Transmigrated into the Scum Female Consort - Chapter 24

Yun Chi understood the hint. Seeing Yu Lu also ride his horse over to speak with Shi Niang about something, she did not rush to approach them.

After a short while, Yu Lu ordered everyone to press on quickly and not stop before nightfall. The constables, whose whips had been idle for two days, raised them again.

Soon, the sky grew completely dark.

Yu Lu observed the weather and told everyone to stop and rest. The mountain path was rugged, and the weather in the mountains was volatile; it was truly unsuitable for night travel.

On the mountainside, many hunters must have rested there, as generations had continuously carved out several mountain caves of varying sizes, though the largest could only accommodate five or six people.

Yu Lu ordered everyone to find a cave to rest in and also instructed the constables to start fires for them all.

“My Lord, this is against the rules,” Zeng Laosan could not help but voice his objection upon seeing this. How could they provide warmth for the criminals?

Hearing this, Yu Lu said sternly: “Do as this official instructs. If anyone is restless tonight, do not blame this official’s blade for being unforgiving.”

In this extraordinary situation, he could not concern himself with formalities.

Zeng Laosan gritted his teeth and said no more.

The group quickly dispersed, as the caves were not large enough to accommodate everyone together.

Yu Lu stood outside alone, volunteering to keep watch. From the moment he realized they had been tricked, his heart had been in his throat; he simply could not rest assured without personally keeping an eye on things.

The atmosphere became tense and heavy.

Yun Chi finally found a chance to speak with Shi Niang. After hearing the full story, she was also somewhat uneasy: “According to you, that Magistrate Cai intentionally wanted us to leave the city as early as possible. What exactly does he intend to do?”

Shi Niang’s expression darkened: “The Adult Yu and I discussed it. He mostly wants to be able to completely absolve himself afterward.”

Thinking back now, Magistrate Cai’s words at the time also carried a deeper meaning—once they entered the deep, old forests, accidents certainly did happen often.

It was infuriating that they hadn’t realized this point at the time, and in their haste, they had played right into that wicked official’s hands.

It made sense; the Princess was in the exiled group, and that wicked official, who had been tyrannical for a long time and valued his life the most, surely dared not strike directly within his own jurisdiction. Now that the documents had been signed and issued, once the exiled group reached someone else’s territory, that wicked official would probably extend his claws.

Upon hearing this, Yun Chi felt slightly relieved: “If that’s the case, we should be safe tonight.” This place was not far from Zhenshan County and was still within Magistrate Cai’s administrative boundaries.

Shi Niang glanced at her: “You had better still be careful. If His Highness suffers any mishap, do not blame me for being merciless.”

Yun Chi pouted and turned away. All any of them knew how to do was threaten her, yet they might not be useful when it came to the critical moment. Otherwise, in the original text, how could they have failed to protect Ye Xuejin?

Returning to Ye Xuejin’s side, she recounted the events.

“How outrageous! How dare they!” Even Ye Xuejin, who was accustomed to composure and self-control, could not help but show a hint of anger on her face.

“Shi Niang said that once we cross this mountain and reach a place with people, she will send a message to the Prime Minister’s Residence. That Magistrate Cai won’t be jumping around much longer.”

Ye Xuejin nodded: “That is excellent.”

Yun Chi, however, was not at all optimistic, because she knew that Ye Xuejin’s death date in the original text was fast approaching, and she wondered if it was related to the Zhenshan County Yamen.

The night in the mountains was much colder than below; although it was still autumn, it felt as though winter had arrived.

Seeing that the constables had no intention of distributing food, everyone ate what they had independently. It would be truly miserable to go hungry on such a cold night.

The Mu brothers had asked the constables to buy food during the day, and Shi Niang and her group, along with Yun Chi, had also gone out to purchase supplies themselves. Therefore, they basically had enough to eat, but the Zhou family was somewhat stretched.

The food that Old Madam Zhou had exchanged for the golden lock was finished in one go among the dozen-plus masters and servants; it was nowhere near enough to fill their stomachs.

Old Imperial Censor Zhou frowned in deep thought, knowing that something must have happened. He just did not know how long they would have to endure this time. A day or two would be manageable, but if it lasted longer, it would probably be troublesome. He wondered if Heaven was still willing to pity the Zhou family.

Sure enough, a few unexpected claps of thunder suddenly brought down a torrential rain—the fear that came true.

Yun Chi and Ye Xuejin stayed in a small mountain cave. The pouring rain formed a curtain, blocking the view outside, which afforded them a great deal of convenience.

“Hurry, eat something and drink some water.”

Yun Chi took out the half kilogram of dried beef and a bottle of mineral water.

Ye Xuejin did not demur, silently ate some dried beef, and drank some water.

[One hundred grams of dried beef has been given. Please choose your reward: one cotton quilt or one cotton quilt.]

[Half a bottle of mineral water has been given. Please choose your reward: one cotton quilt or one cotton quilt.]

Yun Chi: “…”

She had made a wish beforehand, hoping for two quilts, but she did not expect the zhīnfù (golden finger, i.e., system) to be so stingy, only giving two quilts combined for both rewards.

However, having them was better than nothing. She immediately took out the quilts, laying one down and using the other as a blanket.

“Hurry and come in. It’s warm in here.”

Yun Chi lay down first, lifted the corner of the quilt, and called softly to Ye Xuejin.

Ye Xuejin’s heart inexplicably quickened. She struggled to calm down, then rose with an air of indifference and lay down inside.

“Is it warm?” Yun Chi smiled slightly and spoke naturally.

Ye Xuejin “En-ed” in response.

“I wonder when this rain will stop.”

“Perhaps it will stop tomorrow.”

“Let’s hope so.”

The two chatted casually until, unconsciously, they fell asleep.

Early the next morning, the rain was still heavy, and the sky was grey and dim.

Ye Xuejin woke up feeling warm all over. The person behind her was holding her tightly in their arms.

She blinked and, driven by a strange impulse, moved her hand and rested it on the hand Yun Chi had wrapped around her.

The next second, snapping back to awareness and realizing what she had done, she quickly pulled her hand away, staring blankly at the rain curtain, unable to compose herself for a long time.

Just then, a figure seemed to be approaching outside the rain curtain.

Ye Xuejin quickly grabbed Yun Chi’s wrist and shook it vigorously.

“Fù Mǎ (Husband of the Princess), someone is coming.”