Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 179 A way out
Pei Yan, who had been entertaining distinguished guests for half a day, pushed open the door and fell back onto Pei Qinghe's bed, letting out a satisfied sigh: "Finally, this day is over."

Pei Qinghe, who was looking down at a military book, looked up and asked with a casual smile, "What? Did Yang Huai say something nasty or sarcastic?"

Pei Yan pouted: "He doesn't have the guts, he just keeps giving me the cold shoulder. When have I, Pei Yan, ever been bullied! Today I didn't hold back at all, and every word I said made him look ugly."

He recounted the day's events with great enthusiasm, his eyebrows practically flying up as he spoke with pride.

Pei Qinghe put down the military book, listening with great interest, and added a compliment: "In our Pei family army, only you can handle this arrogant young General Yang."

Pei Yan chuckled smugly.

Pei Qinghe naturally instructed, "You will be in charge of taking care of him for the next few days."

Pei Yan was overjoyed by the compliment and agreed without much thought: "Don't worry, leave it to me."

Pei Qinghe smiled, picked up the military book, and continued reading. Pei Yan flipped off the bed with a somersault and sat down at the table to read the military book with Pei Qinghe.

Before a cup of tea could be brewed, snoring began to ring in Pei Qinghe's ears.

Pei Qinghe was both amused and exasperated, and gave him a push: "Go sleep on the bed."

Pei Yan responded drowsily, then climbed onto the bed as if in a dream and continued to sleep soundly.

Knock knock knock!
A soft knock sounded on the door.

Pei Qinghe got up to open the door, and standing outside was her cousin, Pei Yun.

When Pei Yan is asleep, even setting off firecrackers won't wake her. The two sisters can chat anywhere; there's no need to find another place. Pei Qinghe picked up the kettle and poured Pei Yun a glass of warm water: "When do you plan to go back to Changping County?"

Pei Yun smiled and said, "No rush. It's a rare opportunity to come back, so I'd like to stay a little longer."

The Fanyang army suffered a major defeat, and the Pei family army became famous. Who would dare to provoke them?
Pei Qinghe smiled and nodded slightly: "Then stay a few more days."

Pei Yun asked softly, "How are your great-aunts doing in Bohai County?"

Pei Qinghe took out several letters: "These are all letters written by my great-aunt. Take a look for yourself."

Pei Yun carefully read the letter once, and when she saw that Meng Liulang and Prime Minister Pang's youngest daughter were engaged, she couldn't help but look up at Pei Qinghe: "The Meng family and the Pang family are united by marriage. One is a civil official and the other is a military one. Both are trusted confidants of the emperor. If the two families join forces, they may be able to share the spoils with the Zhang family."

Pei Qinghe said calmly, "If you think that way, you're underestimating General Zhang. Even if the Meng and Pang families join forces, they can't defeat the Zhang family."

Pei Yun was somewhat surprised: "I didn't expect you to be so wary of the Zhang family!"

Pei Qinghe twitched the corners of her mouth, but there was no smile in her eyes.

In her past life, she died while chasing Bohai Navy soldiers. The arrow in her back, delivered by one of her trusted subordinates, could hardly be unrelated to Zhang Shi.

She was determined to avenge this blood feud. However, the time was not yet ripe. The Pei family army was no match for the Bohai Navy.

Pei Yun continued reading the letter, and after finishing, she said in a low voice, "They are in Bohai County. General Zhang thinks he has hostages in his hands, so he is not so afraid of our Pei family army. The Emperor is also trying to win us over and appease us."

Pei Qinghe remained silent for a moment, then sighed softly, "Grandmother truly wanted to go and seek refuge with them. It seems that Great-Aunt and the others had intended to use themselves as bait from the very beginning."

When they left, they left behind all the children and young women under the age of sixty.

Pei Yun felt a heavy weight in her heart, tinged with bitterness.

The topic was rather heavy, and Pei Qinghe didn't want to elaborate, so she quickly changed the subject: "You're three years older than me, you're already twenty this year. How about we settle things down and give you a proper title this year?"

Everyone knew that Doctor Bao was deeply in love with Pei Yun and had been silently waiting to marry into her family. Instead of answering, Pei Yun asked, "When do you plan to give Steward Shi a formal title?"

Pei Qinghe chuckled: "If you don't want to get married, just say so. Why are you dragging me into this?"

Pei Yun smiled and sighed, "I'm just too busy. I don't have time to think about romance at all."

Isn't it?

Pei Qinghe felt a pang of sympathy: "Every day, the moment I open my eyes, it's all about training the troops. I have to be involved in everything, big or small. I wish I had two more mouths and four more arms. How could I possibly have time to get married?"

Pei Yan turned over in bed and continued snoring.

Pei Yun glanced at it with a smile, then suddenly asked in a low voice with a laugh, "Why did you send Pei Yan to greet Yang Huai today?"

Pei Qinghe chuckled: "Pei Yan is so silly, she didn't realize anything was wrong. But you were the first to notice."

He picked up General Yang's letter and handed it to Pei Yun.

After reading it, Pei Yun chuckled incessantly: "General Yang has always wanted to form an alliance with our Pei family army. Seeing that he couldn't compete with Chief Steward Shi, he simply changed his mind and sent someone else."

"Speaking of which, Yang Huai is indeed quite good. He comes from a military family, is skilled in martial arts, and knows how to lead troops and fight battles. He is tall, strong, and sturdy, and he is a good match for Pei Yan standing next to her."

Pei Qinghe nodded: "He knew General Yang's intentions, but he still came to carry out the order. It shows that he is a person who knows what is important and is aware of his own limitations. If Pei Yan likes him, it would be fine to take him in as a son-in-law. If Pei Yan is not perceptive or unwilling, then let's give up."

Pei Yun turned her head to look at Pei Yan, who was sleeping like a log on the bed, and smiled.

……

The next morning, Pei Qinghe saw General Lü and the others off from Pei Family Village.

During his captivity, Pei Qinghe did not mistreat the soldiers of Fanyang Army, providing them with two meals a day. General Lü lived alone in a room, and each meal included an extra dish.

This was all bought with over ten thousand taels of silver and five hundred warhorses!
General Lü felt a sharp pain in his heart whenever he thought of these things. Everything he ate tasted bland and tasteless.

Fortunately, Pei Qinghe kept his word. He accepted the silver and warhorses yesterday and let them leave early this morning. He even thoughtfully prepared several days' worth of dry rations for them.

As for weapons, they were all confiscated.

Pei Qinghe said in a pleasant tone, "General Lü led more than 500 men back to the Fanyang military camp. Along the way, no bandits or thieves dared to disturb them."

General Lü forced a stiff smile, swallowing his resentment, anger, and unwillingness: "Miss Pei has been kind enough to allow me to bring my men back to the camp today. I, Lü Xian, will remember this kindness forever."

Pei Qinghe did not turn on him and killed him; instead, she let him go, which shows she kept her promise.

This is indeed a kindness, and I cannot refuse it.

Pei Qinghe smiled leisurely and said, "If we meet on the battlefield someday and I fall into General Lü's hands, I hope that General Lü will remember the kindness shown to me today and give me a way out as well."

General Lü's heart was pierced and bleeding, but he barely managed to agree. He hastily bowed and took his leave. Don't utter any harsh words; a defeated general is worse than a stray dog. Hurry up and leave with your tail between your legs!

Holding his breath, he walked for five miles.

General Lü originally wanted to speak to boost morale, but when he turned his head and saw the mournful look on everyone's faces, grief welled up in his heart and tears silently rolled down his cheeks.

(End of this chapter)