The cousin is beautiful but ruthless.

Even faster than the competition between schools came the news from the Founding Duke's Mansion.

Pei Du nearly broke ties with the Duke's mansion.

In her previous life, Shen Hanyu heard this news when she had just learned that Zhou Yurong wanted to take her as a concubine; in this life, it happened much earlier.

The gates of the Duke's mansion were tightly shut, as family scandals should not be aired in public. Pei Mingjian did not want to lose face completely, so he kept Pei Du at home to deal with the matter.

Pei Du stood in the courtyard, a sword at his waist. Pei Mingjian had just returned from court when he heard that Pei Du was moving out.

"You unfilial son! What are you doing?"

Han Yueru and Pei Xingzhi stood to one side, their eyes revealing a hint of joy. If Pei Du really broke with the Duke, it would be a good thing for them.

Pei Du could tell what the three people were thinking just by looking at their expressions.

"I want to leave the Duke's mansion."

Pei Mingjian was furious.

“Throughout history, apart from married daughters, have you ever seen a son leave his parents and move out to live separately? You were born into the Duke’s mansion, and in the future, you and your brother will need to shoulder the responsibilities of the Duke’s mansion together. It’s not like you can just leave whenever you want.”

Han Yueru's eyes flickered as she stepped forward to mediate the fight.

"Husband, don't be angry. Du'er is talking nonsense. Why did you take it seriously? Perhaps Xingzhi did something wrong and offended Du'er. Just have Xingzhi apologize. If Du'er is really angry, I will apologize to him too. He will be the heir of the Duke's mansion in the future. He can't make a scene like this."

Pei Mingjian sneered: "You don't need to apologize to him. He's the one who's wrong. What heir? Look at him now, how does he look like an heir?"

Pei Du was too lazy to listen any longer: "If you don't like me, then just let Pei Xingzhi take your place. I'm not interested in that."

He turned to get his belongings, which he had been preparing for during his time back in Chang'an.

Pei Mingjian chased after him, with Han Yueru and Pei Xingzhi following behind.

"You're even jealous of your own brother, Pei Du. How can I entrust the Duke's mansion to you if you act like this?"

Pei Du turned his head and met Pei Mingjian's angry gaze.

He couldn't understand what Pei Mingjian was angry about. Ever since Han Yueru and Pei Xingzhi entered the Duke's mansion, Pei Mingjian's favoritism was obvious even to the servants. Whenever something happened to the mother and son, Pei Du would be the first to be punished.

The key point was revealed, but Pei Mingjian became unhappy instead.

Now that he has given up the title of heir to the Duke's mansion, Pei Du only wants to go out and make a name for himself. He has thought everything through.

Pei Du's gaze passed over Pei Mingjian and landed on the mother and son.

"I don't want what you've always wanted."

Once he had gathered all the evidence, he sent the two men to the Dali Temple for interrogation.

Unfortunately, Han Yueru is too clean in her dealings. He hasn't been able to find much evidence to hold in his hands yet. There must be some powerful force behind Han Yueru, otherwise, the people around her wouldn't be able to do this.

Pei Du strode away, with Jin Chui following behind, carrying a bundle. Pei Du only took these few things and a sword with him when he left home; he didn't take anything else with him.

Pei Xingzhi clenched his fists. He didn't speak, afraid that he would reveal his ambition.

He looked at Han Yueru, who still looked worried, but in her heart she was already planning to have Pei Mingjian go to the clan elders to get Pei Xingzhi's name into the family register first.

"Stop him!"

Pei Mingjian's loud shout interrupted the mother and son's thoughts. The servants blocked the doorway with sticks, preventing Pei Du from leaving.

Pei Du drew his sword. "Why bother, for that laughable face?"

Pei Mingjian pursed his lips and remained silent, only waving his hand to signal the servants to seize Pei Du.

Han Yueru's expression changed. What did Pei Mingjian mean by this? Did he still want Pei Du to be his successor?

She's been keeping a low profile and enduring hardship for so many years, not to be a stepping stone for Pei Du.

"Auntie."

The two stood under the eaves, each lost in their own thoughts.

Han Yueru said in a low voice, "Indeed, we should nip it in the bud."

Pei Xingzhi pursed his lips; he too was somewhat unable to discern Pei Mingjian's intentions.

Pei Du was already a discarded pawn; once he left, he was gone. Forcing him to stay would only delay his inclusion in the family genealogy.

In the courtyard, Pei Du got into a fight with the servants, which made Pei Mingjian even angrier.

He wouldn't allow anyone to disobey him, not even his own son.

As the longsword clashed with the clubs, Pei Du, with his superior martial arts skills, flicked the tip of his sword, sending all the clubs flying.

Without weapons, the servants were no match for Pei Du.

He knocked everyone down, then pushed open the gate of the Duke's mansion without looking at Pei Mingjian's gloomy face.

Pei Du swaggered out, and Han Yueru came over.

"Husband..."

Pei Mingjian scoffed, "Even if he leaves, he'll still be a member of the Duke's mansion. If he marries and has children in the future, he'll have to get my approval, or he won't have a good time!"

Han Yueru sneered inwardly upon hearing this. It would be better if Pei Du were dead, otherwise Pei Mingjian would keep thinking about him.

She didn't bring up the family genealogy rashly, as Pei Mingjian was still angry and she didn't want him to think she had ulterior motives and had driven Pei Du away.

When the time is right, Han Yueru will naturally remind Pei Mingjian of this matter.

Jin Chui trotted onto the carriage and glanced at Pei Du.

"Young master, what are your plans for the future?"

Pei Du took a sip of tea to moisten his throat and said slowly, "First, I'll move into the newly acquired house, and then I'll strive for fame and fortune. When the opportunity arises, I will completely sever ties with the Duke's mansion."

Pei Du was well aware that the relationship had only just emerged and was not completely severed.

Jin Chui gave a soft "oh".

"Wherever you go, young master, I will follow."

Pei Du smiled and said nothing more.

Because Pei Du left through the main gate so casually, many people learned what had happened at the Duke's mansion.

Shen Hanyu placed a chess piece down, signaling Miaocui to stop talking.

"The affairs of the Duke's mansion are not for us to discuss; it's enough that everyone knows."

Saying too much would only bring trouble, and besides, that Duke had a violent temper.

Shen Hanyu lowered her eyes. In this second life, many things had changed. The Crown Prince, the Princess, and their father, whom they mentioned repeatedly.

Thinking this, Shen Hanyu got up and went to find Liang Fangrong.

Some things, perhaps only the mother who has shared a bed with her father for many years knows.

When Shen Hanyu arrived at the courtyard, she saw Liang Fangrong and Liang Ruochu sitting by the window embroidering. They had smiles on their lips. When the maid announced their arrival, Liang Fangrong looked up.

She put down the embroidery frame, and Liang Ruochu stood up from the side to make room for Shen Hanyu.

"What's wrong?" Liang Fangrong asked casually, and asked Jian Xia to bring Liang Ruochu a new stool.

Before Liang Ruochu could even sit down, Shen Hanyu said, "I've come to see my mother today because it's important."

She glanced at Liang Ruochu, who, being quite sensible, got up and left.

Liang Fangrong frowned: "What exactly is going on?"

Shen Hanyu told Xia Ye to go out as well, while Miao Cui stood guard outside to prevent anyone from getting close and eavesdropping.

“Mother, I came to ask about Father.”