Did Miss become a nun today?

Whatever fate awaits Pei Changyu, it is what he deserves.

But the others were innocent; the Pei family, consisting of dozens of people, shouldn't have followed him to their deaths.

It would be better to kill him today and end it all.

So what if he's the eldest son? Aren't there second and third wives? There are plenty of people to inherit the title of Marquis of Zhaoping.

"Cen Shi, he is your son, and moreover, he belongs to the Marquis's mansion. His surname is Pei!"

The old lady was so angry that she kept waving her fingers and cursing, and even Marquis Zhaoping couldn't stop her.

Cen Jingyan ignored him, and as soon as she raised the whip, people from the second and third branches of the family rushed in.

The second master stood in front of his nephew, "Sister-in-law, please calm down. Changyu is a sensible person. He has never done anything out of line in his life, except for this one thing..."

Cen Jingyan remained cold and refused to back down, but the Third Master couldn't bear it and stepped forward to plead on her behalf.

From childhood to adulthood, no one treated Pei Changyu like a child.

Everyone in the family knows that he is the future heir to the Marquis's mansion, so he should be sensible, composed, and protective of his younger siblings, and should give in to them in everything.

He can't cry, he can't make a fuss, he can't say what he wants, because he's destined for great things.

Cen Jingyan naturally knew, but that was his fate; who told him to be born into the Marquis's mansion?

What's going on with Guan Yunchu? That child is completely innocent.

How can she swallow this insult when such a fine young woman has been violated?

Even without her, there's Lu Heng, the Crown Prince, and Zhao Zhang.

He was destined not to live.

Cen Jingyan sighed, "You don't understand what kind of trouble he's gotten himself into."

Pei Changyu lay on the ground, covered in blood, but his eyes held a smile.

Yes, he has indeed caused a huge disaster this time. The Pei family's mansion is doomed from now on.

Well, it's fine, I can't protect him for much longer anyway.

Cen Jingyan threw down the whip and waved her hand, "Alright, let's carry them away."

Fortunately, it was only the Pei family that was implicated, so she, as the lady of the Marquis's mansion, would be fine, as Aheng would protect her.

This matter has caused quite a stir. Outsiders are unaware of the details, only knowing that Pei Changyu has offended His Highness Prince Su, and the Censorate has been impeaching the Marquis's residence every day for the past few days.

During the reforms of that year, Pei Changyu offended all the powerful figures in the capital and was appointed as the Vice Minister of Revenue. It was a bloody and turbulent process.

Now that he's fallen from grace, everyone is pushing him down; everyone in the court is watching him closely.

Some people have even started investigating those associated with the Pei family, and this investigation has uncovered serious issues.

Su Yu pushed a stack of papers in front of Meng Qi'an, tapping them twice with her fingertips. "I know what you're thinking, but as long as Pei Changyu is alive, it will be as difficult as climbing to heaven for you to marry Miss Xie."

Meng Qi'an glanced down at the items, his brows slowly furrowing: "Su Yu, are you trying to wipe us out completely?"

Su Yu did not answer immediately, but picked up her teacup and slowly skimmed off the foam. "To exterminate them is an exaggeration. I don't want to kill anyone. I just want the Pei family to never be able to stand up again."

Meng Qi'an was silent for a moment, then said, "If these things are handed over, the Marquis's mansion will be finished."

"So what if it's over?" Su Yu put down her teacup, her smile undiminished, but there was no warmth in her eyes. "The day Pei Changyu falls, the court will be short of people, and those vacant positions will be filled by others."

"You're a smart man, there's no need to spell it out. This whole Xie Yun Chu thing is just the beginning. The door's been opened, and if you don't give him a push, what will happen when he makes a comeback..." He paused, "...who do you think will be the first person he settles scores with?"

Meng Qi'an didn't speak, his gaze fixed on the ink marks on the paper, his brows furrowing more and more tightly.

Seeing his expression, Su Yu suppressed her smile and lowered her voice, "Brother Meng, since you've agreed to cooperate with me, you should be ruthless. In this game, it's either him or us who perish."

If you soften your heart today, he will retaliate in the future, and neither you nor I will escape.

He leaned back. "You should know your own limitations. You are not as good as him. Pei Changyu was able to be promoted to vice minister in less than five years because he was ruthless. You are too soft-hearted, which is why you are always at a disadvantage."

"Back then, did you really think he was completely unaware of what happened at the Du family's residence? Pei Changyu is a man who keeps quiet, but he just hasn't gotten to you and me yet. If you wait for him to make the first move, then it won't just be a matter of whether you can get married or not."

Meng Qi'an's expression darkened slightly, and the fingers under his sleeves slowly tightened.

When Su Yu first came to see him, she said she had a gift to give him, but he didn't pay much attention to it. However, when Xie Yun Chu entered the same room with him at the Du residence, he realized that it was Su Yu's doing.

While it didn't ruin her reputation, it paved the way for him.

That day, he didn't follow Su Yu's plan. Instead, he climbed out of the window and jumped into the lake, so that Xie Yun Chu would remember him. He wasn't Pei Chang Feng's friend, but Meng Qi An.

Su Yu seemed to see through his thoughts and smiled, "Brother Meng, you should thank me. If it weren't for me, Xie Yun Chu wouldn't have a place for you in her eyes. I know you value loyalty and I know you are sincere, but sincerity alone cannot win someone's heart."

He lowered his voice even further, "Are you really willing to accept this?"

Meng Qi'an stared at the evidence, remaining silent for a long time.

Then she looked up at him and asked, "Brother Su, what is the purpose of all this elaborate planning?"

"Now that things have come to this, I won't hide it from you anymore; His Majesty's health is not as good as it used to be."

"You serve in the palace, so you should know that His Majesty now sleeps more than he's awake, and leaves many things to the Crown Prince."

"The Crown Prince is on good terms with Pei Changyu. Once he ascends to the throne, you'll be wasting your entire life in the Hanlin Academy."

Meng Qi'an lowered his voice, "Su Yu, do you know what you're saying?"

"The Crown Prince's position is secure, and His Majesty has been quite pleased with him over the years. Are you really not afraid of losing your head if you want to touch him?"

Su Yu didn't take it seriously. "As a subject, I naturally can't touch the crown prince, but someone else can."

Don't forget, His Majesty has many sons besides the Crown Prince, and there are quite a few who are comparable to the Crown Prince.

Meng Qi'an's expression was grave. "Are you really that confident?"

"Of course," Su Yu said confidently. "Otherwise, why do you think Wei Zhao left the capital? Why did Pei Changfeng and Wei Zhao develop a rift? And how did Xie Yun Chu and Pei Changfeng... end up like this?"

"I've been preparing your gift since the very beginning."

Meng Qi'an scoffed, "Brother Su, you've really gone to great lengths. You're not going to say that if I don't agree, you'll pin this on me, are you?"

"How could that be?" Su Yu waved her hand. "I knew from the beginning that Brother Meng was no ordinary person, and it was only a matter of time before he replaced Pei Changyu in His Majesty's heart."

"Are you so sure I'll cooperate with you?"

"You have no other choice. Pei Changyu has his eye on you. If he gains power and only covets Xie Yun Chu, you will not have a good end."

"Brother Meng, you should think it through carefully before making a decision."