Chapter 18: Where Did These Poor Relatives Come From?

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When Jiang Nian opened her eyes, she felt utterly shattered, even more so than on the day they consummated their marriage. She was just scolding herself for indulging in carnal pleasures, giving herself a stern lecture, when she looked up to see Pei Jiuru’s face turning pale and then flushed. Without a word, he coldly tossed out a remark and walked away.

She had no idea what madness had seized him this time!

Today, she was determined to get to the bottom of this matter with Pei Jiuru. It couldn’t be that he had a split personality, acting like two different men by day and night!

After hastily tidying herself, Jiang Nian stormed to the dining hall, but everyone there was in a peaceful mood, leaving her no chance to speak.

Finally, after the two left the Pei residence, she was about to question him in the carriage back home, but he closed his eyes and pretended to nap.

The journey was silent.

Jiang Nian was full of pent-up frustration when the carriage suddenly braked sharply. Irritated, she demanded, “What’s going on?”

Green Wax brushed aside the carriage curtain from outside. “Miss, there’s a crowd gathered at the gate of our mansion, seemingly to watch some spectacle.”

Jiang Nian frowned and looked outside. At the same time, Pei Jiuru opened his eyes.

“That circle of people outside looks familiar — neighbors perhaps? And those few inside… are they here to cause trouble?” Jiang Nian was annoyed.

Pei Jiuru tensed. “They are several uncles and elder relatives from the Pei family.”

“Well, finally you’ve spoken!” Jiang Nian couldn’t help but accuse him of faking sleep, but she knew when to pick her battles. She said only this before advising, “You get off the carriage first and enter through the back gate. I’ll handle them.”

Pei Jiuru’s fingers unconsciously fidgeted with his sleeve as he hesitated.

Jiang Nian bluntly said, “No matter what they want to stir up, they won’t succeed if they can’t see you. Just hide away.”

“I’m afraid you can’t handle it.”

“This is our arrangement. Since you kept your promise in front of my parents, I will do the same to the fullest.”

Mentioning their pact, the atmosphere inside the carriage turned icy, both harboring secret grievances.

After a moment, Pei Jiuru looked at Jiang Nian solemnly. “I never thought they were bad people before, but for the sake of the silver my parents left behind, they’ve long lost their humanity. First, they bribed the steward from my previous residence in Bianjing city, then even hired assassins against me. They will stop at nothing for money. You must be cautious and prioritize your safety.”

“I understand. I’m not unprepared either.” From the moment she proposed the deal to Pei Jiuru, several plans had already formed in her mind.

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“Thank you.”

“Likewise.”

After sending Pei Jiuru off the carriage, Jiang Nian instructed the coachman to approach their mansion’s main gate as casually as possible.

Someone sharp-eyed spotted Jiang Nian. “Master Pei and Madam Pei have returned…”

Green Wax helped Jiang Nian down. She gasped, clutching her handkerchief to her chest. “Good heavens, what’s going on? Why is everyone gathered at my doorstep?”

“Madam Pei, some poor relatives have come looking for you!”

“I say, every family has their poor relations, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept them!”

“Madam Pei, this isn’t right!”

The neighbors had obviously heard something and were already convinced that the Pei family was at fault.

Jiang Nian feigned relief. “Oh? I thought something serious had happened. This must be a misunderstanding! Our Jiang family may be small, but our ancestors have lived in Bianjing for three generations, and my maternal Tang family even longer. Where would these poor relatives come from?”

“That makes sense, then who are they…” The crowd hesitated, stepping back to clear the way.

Jiang Nian looked up and saw several elderly gentlemen blocking the gate. They looked honest and trustworthy, no wonder the neighbors believed them so readily.

“Who are you?”

The eldest gentleman sneered, stroking his beard. “I am Pei Yanshi, your husband’s eldest uncle. They are all relatives of the Pei clan! How can they not be family? You married without informing the clan — utterly unfilial! The Pei ancestral hall will never recognize you as a daughter-in-law!”

The onlookers, who had just wavered, immediately shifted their stance, casting suspicious glances at Jiang Nian.

Jiang Nian smiled politely. “My husband is unfortunate; his parents have passed, and there is no one left in the clan. But since you say this, I assume you are truthful. Then show me the clan genealogy. If you are truly elders of the clan, you should be invited into the mansion to apologize.”

“How could we casually show you the genealogy? Besides, that unworthy son was long ago expelled from the records!”

“Ah!” Jiang Nian glanced around at the crowd. “If he was expelled, then are they still relatives or not?”

Mrs. Zhou, who lived two houses down, disapproved of the old men troubling the new bride and loudly declared, “Of course not! If they were expelled, why would they still associate? And the Pei ancestral hall recognizing a daughter-in-law? Ridiculous!”

Pei Yanshi, unexpectedly caught off guard, quickly corrected himself. “Fine, fine. Even if we don’t associate, they must return the Pei family’s silver! That money was earned through my third brother’s lifetime of hard work — how can he take it away?”

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“What kind of logic is that? My late parents-in-law could leave their silver to whomever they wished, especially their own son. On what grounds do you demand it?”

“If not for the clan’s support, how would my third brother have had the acumen for business? That silver rightfully belongs to the clan!”

Everyone could see through Pei Yanshi’s sophistry; their gazes turned colder.

Jiang Nian pressed on, “Besides, if there was money involved, it should have been sorted before he was expelled. How can you throw someone out and then come demanding the silver?”

At that moment, a neighbor guessed the truth. “Perhaps when he was expelled, they didn’t know Master Pei held the silver.”

Hearing this, Pei Yanshi flew into a rage. “I have nothing to say to a woman! Call Pei Jiuru out! I want to confront him face to face! Otherwise, don’t blame us for forcing our way in!”

“What? No status, no reason, yet you think you can barge into my house because you’re old and arrogant?”

Pei Yanshi didn’t even regard Jiang Nian as worthy of notice. Brushing off his sleeves, he retorted, “Today we will force our way in — what will you do about it?”

“Someone, summon the magistrate! It’s broad daylight, and these people with no clear identity or reason want to storm the mansion. The authorities should investigate them thoroughly!”

At Jiang Nian’s command, a servant ran off like a wisp of smoke.

“You!” Pei Yanshi was furious. He didn’t know if Jiang Nian was serious about reporting them or just bluffing, but after a moment’s hesitation, he resolutely turned to his relatives. “No matter what, we must see Pei Jiuru today. We will break through this gate!”

The crowd watched in shock as the old men pushed toward the mansion. No one dared stop them for fear of hurting the elders.

“They’re way too bold. Breaking into someone’s home like this will get them arrested!”

“They rely on their age and status — no one dares to hurt them!”

“Madam Pei, you must call your husband out! You can’t handle this alone!”

Jiang Nian remained composed outwardly, but seeing the reckless determination of these elders, she felt a flicker of panic.

Yet no matter what, she would keep her promises and see this through.