Chapter Sixteen: The Bamboo Whistle

The sharp whistle of the bamboo flute rang out crisply, like birdsong at dawn.

After two clear notes, the members of the Pei family—young and old—quickly emerged. The elderly woman carried a child onto the carriage, while the others formed their respective groups.

With another whistle, the formation straightened with a speed visible to the naked eye.

Pei Qinghe gave a slight nod, then turned to the stunned Captain Sun and said, “Captain Sun, we are ready. We can set off now.”

Captain Sun’s expression was somewhat complicated. “Miss Pei, this bamboo whistle…”

Pei Qinghe calmly explained, “The elders are hard of hearing; no matter how loudly they shout, they can’t hear. The younger cousins are mischievous and love to run around. I use the bamboo whistle to remind them.”

The explanation was reasonable.

Not excessive in the least.

Captain Sun nodded in understanding, mounted his horse, cracked his whip sharply, and called out to set off immediately.

The hefty soldiers all mounted their horses, leading the way. Several Eastern Palace guards rode alongside at a steady pace.

At the sound of the whistle, the Pei family stepped forward.

After half a month of travel, their formation had taken shape, and today they were especially spirited and orderly.

After an hour’s ride, Pei Qinghe blew the bamboo whistle again, signaling everyone to stop and rest with some water.

Captain Sun glanced at Guard Gao.

Guard Gao cleared his throat and said, “The Pei family listens well, which saves Captain Sun a lot of trouble.”

That was true.

Captain Sun was no stranger to escort duty. Previously, it had been a grim task—daily scolding and beating, driving along a group of crying captives. Occasionally, a corpse would be thrown by the roadside, a very gloomy business.

This time escorting the Pei family, his purse was comfortably full, and they were well fed and watered along the way. The Pei family was quiet and obedient, traveling thirty li a day. At this pace, they’d reach Youzhou in two months. He could finish his assignment earlier and return to camp.

Well then, might as well endure it with Miss Pei.

Captain Sun took a big gulp from his water pouch, then exclaimed, “Why is this water warm?”

The square-faced hefty soldier stretched his neck and replied, “Miss Pei said it’s not good to drink raw water. They boil it, let it cool, then drink it—that way no one gets sick.”

“While cooking buns over the fire at midnight, they boil over ten pots of hot water. Everyone has hot water to drink.”

Finally, the hefty soldier added, “Miss Pei really thinks of everything!”

Captain Sun twitched at the corner of his mouth. “Miss Pei is so kind-hearted, you’d better quit the army and stay in Youzhou as the Pei family’s son-in-law.”

The square-faced hefty soldier, a bit slow-witted, didn’t pick up on the sarcasm and seriously considered it. “That’s not a bad idea.”

Captain Sun angrily kicked him.

The hefty soldier chuckled and dodged, then called some others to catch wild chickens. One of the Pei ladies was an excellent cook who made fragrant wild chicken soup. After tasting it once, he couldn’t forget it.

With nothing else to do, Pei Qinghe called out, “Cousin Yun, Cousin Yan, let’s take a walk over to the woods—stretch our muscles and maybe find something to eat.”

Pei Yun and Pei Yan smiled in agreement.

Pei Xuan and Pei Feng, two loyal little followers, immediately joined in. “Cousin Qinghe, we want to go too.”

A smile flickered in Pei Qinghe’s eyes as she pinched Pei Xuan’s round, adorable face. “Alright.”

Pei Feng quietly stepped forward, pushing past Pei Xuan to press his handsome little face close. Pei Qinghe laughed and pinched her younger cousin’s cheek as well. “Let’s go!”

Pei Feng finally grinned.

Pei Xuan rolled her eyes.

Pei Feng seemed honest but was actually quite cunning, always competing with Pei Xuan for Cousin Qinghe’s attention and affection.

Pei Feng stuck out his tongue at Pei Xuan.

He was Qinghe’s direct cousin, while Pei Xuan was from a collateral branch and less closely related.

Pei Xuan’s mother had been a courtesan who was bought out by Pei Xuan’s father and became a concubine in the Pei household. She died in childbirth. Pei Xuan grew up motherless and unloved by her stepmother.

It was a mystery how Cousin Qinghe had chosen Pei Xuan to lead the seventh team and showed her special affection.

Pei Qinghe quietly observed the two little ones’ antics and smiled to herself without exposing them.

The woods were near the official road; a few hundred meters brought them into the forest. Pei Qinghe took out a dagger, cut a branch about the thickness of her forearm, and quickly carved a sharp point, then handed it to Pei Yun. “Make do with this.”

Pei Yun responded and took the crude wooden spear. With a flick of her wrist, she spun it, throwing a few spear flowers.

Pei Yan’s eyes sparkled. “Cousin, I want one too.”

Pei Qinghe smiled and said “Mm,” then with a flick of her dagger, another branch fell.

Pei Xuan and Pei Feng were younger so the branches were thinner for them.

Pei Qinghe held the dagger—small but truly sharp—and led the way, quickly spotting a nest of wild rabbits.

She turned back and made a hand signal.

Pei Yun and the others nodded, then scattered with understanding.

Pei Qinghe darted forward, light as a swallow and swift as an arrow, managing to capture two alive. The startled rabbits scattered, and Pei Yun and Pei Yan each caught one.

Though young, Pei Xuan was fierce and stabbed one dead outright. The wild rabbit hung bloodied on the wooden spike.

Pei Feng was a moment too slow and missed out. Already frustrated, he nearly cried upon seeing Pei Xuan’s proud look.

Pei Qinghe stifled a laugh and stuffed one of the rabbits into Pei Feng’s arms. Flustered, he clumsily hugged it and finally smiled.

That night, steamed white buns filled everyone’s stomachs, and fragrant wild chicken soup was served in bowls. The rabbits were stewed in a large pot and each person received a small portion.

The delicious meal soothed the hardships of the journey.

The next day, after three bamboo whistle calls, the Pei family set off again.

Three whistles called the group to assemble; two whistles signaled departure; one long whistle meant stop. Short whistles urged speed; long whistles meant slow down.

Pei Qinghe frequently blew the bamboo whistle, adjusting the pace and rhythm of their march.

Of course, there were a few small incidents. For example, every time the whistle blew, the little dog had to pee, often soaking Lady Feng’s clothes.

Another example: Pei Feng refused to let his team be outdone by Pei Xuan’s. If anyone ignored the whistle’s command and ran off, he would storm over and beat them up.

Pei Yue was beaten most often and came crying to Cousin Qinghe. “Cousin, Cousin Feng hit me.”

Pei Feng pouted angrily. “The whistle said to stop, but you ran off. If not you, then who else should I hit?”

Pei Yue was very aggrieved. “I don’t understand.”

Pei Feng was even angrier. “There are only a few whistles. How can you not understand? You’re as dumb as a pig!”

Pei Yue cried even louder. “My cousin called me a pig!”

Pei Qinghe didn’t hesitate to side with Pei Feng, defending the leader’s authority. “It’s been days. You still can’t understand a few simple whistles. That’s really dumb.”

Pei Yue opened her mouth to wail, but Pei Qinghe cast a chilly glance. “No crying.”

Pei Yue hiccupped and swallowed back the sobs.

…