When recounting past events, Ma Bing’s tone and expression were almost calm, but the more composed she appeared, the more the Pei family felt heartache, almost unable to bear listening.
Madam Meng held her tightly, as if enduring the pain of having her own heart torn away.
Madam Meng, originally surnamed Meng from her birth family, was thus called Madam Meng.
Pei Rong was somewhat angry, angered by the depth of his concern, upset that she hadn’t come to him from the beginning.
Ma Bing gave a bitter smile, saying, “If it hadn’t been for you recognizing me, to be honest, right now I…”
wouldn’t have acknowledged our relationship.
Was it because she didn’t want to?
No, she had dreamed of it countless times.
But what would recognition have changed?
It would only bring more trouble to the Pei family.
Pei Rong grew even more upset, exclaiming, “What are you talking about! If I had known earlier, I would certainly…”
Before he could finish, Ma Bing quickly interjected, “What would you do then? Rush before the Emperor to demand justice, or gather your old troops to force the court to act?”
The late Emperor had already settled everything before his death, and with the new Emperor now on the throne, it was as if a new chapter had begun. It would be extremely difficult to investigate thoroughly now.
Pei Rong was left speechless.
Exactly as Ma Bing had said.
The previous night he had been thinking, that after all these years of risking his life for the court, even if he had to abandon all his past merits, he would still fight for justice for this child, even if it meant becoming an ordinary citizen afterward.
Ma Bing’s heart softened completely.
It truly felt wonderful to be protected by someone.
“But Uncle Pei,” she replied, “you have fought for the court because it’s your duty as a subject, and the court’s recognition is appropriate. But if you personally went to demand something, it would be inappropriate.”
If he actually used his past merits to gather old colleagues and petition the Emperor, forcing him to make a decision, what would that be called? That would be coercion!
To put it even more seriously, it could easily be manipulated by ill-intentioned individuals and become treason!
She had indeed considered gathering the remaining soldiers of the Yan family army, but after much deliberation, she had given up.
Firstly, even if she gathered them, there wouldn’t be many left, and besides, such a task wasn’t something that could be achieved merely by numbers.
Secondly, after surviving so many life-and-death battles, it was already extremely difficult for everyone to live on. Ma Bing truly didn’t want to force those uncles and elders who had sacrificed so much to abandon their hard-won peace and risk their lives again for her.
How could the Pei family not understand what Ma Bing had said?
It was precisely because they understood that they felt even more heartache for this child.
She had carried so much burden, yet remained clear-headed, frighteningly rational.
Pei Rong patted her head and sighed deeply, “All these years, you’ve suffered so much.”
He waved his hand, “Well then, let’s eat first. We can talk about this later. By the way, that Xie Zizhi…”
Could that little rascal have known all along?
Ma Bing paused mid-motion of lifting her bowl, and nodded somewhat sheepishly, “He has already persuaded the Emperor and is investigating secretly.”
Upon hearing this, Pei Rong felt a complex mix of emotions.
“I always said the Xie father and son were decent people. It seems they do have some conscience after all.”
Madam Meng glanced at him, somewhat amused.
Previously, this old man had greatly praised the young marquis, but now that he had recognized his niece and her status had changed, he couldn’t help but look at the other party with displeasure, hence the remark, “still have some conscience.”
After a brief contemplation, Pei Rong said, “In that case, let’s observe for now.”
If they could rely on Xie Yu’s efforts and have the current Emperor personally handle the matter, that would be best.
If not… obtaining some evidence from him would also help their own plans.
Ma Bing nodded, “That’s exactly what I was thinking.”
Across the table, Pei An and Huo Mei kept serving her dishes, exclaiming, “Father, let your sister eat first!”
The food was almost getting cold and they hadn’t eaten much yet.
Pei Rong suddenly snapped out of his thoughts, “Right, right, eat, let’s eat first! Look at me, I’m so happy I’m getting confused!”
Xiao Xia stretched his arm out with a peeled shrimp, saying, “Auntie, eat the shrimp.”
In a child’s world, things are simple. When they willingly share their favorite things with you, it proves everything.
Ma Bing’s heart softened again, “Thank you, Xiao Xia.”
Xiao Xia beamed with delight.
After the meal, Pei An hurried back to his office, while Madam Meng and Huo Mei kept chatting with Ma Bing. The afternoon quickly passed.
At dinner time, the butler Su came and said, “The courtyard has been prepared according to the master’s instructions, but due to the short notice, it’s not very refined. Please bear with it, Miss.”
Ma Bing looked at Pei Rong and Madam Meng in surprise, “This?”
Madam Meng said, “Dear child, we haven’t seen each other for over a decade. How can you bear to go back so soon? Listen to me, don’t return to the Kaifeng Prefecture either. Just stay at home.”
Pei Rong nodded vigorously, “Exactly, exactly!”
Madam Meng continued, “We’re not short of houses or land. Living in the government office doesn’t make sense. If you like medicine, we can even open a clinic!”
Pei Rong nodded again, “Exactly, exactly!”
Madam Meng: “…”
You’re just repeating me like a parrot, you never think for yourself!
Ma Bing couldn’t help but laugh.
She understood the good intentions of the elderly couple but had no intention of leaving the Kaifeng Prefecture.
Upon hearing this, Pei Rong’s mustache almost stood up, “What? Are you staying because of that Xie kid?!”
He slammed the table, “I knew it! He’s just like his father!”
Ma Bing: “…”
This has nothing to do with that!
At lunch, he was still “Xie Zizhi,” but now he had become “that Xie kid.”
And now he’s dragging his father into this…
That’s not fair.
Madam Meng skillfully turned around and scolded, “Behave yourself!”
Pei Rong sat down grumpily.
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
That Xie Zizhi was definitely no good!
“Aunt and Uncle,” Ma Bing tried to soothe them, “firstly, if I suddenly moved in, people with ill intentions might notice something. If they interfere beforehand, that would be bad. Secondly, the Kaifeng Prefecture has good information flow…”
The most dangerous place is sometimes the safest. She really didn’t want to involve the Pei family too early.
Seeing that she had made up her mind, Madam Meng didn’t press further but said, “At least stay a few more days at home.”
Ma Bing didn’t want to leave immediately either and readily agreed.
That night, she lay in bed unable to sleep.
The past decade had trained her to fall asleep quickly in any situation. The reason she couldn’t sleep tonight was because so much had happened during the day, and her emotions were still too stirred up to calm down.
She was even a little afraid that if she closed her eyes, she would find out it was all a dream, and the happiness from just a while ago would turn into a fleeting illusion, vanishing without a trace.
Ma Bing greedily touched the quilt beneath her hands, buried her head in it, and smelled the warm scent of sunshine.
Just as she was thinking, Madam Meng came in.
Seeing her eyes were clear, Madam Meng smiled, “I guessed you couldn’t sleep. Let’s have a heart-to-heart talk, just us mother and daughter, okay?”
Ma Bing affectionately pulled her arm and suddenly felt like acting like a spoiled child.
“Auntie, could you sleep with me tonight?”
Madam Meng was taken aback and suddenly her eyes turned red, “Okay.”
Quickly, a clever maid went back to fetch Madam Meng’s bedding, leaving Pei Rong puzzled.
“What’s going on?”
The maid replied, “Madam said she will sleep with the eldest Miss tonight and told you to rest by yourself.”
Pei Rong: “??”
Meanwhile, Ma Bing hugged Madam Meng’s arm, just like any child craving a mother’s warmth, her voice soft, “Auntie, tell me stories about my father and mother when they were young!”
Madam Meng gently stroked her hair, thought for a moment, and smiled, “There’s a lot to tell.”
Upon hearing this, Ma Bing looked up at her, “Then tell me slowly.”
“Okay.” Madam Meng smiled gently, gradually lost in memories, “Speaking of it, the way your father and mother met was quite interesting.
Back then, your mother led a women’s army by herself. When your father met her, he naturally wasn’t very respectful, saying something like warfare was men’s business, and so on. Your mother, of course, wouldn’t accept that. She challenged him to a contest. As a result, your father underestimated her, lost the battle, and then started chasing after her…”
Ma Bing couldn’t stop laughing, as if she could really see a young couple chasing each other.
“No one has ever told me this before.”
Madam Meng gently rubbed her nose, “Back then, you were only a few years old. Who would tell you such things?”
“What happened later?” Ma Bing giggled and asked eagerly.
“Later, they kept running after each other, joined the army, and later, there was your brother, and then you…”
Meanwhile, Pei An and his wife were also talking on the kang bed.
“It feels like a dream,” Pei An sighed.
“Don’t get lost in dreams yet,” Huo Mei, combing her hair, said to his reflection in the mirror, “Now that your sister has returned, we need to make proper arrangements. There’s a lot to do.”
Pei An nodded, “With our parents getting older and me needing to go to the office, it’s up to you to take care. My sister has suffered so much; we must properly compensate her.”
Huo Mei gave him a sidelong glance, “Whose sister are you talking about? Isn’t she also my sister?”
Pei An smiled, “Are you going to argue about this too? She called me ‘older brother’ before you even knew where you were.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Huo Mei threw the comb aside, pounced on him, twisted his arm, and pinned him onto the kang bed, forcing him to answer, “One more chance, whose sister is this?”
Pei An quickly corrected himself, “Our sister.”
“That’s better!” Huo Mei was satisfied, let go of him, and continued combing her hair.
After finishing her hair, the couple snuggled under the covers to continue their conversation.
“Seriously, first we need to prepare daily necessities. We should make ten or twenty sets of clothes for each season right away. The courtyard wasn’t fully prepared due to the short notice, so it also needs to be tidied up properly. Moreover,” Huo Mei paused her counting on her fingers, looking somewhat hesitant, “if she were an ordinary girl, at her age we should start preparing her dowry. But I see our sister has a strong and determined personality, and she must be seeking revenge.”
Speaking of revenge, the couple exchanged glances and both sighed.
It’s truly a case of enemies meeting again.
What a karmic entanglement!
It’s not that the young marquis is not good; quite the contrary, it’s precisely because he is so good that it causes such a dilemma.
If he were a reckless and unreliable person, they could simply send him away.
But… to be fair, within the entire capital city, there were very few peers of his age who could surpass him.
Now, the two young people have fallen for each other, probably deeply in love, making it hard to separate them.
But unfortunately, there’s a longstanding feud between their families!
Previously, they indeed acknowledged the young marquis’s character as rare, but if it comes to his maternal grandfather, can they truly fulfill their wishes? And can Zheng Zheng truly accept being the daughter-in-law of the royal family with a clear conscience?
It’s likely impossible.
Meanwhile.
Xie Yu waited the entire night, but Ma Bing never returned. He had a vague guess but didn’t receive confirmation, so he spent the whole night restless and unable to sleep.
The next morning, as usual, he took Yuan Pei to patrol the streets. Coincidentally, he met Pei An, who was on his way to the office early.
Originally, due to Pei Rong, their relationship was merely formal. Xie Yu had a sudden thought and was about to approach him when he saw that Pei An, upon seeing him, immediately raised his chin, narrowed his eyes, and let out a heavy “Hmph!”
Xie Yu: “…”
Yuan Pei: “…”
Pei An wrinkled his face as if seeing something unpleasant, scrutinizing Xie Yu up and down several times, frowning and shaking his head repeatedly.
Yuan Pei was puzzled, “What’s the matter with you, Senior Pei?”
Pei An glanced at him, then at Xie Yu again, “Hmph!”
After snorting, he turned around and left directly.
Yuan Pei: “…What’s wrong with you?”
As soon as the words were spoken, he heard Xie Yu, beside him, burst into a low chuckle.
Yuan Pei was stunned, “What’s wrong with you?”
Xie Yu found it hard not to be happy. The surging emotion in his chest made him feel somewhat elated.
Pei An’s reaction just now was enough to confirm at least three things.
First, Miss Ma indeed bore the surname Yan. Only a descendant of the Yan family could be treated with such importance by the Pei family.
Second, the two families had successfully recognized each other the previous day, and the Pei family valued Ma Bing greatly, which aligned perfectly with the first point.
Third, whether it was Pei Rong himself who realized it or someone else, Ma Bing had not concealed her connection with him, otherwise, Pei An wouldn’t have treated him this way today.
Yuan Pei might not understand, but Xie Yu instinctively grasped it the moment Pei An snorted:
It was a look of a brother-in-law sizing up a potential brother-in-law, filled with rejection and hostility!
How could the young marquis not be delighted?
She has feelings for me!
Her family knows!
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