"I don't know when my brother will arrive in Beijing. Why don't you send someone to inform him in advance?"

In the carriage that was driving smoothly, Pei Ning calmed down and asked with concern.

Even in the carriage, Pei Cheng was still sitting upright with his hands on his knees, which made Pei Ning strange and a little uncomfortable. Although the Pei Cheng in her memory was the oldest, he was like a man who would never grow up. He is a playboy who usually leads a group of gangster friends to run rampant and domineering. Although he does not dare to do anything too evil because of fear of the two elders, Silent Cloud and Gu Liang, he has nothing to do with serious warriors after all.

After not seeing him for several years, he seemed to have completely changed. It was really unexpected.

Pei Cheng realized that this was not Tiger City. Although his body did not relax, the expression on his face was gentler. He said slowly: "I am escorting the Marquis of Xiangcheng back to the capital. It is indeed inconvenient to enter the city privately this morning. The Marquis of Xiangcheng is ordered to do so. After entering the palace to meet the Holy Spirit, I returned to the mansion to meet the old lady and my parents, and then dealt with some matters."

Pei Ning nodded slightly and said softly: "Brother, traveling thousands of miles is really hard."

Pei Chengdao: "It's not hard to get used to living on horseback when we were at the border. Sister, I imprisoned Pei Yun in the ancestral hall because he is plotting against you, sister, and he must be severely punished according to family rules. But regarding your marriage, I want to hear your own opinion."

Pei Ning was slightly startled and said hesitantly: "Brother, this matter..."

She didn't know how to speak.

"Don't get me wrong."

Pei Cheng slowed down his tone again and said: "If you are unwilling to leave the cabinet for the time being, I will make it clear to the old lady to avoid any unpleasant things happening again. Although the Pei family is in decline, it is still ranked high in the capital in terms of wealth. No., and Pei Yue's respect for you is well known to everyone, and there are countless people who want to come to ask for marriage, so the Pei family must know how to deal with it."

Pei Ning sighed inwardly, he was indeed much more mature. These words were not only respectful to her, but also from the perspective of a family head.

After thinking about it, Peining lowered his head slightly and said, "Brother, I haven't thought about that yet."

Pei Cheng nodded and said, "Okay, as long as you are willing, you will always be the eldest lady of Dingguo Mansion."

Peining showed a quiet and gentle smile.

When he arrived at the gate of Dingguo Mansion, Pei Cheng got off the carriage and then watched the carriage enter the mansion directly from the side door.

"Greetings to the eldest young master." Li Rong, the housekeeper of the front yard, greeted him respectfully and saluted.

Pei Cheng stood there, looking at him with sharp eyes.

Li Rong was so frightened that he lowered his head and did not dare to look at him.

Pei Cheng said solemnly: "I'll give you seven days to sort out the account books of the farm properties and shops in the mansion, as well as the expenses of the mansion in the past four years. Can you do it?"

Li Rong was complaining in his heart. Not only was he short on time, but more importantly, how could these account books be completely clean?

He was still thinking about his words when he heard Pei Cheng say: "I heard that the accountants in Pei Yue's Xiangyun are smart and experienced. Since you can't do it, I will send someone to invite some accountants."

Li Rong was horrified and quickly shook his head and said: "Young Master, I promise to handle this matter well."

Pei Cheng said solemnly: "I will send twenty soldiers to follow you. You know exactly what to do."

Although great housekeepers like Li Rong and Qin Feng did not dare to act recklessly, they had taken countless benefits from the treasury over the years, and the stewards below followed the same pattern, like a group of parasites clinging to Dingguo Mansion. Pei Cheng's The implication is very clear. He wants to clean up the atmosphere in the government this time and make sure all those who have embezzled the Pei family's property are wiped out. In the future, he will restore the old practice of ruling the family by military law.

Pei Cheng didn't pay too much attention to this matter. Although he also knew that the Dingguo Mansion today was not as good as it was back then, he had soldiers in his hands and it would be easy to deal with a group of useless slaves.

He walked into the back house alone and came to Ding'an Hall to pay homage to Taijun Pei.

The old lady was holding Peining's hand and talking, with complicated eyes and a bit of shame in her eyes.

Pei Cheng listened quietly. After Pei Taijun finished speaking, he looked around at the maids in the hall and said, "You guys go out first. I have something to discuss with the old lady."

"Yes, young master."

Taijun Pei asked in surprise and worry: "Brother Cheng, is it not going smoothly to Zhongshan Mansion?"

Pei Cheng said calmly: "Pei Yue will not do those unnecessary things. Ancestor, I have been thinking about a question when I was in the Western Region. Why did the Pei family fall to this point?"

A touch of sadness appeared on Pei Taijun's face. He let go of Pei Ning's hand and sighed softly: "After your grandfather passed away, there was no pillar of support in the house. Your father is like that. There is no way to count on him. Brother Cheng, I know you have something in your heart.

Angry, blame me for not agreeing to your mother’s suggestion and trying to bring your sister and King Lu together.”

She paused and said in a slightly trembling voice: "Although I have not experienced those big things outside, I have been married to the Dingguo Mansion for more than forty years, so how can I not know how to behave when getting along with the Tian family? However, Your Majesty... Your Majesty

That's what we have to do after all

, it can be seen from the fact that your father did not revive after your grandfather passed away. Rather than letting His Majesty always remember him, why not take the initiative to take a step back. Even if we cannot preserve the military foundation passed down by our ancestors, we can at least make future generations rich and prosperous for a long time."

The words made Peining look complicated.

Pei Cheng's expression remained unchanged, he shook his head and said, "Ancestor, you are wrong."

Pei Taijun wiped the corners of his eyes and looked at his eldest grandson in confusion after hearing this.

Pei Cheng asked calmly: "I dare to ask my ancestors, how is Ningguo Mansion? How is Shanguo Mansion?"

Taijun Pei was shocked and gradually realized the profound meaning of Changsun's words.

Pei Chengdao: "When Ning Guogong and Shan Guogong were alive, the wealth in these two houses was no less than that of Dingguofu today, but now they have to rely on others. This is the consequence of not having real power in their hands. For example, Sun Qi of Shanguofu is dignified.

The legitimate son of the Duke of Guo had to follow Gu Fan in order to avoid being bullied by others."

He said in a solemn tone: "If the eldest sister marries into the Prince Lu's Mansion, today's Ningguo Mansion will be tomorrow's Dingguo Mansion, and the wealth is just a wedding dress for others. In a word, the foundation of the military is the foundation of the Pei family.

, even if the talents fade away for a while, you can never change the family."

In his heart, Taijun Pei was half ashamed and half relieved, and said slowly: "Brother Cheng, I will rely on you at home from now on."

Pei Cheng responded: "Ancestor, don't worry, I won't lose the face of my ancestors and grandfather."

"Okay, okay, okay!" Pei Taijun praised repeatedly and said, "Does your mother want to ask Brother Yue for a favor?"

Pei Cheng pondered for a moment, shook his head and said: "The Fengcheng Hou Mansion is involved in a major rebellion, and no one can save them. If mother comes out at this time, it will not help, but will cause trouble. Besides, mother has walked into a dead end these years.

, we need to make her sober up. Ancestor, let mother continue to stay in the Buddhist hall, but you have to tell the nuns who teach you not to beat or scold you at will, just abide by the rules."

Pei Taijun nodded and said, "I will do as you say."

Pei Cheng gave Pei Ning a gentle look, then bowed to Taijun Pei and left.
Chapter completed!