The Eldest Daughter is Delicate and Pretty, How Can She Be a Malicious Supporting Character - Chapter 106

Chapter 106: Heart-to-Heart Talk

The atmosphere in the study was somewhat stagnant.

Pei Qingyan lowered his head, his fingers clenched into fists in his sleeves, and his lips were tightly pursed.

The man sitting opposite him, Pei Yuanshan, had a very unpleasant expression on his face, and his voice was filled with suppressed anger.

“I asked you, you’ve just returned, how did you become familiar with the young master of the Shen family? It seems you’re inviting a wolf into our home, working with Shen Xun to play tricks on your father.”

The sound of a tea cup being slammed down echoed through the room, followed by the splashing of tea, indicating the master’s anger.

Pei Qingyan slightly raised his head and met his father’s fiery gaze. He didn’t know what he had done wrong, but since his father was angry, he wouldn’t argue and instead apologized softly, “I don’t know what I did to make father angry.”

“I’m indeed not familiar with Shen Xun, but father, don’t you think you’re being too quick to judge without knowing what happened between us?” He raised his head and looked directly at his father’s gaze.

Pei Yuanshan’s eyebrows twitched, and he thought to himself that he had indeed given birth to a son who was as stubborn as a mule. Every day, all he knew was to wield a sword and spear, and he couldn’t even understand such a simple matter. How could he compare to his sister, Jiaojiao?

“Ha… you still think you’re not at fault?”

“Regardless of what happened between you, you shouldn’t have involved Jiaojiao. You don’t understand how complex the Changping Marquis mansion is!”

Pei Qingyan indeed didn’t understand. When Shen Xun first entered the mansion, his father had a displeased expression, but after reading the old marquis’s letter, he didn’t say much.

But what was going on now?

Seeing that his son was clueless, Pei Yuanshan couldn’t help but sigh, “You don’t understand the particularity of the Changping Marquis mansion. Why do you think the once-large mansion has only Shen Xun left in this generation? It’s because they all have… illnesses.”

“And now, you’re still letting Jiaojiao interact with him. If he develops feelings for her and wants to marry her, aren’t you pushing your sister into a pit of fire?”

Listening to his father’s sigh, Pei Qingyan didn’t understand why his father was so wary of the Changping Marquis mansion, but he still stood up anxiously, “No, I would never think of such a thing. Father doesn’t know that everyone in the capital is talking about Shen Xun being a gay, so it’s impossible for him to fall in love with my sister.”

Pei Yuanshan snorted coldly and flicked his sleeves, “You must have been driven crazy by staying in the frontier for three years. Don’t you know how deep the waters are in the capital?”

Pei Qingyan suddenly felt a bit dazed. He was indeed a bit too naive. After his father’s reminder, he realized that he had only thought about the momentary pleasure and forgot that there might be greater intentions hidden behind the other party.

He knelt on the ground, silent for a moment, and finally said in a low voice, “I’m the one who didn’t see the situation clearly. I never took the Changping Marquis mansion seriously before, but now I realize that I was wrong. I’ll kick Shen Xun out of the mansion right away.”

Pei Yuanshan turned his back to him, his face showing slight fatigue. Just as Pei Qingyan was about to bow and leave, he suddenly said in a low voice, “Call Jiaojiao in. I have something to tell her.”

Pei Yuanshan had always known that his daughter was a thoughtful person. Sometimes he wondered if Jingzhi and Jiaojiao had been born with the wrong genders. Jingzhi only loved to wield swords and spears and had a simple mind.

Jiaojiao had been sickly since childhood and had been delicately raised. She loved to read and practice calligraphy, and her talent was not inferior to that of men. Unfortunately, she was a girl and was destined to get married.

“Father, you called for me?” The door to the study was pushed open, and Pei Lingyi saw a middle-aged man with a somewhat tired expression.

There was also a mess on the desk, indicating that her father had been extremely angry earlier.

“Jiaojiao’s come. Sit down.” Pei Yuanshan’s voice was a bit hoarse, and his temples were already streaked with gray. Perhaps only in front of his children would this prime minister reveal his aged side.

“Father, you’re getting older and already troubled by official matters. Why bother getting angry with my brother?” Pei Lingyi took out a handkerchief and wiped away the tea stains on the desk, her movements calm and soothing.

“Do you know why I got angry with your brother?”

Listening to her father’s question, Pei Lingyi’s slender fingers paused for a moment before she said, “I’m foolish, but I guess it’s because of Little Marquis Shen?”

“I don’t know how you got in touch with the Changping Marquis mansion, but from now on, don’t have any more contact with them. I don’t think it’s convenient to tell you the reasons, but you must remember that Shen Xun is someone you can’t get close to.”

Pei Yuanshan’s gaze was sharp and heavy, a kind of authority that brooked no objection, and the life experience that came from years of ups and downs.

“I’ll remember father’s advice.” Pei Lingyi lowered her head, her voice soft and gentle, but a hint of imperceptible doubt flashed in her eyes.

What secrets did the Changping Marquis mansion have?
It could make her father so secretive.

“In that case, I’ll take my leave first.”

“Wait,” Pei Yuanshan looked at his daughter, hesitant to speak, but ultimately shared his thoughts, “Jiaojiao, I know you’re intelligent, but the one on the dragon throne won’t allow the Pei family to produce another empress. Xiao Huaijin is also not a good match.”

“He has no reliable maternal family to rely on, and he can only depend on the National Duke’s mansion. It’s likely that he’ll marry the eldest daughter of the Li family. As for the other princes, Prince Xian seems polite and courteous, but he’s actually hiding his true intentions. He has the support of his mother consort, Consort Xian and if he asks the emperor to marry you, I’ll stake my life to prevent it.”

“Prince Huai seems to be indulging in pleasure and luxury, but after decades of navigating the officialdom, I’ve seen all kinds of people. He’s definitely not someone to be underestimated.”

“None of these princes are suitable matches. You have many thoughts, and perhaps you once admired Xiao Huaijin, but now that the struggle for the throne is beginning to show, we mustn’t get involved in this mess.”

Pei Yuanshan spoke a lot, all of which was for her benefit. Pei Lingyi wasn’t truly heartless, and hearing her father’s words, she naturally felt touched.

“Then would father listen to my thoughts?” She knelt down at the desk, looking at the most powerful official in the Daye dynasty, “We won’t choose anyone. The struggle for the throne will eventually have a winner. Let’s make that sole victor continue the glory of the Pei family.”

Pei Yuanshan was surprised by his daughter’s words, “But when the new emperor ascends the throne, if we don’t take sides, do you think he won’t take action against the Pei family?”

“The new emperor is also human. He’ll naturally weigh the pros and cons. As long as the Pei family doesn’t do anything that harms his interests, he can turn a blind eye. The difficulty lies in how to gauge his heart.”

Looking at his daughter’s shocking statement, even Pei Yuanshan couldn’t help but worry, “You’re thinking of making these potential future emperors admire you?”

“But don’t forget, men’s love is often fleeting. He may pamper you today, but he can pamper someone else tomorrow.”

“Yes, how could I not know? So, the Pei family is my greatest bargaining chip.” The girl’s eyes were particularly bright, like the moon shining with light, noble and gentle as water.