Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 438 Family Banquet (1)

On the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, Pei Yun returned to Yan County.

On the 26th day of the twelfth lunar month, Pei Xuan returned.

On the 27th day of the twelfth lunar month, Gu Lian and Sun Cheng returned on the same day.

Yang Hu, Li Chi, Meng Liulang, and others also returned before the end of the year. New Year's Day was the enthronement ceremony of the new emperor. All the important civil and military officials in the north came to participate in this grand ceremony.

"It's almost the end of the year, why hasn't Pei Feng come back yet?" Pei Yan had already muttered for the sixth time.

Pei Qinghe was not in a hurry at all: "The journey to Fangjun is quite long, and there may have been delays on the way. Even if we don't make it in time and miss tomorrow's enthronement ceremony, it won't be a big deal."

Pei Xuan said, "It's better to catch up. Otherwise, given Pei Feng's temper, he would definitely hold a grudge."

Everyone laughed.

“You understand Pei Feng best.” Pei Qinghe smiled as well: “Then let’s wait a little longer. There’s still half a day before it gets dark!”

Pei Xuan offered, "I'll ride to the city gate to greet him and return before dark."

The two siblings, who grew up together, used to fight like cats and dogs, but in reality, they had the best relationship.

Pei Qinghe smiled and agreed.

Lu Erlang immediately said, "Xuanmei, I'll go with you."

The newlyweds were inseparable, their love so intense they couldn't bear to be apart. The crowd teased them, but Lu Erlang, gradually emerging from the shadow of his brother's death, paid no heed to their laughter and rode out of the city with Pei Xuan.

The winter wind was biting, and when it hit my face, it immediately raised a layer of fine goosebumps.

The afternoon sun was bright and shining. Pei Xuan rode her horse to the outside of the city and stopped to wait below the city walls.

Lu Erlang instinctively spurred his horse closer and chuckled softly, "Don't worry, I have a feeling Pei Feng will arrive today."

Pei Xuan smiled and nodded, gazing intently into the distance.

People were entering and leaving the city, creating a bustling scene. Yan County was a major city in the north, a strategic location, but politically marginal. Now, Pei Qinghe was about to ascend the throne in Yan County, and the place where he rose to power had become the capital of the north. In the past six months, it had attracted countless artisans and wealthy merchants, and its prosperity was clearly visible.

They waited until the sun was setting and a cool breeze was blowing. Pei Xuan sighed and prepared to turn her horse around, when Lü Erlang suddenly exclaimed excitedly, "Xuan-mei, look! It's the Pei-character flag!"

Pei Xuan suddenly looked over.

A troop of a hundred cavalrymen galloped in. Sure enough, they carried black banners bearing the character "Pei." Leading the charge was none other than Pei Feng, whom they hadn't seen for several months!

Pei Xuan was overjoyed and spurred her horse to go meet him.

The siblings reunited, and although they clearly missed and cared for each other, neither of them spoke properly.

“Everyone else has rushed back, but you’re the last one to arrive.” Pei Xuan quickly looked Pei Feng up and down, making sure he was just a little darker and thinner and there was nothing else wrong with him. She immediately felt relieved and her tone was full of mockery.

Pei Feng snorted: "You live in Fanyang County, which can be reached in three or four days by fast horse. You have no idea how hard it is to travel a long way."

Pei Xuan raised an eyebrow and smiled, "As the head of the Pei family's male members, you should bravely shoulder heavy responsibilities and go to the farthest and most arduous places. I can't do it, I can't endure hardship, and I can't leave my cousin Qinghe, so I'll stay nearby."

Pei Feng glared angrily.

Lu Erlang suppressed a laugh and tried to smooth things over, saying, "If we go into the city first, we can still make it to the family banquet." He then winked at Pei Xuan. "Stop bullying Pei Feng. Did you think it was easy for Pei Feng to travel all this way back?"

Half an hour later, the sun had completely set, and every household in Yan County hung up lanterns. Firecrackers crackled and popped, playing a joyous song unique to the end of the year.

The Pei family members came out with Pei Qinghe. Familiar smiling faces appeared before them.

Qinghe's cousin's smile was exceptionally gentle: "Pei Feng, the family banquet is all prepared, we're just waiting for you."

Pei Feng's eyes welled up with tears, and he couldn't control his emotions at all.

Pei Xuan felt a pang of sadness, but unusually refrained from making a sarcastic remark. Pei Yan wanted to speak, but Pei Qinghe glanced at her and silenced her. Pei Yue rushed forward and grabbed Pei Feng's arm tightly: "Cousin Feng, you're finally back. I haven't seen you in so long, you've gotten so thin!"

After saying that, she burst into tears.

Pei Feng turned away and wiped her tears, then smiled at Pei Yue and said, "I'm fine. You've grown up now, don't cry, everyone's laughing at you."

"I don't care, I'll cry if I want to." Pei Yue cried while hiccuping. Everyone burst into laughter.

Pei Qinghe felt a pang of sadness. She stepped forward, took Pei Feng's arm with one hand, and pulled Pei Yue with the other, saying, "Let's go eat first, and we'll talk after we finish eating."

In the past six months, Prime Minister Pang and Vice Minister Qin have indeed accomplished a great deal. For example, this large mansion in front of us has been partially renovated and expanded. It is still far from meeting the standards of the imperial palace, but it barely resembles a temporary palace.

Pei Qinghe is staying here, and the rest of the Pei clan have moved in as well. Tonight's Pei family banquet will have more than thirty tables.

When the Pei family left the capital, there were 322 people. Over the past eight years, more than 80 have died of illness or in battle, and more than 20 elders of the Pei family have died in Bohai County. However, the Pei family has gained many sons-in-law, and many children have been born. Now the total number has reached more than 290.

In addition, Yang Hu, Li Chi, Meng Liulang, civil officials such as Prime Minister Pang and Vice Minister Qin, and military generals such as General Song were all invited to the banquet today.

Pei Qinghe, the patriarch of the Pei clan, sat at the head of the table. To his left were Pei Yun, Mao Hongling, Pei Yan, Pei Xuan, and Pei Feng. To his right were Prime Minister Pang, Vice Minister Qin, Yang Hu, Li Chi, and Meng Liulang.

The sons-in-law, including Shi Yan, Yang Huai, and Lü Erlang, sat at another table.

Pei Zhi was assigned to sit with the general's wife, which she was very unhappy about. She shamelessly squeezed over and sat with Pei Yue.

Pei Yue grinned and teased, "You married General Yang and are now a member of the Yang family. Why are you still sitting at your parents' table?"

Pei Zhi reached out and pinched Pei Yue's chubby face, her smile both gentle and terrifying: "You're so good at talking, say a few more words for me."

Pei Yan is the number one female bully, and Pei Zhi is number two. He angered the tigress by being too talkative.

Pei Yue cried out in pain, "I was just talking nonsense. My cousin Pei Zhi will always be a member of the Pei family."

Pei Zhi then smiled and let go of his hand.

His cousins ​​at the table were already laughing hysterically.

A smile spread across Pei Qinghe's eyes as she stood up and raised her glass: "Today is the end of the year, and it's the Pei family banquet. Let's all drink a toast together."

Everyone stood up and raised their glasses in a toast.

Such a lively and grand scene brought smiles to everyone's faces. Prime Minister Pang also seemed much younger, and said to Vice Minister Qin beside him with a smile, "Heaven's mandate rests with the General and the Pei family."

Vice Minister Qin nodded in agreement.

The Pei family, united in purpose, followed Pei Qinghe to establish their foundation and carve out a vast empire. They deserve their current prosperity.

This grand family feast didn't end until almost midnight. Afterwards, people would set off firecrackers, sit by the charcoal brazier, and eat snacks to keep watch through the night.

Pei Qinghe called Pei Feng to her side and asked with a low laugh, "Are you finding it difficult to adapt to the Fang Army camp?"

(End of this chapter)