Chapter 328: Return
A night of indulgent pleasure.
The next day at the fifth watch, Pei Qinghe quietly got up, dressed, and got out of bed.
Shi Yan, exhausted from the night, was still deep in sleep, his lips curving up as if dreaming something sweet.
As soon as Pei Qinghe stepped out of the house, she ran into Pei Yan and Yang Huai. Pei Yan was rubbing her waist while muttering something. Yang Huai awkwardly grinned, baring his teeth without smiling too obviously.
Pei Qinghe pretended not to hear anything and smilingly called out to Pei Yan to head to the training ground together.
The training ground in Pei Family Village kept expanding nonstop. The trees originally standing north of the village had been cut down batch after batch, and now it nearly reached the foot of the mountain.
The veteran soldiers of the Pei Family Army took it in stride. But the two thousand newly arrived Liaoxi soldiers and five hundred Fanyang soldiers were greatly shocked.
This training ground was just too big!
There were areas dedicated to building strength by lifting stone locks, all sorts of wooden weapons for sparring, and row after row of arrow targets.
Not only was it several times larger than the barracks they were used to, what amazed them even more was that every Pei Family Army soldier was full of spirit. After rushing on the road for so many days, they weren’t tired at all? Didn’t they need to rest for a few days before training?!
The Pei Family Army wasn’t resting—how could they have the face to rest?
Fortunately, the general took pity on everyone’s hard work and announced that morning training today would only be a five-mile run. All the soldiers quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Over the past half year, they had been undergoing the general’s strict training. Now running five miles was a breeze, and no one fell behind.
After the run, they lined up to eat breakfast. The kitchen in Pei Family Village was mostly staffed by women, and all the soldiers formed ten separate lines. Some would crane their necks now and then to sneak a peek.
The women serving rice and ladling soup showed no shyness at all, openly sizing up the soldiers. If they saw one with a sturdy build and handsome looks, they would smile at him. Occasionally, a soldier could even chat a bit with the kitchen women while getting his food.
This was also what the soldiers looked forward to most each day. Marriage was allowed in the Pei Family Army—as long as a man and woman took a liking to each other, they could report it and get married. Plenty of husband-and-wife pairs served together, training separately by day and returning to the same house at night.
Both male and female soldiers died on the battlefield. Those who lost a spouse could observe a year of mourning for their deceased husband or wife, then remarry.
With so much fighting, life and death partings were common occurrences. After grieving and wiping away tears, they straightened their backs and carried on living. Meals still had to be eaten, battles still had to be fought, and life had to go on.
Every time after a battle, there would be a wave of marriages. The cruelty of the battlefield and the uncertainty of life made them cherish and love life even more.
In just a few short days, three people came to report the good news of wanting to get married to the general.
Captain Sun was one of them.
Captain Sun, who was very seasoned on the battlefield, was uncharacteristically nervous and fidgety. The woman standing beside him had a graceful figure, fair skin, almond eyes and peach cheeks, charming and beautiful.
This woman was called Jiao Niang—her past didn’t need detailing; she had been in Pei Family Village for four or five years. She had always taught the children to read. The Pei Family Army soldiers privately nicknamed her “Rival to Diaochan.” She was the dream wife of countless soldiers.
Who would have thought that the one who finally won this beauty was Captain Sun.
Pei Qinghe smiled and asked, “Have you two thought it through?”
Captain Sun was a bit awkward and embarrassed.
Jiao Niang was poised and at ease, smiling as she replied, “To be honest with you, General, Captain Sun and I took a liking to each other last year. Then the Xiongnu barbarians suddenly invaded Liaoxi, and you led the army there. Now that Captain Sun has safely returned, I don’t want to wait any longer. I am willing to marry Captain Sun.”
They called it marriage at will. In truth, it was mostly the women taking sons-in-law. Women held high status in the Pei Family Army, backed by General Pei, so they had more confidence in taking a son-in-law.
Pei Qinghe looked toward Captain Sun.
Captain Sun was over thirty, but at this moment he was like a love-struck young lad. He coughed and said, “I want to marry Jiao Niang. Please approve, General.”
Captain Sun had originally had a wife and children. A few years ago, with constant turmoil in the capital city and endless fighting, his wife and children all died by the blades of the Jiangnan Rebel Army. Afterward, Captain Sun wandered far and wide until he sought refuge with the Pei Family Army, finally finding stability.
Captain Sun was a widower, and Jiao Niang had long lost her husband. Since they were fond of each other, Pei Qinghe was happy to see it happen. She approved their marriage and specially prepared a generous gift.
The Pei Family Army was full of talent, and Captain Sun stood out among them. Relying on his own capability and skill, he firmly established himself and earned Pei Qinghe’s deep trust and regard.
With the marriage certificate drawn up, Jiao Niang packed her belongings and moved into Captain Sun’s house. They set two tables for close colleagues and friends. In the barracks, eating stewed meat meant the wedding was done.
Happy events came one after another, and Meng Bing, whose injuries had mostly healed, could restrain himself no longer.
Meng Bing had the nerve to go find Mao Hongling: “When are you welcoming me through the door?”
Mao Hongling bit her lip and smiled: “Have you really thought it through? Once you take this step, you’ll be Pei family from then on—no turning back.”
Meng Bing chuckled softly: “I’ve thought it through long ago. As long as you don’t mind me, I’ll be yours for the rest of my life.”
Mao Hongling smiled to speak, when suddenly there was an odd noise outside the door. Mao Hongling’s ears twitched, and she quickly stepped forward to open the door.
Little Doggy stumbled in with a lurch, and Mao Hongling reached out to grab his ear: “When did you learn to eavesdrop?”
Little Doggy yelped in pain: “Ow ow ow! Mom, let go quick—my ear’s gonna come off!”
Meng Bing smilingly pleaded: “The child’s still young and naughty—it’s unavoidable. We can teach him slowly later.”
Mao Hongling was usually gentle and good-tempered, but when angry, her stern face carried some of a female general’s authority: “He’s seven this year—he should know better. Anything else I could overlook, but eavesdropping is a bad habit that absolutely won’t do. You stay out of it—I’m giving him a lesson today.”
Meng Bing had no choice but to shut up.
Mao Hongling unceremoniously spanked Little Doggy’s bottom hard. Little Doggy howled and wailed, tears streaming.
Mao Hongling showed no mercy, her face stern as she asked: “Will you dare do it again?”
Little Doggy sobbed: “I won’t.”
Mao Hongling asked again: “I want to marry Uncle Meng and become husband and wife— are you willing?”
Little Doggy wiped his tears with his sleeve: “Then can I call him Dad from now on? Xiao Wang’er and the others all have dads—I want one too.”
Mao Hongling was exasperated yet amused, glancing at Meng Bing. Meng Bing was overjoyed and immediately laughed: “Then starting today, I’m Little Doggy’s dad. All the military pay Dad earns from now on will be saved for Little Doggy to spend.”
Little Doggy was coaxed into grinning through his tears, clutching Meng Bing’s sleeve and refusing to let go.
Meng Bing held Little Doggy’s hand in one of his and Mao Hongling’s in the other, his face beaming with joy as they appeared before Pei Qinghe together.
Pei Qinghe raised an eyebrow with a smile: “General Meng, are you truly willing to marry into the Pei clan?”
Meng Bing agreed straightforwardly.
Pei Qinghe looked toward Mao Hongling. Mao Hongling blushed faintly and softly said: “Please approve, General.”
Pei Qinghe smiled: “I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time.” She paused, then added: “This matter can’t be hidden, so I’ll write a letter to report it to the Son of Heaven.”
