The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family
Chapter 1117 - 254: Not Afraid of Being Exposed_2

Chapter 1117: Chapter 254: Not Afraid of Being Exposed_2

Xiao Yong’s gaze flickered, "Now that the General no longer plans to conceal her identity, there’s no need for Jun Suxue to deliver meals anymore. Always posing with the title of the General’s fiancée, it’s not good for her to be seen coming and going at this time. Everyone else is busy with their own affairs, eating with the General... they never get enough!"

Pei Qin sputtered out, "Am I stealing their food?"

Xiao Yong smiled as he watched her, "It’s that they dare not compete with the General for food. Moreover, given the General’s identity, it’s somewhat inappropriate to dine with them at the same table."

"Oh," Pei Qin nodded.

Xiao Yong picked up some food for her, "It’s perfect for some extra nourishment before and after the New Year!"

Pei Qin complied, had some soup, and ate a good amount, "This steamed dumpling with garlic greens is delicious!"

Xiao Yong picked up another one for her, watching her eat with a smile. The two dined together undisturbed, allowing the emotions in his heart to unreservedly pour out. He even indulged in the impossible thought of ’what if.’

Pei Qin, as brisk and efficient in eating as she was in handling matters, quickly finished her meal.

Xiao Yong too hurriedly finished eating, cleaned up, and had someone take everything back home to be washed.

Upon seeing him even entering the Manufacturing Bureau, Pei Zongli’s thoughts took off wild, thinking that even this unrelated brother had become an official under the General’s influence. He was Pei Qin’s real father, and Pei Wenchen was her brother. If she didn’t want her identity to be uncovered, she should at least secure a decent arrangement for them!

Thinking that the people in the Tiance General Mansion surely didn’t know Pei Qin’s identity nor her origin, and confirming she was in the Manufacturing Bureau, the three of them went directly to the Tiance General Mansion.

Pei Zongli stepped forward and stated his identity directly, as Pei Qin’s real father, Pei Zongli, seeking to see General Pei.

The gatekeeper looked indifferently at the three, "Our General has no father!" Deputy General Zhao had long admonished them, telling them that General Pei’s father favored a concubine over his wife, legitimized the mistress, and threw out the young General Pei and her siblings to fend for themselves. Now, seeing their General’s illustrious success, they wanted to come and claim part of this glory and fortune—wishful thinking!

Pei Zongli was taken aback, feeling somewhat embarrassed, "I am your General Pei’s father, if you don’t believe it, call her out to recognize me!"

Qian Wanxiu, not daring to admit she was Pei Qin’s mother, chimed in from the side, "Whether it is true or not, why not call her out to verify?"

The gatekeeper gave her a disdainful glance, "Our General, at such a young age, has achieved high honor and great riches, countless people come seeking familial ties. To bring our General out for each verification? Whether our General has a father or not—isn’t something she would be unaware of!"

"You’re talking nonsense! Who in this world does not have a father? If not having a father, did she spring from a stone crack!? I am your General Pei’s father!" Pei Zongli had walked up now, his heart intensifying with the hope that Pei Qin would acknowledge him.

Pei Wenchen also joined in, "You all follow General Pei, right? Whether it is the real father, by our facial features, you can tell we are family!"

Pei Qin indeed bore some resemblance to Pei Zongli, but her own aura was so strikingly valiant that it made one overlook her appearance. And since disposition emanates from the heart, over the years, being nurtured differently, she had grown distinct from Pei Zongli.

Stuck outside, Pei Zongli continued to argue, insisting they call Pei Qin back, "I am General Pei’s real father! You likely still don’t know her true identity, if you don’t wish to leak sensitive information, call her back to recognize us immediately!"

After yesterday, the entire Tiance General Mansion had found out their General was a woman, the wife of the neighboring General Mo. But what of it? Regardless of being male or female, she was their General! She was the inventor of firearms, the leader who took them into battle to defeat Wa Ci, and subdue the Rong Clan! She led them in battles, transcending gender. She was a woman, yet earned the reverence of all their men!

But observing Pei Zongli, several hesitated, although they acknowledged the General, regardless of her being male or female, due to the camaraderie forged through battles. What about those commoners outside? Those pedantic Scholars? They were likely the least accommodating, ready to label the General with misdemeanors disrupting the court rules.

Exchanging glances, a few of them went in to notify the Eunuch in charge and Jun Suxue, then instructed someone to inform Pei Qin.

Upon hearing that Pei Qin’s father had come, Jun Suxue’s expression grew cold, "Hurry, send someone to notify the adjacent General Mansion!"

The Mansion soldiers obeyed, following the Eunuch in charge to General Zhaoyong’s wall, directly scaling over.

The General Mansion’s soldiers, hearing the noise, immediately became alert, "Who is it?"

"I’m from next door! I have a report for General Mo!"

After a mutual assessment, they were led to see Zhang Gengshan.