Transmigrated into the Scum Female Consort - Chapter 12

Ye Xuejin said nothing and turned around as instructed.

She knew Yun Chi held secrets, and she knew even more that Yun Chi was willing to reveal a corner of those secrets to help her…

Therefore, she would not ask.

Behind her, Yun Chi concentrated and took out a bottle of mineral water, pouring half of it into the water flask. She then quickly drank the remaining half herself.

But what about this bottle? Can the storage space hold items put into it?

With a thought, the mineral water bottle in her hand vanished in the blink of an eye.

Yun Chi was overjoyed again, her eyes wide with excitement. What an amazing storage space!

She suddenly felt that this transmigration wasn’t so terrible after all.

Yun Chi took two deep breaths and quickly calmed down.

“Ye Xuejin, drink the water quickly. Finish it.”

Just in case, it was better not to leave any water in the flask. It was a little more troublesome, but safety was paramount.

After all, everyone was desperately thirsty, and the officers called all the shots. With Zeng Laosan eyeing them like a predator, it was better to be discreet.

As soon as Ye Xuejin took the water flask, she felt the added weight—there really was water!

Even though she was determined not to probe Yun Chi’s secrets, she couldn’t help but sigh in wonder inwardly.

This person can even conjure water. Does she truly possess some mysterious, spiritual art?

A sudden feeling of luck washed over her.

This is my consort…

Ye Xuejin drank the water in a daze, then couldn’t help but scrutinize Yun Chi. This person seems to space out often, not even blinking, as if her mind is far away.

But her thin lips always curl up at these times, as if something good has happened…

Ye Xuejin quietly took note, watching the person in front of her silently, not wanting to interrupt.

Yun Chi had indeed encountered something good. To confirm her guess, she had mentally recited a few times that she wanted a lot of food. Also, because this was the first time she gave Ye Xuejin mineral water, she guessed there would be a new reward, but she hadn’t expected it to be so novel.

It was something that couldn’t possibly exist in ancient times.

[You have gifted half a bottle of mineral water. Please choose a reward: One box of self-heating rice or one box of self-heating hotpot]

I want both of these… what should I do?

Since she could make things happen with a thought, maybe she could be a little more greedy.

Yun Chi tentatively chose both. The result was not only that there was no movement in the storage space, but the reward countdown also began.

Alright, people truly cannot be too greedy.

She chose the self-heating rice for better value, as it was easier to fill their stomachs.

However, this box of self-heating rice was not as much as she had imagined, containing only six boxes.

Yun Chi felt a pang of regret. Snapping out of her thoughts, she still subconsciously looked at Ye Xuejin, and their gazes met again.

As their eyes locked, Yun Chi felt a moment of unease.

Did I act too strange just now? But she figured she didn’t need to worry too much.

Since Ye Xuejin was on the same boat as her, as long as the woman wasn’t foolish, she shouldn’t spread any rumors.

To be safe, she added, “I was just thinking about something. Let’s go back.”

Ye Xuejin handed her the water flask. “I understand. Let’s go.”

Yun Chi was taken aback. Understand…

What does that mean?

Regardless of the meaning, this woman wouldn’t tell anyone else, right?

That was enough.

Sometimes, it was better for both of them to have a tacit understanding.

Yun Chi rubbed her brows, no longer bothering to ponder it, and quickly caught up.

She arrived just in time to hear Yu Lu say he hadn’t found the bundles and ordered everyone to set off immediately.

Zeng Laosan deliberately glanced at Ye Xuejin, then glared fiercely at Yun Chi.

Did this beggar really do her job? He didn’t think Ye Xuejin looked like someone who had been beaten, abused, or humiliated; on the contrary, she looked quite energetic.

Looks like I need to step up the pressure.

Although Yun Chi was delighted to have received more rewards, she hadn’t forgotten her own predicament. As soon as she rejoined the team, she carefully looked toward Zeng Laosan and was met with a harsh glare.

Got it. My acting wasn’t good enough.

Looks like I need to put on a better show the next time the team stops, or I’ll be whipped again.

Alas, life is hard.

The team set off again. Due to the lack of food, water, and sleep, Yu Lu ordered everyone to pace themselves. They didn’t need to rush the journey today.

Then, he himself rode off ahead, intending to find a river to get water and to check how far away the next town was.

Behind the team, the dozen or so women saw this and followed unhurriedly.

“You all go first. I’ll be right back.” The person who spoke was the oldest woman among them, looking to be in her twenties, while the rest were teenage girls.

“Shiniang (Tenth Mother), we’ll wait for you,” one of the girls said timidly.

Shiniang glanced at the girls. Seeing that they all looked uneasy, still seeming frightened, she softened her tone. “It’s fine. You go ahead. I’ll catch up in a moment. Don’t worry. That Officer Yu is a good person.”

The girls looked at each other for a moment, then remained silent but did not leave.

Clearly, they relied heavily on this woman named Shiniang.

Unable to make them move, Shiniang had no choice but to walk quickly into the depths of the forest.

Soon, she stopped under a large tree.

If Yun Chi and Ye Xuejin had seen her, they would have realized this was the exact spot they had been moments ago.

Shiniang’s eyes sharply scanned the area, and she bent down to feel the not-very-obvious fresh soil beneath the tree.

This is… eggshells?

Her expression relaxed slightly. After standing up, she quickly turned back.

The girl who had spoken earlier looked a little bolder and approached her, asking, “Shiniang, are we really going to the frontier with them?”

They were originally trapped, and Shiniang saved them.

But the thought of walking to the southern frontier like exiled prisoners made them nervous again.

Especially since Shiniang seemed to be a master schemer, having silenced so many people and hidden the officers’ bundles. She didn’t look like an ordinary person at all.

That’s right. A person who can save them single-handedly from such distress wouldn’t be ordinary.

Shiniang heard the question and didn’t rush off. She said gently, “If any of you do not wish to follow the exile team to the southern frontier, you may leave. You can take the money and belongings you have on you.”

As soon as she spoke, a few girls actually stepped out, bowed deeply to her, and took a step back.

Shiniang’s expression remained unchanged, and she said gently, “Go. Be more vigilant in the future.”

The girls bowed again and walked away, looking back repeatedly.

Shiniang looked at the girls who remained, her expression becoming more serious. “Since you have chosen to follow me, you must follow my instructions from now on. If you are unwilling, you may also leave now.”

Two more girls left. In the end, only six remained, including Shiniang.

Shiniang gave them a deep look, then turned and chased after the exile team.

Meanwhile, the exile team marched for half a day. As noon approached, Yu Lu rode back. Seeing his somber expression, everyone’s hearts sank.

Xiao Gao was more familiar with him and considered them both colleagues from the Ministry of Justice, so he was the first to approach and ask, “Sir, how far away is the nearest settlement? Can we rest by a river today?”

Yu Lu frowned. “There’s a county seat about thirty li away, and there’s a river outside the city.”

Xiao Gao also frowned upon hearing this. It was understandable why they were worried. The team’s usual marching speed was about fifty li a day. Now, they had already walked for half a day, and everyone was hungry, thirsty, and hadn’t slept well last night. Their current speed was much slower than before.

Given the condition of the prisoners, those thirty li would take most of the day. By the time they reached the outside of the city, it would be late at night, and the city gates would have long been closed.

Beside him, Zeng Laosan subtly glanced backward and said pointedly, “Sir, never mind the prisoners, but our brothers can’t starve, can they?”

Isn’t there a ready supply right here? Since these women want to follow us, shouldn’t they show some sincerity?

Yu Lu heard this and gave him a cold, sidelong glance. “Don’t entertain any wicked ideas. We are officers, not bandits.”

Zeng Laosan chuckled sheepishly. “Sir, what are you saying? I was just thinking of borrowing some food and water from them.”

Yu Lu withdrew his gaze and said flatly, “They are weak women and didn’t bring much with them. Everyone endure it for now and speed up.”

The officers saw that Yu Lu’s tone allowed no room for discussion, so they could only urge the prisoners to walk faster.

Otherwise, they would have nothing to eat or drink tonight.

“Hurry up, all of you!”

“Keep moving!”

Whips rained down one after another, lashing at those who walked too slowly without care.