After Exile, I Married the Amnesiac General [Rebirth] Chapter 78

Pei Zhen carefully wrapped the three books and put them into his robe. Just as he stepped out of the bookshop, his footsteps suddenly stiffened, and his expression turned subtle, as if he had finally come back to his senses and realized what he had just done.

How had he once again become like when he had lost his memory, his mind not working clearly, actually coming to buy this kind of book?

But when he thought of that night, when his wife had seemed frightened, shrinking against the wall in fear, his expression stiffened again, and a trace of embarrassment and guilt arose.

Forget it, what’s done is done. Besides, learning isn’t a bad habit.

He lifted his foot and continued walking out.

After eating their fill and resting, the group mounted their horses and continued on their journey.

As they were about to reach Yongfeng garrison, suddenly two Black Iron soldiers rode toward them from the opposite direction.

From afar, Yang Yuanyi saw them and quickly recalled something. He lowered his voice and said to Pei Zhen, “They’re the two men you had me send earlier to follow Xuanping and the others.”

Pei Zhen showed no change in expression. He turned and ordered Zhang Hu and the others to rein in their horses and remain where they were, while he and Yang Yuanyi rode forward to meet them.

The two Black Iron soldiers soon arrived before Pei Zhen and hurriedly stopped, about to dismount.

Pei Zhen raised a hand to stop them. “Speak from horseback.”

“Yes.” The two soldiers cupped their fists, and one of them began reporting.

At first, Pei Zhen’s expression was normal, but as he listened further, his face suddenly grew solemn, and the hand holding the reins tightened almost imperceptibly.

Yang Yuanyi, on the other hand, could not help interrupting halfway through: “You’re saying they’re mining a salt pool, selling illicit salt, and even recruiting troops and training a private army? Th-this…”

His expression was one of disbelief, even shock, as he subconsciously muttered, “You really can’t judge a person by appearance. Xuanping looked warm-hearted and righteous, who would have thought he’d dare to do something punishable by death like this?”

After saying that, he couldn’t help glancing at Pei Zhen beside him. As far as he knew, Pei Zhen’s wife, that Miss Shen, seemed to have a very good relationship with Xuanping and the others.

“More than that,” another Black Iron soldier added, “they have also transported part of the illicit salt westward beyond the pass. It’s unclear exactly where it’s being sold.”

This time, not only Yang Yuanyi, even Pei Zhen’s expression changed instantly.

Transporting it west beyond the pass meant there were many possible buyers: the Western Qiang, the various Western Regions states, or even… the Hu people.

If it were sold to the Western Qiang, it would still be acceptable, they were nominally subject to the Great Zhou, as were most Western Regions states. But if it were sold to the Hu people…

“And also…” the Black Iron soldier suddenly hesitated, quickly glancing at Pei Zhen.

Pei Zhen frowned. “Speak.”

The soldier hurriedly continued, “We also discovered something else. The money they earned from selling illicit salt, they once immediately sent some to… to your wife, and later sent it once again. Though neither time was much.”

Pei Zhen suddenly clenched the reins in his hand, his face tense.

Beside him, Yang Yuanyi’s eyes widened in undisguised shock.

He had previously asked Pei Zhen about Xuanping and the others. He knew that it had been Pei Zhen’s wife, Miss Shen, who proposed recruiting the bandits, and later it was also she who strongly advocated letting Xuanping and the others go.

As for the later private conversation between Lu Zhi and Li Chanxiu, and Pei Zhen voluntarily “standing guard,” Yang Yuanyi naturally did not know about it, nor would Pei Zhen have told him.

However, Miss Shen’s identity was already somewhat suspicious. Adding this matter, and the previous time Xuanping went to the northern frontier and seemed very familiar with the terrain, as if someone had given him a map… so many suspicious points inevitably made one think more.

Yang Yuanyi’s expression grew complicated. After the two Black Iron soldiers left, he subconsciously looked at Pei Zhen beside him and hesitated before speaking: “Your wife…”

He had intended to ask whether Pei Zhen’s wife might know about what Xuanping was doing. After all, counting the previous “medical fee,” Xuanping had probably given money three times, but Pei Zhen only knew about the last one, and that was under the name of a medical fee.

Of course, it was also possible that Pei Zhen knew about the other two times but had forgotten. And since the amounts given were not large… Yang Yuanyi hesitated and ultimately did not ask.

But how could Pei Zhen not know what he wanted to ask? In fact, because he knew more than Yang Yuanyi, what he thought of was even more…

For instance, Lu Zhi had originally planned to leave Yongzhou. Even at their meeting in the tavern, that had still been his plan, and at the end of the banquet there had even been talk of a “farewell.” But afterward, his wife had a private conversation with him, and now not only had they not left, they were even selling illicit salt.

Pei Zhen did not know whether this was related to that private conversation between his wife and Lu Zhi that day. But one thing was certain, there were things between his wife and Lu Zhi’s group that they were deliberately hiding from him.

Otherwise, why couldn’t he listen to that conversation that day? And why had they deliberately deceived him about the money Xuanping gave last time, which clearly had not been a medical fee?

However…

Pei Zhen’s face showed no emotion, but his grip on the reins tightened more and more.

In his mind, images of Li Chanxiu kept appearing, her focused and serious expression when treating his injuries; her stern and thoughtful expression when helping him discover that the army’s meals lacked salt; her reluctant expression when seeing him off to war…

The other person was clearly intelligent and refined, kind and good. She should… should not know about what Lu Zhi and the others were doing.

Pei Zhen thought this instinctively. Yet between his wife and Xuanping’s group, there truly were things being deliberately hidden from him.

Since regaining his memory, he had actually been deliberately avoiding thinking too deeply about his wife’s identity. After all, no matter what her identity was, they were already married, this would not change. It was just that today…

After a long time, Pei Zhen finally slowly let out a breath. His gaze was calm, and his tone revealed no emotion: “When I go back, I will ask her.”

Yang Yuanyi’s heart gave a “thump,” knowing that the calmer he appeared on the surface, the more he actually cared inside.

Still… after thinking for a moment, he cautiously asked again, “Then regarding Xuanping and those people…”

Pei Zhen glanced at him and quickly said, “Keep watching them for now. Don’t alert the enemy.”

After saying that, he spurred his horse and galloped off alone.

Yang Yuanyi sighed, thinking: Hopefully sister-in-law truly knows nothing and has no involvement in what Xuanping and the others are doing.

Come to think of it, the people sent to Luoyang to investigate sister-in-law’s identity should be returning soon, right?

He shook his head and hurried to catch up.

…

Pei Zhen rode all the way back to the military camp at full speed. After dismounting, he didn’t even go to see General Chen, instead heading straight toward the pharmacy.

As he passed the medicine hut, he happened to run into Hu Yuan’er, who was playing with little Ah Yun.

Upon seeing him, the boy’s eyes suddenly lit up, and he ran over with a “whoosh,” saying, “Brother-in-law Pei, you’re back!”

Pei Zhen gave an “mm,” just about to ask, “Is your Sister Shen in the pharmacy?” when the boy chirped, “Brother-in-law, hurry to the pharmacy, Sister Shen’s relatives have come.”

Pei Zhen froze upon hearing this. “Relatives?”

“Yes, Sister Shen’s cousin has come.” Hu Yuan’er nodded vigorously, then added in a hushed, mysterious tone, “I heard from my grandpa, it’s a cousin she was betrothed to as a child.”

Pei Zhen: “…………”

His face instantly darkened. After saying “thanks” to the little brat, he immediately strode quickly toward the pharmacy.

***

At the entrance of the pharmacy, Li Chanxiu was speaking helplessly to the finely dressed man in front of him: “Gu… Cousin, since this was something our elders said jokingly when we were young, and there were no tokens of betrothal, now that the Shen family has fallen, the elders are no longer alive, and I am already married, I think it’s best to treat this matter as if it never existed.”

If the real Shen Xiu were still alive, Li Chanxiu naturally wouldn’t say this. After all, he was using someone else’s identity, making decisions on their behalf would truly be excessive.

But unfortunately, the real Shen Xiu had already passed away. And to avoid his identity being exposed, he couldn’t have too much contact with this Cousin Gu. Cleanly cutting ties was the best approach.

Moreover, when the Shen family met with disaster and Shen Xiu died in prison from illness, and when he himself was exiled to the frontier under Shen Xiu’s identity, this Cousin Gu had never appeared. Even when they met yesterday, the other party didn’t even know what the real Shen Xiu looked like, the relationship between the two families must have long grown distant.

Li Chanxiu felt that what he was doing was not wrong. This Cousin Gu might simply have come out of moral duty to meet him and reminisce a little, not necessarily intending to entangle himself with a convicted woman.

So by saying this, the other party should also feel relieved.

However, after hearing him, Gu Heng sighed softly and said with a tone of pity, “Cousin, I know your situation has been difficult lately, but you must not give up on yourself. Although the Shen family is gone, the bond between us siblings remains. Now that I’ve found you, how could I abandon you? Rest assured, I can still speak somewhat before Liang Wang Shizi. I will help resolve your criminal status. As for your husband…”

At this point, he frowned and continued, “I’ve heard he’s just a poor military household man, a crude and reckless brute. You must have married him out of necessity. As long as we give him some money, we should be able to redeem your freedom…”

Li Chanxiu stared in stunned silence. Hearing this, he finally couldn’t hold back and hurriedly interrupted: “No, Young Master Gu, you misunderstand. My husband is a very good man. He is handsome, sincere in how he treats others, exceptionally brave, and skilled in leading troops. I did not marry him under duress, he treats me with great respect, and I am devoted to him as well. Though our life is modest, we respect and love each other, supporting one another through hardship. Please don’t say such things again.”

By the end, his tone had even turned somewhat stern.

Of course, he didn’t say this because he had truly fallen in love with Pei Er, he was, after all, a man. It was just that he couldn’t tolerate hearing this person disparage Pei Er.

More importantly, this man knew Liang Wang Shizi and wanted to use him to remove his convict status, arrange a divorce, and take him away, he would have to be insane to agree. Although he didn’t know the other party’s true intentions, firmly stating that he and his husband were loving and satisfied with their current life, and needed no help, should be enough to dispel his thoughts.

However, even after he spoke to this extent, Gu Heng, after a brief pause, still forced a smile and said, “Cousin, is it because when the Shen family fell and you wrote to me for help, I failed to save you, that you resent me?”

Li Chanxiu: “?”

He frowned slightly, there was such a thing?

“Cousin, to be honest, at the time I never received the letters from you and aunt. By the time I learned of it, you had already been exiled.” At this point, he sighed, sounding regretful and somewhat pitying. “What happened back then was my fault, but you shouldn’t ruin your own future out of a moment’s anger. That husband of yours truly isn’t worthy…”

Li Chanxiu could no longer listen. Frowning, he said, “Young Master Gu, my husband has led troops to repel the Hu forces several times, fearless in the face of death. He is a rare hero, please do not disparage him again. Also, if you have no other business, please leave for now and don’t delay others from getting their medicine.”

As he spoke, he raised his hand and pointed to the side. His cool gaze followed the gesture, then his entire body suddenly froze, 

By the wooden fence to the right, Pei Er had just come around from the direction of the medicine hut and was standing there, staring at him without blinking.

Moreover, when he finally saw him look over, he suddenly revealed a smile.

Li Chanxiu’s hand, still pointing in that direction, stiffened. His fingers slowly curled, and the tips of his ears flushed red, like white jade instantly turning into pink jade.

He hurriedly lowered his hand, hiding it in his sleeve and clenching it tightly, his thoughts in disarray: Why did Pei Er suddenly return? How long had he been standing there listening? Could it be that he had heard everything he had just said?

Seeing his expression suddenly change, Gu Heng subconsciously looked in the direction he had just pointed.

At that moment, Pei Zhen was already striding toward them. His helmet was tucked under his arm, his steps unrestrained, the corners of his lips unable to suppress a slight upward curve, his eyes bright like stars.

Only when his gaze met Gu Heng’s did his smile instantly vanish, his eyes deepening.

Gu Heng immediately noticed the worn armor on his body, as well as the bloodstains on his clothes. He looked travel-worn. Frowning, he asked, “You are…?”

Pei Zhen walked over. Under Li Chanxiu’s stunned gaze, he directly took his hand. After giving him a reassuring smile, he then turned to look at Gu Heng and said in an even tone, “Cousin, is it? A pleasure. I am her…”

He turned to glance at Li Chanxiu again before continuing, “…her husband.”

Gu Heng: “…”

Li Chanxiu: “…”

“I’m very sorry, I’m poor and rough, and have made you laugh,” Pei Zhen added with a smile, tightening his grip on Li Chanxiu’s hand.

Li Chanxiu: “…”

Sure enough, he had heard everything.

Li Chanxiu kept a blank expression, wishing he could immediately find a crack in the ground to crawl into.