Chapter 93 Receives Praise from the Old General

"My mother gave it to me back then, saying she would give it to my wife someday." Pei Zhi helped her put it around her neck, the pearl close to her heart, warm and cozy. "Consider it a gift from my mother to you when we first met."

Ye Wanning finally couldn't hold back her tears. Not from sadness, but from being moved. She turned around and hugged Pei Zhi's waist, burying her face in his clothes: "Pei Zhi, thank you."

"Silly girl, no need to thank me." Pei Zhi gently patted her back, his voice tender. "From now on, I'm your family. You don't need to be so polite with me."

Moonlight streamed through the window, falling on the two of them, as warm as a spring breeze. Ye Wanning leaned against Pei Zhi's chest, clutching the pearl necklace tightly, secretly hoping: I must perform well tomorrow, I can't embarrass Pei Zhi, nor can I disappoint my mother in the afterlife.

The main hall of the Pei family was even more solemn than Ye Wanning had imagined. The rosewood tables and chairs were spotless, and a portrait of General Pei in his youth hung on the wall—he was clad in armor, with sharp, piercing eyes, clearly no ordinary man. At this moment, the old general sat in the main seat, holding a teacup, staring directly at her without speaking, yet exuding an invisible pressure.

Ye Wanning's palms were sweating with nervousness, and she subconsciously gripped Pei Zhi's hand tightly. Pei Zhi quietly squeezed her fingertips and gave her a wink: "Don't panic."

The old general frowned, his knuckles prominent: "Miss Ye, I heard you were helping Azhi draw up defense maps on the border? And you even know military strategy?"

Ye Wanning quickly stood up and curtsied, saying, "General, you flatter me. I am only good at assessing terrain and would never be considered an expert in military strategy." She dared not speak carelessly, fearing that she might offend the general.

The old general put down his teacup and pointed to the sand table on the table: "Then tell me, this is the terrain of the Western Regions. If you were to guard it, how would you deploy your defenses?"

Ye Wanning's heart tightened—how could she know anything about defense? Her mother's medical books hadn't taught her any of this. Pei Zhi was about to speak up to smooth things over for her when the old general gave her a look: "Ah Zhi, don't speak. Let Miss Ye answer herself."

Pei Zhi reluctantly shut his mouth, but secretly made a "good luck" gesture at Ye Wanning's feet.

Ye Wanning took a deep breath and walked to the sand table. The sand table had all the mountains, rivers, and cities on it. She suddenly remembered what Pei Zhi had said at the border: "To defend the border, first defend the supply lines." She also remembered what her mother had said: "Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it." She had an idea in her mind.

She pointed to several villages near the city on the sand table: "General, in my humble opinion, protecting the people comes before protecting the border."

The old general raised an eyebrow: "How do you uphold civil law?"

“These villages are all near the border, serving as logistical supply points for soldiers and storage areas for grain and fodder.” Ye Wanning’s voice gradually became steady. “If we can help the villagers live in peace, and help them build irrigation systems and grow crops, they will naturally help the garrison by keeping watch in secret, and may even support the garrison in times of crisis. If the people are at peace, the border will be at peace; if the people are in chaos, no matter how strong the city walls are, it will be useless.”

She paused, then pointed to the river on the sand table: "Also, we can use these rivers to build several hidden supply routes. They won't be detected by the enemy, and they can solve our immediate problem. Wouldn't this be more efficient and sustainable than adding more soldiers to the city walls?"

The old general didn't speak, his fingers lightly tapping the table. Ye Wanning panicked again—had she said something wrong? Pei Zhi was also anxious for her and was about to speak when the old general stroked his beard and laughed loudly: "Good! Well said! Protecting the people comes before protecting the border, those words resonate with me!"

He stood up, walked over to Ye Wanning, and patted her on the shoulder: "That kid Azhi, he finally made the right choice! The Pei family married the right person!"

Ye Wanning stood there dumbfounded, not yet coming to her senses, when Pei Zhi had already walked quickly to her side, secretly making a "win" gesture, his eyes full of pride, like a child who had won an award.

"Thank you for your praise, General." Ye Wanning quickly curtsied, finally feeling relieved.

"You're welcome, what you said makes a lot of sense," the old general said with a smile. "When I first started guarding the border, I was only thinking about training troops and building fortifications. As a result, the people were harassed by the enemy and scattered, and our food supplies ran out several times. It was only later, when your mother reminded me that I should appease the people first, that I understood the importance of this."

Ye Wanning was startled: "General, you know my mother?"

“I know her! How could I not know her!” The old general’s expression softened considerably. “Your mother, Su Wan, was an extraordinary woman. She was skilled in medicine and military strategy. She saved me when I was poisoned, and she gave me advice when I was trapped on the border. It’s just a pity that she left us too soon.”

“My mother…she was a very good person.” Ye Wanning’s eyes reddened, and her voice choked with emotion.

"Yes, she's a very good person. If she knew you were successful and that you were with A-Zhi, she would be very happy." The old general turned to look at Pei Zhi, his eyes instantly turning stern. "A-Zhi, Wan Ning is a good girl. If you dare to bully her in the future, I won't be polite!"

"Father, don't worry! I will never bully Wan Ning!" Pei Zhi quickly assured her, holding Ye Wan Ning's hand with a firm look in his eyes, "I will treat her well and protect her for the rest of my life."

The old general was very satisfied: "Alright, quickly take Wan Ning to the backyard, your mother also wants to see her."

Once outside the main hall, Ye Wanning breathed a sigh of relief. Her palms were sweaty, and her handkerchief was soaked. "I was so scared just now. I thought the old general would be unhappy."

"I knew my dad would like you." Pei Zhi chuckled, ruffling her hair. "My dad admires people with ideas the most. What you just said was so good, how could he not be happy?"

Seeing his smug look, Ye Wanning couldn't help but laugh: "Isn't it all because you cheered me on?"

"You're amazing yourself." Pei Zhi leaned close to her ear and whispered, "But my father just mentioned your mother, does that mean... he already knew about our destiny?"

Ye Wanning's heart stirred. She thought of the dried flowers her mother had left behind and Pei Zhi's account of their encounter twenty years ago. She couldn't help but nod: "Perhaps, they had already seen through our destiny long ago."

The Pei family ancestral hall is hidden deep within the courtyard, with its green tiles and gray walls exuding a solemn and dignified air. Pushing open the heavy wooden door, a faint scent of incense wafts out, and rows of ancestral tablets are neatly arranged, engraved with the names of the Pei family ancestors, gleaming warmly in the candlelight.

“My mother said that only family members can enter the Pei family ancestral hall.” Pei Zhi held Ye Wanning’s hand and walked in step by step, his voice very low. “I brought you here today for two reasons: first, to let our ancestors see you, and second, to make a vow to you here.”

Ye Wanning's heart skipped a beat, and her palms were sweaty. She looked at Pei Zhi beside her; his profile was exceptionally clear in the candlelight, his eyes devout, without a trace of jest.