Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 143 The Bride
Wang Mengyi wore a bright red dress today, the color of which made her pretty face look like a lotus flower, and her complexion was excellent. Her eyes and brows exuded the shy charm unique to newlyweds.

Wang Xun felt a little relieved and was finally able to pay attention to her new son-in-law.

Shi Li used to follow Shi Yan to the Wang family several times. Wang Xun, out of affection for Shi Yan, treated Shi Li gently. However, their statuses were different now, and he couldn't help but put on airs as a father-in-law.

Shi Li married his sweetheart, and these past few days he's been walking with a light step. He's been exceptionally attentive to his father-in-law and several brothers-in-law. At the family banquet at noon, he drank quite a bit of wine and collapsed on the spot, needing to be helped into the inner room where he fell fast asleep.

Wang Xun and his daughter went into the study and chatted quietly.

"Is Shi Li good to you?" As a father, there are some things that are inconvenient to ask in detail, so he can only ask this vague question.

Wang Mengyi was not shy at all and replied generously, "He is considerate, gentle and meticulous towards me."

"On our wedding night, he told me that he had liked me since he was ten years old. He never thought that one day he could marry me. He said he would treat me well for the rest of his life."

"Dad, don't worry about me. I know men's hearts are fickle. But this is a very good start. I will work hard and make our lives better."

Wang Xun relaxed his brows and smiled: "You've been intelligent and capable since childhood, and you have a clear mind. Now that you've chosen Shi Li, you must be of one mind as husband and wife. Let's not think about the past anymore."

Wang Mengyi nodded: "No matter how good my cousin is, he's not mine. Shi Li is my husband."

Wang Xun couldn't help but ask again, "I heard Shi Yan has also returned. Have Old Master Shi and he made up?"

A smile flashed in Wang Mengyi's eyes as she whispered, "Grandfather is still holding a grudge and ignores my cousin. When he does speak, it's always with sarcastic remarks. My cousin, on the other hand, is very patient and follows Grandfather around with a smile every day."

Wang Xun felt both sorry for his nephew and somewhat amused: "What's done is done, and the old man should accept it. He gave up a grandson, but in return, he got Miss Pei as his granddaughter-in-law. It's a deal that's definitely not a loss."

Wang Mengyi chuckled again: "It's too early to say that. Miss Pei values ​​my cousin highly, but she has no intention of taking him in as a son-in-law. If my cousin wants to be a son-in-law, he'll have to wait a while!"

Wang Xun was wholeheartedly planning for his nephew's future: "The Shi family will supply provisions, and our Wang family will provide military uniforms. With the combined support of the Shi and Wang families, who can compete with your cousin?"

Even Wang Mengyi felt a little jealous: "Dad really dotes on my cousin."

Wang Xun smiled and comforted his daughter, "When your aunt passed away, she entrusted your cousin to me. As his uncle, I can't rest easy until I see him get married."

“You are still the one I love the most. The several embroidery shops you managed were all given to you as part of your dowry. You managed them diligently, and every year you saved the money you earned to buy cosmetics.”

Wang Mengyi chuckled.

As evening fell, Wang Mengyi tearfully bid farewell to her father and brothers and took a carriage back to her husband's home.

Shi Li took a handkerchief and wiped the corners of his newlywed wife's eyes: "When I have some free time in the future, I will accompany you back to your parents' home for a while."

Wang Mengyi's eyes lit up, but she hesitated for a moment: "I'm afraid Grandfather won't be very happy."

Shi Li chuckled softly, “The Shi and Wang families have close ties, and my grandfather is overjoyed. How could he be unhappy?”

"It's not hard to make Grandpa happy. I'll try my best tonight and hopefully give you a baby soon... Oh!"

Wang Mengyi's cheeks were flushed as she pinched Shi Li's tender waist. Shi Li cried out in pain as he moved closer.

The carriage entered Wubao, and the young couple got off after a while. Their clothes had been tidied up and were fairly neat.

Shi Yan, who came to greet him, smiled knowingly.

Wang Mengyi blushed and went back to her room first. Shi Li, with a beaming smile, walked up to Shi Yan and said, "Big Brother."

Shi Yan smiled and patted Shi Li's shoulder, "I'll be going back tomorrow."

Shi Li was somewhat reluctant to leave: "Are you going back so soon? Stay a few more days and keep Grandfather company."

“Grandfather is stubborn. If you keep trying, he’ll soften.” Shi Yan smiled and said, “Sixth Miss stayed with me for three days, and the round trip will take several more days. Pei Family Village can’t do without her, so it’s time to go back.”

Shi Li suddenly had the subtle illusion that her cousin had already married into the Pei family.

Shi Yan whispered, "The uprising in Jiangnan is raging, and food prices are soaring. Trade routes there should be temporarily suspended. You can buy grain in Sichuan."

"Higher prices are fine, just stockpile as much food as possible. I have a feeling the world is going to get more and more chaotic."

In times of chaos, the most valuable thing is food.

The Shi family did not inflate prices and maintained stable grain prices in Youzhou, which can be described as extremely conscientious.

Shi Li nodded in agreement.

That evening, everyone held a banquet to bid farewell to Shi Yan. Shi Yan brought a glass of wine to toast Old Master Shi. Old Master Shi, however, remained cold and refused to drink.

Shi Yan had no choice but to drink it himself. When he went to see his grandfather again that evening, he was once again turned away at the door.

The following morning, Pei Qinghe and his group bid farewell and left.

Shi Yan sat in the carriage, leaning out of the window, watching the Shi family's Wu Fortress grow smaller and smaller.

Pei Qinghe rode his horse leisurely, smiling as he said, "When you have some free time in the future, you can come back and stay for a while."

Shi Yan said, "Since Shi Li and his wife are here, I, their disobedient and unfilial grandson, should stop coming back and making my grandfather angry."

Pei Qinghe smiled gently.

I had just returned to Peijia Village when I received some less-than-pleasant news.

“Qinghe,” Mao Hongling said gravely, “the capital has fallen. The rebel army from Jiangnan has captured the capital. The imperial palace in the capital was burned down, and the Prince of Wei was burned alive.”

Pei Qinghe's eyebrows twitched, and her expression darkened.

The death of the King of Wei was, of course, a cause for celebration. It also indirectly avenged the Pei family.

However, this also means that the Jing Dynasty has lost its rule.

Bohai Commandery was located in the north, and the young emperor Xie Li lacked sufficient prestige. The Zhang family, ambitious and driven by greed, used the young emperor as a pretext to recruit loyal ministers and generals. The young emperor obeyed General Zhang in everything. Could such a court still be considered a respectful one?
Will the military generals with troops submit to the Jiangnan rebels, pledge allegiance to the Bohai Army, or raise their own banners and establish their own independent forces?

"The world is truly about to descend into chaos."

Pei Qinghe gazed towards the capital and sighed softly, "Dynasties change, the country is in turmoil, heroes emerge, vying for control of the Central Plains. It is the ordinary people who suffer. I wonder how many innocent people will die in the chaos."

Mao Hongling sighed sadly.

Pei Yun, her heart heavy, asked in a low voice, "What should we do now?"

"That goes without saying, of course we'll raise the banner of King Pei and recruit soldiers." Pei Yan's eyes gleamed as he spoke eloquently: "First we'll occupy Yan County, then subdue Fanyang, Guangning, and other counties, bringing the entire Youzhou under our banner... Ouch! Why are you attacking me again!"

Pei Qinghe tapped Pei Yan on the forehead again: "Can't you use your brain before you open your mouth?"

"Whoever jumps out first becomes the target, the one everyone criticizes."

"With our current manpower, we can barely protect ourselves. Let's think about how to deal with the complicated situation ahead!"

……

(End of this chapter)