Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 292 The Endgame (Part Two)

When fighting a war, all you need to think about is how to win.

After the war, they had to deal with all sorts of troublemakers. The situation was even more complex than during the war. Emperor Jian'an was the biggest problem among them.

Pei Qinghe stared at Eunuch Shen.

Sweat beaded on Eunuch Shen's forehead. Unable to withstand the immense pressure, he bowed even lower: "This servant has also brought a personal letter from His Majesty. Please take a look, General."

Shen Gonggong carefully took out a letter from his bosom.

Pei Qinghe didn't reach out to take the letter: "Shi Yan, come here."

Shi Yan, who had been standing in the corner, stepped forward without hesitation, becoming the focus of everyone's attention.

Pei Qinghe smiled slightly and said to Eunuch Shen, "This is my fiancé, Shi Yan. Once I recover from my injuries, I will take him as my son-in-law and bring him into the Pei family. Please convey this good news to the Emperor, Eunuch Shen."

Eunuch Shen: "..."

The shrewd and worldly-wise Eunuch Shen found himself in an unprecedented predicament. Retracting his hand holding the imperial letter was inappropriate, but extending it further was even more problematic; he froze on the spot.

Shi Yan smiled gently and cupped his hands in greeting: "Shi Yan greets Eunuch Shen."

Finally realizing what was happening, Eunuch Shen stuffed the letter back into his pocket and gave a dry laugh: "Young Master Shi, you're too kind. Please get up."

“Shi Yan is the chief steward of my Pei family army, in charge of the accounts of the money and grain warehouse.” Pei Qinghe said with a smile, “In this great battle against the Xiongnu barbarians, Shi Yan made great contributions in procuring provisions. After Eunuch Shen returns to the palace, you might as well put in a good word for him with the Emperor. Let the Emperor know that Shi Yan is the husband I personally chose, so the Emperor no longer needs to worry about my marriage.”

What could Eunuch Shen say? He could only continue to smile and, in front of everyone, praise Steward Shi for his shrewdness and ability, and General Pei for his keen insight.

Pei Qinghe grasped Shi Yan's hand in front of everyone and smiled at Eunuch Shen, saying, "Eunuch Shen has come from afar to deliver the imperial decree. You must be very tired. Why don't you rest for a few days in Liaoxi City?"

Eunuch Shen smiled and agreed.

Pei Yun stepped forward and politely arranged accommodations for Eunuch Shen.

"Your hands have been sweating." Pei Qinghe chuckled softly.

He wasn't just sweating, he was trembling. If Pei Qinghe hadn't held his hand tightly, he would have embarrassed himself in front of everyone.

Shi Yan gripped Pei Qinghe's hand tightly, his voice low: "After waiting for several years, this day has finally come. I'm so excited I can hardly breathe. You have to hold my hand the whole time, or I'm afraid I'll faint."

Pei Qinghe chuckled, amused: "I never expected that Steward Shi, who is used to big occasions, would also have moments of weakness."

Shi Yan grinned: "My mind is completely blank right now. Let me calm down and then I'll think about what to say to you."

Pei Yan couldn't contain herself and rushed over, instinctively trying to push Shi Yan aside. Yang Huai, quick-witted and agile, grabbed Pei Yan's hand first: "It's a bit hot in here, let's go for a walk."

Pei Yan pouted, reluctantly being dragged out: "Why are you dragging me?"

Yang Huai held her hand and walked a short distance before chuckling softly, "Manager Shi has waited several years for this day. Don't be so domineering."

"Also, you said that we would get married after the war. Once I'm married into the Pei family, I'll be a son-in-law and I'll have to live with you. You can't just abandon me and keep bothering the general all day."

Pei Yan considered it seriously: "It's not impossible."

Yang Huai was amused and annoyed: "That won't do. Now that I've become your son-in-law, I'm yours. Don't even think about abandoning me."

...Eunuch Shen's smile barely held on as he entered the room.

As soon as the door closed, Eunuch Shen felt as if the sky had fallen: "It's over! It's all over! How am I going to go back and explain this to the Emperor!"

Pei Qinghe won one battle after another, and Emperor Jian'an became increasingly arrogant. He even ignored General Zhang's objections and insisted on issuing an edict to reward Pei Qinghe.

That letter was filled with tender longing. Before Eunuch Shen left, Emperor Jian'an specifically instructed him to deliver the letter to Pei Qinghe, the meaning of which was self-evident.

Who would have thought that Pei Qinghe not only refused to accept the letter, but also publicly announced that she would take Shi Yan as her son-in-law.

This is no different from slapping Emperor Jian'an in public.

"Oh no! What am I going to do!" Eunuch Shen was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, feeling the letter in his arms getting hotter and hotter, as if he was being cooked alive.

In desperation, Eunuch Shen thought of Meng Dalang, who was recovering from his injuries.

Meng Dalang's place of recuperation was only a few rooms away. Eunuch Shen wiped his sweat and went straight to Meng Dalang's room.

A guard came out of the door, and Eunuch Shen didn't even need to knock before entering the room.

Meng Dalang's injuries were much more severe than Pei Qinghe's. He couldn't get up or get out of bed and had to be helped to sit on the bed against the thick quilt. He was covered in cold sweat.

"General Meng, you must give us some advice," Eunuch Shen sighed with a bitter face. "His Majesty is eagerly awaiting General Pei's reply, but who would have thought that General Pei already has a son-in-law in mind? This..."

Meng Dalang cried out, and the guards who were standing outside the door immediately rushed in and helped Meng Dalang lie down.

After all that commotion, Meng Dalang had no strength left to speak.

Shen Gonggong left with a bitter face.

Meng Dalang, who looked so weak he seemed about to die at any moment, opened his eyes and let out a soft groan.

The guard whispered, "Does the general not want to deal with Eunuch Shen?"

Meng Dalang scoffed: "How should I reason with him? Do you expect me to persuade General Pei to abandon the capable Steward Shi and lead the invincible Pei family army to Bohai County to become a concubine in the palace?"

"This is utterly absurd and ridiculous. General Pei, a peerless warrior, is expected to deal with the Emperor's philandering and infidelity! To even have such a thought is an insult to General Pei, let alone utter a word about it!"

The guards nodded repeatedly, "The general is right."

Emperor Jian'an was simply indulging in wishful thinking.

Meng Dalang coughed a few times, his eyes revealing deep regret: "If Liulang hadn't stayed in Pei Family Village back then, Shi Yan wouldn't have been the son-in-law of General Pei."

The guard grinned: "That's all ancient history, let's not talk about it. Actually, it's not too late to get married now."

Meng Dalang frowned: "Don't talk nonsense. Sixth Brother has already set a wedding date with Miss Pang and will soon be welcoming her into the family. How can he break off the engagement?"

The guard, sneaking around and grinning, said, "I'm not talking about the young general. The great general is still single too! If the great general marries a woman from the Pei family, or even grits his teeth and becomes a live-in son-in-law in the Pei family, then our Beiping army and the Pei family army can form an alliance and work together from the inside and outside. The Bohai Navy won't be a match for us..."

Meng Dalang was both annoyed and amused, and told the talkative guard to get lost.

The personal guard had followed Meng Dalang through thick and thin on the battlefield for over ten years, and their bond was deep. He wasn't afraid at all and continued to whisper with a smile, "I've already inquired privately for the General. The third most important person in the Pei family army is General Pei's own sister-in-law, who hasn't found a husband yet. The General should seize this opportunity."

(End of this chapter)