Chapter 142: Grandfather And Grandson
Perhaps it was the moonlight and night breeze that were too cool.
Shi Yan tucked both hands into his sleeves and slowly walked toward the old courtyard.
Dong Dalang and Dong Erlang both knew their master’s mood was not good, so they silently followed. Dong Erlang wanted to speak up to comfort him, but Dong Dalang shot him a look, so Dong Erlang had to shut his mouth.
Suddenly, a familiar slender girl’s figure appeared ahead.
Under the slightly cool moonlight, the girl smiled with her brows and eyes: “How about it? Has your grandfather agreed to pay attention to you?”
A wave of warmth suddenly surged into his heart, driving away all the chill.
Shi Yan drew his hands out from his sleeves and stepped forward briskly, his eyes and brows full of smiles: “It’s so late. Why haven’t you slept yet?”
Pei Qinghe replied solemnly: “I calculated with my fingers that Steward Shi’s mood was poor tonight and he needed someone to accompany him, so I came.”
Shi Yan raised the corners of his mouth: “Sixth Sister Pei is infallible in her calculations. I admire you, I admire you.”
The brothers Dong Dalang and Dong Erlang were sensible and very clever, and had already quietly withdrawn, standing guard ten meters away.
The moonlight slanted down as gently as water. Pei Qinghe’s gaze was less sharp than during the day, exceptionally soft: “That day, for the matter of going to Bohai Commandery to pay respects, Grandmother and the others made trouble with me, so I ruthlessly divided the family.”
“I joked and laughed as usual in front of others, but privately I was sad for many days.”
“Grandmother has a bad temper and never said anything pleasant. But every day she made clothes and sewed shoe soles for me. Every time I led men to suppress bandits, she wouldn’t touch a drop of oil, eating vegetarian and chanting Buddha, hoping for my safe return. After the family division, she held her anger and never set foot in Pei Family New Village again.”
“Every time I went, I either used the excuse of seeing my mother, or said I was going to see Little Yu’er and Little Doggy. She would pull a long face and not talk to me, but she also didn’t chase me away.”
As she spoke, Pei Qinghe chuckled lightly: “We grandmother and granddaughter are both equally stubborn and unwilling to yield. Your grandfather’s feelings toward you are the same. Right now he’s still angry and unwilling to pay attention to you. Take advantage of these few days to spend more time with him; perhaps he’ll soften soon.”
Madam Lu had two grandsons and two granddaughters, as well as great-grandsons by her side. But Old Master Shi had only Shi Yan as his consanguineous golden grandson, whom he cherished and raised like a precious jewel. If it weren’t for Shi Yan insisting on going to Pei Family Village, how could Old Master Shi fly into a thunderous rage and drive his treasured grandson out of the house?
Shi Yan gazed at Pei Qinghe’s face: “That’s exactly what I plan to do.” He paused and then said: “If Grandfather insists on ignoring me, it doesn’t matter. In time, Grandfather will soften eventually.”
Pei Qinghe suddenly laughed: “Does this count as us being spoiled by indulgence?”
Shi Yan also smiled: “Of course it does.”
The two looked at each other and smiled.
“It’s late. I’m going back to sleep.” Pei Qinghe was never one to dawdle; after comforting him, she left. Shi Yan insisted on escorting Pei Qinghe to outside the courtyard gate and watched her figure depart.
Returning to the familiar house and lying down to sleep, Shi Yan’s mouth kept curving up, unable to suppress it.
Dong Dalang was steady and reserved, not saying a word. Dong Erlang couldn’t help but chuckle softly: “Sixth Sister Pei is so thoughtful toward the young master. She accompanied the young master back, supported the young master everywhere, and even came specially tonight to comfort him.”
“If this continues, the day the young master marries into the family won’t be far off.”
Shi Yan glared at Dong Erlang: “Don’t talk nonsense. I admire Sixth Sister Pei’s capabilities and skills, and I follow her wholeheartedly with no other intentions.”
“Yes, yes, this one spoke out of turn.” Dong Erlang put on an act and lightly fanned himself once.
Dong Dalang reached out and twisted Dong Erlang’s ear. Dong Erlang cried out in pain and was dragged out by his brother.
Shi Yan chuckled, but soon sleepiness surged up, and he closed his eyes to sleep.
……
The next day, the newlywed couple came to serve tea.
Old Master Shi had slept especially soundly and peacefully that night. He happily took the tea offered by his new granddaughter-in-law, drank a sip, and generously gave a substantial meeting gift.
Elders from the Shi Family branch families had all come today. Shi Li led his new wife to pay respects to the elders one by one. He would occasionally support Wang Mengyi, his gentle and considerate manner making people’s teeth ache.
Shi Yan arrived under Old Master Shi’s glare.
“Cousin!” Shi Li habitually called out.
Shi Yan looked at him with a smiling face: “Still calling me cousin? You should change how you address me.”
Shi Li’s heart warmed, and he changed his form of address: “Big Brother!”
Wang Mengyi, dressed in red, also softly called out Big Brother.
Shi Yan grinned and responded twice, giving the prepared gifts to the newlywed couple.
Old Master Shi found Shi Yan’s smiling face an eyesore and suddenly blurted out: “Even after being driven out of the Shi Family, you still have the face to come recognize relatives.”
Shi Yan immediately looked over: “Second Brother is managing the family, and I’m in the Pei Family Army. We brothers are of one mind, mutually assisting each other. Grandfather, do you disapprove?”
At this point, this was clearly the best outcome that could be accepted.
Old Master Shi knew this very well in his heart, but he was still sulking inside and couldn’t swallow this stifled anger.
Old Master Shi looked away, not meeting Shi Yan’s eyes: “This is a matter between you brothers. This old bag of bones is too lazy to interfere.”
Shi Li secretly laughed in his heart.
Grandfather was an old fox, and his cousin was no less so, ruthless and expert at scheming and reading people. Watching the two of them spar was amusing.
At this family banquet, Shi Yan sat at an unremarkable seat at the end. At least he had a seat; Shi Yan didn’t mind the position at all and soon held a wine cup, toasting the elders one by one.
Old Master Shi ignored Shi Yan. But the other Shi Family elders and clansmen saw it clearly. Sixth Sister Pei had specially accompanied Shi Yan back to the Shi Family, supporting him everywhere. It was clear Shi Yan was quite important in Pei Family Village. Otherwise, did they really think Sixth Sister Pei had nothing better to do?
When Shi Yan came to toast, the elders and clansmen were very accommodating, drinking it all down and by the way instructing Shi Yan to work diligently on his errands in Pei Family Village.
Old Master Shi pursed his lips and spoke harshly: “It sounds nice, but it’s just procurement and accounting. With more and more people in Pei Family Village, raising funds for money and grain is no easy errand. If you regret it later, there’ll be no road back.”
Mentioning Pei Family Village, Shi Yan refused to stay low-key and forbearing, and calmly replied: “I trust my own judgment. No matter when or where, I won’t regret it.”
Old Master Shi’s emotions churned, but he still refused to look at Shi Yan properly: “You’re tough-mouthed now. Don’t come crying and begging to return later.”
Shi Yan immediately turned his head and said to Shi Li: “Second Brother, rest assured. Since I’ve left the Shi Family, I have no intention of returning. You manage the family business well and show filial piety to Grandfather. The Shi Family is yours from now on.”
Old Master Shi: “……”
Old Master Shi was so angry that he ate a few bites and then set down his chopsticks.
Shi Yan, on the other hand, had a good appetite, eating and drinking his fill. After the family banquet ended, he saw off the elders together with Shi Li. Then, he went to see Old Master Shi again.
As usual, he ate a closed door.
On the third day, Shi Li accompanied his new wife back to her parental home.
The Wang Family members who had escorted the bride were staying in Yan Prefecture. Wang Xun missed his married daughter and had been restless without sleeping or eating properly these past two days. He completely ignored his son-in-law and anxiously looked over his daughter.
