Chapter 143: Newlywed Bride
Wang Mengyi was wearing a red dress today, with bright colors that made her pretty face look like a lotus flower, and her complexion was excellent. The corners of her eyes and eyebrows showed the unique bashfulness of a newlywed bride.
Wang Xun felt slightly at ease, and only then did he have the mood to pay attention to his new son-in-law.
Shi Li had followed behind Shi Yan to the Wang Family several times in the past. Wang Xun, loving the house as well as its crow, was also mild toward Shi Li. However, with their current changed status, he had to put on some airs as the father-in-law.
Shi Li had married his beloved as his wife, and these past few days he walked as if floating on air. He was especially attentive toward his father-in-law and several brothers-in-law. At the noon family banquet, he drank quite a bit in a row and passed out at the banquet table, then was helped to the inner room to sleep soundly.
Wang Xun and his daughter went to the study room for some idle talk in low voices.
“Does Shi Li treat you well?” As her father, there were some things he couldn’t ask in detail, so he could only ask vaguely like this.
Wang Mengyi was not shy and responded frankly: “He is considerate, gentle, and attentive toward me.”
“On our wedding night, he told me that he had liked me since he was ten years old. He never thought he could marry me as his wife one day. He said he would treat me well for a lifetime.”
“Dad doesn’t need to worry about me. I know men’s hearts change easily. However, this is ultimately an extremely good start. I will manage it carefully and live the days well.”
Wang Xun relaxed his brows and smiled: “You’ve been clever and capable since you were young, with plans in your heart. Since you’ve chosen Shi Li, you must be of one heart as husband and wife. Forget all the past matters.”
Wang Mengyi nodded: “No matter how good my cousin is, he is not mine. Shi Li is my husband.”
Wang Xun couldn’t help but ask again: “I heard Shi Yan has returned too. Has Old Master Shi reconciled with him?”
A smile flashed in Wang Mengyi’s eyes, and she said in a low voice: “Grandfather is still holding his anger in his heart and ignores cousin. Occasionally when he speaks, it’s a bout of cold sarcasm. Cousin is quite patient, following grandfather with a smile every day.”
Wang Xun felt both sorry for his nephew and a bit amused: “The wood is already in the boat; Old Master Shi should accept it. He sent out a grandson and gained Sixth Sister Pei as a granddaughter-in-law. This deal is not a loss at all.”
Wang Mengyi let out another light laugh: “It’s too early to say that. Sixth Sister Pei values cousin greatly but has no intention of marrying a man into the family. Cousin wants to be a son-in-law; he still has to wait!”
Wang Xun was thinking entirely for his nephew: “The Shi Family supplies grain and fodder, our Wang Family provides military uniforms. With the strong support of the Shi and Wang Clans, who can compete with your cousin.”
Even Wang Mengyi felt a bit jealous: “Dad really dotes on cousin.”
Wang Xun smiled to comfort his daughter: “When your aunt left, she entrusted your cousin to me. As his uncle, I must see him married before I can feel at ease.”
“The one Dad loves most in his heart is still you. The several embroidery shops you manage have all been given to you as dowry. You manage them carefully, and the silver earned every year is kept for buying rouge and powder.”
Wang Mengyi burst out laughing.
By evening, Wang Mengyi tearfully bid farewell to her father and brothers and got into the carriage to return to her husband’s home.
Shi Li took a handkerchief to wipe the tears from the corners of his newlywed wife’s eyes: “When I have free time in the future, I’ll accompany you back to your family home to stay for a few days.”
Wang Mengyi’s eyes lit up, but she hesitated a bit: “I’m afraid Grandfather won’t be pleased.”
Shi Li chuckled softly: “The Shi and Wang Clans have close contacts; Grandfather will be happy and won’t object.”
“To make Grandfather happy isn’t hard. Tonight I’ll try hard to strive for you to have good news soon… Ouch!”
Wang Mengyi’s cheeks flushed red, and she pinched the soft flesh at Shi Li’s waist. Shi Li cried out in pain while leaning over.
The carriage entered the fortified village, and only after a good while did the little couple come down; their clothes had been straightened, still quite neat.
Shi Yan, who had come to greet them, smiled knowingly.
Wang Mengyi returned to the room first with a red face, and Shi Li, full of spring breeze on his face, walked up to Shi Yan: “Big Brother.”
Shi Yan smiled and responded, reaching out to pat Shi Li’s shoulder: “I’ll leave tomorrow.”
Shi Li was somewhat reluctant to part: “Leaving so soon? Stay a few more days to accompany Grandfather.”
“Grandfather is stubborn-mouthed. Grind at him a bit more, and he’ll soften.”
Shi Yan smiled: “Sixth Sister accompanied me for three days, and the round trip on the road takes several more days. Pei Family Village can’t be without her; it’s time to go back.”
Shi Li suddenly had the subtle illusion that his cousin had already married into the Pei Family.
Shi Yan instructed in a low voice: “The Jiangnan Rebel Army is causing a lot of trouble there, grain prices are soaring, so temporarily stop the trade route deals there. You can go to the Sichuan-Shu region to buy grain.”
“It’s fine if the price is a bit higher; stock up as much grain as possible. I have a feeling that worldly affairs will get more chaotic next.”
In chaotic times, the most valuable thing is grain.
The Shi Family has not engaged in hoarding or price gouging, always keeping Youzhou grain prices stable; it can be said to be extremely conscientious.
Shi Li nodded in agreement one by one.
That evening, everyone held a banquet to see Shi Yan off. Shi Yan brought wine to toast Old Master Shi, but Old Master Shi kept a cold face and refused to drink.
Shi Yan had to drink it himself. In the evening, he went to see Grandfather again but was still shut out.
The next morning, Pei Qinghe and her group bid farewell and departed.
Shi Yan sat in the carriage, his head sticking out the window, watching the Shi Family Fortified Village grow smaller and smaller.
Pei Qinghe leisurely rode her horse slowly, smiling as she said: “When you have free time in the future, come back to stay for a few days.”
Shi Yan said: “With Shi Li the couple there, this unfilial grandson of mine shouldn’t keep coming back to anger Grandfather.”
Pei Qinghe smiled faintly.
Just after returning to Pei Family Village, they received a not-so-wonderful piece of news.
“Qinghe,” Mao Hongling’s expression was grave: “The capital city has fallen; the Jiangnan Rebel Army has taken the capital city. The imperial palace in the capital city was burned, and Prince Wei was burned alive.”
Pei Qinghe’s brows twitched, and her face darkened.
Prince Wei’s death was certainly gratifying. It could also be considered indirect revenge for the Pei Family.
However, this also meant that the Jing Dynasty empire had been lost.
Bohai Commandery is located in the north, where the Young Son of Heaven Xie Li’s prestige is far from sufficient, Madam Zhang is wildly ambitious, using the Young Son of Heaven’s banner to recruit loyal officials and good generals. The Young Son of Heaven listens to General Zhang on everything. Is such an imperial court still the Jing Dynasty?
The military generals who hold troops in their hands—will they submit to the Jiangnan Rebel Army, pledge loyalty to the Bohai Navy, or raise their own flags to stand independent?
“The world is really going to be in great chaos.”
Pei Qinghe gazed toward the capital city direction and sighed softly: “Dynastic change, empire in turmoil, heroes rising everywhere, vying for control of the central plains. The ones suffering are the common people. I don’t know how many innocent common people will die in the melee.”
Mao Hongling sighed sadly.
Pei Yun was in low spirits and asked softly: “What should we do now?”
“What else? Of course, raise King Pei’s banner, recruit soldiers and buy horses.” Pei Yan’s eyes gleamed as she spoke endlessly: “First seize Yan Prefecture, then subdue Fanyang, Guangning, and other commanderies, bringing all of Youzhou under our flag… Ouch! Why hit me again!”
Pei Qinghe knocked Pei Yan on the forehead again: “Can’t you use your brain before opening your mouth.”
“Whoever jumps out first becomes the arrow target, the target of all.”
“With our current personnel, we can barely protect ourselves. Better think about how to deal with the upcoming complex situation!”
……
