It's all ruined, who cares about the chastity arch

The Pei Mansion is located in the southwest corner of the capital. It consists of two magnificent mansions side by side. The right side is the eldest branch of the Pei family, and the left side is the second branch of the Pei family.

The mansion of Pei Sina's father, this huge complex witnessed the family's glory and entanglement of grievances.

In the past, when the old man of the Pei family was still alive, he doted on his talented second grandson. This doting went beyond the limitations of their status and gave him endless care and support, making him unique among his brothers and sisters.

As expected, Master Pei won three top honors in the imperial examinations and had a bright future. Unfortunately, he encountered jealousy and frame-up by the eldest son of the family. The glory of his family vanished overnight and he himself became seriously ill. In the end, he could only hide in a slum alley with his young daughter and barely make ends meet.

Now, Su Wanyu made a special detour to Luo Mansion and invited Pei Sina to return to the familiar yet unfamiliar place together.

Returning for the first time after many years, she seemed calm on the surface, but her heart was turbulent, with a torrent of emotions surging under her calm appearance.

Although she has completely integrated into Luo Wenxuan's identity, the resentment of the past is like a brand, deep and difficult to let go.

The carriage moved slowly on the bluestone road, the friction between the wheels and the ground made a steady rhythm, and the scenery outside the window passed by slowly, like the passing of time, with an irreversible determination.

Su Wanyu gently unbuttoned the collar of her dress embroidered with elegant lotus flowers, and her fingertips touched the bag of candied lotus seeds that were given to her as pure as the morning dew. An imperceptible warmth spread in her heart.

She carefully took out this sweet gift, as if holding a precious heart, and gently placed it in Pei Sina's delicate palm.

Perhaps everyone only saw the external changes and thought that she was possessed by Luo Wenxuan. However, only Su Wanyu herself understood that the resentment and scars buried deep over the years could not be easily erased by the flow of time.

For Pei Sina, the Pei family is like the scar in her heart that is repeatedly torn and difficult to heal, just like the Zheng family to Su Wanyu, both are the most sensitive pain points deep in her soul.

The sugar lotus seeds lay quietly in the palm of her hand, as if carrying healing power. The sweet scent gradually spread. Pei Sina held it tightly. At that moment, it seemed as if she had held all the bitterness and pain of the past. Finally, she closed her eyes and slowly took this sweetness into her heart. When she opened her eyes again, her gaze passed through the window lattice, revealing endless thoughts and emotions.

The forbearance and hatred accumulated during those years seemed to have found an outlet at this moment, and were about to break through the heavy shackles and burst out.

The carriage finally stopped in front of the magnificent Pei Mansion, just as another ornately decorated carriage hung with delicate bells arrived. It shone in the sun, attracting everyone's attention.

The maid Siqi looked up and carefully examined the luxurious carriage. Then she leaned close to Su Wanyu's ear and reported in a very low voice: "A distinguished guest has arrived. The glory of the Pei Mansion is greater today than ever before."

Although the voice was soft, it was filled with excitement that could not be concealed.

Pei Sina walked slowly to the two of them, her brows slightly furrowed, her eyes climbing up along the towering gatehouse until they reached the door plaque that carried the family's glory and stories.

Her voice was slightly cold: "The person who came from the palace is most likely the Concubine Pei who is on good terms with my mother. She must have come for some purpose."

When Su Wanyu heard this, her expression changed slightly, but then a playful smile flashed in her eyes.

She originally thought that it would take some effort to meet this distinguished lady, but she never expected that she would come to her house on her own initiative, which saved her a lot of trouble.

Stepping into the Pei Mansion is like stepping into an ancient and elegant painting. This place has been known as a scholarly family since ancient times. Outstanding talents have emerged in every generation. The family tradition is mellow, and the air is filled with the mixed aroma of sandalwood and goose pear, which is elegant yet solemn and intoxicating.

A group of women shuttled through the dense bamboo forest, and the stone path under their feet led to the exquisite courtyard where Mrs. Pei held the banquet.

Compared with the Zheng family's seriousness and solemnity, the Pei family's rules appear more restrained and full of charm.

The maids in the courtyard all wore light blue clothes, bowed their heads, and had indifferent expressions. Their every move revealed traces of rigorous training, and their etiquette was so strict, almost harsh.

As she walked deeper, Su Wanyu felt a growing sense of oppression. If the Zheng family was the abyss that devoured people's hearts, then the Pei Mansion was the silent place where ice was forever frozen.

Every tree and every leaf here seems to be wrapped in emotionless indifference, and emotions here seem to have become seeds that can never grow.

Pei Sina keenly captured the subtle changes in her emotions, a deep smile appeared on the corners of her mouth, and her words were filled with the open-mindedness of seeing through the world.

“Life is like a game of chess. Never regret your moves. Even the most ferocious beast will eventually break free from its cage. Never lose faith.”

Her words were like a spring breeze blowing across the snow-covered river, with both a challenging edge and an inspiring tenderness.

Su Wanyu's brows gradually relaxed when she heard this. A complex light flashed in her eyes, and a faint smile appeared on the corner of her mouth: "Confidence is indeed valuable, but the winter is long and warmth is hard to find."

Her tone was gentle but firm, just like the plum blossoms standing tall in winter, solitary and cold, and refusing to bow to the cold.

Pei Sina stood with her hands behind her back and her chin slightly raised. Her eyes penetrated all the trivialities before her and looked into the distance at the vast sky. Her posture was as firm and unwavering as a pine tree standing proudly on the top of a mountain.

"Only in the biting cold wind can one show true strength. If I have the chance to do it again, I would turn into a prairie fire to drive away the cold for you."

Her words blend the beauty of masculinity and femininity, showing both the heroic ambition of a man and the delicate tenderness of a woman.

Su Wanyu looked at her quietly, the emotions surging in her heart difficult to express in words.

In her life, she has met countless people, but she has never met a remarkable woman like Pei Sina. She possesses both the tenderness of a woman and the tenacity of a man. She is like a flexible willow branch guarding her home, and like a pine tree that remains unyielding in the face of a storm.

Such an existence makes people want to get close to it, but at the same time they feel awe.

The two of them continued to move forward, maintaining a subtle distance. This distance was not only a reflection of family rules, but also a silent protection between each other.

When they stepped into the elegant courtyard carefully decorated by Mrs. Pei Yuan, before they crossed the threshold, bursts of laughter and joy came from the room, like a glacier melting in spring, full of vitality.

"Aunt, what happened to that maid?"

The second young lady's voice was a mixture of curiosity and innocent inquiry.

"Alas, that maid did not escape punishment after all. She was expelled from the palace. It was her own fault."

The answer contains both a helpless lament about fate and a warning and instruction to future generations.

"It's just a pool of mud, how can it pollute the pure lotus? It should be eradicated completely to avoid future troubles."

The second young lady's words were sharp and direct, but behind them was a childish innocence.