Chapter 179: Way To Survive
Pei Yan, who had been entertaining the distinguished guest for half a day, pushed the door open and entered, then flopped face-up onto Pei Qinghe’s bed, sighing contentedly: “Finally got through this day.”
Pei Qinghe, who had been reading military books with her head down, looked up and casually smiled, asking: “What? Did Yang Huai say something unpleasant or sarcastic?”
Pei Yan pursed her lips: “He doesn’t have the guts for that. He just kept glaring at me from time to time. When has Pei Yan ever let anyone bully her! Today I didn’t hold back at all, every sentence made his face look awful.”
She animatedly described how the two of them had interacted during the day. When she got to the exciting parts, her eyebrows nearly flew up.
Pei Qinghe set down the military books and listened with great interest, adding a compliment: “In our Pei Family Army, you’re the only one who can handle this arrogant Young General Yang.”
Pei Yan grinned smugly.
Pei Qinghe naturally instructed: “For the next few days, you continue to entertain him.”
Pei Yan was flattered and overjoyed, didn’t think twice, and immediately agreed: “Don’t worry, leave it to me.”
Pei Qinghe smiled, picked up the military books, and continued reading. Pei Yan did a carp flip off the bed and sat at the table to read the military books with Pei Qinghe.
Before even the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, snoring sounds started up right by Pei Qinghe’s ear.
Pei Qinghe was amused but helpless and pushed her: “Go sleep on the bed.”
Pei Yan mumbled sleepily in response and sleepwalked to the bed, continuing to snore loudly.
Knock knock knock!
A light knocking sounded at the door.
Pei Qinghe got up to open the door. Standing outside was Cousin Sister Pei Yun.
When Pei Yan was asleep, even firecrackers wouldn’t wake her. The two sisters could chat idly without needing another place. Pei Qinghe picked up the teapot and poured a cup of warm water for Pei Yun: “When do you plan to return to Changping County?”
Pei Yun smiled: “No rush. It’s rare to come back; I want to stay a while longer.”
With the Fanyang Army’s great defeat, the Pei Family Army’s military reputation was at its peak—who would dare provoke them?
Pei Qinghe smiled and nodded slightly: “Then stay a few more days.”
Pei Yun softly asked: “How are Great-Great-Aunt and the others faring in Bohai Commandery?”
Pei Qinghe took out a few letters: “These are letters written by Great-Great-Aunt. See for yourself.”
Pei Yun read the letters carefully. When she saw that Meng Liulang was engaged to Chancellor Pang’s youngest daughter, she couldn’t help looking up at Pei Qinghe: “The Meng Family and Pang Family are forming a marriage alliance—one civil, one military, both confidants of the Son of Heaven. The two families joining hands might be able to match the Zhang Family.”
Pei Qinghe said indifferently: “If you think that way, you’re underestimating General Zhang too much. Even with the Meng and Pang families allied, they can’t contend with the Zhang Family.”
Pei Yun was somewhat surprised: “I didn’t expect you to be so wary of Madam Zhang!”
Pei Qinghe tugged at the corner of her mouth, but there was no trace of amusement in her eyes.
In her previous life, she had died on the road while chasing down Bohai Navy soldiers. That arrow from behind came from her confidant subordinate—how could it not be connected to Madam Zhang?
This blood feud of life and death, she was determined to avenge. But the time had not yet come. The current Pei Family Army was still no match for the Bohai Navy.
Pei Yun continued reading the letters with her head down and said softly after finishing: “With them in Bohai Commandery, General Zhang thinks he has hostages and isn’t as wary of our Pei Family Army. The Emperor is also trying to co-opt and appease us.”
Pei Qinghe was silent for a moment, then sighed softly: “Grandmother truly wanted to go seek refuge. Great-Great-Aunt and the others must have planned from the start to use themselves as bait.”
When they left, they left behind all the children and able-bodied women under sixty.
Pei Yun felt a heavy weight in her heart, somewhat sour.
This topic was a bit heavy, so Pei Qinghe didn’t want to dwell on it and quickly changed the subject: “You’re three years older than me; you’re already twenty this year. Should we give Bao Hao a proper status this year?”
Doctor Bao’s deep affection for Pei Yun was well-known to everyone; he had been silently waiting to marry into the family.
Pei Yun countered instead of answering: “When do you plan to give Steward Shi a proper status?”
Pei Qinghe chuckled helplessly: “If you don’t want to get married, just say so. Why drag me into it?”
Pei Yun sighed with a smile: “It’s really just too busy; there’s no time to think about romantic love.”
Wasn’t that the truth?
Pei Qinghe empathized: “Every day, as soon as you open your eyes, it’s training troops; every big and small matter needs attention. I wish I could grow two more mouths and four more arms. Where’s the time to get married?”
Pei Yan on the bed rolled over and continued snoring.
Pei Yun glanced over with a smile and suddenly asked softly with a laugh: “Why did you have Pei Yan entertain Yang Huai today?”
Pei Qinghe laughed: “Pei Yan is silly and didn’t notice anything off. But you saw through it right away.”
She picked up General Yang’s letter and handed it to Pei Yun.
After reading it, Pei Yun kept chuckling softly: “General Yang has always wanted to form an alliance with our Pei Family Army. Seeing he can’t compete with Steward Shi, he simply switched to someone else.”
“Speaking of which, Yang Huai is indeed not bad. From a general’s family, skilled in martial arts, knows how to lead troops and fight battles. Tall and sturdy; standing next to Pei Yan, they match well.”
Pei Qinghe hummed in acknowledgment: “He knew General Yang’s intentions but still came as ordered. Clearly, he’s someone who knows his priorities. If Pei Yan takes a liking to him, taking him as a son-in-law would be fine. If Pei Yan doesn’t get it or isn’t willing, then drop it.”
Pei Yun turned to look at Pei Yan sleeping like a dead pig on the bed and smiled with pursed lips.
……
The next morning, Pei Qinghe saw General Lu and the others off from Pei Family Village.
During their captivity these past days, Pei Qinghe had not mistreated the Fanyang Army soldiers, providing two meals a day. General Lu had a room to himself, with an extra dish per meal.
All this had been exchanged for over a hundred thousand taels of silver plus five hundred warhorses!
Every time General Lu thought about it, his heart ached like it was being cut. Everything tasted like wax.
Fortunately, Pei Qinghe kept her word: she had received the silver and warhorses yesterday, and today she let them leave early in the morning. She even thoughtfully prepared several days’ dry rations for them.
As for weapons, they had been completely confiscated.
Pei Qinghe said amiably: “General Lu leading over five hundred men back to Fanyang Barracks—bandits on the road absolutely won’t dare disturb you.”
General Lu stiffly tugged at the corner of his mouth, swallowing all his resentment, anger, and unwillingness: “Sixth Sister Pei letting me take men back to the barracks today—this kindness, Lu Xian will remember in his heart.”
Pei Qinghe hadn’t turned hostile and killed them, and was willing to let him go—she truly kept her promise.
This was indeed a kindness that had to be acknowledged.
Pei Qinghe smiled leisurely: “If we meet on the battlefield in the future and I fall into General Lu’s hands, I hope General Lu will remember today’s kindness and also give me a way to survive.”
General Lu’s heart was pierced and bleeding, but he barely managed to agree. He hastily cupped his hands in farewell. No point in spouting tough words—a defeated general was worse than a stray dog; better tuck tail and hurry away!
He held in a breath of stale air and walked five li.
General Lu originally wanted to rally morale, but turning his head, he saw everyone’s ashen faces like they were mourning the dead. Sadness welled up, and tears quietly fell.
