Chapter 121: Crying It Out Makes the Heart Feel Better

Chapter 121: Crying It Out Makes the Heart Feel Better

The assassin had to die for the Crown Prince to let his guard down. Jiang Jie chose to bring up this matter at such an event and even gave a gift to the Prime Minister, seemingly as an apology.

At the Ruan family's banquet today, the second branch was undoubtedly the most distressed. Zheng Qiaohui couldn't help but wonder how Qingzhou had managed to escape this calamity. If he had died, the Ruan family would have been left with only Qingchi as the sole male descendant.

Even if the old lady still disliked the second branch, the family fortune couldn't be allowed to go to outsiders.

What a shame...

Xiaoyue, constrained by propriety, had no choice but to bring Pei Chong along to pay their respects: "Xiaoyue hasn't been home for many days. Today, Qingzhou has been appointed to an official position, so I came with my husband to offer congratulations."

"Good, good, we're all family, no need to stand on ceremony." After all, she was her own granddaughter, and the old lady always wanted to give her a chance.

But today, the Pei family's arrogance made her uncomfortable.

Especially the youngest daughter of the Pei family, who looked at Xiaoyue with disdain and contempt, yet smiled and fawned over the young misses from official families, completely disregarding the closeness of family ties.

Where was the grace and poise expected of a young lady from a prominent family?

Even before Qingzhou's incident, she had people watching the Pei family and knew vaguely that Xiaoyue's situation wasn't good. Though she was the legitimate wife, there was a concubine in the household about to give birth.

Seeing it again today, Xiaoyue's life in the Pei family must truly be difficult.

The old lady, being elderly, sat for a while before leaving the banquet and returning to Jingxin Pavilion, taking Xiaoyue with her.

Before leaving, Xiaoyue noticed Pei Chong signaling to her, knowing he and Pei Wen hoped she could mediate their return to the old residence.

In the past, she had been reluctant and wanted to move back, but now, for some reason, she didn't want to give in to their wishes.

Pei Chong was in a foul mood tonight. As the Ruan family's son-in-law, he hadn't been seated at the main table. Coincidentally, Jiang Jie was also there tonight. He had wanted to eavesdrop on Jiang Jie and Pei Chong's conversation, but they were too far away, and he couldn't make out what they were saying. He only vaguely heard that the assassin from the martial arts exam had died?

This was indeed great news.

Lately, under pressure from the Crown Prince, he had been trying to raise funds to hire assassins to silence the old man before he could talk. This urgency had driven him to push Xiaoyue to seek the old lady's forgiveness as soon as possible.

As long as they could find a way to bring the second branch back to the Ruan family, there would naturally be chances to get the funds.

Now that the man had suddenly died in prison, it had saved him a lot of hassle.

Pei Chong was puzzled, his gaze at Jiang Jie deepening. Could it be... that he was also a man of the Crown Prince?

Jingxin Pavilion

Xiaoyue sat down somewhat awkwardly. The words her grandmother had spoken back then had now come true. Pei Chong was indeed not a man to be relied upon, but what could she do? The situation was already set, and she had no way out.

But her grandmother's next words shocked her: "Xiaoyue, if you wish to leave the Pei family, your grandmother will do everything in her power to help you achieve that."

The air in the room seemed to freeze, and Xiaoyue's heart skipped a beat. She had thought her grandmother had called her back to scold her for being blind and stubborn.

After all, the words and actions of the Pei family today had truly shown no regard for her face.

She had never expected her grandmother to say such a thing.

The feeling of having someone to rely on in a desperate situation made her tense emotions grow agitated. Even though she tried to suppress it, her eyes still reddened, and it seemed as if there were many grievances she wanted to pour out. But when she opened her mouth, all that came out was a choked sob, "Grandmother."

The old lady sighed deeply, sat up, and beckoned her over.

The moment she leaned into her grandmother's embrace, Xiaoyue could no longer hold back and burst into loud sobs.

Madam Pei patted her shoulder, her cloudy eyes brimming with deep helplessness: "Cry, let it out, it will make you feel better."

All children are good at heart, so how did things come to this?

**

As the banquet concluded, Madam Pei scanned the room, her displeasure growing as she failed to spot Ruan Xiaoyue.

As a daughter-in-law, she ought to be by her side, attending to her needs. Even if she wishes to get closer to the Ruan family, she should know her limits and not forget the rules.

In no time at all, she had lost count of how many officials' wives had inquired about her daughter-in-law's whereabouts, clearly wanting to see the Pei family in disarray.

Did Ruan Xiaoyue believe that with Prime Minister He An supporting the Ruan family, and her younger brother's promotion to fifth-rank deputy general, she could afford to slight the Pei family?

What nonsense.

A mere merchant's daughter—without the Ruan family's fortune, Ruan Xiaoyue wouldn't even merit her notice.

Pei Chong approached with a stern expression, prompting Madam Pei to voice her grievances: "Look at the wife you've chosen, neglecting her in-laws as if they were strangers."

Pei Chong, equally displeased, cast a glance towards the path to the inner courtyard. Estimating the time, Ruan Xiaoyue had been absent for nearly an hour. Could she have persuaded Madam Ruan to reintegrate the second branch into the Ruan family?

If so, it would be for the best.

Zheng Qiaohui intended to depart immediately after the banquet, only to find Xiao Rou and Qingchi missing. Upon inquiring with the servants, she learned they had both gone to visit Qingzhou Ruan, leaving her no option but to wait.

Noticing the Pei family still present, she felt obliged to approach and greet them, nudging her husband Ruan Chenglin, whispering: "They are family now; don't act this way."

Ruan Chenglin glanced at the Pei family, then turned his cold face away.

He had opposed this marriage from the outset, and with his daughter faring poorly, why should he preserve the Pei family's dignity?

Just today, Pei Chong had been schmoozing with various officials since his arrival at the Ruan family, yet he barely acknowledged his father-in-law, offering only a cursory greeting without a hint of courtesy.

Seeing this, Zheng Qiaohui had no choice but to go over herself: "Madam Pei, please don't be offended; things aren't always perfect. If there was any oversight, please don't dwell on it."

"Not at all, what are you implying, dear in-law? Since Xiaoyue joined the Pei family, I've treated her as my own. We're family now; there's no need for nitpicking."

Madam Pei's words were honeyed, yet Pei Wen at her side sulked: "Mother, you treat them as family, but they might not think the same."

Madam Pei scolded: "Silence! When your elders speak, you do not interrupt."

Pei Wen was angry but didn't dare to speak again.

Zheng Qiaohui's heart was heavy with distress today. Now, stepping through the Ruan family's gates once more, she felt like a stranger, and her daughter's plight in the Pei family was no better...

How did Ruan Qinghuan manage to win the favor of He An, that cold-hearted tyrant?

She had assumed He An disapproved of the match, given the two-year delay. Even as the Prime Minister's wife, Ruan Qinghuan's life would be far from pleasant.

Yet, against all expectations, He An proved to be excessively indulgent, even interfering in the Ruan family's private matters.

Not only had he ousted Ye Fang, the eldest brother's concubine, but he had also banished them to the villa...

All these grievances she laid at the feet of the eldest branch.

Madam Pei was tired, but Ruan Xiaoyue hadn't come out yet, so she suppressed her anger and said softly: "It's getting late, I will return to the residence first."

Zheng Qiaohui: "..."

If they left, how would Xiaoyue return later?

Just then, a maid from Jingxin Pavilion came to report: "Madam Pei, Madam misses the second young miss and wants to keep her tonight to talk, so she sent me to inform Madam Pei."

Hearing this, Madam Pei's eyebrows twitched, clearly unhappy: "If that's the case, then we will take our leave."