C83 Shameless!

Lee Moxiang chimed in, "Mom, we're telling the truth. Qiuyu really did buy it."

"Silence!"

Old Lady Pei cut her off mid-sentence with a sharp rebuke, "Who asked for your input? As a daughter-in-law of the Pei family, where are your manners?"

Her scolding left Lee Moxiang at a loss for words.

Sun Lanping, standing to the side, eyed Lee Moxiang with contempt. "You have the nerve to interrupt while Mom is speaking? You clearly have no respect for the matriarch."

A soft wave of snickers echoed through the hall at that moment.

With no choice but to face their relatives' mockery, Lee Moxiang and her husband offered feeble smiles.

Then, Sun Lanping shifted the conversation, offering a smile to Old Lady Pei, "But, Mom, even though Second Brother's family isn't the most capable, I'm confident they acquired their house through legitimate means."

Lee Moxiang gave her a sidelong glance. It was unusual for this sister-in-law, who typically spared no opportunity to scorn her, to say something in her defense.

Old Lady Pei gave a nod before addressing Pei Qiang, "Pei Qiang, Jinzheng has just been released. He's set to continue our Pei family's legacy and is to marry into the Wang family. Shouldn't we be supporting him?"

"Absolutely!" Pei Qiang responded with earnest simplicity, "The Wang family is renowned in A City. Forming an alliance through marriage will be greatly advantageous for our Pei family."

Sensing something amiss, Lee Moxiang subtly tugged at his sleeve.

"Indeed, it's commendable how well you grasp the situation," Old Lady Pei said, drawing in a long breath. "Given that Jinzheng has just paid a hefty sum, he won't have enough to purchase a matrimonial home, and the Wang family certainly won't settle for less."

Pei Qiang agreed with equal seriousness, "Yes, Mother. That's my view as well."

The guileless Pei Qiang genuinely believed Old Lady Pei was seeking his counsel on family affairs.

Old Lady Pei continued with gravity, "Exactly, Pei Qiang. As I've always said, you're the most honest, responsible, and aware of the bigger picture in our Pei family."

Hearing Old Lady Pei heap praise on Pei Qiang, Lee Moxiang's instincts told her something was off. She was about to speak up when Old Lady Pei's piercing gaze silenced her, her words dying in her throat.

Pei Qiang offered earnestly, "Mom, Jinzheng's situation is a major issue for the Pei family. If my help as Second Uncle is needed, I won't hesitate to step in."

Old Lady Pei nodded, "That's precisely the matter I want to discuss with you."

"Really?" Pei Qiang responded, "I've got some savings set aside. If Jinzheng could use them for his wedding, he should take them first."

Old Lady Pei dismissed the idea with a wave of her hand, "No need for that. You already have a house at your disposal, don't you?"

Pei Qiang was momentarily at a loss for words.

Seeing his reaction, Old Lady Pei expressed her displeasure, "Stop beating around the bush. Your house is new, so let's have it for Mom first. Consider it your way of showing filial respect."

Lee Moxiang burst out, "Mom, that's not fair. Qiuyu bought that house, you can't just claim it for yourself!"

Old Lady Pei retorted sharply, "Who gave you permission to speak? Is it your place to have a say in the Pei family?!"

"I only suggested giving it to Mom temporarily, I didn't say I was taking it for good. Can't you understand plain language?"

"Exactly!" chimed in Sun Lanping, "Second Brother's family, don't you get it? Filial piety comes before all else. Failing to honor your mother is unforgivable!"

Lee Moxiang, not daring to talk back to Old Lady Pei, challenged Sun Lanping instead, "If you're so devoted, why haven't you bought a house for Mom?"

"I would if I could! But I'm strapped with debts!" Sun Lanping shot back icily, "And let's not forget, those debts are a 'gift' from your precious daughter and son-in-law!"

"Were it not for their vendetta, would our family be in such dire straits? Would Jinzheng have ended up where he is?"

Lee Moxiang, indignant, replied, "How can you blame my family for this..."

"Enough! Silence!" Old Lady Pei cut her off without a chance to continue.

Then, turning to Pei Qiang, she added, "Besides, no one in your household is rushing to tie the knot, so what's the harm in letting Mom use the house for now?"

Pei Qiang paused, then quickly responded, "But Mom, that mansion isn't ours. Qiuyu and the others are the ones who bought it."

"Isn't Qiuyu your daughter?" Old Lady Pei challenged sharply. "You listen to me, and Qiuyu will listen to you! Since when do children have the right to defy their parents in this world?"

"Furthermore, even if I'm just borrowing your house for now, if you were to offer it to me as a filial gesture, it would be perfectly natural! Who could possibly object to that?"

Lee Moxiang was beside herself with worry. "I just knew it; nothing good ever comes from these summons."

Pei Qiang was sweating bullets. Clearly, the old lady's intention in calling them was to lay claim to their house.

But with his honest and timid nature, he struggled to articulate his thoughts, his face a portrait of discomfort.

"What are you saying, Lee Moxiang?" Sun Lanping interjected with a smirk. "What's this 'nothing good'? Is that your idea of honoring your mother?"

Lee Moxiang realized that no one would take their side in this situation.

"That's not what I meant," she backpedaled. "I'm just saying we don't have the final say over the house."

"Hmph," Sun Lanping scoffed. "You're both her parents. If they dare not heed your words, what kind of authority do you even hold?"

"Exactly!" Old Lady Pei chimed in, her avaricious gaze now undisguised.

Lee Moxiang attempted another explanation, "Mom, it's not that we're unwilling, but Lin Xuan also has a stake in the house. If he's not agreeable, there's nothing we can do!"

"Enough!" Old Lady Pei cut her off, her brow furrowed in disapproval. "What right does he have to object? He's merely a son-in-law who's been living off us for three years. Asking him for a house is doing him an honor!"

"Just do as I say. Hand over two hundred thousand yuan to Second Brother's family as compensation," she commanded, leaving no room for discussion.

Taking her cue, Sun Lanping feigned difficulty. "Without Mom's word, I couldn't possibly come up with two hundred thousand. But alright, I'll do as Mom wishes."

Pei Jiang chuckled and remarked, "Second Brother, only Big Brother would be generous enough to offer you two hundred thousand. If it were anyone else, once you handed it over to Mom, that would be the end of it—who else would compensate you?"

Lee Moxiang was seething with rage, feeling as if her lungs were about to burst.

This was nothing short of blatant thievery!

And yet they had the audacity to cloak their actions in virtue. She had encountered shameless individuals before, but this was a whole new level of brazenness!

Just then, a resolute voice echoed from the entrance: "Two hundred thousand to purchase a mansion valued at over sixteen million? Your looks may leave much to be desired, but your dreams sure are pretty!"

The statement rang out, reverberating powerfully in the ears of everyone gathered in the hall.

A hush fell over the room as all eyes turned to the newcomer.

Expressions of utter astonishment were etched on their faces, a mix of shock and disbelief written all over them...