The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 155: The Wealthy Pei Loaer (9)_1

Chapter 155: Chapter 155: The Wealthy Pei Loaer (9)_1

The nearby residents, hearing her scolding, some of them came out and stood at the entrance of the alley, quietly gossiping. They said Pei Qin now had money and had made connections with a wealthy family, naturally, she’d be aiming for a higher branch! Grandma Zhang had disapproved before, and now she wanted to marry off her child, it seemed a bit like despising the poor and loving the rich! Now, the tables had turned and it was the other family that disapproved!

Seeing Madam Fang and the others going out to set up their stall again, villagers started greeting them, "Looks like it’s going to snow, and you’re still going out to set up the stall?"

From being overwhelmed by favor at first, Madam Fang had now learned to respond with a light smile, "It hasn’t started yet, we’ll pack up when it does!"

"You’re all such hard workers!" someone praised.

Madam Fang felt a little cheerful; their home situation was getting better and better. After settling the accounts for the sleds and hand-pulled carts after the New Year, they’d be able to build a new house come spring! With a new house, surely more suitable young men would come to propose!

No sooner had they left than Grandma Zhang started cursing in the village. Pei Qin thought she was good enough to snag a rich young master! Missing out on their family meant she wouldn’t find as good a match again!

Someone, unable to stand it anymore, retorted, "Pei Daya didn’t mean that! That rich family’s young master is just a few years old, still a little boy!" He had seen Pei Qin teaching Chang Yonglin to skateboard.

Grandma Zhang’s face turned green.

After cutting grass on Taiping Mountain and gathering some branches, she cursed all the way back to the village, determined to find her son a bride several times better than Pei Qin! Looking up and seeing a carriage coming, Grandma Zhang was astonished. A carriage meant a wealthy family; could it be coming for that wretched girl?

On a closer look, the driver looked so familiar she couldn’t believe it. Grandma Zhang rubbed her eyes and gazed carefully, then staggered back two steps in terror, "You... you... you’re Pei Loaer!?"

Over the years, Pei Zongli lived a life of luxury and, although in his thirties, didn’t look old. He wore a ginger yellow silk robe with a border of date red, his black hair was tied on top of his head with a hairband, sporting a silver hairpin, handsome and collected, exuding an aura of nobility and poise.

Scared, Grandma Zhang dropped the branches and ran towards the village, shouting, "I’ve seen a ghost! A ghost! Old Pei’s second son... Pei Loaer..."

"What Pei Loaer!? That Old Pei’s second son has been dead for over ten years!"

No sooner had these words been spoken than they saw a carriage enter the village, driven by Pei Zongli, the very man from the Pei family believed to be dead for over ten years.

This sent the villagers scattering in fright; a few bolder ones even called out to Pei Zongli, "Are you a ghost or a human!?"

Pei Zongli stopped the carriage, descended with a smile, and elegantly greeted the crowd with a bow, explaining, "I am very much alive! I fell into the hands of robbers on my way to the examination and was lucky to be saved. It’s been many years since I’ve been home, fellow villagers, and I’m thankful you still recognize me!"

Everyone was shocked. They scrutinized Pei Zongli up and down, with some even cautiously reaching out to touch him, declaring him warm and alive.

Immediately, someone let out a shout and ran to Old Pei’s house to announce the news.

Upon hearing that her second son had returned home, Lady Zhu’s eyes went dark, and she fainted.

The messenger explained in a flustered manner, saying Pei Loaer wasn’t killed by robbers, but was saved by someone, and had now returned, even driving a big carriage and wearing silk and satin.

After the explanation, Pei Zongli’s carriage had already stopped at the front gate.

Old Pei stared fixedly at his second son at the doorstep, his lips trembling with excitement, but unable to speak a word.

When Lady Zhu came to and saw it really was her second son Pei Zongli, she was so shocked she nearly fainted again.

Tears filled Pei Zongli’s eyes as he knelt at the doorstep, lifting the hem of his robe, "Father! Mother! I have failed in my duty to care for you. But now, your son has returned!"

Old Pei shakily helped him up, and for a long time, he couldn’t find his voice.

Lady Zhu rushed over and grabbed Pei Zongli, and upon seeing that he really was alive, she burst into tears and embraced him tightly.

Lady Chen, shocked, her eyes nearly popping out, had a whirlwind of thoughts. The second son was back, and judging by his attire, he must have made a fortune outside! That wench from the second branch... that wench Jian Xiao, having slept with the elder brother for so many years, Pei Loaer being wealthy now, surely wouldn’t want her anymore!

As she was lost in her chaotic thoughts, still buzzing and unable to grasp the situation, she saw the carriage door open. A middle-aged woman and a teenage girl alighted, holding two little boys, followed by a gorgeously dressed beautiful woman helped out of the carriage. Lady Chen’s eyes widened even further, staring intently.

Wiping his tears, Pei Zongli introduced them to Old Pei and Lady Zhu, "Father! Mother! This is Wanxiu! And these are Wenchen and Wensheng!"

Qian Wanxiu came forward with a smile, her eyes brimming with tears, leading her two sons to kneel, "Father-in-law! Mother-in-law!" She also prompted the boys to call out to their grandparents.