Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 442 Zhao Yuan (2)

Shi Yan accepted all drinks offered and frequently raised his glass in toasts. Even someone with a high alcohol tolerance couldn't withstand such drinking.

Pei Qinghe glanced over from time to time.

Shi Yan was already tipsy and didn't notice. Meng Bing, however, was quick-witted and quietly got up to raise her glass to share Shi Yan's burden.

The military officers drank much more heartily than the civil officials. Some, not satisfied with just one cup after another, switched to teacups to drink. Fortunately, they remembered this was a banquet at the new dynasty's palace and didn't resort to the old-fashioned drinking games.

The palace banquet was nearing its end after an hour. Shi Yan was almost passed out from drunkenness.

Pei Qinghe looked at Minister Qin.

Minister Qin understood immediately, rose, stepped forward, and bowed to request the Emperor to end the palace banquet. Pei Qinghe nodded in agreement.

All the ministers rose together, bowed, and took their leave.

The foreign officials left one by one, and the Pei family members, who all lived with Pei Qinghe, naturally didn't need to leave. Pei Feng took the initiative to step forward and support the drunken Shi Yan, and couldn't help but mutter, "Brother-in-law drank too much today."

Shi Yan grinned at Pei Feng: "Brother-in-law is really happy today."

Everyone burst into laughter and turned to look at Pei Qinghe.

Wearing a heavy dragon robe, Pei Qinghe walked much slower than usual and could not easily help a drunk man, so he could only instruct Pei Feng: "Help him back."

Pei Feng responded. Pei Yue volunteered to step forward, and together with Pei Feng, they helped Shi Yan away, one on each side.

Meng Bing had also drunk quite a bit today; her face was flushed, and her eyes were somewhat unfocused. Mao Hongling quickly stepped forward, steadied Meng Bing, and said with a helpless smile, "How come you drank so much too?"

Meng Bing smiled and, in front of everyone, rested his head on Mao Hongling's shoulder. Mao Hongling blushed amidst the laughter of the crowd, and unable to push Meng Bing away, she could only help him flee in panic.

Pei Yun, Pei Zhi, Pei Xuan, and the others also left with their respective husbands. Only Pei Yan didn't even look at Yang Huai, staying by Pei Qinghe's side the whole time.

When Pei Qinghe returned to her dormitory, Pei Yan followed her in.

"How does it feel to wear the dragon robe?" Pei Yan asked with great interest.

Pei Qinghe thought for a moment and said, "It's heavy and inconvenient to walk and do things. You can wear it when you go to court, but you'll have to wear regular clothes after court."

Pei Yan laughed heartily: "To complain about the heavy and inconvenient dragon robe, there is no one before or since."

Pei Qinghe laughed and confided in her closest friend, Pei Yan: "I'm very good at leading troops into battle, but I'm a little intimidated by wearing the dragon robe to court. I just gritted my teeth and got through today. It would be too tiring to have to maintain this posture every day."

Pei Yan nodded in agreement: "It is indeed not as unrestrained and enjoyable as training troops in the training ground. Otherwise, you can leave the affairs of state to Prime Minister Pang and the others, and you can lead the troops to train and fight."

Pei Qinghe chuckled: "How can you be so willful? Now that you've established a new dynasty and sat on the dragon throne, you have to shoulder heavy responsibilities. You can leave trivial matters of state to your ministers, but you must always be involved in important matters. As the Emperor Zhaoyuan, I also have to learn to manage state affairs. I can't be like Xie Li, who washes his hands of everything."

“That’s true.” Pei Yan still had his outspoken nature: “We also have to be wary of the ministers joining forces to deceive you.”

That's the truth.

The relationship between ruler and subject has always been delicate. When the ruler is weak, the subject is strong; when the ruler is strong, the subject is respectful and cautious. How to strike the right balance depends on each person's skills and abilities.

A palace maid approached tremblingly, and under Commander Pei's impatient gaze, reported: "General Yang Huai sent me to deliver a message, saying that he is waiting for Commander Pei outside."

Pei Qinghe chuckled again: "It's getting late, you should go back and rest first, and come again early tomorrow morning."

Pei Yan reluctantly agreed, walked out with a dark face, and greeted Yang Huai with a curt tone: "Can't you go back first? What are you waiting for me for?"

Yang Huai was used to Pei Yan's straightforward temperament, and chuckled softly, "Shi Yan is drunk, and the Emperor is surely worried about it. With you always by the Emperor's side, how can the couple have private conversations?"

Pei Yan, realizing she was in the wrong, remained silent. Yang Huai didn't press his advantage either, and instead took Pei Yan's hand and led her back to their dormitory.

Pei Qinghe indeed went to the bedside to take care of her drunken husband.

Shi Yan has an excellent alcohol tolerance and rarely gets drunk. The last time he got drunk was more than two years ago when he set a wedding date. After waiting for many years, Shi Yan finally got his wish and drank alone, getting drunk by himself.

After getting drunk, Shi Yan neither talked nonsense nor slept; he just grinned foolishly.

Pei Qinghe was both annoyed and amused: "Who told you to be so stubborn and drink so much!"

Shi Yan continued to smile at her.

Pei Qinghe's heart softened, and she lowered her head to kiss his forehead. Shi Yan, however, had regained his senses by then and gripped her hand tightly.

……

When Meng Bing returned to her residence, she was not surprised to see Meng Liulang there as well.

The understanding Mao Hongling said softly with a smile, "You two talk first, I'll go prepare some hangover soup."

After Mao Hongling left, Meng Liulang said excitedly, "Brother! I am so happy today! I was always worried that your leg injury would discourage you and that becoming a live-in son-in-law would diminish your spirit and ambition as a man. Now that you have the position of Minister of War, you can put your talents to good use. It's wonderful!"

A glistening light appeared in Meng Liulang's eyes.

The two brothers have supported and depended on each other for several years, and their deep bond is unmatched.

Meng Bing was also moved by Meng Liulang's heartfelt words, and her eyes welled up with tears.

Then, Meng Liulang continued, "Now I can be considered to have connections in the court. When the Ministry of War sets recruitment quotas and allocates warhorses, supplies, and military funds, they should give me priority."

Meng Bing was both amused and exasperated. She slapped Meng Liulang on the back and said, "Get lost! As the newly appointed Minister of War, I must act impartially. Don't even think about pulling strings or using crooked methods."

Meng Liulang grinned. He lingered, chatting idly until midnight before finally leaving.

……

That night, countless people were so excited that they couldn't sleep.

Wang Erhe, whose official rank was not high, was not qualified to attend the palace banquet today. He had been waiting at Feng Chang's residence.

Slightly intoxicated, Feng Chang felt a pang of reluctance and shrinking back when he saw his old friend's familiar face: "You and Gu Lian are newlyweds, why aren't you going home to rest? Why are you here?"

Wang Erhe closed the door and stared at Feng Chang with a stern face.

Feng Chang and Wang Erhe looked at each other for a moment before looking away.

Wang Erhe gritted his teeth and whispered, "You really did something you shouldn't have done."

Feng Chang's face was somewhat pale.

“Brother Feng!” Wang Erhe was clearly the one who knew Feng Chang best: “Back then, when we were fleeing from the famine, we entered Yanshan and almost starved to death. It was General Pei who took us in.”

"Without General Pei, neither of us is anything."

How could you harbor thoughts of betraying the general?

Feng Chang lacked the courage and confidence to deny it. He turned around, his eyes glistening with tears, and said, "Erhe, I was truly bewitched and out of my mind back then. I've regretted it for a long time!"

(End of this chapter)