Chapter 323: Return
“Big Brother, you’ve finally come back!”
Half a month later, within Shi Family Fortified Village, Shi Li’s surprised voice rang out: “From last year until now, it’s been over half a year since I’ve seen you.”
Two naughty boys who looked exactly alike pulled Shi Yan’s hand from left and right, endlessly calling “Big Uncle, Big Uncle.” Another even younger young child also wobbled over to join in the fun.
After Wang Mengyi married into the Shi Family, she gave birth to a pair of twins, breaking the Shi Family’s curse of only one male heir per generation for three generations. Two years ago, she gave birth to another son.
Old Master Shi held his three precious great-grandsons in his arms all day, chuckling happily, having long cast the outgoing Shi Yan to the back of his mind.
Old Master Shi doted on his great-grandsons, but Wang Mengyi, as their mother, never spoiled the children. Seeing the children being naughty and making trouble, Wang Mengyi’s face darkened slightly: “All of you, come here.”
The three naughty boys immediately behaved, obediently retreating to their mother’s side.
Shi Yan chuckled: “Cousin, you’ve become even more powerful now!”
The once pampered young lady of the Wang Family was now not only the matriarch of the Shi Family but also managed two embroidery shops and four clothing stores.
The Pei Family Army’s military banners all came from Wang Mengyi’s embroidery shops. Those four clothing stores specialized in supplying military uniforms, shoes, and socks to the Pei Family Army. With the Pei Family Army continuously expanding, Wang Mengyi’s clothing stores naturally prospered more and more.
Last year, the Xiongnu barbarians suffered a major defeat and fled back to the grassland in disarray. The Liaoxi Army and Fanyang Army both came under the Pei Family Army’s banner. Wang Mengyi immediately prepared large quantities of military uniforms and sent them to Liaoxi City, which proved very useful. The soldiers of the Liaoxi Army all changed into brand-new military uniforms, and the newly recruited soldiers also received uniforms. In addition, Wang Mengyi sent people to open branches in Fanyang Commandery and Liaoxi Commandery.
Nowadays, Wang Mengyi was a renowned merchant in Youzhou whose name was well-known. When her name came up, merchants all had to give a thumbs-up and praise her as powerful.
Wang Mengyi smiled: “Cousin, don’t laugh at me. In front of Cousin, all the merchants in Youzhou have to bow their heads in admiration. Who would dare claim to be powerful?”
Shi Yan, as the Head Steward of the Pei Family Army, was no joke. The taxes from all the commanderies and counties passed through his hands, and the various supplies the Pei Family Army purchased amounted to an enormous sum. More importantly, General Pei was reasonably benevolent to the merchants and did not kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. He paid silver for goods, even leaving some profit.
Even without profit, being able to connect with the Pei Family Army brought a tangible improvement in status and an extra layer of security for the family. Merchants within Youzhou flocked to it, everyone wanting to build connections and friendship with Chief Steward Shi.
Last year, when the good news of General Pei’s marriage spread, the Shi Family was almost overwhelmed by a constant stream of distinguished guests at the door.
Old Master Shi was delighted but also somewhat heartbroken for Shi Yan. With no outsiders around, he muttered softly: “You didn’t say a word before, and suddenly got married in Liaoxi City. The wedding was too simple.”
Shi Yan smiled: “I never planned on it originally. That Son of Heaven in Bohai Commandery suddenly lost his mind and came up with the foolish move of issuing an imperial decree for a marriage. Killing people all the time isn’t a method, so the General simply got married, letting me enter the Pei Family as son-in-law and completely dashing the Son of Heaven’s hopes.”
Mentioning the deranged Emperor Jian’an, Old Master Shi’s mouth nearly twisted to the sky: “I’ve lived for decades through four reigns, and I’ve never seen such an outrageous Son of Heaven. A hero like General Pei fights desperately to protect the common people. The Son of Heaven doesn’t reward him—that’s one thing—but to stab him in the back, fantasizing about making General Pei an Imperial Consort. Bah!”
“Anyone with a brain wouldn’t do such a despicable thing!”
Shi Li was also indignant: “Such a vile act is revolting. Fortunately, General Pei ignored it and killed Assistant Minister Han and Director Ma. I say, he should have simply killed Chancellor Pang along with them.”
Shi Yan glanced over: “You can’t say such things carelessly. General Pei is loyal to the sovereign and loves the country, never doing anything rebellious. Assistant Minister Han and Director Ma both died at the hands of bandits. Chancellor Pang arrived a few days late too—the imperial decree came late, and by then General Pei had already taken me in as son-in-law. The matter was done and couldn’t be changed.”
At this point, prestige and reputation were ever more important, and everything had to be done rightfully and with justification.
In short, General Pei acted impeccably, with nothing to criticize.
Shi Li grinned and changed his tune with a smile: “Today, we brothers reunite after a long separation. I got excited and spoke nonsense. Rest assured, I never say such things outside.”
Old Master Shi suddenly coughed and said: “The General is training troops in Liaoxi and couldn’t come back with you. Our Shi Family’s relatives and friends have all been waiting for you. In a few days, I’ll host a few banquets to celebrate your happy event.”
Old Master Shi’s mood was much like that of the bride’s family after a grand marriage—both joyful and with a touch of regret. He was fully focused on giving his grandson some face.
At least he had to have the relatives and friends come drink wedding wine!
For these harmless little matters, Shi Yan went along with his grandfather, nodding with a smile: “Good, I’ll listen to Grandfather.”
Old Master Shi’s spirits lifted greatly at once, and he smiled broadly: “Don’t worry about these trivial matters. Rest well.”
Shi Li immediately picked up: “Grandfather will decide the guest list for the wedding banquet, and I’ll handle the rest.”
……
The Shi Family didn’t publicize it deliberately, but the news of Shi Yan’s return still spread at astonishing speed. Starting from the second day, guests came one after another to visit Shi Yan.
Families on good terms with the Shi Family, merchants wanting to supply the Pei Family Army, those coming to build friendship—even Prefect Tang of Yan Prefecture came in person.
From morning to night, Shi Yan had no idle moments.
Old Master Shi was both proud and heartbroken. Only after the guests left could he speak some private grandfather-grandson words with Shi Yan: “You’re so busy every day—can your body handle it?”
Shi Yan smiled in response: “I’m used to being busy in the barracks every day. I can manage this much.”
Still, the saying held: one must bear the weight to wear the crown. Shi Yan was no ordinary son-in-law. With Pei Qinghe at the highest position in Youzhou, Shi Yan was the genuine Head Steward of the Pei Family Army, standing equally high, and had to handle all sorts of trivial affairs.
If he were truly sidelined and idle, that would be a major problem.
Old Master Shi understood the reasoning but still ached for his grandson’s health: “No matter what, you must take care of your body.”
Shi Yan had been frail and sickly since childhood, and Old Master Shi had spent endless effort raising him to adulthood.
Old Master Shi didn’t say it aloud, but he treasured Shi Yan like the pupil of his eye.
Shi Yan was moved, saying softly: “Grandfather, rest assured. For Grandfather’s sake, I’ll definitely take good care of my body.”
Old Master Shi rolled his eyes: “I’m just an old bag of bones—what do you care about me for? You must do it for the General, for the Pei Family Army, and take good care of yourself.”
Then, with a cough, he vaguely asked: “How are things between you and the General?”
