I Rely On The Collapse Of The Character Setting To Survive In The Hands Of The Male Lead Chapter 220

Chapter 220

The carriage slowed to a halt, and the group disembarked, walking into a narrow alley in the area. Pei Jin’s expression gradually changed as if she recognized the place.

“Where are we?” Lin Qingyang asked in a curious whisper to Chu Lishu.

“It should be Pei Jin’s uncle’s private residence,” Chu Lishu replied.

When the four arrived at the back alley, Chu Lishu turned to Pei Jin and said, “Go up and take a look.”

After Chu Lishu spoke, he instructed Lu Yi to lead the way with the others flying over the wall.

As soon as Pei Jin climbed up, she heard movement in the courtyard, the most distinct being her uncle’s voice. Scanning the area, she saw her uncle standing in the courtyard conversing with someone under the shade of a tree. Her name was mentioned in their conversation.

Pei Jin’s expression turned serious as she quietly lay on the wall, listening intently with a blank face.

Pei Jin’s heart sank as she listened to her uncle’s words. His tone was filled with disappointment and regret. It seemed that her uncle was discussing her situation with someone else, expressing concerns about her rebellious behavior and questioning the decision to make her the heir of the Pei family.

Her uncle’s words stung Pei Jin deeply. She felt a mixture of sadness and frustration at being seen as a disappointment and burden to her family. Despite her efforts to prove herself, she was still not enough in their eyes.

Pei Jin was stunned, suddenly realizing that the person talking to her uncle was actually her mother. So her mother knew everything from start to finish about today’s events? A corner of Pei Jin’s heart began to collapse. She had thought that at least her mother, among her closest relatives, would sympathize with her.

With a bitter smile in her heart, she saw Madam Pei stepping out from under the tree shade. In that instant, Pei Jin’s pupils suddenly contracted as the cry of a baby echoed through the entire courtyard.

Pei Jin stared stiffly at the few-month-old baby, eliminating all possible reasons in her mind. The least likely possibility appeared before Pei Jin’s eyes.

Madam Pei hastily handed the child over to the wet nurse, then watched reluctantly as the wet nurse took the child away.

But as soon as the child left, Madam Pei’s expression changed. “Has that woman dealt with it properly?”

Second Master Pei said, “Eldest sister-in-law is really ruthless. She sent the mother away and kept the child. My dancing girl at least contributed to my big brother by giving birth to a son. If it weren’t for her, wouldn’t you still have to keep Pei Jin?”

Madam Pei’s face looked grim. “If it weren’t for the grandfather’s recovery, I wouldn’t have been able to conceive anymore. We can’t let this lowly slave bear an heir for the Pei family. If it’s not handled properly, the Pei family will become a laughingstock.”

Second Master Pei didn’t expose Madam Pei’s ulterior motive. “Don’t worry, eldest brother has agreed. I’ve definitely taken care of it. When Pei Jin enters the palace, we’ll say the child’s mother has passed away, fabricate a suitable birth date to avoid suspicion from Pei Jin, then bring the child back to the Pei family, acknowledge him as our own, and by then, our side will be more stable. It’s ridiculous that others think eldest brother allowed Pei Jin to enter the palace to give his son a chance to become the heir.”

Madam Pei sighed. “If it weren’t for the grandfather giving too much power to Jin’er before, worrying that even if Jin’er agreed to give up her position as heir in the future, she would still overshadow Bao’er, she wouldn’t have to be forced into the palace.”

“She shouldn’t feel aggrieved either. Being the emperor’s consort, her future child might become the crown prince and ascend to the throne. She would then be the respected empress dowager. We haven’t mistreated her. This is already the best fate for a woman of the Pei family.”

Listening to their conversation, it sounded like they were finding the most legitimate reasons for what they were doing. Lu Yi couldn’t bear it anymore and looked at Pei Jin beside him with deep sympathy.

But Pei Jin’s face remained expressionless, as if all emotions had been hollowed out from her face, giving off a chilling aura.

Meanwhile, beneath the surrounding wall, Chu Lishu had already explained the ins and outs of the situation to Lin Qingyang.

Lin Qingyang was dumbfounded. “Just because she’s powerful, they’re afraid she’ll compete for power with her own brother in the future? Just because Pei Jin showed strength before with the Third Prince, they think she won’t obey and yield power? So they want to discard her like trash and change the heir?”

Chu Lishu raised an eyebrow. “It’s not about discarding trash; isn’t this making the most of the situation? From the beginning, they even went to great lengths to hide this child from Pei Jin’s notice, just to ensure that when Pei Jin enters the palace, she won’t associate him with the issue of succession, won’t resent this child, and will only be pleased to have a new brother. Then she’ll wholeheartedly continue to serve the Pei family. A woman who is inherently intelligent, with strong fighting abilities, and has carried the honor of the Pei family for many years, will be even more loyal. Even if she becomes a consort and gives birth to a prince, she will likely prioritize the Pei family, safeguarding her brother and the family’s interests.”

Lin Qingyang was now fuming. “So, from the moment this child unexpectedly arrived, they stopped treating Pei Jin as family and started scheming and plotting?”

Chu Lishu nodded, indifferent. “From the perspective of maximum benefit, it’s reasonable.”

Lin Qingyang looked up at Pei Jin. He didn’t know what was going through her mind right now, but as an observer, Lin Qingyang felt like he was about to explode with anger.

The original plot didn’t mention it, perhaps because Pei Jin had fallen in love with Chu Lishu, which would already create conflicts with the Pei family, rendering the need for this child unnecessary, so Chu Lishu didn’t mention it. And before the child grew up, the Pei family would have been destroyed by Chu Lishu, and the child might have died as well.

But now… he had become the final straw to crush Pei Jin.

Lu Yi suddenly approached Chu Lishu for permission. Pei Jin seemed to want to go in.

Chu Lishu agreed.

Lin Qingyang felt a bit worried, unsure of what Pei Jin intended to do.

And Pei Jin probably didn’t know what she wanted to do yet. She just saw her uncle leave, her mother going to see the child alone, and she wanted to take a look.

Lu Yi led her to sneak into the room.

Madam Pei was chatting with the wet nurse in the outer room, while in the inner room, there lay a child who had just stopped crying.

Pei Jin silently approached the child and, bending down, looked at him before reaching out her hand to touch the child’s face.

Lu Yi felt tense as he watched from the rafters. If Pei Jin were to harm someone, Lu Shi wouldn’t know whether to intervene or not. Their master hadn’t prepared them for such a situation.

But just then, Lu Yi heard a commotion and warned Pei Jin that someone was coming. However, Pei Jin didn’t move, only gently stroking the child’s cheek with her hand.

Suddenly, a scream pierced the air. Madam Pei rushed in, pushing Pei Jin aside and tightly embracing the child.

“Jin’er, what are you doing here? What were you just about to do? You… you…”

Pei Jin felt like her heart had been pierced. Her gaze shimmered with tears, but her tone remained icy. “Mother, what did you think I was going to do? Kill my brother?”

“Do… do you know?” Madam Pei’s face instantly turned pale, embarrassed. “Jin’er… don’t overthink it. There… there’s a reason for this.”

Pei Jin asked hoarsely, “Mother, I am your own flesh and blood, but he… is not. Yet, you would rather protect him? Even at the cost of deceiving me into darkness? If I were to say that today, only one of us can remain, would you stop me?”

Madam Pei immediately backed away nervously, as if the person before her was no longer her proud daughter, but a ferocious beast.

“Jin’er, calm down. He is your own brother, your father’s only bloodline. Your father had lost hope, but it was by heaven’s grace that he had a son. You can’t be so selfish!” Madam Pei’s tone was stern yet pleading.

Pei Jin fell silent, refusing to speak further.

Madam Pei, however, interpreted Pei Jin’s silence as compliance and continued, “We are all family, naturally we should support each other. He is not only your father’s hope but also your future reliance, Jin’er. I know you harbor resentment, but you will understand in time. Did you… sneak out? What about the courtyard over there… Jin’er, everything your father has arranged is for everyone’s good. You… you should go back now.”

“For everyone’s good? Haha, what if I don’t want to enter the palace? What if I don’t want to make this sacrifice?”

Madam Pei’s expression shifted several times, looking at Pei Jin with a troubled expression.

Suddenly, Pei Jin took a step forward, startling Madam Pei almost to the point of screaming. However, she watched as Pei Jin unexpectedly knelt down before her, placing her hands flat on her forehead in a deep bow, performing the most solemn gesture of respect.

“Jin’er, what are you…”

“Mother, I apologize for startling you,” Pei Jin said in a deep voice. “You don’t need to worry. The child is innocent, and I won’t harm him.”

Madam Pei finally breathed a sigh of relief. After a moment of thought, she chuckled awkwardly. “You really startled me, my child. Look at you, your clothes are all wrinkled. Are they wet? Go change quickly, I’ll have someone fetch you a new outfit.”

With that, she carried the child and headed out. Seeing Pei Jin not making any move, Madam Pei didn’t act as if she were fleeing in panic either.

Shortly after Madam Pei left, Lu Yi’s voice sounded from above. “A group of people is approaching.”

Pei Jin scoffed. “Let’s go.”

When Second Master Pei and his men came in to apprehend the person, the room was already empty. Second Master Pei turned around and questioned Madam Pei, who was still in the courtyard.

Madam Pei, holding the child with a bewildered expression, said, “She was here, she was inside. Did she escape? Quickly, send someone to search for her, so that we can report to the grandfather. This child… why is she so willful? She must have been spoiled rotten. How could a daughter be so rebellious and disobedient?”

These words naturally reached Pei Jin’s ears from behind the surrounding wall.

This time, Pei Jin didn’t linger. She jumped down immediately and left with Lin Qingyang and the others.

Once on the carriage, Pei Jin spoke abruptly, “I want to leave. Thank you for helping me see the truth. If there’s anything I can do to repay you, just say it.”

Lin Qingyang looked at Pei Jin’s tense face, as if she could burst into tears at any moment. It was evident she was holding back, but Pei Jin was extremely proud; she wouldn’t easily shed tears in front of them. The more sorrowful she felt, the more she would bear it alone.

Seeing the emotions brewing on her face, Lin Qingyang felt the atmosphere so stifling that he wanted to yell out. For a moment, he remained silent and looked to Chu Lishu.

Chu Lishu said, “They’re probably searching for you outside. Let’s hide first and then discuss. If you want to leave, tonight is the time.”

After speaking, Chu Lishu had Lu Yi take them to a secluded residence. Lin Qingyang knew it was Chu Lishu’s own residence, used for tasks that couldn’t be done at the main residence, and also housed the followers Chu Lishu had gradually recruited during this time—both men and women, making it convenient for hiding people.

Lin Qingyang had never asked to come here, but Yue Chen and Huo Luo definitely frequented the place. As they entered, they couldn’t help but glance around curiously.

A servant approached, surprisingly a mute, indicating Chu Lishu’s caution. Chu Lishu directly instructed a maid to take Pei Jin for grooming, essentially giving her the opportunity to deal with her emotions alone.

Then, Chu Lishu had Lu Yi send a message to Liu Jingchen, informing him that the caravan leaving the capital tonight needed to accommodate one more person, so they would pass by this place during their journey.

Watching Chu Lishu organize everything so methodically left Lin Qingyang in awe. If he hadn’t been there the whole time, he would have thought Chu Lishu had planned to send Pei Jin away long ago. Even their cousin’s caravan was being utilized.

As they sat down for tea, Lin Qingyang expected to wait for a while, but Pei Jin emerged sooner than anticipated, causing Lin Qingyang to almost spit out his tea.

Pei Jin was dressed in women’s clothing.

With the most ordinary style of women’s hair bun, adorned with a jade hairpin she had on herself, Pei Jin wore a light blue silk dress that accentuated her snow-white skin, with rosy lips and a picturesque appearance.

Pei Jin was very beautiful, no less than Pei Qianyu’s beauty, but with an added heroic charm that momentarily stunned Lin Qingyang.

Chu Lishu was also quite surprised, furrowing his brow. “Why did you change into women’s clothing?”

The maid who followed immediately knelt down in fear, gesturing with her hands to explain that it was a misunderstanding. She must have thought that since Pei Jin was a woman, she naturally needed women’s clothing.

Chu Lishu waved his hand to dismiss the servant, and Pei Jin spoke slowly, “I thought you were deliberately teasing me.”

“I don’t have the time for that.”

Pei Jin’s voice was hoarse, and her eyes were swollen, indicating that she had already released her emotions.

Once Pei Jin was seated, Chu Lishu explained the arrangements. Then he said, “They will prepare the new identity for you. The caravan will travel to many places, so it’s up to you where you want to stay. With your skills, you should be able to blend in anywhere. But are you sure you want to abandon everything here and leave?”

Pei Jin lifted her head, her eyes filled with sorrow, indicating her despair towards everything here.

“Not seeking revenge is already the last thing I do for the Pei family,” Pei Jin said coldly. “They don’t deserve me wasting any more time on them.”

Pei Jin no longer pondered how the Pei family would fare without her. From the moment she knelt before her mother, she had detached herself from the Pei family.

After a moment of silence, Pei Jin turned to Chu Lishu. “Speak, what do you want?”

Chu Lishu replied directly, “I lost a bet to my cousin and promised to help you once, that’s all.”

“This sounds familiar. Every time you say you won’t ask for anything in return, it’s always when I’m paying the highest price. I don’t say anything, but perhaps I’ve already paid that price,” Pei Jin remained sharp, able to respond to any question despite having just suffered a blow. “But… it doesn’t matter. Even if you were to destroy the Pei family now, what does it have to do with me?”

“Fine, then let’s leave it at that. Stop asking,” Chu Lishu replied frankly.

Lin Qingyang naturally understood Chu Lishu’s implication. Whether Pei Jin stayed or left, Chu Lishu had already decided to use the matter of the Emperor’s private visit to the Pei family’s courtyard to provoke Concubine Pei and the Third Prince. Or rather, Pei Jin leaving would be even more advantageous for him.

“However, I’d like to buy something from you,” Chu Lishu suddenly spoke up.

Pei Jin frowned slightly. “What?”

Chu Lishu smiled and pointed to the jade hairpin in Pei Jin’s hair. “One hundred taels. Will you sell it?” Chu Lishu said, producing a silver note worth one hundred taels.

The one hundred taels were prepared by Lin Qingyang to give to Pei Jin, considering she was currently penniless.

Chu Lishu said Pei Jin wouldn’t want it, leaving Lin Qingyang perplexed for a while.

Unexpectedly… there was still this move.

Pei Jin was momentarily stunned, looking at Chu Lishu with disbelief.

“It’s useful to me, and if you use this hairpin, it will immediately expose your location. It’s better to sell it to me,” Chu Lishu reasoned.

Pei Jin smiled in resignation, not questioning the purpose. She handed over the jade hairpin and took the one hundred taels in exchange. “Although I know you wouldn’t let yourself be at a disadvantage, but… I do need it. Thank you.”

However, when Pei Jin expressed her gratitude, her gaze turned towards Lin Qingyang, making him feel as if Pei Jin was attributing all the credit to him.

As servants brought food and drinks, the three of them ate and chatted. Pei Jin’s strong psyche seemed to be gradually recovering.

After a while, Pei Jin asked for a set of men’s clothing and changed back into it, making it more convenient to travel with the caravan.

Watching Pei Jin transform back into a man, Lin Qingyang asked curiously, “Are you going to continue disguising yourself as a man in the future?”

Pei Jin seemed to feel more comfortable only when dressed as a man. “I probably will. Only by dressing as a man can I do what I want. If I become a woman, I won’t be able to do anything. Whether it’s in business or pursuing a career, if I want to achieve something, I can only do it as a man.”

Lin Qingyang felt somewhat helpless with such thinking but said, “Perhaps someday in the future, even with a golden hairpin and a pink dress, you could do whatever you want. After all, when women become powerful, they’re no less capable than men.”

Pei Jin wasn’t hearing such a viewpoint for the first time from Lin Qingyang. At first, she thought he was just a useless playboy, using these words as excuses and admitting his defeat. But gradually, she understood. Lin Qingyang truly believed that even as a woman, she could achieve great things. He believed in her capabilities.

Suddenly, Pei Jin laughed, “Lin Qingyang, you remind me of someone. Some of your ideas are really similar to his. If he were here, you might have followed him.”

Before Lin Qingyang could inquire curiously, Chu Lishu furrowed his brows and asked displeasedly, “Who?”

At first, Pei Jin had a somewhat cautious expression, but she soon relaxed and said, “Naturally… the former Crown Prince Yuan Ran.”

Lin Qingyang was taken aback and glanced awkwardly at someone. Chu Lishu fell silent for a moment, his expression somewhat indescribable.

Meanwhile, Pei Jin continued to reminisce, saying, “When I was young, at a gathering of young people, I met the former Crown Prince. I don’t remember the topic of conversation, but suddenly, he mentioned a viewpoint.”

“He said that there are many talented women, and confining them to the inner chambers is a waste. In the future, they should be able to participate in imperial examinations, stand in the court, and step onto the battlefield. As long as they have the desire and capability, they should have that freedom,” Pei Jin said, chuckling suddenly. “Even though it was Crown Prince Yuan Ran who said it, many men in the group resisted and vehemently denied such views, but they couldn’t argue with him.”

“I was quite surprised when I heard it. Actually, I was interested in being the heir and wanted to excel in it. However, I always felt puzzled about my female identity. But the former Crown Prince’s words seemed to offer hope. I thought, perhaps, when the former Crown Prince ascended to the throne, he might issue a decree allowing me to openly compete with men for the inheritance of the Pei family. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. He died before that.”

Lin Qingyang’s mood shifted as he listened. Hearing about Yuan Ran again, he couldn’t help but feel regretful. If only he could see the charismatic Yuan Ran of that time again. Then, he couldn’t help but feel even more heartache for the current Chu Lishu.

Unable to contain the fluttering in his heart, Lin Qingyang spoke up, “If I were there, I would definitely stand by His Highness’s side and help him confront those people. His Highness is always right, and whatever His Highness says, he will surely accomplish.”

The room fell silent for a moment. Chu Lishu stared at Lin Qingyang in astonishment, observing his determined expression. It made him want to laugh, feeling a warmth blooming inside him. It was as if Lin Qingyang had been standing by his side that day, arguing for him with reason and conviction.

Immediately, Pei Jin chuckled, “Yeah, why didn’t I speak up for myself back then?”

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