Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 93 A Generous Gift (Part 1)

Galloping on horseback, the autumn wind rustles.

Pei Qinghe rode at breakneck speed and arrived at Shijiawu Fort in just two days.

The Wubao Fortress, a powerful clan with a history spanning over a century, is even sturdier than the city walls of Changping County, standing about eight feet high. From a distance, it resembles a colossal beast.

Compared to the enormous Shijiawu Fortress before us, Peijia Village, which is still under construction with its walls, appears far too rudimentary.

Pei Yan looked on with longing: "When will we have such a high and thick wall?"

Mao Hongling was also very envious: "With a fort like this, there's nothing to be afraid of."

“Wubao is a good place, but people can’t hide inside forever.” Pei Qinghe’s voice rang out: “Otherwise, the Shi family’s grain wouldn’t have been stolen by the White Tiger Stronghold.”

"Furthermore, Wubao can only defend against wild animals and bandits. If a large number of refugees or an army comes to attack, Wubao will not last long."

In their previous life, the Shi family was first attacked by refugees, then robbed by bandits, and finally slaughtered by the Xiongnu cavalry. This tall and sturdy fortress was burned for days and nights, the flames illuminating half the sky of Yan County.

Without strong military power, a large family fortune and wealth are like a piece of delicious fat meat, ultimately ending up in the mouths of others.

In chaotic times, only those with the biggest fist have the right to sit at the table.

Pei Yan and Mao Hongling each had their own insights.

The gates of Wubao were wide open, and people came and went. Men in bright clothes rode in on horseback, and women with beautiful makeup rode in sedan chairs, creating a lively and prosperous scene.

Pei Qinghe and her group of more than twenty women rode fine horses and carried weapons, raising clouds of dust and exuding a menacing aura. Their appearance immediately attracted everyone's attention.

The servants of the Shi family guarding the gate of Wubao recognized the person at a glance and immediately ran to deliver the message.

A moment later, Young Master Shi arrived quickly, his face flushed and his eyes gleaming with intense light.

Pei Qinghe smiled slightly, nimbly dismounted, and handed over the wooden box in her hand: "Young Master Shi, please accept this gift."

The news of Pei Liu Guniang's annihilation of the White Tiger Stronghold has been spreading like wildfire these past few days. However, no amount of hearing about it can compare to the shock of witnessing it firsthand.

Shi Yan opened the wooden box.

Inside the box was a human head that had been processed with quicklime. It had a slightly rotten smell, but the face was still relatively intact.

It was the head of Luo Hu, the leader of White Tiger Stronghold, for whom the government had offered a reward for five years.

Whether it was the bloody human head that had shocked him or his heart that was too turbulent, Shi Yan held the wooden box for a long time without saying a word.

Dong Erlang, who was standing to the side, was so excited that he almost cried. He knelt down with a thud and kowtowed three times: "Thank you, Sixth Miss, for avenging my brother."

Pei Yan was startled and blurted out, "What? Did Dong Dalang die from his injuries?"

Dong Erlang's lips twitched slightly: "That's not it. The young master invited a famous doctor to treat my elder brother. His life is not in danger. He will recover in a year or two."

Pei Yan grinned: "That's good. I thought Dong Dalang was dead..."

Pei Qinghe coughed and changed the subject: "This is my first time visiting the Shi family's Wu Fortress. Won't the young master invite me in?"

Shi Yan finally came to her senses, quickly closed the wooden box, and hugged it to her chest: "Sixth Miss, you've come at just the right time. Today is my grandfather's sixtieth birthday, and we've prepared a banquet at home."

No wonder there are so many people at Shijiawu Fort today; it turns out they've come for Old Master Shi's birthday.

The Shi family has been operating in Yan County for a century, with many relatives, friends, and old acquaintances. The banquet lasts for three days.

Pei Qinghe laughed and said, "I didn't know beforehand and didn't prepare any gifts. It's really impolite of me to come empty-handed to offer my birthday wishes."

Shi Yan held up the wooden box in her hands: "This must be the most precious gift that my grandfather would like the most."

Pei Qinghe smiled slightly. It was truly rare for the young master Shi to personally greet and lead the way. Everyone craned their necks to look, whispering amongst themselves. When they learned that this pretty and spirited young woman was none other than the recently renowned Sixth Miss Pei, everyone's eyes lit up.

"cousin!"

A clear, bell-like girl's voice suddenly rang out.

A beautiful young girl dressed in a light blue short-sleeved shirt and a cherry-colored ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) stood quietly in front, surrounded by four pretty maids and two old women.

It was obvious at a glance that she was a pampered young lady from a wealthy and powerful family.

Pei Qinghe rode swiftly all the way, dressed in a gray cloth robe, her long hair braided, carrying a long sword on her back, her delicate features exuding a heroic air.

Dong Erlang suddenly felt tense. He glanced furtively at his master.

Shi Yan remained calm and introduced the two with a smile: "Sixth Miss, this is a daughter of the Prince of Guangning, and also my cousin from my maternal family. Her given name is Mengyi."

"Cousin, come and greet Miss Pei Liu."

Pei Yan, who had been glaring at him coldly, finally loosened his grip on the hilt of his knife with satisfaction.

The pretty maids behind Wang Mengyi all looked indignant.

Their young mistress was the direct cousin of the Shi family's young master, and in everyone's eyes, the future matriarch of the Shi family. Yet, Shi Yan's words elevated the Sixth Miss Pei to an extremely high status. He even instructed their young mistress to pay her respects to the Sixth Miss Pei!
Wang Mengyi's expression was calm as she performed the etiquette of an equal: "Mengyi greets Miss Pei Liu."

Pei Qinghe smiled and cupped her hands in greeting: "Qinghe greets Miss Wang."

Wang Mengyi moved gracefully to stand side by side with Shi Yan, and said with a light smile, "I have long heard of Miss Pei's great name. Seeing her today, I can see that she is indeed a heroine."

Shi Yan smiled and continued, "A month ago, the Shi family's grain was robbed by bandits from White Tiger Village. The Sixth Sister led people into the mountains and wiped out White Tiger Village. This box contains the head of Luo Hu, the leader of White Tiger Village."

Wang Mengyi's expression changed drastically. She stared wide-eyed at the wooden box, her legs going weak.

The pretty maids, who had been indignant, swallowed hard and lowered their heads in unison, fearing that they would be targeted by the female demon.

Pei Qinghe was very friendly to Wang Mengyi: "The Wang family is a prominent family in Youzhou, and I have long intended to befriend them. If Miss Wang is willing to introduce me to their elders, I would be extremely grateful."

For big spenders, the more the merrier.

Wang Mengyi was undecided and looked up at Shi Yan. Shi Yan nodded slightly, and Wang Mengyi agreed.

The entire Wubao Fort belongs to the Shi family, and more than ten thousand people live there year-round. Today is Old Master Shi's birthday, and a banquet has been set up on both sides of the street. No gifts are needed; people can simply take their seats.

Pei Yan's stomach was growling with hunger, and she swallowed hard as she looked at the sumptuous feast.

Mao Hongling quietly tugged at Pei Yan's sleeve.

Pei Qinghe didn't turn around: "I'm going to wish Old Master Shi a happy birthday. You don't need to come with me. Go and have the banquet."

Pei Yan suddenly had a bright idea: "How can you go alone? I'll go with you."

If someone makes an inappropriate remark, she'll be more than capable of handling the minor matter of beating them up.

Shi Yan turned his head with a smile: "Miss Pei Yan, please go and enjoy the banquet. With me here, I will never let the Sixth Miss suffer the slightest grievance."

Pei Qinghe also turned her head and gestured with her eyes, and Pei Yan then agreed.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Shi Yan led Pei Liu into the Shi family mansion and presented the generous gifts in the wooden box to Old Master Shi.

Grandpa Shi took the wooden box, opened it, examined it carefully, and laughed heartily: "Good! Good! Good!"

"Miss Pei has avenged our Shi family. Please take a seat today."

(End of this chapter)