Chapter Three: Pushing One's Luck

The year news arrived of the Prince of Zhangwu’s death, she was twenty-five. She commanded over two thousand troops, backed by the endless expanse of the Yan Mountains, and held Changping County within Yan Commandery, Youzhou.

Bandits pass like a comb, soldiers like a fine-toothed rake, and officials like a razor—such was the stark reality of these chaotic times. The world was in utter disarray, overrun by roving brigands; cannibalism was no longer a metaphor, but a harrowing, lived tragedy.

The Pei Army was renowned for its fierce combat power, strict discipline, and care for the common people. As a constant stream of refugees flooded into Changping County, her forces—led by her, a female general—rapidly swelled to ten thousand. Among the various insurgent armies, she stood out, her reputation echoing far and wide. The Zhang clan of Bohai sent envoys to offer terms of pacification, which she flatly rejected. Wary of her growing influence, the Zhangs dispatched an army to annihilate her, but she led her troops personally, routing them so thoroughly they fled in disarray, casting aside their armor and weapons.

She had won the battle, yet she died at the hands of a trusted aide, betrayed by a cold arrow in the back. In retrospect, she hadn't fared much better than the Prince of Zhangwu.

"The Prince has come to see us off; the entire Pei family is deeply grateful," Pei Qinghe said, looking at the Prince of Zhangwu. Her voice was slow and clear. "The women, children, and elderly of the Pei family are being exiled to Youzhou. The journey is long, and the north is frigid. We lack clothing, food, and medicine. I implore the Prince to extend a helping hand."

The Prince of Zhangwu stood silent, stunned. Subconsciously, he turned to look at Pang Long.

Pang Long frowned inwardly. This Pei Sixth Miss was truly tactless, making such demands in front of so many people! Still, for the sake of the Eastern Palace’s reputation, he decided to see this act of charity through to the end.

Pang Long quickly took up the thread: "That is easily done. I shall send someone to the nearby towns at once to prepare quilted garments and dry rations, and I will have a physician summoned and a cartload of medicinal supplies readied."

The Prince of Zhangwu offered Pei Qinghe a gentle, scholarly smile. "You heard the Chancellor, Sixth Miss Pei."

Pei Qinghe cupped her hands in a salute. "Many thanks, Your Highness. There is one more thing. There are fifty soldiers assigned to escort us. Our family consists of the elderly, the young, and delicate women. Should we be bullied or abused by wicked men along the way, we fear we would have no recourse to heaven or earth."

"I beg Your Highness to dispatch men to accompany us and ensure our safe arrival in Youzhou."

The crowd fell silent. Even the dazed Lady Lu was jolted into clarity; she rose tremulously and hurriedly rebuked her, "Sixth Miss, cease your wild talk!"

Demanding clothing, grain, and medicine was already crossing the line. Now, to ask for a personal guard was truly pushing one's luck.

Lady Feng, too, stopped wiping her tears and scrambled to her feet, desperate to pull Pei Qinghe down to kneel and beg for forgiveness. As Lady Feng stood, she immediately drew the gaze of everyone present.

Lady Feng was soft-featured and beautiful. At twenty-nine, she was in the full bloom of her womanhood. Following the family’s ruin and her husband’s tragic death, she wore white, her eyes red and swollen, her expression one of sorrowful grace, which only made her appear more captivating.

Setting aside "wicked men," even decent men with clear eyes could not help but steal a second glance. Beyond Lady Feng, there were other young, comely women among the kneeling kin. Without protection, the risk of the escorting soldiers harborng malicious intent was a genuine crisis.

The young Prince of Zhangwu felt his heart soften. He turned to Pang Long and said, "Chancellor Pang, let us send some men to escort the Pei women and children to Youzhou."

Chancellor Pang, a seasoned veteran of the bureaucracy, was far harder-hearted and opened his mouth to refuse.

But the voice of Sixth Miss Pei rang out once more: "My grand-uncle served as a Gentleman of the Palace for eight years and shared a bond of fellowship with Chancellor Pang. The Chancellor is a man of benevolence; surely he would not stand by and watch the women and children of the Pei family suffer."

"If my grand-uncle were still here, he would surely cherish the memory of Chancellor Pang’s kindness."

If one could not even offer a helping hand to the orphans of a former colleague, could they still be called human? With such a heavy moral mantle cast over him, the Chancellor found he could not utter a refusal.

Pang Long glanced at the sharp-tongued Pei Qinghe, feeling a headache brewing. Yet, he had to maintain an expression of grief and compassion. "It was my oversight; I had not considered the matter of protection."

"Your Highness, you may dispatch a few men to escort the Pei family to Youzhou."

Fearing that Pei Qinghe might make even more outrageous demands, Pang Long added quickly, "I shall also speak with the escorting officer, Commandant Sun, and ask him to offer them some special care."

The number of guards was small. Yet, having even a few such men meant they could invoke the banner of the Eastern Palace to deter any malicious opportunists.

Pei Qinghe bowed again. "My deepest thanks to Your Highness and Chancellor Pang."

She then heaved a long sigh. "Once we reach Youzhou, a group of the elderly, weak, and frail as we are, we will ultimately have to rely on ourselves."

"I hear the weather there is bitter, and bandits run rampant. The Xiongnu and Xianbei often raid the lands, treating human life like blades of grass. As long as we live, we shall pray for the Crown Prince and Your Highness every day. I hope the heavens protect the Eastern Palace, and in doing so, protect the remnants of the Pei family as well."

Tears streamed down the faces of Lady Lu and Lady Feng.

The women and children kneeling on the ground were overcome with grief, breaking into a chorus of sobs.

The Prince of Zhangwu, a youth who spent his time reading poetry and practicing filial piety, had never encountered such a thorny situation in his fourteen years of life. He was at a complete loss.

The officials of the Eastern Palace exchanged glances, sensing that things had taken a turn for the worse. This Sixth Miss Pei was not old, but she was truly formidable. Leaving aside the clothing, grain, and medicine, and even the guards, she was now setting her sights on securing the protection of the Eastern Palace once they reached Youzhou...

As they watched their young, inexperienced, and soft-hearted Prince caught in a dilemma, none of the officials dared to speak up. The Pei family had already suffered enough; without a patron, how could such a group of the weak and elderly survive in a place like Youzhou, where men ate men?

Amidst the miserable wailing, thirteen-year-old Pei Qinghe straightened her back, her lips pressed tight, appearing both stubborn and tragic. "Your Highness, please do not worry for us. I have practiced martial arts and archery since I was a child; even grown men are no match for me. Whoever dares to bully us, I shall fight them to the death."

Even a heart of iron could not withstand such a scene.

The Prince of Zhangwu’s eyes reddened. On an impulse, he drew a circular iron medallion from his sleeve. "This is a token of the Eastern Palace. When you reach Youzhou, if you encounter danger, take this token to the Northern Peace Army encampment and find General Meng."

Chancellor Pang’s vision went dark. He exclaimed urgently, "Your Highness, you must not!"

There were only four such tokens in the entire Eastern Palace. One was held by the Crown Prince, two were held by the Chancellor and the Commander of the Palace Guards, and the final one had been given to the Prince of Zhangwu. With this token, one could command and mobilize the civil and military officials loyal to the Eastern Palace.

Something of such immense importance could never be allowed to fall into the hands of a mere slip of a girl.

Only then did the Prince of Zhangwu realize his impropriety. He stood with his hand extended, unsure whether to retract it or keep it out, feeling quite embarrassed.

Pei Qinghe did not reach for the token. She looked at the Prince, who now appeared regretful, and said, "Your Highness’s kindness is more than we deserve. The Eastern Palace token is too precious; I beg Your Highness to take it back."

"I only ask that Your Highness write a letter to the Magistrate of Changping County in Yan Commandery, Youzhou, and ask him to offer us a measure of protection."