After saying it, Pei Er felt somewhat nervous. Seeing Li Chansiu stunned, he hurriedly wanted to add, “This is only temporary. When we earn money later, we’ll move to something better.”
But before he could speak, he heard Li Chansiu ask in surprise, “You bought this?”
At that, Pei Er suddenly felt uncomfortable, even embarrassed, and said in a muffled voice, “No, I… rented it.”
Li Chansiu immediately felt relieved. It was good that it wasn’t bought. They wouldn’t be living here long anyway. If it had been purchased, wouldn’t that be a waste of money?
Although buying this house probably wouldn’t cost much, to Pei Er it could very well be a huge sum.
Pei Er had been tense all along. Seeing that Li Chansiu did not show any disappointment, he could not help but let out a breath of relief, then quickly added, “If you don’t like this one, we can look at others.”
Li Chansiu shook his head and this time carefully examined the courtyard, the fence walls were bound with reeds and thatch, blocking the wind and shielding the view from outside.
The courtyard had been swept very clean. By the fence wall was a built-up chicken coop. The rammed-earth house was low and worn, but it had everything necessary. It was a place where one could live normally.
If they could live outside like this, many things would be much more convenient in the future.
With that thought, Li Chansiu’s expression grew thoughtful.
As he inspected the courtyard, Pei Er’s nerves unconsciously tightened, as though he himself were the one being evaluated. Only when he saw a satisfied look appear did he finally relax.
That morning, General Chen had summoned him, tested his abilities in other areas, given him two military manuals, and encouraged him to train the hundred or so men under his command well.
At the time, they had been riding horses and talking. When they passed this area where the soldiers’ families lived, he had suddenly thought that after he and Miss Shen married, they would need a place to stay. Otherwise, if Miss Shen still lived in the infirmary and he continued to stay in the barracks, what difference would there be from not being married?
Pei Er lowered his head slightly, feeling guilty about his small scheme.
In truth, he was not very satisfied with this house. He felt it was too small, a rammed-earth house at that, low and shabby, truly unworthy of Miss Shen.
But he was short of money. Although he had won the competition and received some reward silver, holding a wedding would also cost money. In any case, he needed to economize. And nearby there weren’t any better houses…
Just as he was thinking this, Li Chansiu finished looking around the courtyard, suddenly turned, and smiled faintly at him. “It’s quite good. I like it.”
Hearing this, Pei Er abruptly lifted his head. His eyes brightened, and the hand gripping his blade tightened unconsciously. Gradually, his tightly pressed lips curved slightly.
Li Chansiu always felt that Pei Er was fierce when fighting and taciturn at other times, yet sometimes he seemed like the wolfhound Li Chansiu had once kept in his dreams, especially when being praised.
Without realizing it, he smiled too and asked, “How much is the rent? I’ll pay half.”
Pei Er immediately shook his head. “No need. It’s not expensive.”
But Li Chansiu said, “Even if it’s not expensive, that won’t do. This marriage is already you helping me. How can I let you spend more?”
Seeing him draw such a clear boundary, Pei Er fell silent again. The light in his eyes dimmed.
When he did not respond, Li Chansiu took out a small pouch containing a small piece of broken silver and some copper coins and handed it over.
When Pei Er did not accept it, he said, “Originally, this was earned by you anyway.”
Pei Er was about to refuse, but at that he showed confusion.
Li Chansiu explained, “During the competition before, I bet on you to win and earned some money.”
Of course, there was also some money he had added himself.
Pei Er froze and asked, “You bet on me to win every round?”
Li Chansiu smiled faintly and nodded. “Yes. Every round.”
Pei Er’s expression went blank again, and for a moment he forgot to push the money back.
Taking the opportunity, Li Chansiu said, “The remaining money can be used for the wedding. There’s no need to spend too much, just keep it simple.”
Pei Er had not yet recovered when, upon hearing the words “wedding,” he almost immediately followed up, “Then when shall we marry?”
Only after asking did he realize his tone seemed somewhat eager. He hurriedly coughed lightly and explained with outward composure, “Today General Chen asked when we would marry and said he would preside over the ceremony.”
After speaking, his gaze drifted unnaturally.
Li Chansiu also knew this matter could not be delayed. There were only a few days left before the deadline of the marriage order, and Aunt Xu had previously urged him to hurry…
After brief consideration, he said, “How about the day after tomorrow? What do you think?”
Compared to a normal wedding, the timing was far too rushed, but there was no choice. Fortunately, he and Pei Er were only going through the motions, letting outsiders know they were married. Everything could be kept simple.
Pei Er, however, felt the sooner the better and almost immediately agreed.
The two looked around the rammed-earth house again and did not leave together on horseback until late afternoon.
Pei Er maintained a calm expression the entire way, but the hand holding the reins was unusually tight, unable to conceal the surging waves in his heart.
While they had been viewing the house earlier, he had already begun imagining all kinds of scenes of life there after their marriage. The bed should be replaced with a better, larger one. The window should have a wooden frame installed. It would be best to plant a tree in the courtyard. And the chicken coop by the wall should be put to use.
He had already decided that he would raise a brood of chickens then. That way there would be eggs every day, and every few days they could slaughter one to nourish Miss Shen. The other was too thin.
At this thought, he could not help glancing at Li Chansiu seated on the horse with him, his gaze softening. Only after returning to the camp did his emotions gradually calm.
Although they had discussed the wedding, neither of them had any experience, nor were there parents or elders to help arrange things.
After parting with Pei Er, Li Chansiu still went to consult Aunt Xu.
Though he had intended to keep it simple, since General Chen was going to preside, it would not be good for it to be overly crude.
After returning to the wounded soldiers’ camp, Pei Er also sought out Zhang Hu for advice.
Zhang Hu was now a squad leader and was about to be assigned under his command.
That morning, when General Chen had asked him to choose men to be assigned to him, asking if there was anyone he wanted, he had not been familiar with the soldiers in the camp. The only three he had some impression of were Chen Qing, Zhang Hu, and Zhang He.
Zhang Hu had helped him yesterday, and in addition, he had heard Zhang He complain in the wounded soldiers’ camp that Zhang Hu did not get along with his current superior. After returning, he asked Zhang Hu about his thoughts. Zhang Hu naturally agreed at once. However, Chen Qing and the others overheard, so he conveniently also took in Chen Qing, Zhang He, Erzi, and the rest.
As for why he did not ask Chen Qing about the wedding, naturally because that person was extremely unreliable.
Zhang Hu had been married before. Hearing Pei Er come to consult him about such matters, especially since the other would be his future superior, he naturally “withheld nothing and spoke without reservation.” He hurriedly told him how to go fetch the bride, how to deal with guests blocking the door, how to secretly mix water into the wine while drinking, and to absolutely avoid being drunk. Otherwise, when night came and it was time for the bridal chamber…
At this point, Zhang Hu suddenly stopped. The burly man, eight chi tall, actually seemed somewhat embarrassed.
Although after long in the army camp some soldiers often made bawdy remarks, Zhang Hu was an honest man and never participated. Moreover, Miss Shen was the benefactor of both him and Zhang He; he would never say anything disrespectful about her.
So he rubbed his hands and stammered, “As for what happens at night, you’d better ask someone else.”
Pei Er fell silent for a moment.
Who was asking about that? What he wanted to know was what procedures to pay attention to when getting married and what gifts needed to be prepared. Although he did not have much money, whatever Miss Shen ought to have, he still needed to provide.
Zhang Hu was stunned upon hearing this and said, “This… at home, my mother helped arrange those things for me.”
Pei Er: “…”
How had he thought Zhang Hu was more reliable than Chen Qing?
It seemed he would have to ask someone older. But he did not know many people. After much thought, he could only go find Physician Hu.
When Physician Hu heard that he had come to ask about marriage, he immediately became extremely enthusiastic. He even went home specially to tell his old wife. The couple helped make arrangements together, bringing whatever ready-made items they had at home that could be lent.
Together with Aunt Xu, in the span of a single day, they truly managed to prepare most of a simple wedding.
The day before the wedding, Pei Er mounted his horse and once again took Li Chansiu to the only ready-made clothing shop in town to buy the clothes to wear for the ceremony.
Li Chansiu had originally thought it unnecessary. After all, it would only be worn for one day; borrowing a somewhat red outer robe would suffice. But when he actually tried to borrow one, he realized it was inappropriate. His outward identity was that of a woman. Borrowing from a man was unsuitable; borrowing from the women was even more so.
Moreover, though he was slender, he was still taller than the women who had been exiled together with him. Even if he could borrow something, it would not fit.
Since Pei Er insisted on buying new clothes, Li Chansiu agreed.
But after arriving at the clothing shop and purchasing the garments, Pei Er set his sights on the jewelry shop next door.
Li Chansiu was helpless and reminded him, “We don’t have much money.” And besides, they were only going through the motions, a fake marriage.
Pei Er seemed somewhat dejected, his expression sullen. When they left, he looked back three times along the way.
Li Chansiu did not take the matter to heart, thinking it only a small issue. But after lunch that afternoon, Pei Er called him out again.
They went once more to that small courtyard. Pei Er took out something wrapped in a handkerchief and handed it to him as if nothing were unusual, the roots of his ears slightly red. “For you.”
Li Chansiu was stunned for a moment. He accepted it and opened it to see that it was a jade bracelet. The jade was lustrous white and delicate, warm and smooth to the touch, likely warm jade. It presumably was not cheap.
Pei Er quickly added, “The shopkeeper said this is warm jade. It won’t feel cold when worn. I thought it suited you well. Keep it and wear it.”
He said it lightly, as though it were a bracelet woven from dogtail grass, worth nothing at all.
Li Chansiu stood dazed for a long while before finally asking, “Where did you get the money to buy this?”
Pei Er immediately stammered, “…I used the reward silver.” More than half of it.
Li Chansiu: “…” You’re truly generous.
Seeing him silent, Pei Er hurriedly added, “Don’t worry. I’ll earn more money.”
Li Chansiu: “…Do you think it’s easy for a soldier to earn money? It’s not as if there’s a military competition every day where you can win reward silver.”
He felt a wave of helplessness, carefully put away the bracelet, and said, “Go return it and get the money back.”
But Pei Er shook his head. “If I return it now, I won’t get all the money back.”
A portion would definitely be deducted.
Seeing that Li Chansiu still would not accept it, he added, “Actually… I wanted this bracelet to compensate you.”
“Compensate?” Li Chansiu was puzzled.
“Yes.” Pei Er nodded and said with difficulty, “Last time, the Buddhist bead bracelet you gave me, I damaged it.”
As he spoke, he took out the gray cloth pouch he had always carefully kept near his heart and nervously handed it over.
He had not dared mention it before. Only today, while giving the jade bracelet, did he dare bring it up.
Li Chansiu was stunned. He took the pouch and opened it. Sure enough, one of the Buddhist beads had split into two, lying at the bottom of the pouch, as though cleaved by a sharp weapon. The pouch itself also had a tear, clumsily stitched up with rough thread.
Seeing that one bead of the bracelet his father had personally polished was broken, saying he did not feel heartache would be impossible. Especially since, in his dream, he had never seen his father again after that. Only this string of Buddhist beads had always accompanied him.
Thinking of his father’s death in the dream, Li Chansiu looked at the beads and could not help the slight sourness at the tip of his nose, a mist rising in his eyes.
Pei Er had never imagined that the broken beads would cause him to cry.
He immediately panicked and apologized helplessly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”
He had guessed before that Li Chansiu would be upset, but he had not expected him to be this upset.
“It’s alright.” Li Chansiu quickly suppressed the moisture in his eyes and forced a smile. “The day I put it on you, it was because I hoped it would protect you…”
He examined the pouch and the broken bead more carefully and frowned. “It looks like it was damaged by a sharp weapon. That day when you were with Centurion Jiang… did he use a weapon? And…”
Remembering that Pei Er had kept the pouch near his heart, his voice suddenly tightened. “Was he trying to kill you? How badly were you hurt? Why didn’t you say anything before?”
The rapid string of questions instead made Pei Er gradually feel at ease. He hurriedly shook his head. “It’s fine. The dagger happened to stab into the bead. I wasn’t injured.”
Then he apologized again. “I’m sorry.”
Only then did Li Chansiu relax. Hearing this, he said again, “I gave it to you to protect you. Since the bead saved you, then wearing it wasn’t in vain.”
After saying this, afraid that Pei Er would overthink, he added, “I’m not upset or blaming you. Just now I suddenly thought of the person who gave me the beads…”
Halfway through, he suddenly stopped speaking, then shook his head and carefully put away the pouch together with the Buddhist beads.
Pei Er could not help wondering who that person was who had given the beads.
However, thinking that Miss Shen had been willing to give the beads to him to use, that person likely was not so important. Besides, Miss Shen had also accepted his jade bracelet…
As he was lost in thought, a sharp piercing cry suddenly came from overhead. Looking up, he saw a golden eagle circling high in the sky.
Without thinking further, Pei Er immediately bent his bow and nocked an arrow, his gaze sharp.
With a “whoosh,” the sound of something cutting through the air rang out, like a bowstring splitting stone. The arrow feathers flew like lightning, shooting fiercely toward the golden eagle.
Li Chansiu had only just managed to lift his head when he saw the soaring eagle drop at once. Before he could say anything, Pei Er had already strode quickly out of the courtyard, mounted his horse in one smooth motion, and said, “Wait for me to come back!”
With that, he galloped away.
Li Chansiu was stunned and hurried to the courtyard entrance.
Before long, Pei Er rode back, holding in one hand a golden eagle whose wing had been struck by an arrow.
The eagle was extremely fierce in appearance, with sharp hawk eyes, claws like iron hooks, and wings spread nearly seven or eight chi wide. Yet in Pei Er’s hand it was docile like a cat, until it saw Li Chansiu, when it suddenly struggled viciously.
Pei Er slapped the eagle’s head with one palm, dismounted while holding it, and said with a trace of delight in his tone, “I heard from Physician Hu that wealthy families prepare a pair of wild geese for weddings. In winter you can’t shoot geese. Since there’s an eagle, tomorrow we can tie it to a basket to substitute for the geese.”
Li Chansiu: “…”
People prepare a pair of wild geese because geese appear in pairs and seldom change mates, symbolizing a harmonious marriage. You shot an eagle, only one at that, what kind of meaning does that carry?
Hearing this, Pei Er frowned. So that meant it was useless?
Lowering his head and seeing the golden eagle struggling fiercely, he thought again: since it was useless, better to boil some hot water, scald off the feathers, and tomorrow, during the wedding, make it into a dish.
After thinking for a moment, Li Chansiu said instead, “Let’s keep it for now. If trained well, this kind of eagle can be used for hunting or delivering messages.”
In his dream, Li Chansiu had used such an eagle to transmit messages.
In the northwest, golden eagles often appeared. Some were even raised by people; it was not unusual. However, those raised by people would have something tied to their legs to distinguish them.
Li Chansiu examined this one carefully. Nothing was tied to its legs, and its temperament was fierce. It did not seem to be raised by anyone.
He had Pei Er hold down the struggling eagle, pulled out the arrow, and dressed the wound.
Pei Er’s expression was gloomy. It felt like he had shot an eagle for nothing, not only wasting an arrow, but also wasting Miss Shen’s medicine, and perhaps in the future even wasting rations.
Li Chansiu smiled. “Let’s keep it in this small courtyard for now. If no one comes looking for it, it’s probably wild. Then you can train it well; it might become useful.”
That said, it could not simply be left in the yard; it would certainly escape.
The two of them both began to think. Pei Er’s gaze gradually shifted toward the chicken coop by the wall.
Li Chansiu: “…”
“The chicken coop definitely won’t do. The eagle is too big.”
Pei Er: “Renovate it and rebuild.”
Li Chansiu: “Better to keep it in the side room that stores miscellaneous items for now.”
After dealing with the golden eagle, the two rode back together.
Li Chansiu returned to the infirmary and suddenly remembered that he had forgotten to give the bracelet back to Pei Er.
But it was already dark, and it would not be convenient to go again to the wounded soldiers’ camp. He could only wait until the wedding tomorrow to mention it.
***
Bingzhou Commandery, Prefect Residence.
Seven or eight tall generals, clad in armor and wearing large sabers at their waists, sat in the main hall, each with a grave expression.
Only an old general with graying beard seated in the upper left appeared calm, leisurely sipping tea.
After a long, tense silence, a general with thick brows and a round face finally could not hold back and slapped the table. “Old General Yang, stop keeping us in suspense. How is General Pei? I’ve heard that…”
“Meng Ji, be calm,” the old general interrupted, setting down his teacup. “The shizi is unharmed. He only suffered some injuries last time and is still recuperating in Wucheng, unable to come see you all.”
“But it’s been so long.”
“Lord Zhang of Yongzhou has been transferred away. We’ve suddenly lost someone who could coordinate with us. How are we to take the initiative against the Hu people in the future?”
“Yongzhou is such an important place, yet it’s been handed to someone who only knows how to rely on nepotism.”
“Exactly!”
“That’s right…”
“Gentlemen, please be calm, be calm. Lord Yan’s appointment as Governor of Yongzhou is an imperial decree. We must not speak recklessly,” Old General Yang interrupted again.
Only after persuading the generals to leave did the old general sigh, worry finally surfacing on his face.
“Grandfather.” At this moment, a young man in bright silver armor strode in and bowed respectfully.
Old General Yang quickly waved him inside to a private room, then lowered his voice and asked somewhat anxiously, “How is it? Any news?”
The young man shook his head.
Old General Yang froze, then let out a long sigh, unable to conceal his concern. “Could it be that the shizi truly…”
“Grandfather, don’t worry. The shizi has faced countless dangers over the years and each time turned misfortune into safety. This time will surely be the same,” the young man said. “A few days ago, I also released the golden eagle the shizi once trained to search for him. In the vast desert, human eyes may not find him, but that eagle’s eyes are sharp. If the shizi is truly trapped somewhere, once the eagle finds him, he will surely have it deliver a message back.”
“Ah, let us hope so.” After hearing this, the old general sighed.
.
Yongfeng Town.
Pei Er woke early and, as Li Chansiu had instructed yesterday, went to the small courtyard to feed the golden eagle.
But the eagle was, after all, a bird of prey and liked meat. It would not touch ordinary food.
In the end, with a dark expression, Pei Er picked out a few slices of meat from the meal he had received at the wounded soldiers’ camp and threw them over.
The eagle recognized good fare; it opened its beak and swallowed them at once.
Pei Er: “……”
This eagle truly consumed food. He was so poor he did not even have money to buy jewelry for Miss Shen, how could he afford to raise it? Better to boil water and scald off its feathers.
With a wooden expression, Pei Er walked all the way back to the wounded soldiers’ camp.
As soon as he entered the tent, he heard Chen Qing shout, “Pei Er! No, no, Centurion now, hehe!”
After a few snickers, he said, “Where did you go so early in the morning? Quick, hurry and change clothes. Today is your great wedding day!”
![After Exile, I Married the Amnesiac General [Rebirth]](https://i1.wp.com/lazygirltranslations.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/20240810023906_300_420.jpg?resize=151,215 "After Exile, I Married the Amnesiac General [Rebirth]")
