Chapter 194: Marshal Pei Returns to the Army to Visit His Children

After Aunt An left Pei Zixing's yard, she returned to her yard with Marshal Pei in a daze. Marshal Pei was studying a military book at that time. Seeing Aunt An like this, he knew that his daughter must have made him angry again, so he asked her a question.

"Still can't bear to curse a few words?"

"Why? The child can't stand being scolded. If she gets angry, she will get sick. If I really don't want this child, I might as well stab her with a knife. It would save her from living in this world and suffering all the torture and grievances. It's all my fault for giving birth to her. Now not only is she suffering, but I also regret it so much."

Marshal Pei agreed with this. He actually did not agree to keep the child at that time, but he could not resist Aunt An's pleading, so he decided to keep the child.

For so many years, precious medicinal herbs have been used to prolong her life. Unfortunately, although her life can be prolonged, her reason and emotions cannot correct it for her. Therefore, Marshal Pei is too lazy to argue with her anymore. She will not live for many more years anyway, so he just spoils her.

"Okay, since you can't stand it, then don't bother her. The New Year is coming soon, don't make things difficult for yourself. I've noticed some changes in the army recently, I'm going to take a look tomorrow, so you can stay home and take charge."

Aunt An nodded and agreed to this matter, but her face was still frowning.

The next day, Marshal Pei set off for the army, starting from Hanzhou. When he arrived, it was almost evening. The sound of training still resounded through the sky. Marshal Pei had listened to it for many years, and still felt that this sound was more beautiful than any sound from nature!
The closer he got, the more he could feel a different atmosphere in the army. Although he had long known about Jiang Shiyuan's role here, there was still a certain difference between seeing it with his own eyes and just hearing about it.

Along the way, he went towards the commander's tent. The soldiers passing by all nodded to him, but did not stop. This was the rule in the Pei family army.

But there were still people who reported the news, and when they saw Marshal Pei two miles away, they told Pei Zisu, so they were waiting here early.

When he lifted the curtain and saw Pei Zisu and others, Marshal Pei was not surprised at all. He walked straight to the main chair in the middle and sat down. Then he glanced at the three people and saw them bowing respectfully and said.

"I met my father."

"Daughter-in-law Jiang Shiyuan has met father-in-law."

The Pei siblings and Jiang Shiyuan paid their respects to Marshal Pei together. After they finished speaking, they didn't feel that there was anything wrong with them. Instead, Marshal Pei stared at Jiang Shiyuan for a few more seconds, thinking that she seemed a little different from before, but he couldn't tell where the difference was.

"Is the food in the army good? I see your wife has gained weight."

Marshal Pei had sharp eyes and could tell at a glance that Jiang Shiyuan's waist was a little thick, but he was not a woman and Jiang Shiyuan had been taking medicine for many years, so he did not think too much about the pregnancy. Pei Zisu did not want the news to spread so early, so he acquiesced to this statement.

When Marshal Pei saw that none of the three responded, he knew that what he said was a bit inappropriate. Thinking that most women like to be thin and beautiful, he thought that perhaps he had touched upon his daughter-in-law's concerns, so he pretended to cough two or three times and passed the matter over. Then he asked, "I heard that you have done a lot of things in the army. Do you want everyone to have a special New Year's Day?"

"Father, what you said is true. I have been living in the army for a long time and have been bothered by it. So I want to do my best to help. Most of the soldiers have not been home for several years and cannot be with their families. So it is inevitable that they will feel homesick at this time. I think if I can prepare a beautiful New Year's Eve banquet, maybe I can understand everyone's homesickness. This can also rally morale. If there is a war in the future, we will be able to achieve better results with unity."

Hearing her words, Marshal Pei agreed deeply. Having served in the army for many years, he certainly knew the importance of morale. However, he did not expect such words to come out of his daughter-in-law's mouth. He couldn't help but look at her, a lady from an aristocratic family, differently.

He has always been a person who never shows his emotions, so when he looked at Jiang Shiyuan, he didn't praise him much, and even said something awkward.

"Xijing City is indeed extravagant. Even an ordinary girl like you from the Jiang family can easily take out tens of thousands of taels to replace the soldiers' bedding and hold a banquet. I think that my Khan State has been defending the front for so many years, but the people are living in poverty. It is true that the people of one day are different from those of another."

Jiang Shiyuan couldn't refute this. The reason why she was rich actually mostly came from her mother's dowry and the things her father prepared for her. Her business skills were average, but the shop had no problem maintaining a profit. Therefore, she had made a lot of surplus over the years, and she could still afford tens of thousands of taels of silver. But if it was more, she would be a little hesitant.

So he said this to Marshal Pei.

"My ability is limited to this. I bought this money by selling a lot of things brought by my parents. But since I married into the Pei family, I should do something for them. During the days I was in the army, I saw with my own eyes how the soldiers trained day and night. The general was worried about the military affairs. I can't do too much, but if I can add a little warmth to the soldiers in winter, it would be a small token of my appreciation."

Marshal Pei was speechless at her directness, so after thinking for a while he said to Pei Zisu.

"Looking at your lack of ambition, you actually want your wife to use her own dowry to make up for this shortfall. Tomorrow, ask your second brother to advance some money from home, and let your wife take care of the banquet. I won't say anything, but it's better to pay for the cotton and bedding from the Pei family's public account."

Although Marshal Pei had good intentions, Pei Zisu disagreed.

Tens of thousands of taels of silver were used to do practical things, but at the same time, they also brought Jiang Shiyuan an excellent reputation. This also dispelled the concerns of many people in the army, so he felt that the money was well spent and did not want the Pei family to interfere, so he clasped his fists and said to Marshal Pei.

"Father, the Pei family's money should be used for other expenses next year. Ah Nian has already done this and taken the credit. There is no need to let the Pei family enjoy the fruits of this."

Hearing his son's words, Marshal Pei felt a little dissatisfied for a moment. Why was his good intention treated as a donkey's liver and lungs? So he snorted coldly and didn't want to argue any more. He just looked at the three people who seemed unwilling to pay attention to him, and then spoke.

"Looking at you, it seems like you don't want to go back to the old house for a reunion dinner this year, so I will have a meal with you in the army today to prevent outsiders from saying that I am biased."