The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 416: Completely Breaking Away from Old Pei’s House (3)_1

Chapter 416: Chapter 416: Completely Breaking Away from Old Pei’s House (3)_1

Pei Lizheng couldn’t help feeling fortunate that he had chosen to stand by Pei Qin’s side. She had managed to secure an award that seemed unattainable and fiercely slapped Old Pei’s House in the face. Initially, it seemed like they couldn’t compete with Lady Chen and Pei Zongli, who had the backing of a wealthy family. But Pei Qin already had their Achilles’ heel in her grasp – the matter of the concubine being promoted to legitimate wife. Pei Zongli couldn’t possibly marry Lady Fang and not divorce her only to marry another; Lady Chen would simply be the concubine elevated to legitimate wife. And now, without the Fang family’s consent, Lady Chen technically didn’t lose much, but her two sons would only be considered illegitimate.

In the countryside, such matters might be trivial, but for wealthy aristocratic families, the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children is crucial; a concubine and her children are seen as half-servants.

Even though Old Pei’s House could use filial piety to assert pressure, Pei Qin was not bound by conventional norms, being wild and unruly, with power backing her up. Even when the Qian family tried underhanded moves in secret, appealing to the Sir Magistrate, Pei Qin easily neutralized their efforts without any trouble. Even the Magistrate called her by name, utterly unconcerned – the Qian family is likely no match for Pei Qin!

"After beating them up, I really feel damn refreshed!" Pei Qin comfortably sat in her house, poured herself a cup of tea, and shouted for Pei Yuan to cook braised pork and kill a chicken.

"Boss! Would you like me to rub your shoulders and massage your back?" Shen Songming approached with a mischievous smile.

"You can help rub my hand – it’s still feeling a bit itchy," Pei Qin laughed.

Shen Songming withdrew resentfully, regretting he had asked; he should have just gone ahead and done it—getting used to it after doing it presumptuously.

From before the New Year to after, Pei Qin finally vented some of her pent-up frustration. She had a hearty meal, lounged back in her chair, legs crossed at the knees, and waited for the people from Old Pei’s House to arrive.

Since the people from her family had been beaten to a state unfit for public appearance, and with the urgent matter of the betrothal to the Zhao family, Pei Houli quickly made his way to the county town and informed Pei Zongli and Qian Wanxiu about everything, urging them to return home swiftly to resolve the issue.

Pei Houli didn’t tell Pei Zongli about the years he had spent away from home without returning; he only mentioned the betrothal to the Zhao family and the promotion of Qian Wanxiu from concubine to legitimate wife.

Pei Zongli’s face turned an angry blue. He had always kept this matter in mind. The Lizheng in the village had not reported it to the County Government Office, which ordered him to coordinate with the Lizheng to update the household registration – and Qian Wanxiu’s issue was something that couldn’t just be overlooked. He hoped to obtain his official title first. Once he had a say in the Government Office, everything would be easier to handle. However, Pei Qin had been keeping a close eye on the matter.

The typically graceful and beautiful face of Qian Wanxiu twisted with bitter hatred and venom. She regretted her patience—if she had known better, she would have finished them off when they were defenseless! Now, to her fury, they had risen above her, insulting her and her two children!

In reality, Pei Zongli had no other sons. An illegitimate child was just the same as a legitimate one to him, but Qian Wanxiu could not bear the thought of her children carrying the stigma of illegitimacy. She had married down into the Pei family, and she refused to let her children be seen as illegitimate!

Pei Zongli also did not want his son with Qian Wanxiu, who had brought him everything, to suffer further indignity over this matter.

The marriage between Pei Qin and Zhao Junchao had to be called off at all costs.

When the Zhao family disagreed with breaking off the betrothal, they not only recalled the substantial bridal price they had received at the engagement but also the fact that it had facilitated Pei Wenli’s success as a Scholar. Zhao Junchao’s own success had eluded him. Now, unable to marry Pei Qin and having fallen out with her, Zhao Junchao’s prospects of official recognition seemed dim. If Old Pei’s House wanted to back out of the marriage, they had to compensate the Zhao family!

All that Old Pei’s House could offer in compensation was silver, but it belonged to Qian Wanxiu – her dowry, and she was unwilling to part with it. Since the senior branch’s issue of official recognition was preventing the annulment, it was up to them to figure it out.

The senior branch, with Pei Wenli awarded a title, had no silver to spare for the Zhao family. Lady Chen, of course, disagreed, "The engagement was your arrangement, and you’re the ones who want to break it. Our family has been poor for half our lives. You’ve seen what we have – take it all away if that’s what you want!"