Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 253 Song Xue (2)

"Why did General Song suddenly come to deliver gifts?" Pei Yan whispered, leaning closer. "Pingyang Army is hundreds of miles away from us; it's not an easy trip for him. Could he be up to something else?"

Pei Qinghe glanced at Pei Yan with a smile: "That's rare. Miss Pei Yan is starting to use her brain too."

Pei Zhi and Pei Xuan stood to the side, grinning from ear to ear.

Pei Yan was displeased: "I've always been very smart."

Pei Qinghe chuckled: "Alright then, tell me, what brings the Song siblings here?"

Pei Yan racked her brains, trying her best to think. Pei Zhi couldn't stand it anymore and rolled her eyes playfully: "Why did General Yang send Yang Huai to deliver gifts back then?"

Pei Yan suddenly realized: "The Song family wants a marriage alliance."

Pei Qinghe smiled and nodded, "Back in Bohai County, General Song mentioned to me that he wanted to marry his beloved daughter to Pei Feng. I brushed it off by saying that Pei Feng was too young. I didn't expect that General Song was so determined to arrange a marriage, and even took the initiative to invite Miss Song to our Pei family army."

"Just pretend you don't know anything about this. When Miss Song arrives later, don't look around and ask random questions, lest you embarrass her."

Young women are shy, and it's not very dignified for them to take the initiative to go to someone's house to arrange a marriage.

Pei Yan, Pei Zhi, Pei Xuan, and the others all responded solemnly. Then they all turned to look at their cousin, Pei Feng, who was vigorously swinging his sword in the training ground.

Unaware of the danger, Pei Feng was locked in fierce combat with the most skilled of the Xiongnu barbarians. This barbarian was tall and strong, wielding a curved saber with ferocious force. Pei Feng, though lacking in strength, possessed superior agility, and the fight was evenly matched.

To train them for real combat, Pei Qinghe set a rule: once they were on the training ground, death or injury would be left to fate. The Xiongnu barbarians were bound by thin iron chains, making pursuit difficult. However, they were all incredibly strong and ferocious, and had injured quite a few people in recent days.

Only in this way can we train a powerful and elite army that is not afraid of the Xiongnu barbarians.

When Song Xue and her brother entered the training ground, they witnessed a group of Xiongnu barbarians wielding their swords brutally. Every strike was real, drawing blood frequently, a sight that terrified the onlookers.

"So this is how the Pei family army trains!" Song Dalang gasped, admiration rising in his eyes: "No wonder the Pei family army is hailed as the best army in the north."

The title of the elite northern army originally belonged to the Beiping army. The Meng brothers defended Bohai County under the fierce attack of the rebel army, and their reputation soared. Unexpectedly, they were soon overshadowed by the Pei family army, which defeated the Xiongnu barbarians.

Even though the armies of the northern lands felt a pang of resentment, they all knew they were no match for the Xiongnu barbarians, and naturally felt a greater sense of awe towards the Pei family army.

Song Xue's eyes sparkled, and she looked around excitedly. Then, she was drawn to a young man wielding a knife.

From a distance, one cannot see the boy's face clearly; only his cold, ruthless figure wielding his knife with practiced ease.

Song Dalang coughed, signaling his younger sister to restrain herself: "General Pei is ahead, come with me to see General Pei."

Song Xue withdrew her gaze, followed her brother forward, and bowed to General Pei: "Song Xue greets General Pei."

"Please rise, Miss Song."

General Pei's voice was unexpectedly clear and pleasant. Song Xue looked up and exclaimed in surprise, "So this is what General Pei looks like!"

Pei Qinghe smiled and said, "I'm neither tall and strong nor do I have three heads and six arms. Am I disappointing Miss Song?"

Song Xue smiled, her eyes crinkling like crescent moons, her expression charming and adorable: "How could I be disappointed? I'm amazed; General Pei is even more handsome and dashing than I imagined."

Pei Qinghe wasn't a stunning beauty, nor was she the most beautiful among the Pei family's young ladies. She possessed a unique charm that always made her stand out in a crowd.

Looking at Pei Qinghe, Song Xue's tone revealed admiration: "General Pei is a heroine. She established the Pei Family Army, killed bandits and fought against the Xiongnu barbarians, and protected the people. She is a great figure whom all women in the world admire and respect, but can only look up to. It is truly an honor for me to see the General in person today."

Song Dalang: "..." No wonder my sister insisted on coming to Pei Family Army. It turns out she didn't come to see Pei Feng, but to see General Pei.

Pei Qinghe was quite used to it. Her cousins ​​always treated her this way. So, having Song Xue added to the mix didn't bother her much.

Pei Qinghe said with a gentle smile, "Since you're here, stay for a while."

Song Xue nodded happily, her bright, watery eyes blinking, as clear and endearing as a fawn's.

Song Dalang presented a handwritten letter and generous gifts from his father. Pei Qinghe opened the letter in front of everyone, smiled after reading it, and stuffed it into her sleeve. As for the boxes of brand-new weapons, she naturally accepted them without hesitation.

A burst of cheers suddenly erupted in the training ground.

Pei Qinghe looked up and smiled, "Pei Feng won!"

Pei Feng?

Song Xue reluctantly turned her gaze away from Pei Qinghe's face and looked at the handsome young man who was walking towards her.

The thirteen-year-old boy was still somewhat thin, but his face was extremely handsome. He had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and his expression was cold and arrogant.

Amidst the cheers and jeers of the crowd, Pei Feng strode over and grinned at Pei Qinghe: "General, I won!"

Pei Qinghe never hesitated to praise, and she complimented Pei Feng in public. Pei Feng held his head high and stood tall, like a proud little peacock.

Then, Qinghe's cousin said with a smile, "By the way, these are General Song's eldest son and youngest daughter from Pingyang Army. Come and greet Young Master Song and Miss Song."

Pei Feng's smile faltered, alarm bells rang in his mind, and he reluctantly bowed in greeting.

Song Dalang was extremely satisfied with Pei Feng and exchanged a few pleasantries with a smile.

Song Xue smiled sweetly, revealing two adorable dimples: "Brother Pei Feng, I'm a year older than you, so you can call me Sister Song from now on."

Pei Feng twitched his lips, and under Pei Qinghe's gaze, he forced himself to open his mouth and call out, "Sister Song."

……

From that day on, Pei Qinghe had another follower, Miss Song.

Pei Yan didn't care; no one could take her place anyway.

Pei Xuan didn't mind. She was her future sister-in-law; it wouldn't hurt to give way a little.

Only Pei Feng kept a stern face all day long, as cold and aloof as winter snow. He wouldn't even bother to strike up a conversation, and he hardly ever looked at Song Xue directly.

Song Xue didn't mind, always smiling and calling Pei Feng "little brother" affectionately. Pei Feng couldn't avoid her, and his handsome face grew even uglier.

Pei Qinghe found it quite amusing and privately said to Shi Yan with a smile, "Pei Feng is still young and hasn't quite figured things out yet. But this Song Xue is much smarter and more clever than I imagined. In just a few days, she has recognized all the important figures in the Pei family army and even visited Pei Family Village."

Shi Yan smiled and said, "The Pingyang Army is quite famous among the troops stationed in the north, and General Song is also a formidable figure. His daughter, whom he has carefully raised, is naturally exceptional."

"This marriage can only be finalized if Pei Feng is willing," Pei Qinghe said with a smile. "If Pei Feng is really unwilling, then let's call it off."

(End of this chapter)