Pei Liang publicly laid out the matter, leaving Pei Fugui no room to deny it.
But what kind of place was Tianxiang Lou? It was the Pei Family's ancestral legacy, one of the most renowned old establishments in the capital, flourishing under Chef Pei's mastery until even the emperor bestowed his calligraphy in recognition, cementing its dominance over competitors.
Though after Chef Pei's passing, Little Chef Pei took the helm with slightly less finesse, and Pei Fugui and his wife's meddling in operations further diminished its former glory, the foundation remained strong.
Tianxiang Lou was still one of the capital's most bustling restaurants. As long as it stood, even with Pei Fugui's incompetence and reckless spending, the family wouldn't face ruin—it was, after all, a golden goose.
Now, Pei Liang intended to hand over Tianxiang Lou. Even if they weren't completely bankrupt yet, they were close, as their residence and savings couldn't generate income.
Pei Fugui raised his hand to slap Pei Liang: "Who gave you, a mere daughter, the right to interrupt your father?"
Pei Liang stepped back, avoiding the strike, while Pei's mother blocked him, preventing further aggression.
Still, Pei Fugui pointed at Pei Liang, his eyes bloodshot with rage, and panted heavily: "Even a dog knows to wag its tail. Raising you was a waste—you’re just raising someone else’s future family. Not even married yet, and you’re already throwing away our ancestral legacy!"
"Your grandfather doted on you for nothing. If he knew you were giving away Tianxiang Lou, the work of his lifetime, he’d rise from his grave in fury. How will you ever face him in the afterlife? Shut up and step aside!"
Then, turning to the disdainful onlookers, he forced a smile: "She’s just a child, naive to the world’s deceit. Her stubborn honesty makes her easy prey for scoundrels. It’s my fault for not raising her better."
He continued, "We’re all old acquaintances here. Though I, Pei Fugui, may be a hopeless fool, I’m no villain. My only vices are food, drink, and a bit of gambling."
"This habit is recent—I’ve never made major mistakes before, which proves I still have some sense."
"And why did I stake Tianxiang Lou as collateral? It was all because that vile Madam Wei conspired with local thugs to trap me! An ordinary man like me is no match for such cunning schemers. Lord Tian, Lord Zhou, you’ve heard of cases where young men from good families were ruined by such traps, haven’t you?"
While Pei Fugui was spineless in public, he was a tyrant at home—otherwise, he wouldn’t have controlled Pei's mother and Little Chef Pei so thoroughly, even swindling Tianxiang Lou and private savings left by Chef Pei for his son.
The crowd found Pei Fugui despicable, but his explanation made some sense.
Indeed, there were scoundrels who lured people into ruin through schemes, and as gossip-loving bystanders, they’d heard such stories before.
Earlier, the Wei family had seemed justified, backed by the refined son of a high minister, so no one questioned them.
But now that the Wei family stood exposed as ungrateful villains, and the young masters still pitied Young Chef Wei despite her lack of morals, their ability to manipulate hearts was alarming.
Pei Fugui’s reminder of the bet’s origins shifted the crowd’s gaze toward the Wei family.
"Thought Young Chef Wei was just misled by her mother, but like mother, like daughter."
"To devise such a cruel scheme so young, colluding with thugs—what kind of upbringing is that?"
"And the minister’s son and these young masters, so lofty, yet stooping to such dirty tricks to bully commoners?"
"What did you say?" Gao Lezhang and his pampered peers couldn’t tolerate such words.
But with so many voices, even the minister’s household couldn’t silence them all. The scandal had already gone far enough to warrant accusations of poor upbringing against their fathers.
Furious and unnerved by the chaos, they faltered.
To make matters worse, Gu Xiu, the highest-ranking among them, fanned the flames with a smirk: "Gao Lezhang, throwing your weight around now is pointless. If you’re innocent, why fear criticism?"
Gao Lezhang dared not challenge Gu Xiu. Watching his beloved weep in humiliation while his own reputation crumbled, he grew desperate.
Just as they were cornered, Pei Liang spoke again: "Thank you all for speaking up."
"But their underhanded methods don’t excuse the Pei Family from keeping our word."
Pei Fugui had nearly salvaged the situation, only for Pei Liang to undermine him again. Trembling with rage, he pointed at her.
Yet Pei Liang met his gaze calmly: "Father, if Tianxiang Lou is so precious, why did you gamble it away? You weep for Grandfather’s legacy now, but where was this reverence when you squandered it?"
"Grandfather built Tianxiang Lou from your birth—his toil was the backdrop of your life. Had you spared even a thought for his efforts, you’d never have risked it. Your words are hollow; you never truly valued his labor."
"You—how dare you? I’m your father! Aren’t you afraid of divine retribution?"
Pei Liang smiled. "You’re still standing after ruining our family. If heaven strikes unfilial children, it won’t start with me."
"But Grandfather always said: in the food trade, honesty is life itself. Tianxiang Lou earned trust through integrity."
A diner nodded. "True. Chef Pei was unwavering. Even when costs rose, he raised prices openly—never cheated on portions or quality. When prices fell, he adjusted back. No deception for profit."
Another added, "After Madam Wei once used inferior ingredients, Chef Pei discounted meals for three months. He made amends even if customers didn’t notice—his conscience was his standard."
Pei Liang agreed. "Grandfather said: Behind kitchen doors, not every diner is as discerning as our judges today. Quality, effort, cleanliness—all rely on the chef’s integrity."
"If a chef lowers that standard, they’re unfit to cook."
"Today, we could exploit the situation to keep Tianxiang Lou. But Father lost it once at the gambling table, and I lost it again in my duel with Young Chef Wei. If I cling to it now, I betray Grandfather’s teachings and abandon my duty as a chef."
"So, Father, Tianxiang Lou will be handed over—whether you agree or not."
The crowd was awed by Pei Liang’s resolve. With memories of Tianxiang Lou’s golden era under Chef Pei, they overlooked its recent decline under Pei Fugui’s mismanagement.
Once again, the imposing grandeur of what was once the undisputed finest restaurant in the realm seemed to materialize before everyone's eyes.
As diners, they couldn't help but feel profound respect for a chef's unyielding dedication to craft and unshakable professional ethics—qualities that ultimately benefited patrons like themselves.
For a moment, though Pei Liang had just lost Tianxiang Lou, the culinary superiority of the victorious Wei Yingshu paled in comparison in the eyes of the crowd, completely overshadowed by the Pei Family's legacy of integrity.
Wei Yingshu was still young, and while her mother Madam Wei was cunning, her narrow-mindedness was evident—otherwise, she wouldn't have jeopardized her family's future for petty gains despite her husband being the rightful heir.
Gu Xiu, however, saw through Pei Liang's intentions, his expression growing increasingly amused.
Sure enough, after forcing Pei Fugui to hand over the deed, Pei Liang solemnly presented it to Wei Yingshu.
Meeting her gaze earnestly, she declared, "Young Lady Wei, Tianxiang Lou is not only my grandfather's life's work but also the place where your father, Chef Wei, honed his skills, poured his efforts, and took pride in his craft."
"Every chef and staff member currently working here are veterans from your father's time, all relying on these wages to support their families. I implore you to treat them well."
Wei Yingshu's emotions were conflicted. Though she had won Tianxiang Lou fair and square through skill, holding the deed now felt unnervingly heavy.
Young and thin-skinned, she wavered, but Madam Wei was different. Even if the entire world scorned her, she would never let go of acquired benefits. She subtly pinched her daughter's hand.
Wei Yingshu instinctively obeyed her mother's cue. Accepting the deed, she put on a sincere expression to salvage the Wei Family's reputation. "Rest assured, Tianxiang Lou carries my father's legacy too. Back then, he owed much to everyone's support. I will never mistreat a single soul here."
Pei Liang smiled. "I have no doubt about Young Lady Wei's character, but I have no faith in Madam Wei or Liu Cai. If they interfere, Tianxiang Lou will surely meet ruin."
The words stung Wei Yingshu, but given her mother's actions, she had no grounds for rebuttal.
Pei Liang continued, "Since so many are gathered today, let them bear witness. If Young Lady Wei truly intends to honor her late father's wishes, she must vow never to let Madam Wei or Liu Cai set foot in Tianxiang Lou. Moreover, the staff's benefits must not be reduced."
"If you promise these two conditions, I, Pei Liang, surrender Tianxiang Lou willingly and wholeheartedly. With your skills surpassing mine, I believe you can elevate Chef Wei's name to even greater heights."
Though Wei Yingshu initially found Pei Liang's demands unreasonable for a defeated rival, a victor's pride swelled within her, along with the exhilarating vision of glorifying her father's legacy. Without hesitation, she made the oath publicly.
Once the matter was settled, Pei Liang wasted no time lingering. She led the nearly fainting Pei Fugui and his wife away from Tianxiang Lou.
Gu Xiu was the first to leave, barely suppressing laughter. Outside, he remarked to his attendant, "Whoever called Little Chef Pei dull-witted? I’ve never seen anyone shrewder."
"How so, my lord?"
In rare good humor, Gu Xiu explained, "Young Chef Wei held every advantage—the Pei Family's decline, Pei Fugui's incompetence, her own superior skills that even Little Chef Pei couldn't match, and influential backers smoothing her path."
"Yet at the final moment, Little Chef Pei single-handedly dismantled that advantage, forcing Young Chef Wei into retreat step by step."
"An ordinary eighteen-year-old would’ve settled for salvaging some dignity, but Little Chef Pei had the foresight to recognize that losing the culinary duel meant Tianxiang Lou’s reputation would always be overshadowed by Wei Yingshu’s prowess."
"So she handed it over willingly, using her words to make everyone forget her defeat and remember only the Pei Family’s honorable legacy."
"If Little Chef Pei refines her skills now, she could return one day at the peak of her craft, effortlessly reclaiming the title of the finest restaurant under heaven."
"As for Young Chef Wei? Though she gained Tianxiang Lou, the Wei Family’s reputation is in tatters. With Madam Wei’s history of cutting corners—even causing deaths—how many diners would dare visit, no matter how exquisite the food?"
"But didn’t Little Chef Pei force her to swear an oath?" the attendant asked.
"Who would believe it?" Gu Xiu chuckled. "A woman who couldn’t even control her own husband—how could her daughter, especially one so obedient, possibly restrain her?"
"That clause was just a bonus. Little Chef Pei’s real goal was to make Young Chef Wei preserve her workforce."
"After swearing before so many witnesses, even if business fails, Young Chef Wei must keep paying the staff unless she abandons the trade entirely. But with Madam Wei’s miserly nature, conflicts are inevitable. And when they do, who do you think the chefs and workers will remember fondly?"
"By then, Little Chef Pei need only call, and her well-trained team would return without hesitation."
Gu Xiu’s assessment wasn’t far off. Pei Liang had full confidence in the female lead’s future struggles—might as well let her shoulder the burden of maintaining the staff.
Back home, Pei Fugui immediately lunged for something to beat her with.
Pei Liang coolly warned, "Father, if you value your life, start packing. We flee tonight."
"What? With Tianxiang Lou gone, who’d still come after us?" Pei's mother fretted.
"Gao Lezhang and his lot are lofty young nobles. Do you really think they’d personally associate with lowlife gamblers to trick you into betting away Tianxiang Lou? Someone else orchestrated this."
Among Wei Yingshu’s admirers was one who stood out—Li Shen, a former beggar who, as a child, received a single meal from Wei Yingshu when she still lived in the capital. That act branded her as his light and salvation. Now a ruthless underworld leader, he remained obsessively devoted to her.
Brutal and unhinged, Li Shen reserved all tenderness for Wei Yingshu. Anyone who so much as bumped into her disrespectfully would be ambushed and beaten bloody—let alone those who "ruined" her reputation, like the Pei Family.
This was why Pei Liang abandoned Tianxiang Lou without hesitation. Marked by such enemies, operating any business would be impossible.
Between legal harassment and underworld threats, they’d be strangled slowly. Better to cut losses than endure a protracted, humiliating downfall.
As she gathered valuables, Pei Liang told Pei Fugui and his wife, "You’ve dealt with them firsthand, Father. You know how easily they can make life unbearable."
"Earlier, you saw their eyes—they’d love to grind your bones to dust. If you truly believe they’ll let this go out of noble restraint, by all means, stay in the capital."
Terror-struck, Pei Fugui forgot about disciplining his daughter and scrambled to pack.
The decision came swiftly. By the time Li Shen’s men arrived to surveil them—planning retribution once suspicions wouldn’t fall on Wei Yingshu—the house stood empty.
The city gates had closed; pursuit would have to wait until dawn.
When the news reached Li Shen, his expression darkened. "Clever," he sneered. "But how far can three spoiled fools run?"
