In a chaotic world of infrastructure development, a woman's path to survival after being reborn

The good news is that Su Li didn't take it to heart; the bad news is that Zhao Zexuan realized once again that he wasn't important to Su Li.

Feeling a little heartbroken, Zhao Zexuan knew he couldn't ask for too much. Sometimes, being too close could push people away. So, seeing Su Li's probing gaze, Zhao Zexuan tacitly changed the subject.

“Sun Dalang and Sun Erlang have been imprisoned. Now it depends on what Grandpa Sun chooses. If Grandpa Sun insists on holding Ningyuan Town, then sending troops from the north is inevitable,” Zhao Zexuan said.

Su Li already knew what had happened, so she nodded knowingly and said, "Now we'll see what Grandpa Sun does. I just don't know how much his two sons mean to him."

“We should know soon enough, no rush, we have plenty of time to wait,” Zhao Zexuan said.

Su Li already had a general understanding of what was happening in Ningyuan Town, so she wasn't worried about that now. What she was concerned about was Zhao Zexuan's promise to the Pei family.

To be fair, spending time together had given Zhao Zexuan a deeper understanding of Su Li. For example, even though Su Li hadn't said anything, he knew what she wanted to ask.

“Grandpa Pei has already fulfilled the promise I made to him, and applied it to his eldest grandson, Pei Jun,” Zhao Zexuan explained.

Upon hearing this, Su Li nodded and then said in a compliment, "No wonder the Pei family has been able to maintain its status as a prominent family for so long. Being clear-headed is the Pei family's greatest blessing."

Upon hearing Su Li's assessment, Zhao Zexuan nodded and said, "Old Master Pei is a rare and shrewd person. Knowing that the second generation of the Pei family could not be helped, he decisively turned to help the third generation. Not everyone has this kind of decisiveness."

Curious, especially after hearing Zhao Zexuan's blunt words, Su Li asked, "Is that Pei family lad, Pei Jun, particularly outstanding?"

“He’s a rare smart guy, hardworking and persistent. If he were born in a prosperous era, with a good family background, and not stupid, it would be hard for him not to stand out. But now, it all depends on his own abilities,” Zhao Zexuan explained.

Understanding the reasoning behind it, Su Li couldn't help but sigh, "Old ginger is spicier. Old Master Pei has taken a big gamble. If Pei Jun is successful in the future, how can the Pei family not regain its former glory? They have high hopes for you and are very optimistic about you."

Zhao Zexuan did not object to Su Li's words, but continued, "So it can be said that Old Master Pei is an extremely decisive person. Not everyone can make this move."

Su Li understood Zhao Zexuan's words. Coincidentally, she also had a question at this moment and couldn't help but ask, "I heard that when they learned of your downfall, they sent you a letter of annulment without saying a word. Don't you blame them?"

It's no wonder Su Li asked that question. After all, the Pei family's actions back then were tantamount to kicking someone when they were down, so it's normal for Zhao Zexuan to blame them.

Zhao Zexuan did not answer Su Li's question casually, but thought about it carefully before saying, "It's impossible not to blame her, but it's also reasonable, after all, the Zhao family was indeed in dire straits at that time."

"Although I didn't like what they did back then, it happened a long time ago and is now just a thing of the past. I don't feel much about it now."

Su Li wasn't surprised by this, after all, Zhao Zexuan wasn't a petty person. She knew that Zhao Zexuan would not only not stop Pei Jun's growth, but would also send people to help him. It has to be said that Old Master Pei is really a cunning old fox.

Su Li guessed what the old fox, Grandpa Pei, was up to, and said, "Grandpa Pei has made such a risky move, he will absolutely not allow anyone to ruin it. It seems that Pei Jiaojiao will be in for a beating when she gets home."

Sensing a hint of schadenfreude in Su Li's words, Zhao Zexuan remained silent and made no comment.

……

As Su Li had predicted, Pei Jiaojiao was punished as soon as she returned home, and the punishment was quite severe, even though Old Madam Pei pleaded for her.

Pei Jiaojiao's sisters-in-law had lost face today, so they didn't react at all to seeing Pei Jiaojiao being punished. Instead, they hoped that the punishment would be even more severe.

After her pleas went unanswered, Madam Pei glanced at her daughters-in-law standing nearby. Seeing that they remained motionless, she knew what they were thinking and could only sigh helplessly, saying, "From now on, I will keep a closer eye on Jiaojiao, not letting her go out casually, and not giving her any chance to cause trouble."

Hearing this, Old Master Pei was still furious and said in a deep voice, "A young lady saying such things in front of Zhao Zexuan's wife, do you have no shame? Do you still consider yourself a daughter of the Pei family?"

Pei Jiaojiao's words on the street were spoken in a fit of anger and without reason. Now that she has come to her senses, she regrets them immensely, especially after seeing her father's furious expression, which terrifies her.

"Father, I was wrong. I will never do it again." Pei Jiaojiao cried as she admitted her mistake.

Hearing this, Old Master Pei snorted coldly and said, "You know you're wrong, but you've made such a big mistake. Is it really okay to just apologize and be done with it?"

"Do you know what the consequences would be if Zhao Zexuan's wife got angry and held a grudge today? Even if you don't think about your nephew in the general's mansion, you should at least think about your parents."

Hearing this, tears streamed down Pei Jiaojiao's face, and she trembled as she cried.

However, even so, Old Master Pei did not stop scolding, and continued, "Our Pei family has already paid a huge price to escape from the capital. Now we have little savings left, and the money and food we brought with us will be exhausted. If we don't find a way, our family will have to go out begging sooner or later."

The others, who had initially thought it was none of their business, couldn't help but ask after hearing this, "Dad, is what you're saying true? Are you lying to us?"

Upon hearing this, Old Master Pei looked around scrutinizingly before speaking, "Whether it's a joke or not, you can go and take a look at the storeroom at home to see how much money and grain we have left."

Seemingly unable to believe it, some people actually went to check out the warehouse, only to return looking disappointed; the result was obvious.

"I was originally planning to tell you all in a few days, but since everyone is here now, I'll take this opportunity to announce something," said Old Master Pei.

Upon hearing this, the son and daughter-in-law immediately asked, "Dad, what is it?"

"All the servants in the house must be dismissed. From now on, you will not only have to learn to do laundry and cook, but also learn to work to support the family," Old Master Pei said directly.

The news came so suddenly that it shocked everyone present. They couldn't believe it was true and couldn't help but protest, "Father, we don't want this..."