When Pei Liang first signed the contract with the dimwitted system, she casually enabled the "Do Not Disturb" mode. This meant that unless she actively inquired or triggered critical plot points or violation conditions, the system couldn’t yap in her ear for attention.
Now, as the family of three exited the city gates and night fell, temporarily escaping danger, Pei Fugui’s despair over their wretched circumstances overwhelmed him. A spineless, shameless man like him was always quick to shift blame and vent his anger.
Since every decision had been made by Pei Liang, he directed his rage at her.
"You’ve grown too bold, thinking you know best. How generous of you to just hand over Tianxiang Lou without a fight! If you knew that Wei Yingshu had powerful backers, why did you have to pick a fight earlier? Your grandfather’s dead—letting people say a few words wouldn’t have cost you anything. But no, you had to have the last word, and now we’re slinking away like beaten dogs."
"If we were bound to lose Tianxiang Lou anyway, you might as well have sweet-talked them to at least leave on good terms."
Seeing Pei Liang’s impatience, Pei Fugui’s fury burned hotter. "Just you wait. A girl like you shouldn’t even be out in public. It was only your grandfather’s stubbornness that let you run wild. While Tianxiang Lou existed, you had some use. Now that it’s gone, with your skills, you won’t struggle to marry. The owner of Jinyu Lou once offered me a hefty sum for your hand—I refused back then. But now? Marrying you off to him would suit us all just fine."
Pei Liang nearly laughed at the absurdity. It was rare to see someone spin their own cowardice and shamelessness into such righteous indignation.
So she flashed her most benevolent smile yet. "Father, care to go mountain climbing with me?"
The moment the words left her mouth, the system’s warning blared in her mind: [Host’s extreme aggression detected. This game does not condone indiscriminate violence. Proceed with caution.]
Pei Liang’s face betrayed clear disappointment as she confirmed with the system, "Really not allowed? I’d make it clean."
"And it’s not baseless aggression. It’s a calculated move based on Pei Fugui’s behavior and the current environment—eliminating the biggest wildcard in my mission."
[Host, reconsider your stance. Your thinking has deviated. Our goal is to strive for the heroine’s role. The correct approach is to reform and redeem your scoundrel father, not resort to ruthless methods.]
Pei Liang smirked. "A chronic gambler will only drag you down into the abyss if you don’t cut ties."
Reform and redemption? Not only were the odds of success negligible, but even if possible, the time and effort invested would be a losing trade in Pei Liang’s eyes.
Even in modern times, children trapped by gambling parents couldn’t break free, let alone in an era where fathers held absolute control over their daughters’ marriages, property, and even their very lives.
Keeping Pei Fugui around was a liability, especially in her current state—penniless and powerless.
But since the brain-dead system had warned her, it likely meant extreme measures outside dire circumstances would hinder long-term progress.
After weighing the options, Pei Liang shelved the idea and led Pei Fugui and his wife back to their rural ancestral home.
Pei Fugui, seething with resentment, tried to vent at Pei Liang, but in a battle of wits, he was hopelessly outmatched. The entire journey was spent enduring her sharp tongue until he trembled with rage.
When he tried to hit her, his poor night vision and her agility left him flailing—only to tumble into a muddy ditch, a pitiful sight.
Pei Village wasn’t far, but by the time they arrived, it was well past midnight.
Without even pausing for a drink of water, Pei Liang marched straight to the homes of the clan elders, rousing them from sleep and gathering everyone in the ancestral hall.
She spared no face for Pei Fugui, bluntly exposing how his gambling had squandered their family’s legacy.
The drowsy elders, most in their seventies or eighties, jolted awake at the news. Clan discipline was swiftly invoked, and Pei Fugui was beaten within an inch of his life.
The Pei family had always supported their kin—donating generously to communal lands, sponsoring village events, and helping promising youths find work in the city. The late Master Pei, the renowned chef, had never hesitated to lend a hand.
Now, with Tianxiang Lou gone, the clan wasn’t just avenging Master Pei’s legacy—they were punishing the direct blow to their own interests. No mercy was shown.
By the time Pei Fugui was carried out, his backside was a pulpy mess.
Pei Liang then addressed the elders. "By tradition, as a junior and a woman, I’ve no right to decide family matters. But my grandfather taught me to ensure our legacy endures. Though Tianxiang Lou is lost, my skills remain. My uncles—his former apprentices—now run thriving businesses elsewhere."
"So I propose seeking them out. To hone my craft and gather resources for our resurgence."
Ordinarily, girls weren’t even allowed in the ancestral hall. But as the heir to Master Pei’s imperial-honored culinary arts, Pei Liang was an exception.
The clan lamented the family’s fall, but she was right—with her skills and the reputation of "the Empire’s Finest Kitchen," revival wasn’t impossible.
Having a distinguished clansman in the capital wasn’t just about benefits—it was pride before rival villages.
So the elders overruled Pei Fugui, letting Pei Liang take most of the remaining funds, leaving only a pittance for him and his wife.
They even vowed, "Don’t worry, we’ll keep your father in check. If he dares step beyond the village, we’ll break his legs."
Pei Liang thanked them earnestly, then left that very night under the escort of two clansmen.
Pei Fugui, battered by his daughter’s betrayal and robbed of his money: "..."
Pei Liang knew Li Shen’s stubbornness—merely fleeing the capital wouldn’t deter his vengeance.
With countless thugs at his disposal, if the trio traveled openly, they’d be caught by the next day.
To truly escape, she needed leverage.
By the time they returned to the city gates at dawn, a queue had already formed for entry.
After bidding farewell to her clansmen, Pei Liang scanned the crowd. Her eyes landed on a couple whose build and posture resembled Pei Fugui and his wife.
She approached, struck a deal for them to accompany her, then handed over spare clothes she’d packed—Pei Fugui’s and his wife’s—for the pair to change into.
Once dressed, the three together could pass as the Pei family at a glance.
As the gates opened and inspections began, a troop of soldiers marched out—about five hundred strong. Their weapons and armor, though not new, were well-kept, their presence formidable.
At their head rode a man astride a steed—tall, striking, with sword-like brows and starlit eyes. His jet-black hair, tied high, streamed behind him like a banner, captivating all who saw.
This was the male lead.
In the original novel, half a chapter was devoted to describing his striking handsomeness, which was why the female protagonist fell for him at first sight despite being surrounded by many other handsome young men.
His debut appearance was today. Originally, Wei Yingshu was supposed to achieve a great victory, securing Tianxiang Lou and the imperial plaque. Overjoyed, she celebrated with drinks at the restaurant, only to wake up the next morning nearly at dawn, her head pounding.
Dazed, Wei Yingshu opened the window of the private room and saw Shi Feiyu, clad in military attire, galloping past as the first light of dawn broke across the sky.
From that moment on, she was smitten, unable to forget him.
It was unclear whether the female protagonist had even encountered the male lead yet, given the deviations caused by Pei Liang’s interference.
Pei Liang paid little attention to the romantic encounter between the leads. What she needed now was an absolute deterrent to shake off the underlings Li Shen had sent after her.
The imperial troops dispatched to suppress bandits were her best option at the moment.
Pei Liang quickly followed with the couple disguised as Pei Fugui and his wife. The road outside the city was crowded, making it difficult for Shi Feiyu’s group to ride at full speed, so they slowed down.
Pei Liang matched the army’s pace for nearly two kilometers before the crowd thinned.
But by then, she could clearly sense the pursuers trailing far behind.
Street thugs wouldn’t dare approach the military—ordinary civilians risked being driven away, and anyone suspicious might be arrested outright.
As Shi Feiyu’s group prepared to speed up, Pei Liang called out, “General Shi, wait! This humble woman has urgent news to share.”
In truth, Shi Feiyu’s men had noticed them long ago. The trio had been following closely within the permissible distance. Had they not appeared harmless, they would’ve been chased off already—especially since they hadn’t even entered the city gates before turning back with the troops.
Hearing the woman’s clear voice, the group halted. Shi Feiyu frowned at Pei Liang. “If this isn’t urgent, obstructing military operations is a serious crime.”
One of Shi Feiyu’s trusted aides assumed this was another lovestruck maiden boldly confessing her feelings—a nuisance their young master had encountered before. He stifled a laugh, only for the woman to drop a bombshell:
“There are traitors in your ranks. They plan to drug your provisions during the bandit suppression, ensuring your failure.”
The soldiers erupted in shock, while the couple behind Pei Liang nearly fainted in terror.
Shi Feiyu’s eyes sharpened. “Seize her,” he ordered instantly.
Pei Liang was swiftly dragged before his horse, but she remained calm, gazing up at the man whose imposing demeanor only heightened his allure.
For a fleeting moment, she wanted to ask him about his dreams.
In her past life, Pei Liang—a wealthy woman—had taken great pleasure in helping attractive, well-built young men achieve their dreams. Whether they repaid her with their bodies was irrelevant; she simply enjoyed philanthropy.
But she knew her current self was a penniless nobody, incapable of such charity.
Her thoughts raced, but it didn’t hinder her performance. Without waiting for Shi Feiyu’s interrogation, she spilled everything:
“General Shi, I am Pei Liang, the young proprietor of Tianxiang Lou. I’m sure you’ve heard of it.”
“A few days ago, the second young master of the Shi family dined in one of our private rooms and even summoned our resident songstresses for entertainment.”
“After a few rounds of drinks, he accidentally revealed some secrets. One of the songstresses, not understanding their significance, mentioned them to me in passing.”
“You must know Tianxiang Lou hosts many dignitaries daily. Among them, some well-informed gentlemen discussed His Majesty’s order for you to suppress the bandits—and the second young master’s words aligned perfectly.”
“Normally, such matters are beyond the concern of commoners like us. But recent misfortunes have left me with no place in the capital, so I no longer fear offending the powerful.”
“If you doubt me, General Shi, you may search your men now. According to the second young master, every soldier under your command was handpicked by you, making them hard to compromise—but the cooks traveling with you were easier targets. The traitors should still have the poison on them.”
A well-connected guard spoke up, “I frequent Tianxiang Lou. She really is the young proprietor—a woman who single-handedly upheld her family’s business. She’s quite famous among the restaurants.”
“I heard Tianxiang Lou changed hands yesterday, so her identity is likely genuine.”
Shi Feiyu studied Pei Liang intently, then signaled his guards.
Within moments, several men dismounted, dragging out the cooks and searching them without hesitation.
In less than half an incense stick’s time, suspicious powder was found on two of them.
The accompanying physician tasted it—ground buckthorn and senna leaves.
With a wave of Shi Feiyu’s hand, the two traitors were silenced forever, their throats slit before they could beg for mercy.
Pei Liang’s eyes flickered. Though she’d considered dragging Pei Fugui up a mountain last night, she’d lived in a peaceful society—she’d never seen someone killed so swiftly.
Shi Feiyu looked down at her. After a pause, he declared, “This woman is suspicious. Take her with us.”
Pei Liang’s goal was to infiltrate the army for protection, so even in this precarious situation, she showed no fear.
Instead, she met his gaze and said frankly, “General Shi, I’ll be honest—I spoke up partly to earn your favor.”
“My family has fallen from grace, and I’ve made enemies. Someone seeks revenge through underhanded means. Those shady figures lurking a hundred paces back might be after me. If it’s not too much trouble—”
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Pei Liang: I’m a kind soul. Philanthropy is my greatest passion.
