Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 133 Big Gift
After finishing her errand, Gu Lian immediately instructed everyone to pack their luggage.

The group set off at dawn the next day.

Just as they stepped out of the city gate, a dozen or so fast horses suddenly appeared in pursuit. Gu Lian was very alert and immediately blew her bamboo whistle. The group turned their horses around, drew their long swords, and prepared for battle.

Feng Chang, with his sharp eyes, whispered a reminder: "It's General Meng."

Gu Lian sneered in response: "So what? Are you that close to him?"

Feng Chang shut his mouth and drew his long sword.

Gu Lian calmed down a bit and said calmly, "I'll handle this later, so don't say a word."

In the past, the two were rivals, neither willing to give an inch. On this business trip, Gu Lian took charge, making decisions on everything, big and small. Feng Chang was initially resentful, but as it turned out, Gu Lian was shrewd in small matters and decisive in big ones, handling everything swiftly and without a single mistake. Especially yesterday, her performance in front of the new emperor, with its elaborate singing and acting, completely captivated the young emperor. He couldn't help but admire her.

Feng Chang remained silent. He watched as Meng Liulang led a group of personal guards on horseback to him.

Gu Lian clearly saw who the newcomer was, but pretended not to see them, and brandished her knife, demanding, "Who goes there?"

He used to frequent Peijia Village and didn't recognize many faces, but Gu Lian was one of them. Her face, scarred by a knife, was simply too striking. Not to mention, it was he who led the men to wipe out Black Bear Village, saving Gu Lian and over twenty other women's lives.

Now people even dare to draw their swords in front of him.

Meng Liulang's anger flared, and he snorted coldly. His personal guard, Xiao Mo, coughed and quickly replied, "Miss Gu Lian, our Sixth Young Master has come today specifically to see you off."

"So it's General Meng." Gu Lian realized, and slowly sheathed her long sword, replying with a forced smile, "We're in a hurry to get on our way, so we won't dismount. Please forgive us, General Meng."

Meng Liulang rode forward, his face stern, and said, "I ask you, why didn't Miss Liu come?"

Gu Lian brought out the words she used to deal with the young emperor.

Knowing Pei Qinghe's prowess, Meng Liulang was clearly skeptical and frowned as he asked, "Is she really injured?"

Gu Lian sighed, "Indeed. The Pei family is utterly loyal to the Crown Prince. His Highness's ascension to the throne is a momentous event for the nation. If it weren't for her injury, how could the Sixth Miss not have come?"

Pei was indeed loyal.

Whether Pei Qinghe is loyal or not is hard to say...

Meng Liulang's gaze fell on Feng Chang's face: "Feng Chang, how are Sixth Miss's injuries?"

Before Feng Chang could even reply, Gu Lian's face turned cold: "If General Meng is here to see us off, we appreciate the sentiment. But if he's here to cause trouble, we'll accept it too."

Meng Liulang laughed in exasperation: "Your face changes too quickly. How is it that I'm picking a fight when I'm just asking about Miss Liu's injuries?"

Gu Lian said coldly, "The moment General Meng led five hundred men away from Pei Family Village, he parted ways with the Sixth Miss. Now, General Meng is putting on an act, what's the point?"

Meng Liulang: "..."

Xiao Mo didn't dare to look at her young master's ugly face, and smiled as she tried to smooth things over: "Miss Gu Lian, please don't be angry. Our young master went to the inn yesterday but found it empty, and went again early this morning. Knowing that you had left, he specially came out of the city to see you off, and had no other intentions."

"After you return, please ask Miss Gu Lian to pass on a message to Miss Liu: the Beiping army is now stationed in Bohai County. The original Beiping army camp is empty. Please take care of it and don't let it be occupied by bandits."

There are still many good things in the Beiping military camp! Rather than letting others benefit from them, let Sixth Sister get a great deal.

Gu Lian's expression changed as quickly as turning the pages of a book, her face beaming with a smile: "So it's such a trivial matter. I will definitely pass on the message."

Then, he bowed and took his leave.

Meng Liulang kept a straight face, and Xiao Mo could only continue to smile obsequiously. After Gu Lian and her entourage left, Xiao Mo sighed repeatedly, "We came to see you off today, but you still had such a sour face. We gave you such a generous gift, and you didn't even get a good reception. What a waste!" Meng Liulang was so angry that his nose was practically spitting fire. He glared at her and said, "That Gu Lian, she's full of bad intentions and speaks in a sarcastic tone. She provoked me first, so how come I had a sour face?"

Xiao Mo continued to sigh: "A real man should have a broad mind. Why argue with a woman? Gu Lian will go back and repeat what she said to the Sixth Miss. In the end, the young master will suffer the loss."

Meng Liulang sneered: "I'm not from Pei Family Village, why would I be afraid of Pei Qinghe!"

Got it!
Even if the sky falls, the Sixth Young Master's mouth will hold it up.

Xiao Mo twitched her lips, then heard her young master, Gu Qu, say to Lian, "With such a scar on her face, and she came from a bandit stronghold, who would be blind to fall for her in the future?"

Xiao Mo was unwilling to hear this: "A weak woman, in order to escape humiliation, disfigured her own face. Such a fierce spirit is worthy of respect."

Meng Liulang looked over, puzzled. "You haven't taken a fancy to that scarred guy, have you?"

Xiao Mo was also quite sharp-tongued, letting out a long sigh: "If you, young master, were willing to stay in Pei Family Village, I would still have a chance to win Miss Gu Lian's heart. Now, where is there any chance left?"

Meng Liulang: "..."

……

More than half a month later.

Gu Lianfeng, who had rushed back to Peijia Village, first presented the emperor's letter and ten bottles of medicine for his injuries.

Pei Qinghe was somewhat surprised: "Where did you get the medicine?"

Gu Lian suppressed her smugness and recounted the whole story. Pei Qinghe chuckled, "I knew I hadn't misjudged you. I'll give you credit for that."

By managing to fool the emperor, Gu Lian secured a chance for Pei Family Village to quietly develop. She truly made a great contribution.

Gu Lian smiled and said, "Being praised by the Sixth Miss is enough."

Feng Chang felt a pang of nausea and took over the conversation, reporting to Pei Qinghe about Meng Liulang delivering the message.

Pei Qinghe remained calm upon hearing Meng Liulang's name. Pei Yan, however, turned and glanced at Steward Shi standing to the side.

Shi Yan smiled and said, "General Meng has given us a great gift."

Pei Qinghe nodded happily: "That's right. I'll take some men to the Beiping military camp tomorrow and bring back everything we can."

More and more people were being recruited, and while food and supplies could still be bought with silver, weapons and armor were nowhere to be found. Now, with war raging everywhere, even General Li of the Liaoxi Army, known for his greed, refused to sell weapons.

Shi Yan eagerly requested, "I'll go too."

Pei Qinghe chuckled and teased, "I won't stop you if you want to go. But can you handle the hardship of the journey?"

"Sixth Miss underestimates me too much," Shi Yan said with a smile. "In the past, I would be busy traveling for eight or nine months a year, and traveling was a common occurrence. However, my riding skills are mediocre, so I mostly ride in a carriage. The speed is a bit slow, so Sixth Miss, please wait for me."

Pei Qinghe thought about it and agreed.

Gu Lian's surprised gaze drifted back and forth between the Sixth Miss and Young Master Shi.

How is this going?

When did Young Master Shi arrive in Pei Family Village?
Little Fatty Pei Yue ran over breathlessly: "Cousin Qinghe, Grandmother asked me to call Gu Lianfeng over."

(End of this chapter)