Transmigrating to the Qi Family - Chapter 46

“You’re back, Young Master! Old Master Feng has been waiting in the hall for quite some time,” the steward greets Pei Che anxiously as he approaches the door. It’s clear he’s been waiting anxiously for a while.

“My grandfather?” Pei Che pauses briefly. He had planned to explain everything tomorrow morning, but apparently, his grandfather had come looking for him upon hearing the news.

He dares not delay any longer, taking large strides as he walks inside, only to find that the main hall is now filled with quite a few people.

His grandfather sits at the head, with several uncles below, among whom the Second Uncle looks the most troubled, his face alternating between pale and flushed. Whether it’s because he hasn’t yet come to terms with Pei Che being appointed heir or due to something Old Master Feng has said, it’s unclear.

“Che’er greets Grandfather and uncles.” Pei Che knocks on the door, and after getting a response, he goes in to pay his respects. Seeing him return, Old Master Feng’s expression finally softens a bit.

“Che’er, Grandfather heard that your family received two imperial edicts. What’s going on? If someone has framed you, Grandfather will risk everything to bring them to justice!” Old Master Feng’s eyes are sharp. Upon first hearing that Pei Che had been decreed marriage with another man, he had almost gone straight to the palace to demand an explanation.

He had been in the officialdom for most of his life, and he had not done anything against his conscience. But he lost his daughter in his old age, and now facing the prospect of his eldest grandson being cut off from descendants—was this the will of heaven? His daughter’s fate was fate, but his eldest grandson was a man-made disaster. Even if he had to give up his official position, he would ask the emperor to rescind the decree!

The Feng family members quickly restrained him, advising that acting without clear evidence might backfire. It would be better to first clarify the situation at the Duke’s mansion before making any decisions.

Having calmed down from his earlier outburst, Old Master Feng realizes the situation is indeed suspicious. As far as he knows, Pei Shiyuan had not made any extraordinary pleas for titles. Why would the emperor suddenly decree Pei Che as heir and marry him off to another man?

He immediately orders a carriage to be prepared to visit the Duke’s mansion. As a veteran of three reigns and deeply intertwined with court politics, as well as being related by marriage to the Duke’s family, he is a respected elder. There’s no reason for him to be treated with disrespect.

Upon arriving at the mansion, Old Master Feng is promptly received at the door. Pei Che has received the imperial edicts and gone out; he hasn’t returned yet. Left with no choice, Old Master Feng vents his frustration on Pei Che’s three uncles. The sharp tongue of a scholar is as cutting as any sword, leaving the three men sitting at the lower end of the hall pale-faced and wishing they could disappear. Even Duke Pei Shiyuan can only listen obediently.

Now that Pei Che has returned, Old Master Feng questions him while casting meaningful glances at the three uncles, as if hinting at something.

“Grandfather, it is Che’er who is unfilial to have caused you to come all this way to inquire personally. Since you’re asking now, I’ll tell you the truth. Those two imperial edicts were both requested by me personally.”

Previously, Pei Shiyuan had also said this, but Old Master Feng refused to believe it. Now that Pei Che says it himself, he still finds it hard to believe. He knows his grandson well; Pei Che has always been indifferent to fame and fortune. Over the past few years, he has often expressed that he has no aspirations for the position of heir. How could someone like him suddenly request such a thing in front of the emperor? There has to be a hidden reason behind it.

He glances at the three uncles and suspects that Pei Che hasn’t been truthful because of them.

“Since you requested them yourself, Grandfather won’t say anything more. It’s been a while and I haven’t seen Mu’er. Have someone bring Mu’er to your courtyard; I want to see him.”

Pei Mu lives in the yard next to Grandmother Pei, which belongs to the inner courtyard. Although he is old, he has to avoid suspicion when he should.

“Yes, Grandfather. I’ll have someone go over right away,” Pei Che says, guiding Old Master Feng toward his own courtyard.

Once they reach the courtyard, Pei Che dismisses the attendants and kneels before Old Master Feng.

“Please forgive me, Grandfather. I did indeed request both imperial edicts myself, but there are hidden reasons behind it that I can’t disclose to others.”

Old Master Feng naturally understands. By ‘others’, Pei Che means those in the Duke’s mansion.

“You may rise and sit down. There’s no one else here; take your time and explain to your grandfather.”

Pei Che stands up and slowly explains the whole matter to Old Master Feng. After hearing it, Old Master Feng is furious. “This is simply outrageous! To resort to such despicable means to coerce you. Che’er, you are being foolish. You should have told your grandfather about this sooner; there was no need to make such a choice.”

Pei Che says, “I understand that Grandfather could ask the emperor to revoke these decrees, but it would come at a cost. You are currently in a precarious position, revered for your integrity and never favoring anyone privately. If you were to intervene for me, it could be twisted by others as exploiting favoritism and threatening the emperor based on achievements. Even if that’s not your intention, how can you stop them from throwing mud at you? Your lifetime of integrity shouldn’t be tarnished by my actions. Even my mother, resting in peace, wouldn’t forgive me.”

Pei Che’s words leave Old Master Feng stunned. He doesn’t realize his grandson can be so insightful. Shaking his head sadly, he says, “Those are just external things. What does it matter if others say a few words? I’ve struggled all my life, but I can’t protect you all. What use are these things to me?”

“But Grandfather, it’s not just me; you also have the entire Feng family. If you’re criticized because of me, how can I face my uncles in the future? Given the circumstances, I have no other choice. I only hope you can rest assured and not worry about this matter anymore,” Pei Che says firmly, his eyes filled with determination. This is something his grandfather must not intervene in.

“How can I not be upset? Do you want me to watch helplessly as you end the family line?” Old Master Feng feels very uncomfortable. He never expects that his lifelong pride in his integrity will ultimately become a constraint on himself.

“Ordinary women also face infertility. Whether through adoption or fostering, one can always find someone to inherit the family line. If worse comes to worst, there is still Mu’er.” As for the agreement with Jiang Miao, the fewer people who know, the better.

“Alas, what sort of person is the one you’re engaged to?” Old Master Feng looks at Pei Che, his exceptional grandson with a noble demeanor. Now he is to be matched with a man, reportedly just a common peddler.

“Well, he’s handsome and adorable, articulate, with a sharp mind. He often expresses unconventional ideas. Besides that, he’s quite skilled in cooking…” Pei Che emphasizes the positive, hoping to comfort the old man and ease his distress.

The more Old Master Feng listens, the more he feels something is amiss. If the betrothal is a last resort, why does Pei Che have such a smiling expression? He is experienced in reading people; genuine emotions are apparent. When Pei Che speaks of the person, he genuinely seems happy.

“When did you two meet?”

“We met at the Buddha’s Festival last year,” Pei Che recalls. “It’s been over four months now.” He hadn’t expected that a chance encounter would lead to such entanglements. In just four short months, they have made a commitment to each other.

Old Master Feng is now lost in thought. Did Ah Che seek the imperial edict to avoid marrying the princess, or was it a calculated move to marry that man? Though the outcome is the same, the motivations are entirely different.

“My Lord, Young Master Pei has arrived.”

The voice outside the door interrupts Old Master Feng’s thoughts. Pei Che stands up and opens the door, leading Pei Mu inside. Pei Mu doesn’t call anyone and doesn’t even lift his head, just playing with something in his hand.

Every time Old Master Feng sees him, he feels sorrowful. The child resembles his mother more and more—a lovely piece of jade, so much like his daughter when she was young.

“Mu’er, I’m your grandfather. Grandfather has come to see you.” He lifts Pei Mu onto his knee. “Can you say ‘hello, grandfather’? No? If you nod, your grandpa will be satisfied.”

Pei Mu remains immersed in his own world, showing no response to Old Master Feng’s voice.

Old Master Feng sighs and looks at Pei Che, who stands by, watching Pei Mu with sadness in his eyes. “Is your grandmother still reluctant to see Mu’er?”

“About… once a month, roughly,” Pei Che replies. “She doesn’t go out much these days.”

“If she wanted to see him, why wait until she was out? She still blames your father and mother’s death on him.” Old Master Feng, though deeply saddened by the early deaths of his daughter and son-in-law, will not place blame on Mu’er, who was only a year old at the time.

…

Before Pei Mu is born, Feng Anxue and Pei Shijie travel. They pass a somewhat dilapidated mountain temple dedicated to the Child-bestowing Guanyin, reputed to be highly effective. After many years without a child following the birth of Pei Che, they hear about it and decide to pay a visit. Feng Anxue kneels on a cushion, sincerely prays, and promises that if she conceives a child, they will return when the child turns one to fulfill their vow and contribute funds to renovate the temple.

Perhaps her sincerity touches the heavens, because shortly after returning home, after years of infertility, she suddenly shows signs of pregnancy. The doctors confirm it, offering congratulations repeatedly. When Grandmother Pei hears the news, she is overjoyed and immediately rewards the household with three months’ allowance.

After a safe delivery, Feng Anxue gives birth to Pei Mu. As Pei Mu grows more adorable by the day, even before he turns one, it is clear to everyone that he is a rare child of wisdom and insight. Feng Anxue thinks it is time to fulfill her vow, and when Pei Mu reaches his first birthday, she and Pei Shijie set out. Pei Che wants to go too, but catches a cold a few days before leaving, so his grandmother insists he stay home.

They fulfill their vow at the temple, donating enough money for its renovation, and start their journey back. Suddenly, a storm breaks out on the way back, with mountain roads everywhere. Unable to avoid it, the guards ride ahead on horses to clear the way, while the coachman follows behind in the carriage. As they pass through a mountain pass, just after the guards have passed through, a large tree suddenly falls from above, directly pushing the entire carriage down the mountain.

The guards are shocked, quickly finding their way down to rescue them. However, the rain is too heavy, almost blinding them. After enduring hardships, they finally find the overturned carriage and, not far away, the bodies of the coachman and maid.

Standing in front of the broken carriage, the guards hesitate to open the curtain. Surviving a fall of over twenty meters is unlikely.

Then, a hoarse and weak cry of a child comes from inside the carriage. The guards are elated, opening the curtain to find the young master wrapped in the middle by two people, tightly bundled in a quilt, which saves his life. However, the heir and his wife do not survive.

The guards carry out the young master, finding that the quilt wrapped around him is soaked through with rainwater. His face is flushed, his whole body feverish, and he can hardly cry anymore.

When the news reaches the Duke’s Mansion, Grandmother Pei faints immediately. When she regains consciousness and learns the cause and effect, she points directly at Pei Mu, accusing him of being the cause of the tragedy. She claims that if it weren’t for him, Shijie and Anxue wouldn’t have died. She insists that the so-called child they sought from the mountain temple is not a celestial child at all, but a vengeful spirit specifically sent to collect debts.

In her old age, grieving the loss of her son, no one dares to argue with her about these beliefs. However, after Pei Mu recovers from his illness, he indeed transforms from a wise child to a vacant, speechless boy. He spends his days playing with the jade fish his parents had given him, appearing as if he has lost his soul.

This only strengthens Grandmother Pei’s belief that the vengeful spirits have borrowed his body to settle scores, leaving behind an empty shell. Initially, for several years, she doesn’t see Pei Mu at all, instructing others to watch over him in a small courtyard nearby. In recent years, she allows occasional visits to check on him, though their relationship remains distant.

…

“The matter of my parents has nothing to do with Mu’er. He isn’t a vengeful spirit; he’s just sick. He’ll get better soon! I believe Grandma will understand one day,” Pei Che says, torn between pouring out all his concern and affection for his grandmother and his love for his younger brother. More than anyone, he hopes their relationship can improve.

“I hope so too. By the way, have you told that person about Mu’er’s condition?” Old Master Feng fears that Pei Che’s husband might not be fond of Pei Mu.

“I’ve already told him. His parents are deceased, and he only has a younger brother with him. He asked me to spend more time with Mu’er, saying that healing a troubled heart requires comfort. I plan to take Mu’er over a few times. Perhaps having peers around will help him,” Pei Che explains. None of the children in the mansion are willing to get close to Mu’er.

Old Master Feng finally feels relieved. Family background, status, and wealth are all external things. Good character is what matters.

“Find a suitable day and bring him to let me see,” he says. He needs to judge for himself what kind of person he is, for Pei Che’s sake.