Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 314 Arranged Marriage (Part Two)

Pei Feng stared in surprise, as if he were seeing Pei Xuan for the first time.

Pei Xuan smiled and looked back at her: "What? Don't you recognize me?"

Pei Feng's lips moved, as if he wanted to say something, but he didn't know where to begin.

“You’re good in every way, except you’re a bit old-fashioned.” Pei Xuan continued to lecture and scold her in the tone of an elder sister: “This is already much better than an arranged marriage. Most women in the world don’t know what their husbands look like until their veils are lifted after they get married.”

"Now I can not only see Lu Erlang, but also get engaged and postpone the wedding for a few more years. Even if Lu Erlang has any bad habits, I have plenty of time to discipline him."

"Isn't this good enough?"

This is simply great!

Pei Feng took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "You're right, I was too narrow-minded."

Pei Xuan smiled and rubbed Pei Feng's forehead, which had been reddened from being hit: "You're just worried about me. As your older sister, I appreciate your kindness."

Pei Feng curled his lip: "I was worrying for nothing. You're more cunning than a sieve, and you're even more ruthless in battle than me. How could you possibly suffer a loss?"

The siblings grew up together, inseparable, even closer than blood siblings. Arguments, quarrels, and even physical fights were common occurrences, but they always made up in a short time.

Pei Feng still felt a little awkward, but when he came to greet Lü Erlang in the evening, he finally managed to smile.

Lu Erlang didn't notice at all.

Pei Xuan's smile was so sweet and beautiful that he couldn't take his eyes off her, and he didn't pay any attention to Pei Feng.

That evening, Pei Qinghe specially hosted a banquet for Lü Erlang to welcome him back.

In his letter, Lü Feng expressed his stance, stating that he would send Lü Erlang to the Pei family as a son-in-law, and that the selection of the Pei family's side would be decided by Pei Qinghe.

Just as Pei Xuan said, Lu Erlang had the Fanyang army behind him, as well as five hundred cavalrymen and warhorses as dowry, so he couldn't just choose anyone.

Pei Xuan actively expressed her stance and took the initiative to accept the important task of arranging the marriage. Pei Qinghe was pleased and specially invited Pei Xuan over after the banquet.

“Pei Xuan, this is a major life event for you, not a game. You need to think it through.” Pei Qinghe said gently, “If you don’t like Lu Erlang, there’s no need to force it.”

Pei Xuan raised an eyebrow and smiled: "Brother Lü has horses and soldiers, and he still cares about me. That's great."

Pei Qinghe chuckled: "You really understand now?"

Pei Xuan suppressed her smile and nodded solemnly: "I've thought it through. I'm still young. If we're engaged, we'll get married after I turn eighteen. There are still a few years left, enough time for Second Brother Lü to grow and mature."

Pei Qinghe was amused again and pinched Pei Xuan's delicate cheek with a smile: "It's good that you've thought it through. There's no need to rush the engagement. We can take care of it when we get back to Pei Family Village."

Pei Xuan, that clever girl, rolled her eyes and chuckled softly, "There is an order of seniority. Let's wait until my second sister-in-law is engaged before it's my turn."

Pei Yun and the others had already left, but Mao Hongling lingered, visiting Meng Bing more and more frequently. Xiao Yu'er and Xiao Gou'er would occasionally accompany her.

Everyone wasn't blind; they all noticed something amiss.

Pei Qinghe glanced over with a smile: "Keep it in mind, don't go around spreading rumors."

Pei Xuan grinned and nodded repeatedly.

……

On his first night in Liaoxi City, Lü Erlang spent his time in a blissful dream. When he was awakened by the sound of war drums at dawn the next day, Lü Erlang wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth and quickly got up. Then he went from tent to tent urging, "Get up quickly, it's time for drills!"

Lu Feng repeatedly instructed that once they arrived at Pei's army, they must follow Pei's army rules and get up early every day for drills. Lu Erlang had also given stern warnings and reminders to the soldiers along the way.

The soldiers yawned and grumbled as they dressed, "Getting up so early!" "Are we really going to train all day?"

When the five hundred soldiers lined up at the training ground, the third drumbeat sounded just in time, not a moment too late.

However, the training ground was already packed with people. Everyone was lined up neatly and full of energy.

Lu Erlang subconsciously glanced back. His eyes fell on several listless, yawning soldiers. Feeling both embarrassed and angry, he glared at them fiercely. The soldiers all lowered their heads.

Pei Qinghe appeared on the six-foot-high martial arts training platform.

The soldiers, who had been slightly agitated, immediately quieted down.

Pei Qinghe didn't say much, and announced the start of training as usual.

The first exercise was running.

Each battalion has a hundred men, and many of the vacancies caused by deaths or serious injuries have been filled. With some leaders killed in action, Pei Qinghe has promoted a new batch of leaders from among the veterans over the past two months.

Running is the most common training exercise for soldiers. Fan Yangjun used to run every three to five days, each time covering two or three miles.

They ran a full eight li today. The soldiers were all out of breath, and some even fell behind. But no one dared to complain or utter a sound. Because General Pei was also running.

Which general would train alongside ordinary soldiers?
If a general can run, why can't a common soldier like you run?

How dare they accept military pay?
After running, they lined up for breakfast. General Pei was also in line. Lü Erlang quietly joined the line as well.

Coincidentally, he was standing right behind Pei Xuan.

The Pei family army was known for its excellent food. The hungry soldiers' eyes lit up when they smelled the aroma of steamed buns.

Not only were there steaming hot steamed buns, but the vegetable soup was also surprisingly oily, and you could occasionally find a slice or two of meat.

"Are your meals always this good?" the soldiers asked Pei Xuan as they ate, making slurping noises. Lü Erlang, being slightly more reserved and refined, asked as he ate.

Pei Xuan, though small in stature, had a big appetite. She took two steamed buns the size of an adult man's fist and replied with a smile, "This is just our usual food. We eat meat once every three days. Everyone is looking forward to the martial arts competition at the end of the month. Those who get the top three spots can eat meat for three meals in a row."

Lu Erlang couldn't help but glance at General Pei not far away, and asked in a low voice, "Does the general eat with everyone every day?"

Pei Xuan nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Lu Erlang had mixed feelings.

It was a different story in the Fanyang army. Ordinary soldiers ate the worst food, and going hungry was common. The leaders, on the other hand, could have their own special meals. His father, General Lü, ate meat at every meal. As the general's beloved son, he ate exceptionally well on a daily basis. The steamed buns and vegetable soup in front of him were nothing to him.

Is this the difference between Fanyang Army and Pei Family Army?

Of course, that's far more than that.

After filling their stomachs, they began their day's formal training. They practiced swordsmanship, spear fighting, and archery, as well as formation drills and troop formation changes.

Lu Erlang was dazzled and dumbfounded.

His five leaders were equally dumbfounded.

What do they do?
How should I practice?
This is so different from their previous pretentious drills!!!

The understanding Pei Xuan approached with a smile: "Second Brother Lü, you're new here and not yet familiar with our Pei family army's methods. How about I lead some people to train with you?"

(End of this chapter)