Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 306 Fate of Marriage (Part Two)

Pei Qinghe was both amused and exasperated, glaring at Pei Yan: "Don't be ridiculous. General Meng disregarded his leg ailment and took the initiative to lead troops to reinforce, which deserves everyone's respect. Even if he's to stay, it has to be someone he's willing to stay. Don't give me any bad ideas! And you absolutely mustn't disrespect General Meng!"

Pei Yan was used to being scolded and didn't take it to heart at all. She chuckled and spoke the truth again: "Then let's have a marriage alliance! Just like Yang Huai, he can marry into the Pei family and naturally stay in the Pei family army."

Pei Qinghe smiled and glanced at Mao Hongling: "That's a good idea. But it depends on whether anyone takes a fancy to General Meng, or whether General Meng is interested in anyone."

Pei Yun suppressed a laugh and solemnly echoed, "General Meng is thirty years old this year. He is good at training troops and fighting battles, and he is a good person. Although he has a leg ailment, he is still a hero."

“His status cannot be too low, otherwise he will not be worthy of General Meng.” Pei Qinghe pondered seriously: “Also, I heard that General Meng was injured before and cannot have children. If we are to arrange a marriage, it would be best to choose a Pei family woman who has children.”

Pei Yan belatedly realized and exclaimed, "Why do we need to look for her? My second sister-in-law is the perfect candidate!"

Mao Hongling couldn't sit still any longer. She coughed and stood up, saying, "I suddenly remembered I have some things to take care of, so I'll go and get back to work."

Amidst the knowing laughter of Pei Qinghe and the others, they quickly left the military tent.

Pei Qinghe and Pei Yun exchanged a smile.

Pei Yan realized something: "Wait, did I miss something? Second Sister-in-law has only been in Liaoxi City for ten days, and she's already hooked up with General Meng... Oh dear!"

Pei Qinghe withdrew her hand: "Don't talk nonsense!"

Pei Yan finally shut up obediently.

Pei Qinghe chuckled softly, "General Meng has been recuperating, and my second sister-in-law has visited him a few times. Whether they have met privately or not, I don't know."

Meng Dalang was a widower, and Mao Hongling was a widow; one was in his thirties, and the other was in her twenties. One was a military officer in the Beiping army, and the other was the third-ranking figure in the Pei family army, stationed in Yan County year-round. They were a perfect match in every way.

Things between men and women aren't that complicated. Sometimes, a thought, a glance, and attraction happen in an instant.

……

Mao Hongling walked quickly a long way, her face and the back of her ears burning.

In fact, many of Pei's wives had taken in sons-in-law. Bian Shulan set a good example, and Zhou and others followed suit one after another. Now, about half of them are still widows.

Her husband had been dead for over six years, and even the deepest affection of the past had faded with the passage of time. Now that Pei Qinghe, Pei Yun, and Pei Yan were all married, her long-lonely heart began to stir again.

When she first went to see Meng Dalang, she didn't think much of it; it was just a friendly, ordinary visit.

Meng Dalang watched her quietly, listened attentively to what she was saying, and then smiled at her.

The moment their eyes met, her heart suddenly raced.

For adult men and women, some things don't need to be said aloud. A single glance is enough for them to understand each other's thoughts.

At night, she tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep, like a pancake on a hot pan. After two days of enduring the heat, she went to visit Meng Dalang again.

Meng Dalang remained silent, but his gaze towards her became even more ardent.

Later, she was busy during the day and had no free time, so she went twice after dinner.

After arriving, I kept a distance of more than six feet and talked about trivial matters concerning post-war compensation and military affairs. I never uttered a single inappropriate word.

Unexpectedly, even this seemingly trivial matter was noticed by the newlywed Pei Qinghe...

Mao Hongling reached out and touched her burning face.

"mother!"

A fair-skinned, handsome boy rushed over excitedly.

Mao Hongling quickly snapped out of her daze and hugged the bouncing puppy into her arms: "Why are you all sweaty?"

The puppy grinned and said, "I just rode my pony." Then, he excitedly told his mother about his new chestnut pony.

Xiao Yu'er, with her delicate features, came over with a smile and called out, "Second Aunt."

Xiaoyu'er's biological mother faked her death and escaped during her exile. Orphaned, Xiaoyu'er was raised by Madam Feng and developed a deep bond with her dog, Xiaogou'er, who was her constant companion.

Mao Hongling was busy training troops during the day and studying military texts at night, so she didn't have much time to spend with her children. She gently called Xiaoyu'er over: "Do you have a horse?"

Xiaoyu smiled and said, "I have a white horse."

The puppy said with a grin, "Sister Yu'er's white horse is taller and stronger than my pony. Her riding skills are also much better than mine."

Xiaoyu smiled, revealing her small, white teeth: "I'm two years older than you, so it's only natural that my riding skills are a little better."

"Second Aunt, where are you going now? We'll go with you."

The puppy nodded repeatedly.

Looking at the two children, Mao Hongling blurted out, almost as if possessed, "I'm going to visit General Meng."

The words had barely left my mouth when I felt a sudden heat behind my ear.

Little Yu'er and Little Dog didn't notice anything amiss at all. They happily said "Oh," and grabbed Mao Hongling's hands on their left and right.

Once the words are spoken, they can't be taken back.

Mao Hongling had no choice but to take her two children to visit Meng Dalang.

Meng Dalang was slowly walking with the help of his personal guards. When he heard the familiar footsteps, his brows relaxed and he turned around with a smile.

"General Meng," Mao Hongling met his gentle, smiling gaze, "Are you feeling better today?"

Meng Dalang smiled and replied, "With someone helping me, I can walk around the house a couple of times." He paused and then added, "My full name is Meng Bing, you can just call me by my name."

Mao Hongling gave a soft "hmm" and gestured for the two children to step forward: "Xiaoyu'er, Xiaogou'er, come and pay your respects to General Meng."

The two children bowed respectfully, saying, "Greetings, General Meng."

Xiaoyu'er was slender and pretty, while Xiaogou'er was fair-skinned and handsome. Standing side by side, they looked like a perfect couple, instantly pleasing to the eye.

Meng Bing smiled and spoke to the two children, then asked her personal guards to bring over some dried meat.

No child is immune to temptation. The puppy glanced at it quickly, then looked away and said seriously, "I'm not hungry. General, save these treats for yourself."

Clever, quick-witted, and adorable.

Meng Bing laughed: "Just call me Uncle Meng! It's from your uncle, so just take it."

The puppy looked at its mother, who nodded slightly, and the puppy politely thanked her. It took the dried meat and generously offered half to Xiao Yu'er.

Meng Bing smiled and praised Mao Hongling, "You've raised your child very well."

Mao Hongling smiled and sighed softly, "It's embarrassing to say. I, his own mother, am busy all day long, so it's my mother-in-law who takes care of him."

Feng was Pei Zhongde's second wife, and in terms of age, she was only seven or eight years older than her daughter-in-law, Mao. Mao Hongling respected Feng very much, and they got along harmoniously, even more so than biological mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

The little dog is Pei Qinghe's nephew, and his status in the Pei family is different from that of others.

Meng Bing thought of his deceased daughter, his eyes darkened, and he said in a low voice, "I have lived half my life, and the people I owe the most to are my deceased wife and daughter."

The pain of losing a loved one can only be understood by those who have experienced it.

(End of this chapter)