The Slender Waist-Chapter 623 - 450 Hard to Let Go

Ao Zheng returned to the residence only to learn of the matter.

During Ao Qi’s grand wedding, the old lady had wanted to bring two concubines to celebrate, claiming it would be livelier with more people, but after being scolded by Ao Zheng, she decided not to come.

No one expected them to come at this time, and even allowed Pei Yao to stumble upon them.

"It was the old lady who sent us, saying it was to welcome the husband back to the Central Capital..."

"And to take the opportunity to see the new residence, to broaden our horizons."

The old mother held a grudge against Pei Yao because neither of the two concubines could bear children, harboring resentment deep in her heart for many years, never feeling content.

Inwardly, Ao Zheng sighed, feeling at his wit’s end.

In recent years, to ease the relationship between husband and wife, he had often thought of sending the concubines away from the residence.

Firstly, the old lady had prevented him, saying both were good concubines from noble families, not common women of ill repute that could be dismissed so carelessly. Secondly, over the years, since they had committed no wrong, he also feared acquiring a reputation for heartlessness, and ultimately did not go through with it.

But now at his age, with his wife and children gone, becoming a laughingstock, he felt even worse.

Therefore, without even entering his own inner courtyard, having received the news, he hastened to the Pei Residence, bearing gifts to visit his father-in-law and to apologize to Pei Yao. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Pei Chong didn’t say much.

As for his daughter and son-in-law’s matters, he could only turn a blind eye.

Pei Yao let the two young ones meet their father, play for a moment, and then had the servant girls take them away. After that, she became serious and stopped showing Ao Zheng any kindness.

"I went to the residence to find you because Ajue suggested it."

Ao Zheng pondered for a moment, "Is it about Liang Huanzhang?"

Pei Yao’s eyebrows inverted in displeasure, and with a huff, she said, "It’s not for me to say, but your cousin-in-law is really lacking in respectability. This is Andu County, not the Ningyang he used to stay in, acting like an Emperor, doing whatever he pleases without using his brain, using my brother’s name to arrest people, as if he’s worried my brother’s reputation is too good."

Ao Zheng hung his head low, ceaselessly begging for forgiveness.

"That Liang Huanzhang is a fool, hearing someone speak ill of Ajue and wanting to show off, not realizing he was barking up the wrong tree, and even causing trouble for you and the Emperor... I have already scolded him, and he has taken his punishment. It won’t happen again in the future."

Pei Yao let out a cold laugh, "If he’s a fool, what sense does it make to say he won’t make mistakes? If he’s a fool, why not just go home and farm early on?"

Ao Zheng was rendered speechless by her words.

Pei Yao stared coldly at him, "You’d better be aware of your actions. Don’t be a Prime Minister and forget your own weight. If your relatives continue to be unruly, sooner or later they will bring disaster upon you. I don’t care about your life or death, but if you implicate Xiaoqi, Ayou, or Azuo, I won’t let you off."

In other families, wives wouldn’t dare to say such things to their husbands.

But Pei Yao could.

Because her brother is Pei Jue.

Ao Zheng sighed and nodded, "There won’t be a next time."

He assured her over and over again, and Pei Yao’s expression softened a bit.

"You and I were husband and wife after all, don’t blame me for not warning you. You’ve reached a high position because you, Ao Zheng, made contributions to the state, successfully defending during the unrest in Central Capital, not because you are Ajue’s brother-in-law..."

Her gaze turned sharper, fixating on Ao Zheng.

"You know what kind of person Ajue is. Don’t be so reckless as to offend him, because no one can save you."

Ao Zheng shivered.

The memory of the year Pei Jue stormed into the residence with a knife was still vivid.

If not for Pei Yao’s intervention, he might well have lost his head that day...

"You’re well aware of what kind of person I am, Ayao. I wouldn’t dare. Even if I didn’t care about myself, I have to consider Xiaoqi and the two little ones. As a husband and father, I understand the consequences of a single misstep..."

Ao Zheng looked into Pei Yao’s eyes, softening his voice.

"My lady, believe in me just one more time."

Pei Yao snorted coldly, "As long as you’re clear in your heart."

Her indifference was obvious.

After being husband and wife for so many years, Ao Zheng still understood her.

After a moment of silence, he suddenly said softly, "I didn’t know that Zhen Niang and Shujing would come."

Pei Yao laughed dryly twice, staring coldly, and said nothing.

Ao Zheng said, "I know you cannot bear to see them; how would I bring them to Andu to trouble you? After our separation, I sent them to serve my mother at Anshan Hall, they usually don’t come to my room, and we hardly meet. But they do take good care of my mother, fulfilling their duties, and even if I wanted to, I couldn’t find any fault with them..."

"Prime Minister," Pei Yao raised her chin, "I’m not interested in hearing about matters of your inner courtyard, nor do I intend to manage how you interact with the concubines. If there’s nothing else, please leave."

Ao Zheng: "Ayao..."

He lowered his hand, extending it towards Pei Yao’s.

"Come back home with our children, won’t you? Let’s be a family, and live well together..."