Born to Be Either Rich or Noble - Chapter 69

Madam Pei was far less at ease than Qian Tong. After returning to the Pei residence in Yangzhou the previous night, she had been awake until dawn, discussing with Second Master Pei what they should do next.

Two years ago, after Madam Pei and her eldest son returned to Haizhou, Yangzhou had effectively split into two spheres of control: the Third Madam and the second young master oversaw the inner city and docks, while Second Master Pei controlled the salt fields of the Two Huai region.

Although they had handed half the profits of the salt fields to Prince Pingchang, the Pei family still retained the other half.
For two years, matters remained relatively calm.

But once the imperial court dispatched forces to Yangzhou—even though they appeared to do nothing on the surface—they silently disrupted the longstanding balance between the four major families. The Cui and Lu clans collapsed. The Pei family’s second young master disappeared and was soon wanted by the authorities. The Third Madam was imprisoned. Second Master Pei, who had been stationed at the salt fields, was forced to return to Yangzhou to take charge of the growing disaster.

The day after the Third Madam’s arrest, the young heir had ordered the seizure of Red Moon Pavilion, leaving the rest of the Pei business untouched—giving the Pei family one final chance to seek compensation and make amends.

But all real authority in the Pei family rested with the main household. Second Master Pei did not dare act on his own. These past days, he had done nothing but send one letter after another to the Prefect’s residence, unable to promise any concrete terms.

At long last, Madam Pei returned.

The second young master had been implicated in the Lu family massacre; the Third Madam had attempted to assassinate the young heir. The Pei family’s downfall was severe. Second Master Pei had already prepared himself for the inevitable: the Pei family would have to sacrifice heavily. But he had not expected Madam Pei to agree to the young heir’s request to open the canal.

Half of the salt-field profits had already been given to Prince Pingchang, yet the prince had never entertained the idea of opening the canal. It was obvious why: once opened, the canal would fully connect Yangzhou to the inland regions of Great Yu. The profits would indeed multiply several times over, but the imperial court would almost certainly seize control in the end. Their fortunes might vanish like water poured into a bamboo basket—nothing gained, even the family’s foundation might not survive.

These were merely Second Master Pei’s worries. Since Madam Pei had agreed, she must have considered matters carefully.
He asked, “Sister-in-law, has the family head been informed?”

“Not yet.”

Second Master Pei froze, then blurted out, “How did you decide to agree to the young heir’s demand?”

Madam Pei’s head throbbed. She certainly was not about to admit she had been persuaded by a junior.

“When the family head left the Third Madam in the city, he valued her methods and capabilities. And what happened?” she said coldly. “Second Young Master became entangled in a massacre. She then attempted to kill the young heir outright. Such a catastrophe gives the Emperor every justification to send troops to crush us. Do you really think a bit of money will settle this?”

She continued, “Last night, Song Yunzhi set up a trap disguised as a banquet. Once the doors closed, he held a knife to our throats and took what he wanted.”

Her expression darkened. “He wanted the canal. What choice did the Pei family have?”

With that, Second Master Pei had nothing left to say.

Once the canal opened, it would inevitably affect the Two Huai salt fields. Worse, the Pei family had not informed Prince Pingchang beforehand. His reaction was unpredictable. They needed to inform the family head as soon as possible—and stall the young heir in the meantime.

And there was another major issue hanging over both the Pei family and the prince’s household:

The marriage between the second young master and Princess Mingfeng.

The Pei family had relinquished control of two salt fields to secure this alliance. For a princess—a noble of the highest rank—to marry into a merchant family was already humiliating. And not even the eldest son, but the second. The prince’s household had been displeased from the start.

Now the second young master was a wanted criminal.

It was only a matter of time before the prince’s household came knocking.

Madam Pei knew this well. Unlike the Third Madam, she had taken the time to visit the Prefect’s office and observe the young heir personally. If the second young master were in his hands, he would execute him on the spot without hesitation.

Among their many problems, finding the second young master was the most urgent.

“He is not at the Prefect’s residence,” Madam Pei said. “Send people to search discreetly.”

Among her three sons, the second’s martial skills were the best, and his mind was quick. She chose to believe he had gone into hiding for fear of facing his father’s judgment.

With Madam Pei stationed in the city, Second Master Pei prepared to return to the salt fields and steady Prince Pingchang’s household.

But fate rarely aligned with expectations. Before he even reached the gate, a servant rushed in.

“Madam, Master… the princess has arrived.”

Second Master Pei blinked. “Who?”

The servant repeated, “Prin—Princess Mingfeng has arrived.”

The moment the first announcement left the servant’s mouth, Madam Pei shot up from her seat and headed toward the entrance. As she stepped past the threshold, a young woman in riding attire strode into the walkway opposite her.

Her steps were bold; her voice rang clear.

“I come uninvited. Madam Pei, I hope you don’t mind.”

Madam Pei had not expected the first visitor from the prince’s residence to be the princess herself. She and Second Master Pei quickly knelt.

“Greetings, Princess.”

Mingfeng descended the steps into the courtyard. She had seen Second Master Pei at the salt fields but had never met Madam Pei. She halted before her and tilted her head.

“You’re Pei Chengyun’s mother?”

Her tone was arrogant and devoid of the slightest respect.

Madam Pei, though well aware of the gap between nobility and merchants, still felt her expression stiffen. This was, after all, meant to be her future daughter-in-law. She forced herself to answer,

“I am.”

“Good. You’re exactly who I came to see.”

Before Madam Pei could react, the princess continued bluntly:

“Your second son is in trouble. He’s on the imperial wanted list. How does your family plan to handle our engagement? Are you keeping it or not?”

Her question was direct, but its implications were monumental.

Madam Pei hurriedly stepped down from the platform and steadied her voice.

“Princess, your journey must have been tiring. Please come inside for tea. Allow our family to properly welcome you, and we can discuss everything in detail. I promise you—our family will give you an answer.”

What answer could there be?

If the second son was unsuitable, they would simply replace him.

Princess Mingfeng had come to Yangzhou personally, clearly intending to stay until matters were settled. To prevent the Pei family from shoving the newly sixteen-year-old third son at her, she declared:

“Where is your eldest son? He is the one I came for.”

Fuyin did not learn until the next day that the reckless rider who had nearly trampled her mistress had been Princess Mingfeng, the youngest daughter of Prince Pingchang.

No wonder she had been so brazen.

Fuyin glanced at Qian Tong beside her and whispered, “The second young master of the Pei family is gone. They say the princess went to the Pei estate and asked for the eldest son instead. Do you think he’ll agree?”

She and A-Jin had both seen it in Haizhou—her mistress holding hands with the eldest Pei son right in front of the Pei family.

And forbidding them to tell the young heir.

The pair seemed to have rekindled old feelings. Now that the princess had arrived, what would her mistress do?

Fuyin felt her mistress had no need to fight for him. Why return to old loves? Better to invest her time in the young heir. Water flows downward; people seek higher ground. The eldest son had the princess, and her mistress could have the young heir. Each would have a bright future.

Work had already begun at the Lianxiang Salt Field. Qian Tong personally oversaw the construction.

That morning, she had packed her belongings to stay there for a few days. Sitting in the carriage, she replied calmly,

“The eldest son will not agree.”

But Fuyin refused to give up. “What does it matter if he won’t agree? Madam Pei will force him. Mistress, he just wasn’t fated to be with you.”

That very night—the man who supposedly had no fate with her arrived at her door.

The salt fields had residences reserved for overseers. When the eldest son had given her the salt fields, the houses had been included.

Now, everything belonged to the imperial court.

Tonight, Qian Tong was staying in the quarters arranged by Wang Zhao. After a full day of travel, both she and Fuyin were worn out. Once Fuyin finished unpacking, Qian Tong told her,

“Get some rest.”

Fuyin lifted her lantern and headed toward the side room—when a sudden knock sounded.

She paused. “Who is it?”

Outside, someone else held a lantern. A tall silhouette stretched across the door. A warm, gentle voice replied,

“Pei Chengyu.”

The salt fields now belonged to the court, and Wang Zhao’s men were stationed outside. She hadn’t expected Pei Chengyu to risk coming here.

Both women inside froze.

Had Wang Zhao seen him? Before Fuyin could ask whether they should open the door, Qian Tong was already striding over. She opened it, pulled him inside, shut it tightly, and looked up at the young man damp with night dew.

“Why did you come?”

Pei Chengyu took in her worried expression, unhurried and calm.

“Weren’t you the one who forced me to?”

Qian Tong had predicted the princess’s arrival—but she hadn’t expected him to chase her here. With his abilities, dealing with Princess Mingfeng should have been effortless.

Now that he was here, sending him away was impossible.

She looked toward Fuyin, who stood frozen.

“Keep watch outside,” she ordered. She feared Wang Zhao might appear without warning.

Wang Zhao truly had no idea the Pei family’s eldest son had come. He was at the salt field gate receiving someone.

The day after the banquet, the court began checking off the gifts submitted by the merchants. None of the smaller merchants dared cut corners. Their goal wasn’t them anyway.

The primary targets were the Pei family and the Qian family.

After Qian Tong left the previous night, the young heir sent Wang Zhao to Lianxiang Salt Field.

Wang Zhao had arrived a day early, inspected the terrain, and replaced the guards at key locations with his own men.

After hearing Qian Tong had arrived, he chose not to disturb her. Instead, he arranged her lodging and decided to speak with her in the morning.

He was about to sleep when a servant reported that the young heir had arrived.

Wang Zhao was stunned. The young heir was supposed to be meeting Young Master Shen—why was he back so soon?

The coastal wind was strong at night. Wang Zhao threw on a cloak and hurried out.

Just as he reached the gate, Song Yunzhi rode in. He wore no official robes tonight, only black clothes. He dismounted smoothly, handed the reins to a servant, and asked:

“Everything secured?”

“Not yet. Lady Qian arrived just tonight,” Wang Zhao replied. He led the young heir inside. Qian Tong’s quarters were the ones he had arranged; the salt field had limited housing—no separate courtyards, only one main residence.

He hadn’t expected the young heir to come in person. The main room was currently occupied by Qian Tong, and the entire place was dark—she must have already gone to bed.

Wang Zhao pointed to the room on Qian Tong’s left and said,

“My lord, please stay here for tonight. Tomorrow I will have Lady Qian move…”