Chapter 50: Good Relationship
Pei Family Village backed against Yan Mountains, with wasteland on three sides, the nearest village also seven or eight li away. On ordinary days, there were almost no passersby.
Pei Qinghe slightly raised her eyebrow: “No need to panic, take me there to have a look.”
Pei Yan nodded vigorously, turned around, and led the way.
Walking to the small path on the east side of the village, this group of visitors had already revealed their true appearance.
It turned out to be a convoy. Unlike ordinary wooden carts, these wooden carts were all tall, wide, and deep. The mules pulling the carts had glossy black coats all over.
The convoy stretched on, almost impossible to see the end at a glance. The family retainers escorting the convoy wore uniform gray short jackets, each carrying a knife, with sturdy builds and sharp gazes.
Pei Qinghe was so experienced that she recognized it at a glance: “This is a grain transport convoy.”
Pei Yan drew in a sharp breath: “How much grain is this transporting! Which family is so extravagant!”
A hint of amusement flashed in Pei Qinghe’s eyes, and she said in a low voice: “If I’m not mistaken, it should be the Shi Family Grain Store’s grain transport convoy.”
“What is the Shi Family grain transport team doing coming to Pei Family Village!” Pei Yan was baffled: “It can’t be that they’ve come to deliver grain to us, right!”
Pei Qinghe raised the corner of her mouth: “We’ll know soon enough.”
The convoy stopped far away, and a man who looked like a family retainer walked over and respectfully handed over a calling card: “The Young Master Shi has come today to pay a visit to Sixth Sister Pei.”
Sure enough, Young Master Shi had arrived.
Pei Qinghe smiled and took the calling card, then casually handed it to Pei Yan. She then stepped forward to greet him.
Just for these dozens of grain transport carts alone, Young Master Shi was someone worth befriending.
Shi Yan got off the carriage first. The northern lands were bitterly cold, so even a dashing young master from a wealthy family had to dress warmly when traveling. Young Master Shi was wearing sky-blue cotton clothes today, making his figure appear somewhat bulky.
Pei Qinghe trained in martial arts every day and dressed thinly, not fearing the cold wind at all, full of spirit, with vibrant energy in her eyes.
“Young Master Shi has graced us with your presence, yet I could not welcome you from afar—truly discourteous.” Pei Qinghe smiled, cupped her hands, and bowed.
Shi Yan hurriedly smiled and returned the courtesy: “I came unannounced, which is rather abrupt and presumptuous. As long as Sixth Sister Pei doesn’t take offense, that’s fine.”
For such an influential family and wealthy household, who would take offense.
Pei Qinghe smiled: “Young Master Shi is too polite. The Pei family has just arrived here, and the village has only dozens of thatched huts, very simple. Young Master Shi does not disdain the Pei family’s crudeness and is willing to stoop to make friends—I am deeply grateful.”
Shi Yan said solemnly: “Sixth Sister Pei is too modest. I have heard about the Pei family’s misfortune. Now, Sixth Sister Pei is holding up the family and leading the clansmen to build Pei Family Village. Even the mountain bandits who came to attack without seeing clearly were driven back by Sixth Sister Pei. This heroism is truly admirable.”
As expected of the young master of the Shi family, who traveled far and wide to manage a vast family business— in just a few short sentences, his breadth of mind and depth were evident.
The mountain bandits of Black Bear Stockade were annihilated completely—who’s merit was it exactly? Others were in the dark, but Young Master Shi knew it clearly.
Pei Qinghe neither admitted nor denied it, smiling in response: “Young Master Shi has sharp ears and eyes—I admire that too.”
Shi Yan looked utterly sincere: “The last time I happened to meet Sixth Sister Pei at the grain store, I had the thought of recruiting her, so I sent family retainers to secretly scout Pei Family Village. Unexpectedly, they encountered mountain bandits coming down the mountain. The retainers didn’t dare approach and galloped back to report. By the time I knew, the mountain bandits were already wiped out, and Black Bear Stockade had been burned to the ground.”
“This was all the merit of the Beiping Army.” Pei Qinghe was very modest: “We in Pei Family Village are all the elderly, weak, women, and children, barely able to protect ourselves, without the capability to enter the mountains for bandit suppression and annihilation.”
“In this worldly affairs, being able to protect oneself is already worthy of admiration.” Shi Yan’s gaze was clear, and he was especially sincere when praising: “I have come today to make friends, and I hope Sixth Sister Pei will not shut me out.”
“These modest gifts, please accept them with a smile, Sixth Sister Pei.”
Pei Qinghe smiled: “Young Master Shi has come from afar and specially visited our door—how could I refuse you from miles away. This generous gift is exactly what the Pei family needs, so I will accept it without ceremony. Please, Young Master Shi, come into the village.”
Shi Yan nodded gladly and walked side by side with Pei Qinghe.
Pei Yan followed behind her cousin sister like she was sleepwalking in broad daylight. She kept turning back to glance at the massive grain transport convoy. She pinched her own arm hard, grinning in pain.
Confirming she wasn’t dreaming, Pei Yan couldn’t help but grin foolishly.
What to do if pie falls from the sky?
Of course, eat it first and talk later.
These past few days, Pei Qinghe had taken advantage of the leisure time to lead the clansmen in repairing the thatched huts. The problems of wind and rain leaking had greatly improved. The thatched huts were gray and dusty, quite simple. Many women sat in front of the doors, doing sewing and mending. Over ten young children ran and played noisily. Clear reading voices came from the thatched huts, drifting through Pei Family Village.
As soon as Shi Yan appeared, the women of Pei Family Village immediately became alert and stood up one after another.
Pei Qinghe smiled: “This is the Young Master Shi of the grain store, who has come to Pei Family Village today and brought a large batch of grain. From now on, Young Master Shi is our Pei Family Village’s honored guest.”
At these words, the wary Pei Clan female dependents immediately relaxed their brows, their gazes toward Young Master Shi suddenly becoming friendly and warm.
Gifts abound and no one blames— this saying is true everywhere under the heavens.
Shi Yan smiled and cupped his hands toward everyone.
Pei Qinghe led Shi Yan into a spacious thatched hut. This thatched hut was located in the middle of the village, specially cleared out, cleaned neatly, and reserved for receiving guests.
Pei Qinghe gave a low instruction, Pei Yan nodded and went out, and moments later, Madam Li, Wu Xiuniang, Mao Hongling, and others entered the thatched hut. Even Pei Xuan and Pei Feng, who were reading, were called in.
Pei Qinghe introduced them one by one: “The Pei family has over two hundred people, divided into eight teams by age—they are all captains.”
Shi Yan had an excellent memory and remembered the names and appearances of everyone present after just one meeting. He called them by name accurately, without mistake.
Shi Yan also called in two trusted retainers: “This is Dong Dalang, this is Dong Erlang. These brothers have been running errands by my side since childhood. In the future, if I have matters, I’ll send these brothers to deliver messages.”
For influential families and wealthy households like the Shi family, they had servants raised in-house for generations. Dong Dalang was in his twenties, with slightly dark skin, ordinary looks, small eyes revealing shrewd competence.
Dong Erlang was a few years younger, taller, with upright features, smiling eyes, and a lively personality.
The two brothers bowed their heads in salute. Dong Dalang stepped forward with his head bowed, presenting a gift list.
Pei Yan naturally reached out to take it, then delivered it to Pei Qinghe’s side.
The Pei family was a military family; when Pei Boren and Pei Zhongde were alive, they were notable figures even in the capital city. There were not a few who came to pay visits and bring gifts.
Times were different now. The Pei family had suffered disaster and exile, their servants scattered. Pei Yan had taken the initiative to handle the errands of running messages and presenting items.
Pei Qinghe glanced at her fierce cousin sister, amusement flashing in her eyes. She reached out to take the gift list and looked closely, thinking that Young Master Shi was indeed generous.
Five hundred shi of grain.
So much grain, in a famine year, could sustain hundreds or thousands of lives. Even now, it was an exciting number.
