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  After marrying into the Pei family, the first family banquet was because of this unexpected blood jade bracelet, which stirred up a storm in the hearts of everyone in Rong En Tang. Unresolved speculation, resentment and injustice, jealousy and unwillingness, these complex emotions intertwined, twisted into a thorn, but unexpectedly made this dinner party smooth and peaceful.

  Ming Xuan was very nervous in her heart, but on the surface she still maintained a calm and peaceful expression. She followed Pei Jingchen to pay respects to Prince Pei Xiaoan with tea, and then greeted the other four uncles. She was meticulous and noticed that the expressions of the uncles were more or less complex, except for the prince's face which was completely indifferent.

  It was an indifference unrelated to himself, appearing on a father's face, somewhat suspicious.

  After the ceremony, the delicacies were all served, and the Pei family members took their seats in order. Yang suppressed her anger and forced a few smiles on her face, "Princess, quickly take your seat, Princess's wife come here to me."

  This means Ming Xuan is going there to stand by and wait on her at meals.

  In the high gate and big house of Shengjing City, when a new daughter-in-law enters the door, there are some rules to follow, such as paying respects in the morning and evening, serving her mother-in-law meals and helping with household chores. However, most families just go through the motions, and the new daughter-in-law only needs to serve her mother-in-law one or two dishes before the maid takes over.

  It is also possible to encounter an unreasonable mother-in-law who has been served from head to toe.

  Ming Xuan had long been prepared to be put in a difficult position. If it was still within her tolerance, she would naturally not say anything for the sake of maintaining superficial harmony. But if Yang Shi deliberately made things difficult for her, with so many people watching and Pei Xiang present, she naturally had a way to make Yang Shi lose face.

  She thought so and slowly walked behind Yang's body, bowed her head and paid her respects.

  Yang nodded to the maid behind her, and the maid gave up her position beside her without needing further instruction. Everyone understood that this meant Ming Xuan was going to take over serving.

  Pei Jingchen's eyes slightly revealed a sharp edge, he didn't want Mingxuan to kowtow and offer tea to Yang Shi, naturally he also didn't want his wife to establish any rules for her. What was Yang Shi anyway? What qualifications did she have to make his own wife bow to her?

  He took two steps forward and stood alongside Ming Xuan, first slightly bowing his head as a greeting, then slowly turned around and gently grasped Ming Xuan's arm. In a gentle tone, he said to her: "Second Brother and Sister-in-law have reserved a seat for you at that table, go sit down quickly. They are all brothers and sisters who have met during the day, in the future if you're free and bored, you can go find them to play."

  Ming Xuan's heart moved slightly, and a few hesitant expressions appeared on her face.

  Pei Jingchen smiled and said, "Don't be afraid, the lady is kind and gentle, especially to her daughter-in-law. When your sister came over after marrying my second brother, she was exempted from morning and evening greetings. She didn't even need to serve at mealtimes, everyone says that the lady is probably the most lenient mother-in-law in Shengjing City."

  He slightly turned his eyes and smiled directly at Mrs. Min. "Younger brother and sister, is that right?"

  Miss Min was stunned for a moment, and Pei Jingxun's question was a trap. The purpose was to let Ming Xuan take a seat and have dinner directly. If she answered yes, then he would get what he wanted, and Yang Shi would naturally be angry in her heart. However, she also had no way of saying no, otherwise wouldn't it be equivalent to saying that Yang Shi wasn't a good mother-in-law in front of everyone?

  Helpless, she could only nod silently, "Yes."

  Mrs. Bian had been annoyed with Mrs. Yang for a long time, and she had the intention to stir up this muddy water. She said in a sharp voice, "Princess's daughter-in-law, don't worry and go sit down. Now it's not like before, there are few mothers-in-law who use their daughters-in-law as rules. My daughter-in-law Jing Tang, I've never let her serve me meals."

  She seemed to have thought of something, and suddenly covered her mouth and giggled, "Times are different now. In the past, no matter how coldly a mother-in-law treated her daughter-in-law, she was constrained by the weighty word 'filial piety', who dared say anything? But nowadays, if anyone treats their daughter-in-law badly, once the reputation of being an evil mother-in-law gets out, they will be despised by everyone. It's not just themselves, but also their children...tsk tsk..."

  Ming Xuan's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this, thinking that perhaps the cold treatment she received from Yang Shi yesterday had been spread around. Otherwise, how could Madame Bian's words be filled with sneers and mockery?

  She hastily said to Madame Bian, "Both you and Third Aunt are excellent mothers-in-law."

  Yang's anger was so great that she almost vomited blood, just wanting to say something, but unexpectedly Pei Xiang gave her a cold and gloomy glance, she was afraid, unable to do anything, and could only suppress her anger and said, "Princess, please sit down, lest people say I'm being too harsh on the new daughter-in-law."

  The battle at the dinner table was just a war of words, but it was full of gunpowder. However, the others in Rong En Tang pretended to be ignorant and buried their heads in drinking water, neither surprised nor shocked, nor did anyone stand up to say anything.

  Pei Jingchen's smile grew thicker as he personally escorted Ming Xuan to her seat, and this dinner ended in an extremely subtle atmosphere.

  Back at Jingyi Courtyard, Ming Xuan had all the maids go down and rest.

  After learning that Pei Jingchen did everything by himself, she also instructed Dan Hong to do the same for the internal affairs. If she couldn't do it herself, she would call them for help. Although Sheng Nainai had never been married, she said this was what should be done. Taking advantage of the intense affection between husband and wife, they established a trusting dependence on each other, which is the way to get along as a couple.

  She also deeply agrees with it.

  As soon as he entered the inner chamber, Pei Jingxuan's face was covered with a thick layer of frost, looking very displeased.

  Ming Xuan then took out the brocade box and asked in a low voice, "This... what does it mean?"

  She was meticulous in her thoughts, and she never wanted to just look at the surface phenomenon, so she absolutely didn't think that Pei Xiang would give this priceless blood jade bangle directly to her hands, bypassing her daughter-in-law, as a sign of appreciation for her. On the contrary, this kind of grand treatment made her feel a scorching anxiety like hot oil on fire.

  Is it to hold her high so she can become a target for everyone's criticism?

  Pei Jingchen's eyes deepened and he said in a low voice, "Ah Xuan, from now on we must be even more careful in our actions."

  His voice was low and solemn, "The Pei family has produced an empress, originally the emperor should have granted another title to Father, if Father had obtained another title, then the position of Duke of Town Country would have been taken by Second Uncle. However, Second Uncle's health is not good, he doesn't have a long life, and Third Uncle holds the high position of Minister of War, he probably also has his eyes on this title."

  Ming Xuan said, "But Your Majesty did not grant a title..."

  Without granting a title, the heir of the Town Duke is definitely from the first house, whether it's the second or third house, there's no room for consideration.

  Pei Jingchen shook his head, "The emperor did not grant it because Father did not go to ask for the establishment. But as long as Empress Pei is still around for a day, and Father wants it, then this title will definitely be obtainable. There are precedents for this, and the Emperor cannot deny it."

  He paused for a moment, "Father is waiting, and Grandfather seems to be waiting too."

  For Pei Xiaoyan, it was not worthwhile to accept the imperial edict at this time. He originally could have inherited the title of Duke of the First Rank, but if he accepted the imperial edict, he would become a Marquess of the Second Rank. On the other hand, his younger brothers Pei Xiaoqing or Pei Xiaochi could inherit the title of Duke Who Guards the State.

  If he could wait, the position of Empress Pei would also be as solid as a mountain, and these two titles would fall to his legitimate son.

  Similarly, Pei Xiaqing of the second house was also waiting. If before his death, the title of Crown Prince could be bestowed upon him, then even if he died before Pei Xiang, the position of Crown Prince would still remain with his son and not fall to the third house. Therefore, Madame Pang of the second house would help Yang Shi in this way.

  Ming Xuan suddenly realized, "So to say, if Second Uncle and Third Uncle want to inherit the title of Town National Duke, the premise is that Father can ask the Emperor to grant the title. The Pei family is secretly turbulent, but on the surface they have to maintain calmness. Several aunts are obviously unwilling to see the young son's wife manage the house, but they all have to endure it, all because of this reason?"

  Her face slightly sank, "This Blood Jade Bangle indeed makes us the target of public criticism."

  This is the armlet of Madame Pei, symbolizing the dignity of the Duchess of Quanguo. Now that it's on her hand, how can it not arouse the speculation and attention of those who covet the title of Duke?

  The first is the Yang family, with Pei Jingchen on top. Her legitimate daughter, Pei Jingxiao, will never have a chance to rise, regardless of her age or status as empress. In short, as long as Pei Jingchen is around, unless the main house inherits two titles, Pei Jingxiao can only get a small share of the family's wealth and nothing else.

  Then there were the second and third houses.

  As long as Pei Jingchen is dead, the main house only has one legitimate son. Then Pei Xiaoan will naturally not hold onto the position of heir to the title of Town Country Duke and he won't simply refuse to be appointed either. One family with two titles represents the honor of the family. The more prosperous the family is, the easier his future path will be.

  Otherwise, without family support and strength, having a title is just empty.

  Bae Hyo-an was only a fifth-grade official with no real power, but his second and third brothers were both powerful officials who held actual power.

  Pei Jingchen fell silent for a long time before speaking in a low voice, "Ah Xuan, I actually don't want to compete with them for these things. Rights and status, reputation, are all fleeting illusions, like flowers in the mirror and moon on the water. To fight and scheme with others, to grab and snatch, is not what I desire. But..."

  Under the candlelight, his eyes sparkled, "But my mother died unjustly, as a son, avenging her and clearing her name is a vow I made since childhood. And my maternal grandfather, on the battlefield against the Northern Hu, he was misled by false intelligence, ambushed, and nearly annihilated... Do you know how he died? Pierced by ten thousand arrows... pierced by ten thousand arrows to death!"

  He lifted his head, with a pained expression on his face. "Ah Xuan, I've endured for so many years, just to uncover the truth and avenge my grievances. So please bear it a little longer, we won't be staying in this Pei family mansion for much longer. Trust me, okay?"

  The sound was low and melancholic, with a deep sense of desolation.

  He laid out his plans without any disguise or concealment, and Ming Xuan's heart suddenly surged with all sorts of emotions. This him made her happy, yet also felt a bit painful. She grasped his right hand with her left, and wrapped her right arm around his body, gently patting his back, "Mmm, I believe you."

  The corners of her mouth slightly curled up, and her tone carried a hint of petulance, "But I don't want to tolerate them...".

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