Chapter 93: Generous Gift
Galloping on horseback, the autumn wind whistled.
Pei Qinghe rode fast horses all the way and arrived at Shi Family Fortified Village in two days.
An influential family and wealthy household with a century-old inheritance, the fortified village was even sturdier than the city wall of Changping County, about eight feet high. From afar, it looked like a giant beast.
Compared to the massive Shi Family Fortified Village before them, Pei Family Village, which was still building its wall, seemed too simple.
Pei Yan looked on enviously: “When will we have such a high and thick wall.”
Mao Hongling was also very envious: “With a fortified village like this, there’s nothing to fear.”
“The fortified village is good, but people can’t hide inside forever.” Pei Qinghe’s voice rang out: “Otherwise, the Shi Family’s grain wouldn’t have been looted by White Tiger Stockade.”
“Moreover, a fortified village can only guard against wild beasts and petty thieves. If a large group of refugees or an army comes to attack, this fortified village won’t hold out for long.”
In her previous life, the Shi Family was first assaulted by refugees, then looted by bandits, and finally massacred by Xiongnu cavalry. This tall and sturdy fortified village was burned by a great fire for days and nights, its flames lighting up half the sky of Yan Prefecture.
Without powerful martial force, a vast family business of money and grain is like fat meat, ultimately falling into others’ mouths.
In chaotic times, whoever has the bigger fist has the right to sit at the table.
Pei Yan and Mao Hongling each gained some realization.
The fortified village gate was wide open, with common people coming and going. Men in fine clothes rode in on horseback, and women with elaborate makeup arrived in soft sedans, a scene of bustling prosperity.
Pei Qinghe’s group of more than twenty were all women, riding fine horses and carrying weapons, kicking up clouds of dust with a fierce aura. They immediately drew everyone’s attention upon appearing.
The Shi Family servants guarding the fortified village gate recognized them at once and hurriedly ran off to report the news.
Moments later, Young Master Shi hurried over, his face flushed red, his eyes shining with intense light.
Pei Qinghe smiled slightly, nimbly dismounted, and handed over the wooden box in her hand: “Young Master Shi, please accept this gift.”
The news of Sixth Sister Pei annihilating White Tiger Stockade had been spreading far and wide these days. However, no amount of hearsay could match the shock of witnessing it firsthand at this moment.
Shi Yan opened the wooden box.
Inside the box was a human head preserved with quicklime. Slightly rotten and smelly, but the face was still mostly intact.
It was precisely the head of White Tiger Stockade Great Chieftain Luo Hu, for which the authorities had offered a reward for five years.
Shi Yan, whether stimulated by the bloody head or overwhelmed by surging emotions, held the wooden box in silence for a long while.
Nearby, Dong Erlang was so excited he nearly cried, dropping to his knees with a thud and kowtowing three times: “Thank you, Sixth Sister, for avenging my brother.”
Pei Yan was startled and blurted out: “What? Did Dong Dalang succumb to his injuries?”
Dong Erlang’s mouth twitched: “No, that’s not it. Young Master had a famous doctor treat Big Brother, and his life is no longer in danger. He’ll recover after a year or so.”
Pei Yan grinned: “That’s good. I thought Dong Dalang had died…”
Pei Qinghe coughed and changed the subject: “This is my first time at Shi Family Fortified Village. Won’t Young Master invite me in?”
Shi Yan finally came back to his senses, quickly closed the wooden box, and held it in his arms: “Sixth Sister has come at the perfect time. Today is my grandfather’s sixtieth birthday, and we’ve set up a continuous banquet at home.”
No wonder there were so many people at Shi Family Fortified Village today; they had come for Old Master Shi’s birthday celebration.
The Shi Family had operated in Yan Prefecture for a century, with many relatives and old friends, so the continuous banquet would last three days.
Pei Qinghe smiled: “I didn’t know in advance and came empty-handed to celebrate the birthday. It’s truly rude.”
Shi Yan lifted the wooden box in his hands: “This must be the generous gift Grandfather will like most.”
Pei Qinghe smiled slightly.
It was rare for Young Master Shi to personally welcome and lead the way. Everyone craned their necks to look and whispered among themselves. When they learned that this clear-featured and heroic young woman was the recently famous Sixth Sister Pei, their gazes all lit up at once.
“Cousin!”
A crisp, bell-like girl’s voice suddenly rang out.
A beautiful girl in a snow-blue short jacket and cherry-red skirt stood quietly ahead, flanked by four pretty maids and two matrons.
One look and it was clear she was a pampered young lady from an influential family and wealthy household.
Pei Qinghe, after riding fast horses all the way, wore gray cloth clothes, her long hair in a braided pigtail, a long saber on her back, her clear brows and eyes exuding heroism.
Dong Erlang suddenly felt nervous inside and quietly glanced at his master.
Shi Yan calmly smiled and introduced them: “Sixth Sister, this is the Miss from the Wang Family of Guangning Prefecture, also my maternal cousin. Her given name is Mengyi.”
“Cousin, come greet Sixth Sister Pei.”
Only then did Pei Yan, who had been glaring coldly, satisfactorily release her grip on the sword hilt.
The pretty maids behind Wang Mengyi all showed displeasure on their faces.
Their own miss was Young Master Shi’s consanguineous cousin and, in everyone’s eyes, the future mistress of the Shi Family. Yet Shi Yan had elevated Sixth Sister Pei highly with his words and even made their own miss pay respects to her!
Wang Mengyi’s expression was calm as she performed a peer’s ceremony: “Mengyi has seen Sixth Sister Pei.”
Pei Qinghe smiled and cupped her hands: “Qinghe has seen Miss Wang.”
Wang Mengyi moved with light steps, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Shi Yan, and smiled lightly: “I’ve long heard of Sixth Sister Pei’s great name. Seeing you today, you truly are a heroine.”
Shi Yan smiled and picked up the thread: “A month ago, mountain bandits from White Tiger Stockade looted our Shi Family’s grain. Sixth Sister led people into the mountains and annihilated White Tiger Stockade. This box contains the head of White Tiger Stockade Great Chieftain Luo Hu.”
Wang Mengyi’s face paled in shock, her wide eyes fixed on the wooden box, her legs going weak.
The pretty maids who had been indignant moments before each swallowed hard and lowered their heads in unison, fearing they would catch the female demon’s eye.
Pei Qinghe was very friendly toward Wang Mengyi: “The Wang Family is a great clan in Youzhou. I’ve long wanted to make connections. If Miss Wang is willing to introduce me to your elders, I would be deeply grateful.”
Influential families and wealthy households— the more, the better.
Wang Mengyi was undecided and looked up at Shi Yan. Shi Yan nodded slightly, and Wang Mengyi agreed.
The entire fortified village belonged to the Shi Family, with over ten thousand people living there year-round. For Old Master Shi’s birthday today, the continuous banquet was set up along both sides of the street. No need for gifts; just take a seat.
Pei Yan’s stomach growled with hunger, and she swallowed at the sight of the lavish continuous banquet.
Mao Hongling quietly tugged at Pei Yan’s sleeve.
Pei Qinghe didn’t turn back: “I’ll go wish Old Master Shi a happy birthday. You don’t need to follow; go eat at the continuous banquet.”
Pei Yan suddenly had a flash of inspiration: “How can you go alone? I’ll go with you.”
In case someone spoke rudely, she could handle any punching.
Shi Yan turned with a smile: “Miss Pei Yan, feel free to enjoy the continuous banquet. With me here, Sixth Sister won’t suffer the slightest grievance.”
Pei Qinghe also turned and signaled with her eyes, and only then did Pei Yan agree.
Under everyone’s gaze, Shi Yan led Sixth Sister Pei into the Shi Family main residence and presented the generous gift from the wooden box to Old Master Shi.
Old Master Shi took the wooden box, opened it, and examined it carefully, then laughed heartily: “Good! Good! Good!”
“Sixth Sister Pei has avenged our Shi Family today. Please take the seat of honor.”
