The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family-Chapter 599: Eighth Rank Preaching Pei Zongli(3)_1

Old Pei took advantage of the situation to win people’s hearts, registering the villagers’ land under Pei Zongli’s name so it could be exempt from grain taxes.

Many people feared that their fields would be taken for good, so they didn’t trust the arrangement and were reluctant to register.

There were a few households close to Old Pei’s House, and after some persuasion, they agreed. Pei Zongli was now an official, after all, and when he got promoted and made his fortune, silver would be no object—why would he covet their few acres of land? Although they had sweet potatoes to stave off hunger, they could only eat coarse grains; they dared not touch the fine wheat flour, which was all turned over as tax. But by registering under Pei Zongli’s name, they wouldn’t need to pay the grain tax annually, saving so much grain! They could finally enjoy bread and noodles made from white flour!

Some people were active; others were hesitant.

In any case, things were bustling around Old Pei’s House.

Pei Lizheng also made an appearance to offer a few words of congratulations.

Grandma Pei even brought gifts. "We are all of the Pei surname, one clan. Before, they just ran a little shop and did business. But now that Pei Zongli has become an official, who knows how many years it would’ve taken Pei Qin and the others! If Old Pei’s House holds a grudge and takes action against us, you won’t be able to continue as Lizheng either!"

Pei Lizheng genuinely feared for his position as Lizheng and did not stop her from sending gifts to curry favor. Since Pei Qin taught them how to make rice noodles, they too had helped her quite a bit, so things should have been even.

The villagers in town were indignant on behalf of Sister Peiqin and her brother. "Could it be just like the rewards that were mistakenly given out? Did they give the official position to the wrong person!? Many in our town are better at growing sweet potatoes than that Pei Zongli!"

"Who knows! Their family must have used silver to find some connections, and that’s how they snatched the position!"

"Now that they’ve snatched this official position, I’m afraid they might use some sinister means to harm people again!"

Some people even came to warn Sister Peiqin and her brother to be careful, "Their family is now in officialdom, which is nothing like before!"

Yang Boyan, after inquiring, finally understood why Pei Qian had been looking so furious these past few days; it was because of this. They must have known the news in advance, even earlier than Old Pei’s House!

Seeing Pei Qian head towards the workshop, Yang Boyan followed and spoke, "That Pei Zongli has been living comfortably for over a decade, he probably doesn’t know the first thing about growing sweet potatoes! Are you just going to watch him assume the office and become an official!?"

Pei Qian glanced at him but didn’t speak. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

"If he takes office, Old Pei’s House will probably target you first! Holding an official position makes many things much easier! At the very least, it makes dealing with the Government Office much more convenient!" Yang Boyan continued as he walked with her toward the workshop.

"Do you think we are that easy to bully!?" Pei Qian clenched her teeth in anger.

Yang Boyan chuckled, "Actually, given your family’s connections and capabilities, you could completely come up with a plan... um... that settles things once and for all!"

Pei Qian stopped and looked at him, "Kill their entire family!? We would have to pay with our lives!"

Yang Boyan laughed out loud, "Solutions are always thought up by people, after all!"

Pei Qian frowned at him, her hatred for Old Pei’s House ran deep; she wished they would all die overnight! Yet, none of them did die, and in fact, they were thriving more than ever. Pei Zongli even became an official, and who knew what he would do next!

Seeing her eyes filled with intense hatred, eager to immediately do away with Old Pei’s House, Yang Boyan curved his mouth and said, "Actually, speaking of which, that Pei Zongli should be considered your father, right? After your mother married into Jian Xiao and then he returned, your eldest sister is his biological child, so it’s complicated whether to call him ’father’ or ’uncle’ for you and your siblings."

Pei Qian’s face turned sullen and greenish, looking extremely ugly; her gaze was fierce and filled with rage as she stared at him.

Yang Boyan saw her anger and quickly added, "Ah... sorry! I didn’t mean to say that... I just meant that even though you’ve severed ties, you’re still related by blood. If... if something were to happen that wiped them all out, you would be... would be subjected to... being... quartered..."