Transmigrated into the Scum Female Consort - Chapter 52

Thinking of this, Yun Chi couldn’t help but ask Ye Xuejin a question: “Typically, when two armies confront each other, isn’t it about half a li away?”

The strongest crossbow in the Great Shao Kingdom had an effective range of half a li—two hundred-plus meters.

The effective range of the Sniper Crossbow could reach eight hundred meters. If used well, wouldn’t it be a divine artifact?

Ye Xuejin’s lips curled slightly: “Precisely.”

The smile flowing in her eyes meant that she had also come to the same conclusion.

Both of them involuntarily looked at Shi Zhu.

The same signal flashed in their eyes: This is a great killer weapon.

Shi Niang and the others also realized something, looking at Shi Zhu with a mixture of excitement and envy.

Just then, the faint sounds of the exile party catching up could be heard from the rear.

Ye Xuejin quickly composed herself: “You must keep what happened during the arrow test a secret. Without my command, you are not to reveal any information, do you understand?”

“Understood!” they answered in unison.

Yun Chi thought of something and added cautiously: “The immortal conveyed to me that this divine artifact is not of this mortal world and that we must not reveal a single word. Remember this.”

“We remember.”

Shi Niang and the others answered solemnly. They knew this matter was no trivial thing and admonished themselves internally never to let it slip.

Seeing that they understood the gravity of the situation, Ye Xuejin nodded, signaling to rest in place for a moment and wait for the people behind.

While waiting, Yun Chi pulled Ye Xuejin a few steps away and whispered: “Though the Sniper Crossbow is good, if the enemy encounters it once, they certainly won’t dare to get close a second time. This Sniper Crossbow is best used only when it truly counts.”

That was why she had just used the immortal’s name to give the stern warning again.

In just this short time, her mind had already flashed with the exciting image of Shi Zhu wearing a camouflage suit, lying in wait in the wilderness, repeatedly assassinating enemy generals.

Ye Xuejin agreed: “I understand. Not only can we not reveal any information, but we must also ensure Shi Zhu’s safety.”

In fact, if properly arranged, it wasn’t impossible for Shi Zhu to successfully strike repeatedly.

Yun Chi was deeply convinced. Without a word, she took out an electric baton: “Give this to her first for self-defense. I have one more thing to tell you…”

She quietly told Ye Xuejin that she could take out four more sleeve crossbows, so Ye Xuejin could mentally prepare to give them to Shi Niang and the others when the opportunity arose.

Ye Xuejin slowly nodded: “Then I must trouble the Royal Consort to keep them for now.”

Neither the Sniper Crossbow nor the Sleeve Crossbows were suitable for display in front of others.

Since she had just taken the women and gone ahead, there was no rush.

Yun Chi wanted to say that they wouldn’t reach the Southern Border because only five days were left.

After five days, the news of Ye Xuejin’s vindication would arrive, and she would return to the capital.

However, Ye Xuejin had survived, well and truly, without catching a cold or aggravating her injuries.

She even detoured to the Southwest, met her old friend, and acquired the gold left by the Empress Dowager…

The plot had changed too much…

For no reason, Yun Chi felt uneasy. The phrase “the plot has changed” echoed repeatedly in her mind.

“What are you thinking about, Royal Consort?” Ye Xuejin asked, seeing her solemn expression.

“Nothing.” Seeing Yu Lu and the others catching up, Yun Chi said no more.

Some things, although not explicitly stated, were already understood by everyone.

Even if the Ye Xuejin who took that crucial step were vindicated, would she still return to the capital to be the idle Grand Princess?

However, none of that mattered to her.

She just needed to hold out for five more days, avoid being targeted or cleared out by the Female Lead, and she would be able to live well.

But for some reason, the unease in Yun Chi’s heart did not dissipate.

Since the plot on the exile road had changed, would the story nodes in the original plot still happen as scheduled?

The anxiety in Yun Chi’s heart solidified and gradually magnified.

It made her lose her certainty. Well, she would just wait and see. The truth would be revealed after five days.

At this time, Yu Lu had brought the people near.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Ye Xuejin. So the Grand Princess hadn’t abandoned them after all.

The next moment, many people’s eyes were drawn to the electric baton in Ye Xuejin’s hand.

It’s the fourth divine artifact!

Old Imperial Censor Zhou, in particular, was pulling his beard so hard it hurt, but he couldn’t let go.

The immortal had indeed bestowed another divine artifact. Who would it be this time?

It must be the turn of the Zhou family.

“Your Highness.” Yu Lu stepped forward, cupped his fists to report, and glanced at the electric baton in Ye Xuejin’s hand, also guessing.

Who would be the Grand Princess’s fourth confidant?

Yes, he believed that those bestowed with the divine artifact were the most trusted and valued confidantes of the Grand Princess, just like himself.

Ye Xuejin noticed everyone’s gaze, looked at the electric baton in her hand, and took a step.

Instantly, everyone’s eyes were fixed on her feet.

This is… toward the women’s side!

Old Imperial Censor Zhou almost forgot to breathe. It must be Little Yue, it must be Little Yue.

“Shi Zhu, let Shi Niang teach you how to use the divine artifact. Take it for self-defense.” Ye Xuejin’s tone was gentle, her eyes conveying approval to Shi Zhu.

“Yes.” Shi Zhu accepted it excitedly, tears welling up in her eyes.

So it was Shi Zhu!

With the matter settled, many people sighed inwardly, disappointed yet understanding.

Hiss! Old Imperial Censor Zhou forcibly pulled off a strand of beard, the pain causing his mouth to twitch.

“Old man, what’s wrong with you?” Old Madam Zhou asked, seeing his pained expression.

Old Imperial Censor Zhou exhaled a long breath and sighed: “Nothing, alas.”

Old Madam Zhou: “…”

If nothing is wrong, why are you sighing? Someone would think something terrible happened.

The group set off again and didn’t stop until dusk, resting by the river.

Yu Lu instructed the constables to light several bonfires and took out the dry rations prepared in Caozhou City.

This time, he didn’t ration it by person or quantity but let everyone take it themselves, taking as much as they needed until they were full.

Little Gao and the others said nothing, understanding that this exile party was no longer the same as when it started.

After dinner, Yun Chi timely produced the cotton quilts.

“Thank you, Immortal.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

After everyone knelt in thanks, they each found their previously used quilts by their marks and huddled together in groups of three or two.

Zhou Qiyue hugged her single cotton quilt and happily returned to her family.

“Ying’er, sleep with me tonight.” This way, her parents could have more space.

“Okay.” Little Ying’er snuggled obediently into her embrace.

Old Imperial Censor Zhou looked at his daughter, who was grinning foolishly, and sternly asked: “Little Yue, how did Her Highness test you all today?”

It was quite obvious that the Grand Princess had deliberately taken the women ahead to bestow the fourth divine artifact.

That meant Shi Zhu had stood out among the women, and his daughter’s performance was poor.

Zhou Qiyue thought of the arrow she had missed entirely, feeling guilty: “Dad, please don’t ask. I won’t tell you, even if you beat me.”

Old Imperial Censor Zhou suppressed his emotions: “Fine, I won’t ask how you were tested. Just tell me what rank you got.”

Seeing his daughter’s guilty look, it wasn’t just a matter of poor performance.

Seeing Zhou Qiyue remain silent, Old Imperial Censor Zhou took a deep breath: “You can’t even say that?”

Zhou Qiyue’s face stiffened. She could say it, but should she say she was second to last, or tied for last with Shi Lan?

Neither sounded good.

She thought for a moment and said sullenly, with her head down: “I ranked sixth.”

Old Imperial Censor Zhou glanced at Shi Niang and the girls—Mei, Lan, Zhu, Ju, and Song—plus Zhou Qiyue, that made seven people in total.

His heart seized up. Clasping his chest, he said in disbelief: “You were second to last!”

This was not just poor performance; this was terrible performance!

Zhou Qiyue still had her head down and didn’t see her father’s flushed face. She corrected him honestly: “Not second to last. I tied for last with Shi Lan.”

Old Imperial Censor Zhou: “…”

He gasped for air several times, even pinching his renzong (philtrum) to keep from fainting.

“Old man, the child is still young. There will be other opportunities.” Seeing him so angry, Old Madam Zhou tried to console him.

Old Imperial Censor Zhou clutched his beard and sighed up to the heavens, feeling utterly exhausted.

“Dad, Little Sister didn’t perform poorly on purpose,” Zhou Qishan also said, concerned.

Old Imperial Censor Zhou completely lost it: “She didn’t do it on purpose, so you did it on purpose! What do you have in your head? At a crucial moment, all you can do is ramble on, like your old grandmother’s foot-binding cloth—you talk for ages and don’t get to the point! You unfilial son, I’ll beat you to death!”

Thinking of his son’s performance earlier that day, he became even angrier. After a burst of roaring, he started hitting him.

Zhou Qishan ran off, covering his head, speechless with internal complaint. How was this about him again?

With their commotion, it was hard for everyone to ignore them.

Yun Chi watched the scene and leaned toward Ye Xuejin: “Old Imperial Censor Zhou seems very obsessed with the electric baton. Are you really not going to give the Zhou family one?”