Jiangshan Fengwuzhi

Chapter 290 Pushing the envelope
After leaving the Marshal's Mansion, Pei Wugou returned to the post station and sent someone to summon Pei Nian.

He then prepared an incense burner.

While fiddling with the incense in the stove, Pei Nian arrived and sneered, "Since Father wants me to become Li Shuangyun so badly, why not just recognize her as his daughter?"

Pei Wugou smiled wryly, "This is the only way to contact the imperial court in Jusai City."

He came to rescue his daughter, but each time he had to contact the court in a way that harmed her, which made him feel guilty. Fortunately, they were able to complete their mission soon and return to the capital with merit.

Although Pei Nian's words were barbed, she acted decisively, sitting down directly at the table. As the wisp of smoke rose, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

Consciousness floated back into that void space.

This time, Pei Nian didn't bother talking to Pei Wugou and silently waited for Li Shuangyun.

But after a long time, Li Shuangyun did not appear.

She then asked, "Have you contacted them?"

Pei Wugou said, "She has sucked your blood and planted her essence in your body. As long as you completely let go of your consciousness, she will be able to sense it."

Pei Nian had already suspected how Li Shuangyun had manipulated her, but now she was certain.

Why didn't Father say so sooner?

"It's not important anymore; it will be resolved once we return to the capital."

Pei Wugou has always been so self-righteous, as if he controls everything and no one else needs to know anything.

Pei Nian was already used to it and gave a slight sneer.

“You’re still on guard against her,” Pei Wugou said. “Relax, and she’ll be able to come over when you’re relaxed.”

"I know." Pei Nian said, slightly impatient.

This is like falling asleep; if you try to think about it, it's easier to stay awake. She doesn't need Pei Wugou's nagging reminders.

The father and daughter stood facing each other in silence for a while.

“You don’t have to marry Gu Jingnian,” Pei Wugou said. “We will leave Jusai City before you get married.”

"Aren't you going to do the job?"

"It will be done very quickly."

"Now that it's all done, what will Gu Jingnian say?"

“We’ll take Womin with us; as for him, that’s beyond my control.”

Pei Nian said, "You said that if I went back to Zhuojing, they would let me go. You said that I should not marry Gu Jingnian, as if that would allow me to have no more ties with him. Little did they know that as long as he still had any use to them, they would definitely use me to deal with him."

It's a sad story, as she herself sees herself as a pawn in this passage. But her expression doesn't betray self-pity; towards the end, her eyes become calm, with a strange, underlying joy.

“I am destined to be entangled with Gu Jingnian for the rest of my life,” Pei Nian said. “Taking me away won’t help you.”

Pei Wugou was stunned.

He was a very perceptive person and could sense Pei Nian's unwavering conviction. She was so certain of her destiny with Gu Jingnian that it shocked him.

Unlike the case of Womin, where he still doubted even with conclusive evidence, he already believed it based on just a few words.

Pei Wugou stared blankly at Pei Nian, about to speak.

The next moment, Li Shuangyun had unknowingly walked behind Pei Nian and knocked Pei Nian unconscious with a chop to the neck.

Then Li Shuangyun's figure disappeared, and Pei Nian opened her eyes again. Her tone became gentle again, but it had more of the authority of a superior than before.

"She's not as willing to serve the Kaiping Division as before; she's developed a resistance to it."

Pei Wugou said, "She's too young; she couldn't think straight for a moment."

Li Shuangyun laughed and said, "He must be troubled by love. Pei Jishi, whose heart is as hard as stone, melted into water when he met Gu Jingnian."

She spoke while occupying Pei Nian's body, her eyes lowered, revealing a touch of shyness.

These words struck a nerve with Pei Wugou, the old father, who couldn't help but sigh.

"Let's get down to business. I've confirmed with Liang Xin and Gu Jize that Womin is indeed in Jusai City."

"You're still confirming," Li Shuangyun said. "Don't you believe me?"

Pei Wugou said, "Gu Jingnian is cunning, so it's not an exaggeration to be careful. Fortunately, Gu Jize is willing to join us."

"Oh?"

Li Shuangyun may seem like a pretty face, but she's not unaware of the situation. She muttered, "In this wretched place of Jusai City, the aliens are held back. No matter how capable I am, I can't break through. But with a single order from Gu Jizu, the problem can be easily solved."

Pei Wugou said, "That's right, but Gu Jize has some conditions."

"I'm not afraid of setting conditions, I'm afraid of people like Gu Jingnian who don't keep their word."

“Gu Jize is different. He has heavy responsibilities and will keep his promises. However, he wants a lot.”

After speaking, Pei Wugou listed all of Gu Jize's conditions, totaling more than thirty items. He wanted cities and land, as well as grain, gold and silk, people and slaves, and various rewards and powers. In short, he wanted to be granted territory and become a regional lord.

Li Shuangyun, who had originally been in a "I'll grant any request" attitude, frowned slightly upon hearing this, displaying an expression of distress that Pei Nian had never shown before.

"Alright, alright, I can't make those decisions. The Kaiping Division is in charge of intelligence, not the prime minister."

She inadvertently revealed her ignorance.

Pei Wugou reminded him, "The Prime Minister cannot make these decisions; we can only consult His Majesty."

"If you can't remember, make a list."

Pei Wugou spread his hands, indicating that he couldn't write down a note in this empty space, and said, "This kind of communication cannot be conveyed by pen and ink, so please make a note of it, Commander Li."

Li Shuangyun's gaze involuntarily carried a hint of resentment.

She used to be a countrywoman, but now she's been recruited by the Kingdom of Rui and become a high-ranking official. She can usually handle small matters, but today's matter concerns military and political affairs, and she doesn't understand many of the terms in Gu Jize's conditions.

"Wait, what does '淘壕完誺' mean?"

Pei Wugou looked up and saw Pei Nian's face, which was filled with an unprecedented thirst for knowledge.

Pei Nian has always been good at both academics and martial arts, and has never asked him for help with his studies.

Today, I can barely call it the first time.

Pei Wugou was greatly pleased and patiently began to teach him.

After a while, Li Shuangyun said, "I've roughly noted it down. I'll go report it first."

After saying that, Pei Nian closed her eyes and fainted.

The last bit of smoke in the incense burner dissipated.

Inside the room, Pei Nian opened her eyes, her face now blank with indifference.

Upon seeing this, Pei Wugou couldn't help but think that although her daughter was a bit slow-witted, she was even more obedient.

Pei Nian seemed to sense Pei Wugou's thoughts, glanced at him indifferently, and left without saying goodbye.

Pei Wugou sighed, knowing that her own daughter was still the best.

Now all that remains is to await the imperial court's reply. Subduing Gu Jize and capturing the Wo people will be just around the corner.

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After enjoying a few rare days of peace in Jusai City, Pei Wugou went out one day and was surprised to find that the Marshal's Mansion had not stopped preparing for the wedding. Not only was the mansion decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, but the whole city was also celebrating.

Gu Jize even went so far as to spend lavishly, preparing a large feast of wine and meat to entertain the soldiers, making an even bigger spectacle than before.

He clearly knew that Pei Wugou opposed the marriage, and acting in this way when both parties had already reached a consensus seemed somewhat disrespectful.

Pei Wugou then went to the Marshal's mansion to ask him what had happened.

"A delaying tactic."

Faced with Pei Wugou's questioning, Gu Jize answered with four words in a nonchalant manner.

"A delaying tactic?"

“Indeed, since the court has not yet granted my request, and in order to keep Eleventh Prince in check, I should outwardly support his idea,” Gu Jize said. “Otherwise, wouldn’t that make him realize that we are cooperating?”

Pei Wugou said, "I will not marry my daughter to Gu Jingnian. General, aren't you afraid of wasting food and wine by preparing for the wedding?"

Gu Jize said cheerfully, "They're all distributed to our own soldiers, so what's the waste?"

Pei Wugou still had doubts, but he chose to believe Gu Jize. He figured that once the court agreed to his conditions, he would have no choice but to submit to the court.

Several more days passed, and Pei Wugou contacted Li Shuangyun again, learning that His Majesty was ready to agree, but still needed to discuss it with the senior officials. This was to be expected, and they could only wait patiently.

However, on this day, Gu Jize approached Pei Wugou again, saying that he wanted to move up the wedding date of Gu Jingnian and Pei Nian to the end of this month.

Pei Wugou frowned, knowing that the court might not be able to come up with a plan by the end of the month. Would they really have to marry off their daughter then?

"What does the general mean by this?"

Gu Jize smiled and said, "My younger brother is truly in love with your daughter, so why should you, Lord Pei, try to separate them?"

Pei Wugou said, "General, are you perhaps going to back out?"

"Of course not. I am loyal to the court, and I'm sure Lord Pei wouldn't exclude me," Gu Jize said. "However, I thought about it later, and it wouldn't be a bad idea for the Gu family and the Pei family to form a marriage alliance."

"You!" Pei Wugou roared in anger, "Don't push your luck!"

Gu Jize smiled ingratiatingly, but his eyes were firm as he asked, "What? Is Womin not worthy of Lord Pei marrying his daughter to him?"

Pei Wugou came to save his daughter, but he never expected to be forced to this point.

He clearly sensed something was wrong, but since things had come to this point, he could only agree for the time being, feign compliance, and then look for another opportunity to deal with the situation.

(End of this chapter)