Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 313 Arranged Marriage (Part 1)

"We've finally arrived in western Liaoning."

"From now on, we will all follow General Pei and become the Pei family army."

"Hehe... Ugh!"

Suddenly a gust of wind swept up a cloud of dust. Lu Erlang, who was grinning broadly, had a mouthful of dust in his mouth and spat it out forcefully.

Their disheveled appearance caught the eye of Pei Xuan and Pei Feng, who were riding up on horseback. The siblings giggled.

Lu Erlang was at the age when he was most proud and concerned about his image. Hearing the clear and cheerful laughter, he felt both ashamed and annoyed, and suddenly straightened his chest. Taking advantage of his height, he looked down at Lu Erlang with arrogance.

Then, my gaze froze.

The girl on the red horse had almond-shaped eyes, cherry lips, and fair skin. She had two small dimples when she smiled, and she was both sweet and charming.

He couldn't take his eyes off it.

Pei Feng quickly suppressed his smile, his handsome face hardening into a cold expression: "Is that Young Master Lü of the Fanyang Army?"

Coming to his senses in front of Lü Erlang, he cupped his hands and replied, "That's right, my full name is Lü Sheng. I'm nineteen this year, a few years older than you, so you can just call me Brother Lü Er."

This guy is quite shameless; he even brought up Brother Lü the moment he opened his mouth.

Which scallion? Which garlic? Whose second brother is he?!
Pei Feng inwardly grumbled and complained, but replied indifferently, "The general sent us to respond. Please, Young Master Lü, come with us into Liaoxi City."

Pei Xuan smiled sweetly and said, "Brother Lü, please come with us!"

Upon hearing the name "Brother Lü Er," Lü Erlang unconsciously grinned, feeling as if his bones had instantly lightened. The fatigue of the long journey vanished, and he cheerfully responded.

When Pei Feng turned his horse around, he rolled his eyes dramatically.

Pei Xuan saw this and laughed with delight.

The arrival of five hundred horses into the city was quite a commotion, immediately attracting much attention. The bloodshed of war had faded away, and now Liaoxi City was bustling with people coming and going, and the streets were filled with shouts and noise, making it a lively place.

"Where did these horses come from? Are they here to seek refuge with our general?"

"Is there even a question? The entire Youzhou, no, the entire North, depends on our general's protection. Anyone with eyes and ambition would want to come and pledge allegiance to our general!"

When the people mentioned their General Pei, they stood up straight with pride.

During this period, General Pei took over the original Liaoxi Army and vigorously rectified military discipline. The soldiers drilled and memorized military regulations from morning till night, having neither the time nor the energy to disturb the civilians. The people in Liaoxi City also became bolder, daring to point and whisper about the soldiers riding warhorses.

This was also the first time Lü Erlang had experienced such a scene. In the past, wherever their Fanyang army went, the people would flee as if they were tigers and wolves, and would run away at the mere sight of their army flag.

It's truly a rare sight to be stared at like this, like a giant monkey.

Lu Erlang didn't seem offended at all; he remained solemn and unwilling to lose face.

The five hundred somewhat undisciplined soldiers also straightened their chests.

The group arrived outside the prefectural governor's mansion, which was being used as a military camp.

Pei Xuan and Pei Feng dismounted first and bowed to the dashing Pei Qinghe, saying, "General, the Fanyang army has arrived."

This is General Pei?!
They don't look as imposing as that tall, dark-skinned female warrior!
Upon first meeting Pei Qinghe, Lü Erlang muttered to himself, quickly dismounted, and respectfully and eagerly bowed, saying, "Lü Sheng greets the General!" Pei Qinghe smiled slightly, "We're all on the same side, no need for such formalities."

His gaze swept across the room, and he was about to instruct Pei Feng to take men to settle him down when Pei Xuan stepped forward first: "General, I will take Brother Lü Er to settle him down."

Lu Erlang felt as light as a feather, and he grinned from ear to ear.

Pei Qinghe raised an eyebrow, glanced at Pei Xuan's smiling face, and nodded slightly: "Alright. Once everything is settled, bring Lü Sheng to see me."

Pei Xuan bowed and accepted the order.

Pei Feng, having nothing else to do, voluntarily went along.

Lu Feng's letter arrived a few days ago. Accommodation had already been prepared in the military camp. Pei Xuan led Lu Erlang to the tent: "We won't be staying in Liaoxi City for long; we'll be returning next spring. The accommodations here are temporary and rather simple. Please don't mind, Lu Erlang, make do for a few months."

Pei Xuan was not tall, only reaching Lu Erlang's chest. She had a sweet smile and was charming and adorable.

Lü Erlang was so engrossed in his conversation that he kept laughing and saying, "It's not simple at all, it's very nice here."

Pei Feng couldn't help but roll his eyes again.

Pei Xuan glanced over without showing any emotion. Pei Feng had no choice but to restrain himself and said calmly, "Young Master Lü has come from afar, please settle down and rest for two hours first. We will meet the general this evening."

There are a total of twenty military tents. How to arrange accommodations is up to Lü Erlang.

These five hundred soldiers were all elite troops from the Fanyang army, and logically and emotionally they were under the command of Lü Erlang.

After leaving the military tent, Pei Feng couldn't help but complain, "Lu Feng is alright, but his brother seems like an idiot. Ouch! Why did you hit me on the head?"

Pei Xuan gave him another slap without any politeness: "The Fanyang army surrendered to our Pei family army and even sent five hundred warhorses and cavalry. Just for that sincerity, they should show some respect and courtesy to Lu Erlang. What's wrong with you today? You're giving people the cold shoulder everywhere you go!"

Pei Feng rubbed his forehead, his tone revealing his annoyance: "That Lu Erlang, he's been eyeing you ever since he arrived, with those shifty eyes. I'm being quite magnanimous by not hitting him!"

Pei Xuan glanced at Pei Feng: "Why didn't you beat up Song Xue when she came to the military camp that day?"

Pei Feng: "..."

Upon hearing Song Xue's name, Pei Feng immediately felt guilty, his gaze darting around to avoid meeting Pei Xuan's eyes; "How can they be the same?"

"How is it different?" Pei Xuan glared at him without any politeness: "They are all trying to form a marriage alliance with our Pei family because of the general's prestige."

"Song Xue will marry into the Pei family and become a son-in-law of the Pei family. The Pingyang Army and our Pei family army have formed an alliance, and the Fanyang Army has directly joined the Pei family army, even changing their military flag. From this point of view, Lü Erlang will truly be one of our own from now on. We should get closer to him."

"You're unhappy because you feel I was taken advantage of, right? Lu Erlang brought five hundred cavalry and warhorses as dowry, and by taking him as his son-in-law, he can easily swallow up all these troops. I'm the one who benefited."

Pei Feng was stunned: "You really fell for Lu Erlang?"

Pei Xuan rolled her eyes and reached out to tap Pei Feng's forehead again: "I told you before, if there are enough benefits, I'm willing to form a marriage alliance."

"Lu Erlang is Lu Feng's younger brother. He brought troops to the Pei family army, showing great sincerity. Our Pei family must choose a capable and influential young lady to marry into the Lu family. Otherwise, it won't be a marriage, but a humiliation. Pei Zhi and Yang Hu are already engaged. Who else can we choose besides me?"

There are still quite a few unmarried girls in the Pei family. However, there are not many whose social status matches that of Lü Erlang. Apart from Pei Zhi, there is only her.

(End of this chapter)