Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 124 Division of the Family (Part Two)

The displaced people living in the old village's thatched huts were all moved to the new village. Dozens of renovated thatched huts were enough for Li and others to live in.

When it came time to distribute the money and grain, Pei Qinghe was quite generous, having someone bring over a year's worth of rations: "This is enough for you to eat and use for a year. I'll have more grain delivered next year."

A group of elderly women in their sixties and seventies and infants in swaddling clothes; the only ones who could be considered laborers were a dozen or so, including Feng Shi and Wu Xiuniang.

Pei Qinghe allocated a piece of land to them, allowing the refugees to cultivate it as before.

Everyday necessities were moved into the thatched hut one by one.

This division of the family property took place within the Pei family compound. Most of the displaced people in Pei Family Village watched the spectacle and then dispersed.

On the day Gu Lianfeng set off, Madam Lu came to see him off with a stern face and stuffed a letter into Gu Lian's hand: "This is a letter I wrote to His Highness the Prince. Please present it to him as well."

Gu Lian looked at Pei Qinghe first, and only put away the letter after Pei Qinghe nodded.

Lu turned and left without even glancing at Pei Qinghe out of the corner of her eye.

Pei Qinghe winked at Pei Feng and Pei Yue, who were standing to the side. Pei Feng immediately understood and pulled the chubby Pei Yue along as they chased after them.

"Grandma! Slow down, wait for me."

They each took Lu's arm from either side.

Madam Lu sneered, "You two have both chosen your own cousins, so why are you still clinging to this old hag?"

Pei Feng couldn't withstand his grandmother's harsh words and kept giving Pei Yue meaningful glances.

Pei Yue, thick-skinned and sweet-talking, rubbed his chubby face against his grandmother's arm: "I want to eat Grandma's cooking. I want to sleep with Grandma tonight."

Madam Lu continued to sneer, "This old man of mine is old-fashioned and speaks in a way that's hard to listen to. How can I compare to your cousin Qinghe? You should go find her!" But she didn't push Pei Yue away.

Pei Yue winked at Pei Feng. Pei Feng had no choice but to imitate Pei Yue, grabbing his grandmother's arm and coaxing her in a low voice, "I have to study and practice martial arts during the day, so I'll come and keep Grandma company in the evening."

Madam Lu was seething with resentment and refused to acknowledge her two grandsons. She walked back to her room with a stern face and slammed the door shut.

Pei Feng and Pei Yue were turned away at the door.

Feng quietly beckoned to the two brothers and slipped them two pieces of candy.

Pei Yue happily ate the candy: "Brother, why aren't you eating any?"

Pei Feng glanced at his carefree cousin and shoved the candy into Pei Yue's mouth with a hint of annoyance: "Here, have it all."

"What kind of letter will Grandmother write to the new emperor?" Pei Yan whispered to herself.

Of course, these were all what Pei Yan thought were whispers. She had a naturally loud voice, and even when she lowered it, it still rang out loudly. Pei Yun and Mao Hongling both heard it clearly.

“Eight or nine out of ten times, it’s to show loyalty to the new emperor,” Mao Hongling said with certainty.

Pei Yun chimed in, "My great-aunt is quite old and conservative. If we gently persuade her, she might change her mind soon."

Pei Qinghe was in a bad mood and casually said, "There's no time for idle talk, let's all go to the training ground to practice."

Pei Yan dared not risk offending anyone and obediently went.

The training ground has been expanded by more than two times, now accommodating several hundred people for training together. Zheng Xiaoying, Zhao Da, and others who recently joined the Pei family army also came to the training ground today.

Watching everyone practice their boxing and swordsmanship with such enthusiasm, Zheng Xiaoying's eyes practically lit up. She grabbed a wooden sword and started practicing along with them, humming and laughing.

Pei Qinghe surveyed the scene expressionlessly, personally pointing out the flaws in everyone's abilities. Within just half a day, the group was already complaining bitterly.

Pei Yan was thrown around, covered in dust and dirt, and didn't dare to utter a sound. She flipped over and continued to be beaten.

On the first day after the family separated, Bian Shulan was half an hour late starting the fire in the kitchen, and she was filled with shame and self-blame.

The day after the family split up, Zhou, who was in charge of the storeroom, was sweating profusely as he worked on his abacus.

On the third day, several of her younger cousins ​​made a fuss about wanting their grandmother, and were each beaten by their own mothers, crying loudly. On the fourth day, Pei Qinghe's shoe sole developed a hole.

Previously, Madam Lu had sewed several new shoe soles and neatly stored them in a wooden box. Madam Feng rushed over that evening and made a new pair of shoes for her daughter. She returned late and was severely scolded by Madam Lu.

Even Fang couldn't stand it anymore and stepped forward to mediate, but was also scolded by Lu and left looking disheveled.

Previously, with Pei Qinghe keeping things in check, Madam Lu dared not cause trouble. Now that the family has separated and lives separately, Madam Lu has become the head of the household. She is only slightly more polite and tolerant towards Madam Li.

Fang was also furious after being scolded, and she took her granddaughter, Xiao Wan'er, back into the house. Xiao Wan'er went to school in the new village during the day and came back at noon and in the evening.

Xiao Wan'er thoughtfully poured a bowl of water for Madam Fang: "Grandmother, drink some water to calm down."

Fang angrily took a big gulp: "Your mother and stepfather are overjoyed that you're with me."

Actually, her stepfather secretly came to see her today and gave her a steamed bun. Her mother also came to see her with her younger brother, Pei Wang.

Little Wan'er was obedient and clever; she didn't say a word, but patted Fang's back to soothe her.

After Fang calmed down, she felt sorry for her granddaughter and hugged her tightly: "Be good from now on, don't be like your Aunt Qinghe. She's too wild, she might cause a lot of trouble in the future."

Little Wan'er obediently agreed, but in her heart she thought that when she grew up, she would also follow Aunt Qinghe.

……

Thirteen days after the Pei family divided their property, the sky was overcast and a light rain was falling.

The three, master and servant, soaked to the bone, appeared outside Pei Family Village.

Pei Qinghe personally welcomed the long-absent young master Shi into the village.

After more than a year of recuperation, Dong Dalang's injuries had fully healed. He and Dong Erlang, one on each side, helped their master into the house.

There was no carriage, not even luggage, just three naked people.

Shi Yan usually travels with dozens of people and a dozen carriages. He has never been so destitute and down on his luck.

Pei Qinghe didn't rush to ask questions, but first ordered people to prepare hot water and ginger soup.

After bathing, changing clothes, and drinking hot ginger soup, Shi Yan broke out in a sweat. Immediately afterward, Doctor Bao came over and took Shi Yan's pulse.

Shi Yan chuckled: "I just got caught in the rain, it's not like I'll get sick."

Doctor Bao chuckled: "Sixth Miss is concerned about the young master, so I will follow your instructions."

Shi Yan had no choice but to let Doctor Bao give her acupuncture and drink a bowl of bitter medicine.

Dinner was quite plentiful, with vegetables, meat, soup, and rice. There was even a pot of wine.

Shi Yan and Pei Qinghe sat facing each other, Dong Dalang poured wine, and Dong Erlang stood guard outside the door.

Pei Yan peeked around and muttered, "Why did Young Master Shi bring the Dong brothers with him? And they came empty-handed. Could something have happened to the Shi family?"

Pei Yun glared at her: "Don't talk nonsense. If it gets to the young master's ears, it will be too abrupt and presumptuous."

He paused for a moment, then said softly, "My cousin Qinghe hasn't been in a good mood lately. Perhaps when Young Master Shi arrives, he'll bring some good news."

Pei Yan gave a perfunctory "hmm" and continued to peer around.

The rain gradually subsided, and raindrops pattered against the wooden windowpane. Inside, two candlesticks provided bright light.

Shi Yan had a moderate appetite and was full quickly.

"Don't worry about me, let's eat first."

Pei Qinghe didn't stand on ceremony and ate another bowl before putting down her chopsticks: "Tell me, what happened to the Shi family?"

(End of this chapter)