Chapter 250: Virtuous And Capable
The finest brocade, with elegant colors, shimmering faintly under the bright light.
The red gold headwear was exquisite and intricate, while the other two sets of headwear and jewelry were inlaid with fingernail-sized gemstones, gleaming with alluring light.
Pei Yan was not interested in these, but Pei Xuan was at the age where she loved to look pretty, her eyes lighting up as she gazed at them.
Pei Qinghe glanced casually and smiled, saying, “Pack them all up and take them back to Pei Family Village for Steward Shi to register in the stores. When you get married in the future, you can pick some yourselves.”
Pei Yan pursed her lips: “I don’t want this. When the time comes, I’ll pick a fine horse and a bow and arrow.”
Pei Qinghe chuckled: “Fine, have it your way.”
Pei Xuan was different; she admired them delightedly for a while before making up her mind, pointing to a piece of green brocade and a set of red gold headwear: “I’ll take these.”
Pei Qinghe smiled and hummed in agreement: “Pei Feng, come take a look too and pick something for your future wife.”
Pei Feng replied solemnly: “These belong to Cousin Sister. I don’t want any of them. When I marry in the future, I’ll buy clothes and jewelry for my wife myself.”
Pei Xuan glared at him: “Hey, hey, hey, what do you mean by that? Are you insinuating something about me?”
Pei Feng had rarely gained the upper hand verbally, wearing an infuriatingly unflappable expression: “Anyway, I don’t want any.”
Pei Xuan: “…”
Pei Qinghe was amused and coaxed Pei Xuan with a few smiling words. Pei Xuan dragged Pei Feng outside to fool around, while Pei Yan muttered bluntly: “If the Empress wants to show her virtuous and magnanimous side, why use you as a foil?”
Pei Qinghe’s smile faded, and she frowned: “We shouldn’t stay long in Bohai Commandery. We’ll leave in a few days.”
Pei Yan said: “Yes, we should go. If we don’t, they’ll carry you into the palace.”
Pei Qinghe glanced at Pei Yan.
Pei Yan immediately covered her mouth with her hand, signaling that she wouldn’t speak carelessly again.
The next day, the Empress bestowed several boxes of specially made rouge and powder from the palace.
On the third day, the Empress sent delicious palace pastries.
This was Empress Zhang defending her dignity as Empress in her own way. Pei Qinghe understood, but she truly had no patience to deal with it. She soon went to bid farewell to the Son of Heaven.
Emperor Jian’an was reluctant to let Pei Qinghe leave just like that and tried to persuade her to stay.
Pei Qinghe cupped her hands: “Last year the Xiongnu barbarians suffered a defeat, so they may send troops at any time this year. Your subordinate must return early to prepare for battle.”
The barbarians outside the passes frequently raided the borders, burning, killing, and looting, always a major confidant enemy of the Jing Dynasty.
Emperor Jian’an was no brilliant Son of Heaven, but he knew what mattered, immediately saying: “In that case, General Pei, set off back as soon as possible!”
“When you have time in the future, come to Bohai Commandery to pay respects again.”
Pei Qinghe smiled in agreement, cupped her hands once more in farewell. After leaving the palace hall and walking some distance, she “happened” to encounter the Empress.
Zhang Jingwan was already beautiful and gentle; with deliberate makeup today, she appeared even more elegant and dignified.
Pei Qinghe was still in a set of cloth clothes, her long hair tied in a braid, without a trace of makeup.
One was a peony raised in a flower room, the other a giant wood standing tall in the cold wind. No need for comparison, as they were not the same kind of people at all.
Zhang Jingwan gazed at Pei Qinghe and slowly said: “I hear General Pei is setting off back to Yan Prefecture. This palace wishes General Pei a smooth journey.”
Pei Qinghe smiled faintly: “Your subordinate also wishes the Empress safety and smooth sailing.”
Then, she cupped her hands and they parted.
Zhang Jingwan turned, watching Pei Qinghe’s departing figure, her gaze darkening.
…
Pei Qinghe took Pei Yan, Pei Xuan, and Pei Feng to bid farewell to Madam Li and the other elders.
Madam Lu was reluctant to part with Pei Feng, holding him in her arms and whispering: “You’re thirteen this year, already grown up. After going back, focus on training troops, so you can lead troops in battle in the future.”
Pei Feng nodded.
Madam Lu whispered again: “Remember, our Pei Clan are loyal officials and good generals of the Jing Dynasty. You must be loyal to the Emperor. In the future, the Pei Clan will be written into history…”
Pei Feng remembered Cousin Sister Qinghe’s instructions and nodded along to whatever Grandmother said, not taking a single word to heart.
Madam Li held Pei Qinghe’s hand, saying firmly in a low voice: “Qinghe, remember what your great-great-aunt said to you.”
Just keep moving forward, no matter what step you reach—we’ll support you!
Pei Qinghe gripped Madam Li’s hand in return: “Great-great-aunt, you all must take good care too. When the right time comes, I’ll send someone to bring you back.”
Then, she solemnly instructed Pei Jia: “You must take good care of the Pei Clan elders.”
Pei Jia cupped his hands solemnly and accepted the order.
That evening, the Meng Brothers held a feast to see Pei Qinghe off. The military generals still in Bohai Commandery also came to the banquet. Even Zhang Yun came.
With Empress Zhang’s repeated generous gifts clearly showing her attitude, the quick-witted generals began to consider marriage alliances with the other Pei women.
And the one who had his eye on Pei Feng was none other than General Song, who had previously teased Pei Qinghe. General Song directly stated at the feast that he was willing to marry his daughter into the Pei Clan.
Pei Feng had never faced such a situation; his scalp tingled, his handsome face stiff.
The benefits of marriage alliances could be seen from the Guangning Army. If he could annex an army without bloodshed, he would consider it. But now was too early…
Pei Qinghe smiled: “General Song’s kind intentions, I thank you on Pei Feng’s behalf first. However, Pei Feng is still young, and there are many cousin sisters above him who aren’t married yet; it will be five or six years before it’s his turn.”
Pei Feng secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Pei Qinghe saw it and smiled subtly.
The next day at dawn, five hundred Pei Family Army horsemen rode out the city gate. The Guangning Army followed closely behind.
Meng Liulang stood on the city gate, watching the Pei character flag flutter into the distance. Turning his head, he saw his brother looking at him meaningfully.
Meng Liulang twitched his mouth: “I’m not some hot-blooded youth; I know what’s important. When I marry Miss Pang later, I’ll treat her well.”
Meng Dalang patted Meng Liulang’s shoulder: “You’ve really grown up.”
Meng Liulang rolled his eyes.
He wasn’t some greedy and shameless Emperor Jian’an.
The heartbeat of youth had been forever missed. What should be let go must be let go; move forward and look ahead.
…
Warhorses galloped sixty li, rested briefly, then set off again.
That evening, they camped in the wilderness as usual. Pei Qinghe divided the men into two shifts: “I’ll lead troops to guard the first half of the night; General Yang, you guard the second half.”
Yang Hu was somewhat surprised: “Why be so cautious? We haven’t even left Bohai Commandery—could there really be bandits?”
Pei Qinghe tugged at the corner of her mouth; the leaping bonfire reflected in her cold black eyes: “Hard to say. We’ve been in the spotlight these days, so inevitably some people don’t like the look of us and might strike while we’re on the road.”
Pei Yan raised her brows with killing intent: “Whoever dares come, let them learn the power of the Pei Family Army.”
Pei Xuan and Pei Feng sat by the fire wiping their long sabers.
Captain Sun carefully maintained the bow and arrow.
Half the men slept in their clothes, while the other half elite soldiers held weapons, eyes sharp as they patrolled on vigilant watch.
The first half of the night passed without incident.
At the fourth watch of the second half of the night, a band of bandits arrived quietly.
