Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 7 Prestige
Most of the women in the Pei family had practiced martial arts and possessed good physical strength and endurance. Even the seemingly delicate Madam Feng was actually quite healthy.

After walking for an hour, everyone in the Pei family, young and old, was drenched in sweat, panting heavily, and their legs were sore.

Only Pei Qinghe remained calm and composed.

She led her people in a struggle for survival amidst chaos, encountering countless hardships. What she was facing now was truly insignificant.

Pei Qinghe went to find Captain Sun: "Captain Sun, everyone is tired, let's stop and rest!"

Since the prison cart has already been brought out for use, Captain Sun will certainly not object to such a small matter.

At Captain Sun's command, the escorting soldiers breathed a sigh of relief, dismounted, took up positions under the trees, and took out their water bags and rations.

Five-year-old Pei Yue smacked her lips, tilted her head back with a hopeful look on her face, and said, "Sixth cousin, I'm hungry."

Pei Feng, being two years older, was much more sensible: "Just bear with it, there will be food tonight."

The families of disgraced officials were exiled, and they were given food every morning and evening. If they were hungry or thirsty during the day, they could only endure it.

Pei Qinghe patted Pei Yue's fluffy head: "Wait here, I'll go to the woods over there and find you something to eat."

Pei Yue sniffed and nodded vigorously.

Pei Yan, who was standing nearby, immediately said, "Sixth cousin, I'll go with you."

Pei Yan is twelve years old this year, a little taller than Pei Qinghe, with slightly dark skin, thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a strong physique. If it weren't for the skirt she was wearing and her long braid, she would look like a young boy at first glance.

In her past life, Pei Yan was her most loyal follower. During a chaotic battle, Pei Yan took a fatal blow for her. He closed his eyes forever at the age of twenty.

Now, she has returned to her youth.

She wanted everyone around her to live a good life.

Pei Qinghe gazed at Pei Yan: "Okay, stay close and follow me all the way."

Pei Yan couldn't understand the deeper meaning behind those words at all, and excitedly responded.

"Boss," a square-faced soldier nudged Captain Sun with his elbow while munching on a dry biscuit, "look over there. That girl from the Pei family has taken a few men into the woods. Are they trying to escape?"

Captain Sun had already caught a glimpse of it out of the corner of his eye, and glared at him impatiently: "You have food and drink, yet you still can't shut your mouth."

Another soldier with a black mole on the corner of his mouth was much more alert. He whispered, "The Pei family has hundreds of members. Where could they have run to? They must have gone into the woods to find wild fruits to fill their stomachs."

This is certainly not in accordance with the rules. But for the sake of the Crown Prince, we'll just turn a blind eye.

Two others, having filled their bellies, darted around with their eyes darting about: "The Pei family certainly has quite a few beauties."

After serving in the army for a long time, even a sow looks like a beautiful woman.

Moreover, there were indeed several young and beautiful women in the Pei family. In particular, Pei Zhongde's widow, Madam Feng, was gentle, beautiful, and charming.

Commander Sun's face was cold as he warned in a chilling voice, "Those few guards from the Eastern Palace will catch up in a day or two at most. Don't cause me any trouble."

"Anyone who can't control themselves, I'll chop them up with one stroke."

Despite having no background or connections, Captain Sun's ability to rise to the rank of captain demonstrates his genuine skill. He had a squad of fifty soldiers completely under his control.

As soon as Captain Sun's face darkened, the two soldiers sheepishly looked away, no longer daring to look around.

Less than half an hour later.

The group of young men and women who had gone into the woods returned, and sure enough, they had picked quite a few wild fruits... Wait, what is Miss Pei carrying in her hand?!

A look of surprise flashed across Captain Sun's eyes.

Pei Qinghe handed over two pheasants: "I just went into the woods and caught two pheasants. When we get to the inn tonight, I'll have the kitchen make a pot of hot soup so that Captain Sun and his men can have a hot meal."

Can you catch a pheasant so easily?

What a joke!
Even these ordinary soldiers, armed with bows, arrows, swords, and spears, might not be able to hunt pheasants in such a short time.

The square-faced soldier blurted out, "You're not hiding weapons, are you?" Pei Qinghe was too lazy to waste words with the idiot, so she put down the pheasant and turned to leave.

The square-faced soldier leaned close to Captain Sun's ear and whispered, "Boss, a criminal's family member can't possess weapons; it's a taboo..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was kicked hard: "Shut up! If you're so free, go and clean up those two pheasants tonight."

Two pheasants were shoved into his hands, their broken necks swaying back and forth, their two pairs of unseeing eyes staring at him.

The other soldiers winked and grinned, thoroughly amused.

The square-faced soldier looked miserable, wishing he could slap himself.

Tell you to talk too much!

……

Pei Qinghe indeed had no weapons on him.

Once inside the woods, she picked a flexible branch, made a makeshift slingshot, and found two small stones. With two quick swishes, two pheasants that were fluttering about fell to the ground, their necks snapped cleanly.

Pei Yan and the others were drooling with envy.

Pei Qinghe patiently explained, "A local official is more powerful than a distant one. We can use the Crown Prince's authority to intimidate these common soldiers. It will take several months to get to Youzhou, so we need to build good relations with them for the sake of the journey."

Pei Feng nodded, indicating that he understood.

Pei Yan swallowed hard and nodded vigorously: "Cousin, we'll listen to you."

When Pei Qinghe was nine years old, she could fight to a draw with her best-fighting cousin. In recent years, she has beaten up all her resentful cousins.

Prestige is earned, punch by punch.

Pei Qinghe presented a pheasant to Commander Sun as a gesture of goodwill. Commander Sun accepted the gesture and sent several clean water bags with him before setting off.

Lu's spirits lifted, and he immediately said, "Give the water bags to Feng Ge'er and the others."

Six water sacs, enough to quench the thirst of all the boys.

In Madam Lu's heart, these twenty-four young boys were the future and hope of the Pei family. She never even considered the group of equally young girls.

The Li and Chen families remained silent and tacitly accepted the arrangement.

Pei Qinghe ignored Madam Lu, distributed the water pouches, and raised her voice, loud enough for more than 300 people to hear clearly: "Those under eight years old should drink two sips, and the rest should drink one sip to moisten their throats."

"Everyone, cheer up! We'll reach the next inn after walking another ten or so miles. It's not easy to get enough to eat, but it's not hard to get enough to drink."

"Trust me, everyone. I will lead the Pei family to live well."

The young wives, holding their daughters, carefully fed their young daughters a couple of sips of water, and then took a small sip themselves.

The cool water slid down my bitter throat and into my parched heart.

My eyes felt a little hot.

My heart warmed up a little.

Pei Qinghe was born to be their clan leader.

Madam Lu was humiliated, a nameless rage burning within her. When the water pouch was handed to her, Madam Lu refused to drink, her face stiff: "I'm an old woman, I've lived long enough. Save the water for the children."

Pei Qinghe nodded in agreement, took the water pouch, and gulped down a large mouthful.

Lu Shi: "..."

Mrs. Lu: I'm an old woman, I've lived long enough. I'll save the water for the children.

Pei Qinghe: That's right, I am that child!

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(End of this chapter)