Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 199 Engagement (Part 1)

Lu Dongqing clearly preferred to be a military doctor.

After entering Peijia Village, he took the initiative to seek out Doctor Bao.

The Pei family army was constantly training, and accidental injuries were common. Doctor Bao, along with his apprentices, was always extremely busy. The arrival of such a skilled physician as a helper was a cause for great joy for Doctor Bao.

Pei Qinghe came to inspect the wounded soldiers' camp and casually asked, "How is Lu Dongqing's medical skill?"

Doctor Bao praised him highly: "He is a master at taking pulses and prescribing medicine, and he also has a lot of experience in treating external injuries. He truly deserves to be called a son of the Lu family."

The Lu family was the most famous family of doctors in the north, and their wound medicines were renowned throughout the land. The Lu family's sons, nephews, and descendants all studied medicine, and Lu Dongqing was one of the most outstanding among this generation, being young, handsome, and exceptionally good-looking.

The Lu family promoted Lu Dongqing with considerable confidence, believing he could compete with Shi Yan.

Pei Qinghe's gaze swept over Lu Dongqing, who was treating wounded soldiers. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Lu Dongqing had been busy with his back to Pei Qinghe ever since she arrived, without turning around or looking up, let alone taking the initiative to speak.

That saved a lot of trouble.

Pei Qinghe smiled, looked away, and casually teased Doctor Bao: "Have you seen Sister Yun alone since she came back?"

The increasingly composed Doctor Bao blushed immediately upon hearing his beloved's name: "Not yet."

Pei Qinghe offered a suggestion: "Since Beiping County has come to surrender, I plan to send my cousin Yun with the troops."

Unlike Changping County, Beiping Prefecture is not a place where one can return at any time. Once Pei Yun leaves, it will not be easy to meet her again.

Doctor Bao understood the implication in Pei Qinghe's words and felt a dull ache in his heart. Then, he heard Pei Qinghe slowly say, "Sister Yun is going to lead a thousand men. After arriving in Beiping County, she will continue to recruit and train soldiers. With so many people, there must be military doctors."

Doctor Bao's gloomy eyes suddenly lit up: "I am willing to go with you to Beiping County."

Pei Qinghe smiled slightly: "First, you need your cousin Yun's approval. Second, someone needs to take your place. There's still some time to go; whether you can go or not depends on yourself."

Dr. Bao grinned and nodded repeatedly.

After dark, Doctor Bao shamelessly went to see Pei Yun.

Pei Yun was somewhat surprised: "Why are you here?"

The courage that Doctor Bao had mustered for half a day vanished almost entirely when he stood before Pei Yun. He kept encouraging himself in his heart, and when he opened his mouth, he stammered, "General Pei wants to send you to Beiping County. I... I want to go with you."

Pei Yun looked at the young man, whose face was flushed, and said softly, "We don't know the exact situation in Beiping County yet. Do you really want to go?"

She did not refuse.

Dr. Bao was both delighted and excited, his voice trembling slightly: "I want to go, of course I want to go. As long as you agree, I'm willing to go to the ends of the earth with you."

This was probably the boldest thing he had ever said since they met.

Seeing his overjoyed expression, almost dancing with glee, Pei Yun couldn't help but smile and say, "Baohao, do you really want to be my son-in-law?"

Doctor Bao's face flushed red, and the words he had been holding back burst out: "I want to, I want to think about it every day."

"My biggest regret is that I didn't dare to stand up like Zhao Hai and express my feelings in public back then."

“I know you were engaged before and can’t forget your former fiancé. I’m willing to wait until the day you want to find a husband to live with you.”

When the topic of her ex-fiancé came up unexpectedly, Pei Yun sighed, "I haven't thought about that heartless bastard for a long time."

When she first arrived at Peijia Village, she secretly cried a few times. Later, she was busy every day, killing bandits, guarding the village, seizing territory, and struggling to survive. Where did she find the time to sigh and lament over a bastard?

Even that face I once thought I would never forget has faded. Now, in a sudden recollection, it's blurry. But the face of the person in front of me, with its burning, bright light, is clearer than ever.

Unable to contain her excitement, Bao Hao mustered her courage and took a step closer. Her right hand trembled as she hesitated.

Pei Yun stepped forward naturally and took his hand: "I don't have time to get married right now. Let's get engaged first. Once we have a formal status, you won't have to worry about things all the time."

Bao Hao was so excited that tears almost welled up in her eyes, and she choked out a "Okay."

Pei Yun smiled and reached out to wipe the corner of his eye: "Let's go find my cousin Qinghe. We need to tell her about the engagement."

Pei Yun, holding Pei Qinghe's wrapped hand, went up to her and openly expressed her desire to get engaged.

I was so excited that my hands and feet wouldn't obey me, and so did my tears.

This scene is hilarious.

Pei Qinghe couldn't help but chuckle: "You've waited for over four years, and finally the clouds have parted and the moon is shining. You should be happy, so why are you crying?"

While crying, she said, "I don't want to cry, but I just can't help it."

She even hiccuped from crying.

Pei Yan, who had come to join in the fun after hearing the good news, laughed heartily. Bao Hao blushed with embarrassment. Pei Yun glared at Pei Yan with a smile: "Bao Hao is your future brother-in-law, so don't always bully him."

Pei Yan grinned and said, "He hasn't even entered the Pei family yet, and my cousin Yun is already protecting him like this."

Pei Yun remained calm: "I'll train with you tomorrow morning."

Pei Yan immediately turned her head and complained, "Cousin Qinghe, Cousin Yun is bullying me because she's good at fighting."

"Then you better step up and beat your cousin Yun to a pulp," Pei Qinghe said casually.

Pei Yan's embarrassed expression made everyone laugh.

……

Two days later, Pei Qinghe publicly announced the good news that Pei Yun and Bao Hao were engaged.

That day, they went to Guangning Army to propose marriage for Pei Yan, sending two thousand shi of military rations as a betrothal gift. Once they reached Pei Yun, they were already part of the Pei family army, and since there were no elders or relatives among them, it saved them a lot of trouble. A few tables were set up, and the direct descendants of the Pei family and important leaders of the Pei family army gathered together—that was their engagement banquet.

Pei Qinghe even specially instructed the kitchen to prepare an extra meal of meat so that everyone could share in the joy.

Pei Qinghe said to Pei Yun, "The engagement was a bit simple. I'll make it up to you when we get married."

Pei Yun smiled and said, "If you feel bad about it, then give me more weapons, money, food and warhorses."

Pei Qinghe turned to look at Shi Yan, who habitually took out a small gold abacus and fiddled with it for a moment: "The rations for a thousand men are already being prepared. The grain in the warehouse is currently quite plentiful, so we can prepare another 30%."

Pei Qinghe nodded slightly: "Okay, prepare according to this number."

Pei Yun was overjoyed. An extra 30% of military rations meant that they could quickly recruit new soldiers after arriving in Beiping County. This was far more valuable than any gold, silver, or jade.

He was captivated by his fiancée's radiant smile and, without realizing it, drank a few too many glasses. He quickly passed out, completely drunk.

Zhao Hai helped the bag back, and Shi Yan, being very perceptive, came over to lend a hand.

He kept laughing and chuckling.

(End of this chapter)