Chapter 131 Spring Festival in the Army
In fact, a seed of doubt had already been planted in his mind when he rushed to Ganzhou.
What brother-in-law would be so anxious about his widowed sister-in-law?
Xie Pei, in particular, seemed cold and indifferent, treating everyone the same way, but he always made an exception for this sister-in-law.
He initially thought he must be out of his mind to maliciously speculate about the relationship between the general's uncle and sister-in-law, until things started to get increasingly strange.
All signs seem to indicate that the relationship between the two is not as pure as outsiders think.
He still vividly remembers the scene of Xie Pei dealing with the spy. The person was just a face that looked like Zhu Mingyue. According to the rules, he should have been thrown into the dungeon and severely interrogated first. But Xie Pei was like a lion in a rage. Without asking any questions, he executed the person on the spot.
He has followed Xie Pei all this time and knows that Xie Pei is not the kind of person who would lose his mind because of anger. Everything Xie Pei does is reasonable. He couldn't understand it at the time, but now he seems to understand it vaguely.
Rather than saying he killed out of rage, it would be more accurate to say he used rage to cover up something.
As for what they were trying to conceal, and why the spy was so determined to impersonate Zhu Mingyue, it remains unknown.
Zhong Kai was lost in thought, while Zhu Mingyue remained completely unaware.
He started a fire not far from the camp and was preparing lunch.
The aroma of mutton and radish soup simmering in an earthenware pot wafted far and wide on the wind.
Yuan Fei sniffed, then started swallowing hard. "Who's cooking for me? It smells so good!"
"How can they openly provide special treatment in the military like this? Aren't they afraid of being reported?"
Just then, Sun Kan came over, chuckled twice, and urged him, "You have such a keen sense of smell, why don't you go and complain to the general?"
Yuan Fei thought for a moment and said, "Never mind, everyone has their difficulties, and besides, today is New Year's Eve."
That big idiot.
Sun Kan shook his head, having no hope whatsoever for Yuan Fei's head.
They only smelled the aroma of meat, but didn't consider the strict discipline in the military. If they wanted to have special meals, they had to pay out of their own pockets and do it secretly. Apart from the families of generals, who would dare to do that?
Meanwhile, taking advantage of the fact that no one was in Xie Pei's tent, Zhu Mingyue quickly ladled out a bowl of mutton soup and sent it over.
The mutton sizzling in the bowl looked fresh and delicious. Zhu Mingyue had already tried a bowl and found it particularly tasty.
The bowl was placed on the table with a thud, and Zhu Mingyue then gestured, "Eat lunch first."
Xie Pei looked up, a hint of a smile in his eyes, "Have you retrieved all the packages?"
"I got it back." Zhu Mingyue snorted lightly, "Are you happy now?"
Xie Pei raised an eyebrow: "When have I ever been unhappy?"
Zhu Mingyue looked at his feigned innocence and gritted her teeth, "You didn't say that in bed last night."
Xie Pei felt like teasing him, "What did I say in bed last night?"
"You!" Zhu Mingyue was so angry that she wanted to smash his bowl. "I won't say anything."
"Oh, right, I have something for you." He suddenly remembered, ran out and came back carrying a lot of pastries. "Tomorrow is the festival, I went to the street today and bought some pastries. Pick a few packs that General Guan likes and send them over as a festival gift. The rest can be distributed to your men."
Xie Pei paused for a moment, then nodded, which was considered an agreement.
Inside Guan Shao's tent,
"Well done, kid. It's rare for you to show me some respect." Guan Shao looked at the pastries in his hand and said with satisfaction, "Mingyue asked you to bring these, right?"
"Yes," Xie Pei replied in a formal tone.
Guan Shao had someone bring it over, opened a package, and started eating it on the spot. He casually waved his hand and said, "Sit down. I have something to tell you."
“There’s going to be some action in the capital. Things won’t be peaceful in the north after the New Year. Since Mingyue is here in Jizhou, let him stay here a little longer.”
"The Southern Barbarians suffered heavy losses in this battle and are currently hiding in Ningjiang to recuperate. They dare not make any big moves for the time being. As for the Prefectural Governor's Office, with me in charge at this critical moment, they can't cause any trouble. It's safest for him to stay in the Jizhou camp. We might as well wait until the north is completely pacified before letting him go back."
Xie Pei lowered his eyes for a moment, then said solemnly, "I will talk to him."
Guan Shao put a piece of soybean cake in his mouth, feeling a bit dry, and drank two cups of water. Then he started talking about the situation in the north. "That scoundrel Wu Daoren has done all sorts of bad things, and he's finally met his match. Before you came, I read the letter Zishu sent from the north. The Wu family's embezzlement was exposed to the court. The emperor was furious and immediately ordered them to be beheaded. The women of the Wu family and those who hadn't yet come of age were all exiled to the north. They won't have any good days from now on."
“Wu Daoren was quite involved in the affairs of the Prince of Ningjiang back then, and now it can be considered as karma coming back to haunt him.”
Xie Pei showed little interest in the topic and instead asked, "What does the Jizhou army need to do?"
Guan Shao laughed heartily: "When the city gates catch fire, the fish in the moat may suffer, but it won't affect this place a thousand miles away. Zishu has his own plans. When there is internal trouble, there will inevitably be external threats. Our task is to guard against the southern barbarians."
"But don't worry, regardless of the outcome, I have a way to ensure you escape unscathed."
“Speaking of which, Zishu did mention you in his letter…” Guan Shao glanced at him: “Sister-in-law.”
Xie Pei frowned slightly, lifted his eyelids, and seemed to have an undercurrent of emotion in his eyes.
Guan Shao felt inexplicably guilty under his gaze. "Don't misunderstand, it's just that the capital will definitely be in turmoil at that time, and the nearby Ganzhou will inevitably be affected. I want you to think of a way to persuade Mingyue to go to Jizhou."
Xie Pei remained silent, but an aura of displeasure emanated from him.
Guan Shao saw that he was not eating the pastry either, and kindly advised him: "Zi Shu is only acquainted with Ming Yue, not lovers. Even if there are some feelings, they are the friendship of close friends helping each other."
Guan Shao felt that Xie Pei seemed even more displeased after he said those words.
Guan Shao sighed inwardly; he knew perfectly well what his deceased friend's orphaned child was thinking.
I just don't understand why one or two of them all ended up with Zhu Mingyue.
What's so good about Zhu Mingyue?
Guan Shao only needed a second to admit that the person was indeed good; it would be strange if no one liked someone so good.
But even the best person can't be divided into eight parts. There's only one person, and in the end, Xie Pei got there first.
Guan Shao pondered that everything has its gains and losses, and there is a predetermined fate. Perhaps some people are destined to be together but not to stay together.
He observed that Zishu was a broad-minded person and must have thought things through more thoroughly than him. Since Zishu had made up his mind to take that path, he must have already let go of his resentment.
Guan Shao quickly changed the subject and talked about his plans for the Spring Festival, but he couldn't stand Xie Pei's cold gaze, so he quickly found an excuse to send him away.
Little did he know that his actions would cause Zhu Mingyue great distress.
Xie Pei had nowhere to vent his resentment, so he took it all out on Zhu Mingyue that night.
Zhu Mingyue had nowhere to hide. She was being sedated by Jiang Jiang until midnight, and was barely breathing. "Tell the truth. If you want to do this kind of thing with me, just say so. Why use other people as an excuse?"
Xie Pei stiffened for a moment, then, as if he hadn't heard, flipped him over and continued.
Zhu Mingyue broke down.
Even though he kept explaining that he and Brother Cui were innocent, the other party remained unmoved, only staring at him with accusing eyes.
He was tossed and turned, thoroughly devoured, until not even a bone fragment remained, until only his consciousness remained.
How can a person be so jealous!
The next day, when the sun was high in the sky, Zhu Mingyue slowly got out of bed, supporting her back.
He couldn't stay in this camp for even a day longer. If he stayed any longer, he would be completely ruined. Xie Pei was a male demon who was never satisfied. He would devour him inside and out and still always look aggrieved and unsatisfied.
He couldn't take it anymore, he wanted to leave!
Xie Pei massaged his waist, her expression so gentle and considerate that anyone who saw her would have to praise her.
But this scoundrel of a man is like a man who can change his face; he's one way in bed and another way out of bed.
Zhu Mingyue grew angrier the more she thought about it, and finally voiced her thoughts.
"No way," Xie Pei immediately objected.
"Why should I?" Zhu Mingyue buried her face in her arms, feeling extremely wronged. "I already said I didn't want to, but you still insisted on continuing. Now look what's happened, my back is all messed up, what will people say if they see this?"
Xie Pei paused slightly while massaging his waist, then quickened her pace, saying sensibly, "Sorry, I won't do it again."
"Ha!" Zhu Mingyue scoffed, indicating she didn't want to pay him any attention. You can't believe a word a man says from under the bed.
A rare hint of panic appeared on Xie Pei's handsome face as he whispered to him, "Don't go, okay? I just... couldn't help myself."
"No." Zhu Mingyue refused decisively.
Time ticked by, one second, then two. A quarter of an hour later, Zhu Mingyue's pupils swayed, and she finally wavered, reluctantly speaking, "Unless..."
"Unless what?" Xie Pei looked like a wet, helpless, and... strong dog.
This face is so deceptive. Zhu Mingyue swallowed hard, turned her face away, and said sullenly, "Unless I tell you what to do tonight, you have to do it?"
A look of disbelief flashed across Xie Pei's face. He straightened his back, his hands unconsciously kneading, and he remained speechless for a long time.
Zhu Mingyue bit her lip. "If you don't want to, then forget it."
"I do." Xie Pei interrupted him, leaning down to kiss the corner of his lips.
Zhu Mingyue perked up, her eyes lighting up: "Would you be willing if I said I wanted to be on top?"
Xie Pei was incredulous, his Adam's apple bobbing. "You want to be on top?"
Zhu Mingyue had just said it casually, but after being asked that question, she actually thought about it seriously.
He doesn't seem really willing.
He wouldn't force himself to accept something he himself couldn't accept, so he immediately shook his head.
Xie Pei's expression relaxed, as if he had thought of something, and he suddenly smiled: "If you want to be on top, it's not entirely impossible."
Zhu Mingyue was a little confused after hearing this. After a while, she realized what was happening, slapped Xie Pei's cheek, and said angrily, "You're being indecent again!"
Xie Pei let him frolic in her arms, her heart softening.
He was really out of control when he messed with Zhu Mingyue last night, and he regretted it after he sobered up.
Some people are destined to be just friends, but he is the only one who can rightfully stand by Zhu Mingyue's side.
His jealousy stemmed solely from the fact that the other person had known the woman in his arms before he had.
Xie Pei's eyes darkened.
Sometimes the process isn't important; all that matters is the result.
Zhu Mingyue touched his face, "Did it hurt?"
"It doesn't hurt."
"That's good," he said, after observing the area himself and finding no marks, "I still need to take good care of my face."
Xie Pei didn't understand why he suddenly said that, but he still nodded in agreement.
Zhu Mingyue: ...
This is Zhu Mingyue's first time spending the Spring Festival in the military.
Although the camp was not decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, the festive atmosphere was stronger than he had imagined.
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