Chapter 60: You Are So Shameless, Pay Back the Money!

Pei Wenxuan spoke, causing everyone to look at each other in confusion. Li Rong fanned herself, watching the scene unfold from the side.

After a while, Pei Xuanqing said softly, “The wealth your father left behind is substantial. Although you are now an adult, you are still a child and have no experience managing these assets. It would be better for your second aunt to handle them.”

“Grandfather, you must be joking,” Pei Wenxuan laughed. “I am now an official in the Imperial Censorate and have established my own family. I am an adult and should not trouble my elders with my affairs. Moreover, my mother is still alive. If I cannot manage my father’s assets, my mother should handle them, not other elders.”

“Then ask your mother,” Pei Xuanqing replied, turning to Wen Shi. “Wen Shi, you previously asked the family to help manage the assets, and the family invited Li Xian to assist. You need to explain this to Wenxuan to avoid any misunderstandings.”

Wen Shi, having been named, stood up with difficulty and respectfully said, “Father-in-law is right. I have already informed Wenxuan, and he understands. However, Wenxuan has grown up and is of age to manage affairs. If his second uncle continues to manage them, it might cause friction.”

Before Wen Shi left, Li Rong had already instructed her on what to say. With everyone watching her, she dared not look up. Although she stammered, she managed to convey her message clearly.

As she spoke, everyone’s expressions changed.

Pei Liwen sneered, “Sister-in-law, you haven’t stayed at the Princess’s residence in vain. You’ve quickly become suspicious of the family. Second Brother, you should stop managing the assets. Your good intentions are being taken for granted.”

“Third brother…” Wen Shi hurriedly tried to explain, “We also…”

“My mother shares my thoughts,” Pei Wenxuan interrupted Wen Shi, looking at Pei Xuanqing. “How about I come over tomorrow to inventory my assets? What do you think, Grandfather?”

Pei Xuanqing remained silent. An elder of the clan coughed and said, “Lizhi was the most promising child of our Pei family. We all watched him grow up and supported him in his official career. Although the assets he left behind are indeed Wenxuan’s, the family cannot just watch them disappear. Wenxuan is too reckless in his actions. Look at recent events; many noble families are dissatisfied with him. I think the child needs more tempering.”

As soon as the elder spoke, everyone agreed. Li Rong sat on the side, sipping tea, and glanced at Pei Wenxuan with a smile. Pei Wenxuan stood calmly in the hall, smiling warmly without any malice. He then spoke slowly, “When my father first arrived in Huajing, he was about my age. At that time, the Emperor was still the Crown Prince, and the imperial examination had not yet been established. My father moved around Huajing and eventually became the Crown Prince’s confidant, bringing the Pei family to prominence. But why did my father, a commoner, become the Crown Prince’s confidant?”

Pei Wenxuan smiled and asked, but no one responded. He dusted off his sleeves, lowered his head, and said softly, “Many things are understood by everyone. The Pei family’s rise is clear to the elders. Why did His Majesty establish the Censorate? The elders say that Wenxuan is reckless and has a bad reputation among the noble families, and they criticize me to please them,” Pei Wenxuan laughed and looked around, “Why not go to the palace and let His Majesty judge?”

“So many ministers have been kneeling outside the Imperial Study for so long, and His Majesty has not received them to save face. Elders, please do not disappoint His Majesty’s efforts.”

No one spoke. Pei Wenxuan’s words were not new to them. They had realized this after Li Rong’s scolding last time. However, the wealth left by Pei Lizhi was substantial, and Pei Lixian was now in a high position, so they could not afford to offend him. They had to support Pei Lixian.

But now, Pei Wenxuan’s words were full of threats. The emperor’s attitude was clear, and he was likely dissatisfied with the Pei family. However, Pei Lixian was still in a high position and needed to be given face. If Wen Shi insisted, it would remain a family matter, and the emperor would not intervene. But now that Wen Shi had been persuaded by Pei Wenxuan, if this reached the emperor, they would be in trouble. Seeing the elders waver, Pei Wenxuan softened his tone, “Yesterday, I could have confronted Third Uncle in front of the Imperial Study, but I thought, after all, I am a member of the Pei family. We should help each other. Internal matters should be resolved internally to avoid making a spectacle.”

“Although I am not as accomplished as my late father, I have some influence in the Censorate. In the future, I will need the support of my family members in officialdom. Today, I came with the princess not to create conflict but to clarify things. I am a member of the Pei family, now and in the future. Now that I am married to Princess Rong, the Pei family is inevitably connected to her. The elders are trying to please the noble families, but they may not value us. It is better to wholeheartedly follow His Majesty and the princess. In the future, if we work together, we need not fear the threats of other noble families.”

Pei Wenxuan’s words were both reassuring and assertive, implying that he now had backing and ability, and a promising future, urging everyone to follow him.

After the stick came the carrot, and everyone began to consider. After a while, Pei Xuanqing finally said, “You are a good child. We misunderstood you before. Your insight makes me very pleased. Lixian,” Pei Xuanqing looked at Pei Lixian, “the child is not young anymore. Should we do as he says?”

Everyone looked at Pei Lixian, their eyes filled with expectation.

Pei Lixian sighed and said, “When I took over this matter, I told Sister-in-law that there might be friction in the future. She didn’t believe me and always said Wenxuan was not that kind of child. Now it seems…”

Pei Lixian shook his head and smiled bitterly, “Forget it.”

His words implied that Pei Wenxuan and his mother were ungrateful, but Pei Wenxuan didn’t mind. He was used to his uncles being difficult. Before he could speak, a trembling voice interrupted, “How can you say that?”

Everyone was surprised to see Wen Shi stand up. She looked at Pei Lixian, and with uncharacteristic courage, she scolded, “You persuaded me, saying Wenxuan was young and had to return home for mourning. I was in poor health and afraid of being deceived, so I entrusted the assets to your wife. You said you would teach Wenxuan to manage money and return it to him when he came back. Now that he is back, I reluctantly asked for the money, and you refuse? How shameless can you be?”

Wen Shi’s words were simple and sincere. Li Rong couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Everyone looked at her, and she quickly said, “Sorry, I got distracted. Please continue.”

Pei Wenxuan knew why she laughed and gave her a helpless look. He cleared his throat and said, “Second Uncle, I know you mean well, and I don’t doubt you. But I do need money to handle affairs. It’s not good for you to keep holding it, is it?”

Pei Lixian’s face turned pale and then red from Wen Shi’s scolding. Before he could speak, Wen Shi continued, “So you have been deceiving me all along. I trusted you, and you betrayed me? How many wrongs have you done to my son? I treated you like a brother, and you are so cruel?”

Wen Shi’s words were heartfelt, and she was in tears. Pei Lixian hurriedly said, “Sister-in-law, it’s not what you think. Let me explain…”

“Return the money,” Wen Shi, now emotional, shouted like a shrew, “That is my son’s money! I was deceived by you. I wronged Wenxuan. If you don’t return the money today, I… I… I’ll kill you!”

Li Rong listened to Wen Shi’s words and couldn’t tell if she misspoke or truly intended to kill Pei Lixian.

She had always found Wen Shi weak and annoying, but today, she found her somewhat endearing.

Seeing that Wen Shi’s unreasonable behavior was effective, Pei Wenxuan decided to stay silent and let Wen Shi and Pei Lixian argue.

Wen Shi was not someone who could be reasoned with. Now crying and making a scene, Pei Lixian had no way to deal with her. Wen Shi recounted all the promises Pei Lixian had made to her in the past and spoke of how Pei Lizhi had helped and cared for Pei Lixian. In her excitement, she couldn’t help but pounce on him.

The scene became chaotic, with everyone rushing to pull them apart and calm them down. It was quite a spectacle.

After much effort, they managed to separate Wen Shi and Pei Lixian. Wen Shi had pulled off Pei Lixian’s hairpin and scratched his face. Held back by others, Pei Lixian looked at Wen Shi, who was crying hysterically in Pei Wenxuan’s arms, and angrily said, “Everything should be done step by step. Sister-in-law, you are being unreasonable. It’s not that I won’t give the money, but Wenxuan is busy with state affairs. Can he manage it if I give it to him suddenly? You can’t manage it either! I let my wife continue to handle it, and Wenxuan can check the accounts and manage things. When Wenxuan is less busy, he can gradually take over. Why can’t you see my good intentions?!”

“I don’t care!” Wen Shi cried, “You are bullying us, a widow and an orphan, trying to harm Wenxuan. I don’t care, give back the money, give back the money!”

Wen Shi kept shouting about the money, making everyone feel both awkward and disdainful. Pei Wenxuan comforted his mother while Li Rong put down her tea and said softly, “Isn’t it just about managing the money?”

As soon as Li Rong spoke, everyone fell silent. She stood up, smiling, and said, “I’ll manage it.”

“Your Highness, you are of noble status,” Pei Lixian quickly said, “How can we trouble you with such trivial matters?”

“No matter how noble my status, I am still Wenxuan’s wife,” Li Rong said, walking over to Pei Wenxuan and taking his hand. She smiled at Pei Lixian, “Managing accounts is a wife’s duty. Wenxuan is busy with state affairs, so I should help him.”

“Your Highness, you have many responsibilities with the Censorate. I’m afraid…”

“It’s fine,” Li Rong interrupted Pei Lixian, looking serious, “For Wenxuan, it’s worth the effort. Besides, the Censorate doesn’t have much to do; it’s just a title. Don’t worry, Second Uncle. As for the money,” Li Rong said, trying not to laugh, “I have my own fiefdom, so this amount of money is not significant. Managing it all together is no big deal. Second Uncle,” Li Rong lowered her voice as if reminding him, “You should be careful, okay?”

Pei Lixian’s face turned extremely ugly, and Pei Wenxuan lowered his head and chuckled.

He didn’t care about Pei Lixian’s answer anymore but couldn’t help emphasizing, “My wife is right, Second Uncle. Don’t worry, she’s very capable.”

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