The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 418: Completely Breaking Away from Old Pei’s House (5)_1

Chapter 418: Chapter 418: Completely Breaking Away from Old Pei’s House (5)_1

Pei Zongli could only offer the Zhao family empty promises. Behind them was the Qian family, big and prosperous; even if the Government Office didn’t need Zhao Yaocheng, the Qian family could still secure him a position. Wu Dongsi would not be the County Magistrate of Yuanyang forever, nor could he protect Pei Qin indefinitely. There would come a time when they would fall out, and Zhao Junchao’s academic honors wouldn’t be an issue. In the future, when Pei Wenli climbed up the ranks, he would surely pull up his brother-in-law Zhao Junchao with him, supporting each other.

The reputation of Old Pei’s House might be whatever it is now, but in the eyes of the higher-ups, they were simply a family of sweet potato farmers who had received an imperial reward, which would always make it easier for them to take the academic examinations than others.

The Zhao family didn’t believe it; after all, Shen Songming was the son of the Jinan Magistrate. With them standing in the way, even if Old Pei’s House had the backing of the Qian family, they couldn’t beat them.

Pei Zongli went on to explain how he had managed to obtain the imperial reward this time. The Shen family had many political enemies, and even though they held the position of Magistrate, they were just arrogant at the lower levels. When it really came down to Capital Jingcheng, they weren’t considered significant at all.

As for the matter of the Shen family not only having a Jinan Magistrate but also a current First Rank Elder Statesman, Pei Zongli didn’t even mention it with a single word.

The Zhao family found the pie he painted quite appetizing. It was just that Zhao Junchao really disliked Pei Wenlee, looked down on her, and was unwilling to marry her.

At home, Pei Wenlee also strongly objected. "Why should I have to take the one that little wretch doesn’t want!? Being used to bear the brunt when there’s trouble!"

Lady Chen could not persuade her, so she handed the task over to Lady Zhu.

Pei Wenlee infuriated Lady Zhu, who, in a fit of rage, slapped her hard, immediately finalizing the marriage arrangement between the two families. This made Pei Wenlee hate Lady Zhu thoroughly from then on.

Lady Chen later hugged her daughter and wept, quietly comforting her with some words, which managed to pacify Pei Wenlee for the time being.

On the Zhao family’s side, however, Zhao Junchao still firmly refused to marry Pei Wenlee. No matter how they persuaded him, he just wouldn’t agree. He adamantly stuck to his position: either marry Pei Qin or let Old Pei’s House cancel the engagement and compensate them with a sum of silver. He was dead set on forcing Old Pei’s House to back out, clinging to this ultimatum. After all, even if the engagement were called off, he could still get everything Pei Zongli talked about! As for supporting each other with Pei Wenli in the future? His Scholar status was achieved with the help of his younger uncle, could he possibly pass as a Graduate or a Palace Graduate?

Qian Wanxiu had calculated everything perfectly, yet she hadn’t expected Zhao Junchao to be utterly unwilling to marry Pei Wenlee, forcing Pei Zongli to play his trump card by invoking the Qian family’s authority directly.

The Zhao family was not to be messed with either. If the Qian family dared to come over to oppress them, even if it meant allying with Zhao Yaocheng, they were prepared to ruin Pei Wenli’s academic title and take on Old Pei’s House. They might not be the power in Yuanyang County, but having lived there for generations, Old Pei’s House, including Pei Qin and Shen Songming, could not pass through the Government Office’s scrutiny. It wouldn’t be easy to target the Qian family, but Old Pei’s House was an easy mark!

Pei Zongli did not want to create more trouble and wished to settle the matter with silver.

"You also know how much silver we brought when we left, how much we have spent on your family, don’t you keep count!? Now that the silk and satin shop is not doing well, all my dowry is invested there, go and look at the books and see if there’s any silver left!" Qian Wanxiu was furiously indignant.

Pei Zongli sighed, "But now the Zhao family does not agree to call off the engagement, and there’s Pei Qin too... I’m afraid she will interfere with Wenchen and Wensheng’s academic examinations. That could lead to major losses over minor gains, a loss that is irreparable!"

Qian Wanxiu snorted angrily, "Then let her marry into their family! If she dares be disobedient and unfilial, I can’t believe that Yuanyang County will become her world, that no one will object. I can’t believe she’s not scared of not being married into the Shen family! When Wu Dongsi is reassigned, and a new County Magistrate comes, I refuse to believe we won’t bring them down!"

Pei Wenchen was still young and to take the academic examinations would be a few years away.

"But what if Wu Dongsi gets reappointed? You know the power of the Shen family. There’s a loophole to exploit, but if it’s something they’re focused on, we’ll truly regret it when it’s too late!" Pei Zongli tried to reason with her.

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