Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 132 Response
We weren't very familiar with each other.

He almost became Miss Pei's son-in-law.

The image of that pretty and spirited young girl flashed through Meng Liulang's mind, and he suddenly felt a little restless. He replied expressionlessly, "Not familiar."

Zhang Yun's eyes flashed: "I heard that you once led troops to suppress bandits in Yanshan, so you should have had dealings with Miss Pei Liu."

Meng Liulang was tall, so he had to lower his head slightly when looking at anyone, which gave him a natural air of superiority: "I'm not familiar with them either."

Zhang Yun was the eldest son of the Zhang family, the future head of the Zhang family, the emperor's cousin, and the future brother-in-law of the emperor. The officials who came to seek refuge with him fawned over Zhang Yun in every way.

Zhang Yun, who had been riding high lately, had become increasingly arrogant and haughty. He had repeatedly run into a brick wall with Meng Liulang, which displeased him. However, he did not show it on his face and said with a smile, "I was just asking casually."

After sitting for a while and exchanging a few casual words, he got up and left.

Meng Dalang politely saw Zhang Yun off, then turned back to his study and sternly reprimanded Meng Liulang: "What did I tell you? Be polite to Young Master Zhang, at least don't offend him outright..."

It went into Meng Liulang's left ear and out his right, without causing him any pain or discomfort.

Meng Dalang was really troubled and couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

Only the two brothers, Meng Liulang and Meng Liu, remained in the Meng family. The elder brother had lost a leg, so leading troops in battle would have to be done by Meng Liulang. But looking at Meng Liulang's stubborn and unyielding nature, how could he be relied upon?
It's absolutely driving me crazy.

Meng Dalang summoned his personal guards and ordered them to inquire where the people from Peijia Village were staying.

An hour later, the guards returned to report.

Meng Liulang appeared indifferent, but in reality, he was listening intently.

The next day, Meng Liulang went out early in the morning. When his personal guard came to report, Meng Dalang waved his hand and said, "Let him go."

Meng Liulang arrived at the inn only to find it empty. A short, plain-looking man smiled obsequiously and said, "General Meng, you've come at an inopportune time. Gu Lian and Feng Chang were summoned to the palace by the Emperor early this morning."

Meng Liulang glanced at the man: "Who are you?"

The man continued to smile obsequiously, "My name is Wang Erhe. I entered Peijia Village with Feng Chang."

Meng Liulang had actually visited Peijia Village several times and stayed there for quite some time. However, he only knew and remembered the names of a handful of people. He had a vague recollection of Gu Lian and Feng Chang. Minor characters like Wang Erhe were completely beneath his notice.

Meng Liulang asked casually, "How has Peijia Village been these past six months?"

Wang Erhe seemed honest and simple, but he was actually quite cunning. He chuckled and said, "Very good. When the Xiongnu barbarians came to raid our fields, Sixth Sister led us to guard Changping County and drove the Xiongnu barbarians away."

“The reputation of Pei Family Village has spread far and wide, and more and more people are coming to seek refuge there. Everyone knows that following Sixth Sister will bring them a good life.”

This last sentence, like a sharp thorn, pricked Meng Liulang.

Meng Liulang's handsome face darkened slightly, and he suddenly asked, "Why didn't she come?"

Wang Erhe chuckled憨厚ly, "How could I possibly guess what the Sixth Miss is thinking?"

Meng Liulang left dejectedly.

Wang Erhe grimaced at Meng Liulang's retreating figure.

……

Gu Lian and Feng Chang were led into the prefectural governor's mansion. After waiting for half a day, they finally met Emperor Jian'an. The two dared not look at each other carelessly, and knelt down respectfully to kowtow, presenting a list of gifts and a letter.

Emperor Jian'an didn't look at the thick list of gifts; he hurriedly opened the letter from Miss Pei.

This was the first time she had written him a letter.

The letter was sincere, explaining the difficulties of not daring to leave Youzhou without permission, and hoping the emperor would understand. It was concise and clear, without a trace of personal sentiment.

Emperor Jian'an couldn't tell whether he was happy or disappointed, and he read the letter again.

Still, not a single word of longing could be found. Emperor Jian'an sighed silently in his heart.

Lu's letter was much thicker.

A page filled with unwavering loyalty.

Emperor Jian'an glanced at it casually and then put it down. He then asked seriously, "How many people are there in Pei Family Village now? What is their fighting strength?"

Feng Chang was about to speak when Gu Lian glanced at him, and Feng Chang immediately shut his mouth. Then, he listened as Gu Lian choked back tears and described to the Emperor the hardships that Pei Family Village was facing, struggling to survive due to lack of food and clothing: "...There are now more than two thousand people in Pei Family Village, all of whom are refugees from the mountains. The Sixth Miss kindly took them in and didn't want them to go hungry, so she worries about them every day."

How did more than half of the more than 6,000 people suddenly disappear?
Feng Chang lowered his head.

"Some time ago, the Xiongnu barbarians rushed to Changping County. The Sixth Miss fought desperately to defend the county. The casualties were heavy, and the Sixth Miss was also injured and unable to travel to see the Emperor."

Feng Chang's lips twitched slightly.

The sixth young lady did suffer a minor injury; the skin on the back of her hand was broken, but it healed after two days of applying medicine.

Those who didn't know the situation would probably think that the Sixth Miss was seriously injured after hearing Gu Lian's tearful account.

The young emperor before him was completely fooled: "How serious are her injuries? Is she alright?"

With red eyes, Gu Lian replied, "The doctor said that she would recover in a few months and should not ride a horse or engage in strenuous activities. That is why the Sixth Miss was unable to come to see the Emperor."

The young emperor clutched the letter, his voice low and deep: "After you return, give her my message. I don't blame her for not coming. Tell her to rest and recover in peace."

"I have some excellent medicine here. Take two bottles... take ten bottles back with you."

Gu Lian kowtowed to express her gratitude, and when she raised her head, her face was full of tears and gratitude. She rambled on with a bunch of nonsense about how great the emperor's grace was.

The young emperor then inquired about the daily life of Pei Family Village, and Gu Lian answered fluently. Eight out of ten of her answers were true, with only a few vague statements at crucial points.

Even Feng Chang felt sorry for the women, children, and elderly in the Pei family.

The young emperor sighed softly, a hint of pity flashing in his eyes, his voice growing gentler: "Go back and tell Miss Pei to rest and recover, and to take care of herself. She doesn't need to come to me personally; I know her loyalty."

Gu Lian wiped away her tears with her sleeve and launched into another heartfelt and moving speech praising the emperor.

Half an hour later.

The two left the prefectural governor's residence and returned to the inn. As soon as the door closed, Gu Lian raised her head and gave Feng Chang a disdainful look: "Well? Are you still convinced now?"

Feng Chang's lips twitched again, and he cupped his hands, saying, "I am completely convinced and utterly convinced."

He's far less capable than anyone else at wiping away tears at any moment and spouting nonsense with a straight face.

No wonder Sixth Miss chose Gu Lian to lead the way. If it's his turn to answer today, he probably won't be able to get away with it so easily.

Gu Lian smiled smugly for a while, then sighed, "Our Pei family army is still not strong enough, so we can only show weakness now."

Feng Chang said in a low voice, "Let's make a fortune quietly and expand our manpower slowly. Sooner or later, we won't have to bow down to anyone."

Gu Lian nodded, her eyes gleaming with burgeoning ambition.

Feng Chang also saw this cluster of flames.

One of them was bullied by bandits, and the other suffered from the ravages of war; both of them lived in the mud.

Pei Qinghe took them in.

It was Miss Pei who recognized them as human beings again.

In their hearts, there was no loyalty, filial piety, or propriety; there was only Miss Pei. They would die for her at any time.

The imperial court was divided, the country was in chaos, and rebel armies were rising up everywhere. If a change of dynasty was to happen, why couldn't it be the Sixth Sister?
(End of this chapter)