Mountains and rivers are waiting for you to return

Chapter 106 No Compensation
After Pei Nai bandaged the wound again and applied medicine, everyone was still waiting at the door.

I don’t know if it was Pei Nai’s illusion, but several people looked at her strangely.

Da Xi Shangle was a little embarrassed when he walked out of the house at first, but later he became more open-minded and resolute.

"Where are we going next?" Pei Nai saw that they hadn't left yet, so he knew there was something else going on.

Han Ruize's face looked better, and he replied, "We have arranged a celebration banquet today. The main banquet and bonfire will be arranged in the square just after the entrance. I will pick you up there."

Post-war celebrations are an indispensable tradition that can boost morale, reward meritorious officers and soldiers, and promote military unity.

What's more, the garrisons of the three states of Tianyao, the southwestern border troops, the former members of the Pei family army, and the elites of the northwestern border troops of Qilu are all gathered here at this moment, and it is also time to provide a place for them to relax and communicate with each other.

Pei Nai nodded, agreeing very much.

The group walked towards the main square. Just a few steps out of the yard, Da Xi Shangle saw the stable not far away on the opposite side and was about to go over.

She also said to Pei Nai: "Sister Pei, can I see your saddle?"

Pei Nai frowned in confusion, "What are you looking at this for?"

"We in Qilu had a batch of national treasure-level saddle pad materials. Women have small hip bones and don't feel pain when riding horses. That material is very suitable for making women's saddles. Unfortunately, the production is too small. It is collected from the thousand-year-old Mara tree. It takes hundreds of years to produce a saddle pad. The last time it was made was by the founding emperor of Qilu for Queen Mu Yao."

As Da Xi Shangle spoke, a light seemed to hide in his eyes.

Pei Nai already roughly knew what she was going to say.

Sure enough, Da Xi Shangle said again: "Ten years ago, Qi Lu presented the materials to Tianyao. I heard that Emperor Tianyao sent someone to make a saddle and gave it to you. So I wanted to feel how soft the saddle is. I envy you every time I ride a horse."

The saddle that Princess Shangle mentioned was the one that Gu Jinheng gave out in the name of Pei Nai in order to win over the commander-in-chief of the Yulin Army at that time.

Everyone felt that this saddle could only be put to good use if it was given to Pei Nai.

Only Gu Jinheng didn't think so at that time. A mere saddle from Pei Nai was not as important as the cooperation plan.

Pei Nai subconsciously looked at Gu Jinheng.

Gu Jinheng was also looking at Pei Nai. There seemed to be tears in his eyes for a moment, and he looked extremely helpless.

But Daxian knew the inside story. Perhaps he had noticed that Pei Nai was using an ordinary saddle, so he asked someone to verify it.

He said sarcastically, "It's not with your sister Pei. Her ex-husband gave the saddle to the wife of the general who was in charge of the Yulin Army at that time, who is now the wife of the commander of the Tianyao Northern Border Army."

"Why? There is only one saddle! And which woman would go to war and lead troops like Sister Pei, traveling hundreds or even thousands of miles at a time? She is obviously the one who needs it the most." Da Xi Shangle was truly shocked from the bottom of his heart.

Da Xian was clearly answering Da Xi Shangle, but his words were a mockery of Gu Jinheng, "Good question. His wife just mentioned it casually, and he showed his sincerity to the commander of the Yulin Army by giving him the saddle, so that he could push this move to be completed faster. In his eyes, his wife's health is not as important as promoting the cooperation of an ally."

Da Xi Shangle looked at Gu Jinheng in disbelief, confusion written all over his eyes.

"Is there such a thing?" Han Ruize knew that the saddle was given to Pei Nai by the previous emperor, but he didn't know that it didn't reach Pei Nai. He was so angry that he asked, "Even if you didn't give the saddle, would the Yulin Army not cooperate? You're really good at exchanging it for something that belongs to Pei Nai!"

Pei Nai patted Han Ruize on the shoulder, signaling him to calm down.

Pei Nai couldn't say it out loud, because the day Gu Jinheng gave him the saddle was Pei Nai's birthday. If he said it out loud, it would only further provoke conflict.

Han Ruize thought of the battle ten years ago, and when Pei Nai arrived at Huayun Village this time, and how he looked unsteady every time he dismounted from his horse. He closed his eyes and clenched his fists.

"You haven't seen how painful it is for Pei Nai to travel hundreds of miles on horseback! You want to pursue her again? You are not worthy!" Han Ruize shouted angrily, then pulled Pei Nai's sleeve and left.

Da Xi Shangle looked at Gu Jinheng inexplicably and shook his head, then was called away by Da Xi'an.

Only Gu Jinheng was left standing there, without the strength to take another step.

Ju Yan and others did not accompany Gu Jinheng. At the moment, there were only two guards beside him. The guards did not dare to interrupt and could only wait silently.

It was not until a long time later that Gu Jinheng's hands trembled. He walked towards the stable and stopped beside Pei Nai's horse.

He looked at the scratches and wear marks on both sides caused by thousands of times of friction, placed his hand gently on it, and did not move for a long time.

The wind is gentle and the sky is clear. There are clusters of light clouds in the sky, which are thin and uncertain.

Pei Nai followed Han Ruize and the others to the main banquet seat that had been set up. Because it was temporarily built by the villagers and soldiers, and no one cared about the pomp and circumstance when going out to war, there was no high platform set up, and everyone gathered around the campfire.

Military officers above the fourth rank sat at separate tables and chairs, while the others sat on the ground. At this moment, all the troops and units were entering the camp in an orderly manner and taking up positions according to their areas.

"Is there room to sit?" Although the square was spacious, the army was large in number, and Pei Nai was full of doubts.

Shao Liran, who was not far away, said, "If there are not enough seats, they can take turns. When they have eaten and drunk enough, other brothers from the same unit can come. Besides, all soldiers are given a day off today. After a while, they will disperse and gather on their own, and move freely around the stronghold."

Pei Nai nodded, watching the square become more and more lively.

Da Xi Shangle stared at Shao Liran who was talking, and tugged at the corner of Da Xi'an's clothes, "Hiss, there are so many handsome brothers here, and the food is so good."

Da Xian glared at her again, "Hurry up and take a seat. You are drooling over General Shao."

"General Shao? Is he the General Shao Liran who broke through the heavy encirclement and killed Yunjiang Liuhe Bow Luan Xiao in the midst of thousands of troops?" Da Xishangle was extremely happy.

Da Xian nodded, his eyes and eyebrows twisted together, and he frowned and said, "What are you going to do now?"

"Your sister hasn't found a husband yet. Aren't you worried about me?" Da Xi Shangle asked him.

Da Xi'an glanced at her with a look of dismay, "Haven't you ruined enough men? I've only met this one person I like in over 20 years, and you offended me the first time we met."

Da Xi Shangle retracted his head again and sat down obediently, but his eyes were still fixed on Shao Liran.

Pei Nai finally realized that the passion of the Qilu royal family's Da Xi family in pursuing their other half was inherited from their ancestors.

Just then, villagers were bringing food to the table one after another. Pei Nai widened his eyes and asked Han Ruize silently.

Han Ruize smiled and shook his head, "Don't worry, the villagers didn't spend any money. The ingredients and seasonings were prepared by each army. Today's dishes are rich, and the big stove in the barracks is too busy. For some of the more delicate dishes, we can borrow the villagers' stoves and eat together."

None of the soldiers on Tianyao's side dared to take a seat. They all stood together and chatted until Gu Jinheng appeared.

(End of this chapter)