Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 482 Side Story: Mother and Daughter (Part 1)

On the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, people in the north have already begun preparing for the New Year.

On this day, every household in Yan County set off firecrackers to send the Kitchen God off to heaven. When they heard that the Emperor was returning with the Pei family army, the people immediately rushed out of their homes and crowded the streets.

A troop of elite soldiers led the way, while cavalry surrounded him. The common people, separated by layers of heads, couldn't see the emperor at all. However, this did not dampen their enthusiasm for cheering.

The shouts of "Long live the Emperor!" surged like ocean waves.

Pei Qinghe, riding slowly forward, listened to the deafening cheers, her brows relaxed, and her eyes were full of smiles.

Compared to Luoyang, Yan County was her true foundation. The people here only recognized her, Pei Qinghe. They were loyal to her and deeply believed that she would bring them a better life.

“It’s definitely better here in Yan County.” Pei Yan grinned, then turned to look at Pei Qinghe: “We’ve been gone for a year and a half before we came back. The little monkey should be able to walk and run by now. He’s probably already forgotten what his own mother looks like.”

When we left, the little monkey was only three months old. Now it's almost two years old.

Pei Qinghe smiled and sighed, "I'm not a very responsible mother."

Fortunately, the major battles are over. Next, she will focus on governing the court, implementing new policies, recruiting and training soldiers to prepare for the Xiongnu. As the emperor, she no longer needs to travel around and can stay in Yan County to spend more time with her daughter.

Pei Qinghe, who had mentally prepared herself, was suddenly stunned when she saw the little monkey.

A little girl, dressed in a bright red cotton coat with two small pigtails in her hair, with fair skin and a chubby little belly, stared at him with her big, bright eyes.

Before I left, I was just a baby who could only cry. Now I've grown up so much?

"Mother!" The little girl was not shy at all and quickly recognized who the person in front of her was. After calling out "Mother," she happily rushed into Pei Qinghe's arms.

Pei Qinghe was unusually flustered and hurriedly hugged her daughter.

The chubby little monkey wriggled in her arms and turned to call for its grandmother.

Mother Feng exclaimed and came over with a smile: "I show Little Monkey your portrait every day, so she is very familiar with you. She recognized you as soon as she saw you."

Pei Qinghe's heart warmed: "Mother, I'm back."

A glistening tear welled up in Madam Feng's eyes, and her voice suddenly choked with emotion: "It's good that you're back safe and sound."

Shi Yan, unable to contain his eagerness and joy, strode forward and first performed the courtier's salute: "Your Majesty, I congratulate you on your victorious return."

The two had been married for several years and had been separated several times. This was the first time they had been apart for a year and a half like this. Shi Yan longed for him terribly, and Pei Qinghe missed him just as much.
One should be more reserved in front of others.

Pei Qinghe felt a surge of warmth in her heart, but she remained composed on the surface: "Fashion Book, get up quickly."

Meng Bing, the Minister of War who had also worked hard for over a year, stepped forward to pay his respects. Then, in front of everyone, he grasped Mao Hongling's hand and inquired about her well-being. Mao Hongling blushed at his teasing but was reluctant to pull her hand away.

The joy of reuniting after a long separation is indescribable.

Bian Shulan and Zhao Hai, a married couple, were also reunited after a long separation. As an old married couple, they didn't exchange many sweet nothings. Bian Shulan was only worried about her daughter, Pei Wan: "Wan'er is still so young, how did she become the Prefect of Danyang?"

"What if something goes wrong, or we do something wrong?"

"Whether she becomes the prefect or not is a minor matter; it would be terrible if she delayed the emperor's new policies."

Zhao Hai smiled and comforted his anxious wife: "Since the Emperor has entrusted this important task to our little Wan'er, it shows that she has the ability. Don't worry. Even if there are some mistakes, she can learn and practice slowly."

Zhao Hai was the first to marry into the Pei family. That year, little Wan'er was only four years old. More than a decade has passed in the blink of an eye. Pei Wan is now seventeen years old, grown up, and has become the governor of a prefecture.

Bian Shulan's anxious heart settled down, and she sighed deeply: "I hope it's as you said."

Zhao Hai had great confidence in Pei Wan: "Our little Wan'er will definitely be able to do a good job as the governor of Danyang. Perhaps she will have even greater achievements and opportunities in the future!" Bian Shulan also smiled: "The family banquet is ready. Come on, let's take our seats together."

Although it was called a family banquet, all the civil and military officials who remained in Yan County also attended. More than thirty tables were set up, filled with fine wine and delicious food, laughter and chatter, making it a very lively occasion.

The little monkey was initially excited and lively, but it started to doze off halfway through the banquet. Madam Feng reached out and took her granddaughter, saying, "I'll take the little monkey to sleep first."

Pei Qinghe said with some reluctance, "I'll sleep with her tonight."

Madam Feng smiled and said, "She always wakes up two or three times in the middle of the night. You've just gotten back, so you should rest well for a few nights."

Shi Yan nodded frantically in his heart.

……

When husband and wife reunite after a long separation, it's even more joyful than when they were newlyweds.

Exhausted, I didn't fall asleep until almost dawn.

Mrs. Feng was very considerate and coaxed the little monkey to play in the garden. The little monkey was very precocious; it could speak at ten months old and walk at one year old. Now, before it's even two years old, it can already say a lot of words.

"Grandmother, where is Father?"

The little monkey was closest to its father, and immediately asked where Shi Yan was.

Madam Feng smiled and said, "Your father has gone to work. How about we go find him tonight?"

The little monkey said "Oh," ran around and played for a while, then ran back and asked, "Where's Mommy?"

Madam Feng continued to deceive him: "Your mother is the emperor, and she has important matters of state to attend to. Be a good boy, little monkey, and play here with your grandmother. When it gets dark, your grandmother will take you to find your mother."

The little monkey happily agreed and went to find some friends to play with.

In recent years, many babies have been born into the Pei family. There are four or five that are about the size of little monkeys. The little monkeys played with their playmates all day, and by nightfall they were so tired that they fell asleep as soon as they closed their eyes. They had no idea that they were looking for their fathers or mothers.

Without the children to disturb him, and with the officials wisely refraining from coming to pay their respects, Pei Qinghe stayed in the house for two days before finally showing himself.

"mother!"

The little monkey, like a fledgling swallow returning to its nest, rushed into Pei Qinghe's arms.

Pei Qinghe smiled and easily picked up the little monkey, tossed it into the air, and caught it again.

The little monkey's eyes lit up with excitement, and its chubby face flushed red: "Mom, I want to fly too!"

Pei Qinghe smiled and nodded, then tossed the little monkey high into the air again.

The little monkey cried out and danced in the air, then giggled.

Madam Feng was gentle and meticulous in caring for the child, and Shi Yan, the biological father, was equally attentive and thorough. The little monkey had never played such an exciting and fun game before.

Pei Qinghe possessed astonishing strength and precision, tossing the child up as easily as tossing a toy.

Mrs. Feng said nervously, "Be careful. Don't fall!"

Shi Yan had great confidence in Pei Qinghe, but she couldn't help feeling nervous, her eyes fixed on the child.

After playing around ten times, the little monkey finally had its fill and hugged its mother's neck, giggling nonstop.

(End of this chapter)