Chapter 313: Marriage Alliance
“Finally arrived in Liaoxi.”
“From now on, we’ll all follow General Pei and be part of the Pei Family Army.”
“Hehe… ah, ptoo!”
Suddenly a gust of wild wind kicked up a large cloud of dust. Lu Erlang, who had been grinning widely, got a mouthful of dirt and spat it out forcefully.
His disheveled appearance caught the eyes of Pei Xuan and Pei Feng, who were riding over on horseback. The siblings burst into giggles.
Lu Erlang was at the age when his self-esteem was strongest and he cared most about face. Hearing the clear, cheerful laughter, he felt both embarrassed and annoyed. He suddenly straightened his chest. Taking advantage of his height, he looked down arrogantly.
Then, his gaze froze.
The girl on the red fine horse had almond eyes and cherry lips, fair skin, and when she smiled, she had two small dimples, both sweet and charming.
He simply couldn’t look away.
Pei Feng quickly restrained his smile, his handsome face tightening into a very cold expression: “Is that Lu Erlang of the Fanyang Army opposite?”
Lu Erlang came back to his senses and bowed with folded hands: “It is I. My full name is Lu Sheng. I’m nineteen this year, a few years older than you in name only. You can just call me Lu Erlang.”
This one’s face was quite thick; he even called himself Second Brother right from the start.
Who the hell are you, Second Brother!
Pei Feng internally complained and ranted wildly, feeling quite disdainful. He responded coolly: “The general sent us to meet you. Please, Young Master Lu Erlang, follow us into Liaoxi City.”
Pei Xuan smiled especially sweetly: “Lu Erlang, come with us!”
Hearing “Lu Erlang,” Lu Erlang unconsciously grinned, his bones instantly feeling three taels lighter. The fatigue from the long journey vanished in an instant, and he happily agreed.
As Pei Feng turned his horse around, he rolled his eyes dramatically.
Pei Xuan saw it and laughed even harder.
The commotion of five hundred horses entering the city was no small matter, immediately drawing many gazes. The bloody killings of wartime had dissipated. Now in Liaoxi City, common people came and went, the streets full of hawking cries, very lively.
“Where did these horses come from? Are they here to seek refuge with our general?”
“Do I need to say it? The entire Youzhou—no, the entire Northern Lands—all rely on our general for protection. Anyone with eyes and ambition wants to seek refuge with our general!”
The common people mentioned their own General Pei and proudly straightened their backs.
In recent days, General Pei had taken over the original Liaoxi Army and vigorously rectified military discipline. The soldiers trained and memorized military regulations from morning till night, with no time or energy to harass the common people. The common people in Liaoxi City had grown bolder and now dared to point and comment at a group of soldiers riding warhorses.
It was also Lu Erlang’s first time experiencing such a scene. Back in Fanyang, wherever the Fanyang Army went, the common people fled like avoiding tigers and wolves, running away at the sight of the military banner from afar.
A scene like this, being stared at like a spectacle, was truly rare.
Lu Erlang surprisingly didn’t feel offended. With a solemn face, he didn’t want to lose face.
The five hundred somewhat lax soldiers also straightened their chests one after another.
The group arrived outside the prefectural governor’s mansion, now serving as the barracks.
Pei Xuan and Pei Feng dismounted first and bowed with folded hands to the spirited and valiant Pei Qinghe: “General, the people from the Fanyang Army have all arrived.”
This was General Pei?!
She didn’t look as imposing as that tall, dark female warrior!
Seeing Pei Qinghe for the first time, Lu Erlang quietly grumbled in his heart, quickly dismounted, and bowed reverently with folded hands: “Lu Sheng pays respects to the general!”
Pei Qinghe smiled faintly: “We’re all our own people; no need for excessive courtesy.”
Her gaze drifted, about to instruct Pei Feng to settle them, when Pei Xuan stepped forward first: “General, I’ll take Lu Erlang to settle in.”
Lu Erlang’s whole body felt light, grinning nonstop.
Pei Qinghe raised an eyebrow, glanced at the beaming Pei Xuan, and nodded slightly: “Very well. Once settled, you lead Lu Sheng to see me.”
Pei Xuan bowed with folded hands to accept the order.
Pei Feng, with nothing to do, followed along.
Lu Feng’s letter had arrived several days ago. The barracks had already prepared quarters. Pei Xuan led Lu Erlang to the military tent: “We won’t stay in Liaoxi City much longer; we’ll head back next spring. The quarters here are temporary and a bit simple. Lu Erlang, don’t mind it; make do for a few months.”
Pei Xuan wasn’t tall, only reaching Lu Erlang’s chest. When she smiled, it was sweet and adorably naive.
Lu Erlang was beside himself, laughing repeatedly: “How is it simple? It’s great here.”
Pei Feng couldn’t help rolling his eyes again.
Pei Xuan subtly glanced over. Pei Feng had to restrain himself and said flatly: “Young Master Lu Erlang, you’ve come from afar. Settle in and rest for two hours. We’ll go see the general at dusk.”
There were twenty military tents in total; how to arrange them was Lu Erlang’s own business.
These five hundred soldiers were all elite soldiers from the Fanyang Army; by emotion and reason, they were all under Lu Erlang’s command.
After leaving the military tent, Pei Feng couldn’t help complaining: “Lu Feng is decent enough, but how is his brother such an idiot? Ow! Why’d you hit my head?”
Pei Xuan unceremoniously knocked him again: “The Fanyang Army has surrendered to our Pei Family Army and even specially sent five hundred warhorses and cavalry. Even for this sincerity alone, we should treat Lu Erlang with respect and courtesy. What’s gotten into you today? Putting on a sour face everywhere and making people uncomfortable!”
Pei Feng rubbed his forehead, his tone revealing annoyance: “That Lu Erlang stared at you nonstop the moment he arrived, all shifty-eyed. I didn’t punch him; that’s me being tolerant!”
Pei Xuan glanced at Pei Feng: “When Song Xue came to the barracks that day, why didn’t you punch her?”
Pei Feng: “…”
Mentioning Song Xue, Pei Feng immediately felt guilty, his gaze darting around, avoiding Pei Xuan’s eyes: “How is that the same?”
“How is it not the same?” Pei Xuan glared ungraciously: “Both are coming for the general’s power and prestige, wanting a marriage alliance with our Pei Clan.”
“Song Xue will marry into the Pei Clan as a wife later; Lu Erlang will marry into the Pei Clan as a son-in-law. The Pingyang Army will ally with our Pei Family Army; the Fanyang Army has directly surrendered to the Pei Family Army, even changing their military banner. In this regard, Lu Erlang will truly be family. We should get closer to him.”
“You’re unhappy because you think I’ve been taken advantage of, right? Lu Erlang brings five hundred cavalry and warhorses as dowry; recruiting him as son-in-law lets us rightfully swallow all these troops. I’m the one taking advantage.”
Pei Feng was stunned: “You’re really going to marry Lu Erlang?”
Pei Xuan rolled her eyes and knocked Pei Feng’s forehead again: “I’ve told you before: if there’s enough benefit, I’m willing to form a marriage alliance.”
“Lu Erlang is Lu Feng’s own brother, bringing troops to the Pei Family Army with full sincerity. Our Pei Clan needs to pick a girl of substance to marry into the Lu family. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be marriage, but casual humiliation. Pei Zhi and Yang Hu are already engaged; who else but me next?”
The Pei Clan still had quite a few unmarried girls. But those matching Lu Erlang’s status were few. Besides Pei Zhi, it was her.
