How much?!
Pei Jianzhi felt as though he must have misheard.
The Lu family’s Grandmother sat upright in her chair, smiling as she held up five fingers. “Not much, just 5,000,000 taels. Plus, our Xue’er’s Heroine Residence still needs another 300,000 taels for repairs. Judging by your noble bearing, you must be a generous man. Why not pay it all at once?”
Pei Jianzhi felt his mind freeze.
If he could come up with 5,000,000 taels, would he still be fighting for his future in the army?
Though he often boasted about the Pei family of Qinghe, he was merely from a collateral branch. Even if he pawned all his family’s properties, not to mention 5,000,000 taels, they couldn’t even gather 1,000,000.
Seeing the awkwardness and shock on Pei Jianzhi’s face, the Lu family’s Grandmother spoke with disdain. “I thought you were a young master from a wealthy noble family. Can’t even come up with a mere 5,000,000 taels?”
Pei Jianzhi cursed inwardly.
Did she think silver grew on trees like cow dung in a field, just waiting to be picked up?
Even the main Pei family would feel the strain if they had to cough up that much money, let alone his insignificant collateral line!
Seeing the man she loved looking embarrassed, Lu Yunxue hurried forward to defend him. “Grandmother, that sum is too large. Give us some time. Even if three days pass, I don’t believe Mu Zian could be so heartless.”
Hearing this, Pei Jianzhi felt slightly relieved.
Sensing the awkwardness, a flash of inspiration crossed his mind, and he said, “May I ask, Grandmother, how exactly was this 5,000,000 taels spent?”
The Lu family’s Grandmother, now displeased with Pei Jianzhi, replied coolly, “Naturally, it was all the support Mu Zian provided over the years. During Xue’er’s three years campaigning outside, our large Lu family still needed to eat and feed the horses, didn’t we?”
Pei Jianzhi was speechless.
How extravagant must their lifestyle have been to burn through 5,000,000 taels in just three years?
He made a decision then and there: if he ever married Lu Yunxue, he must sever ties with the Lu family first. Otherwise, judging by their parasitic nature, they would never leave him alone. This story is hosted at novelping(.)com.
It seemed only the fool Prince of the State-Stabilizing Duke’s Residence would willingly throw money at them.
Though he thought so, he couldn’t say it aloud—he couldn’t lose face in front of the woman he loved.
Clearing his throat, Pei Jianzhi said confidently, “In that case, I do have a way. I can help Grandmother eliminate this debt and make Mu Zian suffer in silence.”
Everyone perked up with interest. Lu Yunxue, too, looked excited. “I knew Pei Lang is full of wisdom, far superior to that profligate Mu Zian.”
Pei Jianzhi was very pleased by her praise and continued confidently, “As the saying goes, taking without permission is theft. But Mu Zian gave the money willingly. So, it doesn’t count as the Lu family’s debt.”
The Lu family’s Grandmother was speechless, thoroughly unimpressed. She had expected some earth-shattering strategy—not this?
Was he suggesting they become shameless debt dodgers?
In the past, maybe they could have gotten away with it. But now that Mu Zian was the State-Stabilizing Duke, with power and status, being a deadbeat wouldn’t be so easy.
Pei Jianzhi paused, waiting for applause, but was only met with looks of disbelief, as if they were staring at a fool.
Feeling awkward, he quickly added, “Tonight is our victory banquet. His Majesty will surely attend. These past three years, Xue’er has suffered hardships and achieved countless merits. Mu Zian, on the other hand, is just a useless scoundrel who’s contributed nothing to the empire.”
“If we explain the situation to the Emperor during the banquet, I’m sure he will annul the debt. With the Emperor’s decree, even Mu Zian wouldn’t dare object.”
“This way, we not only erase the debt but also take the chance to humble Mu Zian. Let him know that just because he’s the State-Stabilizing Duke doesn’t mean he can be arrogant. The future belongs to men like us.”
Hearing this, the Lu family’s Grandmother was furious.
All this talk, but it boiled down to two words—no money.
Back then, no matter what she wanted, Mu Zian would buy it for her, no matter how expensive. But now, this man, though good-looking, could only talk big and offer nothing.
Truly, comparisons were odious!
Pei Jianzhi, oblivious to the awkward atmosphere, kept boasting, “Even if Mu Zian inherited the title of State-Stabilizing Duke, so what? The territory of Great Li still needs people like us to guard it. He’s at most a figurehead prince—a caged bird, a fish in a jar, nothing to fear.”
Lu Yunxue sighed inwardly. If only things were as Pei Jianzhi said.
But there was no other choice. If it were just 20,000 or 30,000 taels, she could still scrape it together. 5,000,000 was impossible. Pei Jianzhi’s suggestion, flawed as it was, was the only option.
She spoke up, “But Mu Zian’s name isn’t on the banquet guest list.”
Pei Jianzhi smiled confidently. “That’s easy. We’ll just send him an invitation. As the current State-Stabilizing Duke and the top military official, how could he refuse such a banquet? With our combined achievements, dealing with one scoundrel will be no trouble.”
Lu Yunxue nodded, agreeing to his plan. Even if they couldn’t eliminate the entire debt, reducing it would still be good.
More importantly, it would show the world the deep, unbreakable bond between her and her Pei Lang.
The two quickly set their plan in motion.
Soon, an invitation was delivered to the State-Stabilizing Duke’s Residence.
Looking at the invitation on the table, Li Jiuxuan frowned. “That Pei clan branch brat dares to provoke you publicly? Who gave him the courage?”
“Should I help you decline it?”
Mu Zian’s expression remained calm. Although he didn’t know exactly what trick those two shameless people were playing, it was clear from a glance that they meant no good.
As Mu Zian pondered, the system’s voice chimed in.
[Ding! Congratulations, host, for triggering a choice!]
[Choice 1: Decline the banquet invitation, remain unyielding. Reward: Ten luxury shops in the capital, one thousand mu of fertile land.]
[Choice 2: Accept the banquet invitation, expose the truth, and slap Lu Yunxue in the face. Reward: One jin of chili seeds.]
[Please make your choice!]