Chapter 204: His Aunt

Following Pei Chuyun to the small plaza outside the Pei Residence ancestral hall, Pei Qingyan and others were already waiting. There were also several richly dressed elders and middle-aged men whose gazes gleamed as they watched Pei Chuyun approach.

These were all members of the Pei clan from Hedong, including Pei Qingyan's cousins, granduncles, and uncles. As they were already near the capital, far from their family's ancestral temple in Hedong, they had decided not to return home and instead joined Pei Qingyan in the capital for the ancestor worship ceremony.

Having only recently been recognized by the clan, Pei Chuyun was meeting these relatives for the first time.

The young woman, with an impeccably graceful smile, bowed and greeted them, "Greetings, uncles and granduncles." However, out of the corner of her eye, she intently observed the expression on each person's face.

Most of their expressions were not particularly welcoming. While their smiles were polite, they were also distant, and the scrutiny and disdain in their eyes were quite evident.

After all, Pei Qingyan had brought home a child from outside, treating her as a legitimate daughter, which greatly violated the rules of aristocratic families. The Pei family had thus been secretly mocked by many prominent clans. It was normal for people to be displeased, though it wasn't necessarily malicious.

Due to Pei Qingyan's power and status, this displeasure wouldn't be openly expressed. They still had to show respect: "So this is Chuyun. We've heard she's talented and beautiful, and quite renowned in the capital. Seeing her today, it's certainly true."

Pei Chuyun gracefully returned the bow, "You flatter me, uncles and granduncles."

Her eyes had already fixed on a white-bearded elder. Only this man had remained silent, not uttering a single polite remark. The look in his eyes was not the polite detachment of the others, but a fleeting flash of horror.

Pei Yu said with a chuckle, "Even though Chuyun grew up outside, her etiquette, talents, and even her cultivation have brought great honor to our Pei family in the capital. Perhaps you uncles and granduncles don't know yet, but a few days ago, Chuyun challenged and defeated the top-ranked newcomer. While our Pei family has produced many top newcomers, Chuyun is only eighteen."

Pei Qingyan stroked his beard and smiled, clearly pleased with his daughter.

After all, his daughter was impeccable in every aspect, except for her habit of sneaking out at night to meet her lover. This was a lingering effect of the Joyous Maiden Sect's practices, making it very difficult to restrain her. Pei Qingyan couldn't very well act like a strict patriarch and punish her immediately after recognizing her, fearing she might lose her sense of belonging. For now, he could only turn a blind eye.

Pei Yu was still helping his sister keep it a secret. Did he really think their father didn't know? Their father knew even earlier than Pei Yu did. But with his daughter's identity tied to the Joyous Maiden Sect, how could he discipline her? If she became displeased, she could just return to her sect. How could he control that? Should he treat her like a prisoner? What would be the point of bringing her home then, only to foster resentment instead of affection?

For now, he could only hope that once she gradually integrated into the family, she would grow distant from, or even break ties with, the Joyous Maiden Sect. After all, any sane person would know how to choose between the Pei family and the Joyous Maiden Sect.

Only once she had made that choice and had no retreat could he begin to discipline her. At present, she was merely having a private rendezvous with one lover, not causing trouble everywhere. For someone from the Joyous Maiden Sect, maintaining such conduct was almost akin to purity. Old Pei's emotions were temporarily stable.

Just as he was thinking this, he heard the white-bearded elder say, "Qingyan, it's almost time. We should enter the ancestral hall."

Pei Qingyan glanced at the sky, nodded, and said, "Indeed. Yun'er, stand behind your father."

The elder interjected, "Wait. This is the position for a legitimate daughter. Historically, concubine-born daughters have never entered the ancestral hall with the family head. It's already good enough if they can pay respects from outside."

The air suddenly grew quiet. Pei Qingyan's expression darkened. "Third Uncle, His Majesty granted Yun'er admission to the Imperial Academy. I don't believe Third Uncle doesn't understand what that implies."

Imperial favors were almost never granted to children born of concubines; they were exclusively for legitimate sons and daughters. Therefore, the Emperor's grant implied that he recognized Pei Chuyun as if she were born to a second wife, making her a legitimate daughter.

With this precedent, normally no one would argue the point. Even if someone had a reason to be displeased, it would be someone whose interests were directly affected, like Pei Yu. What did it have to do with anyone else? Pei Yu himself was quite fond of his sister. Why should others fuss? Pei Qingyan hadn't expected anyone to bring this up during the Qingming ancestor worship.

The Third Uncle slowly said, "His Majesty's favor didn't explicitly state that she was to be elevated to the status of a legitimate daughter. If the family head insists on elevating her, wouldn't a formal procedure still be missing?"

Pei Qingyan frowned deeply, and Pei Yu's expression changed.

Of course, a procedure was missing: Pei Chuyun's birth mother's spirit tablet would have to be placed alongside his legitimate wife's, formally acknowledging her as a second wife.

But doing so would truly displease Pei Yu. Pei Chuyun herself wouldn't have pushed for such a thing. As long as Pei Yu's bottom line wasn't challenged, the siblings could naturally get along well. Once provoked to this extent, Pei Yu would undoubtedly explode.

Pei Qingyan certainly wouldn't risk alienating his only son just to elevate Pei Chuyun's status; that would be utterly foolish.

Bringing this up publicly was a clear act of provocation. Pei Qingyan's expression finally darkened. "It's merely a formality. Must you insist on disrespecting His Majesty's wishes?"

Third Uncle replied indifferently, "A 'formality,' as you call it, can be small, yet also grand. Our aristocratic families are established differently from those parvenus. Isn't ritual and regulation our most crucial foundation? If we undermine the rules today, it will set a precedent, and our family will surely fall into chaos. His Majesty will not lament for us. As family head, Qingyan, you must be responsible for the family, not merely act on your personal preferences. We, as clan elders, have a duty to offer advice."

Pei Qingyan coldly retorted, "Since Third Uncle is so particular about regulations, very well, Qingyan admires that. As an elder, Third Uncle should lead by example. Your son's position as Chief Clerk, perhaps he should relinquish it first. Giving three thousand spirit stones to Governor Zhang for a mere position undermines the rules. If this sets a precedent, the Great Qian will surely fall into chaos, and friendly nations will not lament for us."

Third Uncle was speechless.

Pei Qingyan continued, "And that 'Peach' you keep outside, Third Uncle... it's truly not in line with ritual propriety. Since Third Uncle values etiquette so much, it would be best to quickly send a sedan chair to bring her home. If Third Aunt causes a fuss, I'll help talk her down, as we are a prominent family, and rules come first, right? Oh, and by the way, regarding Xiaozhong's student quota at the Imperial College, I'll speak with Instructor Sun. We'll handle it according to the rules. My Third Uncle is an upright man, he wouldn't like things done outside of regulations..."

"Pfft..." Pei Yu burst out laughing. It was the first time he had seen his father behave this way.

Third Uncle's face twisted in anger. He lowered his voice, grinding his teeth, "Qingyan, you should know what Third Uncle's true intention is."

Pei Qingyan remained expressionless. "I don't know. I only know that ancestor worship is imminent, and Third Uncle is creating trouble for me at the last minute."

Third Uncle declared, "Do you think our ancestors, generation after generation, would approve of you bringing a Joyous Maiden demoness into their sacred hall, to disgrace them before their spirit tablets?!"

A collective gasp rose from the crowd.

Pei Qingyan's expression also changed. He had truly not expected this fellow to expose the matter publicly. Was this something that could be openly spoken about?!

As his mind raced for a counter-strategy, he heard Pei Chuyun say faintly, "So, you recognize me."

Third Uncle gnashed his teeth. "Of course I do."

"Why do you recognize me?" Pei Chuyun stepped forward, one step at a time, her voice chilling. "Is it because you've killed women who looked like me?"

Pei Chuyun herself didn't have a strong desire for "maternal revenge," as she had never experienced a day of her mother's love and didn't even know the person. However, if her mother had truly been murdered and the killer stood before her, any person's emotions would be stirred.

If it weren't for these people, she could have grown up under her mother's love, instead of seeing only exploitation everywhere and having no one she could trust. She wouldn't have been trained in intimate matters since childhood, constantly contemplating which men to seduce and how to use her primal yin.

Was that the life of a normal person? Who was responsible for this?!

Pei Chuyun stepped forward, her demonic aura erupting. "I was originally questioning the full story... I never thought someone would actively step forward. Tell me, besides you, who else was involved?"

"Speak!" Pei Chuyun suddenly accelerated, lunging with a claw towards Third Uncle's throat.

Third Uncle recoiled in terror. He had thought Pei Chuyun's defeat of the top newcomer was just a performance orchestrated by Pei Qingyan to praise his daughter. He hadn't expected her to be truly this strong!

He was old and hadn't even reached the third rank... The third-rank hurdle was, after all, the highest threshold in this world, with ninety-nine percent of people getting stuck there, unable to advance. With similar cultivation, how could an old man with one foot in the grave possibly match Pei Chuyun's speed?

"Clang!" Just as it seemed impossible for Third Uncle to evade the attack, Pei Chuyun's attacking wrist was suddenly seized.

Pei Chuyun sharply turned her head. It was Pei Qingyan, who had caught her hand with a complex expression. "Leave this matter to your father."

Pei Chuyun lowered her gaze.

Pei Qingyan sealed Third Uncle's mute acupuncture point with a finger, then stated calmly, "Pei Jingshan has spread rumors, slandered a family member, disrupted family unity, and damaged the family's reputation. According to clan rules, all his clan positions are revoked, and he is to be confined pending trial."

A group of house guards swarmed forward and escorted Third Uncle away. Third Uncle tried to speak, "Wuwu," but his mute point was sealed, preventing him from doing so.

It appeared to be a swift and decisive action: Third Uncle was taken away under the guise of "spreading rumors and slandering a family member," and everyone present was warned "not to spread rumors." It was a forceful display of authority.

Yet, Pei Chuyun, with her eyes lowered, still felt deeply disappointed.

Judging by this reaction, her father knew who the murderer was.

And despite knowing the killer's identity, he hadn't sought revenge... even when the matter was publicly exposed, his actions were merely "dismissal and confinement."

Pei Chuyun understood that Pei Qingyan, given his position, couldn't act rashly. From his perspective, this was a perfectly normal way to handle things. However, from the perspective of a father wanting to compensate his child, and a man who should have avenged his lover, it was deeply disappointing.

She finally spoke in a low voice, "You... know who it is, don't you?"

Pei Qingyan pursed his lips, speaking in a low, almost reluctant tone, "Yun'er, things in this world are rarely perfect. In my position as your father, I cannot afford to make any mistakes."

"Yes," Pei Chuyun said with a touch of sarcasm, "Family, reputation, status... these are always more important than other things, I understand."

Pei Qingyan remained silent, looking somewhat embarrassed.

Pei Chuyun whispered, "I know my master's calculations run deeper than yours. So, wishing for someone who would set aside all concerns, even at their own detriment, to stand up for me... that's just a dream, isn't it?"

Pei Qingyan sighed, "Why must you..."

Before he could finish speaking, a sudden scream erupted from Third Uncle's direction.

Pei Qingyan abruptly turned his head. He saw one of the house guards escorting Third Uncle suddenly strike his dantian with a punch, completely crippling his cultivation.

Before the other house guards could react, the individual abruptly flung Third Uncle towards Pei Chuyun, saying, "Revenge is truly satisfying only when done with your own hands."

Pei Chuyun, as if by unspoken agreement, had already moved to intercept the moment Third Uncle screamed, without even looking. Just as Third Uncle was flung towards her, Pei Chuyun's palms moved like dancing butterflies, gracefully striking him.

With a series of "cracks," all of Third Uncle's bones shattered. He crashed to the ground, dead on the spot.

Pei Yu swiftly moved to the house guard's location, pointing his sword at him. "Who are you?"

The house guard wiped off his disguise, revealing Lu Xingzhou's handsome face. "A'yu's matters are my matters, Lu Xingzhou's. Brother Pei, forgive me."

Pei Yu's expression was complex. "Brother Lu, you assaulted and killed an elder of the Pei family in front of our ancestral hall. This means cutting yourself off from the Pei clan..."

He stopped halfway through his sentence.

His sister had just said that wanting someone who would set aside all concerns, even at their own detriment, to stand up for her... was just a dream.

Under normal circumstances, it was.

People in this society always had to consider too many things. Not even Pei Qingyan could avoid it, nor could Pei Yu.

Yet, here was a person who, even if it meant cutting himself off from the Pei clan, making future cooperation impossible, and potentially turning them into enemies, would still stand up for his "A'yu." Wasn't he right before them?