Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 321 Spring Arrives (Part Two)

After a leisurely half-month journey, Mao Hongling and her group finally returned to Peijia Village.

Meng Bing was helped down from the carriage by his personal guards. Looking at the endless wall, he couldn't help but exclaim in amazement, "After a few years, Pei Family Village has changed so much!"

It's like a solid fortress, or a crouching behemoth. It inspires awe at first glance.

Mao Hongling smiled and said, "In recent years, Peijia Village has been expanding, and the walls have been getting higher and higher. Let's go in and take a look!"

Meng Bing nodded happily.

Upon entering Peijia Village, what I saw was completely different from what I remembered. It didn't resemble a military camp; after all, there were men, women, and children, and most families lived together. Unmarried bachelors lived in groups, and the female soldiers did the same.

Mao Hongling found an empty house and let Meng Bing settle in.

The children's clear voices reciting their lessons could be heard. A group of even younger children were laughing and playing in the open space in front of the house.

Here you'll find the lively atmosphere of everyday life, vibrant energy, and a future full of hope.

Meng Bing was completely moved and chuckled softly, "This is truly a wonderful place. No one who comes here wants to leave."

Mao Hongling's eyes sparkled with laughter: "You're right, no matter who comes to Peijia Village, they'd all be willing to stay a while longer."

Meng Bing immediately replied, "I want to stay forever."

Mao Hongling returned to Peijia Village, more confident and composed than ever. She smiled at Meng Bing and said, "If you want to stay here forever, you'll have to show some real skills. You can't just rely on words."

Meng Bing smiled silently: "Let me rest for a few more months. Once I'm fully healed, we'll get married. Then you can test me."

Adult men and women, who are in love with each other and have been engaged, speak much more freely in private. Mao Hongling, who has been a widow for many years, felt her cheeks flush when she suddenly heard such teasing words, and spat.

Meng Bing reached out to shake Mao Hongling's hand.

The instant their fingers touched, it was as if lightning struck, and both of their bodies trembled slightly.

"mother!"

The puppy's barking suddenly rang out.

Mao Hongling reflexively withdrew her hand, and Meng Bing also sat up straight. The little dog, completely oblivious to the tense atmosphere in the room, grinned and said, "Grandma said there's going to be a welcome-back feast for Uncle Meng tonight!"

Mao Hongling replied softly with a smile, "I understand."

Meng Bing's voice was equally gentle: "Please ask the little dog to thank Aunt Feng on my behalf."

To be honest, Meng Bing wasn't much younger than Feng Shi, but they were from different generations. It was a bit awkward no matter how she addressed her.

The puppy was quickly sent away.

Unable to suppress the surging emotions, Meng Bing grasped Mao Hongling's hand again. This time, both of them were calmer, only their clasped hands were hot and trembling.

Meng Bing's slightly large fingers gently caressed Mao Hongling's palm.

Mao Hongling's cheeks burned, and she turned her head to the side, refusing to look him in the eye.

Meng Bing's voice was a little hoarse: "I never thought that I would ever fall in love with a woman."

Initially, it was for the purpose of forming an alliance through marriage. Mao Hongling was the most suitable candidate. When she came to visit, he took the initiative to approach her.

He didn't know when it started, but he truly fell in love.

Adult love is more restrained yet more intense than that of youth. Like a spark about to ignite a wildfire, it burns in the heart. Only the physical injury prevents the hasty marriage. Mao Hongling's ears turned red as she bit her lip, turning to meet Meng Bing's gaze: "My late husband and I were childhood sweethearts, our love was deep. After he died, I felt I couldn't go on living. I contemplated suicide countless times. Later, I pulled through, and my sisters-in-law took in husbands one after another. Occasionally, I also thought about finding someone I clicked with."

"I never imagined that it would be you and me who ended up together."

Meng Bing's gaze grew increasingly intense, and her face drew ever closer.

Mao Hongling met his lips.

After a long while, they finally separated, panting.

"How about we get married soon?" The flame in his heart had not been extinguished, but instead burned brighter and brighter. Meng Bing hugged her and whispered in her ear.

Mao Hongling carefully avoided his wounds and nestled her head against his chest: "Okay."

……

Falling in love with Peijia Village is an incredibly simple thing.

A few days later, a soldier came excitedly to report the good news: "General, a female soldier has taken a liking to me and wants to marry me."

In Pei's army, female soldiers make up about 10% to 20%. No male soldier is unhappy when chosen as a son-in-law. This particular soldier was strong and handsome; within a few days of arriving, a female soldier had already taken a liking to him.

Meng Bing chuckled: "If you're willing, then so be it."

The guards grinned and kept saying, "We're willing. If the general wants to stay, we'll all stay with him. It would be wonderful to have wives."

Having spent over a decade as a bachelor in the army, he thought his final fate would be to die in a battle. Perhaps he wouldn't even have a coffin, his body incomplete, haphazardly buried in some unknown place.

Now he can stay in the peaceful and tranquil Peijia Village, living a life free from worries about food and clothing. He has a wife, and who knows, maybe soon they'll have children. This kind of life is truly something to look forward to!
This soldier's good fortune made the rest of the cavalry extremely envious. They made a point of cleaning themselves up every day, training diligently, and some even shamelessly volunteered to help out in the kitchen. The kitchen had the most women. If luck struck, they might just find a wife!
And sure enough, several more couples formed after that.

In Peijia Village, marriage is quite simple. If a man and woman like each other, they simply inform the other party, apply for an empty house to serve as their bridal chamber, and then they can get married.

"Are there any vacant rooms left?" Meng Bing asked in a low voice.

Mao Hongling sighed softly, "This time, the Pei family army mobilized almost its entire force. The Xiongnu barbarians were driven away, but the Pei family army also suffered extremely heavy casualties. The list of the dead has already been compiled, and many empty houses have been vacated."

This topic is too painful to discuss.

Meng Bing immediately changed the subject: "After we get married, there's no need to prepare a new house. I'll just move into your house."

Mao Hongling smiled and replied with an "okay".

A month later, Meng Bing's injuries had greatly improved. He no longer needed anyone's help and could stroll around Pei Family Village. Every day, he would go to the training ground to watch everyone practice, and then stay in the stable.

Most of the warhorses in the stables had been taken away. The remaining warhorses were either old and weak, or foals that had not yet grown up.

Meng Bing was skilled in training cavalry and also knew how to raise horses. Zhao Hai was with the army in Liaoxi, and many of the stable workers had been taken away, leaving only a few. Meng Bing gave them instructions on raising horses, and they listened with heartfelt admiration.

Mao Hongling jokingly said, "Zhao Hai often followed the general to fight battles. After he leaves, you will be in charge of the stables."

Meng Bing laughed and said, "That's great. Just don't mind the smell of horse on me from now on."

As he spoke, he shamelessly moved closer.

Their breaths mingled, their lips and tongues intertwined, and their two fiercely beating hearts quietly merged.

(End of this chapter)