Chapter 158: Reconciliation
The always arrogant Zhan Fei knelt on the ground, tears and snot streaming down his face, all his arrogance gone: “Our Zhan Family had our salt mine and family business seized by the Fanyang Army and were driven out of Fanyang Commandery.”
“We had nowhere to go, so we could only come seek refuge with Sixth Sister Pei. Please, Sixth Sister Pei, take us in and give us a way to survive.”
Zhan Fei cried heart-wrenchingly. Pei Qinghe raised her eyebrows slightly and dismounted silently.
Shi Yan also dismounted and went forward to help Zhan Fei up: “Shopkeeper Zhan, please rise quickly.”
Zhan Fei did not want to get up and stubbornly stayed kneeling on the ground, continuing to sob: “In the past, I failed to recognize a great person. Please, Sixth Sister Pei, be magnanimous and do not hold it against a shortsighted person like me. Our Zhan Family has over a hundred old and young, dozens of managers, and a salt-selling team that has traveled far and wide outside the passes. In the future, we will all follow Sixth Sister Pei’s lead.”
The over a hundred old and young in the Zhan Family were all idlers eating idle rice. However, the dozens of managers familiar with salt mine extraction and salt shop operations sounded somewhat interesting, and more importantly, the salt-selling team that had gone outside the passes.
Pei Qinghe’s expression immediately softened a lot, and she finally spoke: “Shopkeeper Zhan, please rise first.”
With Shi Yan’s help, Zhan Fei shakily stood up, his eyes full of pleading.
Pei Qinghe did not give Zhan Fei another chance to cry and beg, saying faintly: “I came at Old Master Shi’s invitation specifically to drink wedding wine at the Shi Family. I did not expect to encounter Shopkeeper Zhan here. This matter is somewhat sudden, and I need to think it over carefully. Shopkeeper Zhan, stop crying too. It’s a day of great joy; don’t ruin everyone’s mood. Whatever the matter is, we can discuss it after the children’s full moon banquet.”
How could Zhan Fei dare to cry and make a fuss anymore? He hurriedly wiped his tears with his sleeve and repeatedly agreed.
Shi Li supported Old Master Shi as they came forward to greet them.
Old Master Shi, as usual, did not even glance at Shi Yan, but was exceptionally warm toward Sixth Sister Pei, welcoming Sixth Sister Pei and her group into the Shi Family Fortified Village.
Old Master Shi smiled and said: “For Sixth Sister Pei to personally come drink wedding wine at the Shi Family is the good fortune of the Shi and Wang Clans.”
Pei Qinghe smiled slightly: “That day when I first arrived at Pei Family Village, short of grain and food, it was the Shi Family that sent a large batch of grain. I, Pei Qinghe, have always kept this kindness of sending charcoal in the snow in my heart.”
“Now Shi Yan manages the money and grain accounts storeroom, and he is our Pei Family Army’s well-deserved head steward. The Shi Family now has lineage; for such a great happy event, Shi Yan certainly had to return. Naturally, I had to come as well.”
The words were clear: the one who had placed a heavy bet in Pei Family Village that day was Shi Yan. The one who had abandoned his family business to join the newly formed Pei Family Army when it most needed people was also Shi Yan. Her coming to the Shi Family today was for Steward Shi’s face.
Old Master Shi’s mood was complicated, and he finally looked at Shi Yan.
Shi Yan was extremely perceptive and immediately seized the opportunity, kneeling down and kowtowing three times: “Grandfather, no matter where I am, I will forever be Shi Family bloodline, always missing Grandfather in my heart.”
Shi Li chimed in from the side: “Grandfather has actually always missed Eldest Brother in his heart too. Today Eldest Brother has returned, so Grandfather is finally looking straight at Eldest Brother.”
Shi Yan was a core figure in the Pei Family Army. All merchants and magnates in Yan Prefecture had to deal with Steward Shi. Even County Magistrate Wang, County Magistrate Ji, and even Prefect Tang treated Steward Shi with particular courtesy and politeness.
The Shi Family held a transcendent status in Yan Prefecture. Even a fallen magnate like Zhan Fei, upon arriving in Yan Prefecture, came to the Shi Family first. Could it really be for Old Master Shi?
Both publicly and privately, both emotionally and rationally, the grandfather and grandson should reconcile.
The stifled anger in Old Master Shi’s heart had dissipated by half when Shi Li married Wang Mengyi, and with the birth of two great-grandsons, the other half had nearly dissipated as well.
At this moment, with Sixth Sister Pei personally stepping in and giving full face and respect, Shi Yan kneeling obediently, and Shi Li speaking up for him, Old Master Shi’s mood was complicated. Without hesitating too long, he spoke: “Stop kneeling, get up!”
“In two days, it will be the children’s full moon banquet. There are quite a few guests coming to offer congratulations. You are Shi Li’s brother and also the two children’s great uncle. It is only right for you to step forward and arrange the wedding banquet and greet the guests.”
Shi Yan restrained his surging emotions and agreed.
Shi Li was so happy his eyes turned red.
Pei Qinghe said to Shi Yan: “I’ll take people to settle and rest. You go ahead with your business; no need to mind me.”
Before Shi Yan could nod, Old Master Shi spoke: “Sixth Sister Pei is a noble guest of the Shi Family; how can we neglect her? Shi Yan, you lead Sixth Sister Pei to settle in first.”
Shi Yan smiled: “Normally I listen to Sixth Sister Pei. Today at the Shi Family, I must listen to Grandfather.”
Old Master Shi was coaxed into relaxing his furrowed brows.
Pei Qinghe secretly found it amusing in her heart and exchanged a look with Shi Yan: “Very well.”
Pei Qinghe had come to the Shi Family a few times, and the courtyard she had stayed in was always kept empty, clean, and tidy. Shi Yan escorted Pei Qinghe and her group to the courtyard entrance.
Pei Yan had no tact; everyone else had gone in, but she lingered, brazenly eavesdropping.
Shi Yan had not said anything inappropriate and cupped his hands in a deep bow: “Thank you very much, Sixth Sister Pei, for today.”
Pei Qinghe said softly: “Blood relatives, how could there be a complete break? I am also very happy to see you grandfather and grandson reconcile today.”
Pei Yan suddenly interjected: “If only our grandmother were as understanding as Old Master Shi.”
Mentioning their own stubborn and difficult grandmother, Pei Qinghe also felt somewhat helpless.
Over a year since the family division, everyone had taken turns persuading her, but Madam Lu simply would not turn back. Stubbornly settled in the old thatched hut, she unfailingly wrote letters every month sent to Bohai Commandery, expressing loyalty to the young Son of Heaven.
Pei Qinghe could not help sighing: “When you’re in a good mood, can we not mention Grandmother?”
Pei Yan scratched her head and smiled obsequiously: “Won’t mention, won’t mention.”
Shi Yan found it both amusing and heartbreaking, saying softly: “Consanguineous grandfather and grandson—even if the bone is broken, the tendon is connected. The old madam will come around one day.”
“That’s hard to say.” Pei Yan could not help interjecting again: “Grandmother is the person with the worst temper and most stubbornness I’ve ever seen in my life. Our Pei Family Army’s momentum grows stronger and stronger, yet she won’t even glance at it.”
Pei Qinghe shot her a glance.
Pei Yan belatedly realized and immediately shut her mouth.
Pei Qinghe instructed Shi Yan: “Take advantage of these few days to spend more time with Old Master Shi. After the new year when the weather warms, I’m afraid there won’t be time for you to come back.”
Shi Yan was very perceptive: “There will be war next year?”
A sharp light flashed in Pei Qinghe’s eyes, sharp as a blade: “The Guangning Army won’t come for the time being. The Fanyang Army and Liaoxi Army are both frantically killing magnates to recruit soldiers and buy horses, full of ambition. Our Pei Family Army backs onto the Yan Mountains and occupies Yan Prefecture; in their eyes, we are probably just a piece of fat meat with a few thorns. It depends on which of them cannot restrain themselves and strikes first.”
No matter who comes, the Pei Family Army must meet them with full force. Victory would mean surging momentum and expanding territory. Defeat would mean no place to stand, and the best outcome would be retreating into the deep mountains to rest and recuperate for a future comeback.
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