Chapter 7: Prestige
Most Pei Family Womenfolk had practiced martial arts, so their stamina and endurance were all good. Even Madam Feng, who looked delicate, had a healthy body.
After walking like this for an hour, every old and young in the Pei Family Old and Young were drenched in sweat, gasping for breath, with sore legs.
Only Pei Qinghe had a normal complexion and unchanged expression.
She had led her clansmen struggling to survive in chaotic times, encountering countless difficulties. What was in front of them now was truly insignificant.
Pei Qinghe went to find Captain Sun: “Captain Sun, everyone is tired, let’s stop and rest for a bit!”
Even the prison carts had been brought out and used, so Captain Sun certainly wouldn’t object to this small matter.
With a command from Captain Sun, the escort soldiers all breathed a sigh of relief, dismounted one after another, took positions under the trees, and took out their water pouches and dry rations.
Five-year-old Pei Yue smacked his lips, looking up with a face full of expectation: “Sixth Cousin Sister, I’m hungry.”
Pei Feng, who was two years older, was much more sensible: “Hold on a bit, there will be food to eat in the evening.”
Families of convicted officials in exile had food morning and evening each day, but during the day if hungry or thirsty, they just had to endure it.
Pei Qinghe touched Pei Yue’s fluffy head: “Wait, I’ll go to the woods over there and find you something to eat.”
Pei Yue sniffled and nodded vigorously.
Pei Yan beside them immediately said: “Sixth Cousin Sister, I’ll go with you.”
Pei Yan was twelve this year, a bit taller than Pei Qinghe, with slightly dark skin, thick eyebrows and big eyes, and a sturdy body. If not for wearing a skirt and having long braids, she would look like a young boy at first glance.
In her previous life, Pei Yan was her most loyal follower. In a melee, Pei Yan had blocked a fatal blow for her. At the age of twenty, she had forever closed her eyes.
Now, she had returned to her youth.
She wanted everyone around her to live well.
Pei Qinghe gazed at Pei Yan: “Good, follow close behind me, always follow me.”
Pei Yan couldn’t hear the deep meaning in these words at all and happily agreed.
“Boss,” the square-faced Big Soldier munching on a dry biscuit nudged Captain Sun with his elbow: “Quick, look over there. That Pei Family girl took a few people into the woods. She couldn’t be planning to run, right!”
Captain Sun had already glimpsed it with the corner of his eye and glared impatiently: “With food and drink provided, it still can’t shut your mouth.”
Another Big Soldier with a black mole at the corner of his mouth was much more perceptive and said in a low voice: “With several hundred Pei Family people here, where could they run to? They must have gone into the woods to find wild fruits to stave off hunger.”
Of course, this wasn’t entirely according to rules either. For the sake of the Eastern Palace, turning a blind eye was all it took.
There were two more who, having filled their stomachs, had their eyes darting around: “The Pei Family does have quite a few beauties.”
Having been soldiers for a long time, even a sow would look like Diaochan to them.
What’s more, there really were a few young and beautiful ones among the Pei Family Womenfolk. Especially Madam Feng, the widow of Pei Zhongde, who was gentle and beautiful, with captivating charm.
Captain Sun’s face was cold as he warned in a chilling voice: “Those Eastern Palace Guards will catch up in at most one or two days. Don’t cause trouble for me.”
“Whoever can’t control themselves, I’ll chop it off with one knife.”
Captain Sun had no background or connections, and being able to reach the position of captain meant he had real skills. This team of fifty Big Soldiers were all disciplined under him.
As soon as Captain Sun’s face darkened, those two soldiers sheepishly withdrew their gazes and didn’t dare look around anymore.
Half a hour later.
The several young boys and girls who had gone into the woods returned, indeed having picked quite a few wild fruits… Wait, what was Sixth Sister Pei carrying in her hand?!
A flash of astonishment passed through Captain Sun’s eyes.
Pei Qinghe handed over two wild chickens: “I casually caught these two wild chickens when I went into the woods just now. Tonight at the posthouse, have the kitchen make a pot of hot soup. Captain Sun and your brothers can have a taste of something hot.”
Casually catch wild chickens?
What a joke!
Even they Big Soldiers, bringing bows and arrows and knives and guns into the woods, might not be able to hunt wild chickens in such a short time.
The square-faced Big Soldier blurted out: “You couldn’t have hidden weapons, right!”
Pei Qinghe was too lazy to waste words with idiots, put down the wild chickens, and turned to leave.
That square-faced Big Soldier leaned to Captain Sun’s ear and muttered nonstop: “Boss, families of convicted officials aren’t allowed to hide weapons, that’s taboo…”
Before he finished speaking, he was kicked hard: “Shut up! You’re so idle, clean these two wild chickens tonight.”
The two wild chickens were shoved into his hands, their broken necks dangling, their two pairs of unclosed eyes staring at him together.
The other Big Soldiers winked and were amused.
The square-faced Big Soldier had a bitter face, wishing he could slap himself.
Telling you to talk too much!
……
Pei Qinghe truly had no weapons on her.
After entering the woods, she picked a flexible tree branch, made a simple slingshot, found two small stones. With two whooshes, two flapping wild chickens fell to the ground, and she neatly twisted their necks.
Pei Yan and the others drooled greedily.
Pei Qinghe patiently explained: “The local official is better than the distant one. We’re borrowing the Eastern Palace’s power and prestige to deter these Big Soldiers. The journey to Youzhou will take months; for convenience on the road, we need to get on good terms with them.”
Pei Feng nodded, indicating he understood.
Pei Yan swallowed her saliva and nodded vigorously: “Cousin Sister, we all listen to you.”
At nine years old, Pei Qinghe could already fight to a draw with her best-skilled Cousin Brother. These past few years, she had beaten all the unconvinced brothers and sisters.
Prestige was earned punch by punch.
Pei Qinghe gave the wild chickens to Captain Sun as a gesture of goodwill. Captain Sun accepted the favor and before setting off, had someone send over several clean water pouches.
Madam Lu perked up and immediately said: “Distribute the water pouches to Feng Ge’er and them.”
Six water pouches were enough for all the boys to quench their thirst.
In Madam Lu’s heart, these twenty-four young boys were the future and hope of the Pei Clan. She hadn’t even considered the pile of equally young girls.
Madam Li, Madam Chen, and the others didn’t say a word, all acquiescing to this arrangement.
Pei Qinghe ignored Madam Lu and distributed the water pouches, raising her voice loud enough for all three hundred plus to hear clearly: “Those under eight drink two sips, everyone else one sip to moisten the throat.”
“Everyone cheer up, after another dozen li, we’ll reach the next posthouse. Filling the stomach is hard, but drinking your fill of water isn’t.”
“Everyone trust me, I’ll lead all of the Pei Family to live well.”
The young wives holding their daughters carefully fed their young daughters two sips of water, then took a small sip themselves.
The cool water slid down their bitter throats into their parched hearts.
Their eye corners felt a bit hot.
Their heart tips also quietly warmed a bit.
Such a Pei Qinghe was born to be their clan leader.
Madam Lu’s old face was ashen, harboring a nameless anger in her heart. When the water pouch reached her hand, Madam Lu kept a taut face and refused to drink: “This old woman has lived a full life already. Save the water for the children.”
Pei Qinghe nodded in approval and casually took the water pouch, gulping down a big mouthful.
Madam Lu: “…”
Madam Lu: This old woman has lived a full life already. Save the water for the children.
Pei Qinghe: That’s right, I am that child!
