"Mr. Su, Mr. Yun, please try this; it should meet your standards," Old Master Pei said with a smile.

Su Chen casually sampled a dish, then set down his chopsticks. "Old Master, the Five Great Families boast a legacy spanning centuries. There must have been many outstanding figures, yes?"

"Indeed," Old Master Pei replied with a sigh, a wistful look in his eyes. "Though they've turned to dust, their legendary stories inspire us descendants."

"In recent decades, has anyone particularly impressed or amazed you?" Su Chen asked casually.

"Now that you mention it, yes! More than twenty years ago, a young man appeared seemingly from nowhere," Old Master Pei exclaimed, his eyes lighting up. "His brilliance eclipsed his peers and even surpassed us, the older generation." He paused, then added sadly, "Tragically, his life was cut short seventeen or eighteen years ago. A profound loss."

Pei Man, curious, asked, "Grandfather, who was this person?" She, along with the other younger Pei family members, had never heard of such a figure in Yandu.

Old Master Pei smiled slightly. "Ask your eldest and second uncles; they knew him better."

All eyes turned to Pei Hua and Pei Ji.

Pei Hua, unusually unreserved, smiled. "To describe him, one word suffices: 'perfect.' I've never encountered such charisma, yet he was remarkably approachable." He glanced at Pei Ji. "But your second uncle knew him best. You were his… protégé, weren't you? I believe your first calligraphy lesson was at the Warm Fragrance Pavilion, under his guidance?"

Pei Ji blushed slightly under his brother's teasing. "Don't pretend you weren't also a follower. All of Yandu's young masters looked up to him, didn't we?" A proud gleam appeared in his eyes. "You all know Shen Shao, the current darling of Yandu, but compared to that man, Shen Shao falls far short."

Pei Hua nodded in agreement. "Indeed, a once-in-a-century individual. What a pity."

The younger generation, previously only vaguely aware of this person, were now struck by the sheer magnitude of his reputation. Even Shen Shao, the current preeminent young master of Yandu, paled in comparison.

"What was his name?" Su Chen asked, his voice barely a whisper despite his outwardly calm demeanor.

"Su Lou," Old Master Pei said calmly, "the former direct grandson of the Su Family's senior branch."

At the name Su Lou, Su Chen's hand trembled, spilling his wine. He remained oblivious to the liquid slowly spreading across the table.

Pei Man noticed the spilled wine and Su Chen's ashen complexion. "Mr. Su, are you alright?"

Yunlong echoed her concern. "Big brother, are you alright?"

Su Chen forced a smile. "Oh, nothing. I was simply lost in thought, captivated by your story." Internally, he sighed, Who knew I couldn't control myself, even prepared.

The others, including Old Master Pei, accepted this explanation. However, Pei Man remained unconvinced.

Su Chen regained his composure and asked, "How did such a person die so suddenly?"

Old Master Pei shook his head. "It remains a mystery. Soon after, his wife died, and their five- or six-year-old son vanished. Not long before, the Su Family's elder patriarch also passed away." His voice was thick with emotion. "The once-dominant Su Family suffered a devastating blow, eventually falling to third place, their power shifting to the second branch. The Shen Family, formerly second, seized the opportunity to rise to the top."

Su Chen's gaze was intense. "Old Master, have you considered foul play?"

Old Master Pei sighed, a weariness in his voice. "Of course. But since then, few in Yandu mention his name. Perhaps his brilliance was too overwhelming. And even if there was a conspiracy, it would have been one capable of shaking Yandu to its foundations. Who would dare to investigate?"

Su Chen couldn't discern Old Master Pei's true feelings—innocence or masterful deception.

Pei Ji added, "He was closest to your third uncle; likely the only person he truly respected."

Pei Man exclaimed, surprised, "My father?"

Pei Ji's smile was ambiguous. "Yes, he considered your father a brother. I've heard your father say they made a pact: if one had a son and the other a daughter, their families would become in-laws."

Old Master Pei looked at Pei Ji in surprise. "I never heard that. What a tragedy. Both met untimely ends, one dying suddenly, the other disappearing, and the little boy vanished as well."

The Pei family members exchanged heavy sighs.