Chapter 30: Fury
Pei Qinghe’s heroic disregard for life and death stirred up Captain Sun’s guts and courage.
Even if the head is lost, it’s just a bowl-sized scar.
Fear is of no use at all; better to steel one’s heart and charge forward, perhaps carving out a way to survive.
Captain Sun laughed heartily: “Sixth Sister is right. I need to pick a good horse with fast speed so I can run faster when escaping.”
Pei Qinghe laughed and gave Captain Sun a thumbs up.
The Pei Clan female dependents who could ride horses each picked a horse. Those not good at horse riding rode two to a horse. In this way, the speed of travel more than doubled.
The two refugees were also assigned a horse. These two refugees were able to live on ignominiously amid fierce fighting to the death, which showed they had some capability. They had good judgment, knew the times, and could bend and yield. During rests, they proactively watered the warhorses. When dry rations were distributed, they sensibly squatted off to the side.
But unexpectedly, Sixth Sister Pei came over on her own and handed them two dry biscuits: “We didn’t have time to steam steamed buns yesterday; only dry biscuits, make do and eat some.”
The slightly sour, coarse-textured dry biscuits were, in the eyes of the refugees who had been hungry for years, peerless delicacies.
The two refugees ate while wiping their eyes: “Sixth Sister didn’t kill us and even gave us biscuits to eat.”
“In our previous lives, we did good deeds and accumulated virtue to earn such fortune. From now on, we will follow Sixth Sister loyally.”
Pei Qinghe went to the side of the prison cart and rations cart.
Those with severe injuries unable to move lay on the carts. Among them, the most seriously injured was the square-faced Big Soldier with his right arm broken.
Doctor Bao, who had stayed up for two nights without sleep, sat in the prison cart, leaning against the wooden bars and sleeping soundly.
The square-faced Big Soldier’s face was pale, without a trace of blood color, and showed no sign of waking.
The other wounded soldiers were no better off, all with pale, weak, and listless faces. Whether they could pull through depended entirely on heaven’s will.
Actually, staying put to recover from injuries would be better. But first, no one was there to tend their injuries; second, with so many dead in the posthouse, it had become a haunted place. They were unwilling and dared not stay behind. They could only set off with the group. The official road was not smooth, and the prison cart and rations cart jolted nonstop, which was truly uncomfortable.
At this moment, all words of comfort seemed pale and empty.
Pei Qinghe said to the few conscious wounded soldiers: “Rest easy and recover. When your injuries heal, I’ll give each of you a horse. Sell the horse for silver, build a house, marry a wife, and live peacefully.”
The beautiful vision was enviable.
The wounded soldiers’ eyes lit up upon hearing this.
Pei Qinghe then went to the injured Pei Clan female dependents and comforted them one by one in low voices.
Madam Feng watched, feeling very heartbroken, and said softly: “Qinghe, take a rest; don’t wear yourself out.”
The occasional weakness shown yesterday had frightened Madam Feng. Pei Qinghe felt a bit regretful but more warmed by her mother’s concern: “Mother, don’t worry; I know my limits.”
Madam Feng leaned in closer and said softly: “Second House Great-Aunt is gone; your grandmother is very sad inside.”
Decades as sisters-in-law meant more time together than with their own husbands and sons. They bickered endlessly on ordinary days, but their affection was actually very deep.
Madam Chen had died blocking a knife for Pei Feng. After seeing Madam Chen’s corpse, Madam Lu’s eyes had swollen from crying. Now off the prison cart, she sat leaning against a tree, expression wooden, not having said a word.
Pei Qinghe did not go to comfort Madam Lu.
The road ahead for the Pei Clan was destined to be accompanied by bloodshed and killing. Life and death, separation and parting were all common occurrences. Everyone had to gradually get used to it.
……
Refugees in Jizhou rioted and attacked the posthouse. Captain Sun Cheng, escorting the female dependents of criminal ministers, and Eastern Palace Guard Gao Yong displayed divine might, killing 146 bandits.
For the Pei Clan, this earth-shattering case was condensed into a few sparse lines in the memorial and quickly sent to the Capital City.
Emperor Xiaowen had recently been slightly unwell and had not held court; the Crown Prince was acting as regent. Such a memorial did not even qualify to be presented before the Son of Heaven.
The high officials of the Imperial Court paid no excessive attention to the matter.
The Jing Dynasty’s territory was vast, with frequent droughts in the north and refugees everywhere. Refugee riots were already commonplace. Over a hundred bandits were utterly insignificant.
The Eastern Palace Crown Prince did not even furrow his brow and casually said: “Since the bandits have been quelled, discuss merit and reward accordingly. The Ministry of War shall handle this per routine precedent.”
The Minister of the Ministry of War cupped his hands and accepted the order.
Rather, the young and handsome His Highness Prince Wei’s face suddenly changed upon hearing this, which was quite intriguing.
General Situ, in command of the Imperial Guard, glanced at his son-in-law.
His Highness Prince Wei suppressed the fury in his heart, endured until the morning court dispersed, and returned to his palace expressionless. Once the palace doors closed, the ferocity in Prince Wei’s eyes could no longer be concealed, and he roared: “Wu Zhong, come here.”
Prince Wei’s confidant Wu Zhong approached with his head bowed and had not yet knelt to beg forgiveness when Prince Wei kicked him hard in the waist and abdomen.
Prince Wei had practiced martial arts since youth; though fond of wine and women, his skills were not weak. This kick, full of anger, used eight-tenths of his strength.
Wu Zhong was sent flying several feet by the kick, crashed heavily to the ground, and was in such pain he could not straighten up. Clenching his teeth, he crawled over, kowtowed forcefully, and begged forgiveness: “This subordinate failed in his errand; please punish me, Your Highness!”
“You useless thing!” Prince Wei cursed furiously, his handsome face twisted: “You can’t even handle such a small matter properly! This prince would be better off raising a dog than you!”
Wu Zhong did not dare refute and continued to bow his head and beg forgiveness.
In truth, Wu Zhong had not neglected the errand. He had sent a Hundred Men team, led by his cousin brother Wu San. Wu San had exceptional skills and was a true master.
Forget just one Captain Sun escorting criminal ministers; even adding Eastern Palace Guards, they were no match for Wu San.
Yet Wu San’s team had capsized in the gutter, with not a single survivor returning to report; they had been killed clean.
What exactly had happened?
What secret was hidden behind it?
“Your Highness, please calm your anger.” Wu Zhong said softly while enduring the pain: “Wu San’s entire team was wiped out; there must be some reason.”
A fierce glint flashed in Prince Wei’s eyes, and he sneered repeatedly: “My good brother has taken fine care of the Pei Clan female dependents. Ostensibly he sent five guards, but surely there were others following in secret.”
Wu Zhong suddenly understood: “Your Highness is right! It must be so!”
“Wu San and the others died at the hands of Eastern Palace Guards.”
Such reasoning was all too plausible.
Prince Wei continued sneering: “Today in court, the Crown Prince remained unruffled, clearly having gotten the news a step ahead. This prince was caught off guard and nearly lost face. What bad luck!”
Wu Zhong immediately volunteered, ready to lead men to pursue and kill the Pei Clan female dependents to regain face for his master.
Prince Wei angrily said: “Who in the Palace doesn’t know your face? If it fails again and your head is brought back to the Capital City, this prince cannot disassociate himself! Are you a pig-brained fool?”
Wu Zhong was cursed thoroughly and did not dare lift his head.
