The cousin is beautiful but ruthless.

Chapter 183 Endless Glory

They didn't have to wait long before Pei Du rode his horse to the gates of Chang'an.

Upon receiving the news, Shen Hanyu sent Jin Chui to pick her up, as she was at the girls' school and couldn't go there herself.

After several months apart, Jin Chui saw Pei Du and rushed forward to grab Pei Du's horse.

"Young master, you're finally back. The mansion has been cleaned and you can move in right away."

Jin Chui manages two mansions, one for Pei Du and the other for Shen Hanyu.

"I won't go back first. I need to go to the palace. The emperor summons me. After I return from the palace, I'll go to Miss Shen's place. You can wait there too."

Jin Chui's face lit up with joy, and he quickly went back to Shen Hanyu's side to prepare.

When Pei Du arrived at the palace, the eunuchs beside Li Jiangui were already waiting at the palace gate.

"Oh, General Pei, please come in quickly, the Emperor wants to see you."

Pei Du casually gave some silver to the eunuch and then headed towards the imperial study.

When Pei Du entered the palace, it was already nearly dusk.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the palace walls, casting a golden-red glow. He walked steadily, his expression calm, and though he was travel-worn, he could not hide his imposing aura.

The eunuch led the way, occasionally glancing back at the young general, secretly admiring him. "No wonder the emperor values ​​him so highly; he certainly has an extraordinary bearing."

Upon arriving at the entrance of the Imperial Study, the eunuch bowed and stepped aside, whispering, "General Pei, His Majesty is waiting for you inside."

Pei Du nodded slightly, pushed open the door and entered. Inside the imperial study, Li Jiangui was sitting behind his desk, holding a scroll of memorials in his hand, his brows slightly furrowed as if deep in thought. Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw Pei Du, a smile immediately appearing on his face.

"I've been waiting for you to come back." Li Jiangui put down the memorial, his tone tinged with relief.

Pei Du stepped forward, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Your subject Pei Du greets Your Majesty."

"Rise, no need for formalities." Li Jiangui waved his hand, signaling Pei Du to stand up. "I have heard about the affairs at the border. I am very pleased with your great contribution this time."

Pei Du stood up, his expression calm: "I was merely doing my duty and dare not claim credit."

Li Jiangui raised his hand and patted Pei Du, his tone becoming relaxed.

"Alright, stop pretending to be so serious."

Looking at Pei Du's rough face, Li Jiangui realized that Pei Du had indeed changed a lot during his time at the border.

Bae Do stood opposite Lee Geon-gyu, his physique also appearing much more robust from training.

Li Jiangui sighed, "There aren't many people who can achieve success as quickly as you, but I can't entirely agree with your approach."

Pei Du immediately admitted his mistake, and since Li Jiangui was in a good mood, there was no need to argue.

"I'm planning to throw you a victory celebration banquet, what do you think?"

Upon hearing about the victory celebration banquet, Pei Du shook his head: "Your Majesty, many people are watching me now, and I don't want to be too ostentatious, so there's no need for a victory celebration banquet."

Li Jiangui sat down. "You're right. Alright then, you can go back first. You must have a lot to do since you just got back to Chang'an."

Pei Du nodded in agreement, saying that he also planned to visit Shen Hanyu.

When Pei Du arrived at Shen Hanyu's residence from the palace, Shen Hanyu had not yet returned from the girls' school.

Jin Chui prepared hot water.

"The food is still being prepared. It's all the dishes that Young Master and Miss Shen like. By the time Miss Shen returns, the food will be almost ready."

Pei Du looked at the mud on his body and realized he really needed to wash himself off, otherwise he wouldn't be able to show his face in public.

"You can arrange it, I'll go clean up first."

Having just returned to Chang'an, there won't be too many things happening for the time being, and there's been no movement from the Duke's mansion either.

When Shen Hanyu returned from the girls' school, she knew that Pei Du was at her residence.

"Miao Cui, go to the kitchen and see how the food is coming along."

Miao Cui walked towards the kitchen, while Shen Hanyu went to the guest room and happened to run into Pei Du, who had just come out.

Pei Du looked much more weathered than he had been a few months ago. Shen Hanyu paused for a moment, then asked, "Did anything else happen at the border after that?"

Pei Du smiled easily: "Foreign tribes are not easy to deal with, but they are all minor matters that are not difficult to resolve."

He spoke so casually, but Shen Hanyu guessed it probably wasn't as easy as he made it sound.

The food was brought over, and both of them were hungry after a long day.

Shen Hanyu handed a pair of chopsticks to Pei Du: "I've been keeping an eye on the Duke's mansion. There hasn't been any movement these past few days, but the elders of the Pei family clan have been visiting the Duke's mansion these days, mostly for your sake."

Pei Du lowered his eyes: "The elders probably want to take me back, but Pei Mingjian definitely won't agree, not to mention Han Yueru and Pei Xingzhi."

“You’ve just returned, so you’ll probably be busy all the time. The elders will definitely be looking for you.”

That's true," Pei Du said, looking around.

"Your place is spacious and even has guest rooms. Why don't you let me stay here for a few days?"

Shen Hanyu chuckled: "Okay, you can stay as long as you want. I'm able to move out thanks to you."

Pei Du's mood also brightened: "Speaking of which, there are quite a few unfamiliar faces in your residence. I even saw two people returning from the girls' school."

"Those are Azhi and Xiaotao. They helped me before. They wanted to go to girls' school, so I helped them out."

It turned out to be the case.

The two ate while chatting about recent events.

Pei Du briefly recounted the battle at the border. Although he spoke lightly, Shen Hanyu could sense the danger in his words.

Shen Hanyu's heart skipped a beat: "Will you go to the border again in the future?"

"It's possible. I'll go whenever there's a war, but don't worry, I'm still very capable."

Shen Hanyu didn't speak; she was actually a little afraid that Pei Du would end up with the same fate as before.

But all she could say was, "Then you must be careful in everything you do, and don't take the same risks as last time."

Pei Du assumed that Shen Hanyu was just concerned about him and was unaware of her worries, so he readily agreed.

"How's the situation with Princess Huaijiang lately?"

Shen Hanyu rested her chin on her hand: "Lin Qiufeng still hasn't revealed anything. All I know right now is Lin Qiufeng's identity; I don't know anything else."

Lin Qiufeng and Wei Jianfeng are both very important.

Pei Du knew that Shen Hanyu had been investigating Shen Yanzhi's matter, and he must be anxious because there had been no progress for so long.

"It's okay, I've already waited this long, I'm used to it."

Shen Hanyu broke the silence.

"As for you, it's not a good idea for you to just hide here with me. We need to think of another way. Besides, we're still engaged, and I'm afraid the Crown Prince might make a move."

Pei Du smiled slightly: "Speaking of which, this trip to the border was quite profitable. With Xu Zhun's help, my information network has also been set up."

Shen Hanyu had heard Pei Du mention that he was going to set up this information network before, but she didn't expect it to be done now.

"This means that you will be able to know immediately if they make any moves in the future, instead of being as passive as before."

Pei Du nodded, agreeing that this was indeed the meaning.