Transmigrating to the Qi Family - Chapter 187

“Finally, we’re almost there!”

Jiang Miao looks at the towering city gates in the distance, his face lighting up with relief, as if he’s just come back to life. These past few days stuck in the carriage are suffocating, especially with occasional drizzles that make it impossible to cook anything decent, leaving them gnawing on dry rations.

The carriage rolls closer and soon arrives at the city gate. The group dismounts, waiting for the guards to conduct their inspection.

Up on the city wall, the officer in charge of guarding the gate is idly gazing around, bored out of his mind. But when he catches sight of someone stepping down from the carriage, his eyes widen in shock.

He can’t believe what he’s seeing. He rubs his eyes hard and looks again. There it is—the same face that evokes envy and jealousy at a single glance. Without hesitation, he rushes down from the wall, pushing aside the guards performing the inspection, and exclaims, “Young Master Pei, you’re still alive?”

Being greeted with such a question out of nowhere leaves Pei Che momentarily stunned. He… isn’t he supposed to be alive?

Beside him, Jiang Miao is infuriated. After being away for three years, they’ve finally returned home, and the first thing they hear at the gate is such an ominous remark. Outrageous!

“Do you even know how to talk to people? A living person is standing right in front of you, and you still think your eyes are just for decoration? What kind of person are you!”

Jiang Miao’s sharp words leave no room for politeness. The officer, realizing his earlier comment is offensive, doesn’t dare to get upset. Instead, he forces a smile and apologizes, “Young Master Pei, Lady Pei, I’m so sorry! It’s just that rumors have been swirling around the capital lately. I got confused and blurted that out without thinking. Please, forgive me!” Saying this, he even clasps his hands in a respectful salute.

Jiang Miao huffs but doesn’t respond, clearly still displeased with the explanation.

Pei Che says, “Rise. It’s just a slip of the tongue, no need to dwell on it. However, may I ask what these rumors in the capital are about? Could you share a bit more?”

Pei Che agrees, seeing the sense in the suggestion. Blocking the city gate any longer only inconveniences others. He and the group reboard the carriage and enter the city, heading toward the officer’s quarters to hear the details.

“The situation is like this…”

“So you’re saying that recently in Liangjing, rumors have been spreading that we met with some misfortune?” Jiang Miao says, caught between laughter and exasperation. They’ve just been delayed a few days on the road, and now they’ve supposedly died? Where’s the reasoning in that?

“Yes, the rumors are very convincing. I was just so shocked that I acted rudely. Please forgive me,” the officer says apologetically.

“Forget it. But I want to know, who was the first to spread this rumor?”

“Well…” The officer looks troubled. “That, I’m afraid I don’t know. By the time I heard about it, everyone was already talking about it.”

Jiang Miao immediately thinks of their second uncle and the Pei and Feng families, and his heart sinks. For others, news of their supposed death might be idle gossip, but for their family, it’s a devastating blow. Especially for Pei Che’s grandmother and maternal grandfather, both of whom are elderly—he worries they might not be able to handle such shocking news.

With this thought, they quickly board the carriage and head to the Duke’s Manor.

By the time they arrive, the manor is in chaos.

The servants are rushing around, all looking tense and on edge. Pei Che immediately has a bad feeling. He strides forward, grabs one of the servants, and asks urgently, “What’s going on?”

The servant, initially walking with his head down, is startled by the sudden grab and nearly jumps in fright. When he looks up and sees who is asking, his legs go weak, and he almost collapses.

“Y-young Master?!”

“I’m not dead!” Pei Che says impatiently. “Tell me quickly, what’s happened in the manor?”

“The old madam… the old madam suddenly faints just now!” the servant stammers.

Before the words are fully out, Pei Che dashes inside. Jiang Miao follows with the two children, instructing Chan Yi and Wen Jing to take the family’s name plaque and summon the imperial physician. Then he heads to the old madam’s courtyard.

…

“Madam, Madam, please wake up!” Granny Gao sobs as she looks at the unconscious old madam lying on the bed, tears streaming down her face. She turns, glaring venomously at the Pei couple, and says, “If anything happens to Madam, I swear I won’t let you off!”

Second Aunt Pei snorts coldly and says, “What can a mere servant like you do to me? Pei Che is already dead, and the old madam’s health is failing. I advise you to be sensible and hand over the keys to the storeroom if you want to avoid unnecessary suffering.”

She has endured for so many years, but now she no longer wants to. With Pei Che dead, what can the old madam, no matter how formidable, alone, possibly do? Doesn’t she still have to rely on them for support?

Ever since she hears the news, she has been too excited to sleep, day and night anticipating confirmation of the good tidings. Years ago, when the first heir and his wife met their demise, the old madam fainted from the shock. And now, with Pei Che’s entire family of four supposedly gone, how can the old madam survive hearing such news? The thought of soon being able to run the household herself brings her indescribable delight.

But as time drags on and the news becomes almost universally known, no word comes from the old madam’s courtyard. Could it be that the old madam hasn’t heard yet?

With this suspicion, the couple shows up early in the morning outside the old madam’s courtyard, using the excuse of paying their respects to probe for information.

Granny Gao, who just returned from visiting her family the previous day and is unaware of the grim rumors, finds it odd when she hears the couple has come to pay their respects. She informs the old madam of their visit and lets her decide.

The old madam also finds it strange. She has long since exempted them from the obligation of morning and evening greetings, and it has been ages since the two have come by. Why today, all of a sudden? Knowing their opportunistic nature, the old madam hesitates but decides to let them in. She wants to see what these two are up to.

Once inside, the couple begins with a few hollow pleasantries. Realizing the old madam hasn’t yet heard the rumors, they decide to deliver the news themselves.

When Second Aunt Pei suddenly begins wiping her eyes and offering condolences, the old madam is baffled. But as the words sink in, her face turns deathly pale.

“Silence!” she roars. “What nonsense are you two beasts spewing? How dare you curse Che’er like this?”

Pei Shiyuan is startled by her outburst but quickly recovers, putting on a pained expression. “I know Mother wouldn’t believe me, but this news is already widespread across Liangjing. You may call in anyone to verify it.”

The old madam glares at him as if she could tear a piece of flesh from his body. “Someone, come here!”

Soon, a servant enters the room. The person walks in trembling, not daring to lift their head, their every move radiating guilt.

The old madam’s heart sinks. The conviction she has been clinging to collapses in an instant. Forcing herself to stay composed, she asks, “You’ve heard the rumors circulating lately, haven’t you?”

The servant quickly kowtows and pleads, “Please calm down, Old Madam. We don’t know if this rumor is true or not, so we didn’t dare tell you! The young master is blessed and will surely be fine!”

Upon hearing this, how can the old madam not understand the situation? Her eyes roll back, and she faints on the spot. Fortunately, someone is standing behind her to catch her fall; otherwise, a heavy crash like that would undoubtedly cause serious harm.

Granny Gao is momentarily stunned but quickly regains her senses. She hurriedly instructs someone to fetch the family doctor and has others carry the old madam into her room. Despite having caused the old madam to faint, Pei Shiyuan and his wife are not done—they follow into the room, intending to hear the doctor’s prognosis. Having come this far, they have no intention of leaving loose ends.

As the door is forcefully pushed open, someone strides in. The sunlight from outside illuminates the figure, making them appear as though they are glowing. All eyes turn to the person. As they draw closer, Pei Shiyuan and his wife’s faces turn pale, while Granny Gao breaks into tears, her expression that of someone seeing their savior.

“Pei Che, you…”

“Second Uncle, Second Aunt, I’m not dead. Are you disappointed?” Pei Che’s eyes gleam with sarcasm as he steps closer to them. He has overheard their threats to Granny Gao moments ago. His grandmother has only just fainted, yet they couldn’t wait to take action. If he had returned any later, who knows what they might have done.

Pei Shiyuan forces a laugh. “Ah Che, what are you saying? We’re overjoyed to see you back safe and sound. How could we possibly be disappointed? By the way, where’s the doctor? We’ll go check on them.”

With that, the couple quickly flee in embarrassment.

Pei Che ignores them, his focus entirely on checking his grandmother’s condition.