Chapter 117 Homecoming Like an Arrow
Guan Shao replied decisively, "That won't do."
The plan he asked about wasn't some trivial matter of love and romance. Don't think he didn't know that this kid was perfectly aware of everything, but was just pretending not to understand!
He was both frustrated and angry. A man should prioritize establishing himself, especially someone like Xie Pei who has such exceptional advantages. He had even paved the way for him personally. Yet this guy couldn't hold back for long after the war, and he insisted on seeing his sister-in-law.
"Can you talk about something else?"
Xie Pei looked down at the ground, his tone decisive: "It's gone."
Guan Shao grabbed a teacup and was about to smash it. He had been smashing people so much lately that it had become a conditioned reflex; whenever he got angry, he would grab a teacup.
"General, you mustn't!" the guards stopped him.
"Can't I even smash a broken teacup?" Guan Shao said gruffly.
The guard glanced quickly at Xie Pei, who was standing motionless, and then steadied himself before explaining, "General, this is an item bestowed by His Majesty." He paused and then added, "It is valuable."
After his explanation, Guan Shao actually picked up the teacup and examined it carefully. He didn't comment, but just scoffed, his tone full of disdain.
Unable to smash it or sell it, he reluctantly put down his teacup and turned to order, "From now on, get me regular teacups."
His eyebrows furrowed, he looked at the teacup and then at Xie Pei, his expression clearly showing regret for not having succeeded in smashing it.
The guards secretly breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this. It would have been bad if this incident had created a rift between General Xie and the Grand General.
Guan Shao was troubled. He had served in the army for decades and always had a decisive personality. But with a subordinate like this, he kept contradicting himself. Why couldn't the guy just take the initiative to lower his head and apologize, and say a few nice words to him? Maybe he would agree in a good mood.
However, the reality was that he, at his advanced age, had to take the initiative to apologize to this young man, saying, "I will allow you to go back to your hometown to visit your relatives this time." After saying that, he explained with a cold face, "I didn't agree to this for your sake. I only allowed you to go back because your sister-in-law did a good job this time, and because of her."
Xie Pei raised his head slightly.
Guan Shao waved his hand, signaling his personal guards to leave.
Once only the two of them remained in the tent, Guan Shao continued, "But I have a condition."
Xie Pei's eyelids trembled: "General, please speak. This humble servant will serve you to the death without hesitation."
Guan Shao coughed lightly twice, his fist pressed against his chest: "Still haven't won her over?"
Xie Pei remained silent.
"You're hopeless!" Guan Shao mocked. "You dare to talk back to me, but you don't dare to utter a word in front of your sweetheart."
After saying that, he couldn't help but feel a deeper appreciation for Zhu Mingyue. Her methods were remarkable; she had actually managed to make Xie Pei suffer a setback.
Guan Shao feigned regret, saying, "Alas, what a pity. I traveled all the way back to Ganzhou, only to be able to feast my eyes on it."
Xie Pei must have been provoked. He clenched his fists and said in a muffled voice, "I've heard that the General passed by his home four times without going in."
It happened one more time than Yu the Great.
Guan Shao was speechless for a moment, clearly having been touched on a sore spot.
In his youth, he was preoccupied with making achievements and defending the territory, completely neglecting his wife and children. Although he was praised by the people and rewarded by the emperor for this at the time, as he grew older and his wife and children passed away one after another, regret surged like a tidal wave, but it was too late to undo the damage.
He blinked his teary eyes and cursed, "I see now, you're here to bring me down."
Xie Pei replied solemnly, "This humble servant dares not."
Guan Shao snorted: "I think you're pretty daring."
"I'm too lazy to argue with you." Guan Shao leaned forward and tapped the table twice with his knuckles. "Anyway, you have to agree to these conditions whether you like it or not."
Xie Pei suppressed his eagerness: "General, please speak."
"I can tell that you are very fond of your sister-in-law. I heard that your elder brother has been gone for more than two years. Logically speaking, the mourning period should be over soon, so you can start talking about marriage again."
"Your sister-in-law and your elder brother, it is said, fell ill and died after they got married. They are gone now, so don't be sad."
Xie Pei smiled and pursed his lips upon hearing this, saying, "This subordinate understands."
Guan Shao nodded, a hint of relief finally appearing on his face: "It's good that you can think things through. If you and your sister-in-law can live a good life, your elder brother would surely be overjoyed if he knew from beyond the grave."
Xie Pei: ... "Hmm."
"So when you go back this time, you should tell your sister-in-law what you're thinking!"
Xie Pei curled his fingers, but this time he didn't agree.
Guan Shao was getting a little anxious: "What do you, a grown man, have to be afraid of? What if you make it clear? Does your sister-in-law think she can eat you? Although I haven't met this person, I can tell from his actions that he is a kind and magnanimous person."
"If he agrees, then everyone will be happy. If he doesn't agree, you can still continue to be uncle and sister-in-law, right?"
"Are you even listening to me, you little brat?"
Guan Shao frowned as he looked at his lowered head. He had never interfered in his subordinates' private affairs, especially not their romantic ones. He felt ashamed that someone so old was still teaching his subordinates how to woo their wives; he was truly going to great lengths for Xie Pei.
Xie Pei's pupils flickered with light and shadow. Every word the other person spoke was like a stone thrown into an invisible lake, creating ripples that eventually subsided.
Xie Pei paused, his tone filled with an indescribable sadness: "This humble servant does not wish to continue this relationship with him."
Guan Shao's eyes widened in surprise: "You're pretty arrogant, kid! Confidence is a good thing, but don't come crying to me if the consequences don't go as you expect."
Xie Pei looked helpless. When had he ever gone to Guan Shao to cry?
Guan Shao paused for a moment, then decided to speak his mind: "In short, don't let it interfere with official business." That was his ultimate goal.
Xie Pei nodded. He wasn't blindly confident; it was precisely because he lacked confidence that he hadn't revealed his true feelings to anyone until now.
Every moment he addressed Zhu Mingyue as his sister-in-law was agonizing for him. This relationship was like a chasm, keeping them on opposite banks and constantly reminding him that taking one step closer might lead to an endless abyss.
But he was even more afraid that if he revealed his filthy thoughts, he might not even be able to remain as sister-in-law and uncle.
General Guan also said that Zhu Mingyue's mourning period will soon be over, and she will be free to decide her own marriage at that time.
If Zhu Mingyue finds her own thoughts disgusting, she could easily leave the Xie family.
The thought of possibly becoming strangers in the future caused Xie Pei's heart to clench tightly, an unspeakable pain.
Guan Shao was observing him closely. Seeing that his emotions seemed off and even the aura emanating from him had become strange, he asked with concern, "Xie Pei? What's wrong?"
The next moment, Xie Pei seemed to have returned to normal.
Guan Shao breathed a sigh of relief: "I thought something had happened to you."
He glanced around, thought for a moment, and then said, "Don't worry. Your sister-in-law traveled thousands of miles and risked her life to come to Jizhou for you. And the provisions in the army camp now must have been partly due to you. She is a kind and righteous person. If you treat her sincerely, the consequences won't be too bad." At worst, you'll just continue being uncle and sister-in-law.
"If you're afraid of being held back by worldly opinions, there's no need for that. You're now a general of the third rank appointed by the Emperor, not a general of miscellaneous titles as before. Your future is limitless. It's just a matter of marrying a sister-in-law. I'd like to see who dares to complain."
Guan Shao was indeed extremely surprised when he first learned of this, but not because Xie Pei had harbored illicit feelings for his sister-in-law. In the capital's aristocratic families, there were even more chaotic affairs, some even daring to marry their own father's concubines. His surprise stemmed mostly from the fact that this person was Xie Pei.
Xie Pei was decisive and ruthless in the army, but he never expected that he would be helpless in private because of this kind of trouble that no one knew or dared to know.
Guan Shao raised his head slightly, a hint of smugness in his eyes. If it weren't for the fact that experience is indeed valuable, even if he couldn't offer military guidance, Xie Pei would still have to obediently follow his instructions on matters of the heart. In the end, he had the upper hand, and could confidently tell outsiders that Xie Pei was a soldier he had personally trained.
Little did he know that while he was engrossed in his own thoughts, Xie Pei was deeply disturbed by his words.
He couldn't imagine Zhu Mingyue spending the rest of her life with another man or woman, and he couldn't be indifferent to Zhu Mingyue's escape.
If Zhu Mingyue doesn't agree, he will compromise and resume their usual relationship. But if Zhu Mingyue wants to use this opportunity to escape, he thinks he will keep her by his side forever.
A dark undercurrent surged in Xie Pei's eyes, and even his fists trembled uncontrollably. After understanding, he raised his head: "This subordinate understands."
Guan Shao was even more pleased. "It's fortunate that you had my guidance, otherwise who knows when you would have figured it out. Good that you understand. I'll grant you two weeks of leave to visit your family. Remember not to make a fuss about it, or it will have a bad impact if others find out. When you get back, you must make things clear. Regardless of success or failure, you must devote yourself wholeheartedly to the army after you return. Don't blame me for being harsh, but that's how we soldiers must be. Being distracted by love and neglecting official duties is a big taboo."
Two weeks would be enough, Xie Pei agreed immediately. The thought of meeting Zhu Mingyue soon filled him with excitement.
The blurry figure in my heart seemed so close.
...
It snowed in Ganzhou last night.
Zhu Mingyue curled up in a ball, sleeping soundly with a hot water bottle wrapped around her, completely unaware of the rustling sound of snowflakes falling outside the window.
Zhu Mingyue was used to sleeping in, especially in the cold winter. If a kind person could bring him tea and meals, he would love to stay in bed all day without getting up.
Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs." Without a servant in his household, this wealthy merchant had to brave the cold wind to fetch water and cook.
Zhu Mingyue rubbed her face, which was as red as an apple, and stretched her hand out from under the covers.
It's so cold!
Zhu Mingyue shivered from the cold and immediately abandoned any thought of getting out of bed.
Why not just forget about it? The restaurants and shops in the county are doing well, so it's not like I'll miss the chance to go and take a trip there myself.
Since he wasn't too hungry anyway, he decided to take a nap.
When I woke up again, the sky outside seemed brighter, and the windows were all shining with dazzling white light.
Zhu Mingyue wrapped himself in the blankets and rolled around, still not wanting to get up. He wasn't hungry either, so maybe he should...
Glug glug—
My stomach rumbled at that very moment, which was completely out of place.
Zhu Mingyue lay on the bed, looking as dejected as a dead fish, forced to choose between starving and freezing.
At this moment, he couldn't help but think that if Xie Pei were at home, he wouldn't have to suffer from both cold and hunger.
As long as he pretends to be sick and stays in bed...
Stop!
What was he thinking? Let alone the fact that he was faking illness, Xie Pei's sharp eyes would definitely see through him. Xie Pei's status was no longer what it used to be; he was a general of the third rank. How could he dare to order him around?
Suddenly, a sour feeling welled up inside him, and he felt inexplicably uneasy. Logically, Xie Pei should be happy to have reached this position, but besides happiness, he also felt a mix of other emotions.
Thinking too much makes him irritable. He scratches his head, making his hair a mess, sits up on the spot, and slowly puts on his clothes while holding the still warm hot water bottle.
He opened the door and was immediately stunned by what he saw.
Everything was fine before I went to bed yesterday, but how come in just one night, the snow on the ground was half a calf thick, and the yard was covered in a blanket of white? There were also a series of paw marks left by Er Ya in the snow.
Zhu Mingyue squatted down and scooped up a handful of snowflakes. They felt soft and fluffy, perfect for building a snowman. Unfortunately, he was afraid of the cold and couldn't stand the cold, so he could only regretfully let go of the snowflakes.
The snowflakes were tossed into the air and scattered, briefly experiencing the warmth of human hands before returning to the earth's embrace before melting.
Zhu Mingyue wrapped her cotton-padded coat tighter, and couldn't help but smile.
He still remembered what his aunt had once said: "I'm not afraid of snow, I'm afraid of no snow. If the whole winter is dry and cold without rain, there is a high chance of drought next year."
Now that it's finally snowing, Zhu Mingyue no longer needs to worry about it.
Zhu Mingyue was kneading dough in the kitchen, while shredded cabbage sat on the stove.
I'm going to make some steamed buns with cabbage and egg filling later. I'll make a lot, since they'll keep well in the cold weather and we can eat them for a few more days.
While the dough is rising, boil water in a pot and wash your face.
Actually, there are two stoves in the house, both of which can be used to boil water, but Zhu Mingyue prefers to use a pot. Of course, this preference is only temporary, and only exists in winter.
When he had nothing to do, he liked to sit in front of the stove. Boiling water was secondary; the important thing was that the stove fire would warm him up and make him drowsy. It was his favorite place to stay besides his bed.
A melodious horse neighing seemed to echo from the gate, which puzzled Zhu Mingyue.
Yin Xue was kept in the stable in the backyard. He had just fed it hay, and it was behaving very well.
And the sound seemed to be coming from the main entrance.
The water in the pot hadn't boiled yet, so Zhu Mingyue thought she'd go check the front yard; maybe she was just passing by his house.
He added a thick piece of firewood to the stove, rubbed his eyes, and stood up.
Fortunately, there is a porch in the house; otherwise, given his lazy nature, he wouldn't be able to find a place to walk without shoveling snow.
The sound of horses' hooves at the door had not yet disappeared. Although he was suspicious, he knew that they were probably coming for his house.
Who would be riding over now? Wang Zongxiu? No, that's not right. Last time, this guy was entrusted by him to reorganize the caravan to transport grain to other places, but he took the opportunity to rip him off. Now he has applied for a room in Mingyue Tower and wants to eat and sleep there all the time. Why would he come looking for him for no reason?
Zhu Mingyue kept guessing in her mind, but forgot to pay attention to her feet. She slipped and fell to the ground with a thud, crying out in pain.
Looking down for a closer look, well, it seems that some rain and snow were swept up along the corridor, and after melting, it froze into a thin layer of ice, which is not noticeable unless you look closely.
Zhu Mingyue sat on the ground for a while to catch her breath, then propped herself up on her hands, her bottom in the air, frantically digging in the dirt. From a distance, she looked just like a chubby white rabbit desperately digging in the soil.
Just then, a knocking sound came from outside the door, and the frequency of the knocking seemed rather urgent.
Zhu Mingyue took a breath and shouted, "Right away!"
After falling to the ground for the Nth time, Zhu Mingyue finally found the key and skipped the process of standing up and falling down, crawling forward like an clumsy reptile.
After climbing for a while, Zhu Mingyue was finally able to stand up by holding onto the pillar. She then walked and slid along, and after many hardships, she finally reached the gate.
In this freezing weather, he was home alone and still had to be vigilant, not daring to open the door to anyone rashly. Even a child knows to check if the wolf in sheep's clothing is outside the door, so he naturally understood as well.
Zhu Mingyue rubbed her sore bottom and peered through the crack in the door, trying to see who it was.
The first thing I saw was a dark-colored garment with a particularly familiar embroidered pattern. Looking further up, I came into view a face that haunted my dreams every day.
Zhu Mingyue's pupils suddenly contracted.
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