Chapter 89: Banishment

Chapter 89: Banishment

Gu's heart raced. What did Yuanxi mean by this?

If Yuanxi didn't wish to see Yuanjun thrive, could she renounce the marriage? With the support of the Great Commander, she needn't fear that old coot at home.

"Second Aunt," Kang pleaded with her gaze, "Don't speak in anger. I understand you're upset about Yuanjun's troubles, but no matter how angry you are, you can't disown her."

Pei Yuanxi met her pleading look and gradually lowered her eyelids.

Muttering "Amitabha" in her heart, she said to Madam Gu, "Sister-in-law, don't be too upset. Yuanjun is indeed naive, and if you feel the need to scold or punish her, I won't have any objections. She's a child I've seen grow up since she was little; you're free to discipline her as you see fit in the future."

These words were an undeniable act of surrender.

Madam Gu was precisely waiting for this opportunity to take advantage of the situation. "Matriarch, I'm doing this all out of consideration for the long-standing friendship between our two families. And my own flesh and blood niece, such an excellent child."

Madame Kang's face lit up with a smile, "Our Yuanxi is a gem; with her as the benchmark, the young ladies of our Marquisate need not aspire only to marry into the most illustrious families, but they are certain to fare well in their matches nonetheless."

By those words, it is utterly impossible for her to be a concubine.

Pei Yuanjun felt reassured, knowing that her grandmother was thinking of the greater good. Although it displeased her to benefit from Pei Yuanxi's favor, if this opportunity could pave her way into marrying into a noble household, she would have to swallow her pride.

Yet, despite her willingness to endure, Lady Gu still had nothing but harsh words for her.

"Madam, I understand your concerns, and I am well aware that a family of our standing would never allow our daughter to become a concubine. However, there are those who willingly lower themselves. When it comes to Yuanjun, I am at a loss for words."

"Madam Shen, such words are not fitting. Perhaps Yuanjun has her moments of oversight, but Prince Shen might not be entirely blameless either. In such matters, it takes two to tango. Both our families are concerned with our reputations; why not sit down and discuss a mutually beneficial solution?"

There is no perfect solution; it simply involves offering more concessions. Lady Gu understands this principle. No matter how much she disdains Pei Yuanjun or how unsatisfied she is with this marriage, she knows that this union must take place.

She sat down with an unamused expression, and Lady Kang breathed a slight sigh of relief upon seeing this.

Pei Yuanjun felt a secret satisfaction. Wasn't Lady Shen known for her scathing tongue? Why had she fallen silent? Yuanjun knew that her grandmother and father wouldn't abandon her. So what if she was a concubine's daughter? In the future, she was destined to be a marquise.

Madam Kang wished she could turn a blind eye to the smugness that flashed in her eyes. How foolish this creature was!

"Prince Shen and my brother Jige were classmates. From what I understand, Jige's father intends to have both boys give it a try next year, to dip their toes into the competition, even if they don't make it onto the honor roll, it would still broaden their horizons. Both of them being young princes, with a bond forged since childhood, they will undoubtedly support each other in the future within the court."

This promise encompassed so much, striking right at the heart of Madam Shen's desires. What did Madam Shen wish for the most? Naturally, it was for her son to excel and rise above others.

The Marquis Changqi's residence was far less grand than the Marquis Xuanping's, and with Marquis Xuanping holding an important position in the court, coupled with Pei Yuanxi's relationships with Gongye Chu and Shangxing, the Marquis Changqi's household would have to rely on the Marquis Xuanping's in the future.

"Madam is absolutely right. Our Yin Ge'er has mentioned your Ji Ge'er quite often. They are very close friends at the academy. It's said that friendships forged in youth last the longest, and I hope they will support each other in the future."

Madam Shen looked from one person to another, her expression shifting several times.

Pei Yuanjun assumed the matter had been settled and almost laughed aloud. The better Chang Yin became, the higher her status as his wife would rise. She could already envision a life of wealth and honor ahead of her.

Pei Yuanxi, Pei Yuanxi, you may have stolen my rightful place as the legitimate daughter, but even as a concubine-born daughter, I still married into a marquis' household. What difference does it make? Perhaps for the sake of appearances, Mother might even recognize me again as a legitimate daughter, and then I'll be on equal footing with Pei Yuanxi.

Thoughts of this filled her with delight.

Kang and Gu ladies exchanged polite remarks, gradually turning their conversation to the topic of their families' betrothals.

Gu was not entirely satisfied, and her gaze at Pei Yuanjun carried a hint of disdain. "Madam, I value the family's morals and conduct. I fear that one person's lack of self-respect could tarnish the reputation of the other young ladies, especially my own niece. This child has worked hard to get where she is today, and I cannot afford to hinder her progress."

Even now, Gu continued to curry favor with Pei Yuanxi, as if the previous conflict over Shen Yurong had never occurred.

Madam Kang forced a smile. "Yuanxi is a good girl. It must be difficult for you to care for her so much."

Pei Yuanxi lowered her eyes. "Grandmother, there's no need to worry about me. Haven't I already suffered enough from my reputation? I've long stopped caring what others think of me, let alone whether or not I have a sister who becomes a concubine."

Pei Yuanjun's eyes widened in shock, unable to believe what she heard.

Madam Gu hesitated for a moment, her gaze flickering. "Yuanxi, are you really not just speaking out of anger?"

Madam Kang quickly interjected. "Yuanxi is worried that I might put you in a difficult position. She's always been a sensible child."

Pei Yuanxi shook her head. "I'm not speaking out of anger. I truly don't care. If Aunt thinks that Yuanjun is worthy of being the son's wife, then marry her properly. If she's only suitable as a concubine, then bring her into the marquis residence. Just don't involve me in this matter."

"Peng Yuanxi, how cruel you are!" Pei Yuanjun screamed. "I am your own sister! How can anyone push their own sister to become a concubine?"

"Who said anything about becoming a concubine?" A man's voice echoed from outside, followed by the entrance of Marquis Xuanping with another man. The man was half a head shorter than Marquis Xuanping, with a fair complexion and a beard tinged with an unnatural red.

This was none other than Marquis Changqi, Shen Xiang.

Marquis Changqi had just returned home after a night of drinking with friends when Madam Lin summoned him for a scolding. She berated him for his incompetence and accused Madam Gu of disrespecting her mother-in-law. She also wept over her beloved granddaughter's suffering.

Flushed with humiliation and fueled by the alcohol-induced rush of blood to his head, he hurried to Marquis Xuanping's residence. Upon arriving, he happened to bump into Marquis Xuanping just as he was returning home.

Madam Gu's face flushed, not from anger at Marquis Changqi, but from embarrassment. They were both marquises and of similar age. Comparing Lord Pei's remarkable gallantry to her husband's contented, good-for-nothing appearance after a hearty meal was truly unbearable to witness.

Unaware of this, Marquis Changqi stealthily glanced at Lady Kang and barely managed to execute a courteous bow.

Another burp later, she finally noticed Pei Yuanjun kneeling on the floor. "Yuanjun, why are you kneeling? Get up at once. Whoever just suggested that you become a concubine, Uncle will not agree to it first!"

Pei Yuanjun felt a surge of joy in her heart, believing that even the heavens were on her side.

"It's me," Pei Yuanxi replied.

"You?" He caught a glimpse of her in his peripherals. "Who are you?"

"I am the second daughter of the Pei family."

Marquis Changqi, though somewhat disoriented, recognized her as his newly acknowledged niece. "So you're my very own niece, and quite a looker too."

Madame Gu was utterly embarrassed. Which uncle would say such a thing?

Madam Kang wore an unfriendly expression, and Madam Shen naturally felt ashamed as well.

Marquis Xuanping said irritably, "Servant, bring Lord Shen a bowl of sobering soup!"

Marquis Changqi chuckled. "Marquis Pei is truly considerate, unlike my wife who wouldn't even come to help me when she sees me. My mother said that such a daughter-in-law is disrespectful... If not for her managing the inner courtyard and raising our children these years, I really should have divorced her..."

Madam Gu's face turned pale with anger. "What did you say?"

Startled by her, Marquis Changqi jumped and looked at Pei Yuanxi in surprise. "Oh, were you the one who suggested that Yuanjun becomes a concubine? Aren't you her elder sister? How can you wish for your own sister to be a concubine? That's... not good... not good at all..."

"Shameless wretch, what else can she do if she doesn't become a concubine?" With her anger flaring up, Madam Gu had no intention of giving Pei Yuanjun any face.

Madam Kang's expression changed, and Marquis Xuanping's face turned livid.

"What are you shouting about?" Marquis Changqi nearly leaped up in shock. "This is the residence of Marquis Xuanping. Yuanjun has been doted on since she was young by our mother. Don't you feel heartache to make her a concubine? If you dare to yell at me again, believe it or not, I'll divorce you!"

Lately, Madam Lin had been mentioning divorcing Madam Gu frequently. Influenced by this, Marquis Changqi, under the influence of alcohol, spoke without thinking. These words he shouldn't have said naturally slipped out.

Pei Yuanjun was ecstatic inside. If Madam Shen were to be divorced and she married into the marquis's household, wouldn't she immediately take charge? When that time came, she would have the final say in the Changqi Marquis's residence, and no one would dare to look down on her.

Madame Gu's face was ashen, clearly indicating her intense anger.

Marquis Xuanping hurriedly tried to mediate, "What nonsense are you spouting, Lord Shen? These aren't words one can say casually. Weren't we discussing the matter of the two children? Why are you bringing up these irrelevant issues?"

"Yes, yes, it's about the betrothal of the two children." Marquis Changqi staggered, his body swaying. "After such an incident, they should quickly get married."

"I disagree!" Madame Gu shouted. She had indeed planned to swallow her pride earlier, but now she suddenly didn't want to. He wanted to divorce her for that lowly creature—she refused to endure it any longer.

"Y-you…" Marquis Changqi pointed at her, his drunken gaze already terrifying, now even more so.

Pei Yuanxi spoke softly, "Uncle, it was me who mentioned making Yuanjun a concubine earlier. If anyone asks my opinion on this marriage, I would also disagree."

Madame Gu was deeply moved upon hearing this. She knew she hadn't misjudged Pei Yuanxi. With her standing by her side at this moment, the resentment she still harbored from the previous incident dissipated.

"Mother, my reputation is ruined... If I don't marry Prince Shen, who else could I marry?" Pei Yuanjun burst into tears. Clearly, Lady Shen had shown signs of giving in, and the matter was almost settled. What business did Pei Yuanxi have interfering?

Madame Kang closed her eyes and sighed, her expression filled with unspeakable sadness.

Marquis Xuanping frowned, struggling to understand what his second daughter was trying to achieve. The sisters in their household had never shown any enmity towards each other before. Why was she behaving like this all of a sudden?

"Yuanxi, tell me, why?"

Pei Yuanjun was filled with resentment. Pei Yuanxi insisted on being a concubine, and yet her father was asking politely for the reason? They were both his daughters, so why had his favor always leaned towards Yuanxi since childhood?

In the past, she was the legitimate daughter, and even without her father's affection, it didn't matter much. But now that she was a concubine's child, why did her father still side with Pei Yuanxi in everything?

"Father, do you really need to ask? Second Sister has always resented and hated me. She hates that I took her identity, that I enjoyed the benefits meant for her. I am also your daughter, so why should she have the right to make me a concubine?"

"Did I force you to become a concubine? Aren't you the one who did this with the intention of becoming one? You must face the consequences of your own actions; no one forced you," Pei Yuanxi replied.

Marquis Changqi sipped the sobering soup brought by a servant, his eyes still glassy from the alcohol. He glanced alternately at Pei Yuanjun and Pei Yuanxi.

He thought to himself that Yuanjun used to be so arrogant, yet she seemed so powerless in front of her new niece. He also mused that this new niece was so formidable, no wonder she could catch the eye of the Grand Commander.

Gu Shi said with hatred, "Poor Yin Ge'er, such a well-mannered and sensible child. After this incident, others will think he gained some great advantage, but they don't know how deeply he must be affected, unable to face anyone..."

"Men, they won't suffer any loss," grumbled Marquis Changqi, earning a withering look from Gu Shi. As he sobered up a bit, he dared not mention divorce again. Under Gu Shi's glare, he reluctantly turned away, pretending to look around indifferently.

Marquis Xuanping knew that his second daughter would never speak without a reason; there must be a cause behind her words. When he looked at Pei Yuanxi, she met his gaze.

"Father asked why I said such things, and I have my reasons. People say that marriage unites two families in harmony. Grandmother and Mother both know what kind of person Third Sister is. Let me ask you, do you think marrying Yuanjun to Cousin Prince would be uniting in happiness or creating enmity?"

Gu Shi sensed something amiss and hurriedly asked, "Yuanxi, quickly tell Auntie what Yuanjun has done. Why did you say such things?"

Kang Shi sighed and gently shook her head at Pei Yuanxi.

Looking at Shen Shi, Pei Yuanxi continued, "Mother, Cousin Prince is your own nephew."

Shen Shi's face was deathly pale; she had never been so humiliated in her entire life. She didn't dare meet Gu Shi's gaze; Gu Shi's stare made her wish she could find a hole to crawl into.

"I... What did I say?" Already criticized relentlessly by her sister-in-law, was she supposed to seek more abuse? "Since Sister-in-law disapproves of this match, then let it be..."

"You will speak, and you will explain yourself clearly!" Marquis Xuanping threw open his robe and sat down, his face dark with anger, a terrifying sight.

Her heart skipped a beat. "What is there for me to say? Yuanjun's character is indeed a bit... skewed..."

"Mother, Yuanjun's character cannot simply be dismissed as 'skewed.' Father probably doesn't know the state Aunt Li was in after her death—skin and bones, blue and purple all over."

Marquis Xuanping's expression changed drastically as he looked at Pei Yuanjun in disbelief.

Madam Kang wouldn't reveal the truth, and neither would Madam Shen. He had always believed that Aunt Li had brought her own demise upon herself, but now he realized it wasn't so simple...

Madam Gu covered her pounding heart as she absorbed the revelation. Fear was followed by overwhelming fury. For his sister-in-law to hide such a matter was utterly unforgivable.

Marquis Changqi's mind was still foggy, but his eyes were darting around. Confused by the sudden silence and his wife's horrified expression, he tried to recall what his new niece had said to provoke such a reaction.

The mention of Aunt Li had drained all color from Madam Kang's face. She slowly turned the Buddhist rosary beads in her hands, closing her eyes and letting out a long sigh.

Pei Yuanjun felt icy cold, as if she were trapped in an icy abyss. She could hear her own heartbeat growing more frantic with each beat. She knew she was ruined. "Pei Yuanxi... you... you'll meet a terrible end!"

Slap!

A slap echoed through the room, and everyone turned to see that it was Madam Shen.

Madam Shen's hand trembled; she couldn't believe she had struck someone, let alone her cherished child. What sin had she committed to endure such a miserable fate? "Mother, you hit me?" Pei Yuanjun couldn't believe it either. "You've forgotten how much you doted on me, how your heart ached when I fell. You said I was your one and only child, that I could have anything I desired. You promised to plan for my future, ensuring a life of wealth and honor. Now, I'm not your daughter anymore? You discard me at will for your own flesh and blood? Look at her, does she appreciate you? She doesn't even want to acknowledge you, yet all of you fawn over her. You curry favor with her, just because she's a legitimate daughter and has landed a good marriage. But what about me? I have nothing left. I only wanted to marry Brother Chang Yin. Why must you force me into being a concubine?"

Madam Shen was wracked with grief. "Yuanxi... she... she can't compare to you in any way. Even if you dislike her, you should consider yourself. Having a sister as a concubine isn't a reputation anyone wants."

Pei Yuanxi's eyes narrowed slightly. "With Pei Yuanjun's character, whoever marries her will be the unlucky one. If she fears the consequences to her reputation, why not sever ties completely? If the woman who becomes a concubine isn't from the Marquis of Xuanping's household, those gossips wouldn't dare to point fingers at us."

Everyone was stunned, staring at her in a daze. Even Marquis Changqi, still somewhat drunk, understood the implications of her words. Was she suggesting that they expel Pei Yuanjun from the marquis's residence?

"Second Aunt," Kang Shi finally spoke up, "Y-You really intend to do this?"

"If you had asked for my opinion, this would have been it. If you don't care about my thoughts, then naturally, you'll proceed as planned."

Who dared to disregard her opinion? Not even Marquis Changqi would dare.

Marquis Xuanping was the first to voice his stance. "The Marquis of Xuanping's residence has no room for those with ill intentions."

Upon hearing her son's words, Kang Shi let out another long sigh.

No one spoke for a while. Pei Yuanjun's heart grew colder by the second, and her gaze filled with hatred. All her hopes were now placed on Madam Shen. She crawled to Madam Shen's feet and wept bitterly.

"Mother, please help me. I don't want anything else. I just want to marry well. I promise I won't act that way again in the future. I'll surely be filial to Madam Shen..."

Madam Shen's face was filled with sorrow. She had imagined countless times how glorious it would be for this child to have an extravagant wedding, one that everyone would envy. Even after acknowledging her biological daughter, she never imagined this day would come. The thought that the child she had raised with her own hands could only end up as a concubine made her feel like a joke for the first half of her life.

She yearned to shut out all sounds and sights, to simply bury her head in the sand, but alas, she found it impossible.

Pei Yuanxi glanced at Xiang Mang standing behind her. The maid slowly removed the jade bracelet from her wrist and, with her head bowed, offered it to her. "Madam, this bracelet is of no use to this servant. Allow me to return it to you."

Fixated on the bracelet, she was flooded with memories of the night when she had firmly resolved her course of action. A wave of sorrow suddenly washed over her.

After a long while, she steeled herself and said, "Let it be so."