pei Cheng, Kang Hongxuan, Zhang Hanzhe, Mr. Shen, and Fang Ziheng, who was invited by Gu Yunyi, ate in the front yard. Xu Qingmeng, Madam He, and Xinting ate in the back yard with their children.

It was originally agreed that Hui Niang's family would also come, but after hearing from Fang Ziheng that the Gu family had important people visiting, Hui Niang refused to come no matter what.

Of course, Xiao Yuanbao was brought over and is now sitting next to Xu Qingmeng.

During the meal, Xu Qingmeng prepared non-spicy sauces for the little ones, while Xu Qingmeng and Xinting ate spicy ones, but not too spicy, since Xu Qingmeng had to breastfeed.

Then Yun Sheng and Yun Mo stared at it, looking very envious. However, Yun Mo didn't say anything, while Yun Sheng pouted and looked at it longingly: "Sister-in-law, I want to eat it too."

Despite trying to eat there so many times, Yun Sheng never got to eat any.

Xu Qingmeng shook her head and refused: "No, this is too spicy. You're still a child, it's not suitable for you to eat, and the same goes for Yunmo."

"Sister-in-law, I can do it, I can eat spicy food, really."

"No, you can't! You can't!" Xu Qingmeng refused outright.

Yun Sheng: "..."

The two of them could only watch helplessly.

Xu Qingmeng is very principled when it comes to children. If she can't give a child any food, she absolutely won't allow even a tiny bit, and she will never compromise.

The same applies to Zhizhi and Ruirui. If they are not crying or fussing, you absolutely cannot hold them, otherwise it will become a habit that you really can't break.

Even though Yun Sheng looked pitiful at the moment, she shouldn't think about it. Of course, she had thought about it, after all, her sister-in-law's control over her diet was truly unambiguous.

"Mengniang, you eat, I'll feed Yuanbao." Madam He wasn't very good at eating spicy food, so she ate the non-spicy version and said.

Yuanbao stared at He Shi with his big eyes, but he moved his bottom closer to Xu Qingmeng.

"..."

Yun Sheng burst into laughter upon seeing this: "Mother, you've been rejected by Little Yuanbao."

"Hey, you brat!"

Xu Qingmeng smiled and said, "Mother, it's alright, I'll do it!"

Then she turned to Xiao Yuanbao and asked, "Xiao Yuanbao, what do you want to eat? Point it out to Auntie, and Auntie will get it for you?"

The Gu family already owns a hot pot restaurant, so they really have everything they need.

Little Yuanbao immediately looked around the table, then his eyes fixed on one spot, and he pointed with his chubby little finger.

Those were shrimp pastes that Xu Qingmeng had someone get from a hot pot restaurant. Shrimp pastes are high in protein, and it's good for children to eat more shrimp.

Xu Qingmeng picked up a few meatballs, dipped them in the pot, and after they were cooked, she picked them up and blew on them.

Only after the shrimp balls were no longer hot did they dip them in sauce and put them near Xiao Yuanbao's mouth. Xiao Yuanbao obediently opened his little mouth and ate them with great relish.