Transmigrating to the Qi Family - Chapter 186

To uncover Zhao Wei’s identity, Jiang Miao and Pei Che return to Master Wuchen to inquire about events from years ago, especially the things that leave a deep impression on him.

Master Wuchen reflects for a moment and finally recalls something from a distant corner of his memory: Zhao Wei is from Liangjing. Master Wuchen remembers that this benefactor’s accent is identical to that of Pei and Feng. At the time, hearing such a familiar accent leads him to believe that this person must be connected to the two benefactors.

This information pleases Pei Che, as he is already planning to return to Liangjing. Since Zhao Wei is from Liangjing and demonstrates such generosity, his family is likely well-off. By investigating wealthy families in Liangjing with the surname Zhao, Pei Che is confident he can trace Zhao Wei’s whereabouts.

With this clue in hand and their preparations complete, the group leaves Ciji Temple after lunch and continues their journey toward Liangjing.

Xiao Shitou’s motion sickness improves significantly, as they’ve returned to the official road after a day’s travel. The smoother, flatter path makes the journey much more bearable.

While they press on with their journey, unbeknownst to them, a storm is brewing in Liangjing because of them.

…

“Have you heard? The heir of the Zhongguo Duke’s household is dead!” In an office within a certain government bureau, an official whispers mysteriously to his colleague.

“You mean Pei Che?” Upon hearing the news, the colleague drops his writing brush in shock, nearly smudging the documents on his desk.

“Who else could it be? Back in the day, Pei Che’s charm was unmatched in Liangjing, yet who would have thought a marriage decree would land him with a male spouse. Three years ago, he was sent out as an official to a desolate place like Cangzhou. But who could have guessed his extraordinary abilities? In just three years, he transformed Cangzhou completely. He is about to return to Liangjing for a promotion and to inherit his title, but now… such a sudden demise!” The speaker sighs deeply, his tone one of mourning, as though he shares a close bond with Pei Che.

“Brother Wang, this is a serious matter. Without solid evidence, we shouldn’t jump to conclusions. Do you realize that Pei Che is not only the heir of the Duke’s household but also the direct nephew of that person?” The other official nudges his head toward the largest office in the building.

They are referring, of course, to Feng Family’s eldest son-in-law, who is promoted this year to Minister of Personnel, officially becoming the head of one of the most influential departments in the imperial court. Elder Feng has recently submitted his resignation to the emperor, and after three refusals, the emperor finally grants him permission to retire. Just when everyone thinks the Feng family’s influence will decline, an imperial edict makes it clear that Elder Feng is deeply trusted by the emperor. As long as Elder Feng remains, the Feng family’s status stays unshaken.

The official surnamed Wang is dismissive. “This matter is already spreading everywhere. It’s a fact, not a rumor I fabricated, so what is there to fear?” Despite his words, his voice unconsciously drops to a lower volume, revealing his inner apprehension toward his superior.

“So how exactly does the heir, Young Master Pei, die?” The other official can’t suppress his curiosity. He still remembers how, many years ago, around this same time of year, news of the deaths of the previous heir and his wife from the Duke’s household shocked Liangjing. It is hard to believe then, and now their descendant meets a similar misfortune.

The official Wang replies, “Do you remember the report from the magistrate of Chuzhou? He submits a memorial about the flood in his jurisdiction that submerges fields and homes, causing countless casualties among the people.”

“Of course, I remember. But what does that have to do with Young Master Pei?”

“The connection is significant. Someone on their return journey encounters Young Master Pei and his group. They even exchange a few words. However, this person is in a rush and rides off at full gallop. Two days later, when he crosses Chuzhou’s border, the flood strikes. At that time, Young Master Pei was still in Chuzhou,” Wang explains.

“In that case, that person doesn’t witness it firsthand. If so, how can he be certain that Young Master Pei is dead? Perhaps they take a detour or are delayed for some reason,” the other official, who is more rational, suggests.

“That place is not far from Liangjing at all. Even with a detour, they should have reached Liangjing within one or two days. But now, nine days have passed since that man arrived in the capital. With such a long delay, they should have arrived even if traveling on foot, let alone by carriage.” Official Wang remains confident that the news he hears is true. Rumors are circulating widely, and as the saying goes, there is no smoke without fire.

The other official doesn’t know what to say in response, but he still believes that if Young Master Pei has died, there should be a body to confirm it.

The topic of their discussion is not limited to their office—people in other government departments are discussing it as well. In fact, some claim to know even more details, describing events so vividly it is as though they have all witnessed them firsthand.

As the rumor spreads further, it becomes more widely believed. So much so that when people encounter Pei Shiyuan, they pause to offer their condolences, saying, “Please accept my sympathies.”

Hearing this several times, Pei Shiyuan initially finds it baffling and frustrating. Why are people suddenly offering him condolences out of nowhere? But as it happens repeatedly, a sense of panic sets in. Could something have happened at home?

He stops one of the officials who expresses sympathy and asks for an explanation. Seeing that Pei Shiyuan genuinely doesn’t know, the official recounts everything he has heard about the matter.

This is no trivial matter—it leaves Pei Shiyuan completely stunned.

Pei Che, dead?

Pei Shiyuan feels a sense of unreality. The very person who competes with him for the title of heir to the Duke’s estate has just… died?

When he reaches a secluded spot, he suddenly bursts into laughter. He laughs at how neither Pei Shijie nor Pei Che is destined to become the Duke. Even if they manage to become heirs, what does it matter? In the end, don’t they still meet untimely deaths?

But after laughing, he begins to feel uneasy. That person speaks as if it is true, yet there is no sign of activity in the estate—no one reporting a death, and no one leaving the capital to search for him. Could it be that the household isn’t yet aware of the news?

In fact, the Old Madam of the Pei family has not heard the rumor. She spends her days in the Buddha Hall, praying and seldom going out, nor allowing anyone to bring her news from outside. Her attendants are all trusted confidantes. While they are shocked by the rumor, they dare not discuss it among themselves, let alone report it to the Old Madam. If it turns out to be false, she will not forgive the spreaders of such gossip. If it is true, they cannot predict how she might react.

The rumor spreads further and eventually reaches Emperor Liangping. Upon hearing it, the emperor dismisses it outright.

“Ridiculous. The flood in Chuzhou is already subsiding, and the officials sent there are organizing efforts to identify the victims. Someone of Pei Che’s status—if he had drowned in Chuzhou—would have been reported to me long ago,” the emperor says firmly. Though he dislikes the Pei family, he has no intention of wishing them harm, especially Pei Che, who has proven himself capable and stands out among his peers from noble families.

Xu Hai, one of the emperor’s attendants, quickly chimes in, “Your Majesty is wise. This must be a case of rumors spreading recklessly among the lower ranks, leading to the current situation. The only question is, who started this rumor, and what is their intent in saying such things?”

The emperor, equally puzzled, decides to investigate. Within half a day, the person who spreads the rumor is brought to the palace.

It turns out to be the son of a fourth-rank official, who is drinking at a restaurant when he is apprehended. Terrified out of his wits upon being taken to the palace, he can barely hold himself together. Only after Xu Hai begins questioning him does he shakily recount the events of that day.

As it turns out, he has been drinking and carousing with a group of noble scions at a flower house in Liangjing. Everyone is sharing recent anecdotes, chatting animatedly. Having been away from the capital for several days, the young man initially finds it hard to join the conversation and can only listen.

Eventually, when the chatter quiets, he eagerly shares how he encounters Pei Che and his male spouse on the road.

The mention of Pei Che stirs mixed feelings among the group. Once a shared rival, Pei Che is the bane of their existence—praised endlessly by their elders and stealing the attention of all the young ladies with his good looks. But after Pei Che marries a male spouse, their confidence slowly returns. Finally, they have something they can feel superior about.

Hearing this new story, everyone perks up, listening intently. The young man, excited by their attention, begins to embellish his tale with both truths and exaggerations, even throwing in wild speculations of his own. Surrounded by the group’s astonished expressions, he feels an immense sense of satisfaction.

But his loose tongue has unintended consequences, spreading like wildfire through Liangjing. Never in his wildest dreams does he imagine that his careless remarks will result in such a whirlwind of rumors.