Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 158 Reconciliation
The usually arrogant Zhan Fei knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face, all his arrogance gone: "Our Zhan family had our salt mines and business seized by the Fanyang army, and we were driven out of Fanyang County."

"We have nowhere else to go but to seek refuge with the Sixth Sister. We beg the Sixth Sister to take us in and give us a way to survive."

Zhan Fei cried his heart out, while Pei Qinghe raised an eyebrow and dismounted without making a sound.

Shi Yan also dismounted and took the initiative to help Zhan Fei up: "Master Zhan, please get up quickly."

Zhan Fei refused to get up, stubbornly remaining kneeling on the ground, continuing to wail: "I was blind to your greatness in the past, please be magnanimous, Sixth Miss, and don't hold a grudge against someone as short-sighted as me. Our Zhan family has over a hundred members, dozens of managers, and a salt-selling team that has traveled all over the country. From now on, we will all follow Sixth Miss's lead."

The Zhan family, consisting of over a hundred members, were all idle. However, the presence of several dozen managers familiar with salt mining and salt shop management was quite interesting, especially considering their experience with salt-selling teams from beyond the Great Wall.

Pei Qinghe's expression softened considerably, and she finally spoke: "Master Zhan, please get up first."

With Shi Yan's help, Zhan Fei stood up shakily, his eyes full of pleading.

Pei Qinghe didn't give Zhan Fei another chance to cry and beg, and said calmly, "I came to the Shi family for the wedding banquet at the invitation of Old Master Shi. I didn't expect to run into Master Zhan here. This matter is a bit sudden, and I need to think it over carefully. Master Zhan, please don't cry. It's a joyous day, don't spoil everyone's mood. We can talk about it after the baby's full moon celebration."

Zhan Fei dared not cry or make a fuss anymore. He quickly wiped away his tears with his sleeve and repeatedly agreed.

Shi Li helped Old Master Shi forward to greet them.

As usual, Old Master Shi didn't even glance at Shi Yan, but he was exceptionally warm towards Miss Pei, welcoming her and her entourage into the Shi family's Wu Fortress.

Old Master Shi said with a smile, "It is a blessing for both the Shi and Wang families that the Sixth Miss is willing to come to the Shi family to attend the wedding banquet in person."

Pei Qinghe smiled slightly: "When I first arrived in Pei Family Village, we were short of food. At that time, the family sent us a large amount of grain. I, Pei Qinghe, have always remembered this kindness in our hearts."

"Now that Shi Yan is in charge of the money, grain, accounts, and warehouse, he is undoubtedly the chief steward of our Pei family army. With the Shi family having a new lineage, such a joyous occasion, Shi Yan will definitely come back. And naturally, I will come as well."

The words were clear: it was Shi Yan who placed a heavy bet in Pei Family Village that day. And it was also Shi Yan who abandoned his family business to join the Pei Family Army when it was newly established and most in need of manpower. She came to the Shi family today solely to save face for Steward Shi.

With mixed feelings, Old Master Shi finally looked at Shi Yan.

Shi Yan was quick-witted and immediately seized the opportunity, kneeling down and kowtowing three times: "Grandfather, no matter where I am, I will always be a member of the Shi family, and I will always keep you in my heart."

Shi Li chimed in, "Grandfather has always been thinking about eldest brother. Now that eldest brother is back, Grandfather is finally giving him a proper look."

Shi Yan is a key figure in the Pei family army. All the major merchants in Yan County have to deal with Steward Shi. Even Magistrate Wang, Magistrate Ji, and Prefect Tang treat Steward Shi with exceptional courtesy and respect.

The Shi family held a prestigious position in Yan County. Even a once-wealthy but now impoverished family like Zhan Fei would visit the Shi family first upon arriving in Yan County. Was it truly because of Old Master Shi?

From both a public and private perspective, and from both a moral and rational standpoint, the grandfather and grandson should reconcile.

The pent-up anger that Old Master Shi had been holding in was half dissipated when Shi Li married Wang Mengyi, and the other half was almost completely dissipated after the birth of their two great-grandchildren.

At this moment, Miss Pei personally intervened, showing him considerable respect and dignity. Shi Yan knelt obediently, while Shi Li pleaded for him. Old Master Shi, with mixed feelings, didn't hesitate for long before saying, "Don't kneel, get up!"

"The children's one-month celebration is in two days. There will be quite a few guests coming to offer their congratulations. As Shi Li's elder brother and the children's uncle, it is only right and proper for you to arrange the banquet and entertain the guests."

Shi Yan suppressed his excited emotions and replied.

Shi Li's eyes reddened with joy. Pei Qinghe said to Shi Yan, "I'll take some people to settle us down and let us rest. You go ahead with your work, don't worry about me."

Before Shi Yan could nod, Old Master Shi spoke up: "Sixth Miss is an honored guest of the Shi family, how can we neglect her? Shi Yan, you should help Sixth Miss settle in first."

Shi Yan smiled and said, "I usually listen to Sixth Miss. But today at the Shi family, I have to listen to Grandfather."

Grandpa Shi's brows relaxed as he was coaxed.

Pei Qinghe chuckled inwardly and exchanged a glance with Shi Yan: "Alright."

Pei Qinghe had visited the Shi family several times, and the courtyard where she had stayed had always been empty, kept clean and tidy. Shi Yan escorted Pei Qinghe and her party to the outside of the courtyard.

Pei Yan was oblivious to social cues; everyone else went inside, but she stayed behind, brazenly eavesdropping.

Shi Yan didn't say anything out of line. He cupped his hands in a fist and bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you very much, Sixth Miss, for today."

Pei Qinghe said softly, "Blood relatives, how can there be any severing of ties? I am very happy that you, grandfather and grandson, have reconciled today."

Pei Yan suddenly interjected, "If only our grandmother were as understanding and sensible as the old man sometimes."

Pei Qinghe felt somewhat helpless when she mentioned her stubborn and difficult grandmother.

More than a year after the family split up, despite everyone's attempts to persuade her, Madam Lu refused to change her mind. Stubbornly, she lived in the old thatched hut and wrote a letter to the Bohai Prefecture every month without fail to express her loyalty to the young emperor.

Pei Qinghe couldn't help but sigh: "When you're in a good mood, can you please not mention Grandmother?"

Pei Yan scratched her head and said with a forced smile, "I won't say anymore, I won't say anymore."

Shi Yan found it both amusing and heartbreaking, and said in a low voice, "Grandmother and granddaughter are blood relatives; even if the bones are broken, they are still connected. The old lady will eventually understand."

“That’s hard to say,” Pei Yan couldn’t help but interject again. “Grandmother is the worst-tempered and most stubborn person I’ve ever met. Our Pei family army is growing stronger and stronger, but she doesn’t even glance at it.”

Pei Qinghe glanced over.

Pei Yan belatedly realized what was happening and immediately shut up.

Pei Qinghe instructed Shi Yan, "Take advantage of these few days to spend more time with Old Master Shi. Once the weather warms up after the New Year, I'm afraid there won't be time for you to come back."

Shi Yan was very perceptive: "There's going to be a war next year?"

Pei Qinghe's eyes flashed with a light as sharp as a blade: "The Guangning Army won't be coming for the time being. The Fanyang Army and the Liaoxi Army are both fighting hard to kill wealthy families and recruit soldiers. They are very ambitious. Our Pei family army is backed by Yanshan and occupies Yan County. In their eyes, we are probably just a piece of fat meat with a few thorns. It depends on which of the two of them can't hold back and makes the first move."

No matter who comes, the Pei family army will fight with all its might. Victory will greatly increase their prestige and expand their territory. Defeat, on the other hand, will leave them with no foothold, and the best outcome will be to retreat into the mountains to recuperate and prepare for a future comeback.

……

(End of this chapter)