Transmigrated into the Scum Female Consort - Chapter 25.2

Ye Xuejin’s breath hitched slightly. She lowered her eyes without speaking, the warmth in her heart silently spreading. Yes, this is my Fù Mǎ. A wife and wife are one; they are inseparable. As various thoughts flashed through her mind, little fuzzy flowers seemed to bloom in her heart, swaying with the wind, making her spirit feel light and joyful.

Before long, the group set off. The ground in the mountains, freshly soaked by heavy rain, was very slippery. Fortunately, everyone was careful, and no accidents occurred.

After two hours of travel, as evening approached, Yu Lu still did not allow them to stop, intending to continue until nightfall. The other prisoners were fine, but the Zhou family was miserable. They had suffered from cold and hunger for an entire night, and now another day of starvation had passed, leaving many of them exhausted.

Yun Chi had been looking for a chance to “feed” them along the way, but the mountain path was narrow, and the constables and prisoners walked close together, tightly packed. Constable Zeng Laosan happened to be right beside Old Imperial Censor Zhou, and Old Madam Zhou was being supported on both arms by Zhou Qishan and a family servant. These two figures, who seemed the most steady and were the main pillars of the Zhou family, were not easily accessible. Therefore, Yun Chi did not dare to take the risk.

Zhou Qiyue’s legs were weak and heavy. Leading young Ying’er, she walked slower and slower, gradually falling behind the group. Ye Xuejin noticed this and subtly tightened her grip on Yun Chi’s hand. Yun Chi understood, shaking her head to indicate that she had not found an opportunity.

Just then, Zhou Qiyue, who was lagging behind, screamed: “Ying’er… Ying’er!” Young Ying’er had collapsed, completely exhausted. Compared to the adults, who relied on willpower to hold on, a five-year-old child clearly did not have such strong mental fortitude.

In an instant, the Zhou family members all looked back, wanting to move to the rear.

“No one is allowed to retreat! Everyone move forward!” Yu Lu roared, decisively drawing his whip. “Hurry! We will stop and rest once we pass this narrow section of the path.” The mountain path was so narrow. If the prisoners panicked and caused a pile-up, someone could fall off the mountain, which would be disastrous.

The Zhou family members looked to Old Imperial Censor Zhou. He said gravely: “Listen to the Adult; let’s go.”

Yu Lu sighed in relief, seeing that Old Imperial Censor Zhou was not losing his head. His tone softened: “Speed up. The constables in the rear will take turns carrying the child.” With this, the procession finally regained order.

Fortunately, this section of the path was not long. Just as twilight began to fall, the area ahead finally widened. Yu Lu ordered everyone to rest on the spot, and Old Imperial Censor Zhou and the others immediately rushed to young Ying’er’s side.

Yun Chi and Ye Xuejin exchanged glances and also moved closer.

Fortunately, Old Imperial Censor Zhou had some knowledge of medicine. After checking his granddaughter’s pulse, he soothed them: “Ying’er has only fainted from hunger; there is no serious danger.”

The Zhou family was not comforted by this news at all. Fainting from hunger—was that not serious? They had absolutely no food left, and had gone hungry for a day and a night. It was no exaggeration to say they felt like they could devour an entire ox right now.

Old Imperial Censor Zhou also understood that the most important thing at this moment was food. He tugged at his beard and pondered for a moment, then looked up and resolutely walked toward Yu Lu.

“I beg Adult Yu for mercy, and ask that you give this old man’s granddaughter a little food,” Old Imperial Censor Zhou bowed deeply, cupped his hands in a plea, and spoke in a begging tone.

Yu Lu’s throat tightened, his heart instantly filled with complex emotions. He had heard of this two-dynasty veteran from the Censorate. All officials knew that Old Imperial Censor Zhou had the stiffest spine in the Censorate, always priding himself on his integrity, possessing an arrogant nature, and never granting favors to anyone—he even dared to point out the Emperor’s faults. Yet, now, the stiffest spine in the Censorate was bent.

Yu Lu immediately called over Xiao Gao: “Is there any food left? Quickly give some to the child.”

Xiao Gao looked troubled: “My Lord, we only have a few steamed buns left, just enough for the brothers to share.” After a day and a night, they only had seven steamed buns left, one for each constable, with none to spare.

Old Imperial Censor Zhou’s body stiffened, but he remained bent over, not rising.

Yu Lu frowned: “Bring me my steamed bun.”

Xiao Gao started to object, but seeing that his Lord’s mind was made up, he did not try to dissuade him.

“Thank you, My Lord,” Old Imperial Censor Zhou took the steamed bun and hurried back.

But young Ying’er would not open her mouth while unconscious. Even when the steamed bun was placed in her mouth, she did not chew and simply could not swallow.

Old Imperial Censor Zhou panicked, quickly looking at his old wife: “Quickly, bring the water pouch.”

Old Madam Zhou was stunned and did not move, her hand gripping the water pouch slightly white. She had exchanged the golden lock for some food and a water pouch. But after a day and a night, the water had long been drunk dry. She had shaken it several times, and not a single drop was left.

Old Imperial Censor Zhou was also stunned when he understood her look. The Zhou family only had one water pouch; where would they find extra water?

In their helplessness, they could only look to the others, their eyes pleading. The Mu brothers immediately avoided their gaze. The constables also shook their heads, and even Yu Lu shook his head. They had each only brought one water pouch, and after a day and a night, they were all empty. Furthermore, they were high up in the mountains with no visible water source, and with night falling, it was not advisable to scatter and search for water.

Ye Xuejin looked at Yun Chi. Yun Chi shook her head, feeling that simply drinking water would not be enough. She had another idea.

In the silence, Yu Lu stood up and drew his knife, walking toward his beloved horse.

Xiao Gao saw his intention and quickly stopped him: “My Lord, people who are severely starved cannot drink horse blood. I once heard that someone did this, and the person only became thirstier the more they drank, ultimately dying of thirst.”

Yu Lu froze, completely at a loss.

Nearby, Yun Chi knew that Xiao Gao’s worry was a possibility. Young Ying’er’s condition was due to severe hunger, causing low blood sugar and resulting cerebral hypoxia. When a person is extremely dehydrated, it is indeed unsuitable to consume substances with a higher concentration than body fluids, such as horse blood. The most appropriate treatment for this situation was oral glucose.

Seeing that no one was paying attention to them, she decisively pulled out the dagger from her storage space, quietly slipped it into Ye Xuejin’s hand, and whispered: “This is for you. Keep it safe.” Among the things she had not yet given Ye Xuejin, this dagger was small and easy to conceal.

Ye Xuejin tightly gripped the dagger in her hand, confused, but did not ask anything and quietly put it away.

[One dagger has been given. Please choose your reward: one bottle of oral glucose solution or one packet of powdered glucose.]

Seeing the large text before her, Yun Chi sighed in relief. Fortunately, the reward given by the zhīnfù followed some kind of pattern. Giving the dagger for the first time worked exactly as she wished.

After choosing the glucose, she took advantage of the lack of attention, walked a few steps away, turned her back, and quickly poured half a bottle of glucose solution into her water pouch.

Ye Xuejin saw her walk away clutching her stomach and then quickly return, asking worriedly: “Are you unwell?”

Yun Chi held her hand and smiled slightly: “Give it to me. I will keep it for now.”

Ye Xuejin understood that she meant the dagger. Their hands moved silently, concealed in their sleeves.

Then, Yun Chi handed the water pouch to her: “Do not let anyone else handle it.” The water pouch was a product of the zhīnfù, very light, and anyone who picked it up could tell it was different from the water pouches of this era. Moreover, compared to her own notorious reputation, Ye Xuejin was more trustworthy, and no one would dare openly confront her or covet the item in her hand.

Ye Xuejin’s eyes flickered, and she nodded.

“I still have some water here.” The clear, pleasant voice broke the oppressive atmosphere.

“Your Highness!” Old Madam Zhou looked at Ye Xuejin with surprise, blurting out the term. But at this moment, no one paid attention to her slip of the tongue. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the water pouch in Ye Xuejin’s hand.

Old Imperial Censor Zhou’s eyes flashed. If he remembered correctly, Yun Chi and Ye Xuejin had shaken their heads just moments ago.

Looking at the figure walking toward him, he bowed: “Thank you.” With that, he reached out to take the water pouch.

Ye Xuejin did not hand it over, saying calmly: “I will feed her myself.”