The dragon and phoenix twins had also become familiar with everyone, running around all day. An ZhiXia was also much more relaxed.
However, Pei JianGuo had not been in a good mood ever since that time.
The two were living under the same roof, yet were clearly at odds. Old Pei was not blind and could obviously see it.
Pei JianGuo stood before Old Pei apprehensively, looking at his serious expression and wondering if he had made another mistake recently.
"JianGuo..."
As soon as Old Pei opened his mouth, he quickly responded, "Grandpa, did you call me for something?"
In this family, the person Pei JianGuo feared the most was his own father. Fortunately, Pei Yong rarely came home, only managing to return a few times a year.
The next was his grandfather. The old man doted on him, but he was also strict.
Although he didn't beat him much, from his own father and second uncle above, to his younger uncle below, they had all been beaten by Old Pei before.
It was also thanks to the generation between them. Old Pei was impatient to tangled with his eldest daughter-in-law. Otherwise, with his poor qualities and all the silly mistakes he had made since childhood, who knows how many times he would have been beaten already.
Seeing Pei JianGuo's nervous state, Old Pei beckoned for him to sit down, trying to keep his voice gentle as he asked, "JianGuo, don't be nervous. Grandpa just wants to ask if you and your young auntie have been fighting these last few days?"
"No, no." Of course, Pei JianGuo didn't dare admit it. Before his young uncle had prepared to get married, Old Pei had gathered the whole family for a meeting. He said that after An ZhiXia married into their family, she would be younger in age but senior in generational status. He told the family they should teach her more and defer to her, especially the younger generation. They must respect her.
In plain words, he wanted everyone to respect her like an elder, but also cherish her like a junior.
In fact, the old man didn't expect them to do much. He just wanted them to have this attitude so that everyone would know An ZhiXia had people backing her up. That way, if there were conflicts, they would weigh things carefully in their hearts.
Seeing that Pei JianGuo did not admit it, Old Pei did not force the issue either. He just lectured him with more words of wisdom, still emphasizing that An ZhiXia was pregnant and it was not easy, while Pei Jing was not there. Their Pei family should take good care of her no matter what.
Pei JianGuo listened very carefully and took these words to heart.
It was just a pity that he had always had a bad memory. If not for his many faults, he would not have been labeled as unambitious and stupid.
After Old Pei finished speaking, he waved his hand for Pei JianGuo to leave.
Sister Zhang had timed it well. She came in to help prepare his medicine and bring him water to take it.
These pills were brought back by An ZhiXia this time when she returned home. She said she met a decent old Chinese medicine practitioner and had that person make this health-preserving prescription.
Old Pei had tried it and knew it had benefits, so he didn't ask much more.
He was no longer young and seldom managed things now. As for taking care of him, as long as it was given, he would accept it. If it was good he would use it, and if not he still appreciated the thought.
After Old Pei took the medicine, he said to Sister Zhang, "Little Zhang, pay more attention to the situation at home recently. Why do I feel that JianGuo and my third daughter-in-law seem to be fighting? It's like they're deliberately ignoring each other."
He was consciously paying attention himself, but was afraid An ZhiXia would think he was meddling too much.
Besides, she was his daughter-in-law, so it was still not appropriate.
Seeing Old Pei's hesitation, Sister Zhang also didn't know if she should speak up or not.
Old Pei could tell with one look and said, "If there's anything, just say it. Don't mind anything else."
Only then did Sister Zhang open her mouth and talk about what happened when Wang Caixiang came to find them that day.
When Old Pei heard that An ZhiXia's stomach had hurt a bit, he couldn't help but worry tremendously. Fortunately, that was something from several days ago already, and her stomach still showed no signs up to now, indicating there was no impact.
Sunshine shone in through the window, casting countless rays of light and shadows. An ZhiXia had just returned from a video call with Pei Jing and the kids. The children had already been taken out to play by the old lady.
An ZhiXia seemed to be in a very good mood because Pei Jing was going to set off to return home tomorrow. Barring any accidents, he would arrive in three days.
In the evening, An ZhiXia was taking a walk by the door when she happened to run into a furious Wang Yue.
"Sister-in-law." Out of courtesy, An ZhiXia smiled and greeted her.
But Wang Yue completely ignored her, casting her eyes and giving a cold snort before striding into the house.
Seeing her unreasonable attitude, An ZhiXia wrinkled her brow but chose not to bother with her further.
She didn't expect that not long after, Wang Yue would come out again, looking even angrier than when she had gone in.
This time, An ZhiXia didn't say anything more either, unwilling to warm someone's cold butt that ignored her.
She didn't expect that Wang Yue would stop excitedly in front of her and start cursing at her directly, "An ZhiXia, you're a troublemaker. Ever since you married into this family, we've never had peace and quiet. First you stirred up separating the family's property, and now you can't even tolerate Pei JianGuo staying here with his grandfather. You said we're separating households, so shouldn't we completely separate cleanly? Why should we all move out while you get to keep the space here for yourself to live in? Is this Old Pei's idea of fairness?"
At first, An ZhiXia was confused, but hearing this, her expression sank. "Sister-in-law, isn't this going too far? Although I'm living here now after coming back, I've never meddled in the issue with father. As for not tolerating Pei JianGuo living here, I have no idea what you're talking about. On the contrary, you're the one who hasn't even figured out what's going on before randomly complaining and overstepping."
An ZhiXia placed both hands on her belly. It was a subconscious gesture to protect herself.
"You don't need to pretend to be confused with me. Before you married in, our Pei family had been living together harmoniously for so many years. But right after you came in, we separated households. You can't seriously believe it had nothing to do with you, can you?" Wang Yue was still angry and spoke without restraint. "After we separated, I only let Pei JianGuo live here because I was afraid Old Pei wouldn't have anyone to look after him. Things were fine before you came back, but right after you returned, Old Pei wanted to drive Pei JianGuo away. Does anything this coincidental really happen in the world?"
An ZhiXia didn't know where she had gotten this conclusion from, but she really was unaware of this matter, including Old Pei wanting Pei JianGuo to move out. If Wang Yue hadn't mentioned it, she wouldn't have known.
Sister Zhou had just finished taking care of the old master and old madam. She was about to return to her own home when she happened to see the confrontation between Wang Yue and An ZhiXia as soon as she stepped out the door.
She barely hesitated before immediately turning around and heading back inside.
"Old master, old madam, something bad is happening. It looks like An ZhiXia is arguing with her sister-in-law at the door. Please come out and take a look!"
The old madam had already washed up and was in the middle of her skincare routine when she heard the yell. Without a shred of hesitation, she got up and walked outside.
The old master usually slept slightly later. He was still in the living room reading a newspaper when the old madam went out. By the time she came out, he was already in the yard.
Wang Yue was still arguing with An ZhiXia at the door. They heard the old master yell, "Girl from the Zheng family, what are you doing? If there's some barrier you two can't get past, is there a need to stand here debating right and wrong with a pregnant woman? Come, come, tell me too and let this old man listen."
While Wang Yue dared to quarrel with An ZhiXia, she didn't dare make trouble in front of the old master.
Moreover, by now the old madam had also come out and was glaring at her, waiting to see what she would say.
Wang Yue mumbled for half a day but didn't manage to get any words out.
Yet the old master insisted on getting to the bottom of this matter clearly, otherwise if she tried to pick faults again next time, wouldn't it still be his granddaughter who suffered?
The old master called out softly and the Pei family's security guard ran inside to notify Old Pei.
