Chapter 141: Backing
A man’s name is like a tree’s shadow.
Absolute strength brings absolute deterrence.
Everyone immediately quieted down and looked toward Old Master Shi together.
Old Master Shi was indeed a major grain merchant who dominated Youzhou; he was extremely composed, his expression unchanged as he chuckled and said, “Everyone, please follow me to welcome the honored guest.”
The magnates clustered around Old Master Shi and went outside Shi Family Fortified Village to greet them.
Spring was reviving, and the weather was warming up. Today was another fine day with brilliant sunshine.
Sixth Sister Pei was dressed as usual in cloth clothes, her long hair braided into a braided pigtail, with neither hairpins nor gold or jade ornaments. Yet she emanated a dazzling and compelling radiance.
The youth standing beside Sixth Sister Pei was nineteen years old this year, his skin a few shades fairer than ordinary people, with thick black long eyebrows and a pair of black eyes that shone brilliantly. It was none other than Shi Yan, who had been driven out of the family the previous year.
Old Master Shi didn’t even glance at Shi Yan but cupped his hands toward Sixth Sister Pei: “Sixth Sister has personally come to offer congratulations today; the entire Shi Family is honored.”
Pei Qinghe smiled faintly: “For Shi Li’s wedding, I naturally had to come.”
Old Master Shi said with a smile: “Sixth Sister, please come inside.”
Pei Qinghe nodded slightly, stepped forward, and was escorted into Shi Family Fortified Village by the crowd as if she were the moon surrounded by stars. Shi Yan was right beside Pei Qinghe, naturally becoming the focus of everyone’s attention.
After entering the wedding hall, Old Master Shi invited Pei Qinghe to take the seat of honor. Pei Qinghe politely declined a few times before sitting down, then turned to Shi Yan and said: “Sit beside me.”
Old Master Shi smoothly interjected without missing a beat: “Sixth Sister is an honored guest of the Shi Family; it is only right for her to take the seat of honor. Shi Yan has no merit or virtue; being able to stand here is all thanks to Sixth Sister.”
In other words, if not for Sixth Sister Pei’s face today, Shi Yan wouldn’t have been able to enter the Shi Family gate at all.
Pei Qinghe raised an eyebrow and met Old Master Shi’s gaze: “Shi Yan is now the manager of the Pei Clan, in charge of managing money and grain accounts and the storeroom. No one but me can issue instructions to him. The Shi Family is holding a happy event today, and Shi Yan has come to congratulate his cousin brother. If he cannot sit, I will leave with him immediately.”
Her edge was fully revealed, without the slightest politeness.
Old Master Shi was choked up for a moment.
Everyone saw it in their eyes and secretly sighed in their hearts. Sixth Sister Pei wasn’t here to offer congratulations at all; she had clearly come to back Shi Yan up.
Pei Family Village now had over ten thousand people, and it was said their elite soldiers numbered more than two thousand. Even Prefect Tang of Yan Prefecture had sent annual gifts to Sixth Sister Pei. No matter how powerful the Shi Family was, they had to bow before the formidable Sixth Sister Pei.
Imperial Physician Lu chuckled and smoothed things over: “Today the Shi Family and Wang Family are joining in marriage; it is a great happy event. With Sixth Sister personally coming to offer congratulations, the Shi Family has gained face. Quickly invite Steward Shi to sit down.”
Shi Li, dressed in red wedding robes, hurriedly chimed in: “Cousin brother, please sit.”
Only then did Shi Yan sit down.
Zhan Fei found it amusing in his heart, and it showed slightly on his face.
Pei Qinghe looked over and said indifferently: “What has Young Master Zhan so amused?”
Zhan Fei had cursed the female demon star countless times behind her back; now, swept by Pei Qinghe’s glance, his heart trembled violently. How could he dare to spout off? He smiled and replied: “It’s a joyous day, so I am happy along with it.”
Pei Qinghe stared fixedly at Zhan Fei for a moment, watching until he felt uneasy with cold sweat running down his back, before smiling faintly: “I thought Young Master Zhan was mocking Steward Shi; it turns out I was mistaken.”
Zhan Fei resisted the urge to wipe his forehead with his sleeve and chuckled along awkwardly.
Whoever was embarrassed knew it well.
Old Master Shi recovered and continued chatting and exchanging pleasantries with the crowd. When the auspicious time arrived, the groom Shi Li led the wedding procession with music and fanfare to fetch the newlywed bride.
Inside Shi Family Fortified Village, a grand flowing banquet was laid out.
The Wang Family was far away, so they had sent the bride several days earlier to await the wedding. The procession returned two hours later. It was now evening, the auspicious time for worship the hall.
The newlywed couple bowed to heaven and earth and to the high hall, then bowed to each other as husband and wife. Blushing shyly yet full of joy, they entered the wedding chamber.
Shi Yan did not go to the new house to watch the fun but instead went to Old Master Shi’s side.
With so many people around and Sixth Sister Pei nearby, Old Master Shi couldn’t show Shi Yan a bad face. Yet he didn’t pay him much attention either.
Shi Yan was proactive, stepping forward to greet the guests and seat them. After the banquet ended, he arranged for people to see the guests off. Some guests were staying overnight at the Shi Family; Shi Yan issued instructions, arranging everything in good order.
Pei Qinghe didn’t leave either and stayed in the same courtyard as before.
Pei Yan had held back for half the day and finally spoke, grinning: “Cousin Sister Qinghe was truly impressive today. One glance from her, and Old Master Shi fell silent. That Zhan Fei could only smile along awkwardly.”
Pei Yun was much more perceptive than Pei Yan and said with a soft laugh: “Coming today, offering congratulations was secondary; backing up Steward Shi was the main purpose.”
Pei Qinghe felt no embarrassment at the teasing and replied candidly: “Shi Yan gave up his identity as Young Master of the Shi Family to seek refuge with our Pei Clan. In the past half year, he has buried himself in work, sparing no effort to raise funds for money and grain. He has both merit and hard work. I came precisely to back him up, so he could stand in the Shi Family with a brand-new identity. To shut up everyone who wanted to watch the fun.”
Pei Yan felt a bit sour: “Cousin Sister Qinghe is too good to him.”
Pei Yun glanced speechlessly at the witless Pei Yan.
Then Pei Yan asked an even more witless question: “You’re not planning to take Shi Yan as son-in-law this year, are you?”
Pei Qinghe was amused and exasperated, giving Pei Yan a light smack: “When did I ever say I was taking him as son-in-law? Don’t talk nonsense!”
Pei Yan breathed a sigh of relief and muttered: “That’s good. I’m not mentally prepared to have a brother-in-law yet.”
Pei Yun could endure no longer: “Aren’t you tired? Go to sleep.”
After chasing Pei Yan away, Pei Yun said with a low laugh: “How many days do you plan to stay at the Shi Family?”
Pei Qinghe said casually: “Shi Yan rarely comes back; we’ll stay four or five days before leaving.”
……
After midnight, the groom Shi Li entered the new house, and the newlywed couple shared tender affections, which need not be detailed.
Old Master Shi had drunk an unknown amount of wine and was in excellent spirits, staggering as he walked.
A familiar hand supported Old Master Shi: “Grandfather, walk slowly.”
Old Master Shi forcefully shook him off and sneered: “I’m not yet at the point where I can’t walk. No need for Steward Shi to worry.”
Shi Yan had the composure to take the slap on the face and continue smiling; he kept reaching out to support him. After being shaken off four times in a row, on the fifth try, the staggering Old Master Shi finally didn’t push him away.
At the door, when Shi Yan tried to follow inside, Old Master Shi pushed him straight out: “Go go go, don’t let me see you and get irritated.”
With a thud, the door closed.
Shi Yan smiled helplessly and said through the door: “It’s been half a year already; hasn’t Grandfather cooled off yet?”
A cold snort came from inside the door.
Shi Yan sighed: “I know Grandfather is angry and upset with me. I am Grandfather’s consanguineous bloodline; blood is thicker than water, and that will never change no matter when.”
Another cold laugh came from inside the door.
Shi Yan stood for a long time but didn’t wait for Grandfather to soften and open the door, so he could only sigh and leave.
