The playboy county magistrate

Meanwhile, the Chengen Earl's residence was in complete chaos early in the morning.

Li Dehai sat in the main seat of the hall, his face as black as the bottom of a pot. He held a teacup in his hand, his knuckles white from gripping it so tightly, and slammed it heavily on the table with a bang.

"This is outrageous! Utterly outrageous!"

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, his chest heaving uncontrollably, unable to suppress his anger.

Yesterday's family dinner was originally his idea to use his status as an elder to give Li Xuanzhi and his wife a good talking-to and establish his own authority.

To his dismay, Li Xuanzhi showed no respect whatsoever, simply picking up Pei Qingyuan and walking away. He left his biological father, the dignified Marquis of Chengen, standing there in the hall, completely exposed.

Rebel!

He did it on purpose!

Seeing this, Li Xuanjing felt much more relaxed.

Although we failed to destroy Pei Qingyuan's innocence yesterday, we didn't lose out.

At least for now, his father's prejudice against Pei Qingyuan is deeply ingrained and unbreakable.

Li Xuanjing lowered his head and spoke softly:

"Father, please calm down. Getting angry will only harm your health. In the end, it's not entirely my second brother's fault; it's mostly his wife's problem."

Sure enough, these words only fueled Li Dehai's anger.

"Your father isn't stupid! Of course I know it was that Pei woman who instigated it!"

"Although Xuanzhi used to be cold-hearted, he was very well-mannered and filial. But since meeting this woman, he's completely changed. He has no regard for his father, brothers, or clan. After marrying her, his heart and soul are completely devoted to his wife!"

"Our Li family kindly elevated her status, making her Xuanzhi's principal wife and bestowing upon her an imperial title. Not only is she ungrateful, but she even dares to sow discord between us, father and son!"

He said this without batting an eye, and even Li Xuanjing, who was stirring things up, thought his father was incredibly shameless.

However, for the sake of his own future and interests, Li Xuanjing chose to continue to fuel the fire by following his words.

"Father may say so, but my second brother is too protective of his wife now. Yesterday, you only gave him a few words of reprimand, and he immediately turned hostile and wouldn't back down. It's clear that in his heart now, our family members are no match for his wife."

"I am also worried. My second brother is currently enjoying the Emperor's favor, and no one in the court or the country dares to offend him. But if he continues to be misled by women, disregarding filial piety and alienating himself from the clan, his reputation will be tarnished. In the long run, it will inevitably give others grounds for criticism and provide ammunition for his rivals in the court."

These words sound quite grand and dignified.

On the surface, she was worried about Li Xuanzhi's future and reputation, but in reality, she was trying to firmly pin the label of "a troublemaker who ruins the family and sows discord among relatives" on Pei Qingyuan.

Li Dehai was indeed persuaded, his face darkening even more frighteningly, and he said coldly:

"You're right, this woman can't be allowed to live! If we let her continue like this, Xuanzhi will eventually forget where he belongs!"

Li Xuanjing was overjoyed, but his face remained respectful.

"Father, please be careful with your words. My second brother's wife... after all, she is a Lady of the Imperial Court, and we cannot deal with her privately. However, I feel that we should give her a good talking-to, let her know the rules of the Li family, and understand her place in the hierarchy. We cannot allow her to manipulate my second brother and do whatever she wants."

Li Dehai pondered for a moment, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.

"You're right, rules must be established! Otherwise, if everyone follows the example of Li Xuanzhi's mother, Zhang, this family will collapse sooner or later! Go to his private residence again and say that I am not feeling well, and specifically request that Pei Qingyuan come alone to attend to my health and inquire about my well-being."

"I want to ask her alone what she's really up to! If she doesn't repent and continues to be spoiled and arrogant, I'll risk being criticized to teach this woman a lesson on behalf of Xuanzhi!"

Upon hearing this, Li Xuanjing's mind immediately began to race with calculations.

Caring for the sick alone?

This is a golden opportunity!

There were too many people around yesterday, so he couldn't make a second move.

If Pei Qingyuan had come to the Marquis's residence alone, away from Li Xuanzhi's watchful eye, then everything that followed would have been out of her control!

Even if he can't ruin her reputation, he can still set a trap to make her completely lose her composure in front of Li Dehai, solidify her crime of being unfilial, and completely ruin her reputation!

Li Xuanjing immediately bowed and agreed, his attitude and tone very sincere.

"Your son obeys! I will set off immediately and will definitely invite my second brother's wife over. We cannot allow her to jeopardize the future of the Earl's family or delay my second brother's prospects!"

He pretended to be wholeheartedly devoted to his family and his younger brother, thus deceiving the prejudiced Li Dehai, and quickly turned and left the hall.

As soon as he stepped out of the main hall, the gentle and respectful look on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a sinister expression.

Pei Qingyuan, Li Xuanzhi...

You ruined my future, and yesterday you ruined my plans. Today, let's see how you hide!

On the other side, in the inner courtyard of Li Xuanzhi's private residence.

Li Xuanzhi had just finished dealing with a bunch of things in his study when he returned to the main courtyard.

The physician had already explained the situation to him; Pei Qingyuan's condition might not have been completely resolved yet.

So Li Xuanzhi, convinced that he was the only antidote, went back to bed and cuddled with Pei Qingyuan for a while.

At this moment, Pei Qingyuan nestled in Li Xuanzhi's arms, her eyes gentle and her complexion rosy.

She gently raised her hand, poked Li Xuanzhi's chest, and spoke softly.

"My husband, I almost cried yesterday. In all my life, I have never seen such an unreasonable elder or such a wicked brother."

She used to think that the people in the Earl's Mansion were snobbish and indifferent, but now she has seen it clearly. They are not just indifferent, but vicious and ruthless.

Li Xuanzhi tightened his arms, holding her even closer, his fingertips gently stroking her hair, his tone full of doting affection and protectiveness.

"You've been wronged. It's my fault for not protecting you properly, and you've suffered so much for nothing."

Pei Qingyuan shook her head, leaned against his chest, and said softly:

"I'm not blaming you, I just feel it's not worth it. You've never relied on the Earl's mansion for anything, and you've been neglected since you were a child. Now that you've made something of yourself, not only do they not help you, but they also scheme against you at every turn and bully me. It's just too much."

Li Xuanzhi's tone instantly turned cold, the gentleness in his eyes vanished, leaving only a chilling coldness.

His hand was still stroking Pei Qingyuan's shoulder intermittently. "From the moment they dared to lay a hand on you yesterday, the little remaining connection I had with the Li family was completely severed."

If it weren't for the fact that filial piety has been the guiding principle in governing the country throughout history, he could have completely severed ties when he helped his mother, Zhang, leave the Chengen Earl's Mansion last time.

He knew perfectly well why the emperor hadn't allowed him to completely sever his status as the second son of the Marquis of Chengen. It was simply because the Marquis of Chengen's family still held a title, and if that old man, the Marquis of Chengen, didn't act recklessly, he could have fought for that title.

Although he disdained this title, which diminished in status with each generation, he knew he would have many children in the future, and who knows, one of the good-for-nothings might inherit it and live a life of idleness and complacency.