The mistress just wanted to be bad, but she took off after being replaced

"Well, there is indeed another reason."

Pei Yu's expression became serious. "I just came back from the street and learned that something happened there, so I stopped by Sheng Mansion. I learned that someone damaged your skirt, so I asked them to get fifty taels of silver as compensation for you."

Sheng Junwei looked confused: "What skirt? Where did the fifty taels of silver come from?"

"Of course it's for the skirt that was ruined by ink splashing that day."

Pei Yu looked a little regretful. "I wanted to get more compensation for you, but considering the current situation of Mr. Sheng, their family has fallen on hard times, and money is more precious to them than ever before. A thousand taels is obviously impossible. These fifty taels are the maximum compensation they can give you as long as they can."

In fact, Pei Yu's original goal was indeed to demand a compensation of one thousand taels, but faced with the resistance and prevarication of the Sheng family, especially the unity of the members of the Sheng family except Sheng Lao San, although they were still no match for Pei Yu in the debate, it still cost him a lot of effort.

They insisted that the stains on the clothes could be cleaned and there was no need for compensation.

After a heated exchange of words, Pei Yu realized that even if he won the verbal victory, it would be difficult to get a large sum of money from the other party.

In the end, after many negotiations and bargaining between the two sides, the Sheng family reluctantly agreed to pay fifty taels of silver to settle the matter.

To be honest, fifty taels of silver is indeed a considerable sum of money for an ordinary family.

Even for a family like Sheng Junwei's, if the family did not have too many extravagant expenses, such as frequently visiting high-end restaurants and teahouses, or visiting places of entertainment, not to mention indulging in bad habits such as gambling, this money would be enough to cover daily expenses for a month.

After learning the whole story, Sheng Junwei was surprised that Pei Yu would come to the Sheng Mansion in person to argue about such a small matter, and was also grateful for his attentiveness and persistence. For a moment, she didn't know how to express her feelings.

After a moment of silence, she frowned slightly, and her voice was filled with reproach and concern: "Actually, you don't have to work so hard for me."

Upon hearing this, Pei Yu just pursed his lips, with an indescribable emotion in his eyes, as if to say, for you, everything is worth it.

Playing with the heavy silver ingot in his hand, his eyes were complicated, and his tone was filled with helplessness and self-mockery: "You have also witnessed my parents' attitude. For them, it seems that keeping a marriage in name only is more glorious than accepting a reasonable divorce."

He sighed softly, as if trying to convince himself, or to comfort the other person: "Now that things have come to this, it is really unrealistic to talk about divorce in a short period of time, so let's at least try to be each other's support in this family. Relatives, this title sounds like a kind of comfort."

He emphasized his tone and looked determined, "If my family has been treated unfairly, as a member of the family, I naturally cannot sit idly by and seek justice for this dignity."

Sheng Junwei smiled coldly when she heard this: "What if the person who bullies me is you, Pei Yu? What should I do?"

A barely perceptible embarrassment flashed across Pei Yu's face, and his thoughts couldn't help but drift back to his wedding night, the night in which he had ruined all the beauty with his own hands.

He once thought himself to be brave, thinking that he was willing to go against the whole world for the sake of the one he loved, but looking back now, it was just a foolish act that was blinded by impulse.

As a well-read scholar who had a deep understanding of propriety, righteousness, integrity and shame, he should have understood that even in the face of a loveless marriage, he should at least maintain the most basic respect. However, he made such an unbearable choice that night.

"I'm sorry," Pei Yu's voice was low and sincere, and every word was filled with regret. "I know this is far from enough, but please allow me to at least express this apology."

He looked at Sheng Junwei, trying to find the possibility of forgiveness in her eyes.

Sheng Junwei was silent for a moment, and responded calmly: "I received your apology, but it can't make everything go back to normal."

Her tone was calm, but it could not hide the turmoil in her heart.

Pei Yu pursed his lips and pulled out a bitter smile: "Mother thinks very highly of you. I think, since fate has made us legally husband and wife, why don't we try to live together in another form. If we can't be a loving couple, at least we can support each other like siblings. I am only one year older than you. If you don't mind, just treat me as your brother..."

"I don't have a brother, and I don't need one." Sheng Junwei's words were as cold as ice, and there was a flash of determination in her eyes that could not be ignored.

Pei Yu's expression changed slightly. He obviously realized that he had said something inappropriate again, and he quickly apologized again: "I'm sorry, I didn't think it through. Anyway, from now on, no matter what our status is, we will be a family. In this family, you don't have to worry about anything. If you need any help, just tell me."

This statement sounded both absurd and ironic, husband and wife becoming siblings, what a ridiculous turn.

Sheng Junwei had mixed feelings. Looking at the emotional yet sincere man in front of her, she felt a complicated emotion in her heart.

She decided to put aside these troubles for the time being, turned around and walked into the courtyard. Her eyes inadvertently fell on the silver ingot again, and the emotions surging in her heart became more complicated.

Although Pei Yu's behavior was difficult for her to accept, it was undeniable that, apart from those ridiculous decisions, he was not difficult to get along with.

However, she had no interest in maintaining such a deformed relationship.

Having made up her mind, she began to pack her clothes and prepared to go to Zhang's residence to seek help.

However, when they arrived at Cangyuan, they found that the garden was deserted except for a few busy servants.

After some inquiries, she learned that Zhang had gone to the country villa due to an emergency, and even Aunt Li would soon go with her after handling the handover matters.

Prime Minister Pei is busy every day and rarely goes home, let alone comes back for lunch.

Just as Sheng Junwei was lost in thought, the housekeeper came to inform her that Pei Yu was out on official business at the Ministry of Personnel and would probably not be back for lunch.

This news made Sheng Junwei feel even more complicated, as if the entire mansion had suddenly lost its backbone, leaving only her, the nominal hostess, and a group of servants.

After returning to Yunyi Pavilion, she simply ordered people to get some fresh ingredients from the big kitchen, intending to be self-sufficient in the small attic kitchen, allowing the big kitchen to focus on taking care of meals for other people in the mansion.

Although Rouer's cooking skills are not as sophisticated as those of a master chef, she is quite good at home cooking. She can put a few simple dishes on the table that are delicious and look good.

After the meal, Sheng Junwei returned to the recliner and continued to enjoy the rare tranquility.

At this time, Rou'er had changed her clothes and returned. She noticed the fatigue on her young lady's face and asked with concern, "Young lady, do you need me to give you a massage to relax you? Maybe it can relieve some of your fatigue."