Zhao Jingwen felt a chill down his spine for a moment.
It was a kind of fear where even his soul was seen through.
In fact, Zhao Jingwen had not even thought about doing anything to Pei Dingxi yet. He just saw that within the time before Pei Dingxi grew up, there was enough for him to siphon what he wanted from the Pei family.
He really had not gotten to the point of thinking about what to do with Pei Dingxi. He hadn't even contemplated it yet.
But Ye Suijin's calm tone and affirmative words made him recognize from the bottom of his heart that if there ever came such a day, if it reached that point, if the benefits were big enough...he really could do it.
Obviously, Ye Suijin was also clear about this.
But how and when did she see through him so thoroughly?
Their faces were only inches apart.
They gazed into each other's eyes.
Ye Suijin saw the fine beads of sweat on his temples and the tip of his nose.
In his past life, Zhao Jingwen actually had not harmed anyone.
They had all died in battle.
It was just that the Ye family had sacrificed too much, and as a result, the son-in-law had become the biggest winner.
The wife was dissatisfied.
In his past life, Zhao Jingwen had also never harmed Pei Dingxi.
Pei Dingxi followed in his father's footsteps and died in battle halfway through the campaign against Shu.
In the end, two generations of effort from the Pei family and the pacification of Shu became an unforgettable achievement that founding emperor Zhao Jingwen could write into the history books.
Ye Suijin did not know if Pei Lian had been dissatisfied, but she was dissatisfied on behalf of Pei Ze.
This life was different from the past.
In the past life, Zhao Jingwen had relied on both the Pei family with his left hand and the Ye family with his right, playing them off each other and hedging his bets.
But in this life, Ye Suijin had severed his ties with the Ye family.
He only had the Pei family left.
Ye Suijin had just thought that given Zhao Jingwen's personality, if pushed to that point, who's to say, Pei Dingxi may not even get to grow up.
In this life, Elder Pei was already an ally, and could not be undermined.
Things had changed in this life because of her. Since this was the case, then let her be the one to deter and restrain Zhao Jingwen.
Zhao Jingwen stared into Ye Suijin's eyes, wanting to look away but not daring to.
It was as if frozen in place.
He wanted to defend himself "I never even thought about harming Pei Dingxi", but it seemed he had lost the ability to speak.
Because Ye Suijin was questioning his soul.
It wasn't whether he had done it, or had thought about doing it or not.
But rather, when it came to that point, would he do it?
The answer was: he would.
No defense.
Sweat beaded on Zhao Jingwen's forehead, layer after layer.
He saw Ye Suijin looking at him, the corners of her mouth pulled into something that could not quite be called a smile.
She turned and left.
After bidding farewell to the Pei family army, she led her own army, her spoils of war and prisoners, and went far away in large numbers.
Everyone's eyes darted around.
They were all vexed.
Pei Ze shouted: "What are you doing! Return to your squads!"
Only then did they settle down.
Pei Ze called out, "Jingwen."
Zhao Jingwen took a deep breath, coming out of his paralyzed state, and went over, "Father."
Pei Ze was also curious what exactly Ye Suijin had said to Zhao Jingwen before leaving. It was obvious she had frightened him.
Although Zhao Jingwen's mind was a bit too active, he was still a brave and outstanding general who did not fear death on the battlefield.
What had Ye Suijin said that could frighten him?
Pei Ze asked, "Do you have a courtesy name yet?"
Zhao Jingwen said, "Not yet."
Courtesy names were usually bestowed by elders, teachers, or honored guests.
Even Zhao Jingwen's given name was stolen. When he married Ye Suijin, Ye Suijin's relationship with the main family elders had been strained, and no uncle had come to bestow a name on him.
Pei Ze, hands behind his back, said, "Since this is the case, I will give you a courtesy name."
Zhao Jingwen bowed with hands clasped, "Please bestow a name, Father."
Pei Ze said, "I bestow upon you...the name Shou Shen."
Zhao Jingwen's learning was limited after all.
"Yes," he respectfully said, "From now on your son will be Zhao Jingwen, with the courtesy name Shou Shen."
Pei Ze nodded.
"Shou Shen, return to your squad."
With the pacification of Fang Prefecture and half of Jun Prefecture occupied, the territory had suddenly expanded so much.
When everyone returned to Fangling, they were elated.
Naturally it was time to reward achievements.
Zhao Jingwen's military exploits could not be obscured either.
If the army could not be fair and impartial, there would be no army morale to speak of.
Zhao Jingwen had arrived late, so his exploits were naturally less than others', and his rewards were thinner than others'.
But the goal of him forcing his way here had already been accomplished - the men of the Pei family, from top to bottom, had shifted their impression of him away from his marital affairs, and acknowledged his talents and abilities.
Women are often blinded by a man's halo, unable to distinguish between a man's public righteousness and private virtue.
But actually men themselves know clearly in their hearts. As long as you can perform professionally, most do not care about your private morals. A clear separation.
Pei Lian saw that Zhao Jingwen had gone and indeed achieved merits, gaining acknowledgment, which made her gain face and feel reassured. She increasingly felt that Zhao Jingwen was right.
Although she liked having her husband gently coaxing her by her side, she agreed with what Zhao Jingwen said - her husband could not be someone without any skills, just eating and resting idle.
Moreover, Pei Lian then discovered she was pregnant.
Zhao Jingwen's efforts had not been wasted.
When this happy news was reported to Pei Ze, Pei Ze was startled, then overjoyed and sentimental.
He himself was also going to be a grandfather. But his son was still so young.
Pei Ze had several concubines by his side, but after leaving Jian'nan, he had only fathered three children total, with only Pei Dingxi surviving.
But considering the number of concubines he had, to only have three children, the women's chance of conception could be said to be very low.
They had all been seen by the imperial doctor, and the women were said to be healthy.
He had privately had the imperial doctor take his pulse too. The doctor had said euphemistically that he was "thinking too hard".
According to the doctor, when people thought too hard, regardless of gender, it would lower the chance of conception.
The doctor had prescribed some tranquilizing and nourishing formulas for him, but Pei Ze knew they were useless.
His worries were too heavy, and only taking back Jian'nan could resolve them.
Although his heart was full of sorrow, the arrival of the third generation still brought him joy.
Pei Lian took the opportunity to gently plead, "Your son-in-law still has many inadequacies. Now that Fang Prefecture belongs to Father, what can he do with three hundred men? Please take him into your command, Father."
Pei Lian also associated with some scholarly daughters in Fangling.
She could clearly feel that after Pei Ze expanded his territory this time and increased his power, others were even more cautious around her.
This feeling was wonderful.
The source of this wonderful feeling was Father's might. But what belonged to Father would eventually belong to her second brother.
What belonged to her husband was hers.
Pei Lian and Zhao Jingwen were now of one heart as husband and wife. She only wanted Zhao Jingwen to gain as much as possible from Pei Ze.
Zhao Jingwen had explained the complexities to her, and she finally understood that being an independent battalion of three hundred men was not actually a good thing, but rather a predicament, given the current situation.
A virtuous wife should of course help her husband in a predicament get out of it.
Pei Lian had become gentler and more understanding after marrying. The relationship between father and daughter had eased a lot, which gave Pei Ze some comfort in his old age.
Pillow-side instruction of one's wife was indeed useful - this was another merit of Zhao Jingwen's that could not be erased.
After considering, Pei Ze said to Pei Dingxi, "Break up Shou Shen's men and incorporate them into the army."
Pei Dingxi was puzzled. "Shou Shen?"
Pei Ze said, "The courtesy name I bestowed upon your brother-in-law."
Pei Dingxi thought for a moment - Shou Shen, correcting his name and stopping the deception.
He nodded, "That is a good name."
Zhao Jingwen finally got what he wished for. His men were dispersed and incorporated into the Pei family army.
He officially joined the ranks of Pei family generals.
He finally had a seat at various meetings.
Only whenever he saw Pei Dingxi, he would still think of the fright Ye Suijin had left him with when she departed.
How could there be someone in this world who understood him to his bones?
And he recalled her figure on horseback, brandishing her spear in the fiery rain of arrows on the battlefield.
Would there be a chance in this life to ride and fight alongside her again?
Zhao Jingwen was obsessed.
Ye Suijin entered Deng Prefecture and first returned to Ye Family Fort.
Fifth Son's wedding, since most of the clan was still living at Ye Family Fort, and in-laws and old friends were also in Deng Prefecture, especially with the bride's family in Deng Prefecture, was eventually decided to be held at Ye Family Fort.
Before returning, she had already sent people ahead to report the news. The four madams at Ye Family Fort had prepared everything for the wedding.
They were just waiting for Fifth Son to return and become the groom.
Waiting for Ye Suijin to attend the wedding, and add luster to the occasion.
When Ye Suijin returned, too many people lined up to see her, all kinds of matters.
Amidst her busy schedule, Ye Suijin still set aside time to pay a visit to Fourth Uncle Ye's family.
This life, it was the first time she saw A Gui.
Ye Suijin looked this child over carefully, but could not confirm whether this A Gui was A Gui from her past life.
Until A Gui and his younger brothers and sisters below him died prematurely due to the epidemic, Ye Suijin did not get to see these children much.
Later, she often summoned Twelfth Sister's children, which was undoubtedly a way to transfer her feelings and make amends.
But no matter what, looking now, A Gui was chubby and rosy, with bright eyes. The two chunks of flesh on his cheeks bulged downwards.
When Ye Suijin held him, he did not act like a stranger, gnawing on his little fist and looking up at her, then grinning broadly.
A baby's smile was so pure it could make everything else in the world seem filthy.
So healing.
Ye Suijin looked up, the hall was filled with her own people.
Holding A Gui, she said to Fourth Uncle Ye, "Fourth Uncle, Ye Manor will belong to A Gui in the future."
Fourth Uncle Ye sighed slightly, then drew himself up, "Alright!"
Ye Suijin and Third Son exchanged a glance.
After a moment of contemplation, Third Son silently nodded.
With this, the contest over Ye Manor between Ye Suijin and Fourth Uncle Ye came to an end in this life.
If they had known earlier, perhaps things would not have been as they were.
But life allowed no going back.
Fourth Uncle and Third Son both lamented feeling upset.
Of course they did not know, they only knew the present, so they felt regret over the past. But Ye Suijin knew the future, so she strove to change the present.
On this occasion, on this topic, Fourth Mother and Sister Tong could not interfere.
Just having heard Ye Suijin say this, they were naturally delighted too.
When Sister Tong's brother came to see his sister and nephew, Sister Tong happily told her brother about it.
Her brother asked, "Did she say Ye Manor?"
Sister Tong happily replied, "Yes."
Her brother asked, "She just said Ye Manor?"
Sister Tong did not understand, "Yes. After saying that, she even kissed A Gui, then gave him to me to hold."
Her brother asked, "She didn't say anything else?"
Sister Tong was stunned.
Sister Tong was just the daughter of a wealthy rural family. As the eldest daughter, her virtues and conduct were all taught following the example set by her mother-in-law's favorite daughter-in-law.
But for a rural family, it was nothing more than being self-disciplined and thrifty, gentle and virtuous, filial and respectful, and good to one's relatives.
What she saw, thought, and imagined was limited to the tiny patch within the courtyard walls.
Her thinking was simple. When Ye Suijin said "Ye Manor," she did not realize the implications and scope covered by it!
