Chapter 454: The Pei Family’s Birthday (Part 1)

"Brother-in-law, why don't you like riding a horse? I think riding a horse is very free. You can see the blue sky and white clouds, and you can meet familiar friends. The feeling of chance meeting is delightful, but sitting in this carriage like a room is boring and dark. Brother-in-law, how can you stand it?"

Li Qingan did not wait until the next day to go to Pei Mansion. After resigning from his right prime minister, he suddenly became idle. In the afternoon, he took Mingzhu to Pei Mansion. Along the way, she was complaining about the discomfort of riding in the carriage.

Li Qingan smiled and said, "Why don't I want to ride a horse? But if I ride a horse, I will become a hedgehog. Have you seen a hedgehog? It's full of thorns, and I'm full of arrows, a new breed, arrow hedgehog."

"That's true. I'm always worried that it's really bad to be shot by someone. Brother-in-law, how much do you deserve? How much can I make by turning you into a hedgehog?"

"It's probably worth one million yuan! What do you ask about this?"

Mingzhu held her cheek and smiled and said, "I was thinking, why didn't anyone look for me? I only need 10% of it, and it's 100,000 guan."

"You can't kill me, by the way, Mingzhu, is anyone in the Pei family wanting to marry you?"

Mingzhu frowned and said, "Just say something interesting just now, you'll come and sweep the fun of others. Yes! There's a line to turn on Zhuque Street, now you're satisfied!"

"I just asked casually, is it okay for my brother-in-law to care about my sister-in-law?"

"You should care about your big affairs in the world! How can you care about a little girl like me?"

Mingzhu turned around in anger, grabbed a pillow and blocked her ears, ignoring Li Qing'an.

Li Qingan smiled and shook his head. He was already a person who had passed by. How could he not understand Mingzhu’s thoughts? In fact, he also liked this beautiful and cute woman. In the past, she was like her sister, chattering around her like a little sparrow, but as she grew up, she had become a mature and beautiful girl with a unique and bright temperament.

But Mingzhu is her sister-in-law after all, and she is involved in very complicated family relationships. He can't think about that for the time being.

Li Qingan also sighed quite well. He was already a 20-year-old girl, but he could not forget her thirteen-year-old appearance. Li Qingan couldn't help but remember the situation when he first met her. A little girl hiding behind a screen always thought that she had grown up and had a mess on her face, and she even called her bloody makeup.

"Hey! What are you thinking, you're smiling so weird." Mingzhu couldn't help but lift the pillow and asked him.

"I'm thinking about how I looked when I first met you."

"What do I look like?"

Mingzhu suddenly sat up and smiled and said, "Tell me, what did you look like when you first met me?"

"You! You put on makeup like a vixen, and you think you are beautiful. Why don't you put on makeup now?"

Mingzhu said a little embarrassedly: "I was still young at that time, and everyone put on makeup like that, so I thought it was beautiful. Now I think it's so stupid."

"Actually, it's not stupid. I think it's quite unique, at least I like it very much."

"No matter how much you like me, I won't put on makeup like that, as that is not good for my skin."

Mingzhu took out the mirror and took a look, and asked, "Brother-in-law, people say I have become much better-looking than before. What do you think?"

"Haha! It's much better than before, but there is nothing but change. I was very willful a few years ago, but now it seems the same." Li Qingan joked.

Mingzhu didn't hear Li Qing'an's teasing tone. She felt depressed. The girls who used to play with her were married. They had children. They only had husbands in their hearts and only children in their eyes. Last time, a friend who used to play with her came to borrow money from her. She hadn't seen her for two or three years. The friend seemed to be ten years old, and she kept talking about money. She sighed that life was difficult and she really became very mature. But she would rather not be so maturing. She didn't want to become so philanthropist and so old. She wanted to keep a little of her own happiness.

But many people don’t like her personality, even Li Qing'an in front of her. She thinks that Li Qing'an hopes she becomes more mature.

She looked around and looked at the mirror again, sighed, "My mother always said that I just couldn't grow up, and I once wanted to become more mature, and even pretended, but this kind of pretending would almost exhaust people. Alas! I really don't know how to grow up a little."

She secretly glanced at Li Qing'an again and asked carefully: "Brother-in-law, is it related to fate when you don't grow up? It's because the fate has not arrived yet, right?"

"Maybe it's a little bit."

Li Qingan smiled and said, "Actually, there is nothing wrong with being simple at all. When I was young, I hoped to mature, but when I matured, I missed youth. I don't think it was necessary to pretend deliberately. It's like a tree of apples. The sunrise side will be big and red, and the shaded side will look a little bit green. In fact, it is already mature. It is very crisp, with a little sweet and sour, and has a kind of original flavor of apples."

"Do you like green fruits?"

"I? I like it all, Mingzhu, haven't I told you? You have to believe in fate. When fate comes, there will naturally be results."

Mingzhu didn't dare to look at Li Qing'an. She lowered her head shyly, twisting her skirt with her fingers around her, but she was thinking about the fruit of the tree. Li Qing'an chose it for a long time and finally picked the slightly green one.

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At this time, the carriage entered Jingshanfang and the speed gradually slowed down.

Pei Kuan's mansion is located in Jingshanfang. It is a huge house covering an area of ​​nearly 60 acres. It is also one of the several heavy houses of the Pei family in Chang'an. The Pei family is a prominent family in Wenxi County, Hedong. It has a long history and has been reproducing for nearly a thousand years. The Pei family has many talents and has emerged for a hundred years. Among the famous families of the Tang Dynasty, it is also second only to the Li family and Cui family, ranking third. The Pei family in the middle Tang Dynasty has produced many famous prime ministers, Pei Kuan, Pei Zunqing, Pei Yaoqing, etc., all of whom are outstanding talents. Pei Kuan is the most famous, both civil and military. He has served as the governor of Fanyang, and has been appointed as the prime minister twice. He was demoted twice and has experienced ups and downs throughout his life.

Pei Kuan has rarely gone out in recent years. Since the case of Prince Li Heng being deposed, Pei Kuan, then Minister of Rites, was also implicated and forced to retire from office. After that, he has been completely silent. In recent years, Pei Kuan is dedicated to Buddhism and chants at home all day long. However, as he grows older, his life has gradually begun to age. Especially this year, he has suffered three serious illnesses in a row. Although he was rescued by the imperial physician, his body has been extremely weak. The imperial physician has already hinted that the Pei family may not be able to survive this year. In view of this situation, the Pei family decided to celebrate Pei Kuan's birthday on the 75th day of his birthday. One is to celebrate, and the other is to hope that all the children of the Pei family can come to see the elderly and old patriarch, so that Pei Kuan will leave without regrets.

Although Pei Kuan believed in Buddhism in his later years and was frugal by nature, this time the Pei family spent a lot of money to celebrate the birthday of the Pei family and spent tens of thousands of yuan to celebrate the birthday of the Pei family. For this reason, Pei Kuan's eldest son, Yin Pei, Henan, also came from Luoyang to preside over his father's birthday. This time Pei Kuan celebrated his birthday, and the Pei family selected a total of seven people as the planners of the birthday ceremony. These seven people were famous people of the Pei family, such as Pei Zunqing, who was also over 70 years old, Pei Min, the Minister of Rites and the Minister of Rites, Pei Min, Yin Pei, Henan, and Pei Temple Minister Pei.

Xiang and so on, including the Pei family's son-in-law like Dugu Haoran, but because Dugu Haoran claimed to be ill, he gave the job to his son-in-law Li Qing'an. Although the relationship between Li Qing'an and the Pei family was a little far apart, with the strong support of Pei Zunqing and Pei Min, the Pei family was also willing to let the Pei family's grandson-in-law participate. Pei Zunqing even stated at the core family meeting that if Li Qing'an was allowed to become a member of the Pei family, it would have an immeasurable effect on the improvement of the Pei family's status in the Tang Dynasty.

The competition between the Pei family and the Cui family is well known in the Tang Dynasty. Cui Yuan and Cui Qiao defected to Li Longji in Shu and became the important minister of Li Longji. Cui Huan was also the prime minister of Chang'an. Pei Min was the only prime minister of the Pei family. Although his status was slightly higher, the Pei family was still not as good as the Cui family in terms of the number of officials above the third rank. Especially in terms of local forces, the local officials served by the Cui family far exceeded the Pei family.

So if Li Qingan can join the Pei family, he will undoubtedly add a lot of weight to the competition balance between Cui Pei and Pei families.

Li Qing'an's carriage slowly stopped in front of Pei Kuan's mansion in Jingshanfang. Today was just the sunset. All the core members of the Pei family rushed to Pei Kuan's mansion and discussed the birthday of Pei Kuan. When they heard that Li Qing'an was coming, Pei Zunqing, Pei Min and other major members of the Pei family came to greet him.

Mingzhu picked up the curtain and looked through the cracks of the curtain. She saw a white-bearded old man standing in front of the steps, all of whom were elders of the Pei family. She was so scared that she stuck out her tongue. Her mother asked her to recommend the Pei family to Li Qing'an, but the students who were familiar to her were all young people, or they were female relatives in the inner courtyard. She could not be familiar with the elders of the Pei family. Mingzhu felt a sense of silence and said to Li Qing'an with a bitter face: "Brother-in-law, I feel a little uncomfortable in my stomach, so I can't go down. You can go alone! My uncle is here anyway, so I don't need me."

Li Qing'an understood her thoughts, smiled at her, and did not force her to get off the car directly. Pei Zunqing and Pei Min stood in front of the steps. Although Pei Min was the Secretary of the Right Prime Minister and served as the acting patriarch in the family, Pei Zunqing was an elder. Pei Min did not dare to compete with his elders, so Pei Zunqing stepped forward to welcome Li Qing'an. Pei Zunqing was a late-stage person. He was only in his fifties as a member of the Ministry of Personnel. He was demoted to the prefect of Fenzhou for offending Yang Guozhong. Li Yu

After ascending the throne, he was promoted to the Minister of Personnel, and soon appointed him as the Minister of the Sect. He was second only to Pei Min in the Pei family. Pei Zunqing is over 70 years old this year and his beard is gray, but he is energetic and quicker than that of a young man. He walked forward quickly and bowed to Li Qing'an and smiled: "I heard that Yu'er always has a general who is short of a general. Then I will follow my juniors and call him a general. It's a bit rude. Please forgive me."

The Yuer Pei Zunqing mentioned is Pei Kuanchang Sun Pei Yu. He had returned to Beijing from Suoye last year. He is currently the Fangsi Department of War. He stood behind Pei Zunqing. He was full of excitement for Li Qing'an for a long time, but he did not dare to act rashly, so he only owed Li Qing'an slightly. Li Qing'an also smiled at him and returned the gift to Pei Zunqing and laughed: "Today I am here to attend the clan meeting. Everyone is our own people, so let's be more casual."

"Okay! OK!" Pei Zunqing also laughed and said, "The General said it very well. Everyone is our own people, so let's be more casual."

Pei Zunqing turned around and introduced the Pei family members to Li Qing'an one by one, "This one is Pei Xi, that is, Pei Yu's father, and he is appointed as the Yin of Henan."

Pei Xi was about forty years old, with a bright look and a thin and handsome appearance. Li Qing'an had seen him when he was appointed as the Henan Observer, and then smiled and said, "Envoy Pei, we haven't seen each other for many years when we parted in Luoyang."

Pei Xi quickly gave Li Qing'an a bow and said sincerely: "I was arrogant in Luoyang, but the general treated Yu'er well in Anxi. He was so kind to him, so Pei Xi was extremely ashamed."

"You must be polite to envoy Pei. Anxi is the only one who can do his own good. It is the son who has the strength of his own efforts. It has nothing to do with me. The son is the only official who knows the Byzantine language among Anxi and even the officials of the Tang Dynasty. Pei Yu, do you still remember the Byzantine language?"

Pei Yu hurriedly stepped forward and bowed and said, "Report to the general, I was chatting with two Byzantine merchants yesterday, and I didn't forget."

"Very good. You are proficient in Turkic language, great language and Byzantine language. This is also an extremely rare talent in the court. If you cannot play your role in the Ministry of War, I have decided to promote you to Shaoqing of the Honglu Temple. You can prepare! There will be a transfer order in the next two days."

Pei Xi next to him was overjoyed. His son is now a fifth-rank rank rank doctor, while the Honglu Shaoqing was promoted to two levels from the fourth-rank rank. And this was just the beginning. His son was a backbone of the Anxi clan and would definitely have a bright future in the future. Pei Xi then understood the profound meaning of his father's father's determination to send Pei Yu to Anxi. Sure enough, he had a long-term vision. He deeply thanked: "The general will keep his humble position in mind."

Li Qingan laughed, "Didn't I say it? I won't talk about business today, I will take care of my brother-in-law, it's not a business."

As soon as Li Qing'an said this, except Pei Xi and Pei Yu and his son, the Pei family caused a sensation. They only knew that Pei Yu's wife Li Xiaolian was married in Anxi, but none of them knew that Li Xiaolian was actually Li Qing'an's sister.

The children of the Pei family couldn't help but look at Pei Yu with envious eyes. If they marry Li Qing'an's sister, isn't there a bright future? Li Qing'an was shocked when he saw everyone was surprised. Didn't Pei Yu tell his clan members?

In fact, Li Qingan didn't know that Xiaolian was very low-key. She didn't allow her husband to tell her true identity, so except Pei Yu and his father Pei Xi, everyone else really didn't know. Pei Xi smiled bitterly and said, "Xiaolian is very virtuous and filial, and is my good daughter-in-law."

Speaking of this, he pointed inside the door. Only then did Li Qing'an see three young women standing inside the door. The person in front was Xiaolian. Although she was a young woman, she had a more pretty appearance, bright eyes, and had a hint of mature charm in her behavior. Seeing that she was wearing a wide long skirt covering her figure, Li Qing'an guessed slightly that Xiaolian might be pregnant.

Xiaolian was indeed four months pregnant. When she heard that her elder brother was coming, she secretly came out of the inner house. Unexpectedly, Li Qing'an saw it, so she had to walk out. The joy of reunion could not be concealed in her bright eyes. She gave Li Qing'an Yingying a gift, "Xiaolian meets with her elder brother."

"I've been very busy lately and I don't have time to see you."

Li Qingan apologized: "But looking at your good looks, I feel relieved."

"Please rest assured, Xiaolian lives well here."

At this time, Li Qing'an saw more than Xiao Lian, and two more young girls. Pei Yu was wearing a red dress. Pei Min's daughter. She was thin and weak and had a slightly thin body. Li Qing'an had seen her once. Another girl was about sixteen or seventeen years old. She was wearing a long green silk skirt, graceful and green skirt. She was slim and tall, with a very beautiful appearance. When she talked to Pei Yu, she had a quiet smile on her face, with a little shyness. She lowered her head, but raised her eyes again, looking at him half as serious as half as fun. Li Qing'an's eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but cheer. Is there such a beautiful girl in the Pei family?

Xiaolian smiled again and said, "My aunt sent someone to say that Mingzhu has come too, why didn't she see her?"

"She is in the carriage! Seeing so many elders of the Pei family here, she dare not come out. You can take her to the inner house first!"

Mingzhu saw Xiaolian in the carriage. She jumped out of the carriage as if she had seen a savior, and held Xiaolian's hand and whispered: "Why did you come out?"

The Tang Dynasty was open and not as good as men and women were defending each other like later generations. It was normal for brother-in-law and aunt to take the same car. Most of the Pei family knew Mingzhu, and they were not very strange. Most of them laughed it off. However, when Pei Zunqing saw Mingzhu in the carriage, a strange thing flashed in his eyes. Mingzhu jumped up happily when she saw the other two girls, "Wan'er, Yu'er, you guys are here too, great."

Xiaolian smiled at Li Qing'an again and said, "Brother, then I will take Mingzhu to Hou'an first and talk to you later."

"Go!"

Li Qingan said to Mingzhu again: "Don't forget what your mother told you and greet my grandmother."

"I can't forget!"

Mingzhu held the hands of the two girls and ran into the mansion like a butterfly. Xiaolian followed slowly. Li Qingan smiled and looked at them away. His eyes couldn't help but fall on the girl in a green silk skirt. Who is this girl?

At this time, Pei Zunqing coughed lightly and smiled and said, "The two girls, one is the daughter of Pei Xiangguo, Pei Yu, and the other is my granddaughter Pei Wan'er. Her father is my second son, Pei Yang, the prefect of Ningzhou, and the general should have seen it."

"Oh! It turns out that he is the daughter of Taishou Pei. Taishou Pei is an honest and capable official, with a very high reputation among the people. He is a rare good official."

"Thank you for your praise to the dog son, come! Let's enter the mansion! I've been talking on the steps for so long, and I've been a little negligent."

"Okay, I also want to see the old prime minister Pei. The old prime minister was kind to me back then, and it was my lifelong wish to do my best to his birthday."

Pei Zunqing waved his hand solemnly and said to Li Qing'an: "Please, General!"

"please!"

Everyone walked into the gate of Pei Mansion together. It was not until this time that Pei Min had the opportunity to approach Li Qing'an and smiled and said, "It's busy preparing for the birthday ceremony. Do you really have time?"

Li Qingan also smiled and said, "I should ask you this sentence, you are the right country and have a lot of troubles. Do you have time?"

"I am really too busy to discuss some major things, and my nephew will do the specific busy things."

"I am here to celebrate the birthday of Old Prime Minister Pei!"
Chapter completed!