Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 190 Transformation
After a long, heartfelt conversation, Commander Gao took his leave.

Pei Qinghe personally saw Commander Gao off, and alone in the room, her smile gradually faded.

Commander Gao's words were not unfounded. These remarks today must have been at the behest of Emperor Jian'an. Emperor Jian'an wanted both her to lead the troops and her to serve him.

If you're so optimistic, why don't you just fly to the moon?
Although she managed to get through it, Pei Qinghe felt a surge of resentment. This was a secret she couldn't reveal to Shi Yan, nor could she tell the impulsive Pei Yan. Otherwise, given Pei Yan's temper, she would definitely clench her fists and give Commander Gao a good beating.

Knock knock knock!
Pei Qinghe got up to open the door, and there was Mao Hongling.

"Second sister-in-law, you've come at the perfect time," Pei Qinghe muttered under her breath.

Mao Hongling was furious: "Back then, the Pei family was raided and beheaded because of the Crown Prince, and the whole family, young and old, were exiled. The Prince gave some silver and sent a few guards, and that's considered an immense favor?"

"You've worked hard for years to build the Pei family army. The emperor hasn't given you a single penny for military expenses, so how dare you expect the Pei family army to be loyal to you?"

"Wanting both! Pshaw! Shameless!"

Pei Qinghe felt relieved: "Truly shameless! A mere imperial edict and a paltry military rank, and they think they can make me risk my life? They're dreaming."

"Now is not the time to tear off the mask of civility. Let's just appease them for now. Once the Pei family army has grown stronger and more powerful... Hmph!"

All the unspoken words were contained in that cold snort.

Mao Hongling poured Pei Qinghe a bowl of tea, which Pei Qinghe drank in one gulp, calming her anger slightly.

“No wonder you haven’t gone to the Shi family to propose marriage.” Mao Hongling also realized what was going on and said in a low voice, “Men are very narrow-minded. Once you and Shi Yan are engaged, the Emperor will be unhappy and I don’t know what he will do.”

"My great-aunt and grandmother are both in Bohai County, so we can't afford to break ties. For now, we can only delay it."

Pei Qinghe nodded slightly: "Shi Yan knows what's important and has no complaints."

Mao Hongling suddenly chuckled: "All the women of the Pei family are brought into the family as sons-in-law. Not only do people not dare to ridicule or mock them, but they also send their young and handsome nephews and nieces to the Pei family army. A few years ago, who would have thought that such a day would come?"

Pei Qinghe relaxed her brows and asked with a smile, "Do you like this situation?"

Mao Hongling nodded without hesitation: "Of course I like it. We've worked so hard, and now we're finally living the good life that only men can have."

The two women, aunt and sister-in-law, exchanged a smile.

Pei Qinghe chuckled casually, "The puppy is growing up every day. If you have a man you like, just bring him in. Look at how well Sister-in-law Shulan and Sister-in-law Zhou are doing, aren't they?"

Mao Hongling nodded subconsciously: "I'll tell you when I find someone I like."

Upon hearing this, Mao Hongling herself was somewhat stunned, and couldn't help but sigh: "Back then, I wanted to hang myself and reunite with your second brother in the underworld."

"You saved me, you scolded me awake. I survived for my son."

“I still love the puppy very much, and I haven’t forgotten your second brother. But I don’t know when it started, I’ve started to have the idea of ​​finding a son-in-law to live with me.”

She had secretly vowed to remain faithful to her deceased husband for the rest of her life. But in just a few years, her mindset had changed, and she felt truly ashamed.

Pei Qinghe grasped Mao Hongling's hand and said solemnly, "People should look forward and move forward. You've been a widow for your second brother for four years, it's time to let go."

Tears welled in Mao Hongling's eyes, and she choked up slightly, "Qinghe, can I really let go?"

“Of course.” Pei Qinghe squeezed Mao Hongling’s hand tightly: “The hardships are over. From now on, we will all live for ourselves.”

Tears welled up in Mao Hongling's eyes, but the corners of her mouth turned up, and she nodded vigorously: "Okay, I'll listen to you."

Boom boom boom!
A rude knocking sounded, accompanied by Pei Yan's loud voice: "Dinner's ready!"

Pei Qinghe smiled and responded. Mao Hongling wiped her tears with her sleeve and went out with Pei Qinghe. The sun was setting, and the sky was ablaze with red clouds, like a splendid ribbon or a spilled painting.

Pei Yan muttered, "What were you two whispering about behind my back?"

Pei Qinghe replied in a serious tone, "My second sister-in-law and I have discussed it and will pick an auspicious day as soon as possible so that you can marry Yang Huai."

Pei Yan immediately slipped away, running faster than a rabbit.

Mao Hongling was amused and kept laughing: "She can't stand the word 'marriage' at all now."

Pei Qinghe smiled, revealing her teeth: "You'll get used to it after listening to it a few more times."

……

Two days later, Commander Gao and his entourage set off.

Pei Qinghe had provisions prepared for the journey and sent several boxes of gold, silver and jade artifacts: "Please have Commander Gao present these to the Emperor, saying that this is a token of the Pei family's goodwill, and we ask that Your Majesty accept it with a smile."

"The elders of the Pei family are all in Bohai County. I hope Commander Gao will take care of them in the future."

Cannibals are soft and short.

Commander Gao responded with a smile.

Ji Province and You Province are adjacent. The group, carrying the banner of the Emperor's personal guard, was avoided by bandits and refugees along the way. Occasionally, a bold refugee dared to rush over, but was ruthlessly driven away or killed on the spot by Commander Gao and his men.

More than half a month later, Commander Gao returned to Bohai County.

Emperor Jian'an was originally holding a meeting with his ministers when he learned that Commander Gao had returned. His mind was in turmoil, so he quickly dismissed the ministers and hurriedly summoned Commander Gao.

"What was Pei Liu's reaction when you read the imperial edict?" The nineteen-year-old emperor, at this moment, was just like an ordinary young man, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Commander Gao answered truthfully: "Sixth Miss Pei was overjoyed. After receiving the imperial decree, she bowed in the direction of the palace to express her gratitude."

As a subject deeply grateful for the Emperor's grace, it is only natural to express my gratitude, and there is nothing unusual about it.

Emperor Jian'an, however, found a unique kind of pleasure in this ordinary gesture, and a smile bloomed in his eyes: "Good, as long as she's happy."

He then inquired in detail about the situation of Pei's army.

Commander Gao recounted what he had seen: "...The Pei family army trains every day and obeys orders without question; they are truly elite troops."

"Sixth Miss Pei... no, it should be General Pei. She is extremely prestigious in the Pei family army. Everyone admires and respects her."

A distant image of a young girl flashed through Emperor Jian'an's mind, and he suddenly sighed softly, "It has been more than four years since we parted. I have almost forgotten what she looks like."

Commander Gao thought to himself, "Who are you trying to fool! Wasn't that portrait of the young girl hidden in the secret room of the study painted by Your Majesty yourself?"

"Gao Yong, she can change her appearance now?"

Commander Gao snapped out of his reverie and replied in a low voice, "General Pei is seventeen years old this year, full of vigor and with an imposing presence." Then, he called someone in.

This is a painter who disguised himself as a member of the emperor's personal guard. After spending several days with the Pei family army, he secretly painted a portrait of Pei Qinghe.

The scroll was presented to Emperor Jian'an.

Emperor Jian'an's hands trembled slightly. He composed himself and opened the scroll.

(End of this chapter)