Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 142 Grandparents and Grandchildren
Perhaps it was because the moonlight and the night breeze were too cool.

Shi Yan put her hands into her sleeves and slowly walked towards the courtyard she used to live in.

Both Dong Dalang and Dong Erlang knew their master was in a bad mood, so they followed silently. Dong Erlang wanted to offer some words of comfort, but Dong Dalang gave him a look, so Dong Erlang had to shut up.

Suddenly, a familiar, slender girl's figure appeared ahead.

Under the cool moonlight, the girl smiled and asked, "How is it? Is your grandfather willing to talk to you now?"

A warm current suddenly surged into my heart, driving away all the chill.

Shi Yan pulled his hand out of his sleeve and stepped forward with light steps, his eyes and brows full of smiles: "So late? Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Pei Qinghe replied in a serious tone, "I did some calculations and found that Steward Shi was in a bad mood tonight and needed someone to keep him company, so I came."

Shi Yan raised the corners of her mouth: "Sixth Miss, you have a brilliant plan. I admire you."

The Dong brothers, Dalang and Erlang, were quick-witted and discreet; they had already quietly retreated and were now guarding ten meters away.

The moonlight slanted gently like water, and Pei Qinghe's gaze was less sharp than during the day, exceptionally soft: "That day, because of the matter of the audience with the Bohai County, my grandmother and the others quarreled with me, and I made the difficult decision to separate from the family."

"I acted as usual in public, but I was sad for many days in private."

“My grandmother had a bad temper and never said a kind word. But she made clothes and shoe soles for me every day. Every time I led people to suppress bandits, she refused to get a drop of oil on her hands, eating vegetarian food and chanting Buddhist prayers, hoping for my safe return. After the family was divided, she held a grudge and never set foot in Pei Family New Village again.”

“Every time I went there, I would either say I was going to see my mother or I was going to see Xiaoyu’er and her puppy. She would give me a sour look and not talk to me, but she wouldn’t chase me away.”

As she spoke, Pei Qinghe chuckled, "We, grandfather and granddaughter, are equally stubborn and unwilling to back down. Your grandfather feels the same way about you. He's still angry and won't talk to you right now. Spend more time with him these next few days, and perhaps he'll soften up soon."

The Lu family had two grandsons and two granddaughters, as well as great-grandsons. Old Master Shi, however, only had Shi Yan as his one and only grandson, whom he cherished and raised like a precious jewel. If Shi Yan hadn't insisted on going to Pei Family Village, why would Old Master Shi have so furiously driven his beloved grandson out of the house?

Shi Yan gazed at Pei Qinghe's face: "That's what I was planning too." He paused and then added: "If Grandfather insists on ignoring me, that's fine too. In time, Grandfather will eventually soften his heart."

Pei Qinghe suddenly laughed: "Wouldn't you say we're spoiled and arrogant?"

Shi Yan laughed: "Of course it counts."

The two smiled at each other.

"It's getting late, I'm going back to sleep." Pei Qinghe never lingered, offering a few words of comfort before leaving. Shi Yan insisted on seeing Pei Qinghe to the courtyard gate, watching her figure disappear into the distance.

Back in his familiar room, Shi Yan couldn't stop smiling as he lay down to sleep.

Dong Dalang remained silent, composed and reserved, while Dong Erlang couldn't help but chuckle softly, "Sixth Miss is truly considerate to Young Master. She accompanied you back, stood up for you, and even came to comfort you tonight."

"At this rate, the day when the young master will marry into the family is not far off."

Shi Yan glared at Dong Erlang: "Don't talk nonsense. I admire Sixth Miss's abilities and follow her wholeheartedly. I have no other intentions."

"Yes, yes, I was just being nosy." Dong Erlang pretended to slap himself lightly.

Dong Dalang reached out and twisted Dong Erlang's ear. Dong Erlang cried out and was dragged out by his elder brother.

Shi Yan chuckled, but soon felt tired and closed her eyes to sleep.

……

The next day, the newlywed couple came to offer tea. The old man slept exceptionally well that night, happily accepting the tea offered by his new granddaughter-in-law, taking a sip, and generously giving her a thick gift.

The elders from the collateral branches of the Shi family all came today. Shi Li led his newlywed wife to greet each of the elders. He would occasionally help Wang Mengyi up, his gentle and considerate manner making one's teeth ache.

Shi Yan arrived despite Old Master Shi's disdainful look.

"Cousin!" Shi Li called out habitually.

Shi Yan looked at him with a smile: "You're still calling me cousin, you should change your address."

Shi Li felt a warmth in his heart and changed his form of address: "Big Brother!"

Wang Mengyi, dressed in red, also softly called out "Big Brother".

Shi Yan grinned, responded twice, and gave the prepared gifts to the newlyweds.

Old Master Shi found Shi Yan's smiling face irritating and blurted out, "You've been expelled from the Shi family, yet you still have the nerve to come and claim kinship."

Shi Yan immediately looked over: "Second brother is in charge of the household, and I am in the Pei family army. The two brothers are of the same blood and will help each other. Does Grandfather not wish for this?"

Given the circumstances, this is clearly the best possible outcome.

Old Master Shi knew perfectly well what was going on, but he was still very upset and couldn't swallow his anger.

Grandpa Shi looked away, avoiding eye contact with Shi Yan: "This is a matter between you brothers. I'm too old to care."

Shi Li chuckled inwardly.

My grandfather was a cunning old fox, and my cousin was no less so, being ruthless, cunning, and adept at manipulating people. Their battle of wits was quite interesting.

At the family banquet that day, Shi Yan sat at the inconspicuous last seat. But having taken his seat, Shi Yan didn't mind the seating arrangement at all. He quickly picked up his wine glass and toasted each of the elders.

Old Master Shi ignored Shi Yan. The other elders and clansmen of the Shi family, however, saw through the situation clearly. Sixth Miss Pei had specifically accompanied Shi Yan back to the Shi family home, supporting him at every turn. This showed that Shi Yan was quite important in Pei Family Village. Otherwise, did they really think Sixth Miss Pei had nothing better to do?
When Shi Yan came to offer a toast, the elders and clansmen all gave him face and drank it all in one gulp. They also reminded Shi Yan to do his job diligently in Peijia Village.

Old Master Shi curled his lip and said gruffly, "That sounds nice, but it's just purchasing and accounting. The population of Pei Family Village is growing, and raising money and grain is no easy task. I regret it now, but there's no turning back."

When Peijia Village was mentioned, Shi Yan could no longer remain low-key and reserved, replying calmly, "I trust my judgment. I will never regret it, no matter when or where."

Old Master Shi's mind was in turmoil, but he still didn't look Shi Yan in the eye: "You're being stubborn now, but don't come begging to come back later with tears in your eyes."

Shi Yan immediately turned to Shi Li and said, "Second brother, don't worry. Now that I've left the Shi family, I have no intention of coming back. You should manage the family business well and be filial to our grandfather. The Shi family will all be yours from now on."

Old Master Shi: "..."

Grandpa Shi was so angry that he put down his chopsticks after a few bites.

Shi Yan had a good appetite and ate and drank his fill. After the family banquet ended, he and Shi Li saw off their elders. Then, they went to see Old Master Shi.

As usual, I was turned away again.

On the third day, Shi Li accompanied his newlywed wife on her return visit to her parents' home.

The Wang family members who accompanied the bride lived in Yan County. Wang Xun was preoccupied with his daughter's marriage and had been unable to eat or sleep for the past two days. He completely ignored his son-in-law and anxiously looked at his daughter.

(End of this chapter)