May this scumbag husband, who favored his concubine over his wife, rest in peace.

Wen Yuanshu glanced at him: "How am I being biased?"

Pei Zhicheng pointed at Pei Xi and said, "Why do you only serve him food and not me?!"

Seeing that Pei Zhicheng cared about such trivial matters, Wen Yuanshu was too lazy to pay attention to him and got up to leave.

Pei Xi also stood up. As he passed Pei Zhicheng, he stopped and said seriously, "You have been here for a month, but you have not come to pay your respects to Mother even once. You were disrespectful to Mother first, so you cannot expect Mother to treat you well."

"What do you know!" Pei Zhicheng raised his hand and shoved him.

His mother said that since that woman was his mother in name, it was only natural for her to be good to him!

Besides, he's still young, just a child. Even if he was impolite for a moment, that woman shouldn't hold it against him!

That woman is biased!

Pei Zhicheng was well-fed and had great strength. With a push from him, Pei Xi was forced to take several steps back before finally managing to stand up somewhat awkwardly.

"Sickly fellow!" Pei Zhicheng said disdainfully, "Don't you even know your own limitations? How dare you lecture me!"

After saying that, Pei Zhicheng turned and left, but instead of heading to the east courtyard, he went straight out the door.

Pei Xi pursed her lips and went to find Wen Yuanshu.

Wen Yuanshu was drinking tea in the front hall when she saw him coming over, so she asked Chunhua to bring up some warm water.

“Speak the right words to the right people,” Wen Yuanshu said. “If the person is reasonable, then speak nicely to them. But if the person is unreasonable, then there’s no need to waste your energy on them.”

Pei Xi nodded very slightly: "Thank you for your teachings, Mother. I understand."

-

With Wen Yuanshu personally taking charge, the two children's admission to the clan school proceeded smoothly.

The next day, the Wen family school sent a letter, asking them to enroll in school two days later.

The old lady was overjoyed and called Wen Yuanshu over to praise her.

Nearly two hours later, Wen Yuanshu was finally able to escape.

Chunhua looked like she had finally been pardoned, and said as she walked, "That old lady is really something, all talk and no action, but she doesn't even offer anything in return."

Wen Yuanshu chuckled: "I wouldn't be used to it if my mother-in-law actually gave me something."

Chunhua thought so too.

What good things could the old lady possibly give?

"After school starts in two days, besides the tuition fee, we also need to prepare some gifts for Pei Xi and the children."

Chunhua immediately understood; Pei Zhicheng had been dragged into this again.

She nodded: "You can leave it to me!"

Chunhua was efficient and brought back the six gifts and other presents the next day.

The tuition fees were the usual ones, nothing special. Chunhua had them sent directly to the storeroom and would bring them along on the day she went to school. She only brought the gifts with her.

Needless to say, the writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones were all of the highest quality, purchased with silver from the Marquis's official account. In addition, there were also auspicious items such as longevity scallions and Dingsheng cake, which were stuffed into a basket in a fancy and colorful manner.

Wen Yuanshu glanced at it and then had someone deliver the items to the two of them.

Pei Xi looked at the basket full of things, her eyes slightly red. The little child took out all the things and carefully arranged them in every corner of the room so that she could see them everywhere.

-

That night, Pei Xi finally finished the wooden rabbit carving he had been working on for several nights in a row. He was about to send it to Wen Yuanshu when he forgot to take it with him. He only remembered it after walking a long way, so he hurriedly went back to look for it without even closing the door.

As luck would have it, Pei Zeyu arrived at that very moment.

Seeing that Pei Xi's door was open, he subconsciously looked into the room and immediately saw a fine green sandalwood wolf hair brush on the table.

The pen was placed on the shelf, quite eye-catching.

He glanced at it, then looked away knowingly and went into Pei Zhicheng's room.

Last time, he was so angry at Pei Zhicheng's unambitious attitude that he went back and said something to Xie Qianjiao. Xie Qianjiao came over specifically to see if he had changed his ways. He didn't know what she said to Pei Zhicheng, but today Xie Qianjiao asked him to come and see if Pei Zhicheng had changed his ways.

He lost his temper with Xie Qianjiao that day, and regretted it afterwards, which is why he came here so eagerly today.

They walked into the house and saw Pei Zhicheng still eating.

Three dishes and a soup is already a very generous meal for a child.

In terms of food, Wen Yuanshu did not treat him poorly.

Pei Zeyu looked around the room but didn't see anything like the green sandalwood wolf hair brush: "You're going to school tomorrow, didn't your mother prepare a gift for you?"

Pei Zhicheng was taken aback, then subconsciously shook his head: "No."

He and his mother hardly ever see each other these days.

Upon hearing this, Pei Zeyu's face suddenly darkened.

Seeing him like this, Pei Zhicheng felt a little scared: "Father, are you alright?"

“It’s alright,” Pei Zeyu said, but then stood up. “Take your time eating.”

He turned and left, striding towards the main courtyard.

At that moment, Wen Yuanshu was engrossed in reading a storybook.

Unexpectedly, the storybook was snatched away.

She looked up and met Pei Zeyu's somewhat gloomy gaze, and only one thought crossed her mind—

What's gotten into this guy again?

"The two children are about to start school, did you give Pei Xi a gift?"

Wen Yuanshu frowned: "What?"

Pei Zeyu was furious at her attitude: "You still have the nerve to ask? Don't forget, Zhicheng was the first child you chose, Pei Xi was just a side project! You gave Pei Xi a gift, but you didn't give one to Zhicheng, what do you mean by that?!"

Even if you're going to show favoritism, you should know who you're favoring and who you're neglecting!

His words caused Wen Yuanshu's face to darken: "Lord Marquis, are you implying that I have mistreated Pei Zhicheng?"

"Isn't that right?!"

Wen Yuanshu called Chunhua over: "Show the account books to the Marquis."

Chunhua responded with a sound of agreement, then turned and stormed off.

A moment later, she returned with a booklet: "My lord, please take a look!"

These booklets were all written by the shops and even stamped with their seals; they can't be faked.

Pei Zeyu took it and glanced at it, and saw that all the items on it were indeed in duplicate.

One copy was given to Pei Xi, and the other to whom? The result is obvious.

After all, these are things that can be easily bought on the street, so they wouldn't catch Wen Yuanshu's eye.

Pei Zeyu frowned.

But he didn't see any of these things in Pei Zhicheng's room.

"If Your Excellency has any doubts, you might as well ask that person." Wen Yuanshu's tone was unfriendly.

Pei Zeyu knew that he had probably misunderstood, and didn't dare to argue with him. He turned and left somewhat awkwardly.

As they rounded the bend in the shadows, a skinny child blinked and unconsciously clenched his fist on the slightly rough wooden rabbit he had spent several nights making.

"Young master, what are you doing here?" a familiar voice rang out.

Pei Xi subconsciously looked in the direction of the voice, forcing a somewhat forced smile: "N-nothing."

Chunhua didn't say anything, but led him to Wen Yuanshu.

The storybook had been touched by Pei Zeyu, and Wen Yuanshu was very disgusted with it, so she used a handkerchief as a barrier before holding it in her hand.

Wen Yuanshu glanced at him and said, "Don't think so much at such a young age. You are the child I wanted myself, not some extra."

Pei Xi was taken aback, then realized that her thoughts had been seen through, and her cheeks flushed slightly.

He hesitated for a moment, then finally handed over the rabbit in his hand: "Mother, this is for you."