Chapter 53: Clan Meeting
The Pei Clan’s first formal clan meeting began.
Pei Family old and young all gathered. Even the little doggy in swaddling clothes was carried out.
The location was the open ground north of the village. The grove where more than a dozen mountain bandits had been hanged was not far away, visible upon looking up. The pit where the mountain bandits’ corpses were buried was also not too far. A faint bloody smell lingered in their nostrils.
The Pei Family womenfolk almost immediately recalled the brutal memories of life-and-death fights. In their minds, they simultaneously pictured Pei Qinghe’s fierce and heroic figure wielding a knife to kill.
Gu Lian and more than ten women from the mountain bandit stronghold stood on the outer side.
Pei Jia and the other five outer men had also come; they too stood on the outer side, keeping distance from Gu Lian and the others, clearly divided.
Pei Qinghe waved her hand, and everyone sat down in place, a dense black mass, with only Pei Qinghe standing. Everyone looked up at her, naturally feeling reverence and submission.
“Everyone is called here today to discuss an important matter.” Pei Qinghe did not deliberately raise her voice, but her clear voice reached everyone’s ears: “The Pei Clan has taken root here; clan rules must be established.”
Then, she recited the three clan rules once.
The first rule: train with all one’s strength; everyone must have the ability to protect themselves.
The second rule: Pei Clan women do not marry out; for marriage, take a son-in-law, and all children born must bear the Pei surname.
The third rule: in the future, when recruiting refugees and hidden households, those with excellent performance may change their surname to Pei.
The Pei Clan womenfolk had vaguely guessed the purpose before coming. But after Pei Qinghe openly announced the three clan rules, they were still stunned.
The first rule went without saying; the third was a future matter and could be set aside for now. The key was this second rule!
The unmarried Pei Clan misses were all no older than seventeen. Those slightly younger, such as Pei Yan and others, were suitable for taking a son-in-law in the future. But the young wives who had married into the Pei Family could also take a son-in-law?!
Most of them were still immersed in grief over losing husbands and children; even those who had rallied had not yet thought so far ahead.
This clan rule was clearly the most beneficial for them. They did not need to observe chastity for their deceased husbands, nor even leave the Pei Family; they could take a man to their liking and live with him. The children born would all be raised by the Pei Family… Even Mao Hongling felt her heart, dry as a well, stir a little.
However, such selfishness was truly too shameful to voice. Led by Mao Hongling, the young wives lacked the courage to stand and voice approval; each lowered her head and stayed silent.
Madam Lu suddenly stood up and vehemently opposed: “I disagree with the second clan rule. Those who can observe chastity for their deceased husbands may stay in the Pei Family. If they have thoughts of remarrying, then leave Pei Family Village to marry and have children. The Pei Family does not want heirs of unknown origin.”
The stubborn Madam Lu was not alone. Soon, several others stood up, also opposing this clan rule.
These fierce opponents were all old women over sixty, with a bunch of daughters-in-law and granddaughters-in-law. Of course they were unwilling for their daughters-in-law and granddaughters-in-law to remarry or take a son-in-law who would bear children surnamed Pei—that was even more absurd.
Pei Qinghe swept her gaze: “Those opposing this clan rule, all stand up. Those in favor, just stay seated.”
Madam Lu flared up in anger: “How is this fair! They sit still and silent—how does that mean they approve?”
Pei Qinghe glanced faintly: “I am the clan leader; I set the rules. The clan meeting is to let all clan members know these clan rules. No matter how many oppose, this clan rule is set.”
Madam Lu: “…”
Madam Lu’s face flushed red with anger, and she was about to curse loudly again.
Pei Qinghe’s indifferent, cold gaze swept over like a sharp blade.
Madam Lu’s heart skipped a beat; the ruthless image of Pei Qinghe shooting arrows and killing flashed in her mind, and the angry words on the tip of her tongue were forcibly swallowed back.
“Grandmother is over sixty and unwilling to take a son-in-law; no one will force you.” As soon as Pei Qinghe spoke, Madam Lu was so angry her blood surged: “And you few others are all elders in the clan.”
“What you all think in your hearts, everyone knows clearly. You hope your daughters-in-law and granddaughters-in-law will observe chastity for your sons and grandsons, but you actually do not oppose your granddaughters taking a son-in-law.”
“Such selfishness is contemptible and laughable.”
“The Pei Family has endured the disaster of the clan’s destruction; all survivors are here. Everyone has risked their lives several times to survive. Must we now still be bound by those outdated customs?”
“Those willing to observe chastity, go ahead. Those wanting to marry, may do so anytime.”
“Cousin Sister Qinghe!” Pei Yan this blockhead jumped up and shouted: “I won’t marry, I don’t want a man—is that okay?”
Pfft! Everyone couldn’t help but chuckle.
The tense, heavy atmosphere dissolved in laughter.
Pei Qinghe also laughed: “Of course. Those unwilling to marry need not marry; no one will force you to take a son-in-law and have children.”
At these words, the seven old women who had fiercely opposed secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
What they feared most was Pei Qinghe forcing all Pei Family daughters-in-law to take a son-in-law to bolster the Pei Family’s population.
With freedom to take a son-in-law at will, it was much better. Pei Family Village currently had only five outer men, one of whom was a disabled amputee. Their daughters-in-law and granddaughters-in-law were mostly from prestigious families—how could they look upon these crude outer men?
Even if one occasionally had such intention, they could persuade her privately.
Two of the old women quietly sat down.
Madam Lu still stood stubbornly, not daring to glare at Pei Qinghe, so she glared fiercely at Pei Yan: “What nonsense are you spouting. What woman doesn’t marry for life? You’re still young, only twelve; in a few years, take a son-in-law into the family.”
Her eyes were on Pei Yan, but her words were aimed at Pei Qinghe.
For those intent on raising the roof, opening a window is always easier.
Pei Qinghe knew this well and smiled slowly: “So, does Grandmother agree with the clan rule on taking a son-in-law?”
Madam Lu was stubborn: “I disagree. But will you listen to me?”
Madam Li, at eighty, coughed forcefully and said: “Qinghe is the clan leader chosen by everyone; she considers and plans everything for the Pei Family, without selfishness. This old woman agrees to all three clan rules.”
As the oldest in the Pei Clan, Madam Li held considerable prestige. At her words, the other four old women fell silent and sat down quietly.
Only Madam Lu stood alone, rather awkwardly.
No one expected Madam Feng to speak at this moment: “I will never take a son-in-law. In the future, I will stay by Qinghe’s side and serve Mother.”
Among the daughters-in-law and granddaughters-in-law of the main branch, Madam Feng was the most beautiful and Pei Qinghe’s own mother. What Madam Lu worried about most privately was actually Madam Feng.
With Madam Feng’s statement, a weight lifted from Madam Lu’s heart, and her expression improved. She half-reluctantly sat down, still saying: “I still disagree with this clan rule.”
Pei Qinghe’s expression cooled slightly.
Madam Feng quickly gave her daughter a look.
After all, she was a consanguineous grandmother; some face must be saved.
At this moment, someone from the back stood up: “Clan leader, can we also abide by this clan rule?”
