Chapter 44: Visitors
How could she not panic?
The pit was only half dug, with twenty or so mountain bandit corpses piled to one side. If outsiders saw this scene… Just thinking about it made Mao Hongling’s scalp nearly explode.
“Could it be that the government has been alerted?” Pei Yun’s pretty face paled somewhat, her voice pressed extremely low: “We’ve already killed three groups of mountain bandits. There are over a dozen people hanging from the trees. Even though we’ve all gagged them so they can’t make a sound, it’s still too conspicuous. Maybe some passerby saw and reported it to the officials.”
“It’s not people from the county office.” Pei Qinghe said indifferently: “With County Magistrate Wang’s temper, knowing that Pei Family members killed so many mountain bandits, he would only play deaf and dumb, and would never come to provoke the Pei Clan.”
“You all continue digging the pit here. I’ll go meet the visitors.”
Pei Yan took up the thread without hesitation: “Cousin Sister Qinghe, I’ll go with you.”
Pei Qinghe nodded slightly, set down the iron shovel, and strode forward quickly.
Pei Family Village isn’t large; from here to the village head, it’s just the time for two cups of tea. The sudden rain-like sound of horse hooves rapidly approached, as over a hundred fine horses came charging with billowing smoke and dust.
Pei Qinghe had excellent eyesight. With one sweep of her gaze, she took in the flags fluttering wildly in the wind, and understood in her heart: “So it’s the Beiping Army.”
Youzhou has four garrisons, and the Beiping Army is the fiercest among them. Commander General Meng is brave and skilled in battle, and ranks among the notable military generals of the Jing Dynasty. Moreover, General Meng is a man of the Eastern Palace.
It seems the letter she wrote to the Crown Prince had played a considerable role. So, the Beiping Army had specially sent people to Pei Family Village.
In her previous life, when the Pei Family struggled to survive in Changping County, General Meng, hundreds of miles away, had never once extended a hand.
Back then, when the Eastern Palace was abolished, Prince Wei ascended to the throne, General Meng was transferred to the capital city for guard duty. In less than two years, he was dismissed from his official position. After the Beiping Army changed commanders, its combat power was far inferior to before. It was greatly defeated by Xiongnu cavalry, the commander died in battle, the remaining soldiers dispersed and fled in all directions, becoming soldiers and bandits, looting everywhere, more vicious than ordinary bandits.
When she led the Pei Family Army to annihilate mountain bandits, she had conveniently “dealt with” two groups of soldiers and bandits. Among today’s group of visitors, there might even be some “acquaintances”!
Pei Yan was a reckless bold one, and blurted out: “Should we give them a show of strength?”
Pei Qinghe was amused and exasperated, and gave her a glance: “They’ve come on orders to look after us. No fooling around!”
In the span of just these two short sentences, the over a hundred fine horses had arrived right before them.
The lead fine horse was jet black all over, with only its four hooves snow white, its coat smooth and glossy, its form superb. Atop it was a youth of sixteen or seventeen.
The youth had sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes, extremely handsome. His bronze skin, tanned by the fierce sun, exuded a touch of wild arrogance.
The youth did not dismount, but looked over with a haughty gaze: “You’re Sixth Sister Pei?”
Pei Qinghe remained composed, smiling faintly: “That’s right.”
Pei Yan was somewhat annoyed and glared fiercely at the other.
Even Prince Zhangwu didn’t have such an arrogant demeanor. Who did this youth think he was? To treat Cousin Sister Qinghe with such disrespect!
The youth ignored Pei Yan’s provocative gaze and casually sized up Pei Qinghe: “My surname is Meng. Coincidentally, I’m also the sixth at home. You can call me Meng Liulang.”
Pei Qinghe smiled: “So it’s Young General Meng.”
A thousand piercings, ten thousand piercings, but flattery always gets through. This “Young General Meng” hit exactly right. Meng Liulang grinned, his expression greatly softening: “Father ordered me to come to Pei Family Village and deliver some grain. I’ve brought the cavalry ahead first; the grain transport carts will arrive in half a day.”
So they had come to deliver grain.
Pei Yan’s expression immediately improved, and she no longer minded Meng Liulang’s arrogance: “Many thanks, Young General Meng.”
“Please dismount, Young General Meng, and rest in the village.” Pei Qinghe was especially courteous to the benefactor delivering grain: “And all of you gentlemen, dismount and rest for half a day.”
Meng Liulang flipped off his horse. Once standing, he towered a full head over Pei Qinghe. Tall with long legs, ape-like arms and wasp waist, his figure was exceptionally fine. His movements were agile and crisp, showing he had good skills.
Pei Qinghe glanced over.
Meng Liulang subconsciously straightened his back, like a peacock spreading its tail.
Meng Liulang of course knew he was good-looking. Normally in the barracks, he was surrounded by rough soldiers. Occasionally leaving the barracks, the young ladies and wives everywhere he went would blush upon seeing him.
This Sixth Sister Pei, whom the Crown Prince regarded differently, had clear and refined features, brimming with heroic spirit, very much to his taste.
Young lads are always awkward, unconsciously putting on a proud display.
Pei Qinghe glanced again, smiling as she led the way: “This way, Young General Meng.”
Meng Liulang gave a hum, stepping forward unhurriedly: “Sixth Sister Pei is so young, yet already clan leader. Do the Pei Family old and young submit?”
Pei Qinghe said: “Heartily convinced.”
Meng Liulang: “……”
Pei Yan’s ears perked up high, and she immediately chimed in loudly: “Cousin Sister Qinghe is capable and formidable; we’re all happy to follow her.”
Meng Liulang glanced over: “This one must be a miss too?”
Pei Yan had thick brows, big eyes, and a sturdy build, indeed hard to distinguish as male or female. However, all Pei Clan males over eight had been beheaded. Meng Liulang was asking despite knowing.
Pei Yan didn’t mind, puffing out her chest: “I’m a miss, that’s right, but my skills don’t lose to any man. If Young General Meng wants to give pointers, I’m ready anytime.”
Pei Qinghe’s gaze swept over: “No rudeness to our noble guest.”
Pei Yan immediately shut her mouth.
Meng Liulang was just about to speak when his nose twitched, his expression turning stern: “Such a thick bloody smell!”
The soldiers behind him immediately went on alert, swiftly moving forward to protect Meng Liulang.
This Pei Family Village looked ordinary from outside, but once inside, everything was unusual. No sign of people, not even a child in sight, and the bloody smell wafting in on the wind.
Pei Qinghe smiled as she explained: “No need to be nervous. Yesterday some mountain bandits attacked Pei Family Village. To protect ourselves, we had no choice but to kill a few. We’ve already rinsed the ground with well water; after a few days in the sun, the bloody smell will be gone.”
Everyone: “……”
Meng Liulang coughed once, breaking the silence: “Why is there no one in the village?”
“They’re over there digging pits to bury corpses.” Pei Qinghe invited politely: “Would Young General Meng like to go take a look?”
Bright daylight, clear skies. The young woman’s face was bright and clear, her brows and eyes smiling.
Meng Liulang inexplicably felt a chill down his spine, but refused to show weakness: “Good. Please lead the way, Sixth Sister Pei.”
The soldiers had fought to the death on battlefields and seen plenty of life and death, so naturally they weren’t afraid. They followed Sixth Sister Pei toward the north of the village.
A sparse grove of trees appeared before them.
The ground still had undried bloodstains and marks of fierce fighting. Sturdy ropes hung from the tree trunks, with figures dangling below; as the wind blew the branches and leaves, the figures on the ropes swayed along.
Over twenty corpses were piled in one place, a thick bloody smell assaulting the face.
Dozens of women of varying ages were working together to dig the pit. Hearing the footsteps, they all stopped and turned their heads.
