Transmigrated into the Scum Female Consort - Chapter 59

The sky gradually darkened.

The girls calmed down from their excitement and enthusiasm, each putting on her clothes and standing in a row.

Ye Xuejin handed the book of military strategy to Shi Lan: “This is a military book specially bestowed by the immortal. You should start reading it. When we reach the Southern Territory, I will try to find more for you.”

Shi Lan excitedly took the book, holding it like a precious treasure and tucking it into her robe. This was a military book bestowed by an immortal: “Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you, Immortal.”

Ye Xuejin smiled faintly: “You all go back first. Bring everyone over in three quarters of an hour. We will rest here tonight.”

“Yes.” Shi Niang then led the girls back toward the boundary marker.

Seeing them walk away, Yun Chi immediately retrieved the thirty boxes of self-heating rice.

Having learned from the previous time, one person tore open the packaging while the other poured the water to heat it up, cooperating seamlessly.

After the busy work, Yun Chi took out the dagger that she had long ago ‘sent out’ to Ye Xuejin from the storage space: “I won’t be able to keep this for you anymore. Keep it for self-defense.”

After tonight, according to the original plot, she would be free in three days. Just thinking about it filled her with anticipation.

Ye Xuejin looked at the girl’s hopeful eyes, lowered her gaze, and accepted the dagger.

The dagger was ice-cold, like the frigid night, like the cold wind, chilling her to the core.

This person is so eagerly anticipating the day she leaves me…

Yun Chi didn’t notice the change in Ye Xuejin’s expression and began inventorying the supplies in the storage space: “The quilts, pot, and wooden bucket are inconvenient to carry. The bowls and chopsticks can be kept by everyone themselves. The soup dumplings and watermelon can be eaten within the next two days. The sixteen electric batons and twelve bulletproof vests can also be distributed. I’ll find a chance to prepare a few bags for you so the other items can be carried easily. It’s just those ten boxes of gold that are a bit troublesome; you’ll have to figure out a way.”

She spoke with a cheerful smile, finishing the inventory with a sense of accomplishment, then stretched.

Ye Xuejin curved her lips: “The Royal Consort need not worry. When the day of vindication comes, I will make proper arrangements.”

Yun Chi looked at the woman’s deep smile and had a vague feeling, as if there was some hidden meaning in her words.

Unfortunately, that feeling was too fleeting and vague, drifting away before she could grasp it or see it clearly.

She rubbed her brow and asked, relying on intuition: “How do you plan to arrange it?”

That was three million taels of gold; it would be difficult to carry while traveling, and even if they could, it wouldn’t be safe.

Ye Xuejin’s smile did not diminish, but her eyes were perfectly calm: “The Royal Consort need not trouble herself. I will arrange it myself.”

Seeing that she didn’t plan to say anything in advance, Yun Chi stopped asking. That vague feeling also completely dissipated.

Soon, the rice was fully heated.

Yun Chi routinely collected the bottom boxes and the heating packs inside. The exile party also arrived.

As soon as everyone saw the familiar boxes, they thought of the steaming hot rice, along with the vegetables and meat covering the rice.

They had good fortune tonight too!

Virtually everyone thought the same thing at the same time.

Having the Grand Princess was equivalent to having an immortal. With an immortal present, they wouldn’t starve.

Feeling secure, they didn’t even rush to eat. They first looked at the side dishes. If someone had eaten that dish before, they would trade with someone who hadn’t.

“If every meal could be like this, I wouldn’t mind being exiled indefinitely,” the old housekeeper sighed, squinting his eyes.

The other servants of the Zhou family exchanged looks but didn’t take up the conversation.

Most of them still wanted this exile journey to end soon. At the very least, they needed a place to sleep.

Otherwise, if the weather got colder, what would they do when it rained or snowed?

Seeing no one respond, the old housekeeper looked at them strangely: “What’s wrong with you all? Don’t you like the food?”

Why are you all so quiet? No one is talking.

“Ah? Yes, yes, this dish is really delicious.”

“The rice smells wonderful.”

Zhou Qiyue watched the chatting Zhou family members and secretly looked toward Ye Xuejin. The Grand Princess only called Shi Niang and the others today, not her.

Thinking this, she felt the food wasn’t as delicious anymore.

“Aunt, why are you peeking at the immortal auntie?” Little Ying’er, who had a small appetite, gave the remaining half box to her father and then looked around curiously.

At this, the surrounding people looked over.

Zhou Qiyue immediately gripped her chopsticks tightly: “Nonsense. When was I peeking?”

Little Ying’er complained: “Aunt is lying. That’s a bad child.”

She saw clearly that her aunt was peeking at the immortal auntie.

Zhou Qiyue forced a smile: “You really saw wrong. Hurry up and go to sleep.”

What if the child is too young and lacks social awareness? Being so insistent makes this so awkward for me.

Little Ying’er pouted, giving an innocent huff: “Aunt is bad. I’m going to tell the immortal auntie.”

With that, she stood up and ran off.

Seeing Little Ying’er dart to Ye Xuejin, Zhou Qiyue immediately became nervous, then forced herself to remain calm and continued shoveling rice into her mouth.

Over here, as soon as Little Ying’er reached Ye Xuejin, she unconsciously slowed her steps, standing steadily next to Ye Xuejin like a miniature adult.

“Are you full, Ying’er?” Ye Xuejin looked at her with a smile. After a brief thought, she raised a hand: “Come, let me see if you’ve gotten fatter.”

Little Ying’er maintained her reserve for only a second, then sweetly nestled into Ye Xuejin’s embrace.

The immortal auntie is so beautiful, and she looks even better when she smiles.

The five-year-old child had been exiled with the adults, not eating or sleeping well, enduring cold and hunger. Her face was pointed and thin.

Ye Xuejin’s heart softened. She took out the beef jerky Yun Chi had given her from her sleeve and put it into the little girl’s hand.

“Keep this safe. Eat it when you’re hungry.”

Little Ying’er took it blankly. Suddenly remembering why she had run over, she whispered: “Immortal auntie, my auntie was peeking at you just now, but she’s not a bad person. Please don’t blame her.”

The little girl’s innocent words made Ye Xuejin chuckle: “Alright. I won’t blame her. Ying’er, quickly try the beef jerky and see if it’s tasty.”

To the side, Yun Chi watched Ye Xuejin intently. Unlike her usual coolness, and different from the occasional faint smile, Ye Xuejin’s expression at this moment was unbelievably tender. Her whole person seemed gentle.

She looks quite different than usual.

In her line of sight, Ye Xuejin saw Little Ying’er hesitating to eat. She proactively picked up a piece and held it to Little Ying’er’s mouth.

After Little Ying’er ate it, she looked at the beef jerky in her hand. The bag wasn’t full. The pieces of jerky were small, totaling only a dozen or so pieces.

A conflicted look appeared on her small face.

Ye Xuejin couldn’t help but ask: “Don’t you like the taste?”

Little Ying’er quickly shook her head: “I do like it; it’s very tasty.” Pausing, she frowned and handed the beef jerky back.

Ye Xuejin didn’t think much of it, only gently pushing it back: “Ying’er should keep it herself.”

Little Ying’er still shook her head: “Immortal auntie, can you hold onto it for me? I’ll come find you when I’m hungry.”

Bafflement crossed Ye Xuejin’s eyes: “Why won’t Ying’er keep it herself?”

Little Ying’er pouted, looking tearful and wronged.

Ye Xuejin’s expression paused. She asked gently: “What is it? Did Ying’er run into some trouble?”

“Father said… Father said…”

“Said what?”

“Father said we can see Mother and Little Brother soon, woo-waa!”

The little girl suddenly burst into tears, as if she couldn’t hold her emotions back, throwing herself into Ye Xuejin’s embrace.

Ye Xuejin awkwardly hugged Little Ying’er: “Don’t cry, Ying’er, don’t cry.”

While comforting her, her heart sank, and her gaze turned toward the Zhou family.

Everyone looked over when they heard the child’s crying. Seeing Little Ying’er crying miserably in Ye Xuejin’s arms, they were all confused. What happened?

Zhou Qishan immediately stood up upon seeing the scene.

“Big Lang.” Old Madam Zhou quickly stopped him: “Sit down. I’ll go.”

Old Madam Zhou rose and quickly walked to Ye Xuejin, apologizing: “I apologize for the sight, Your Highness. Let this old woman hold the child.”

“It’s nothing. I don’t know what happened to Ying’er. She started crying as soon as her mother and little brother were mentioned,” Ye Xuejin said, subtly observing Old Madam Zhou’s expression.

Old Madam Zhou’s face first showed understanding, then a flash of helplessness. She hugged Little Ying’er and comforted her, looking at Ye Xuejin as if she wanted to speak but couldn’t.

Ye Xuejin sensed her difficulty and said calmly: “Old Madam, please go back and rest early.”

“Ah, I take my leave.”

Ye Xuejin watched the grandmother and granddaughter’s retreating figures, silently gripping the beef jerky in her hand.

“Do you feel like something is wrong?” Yun Chi, who had observed the entire exchange, was also confused.

Ye Xuejin recovered and lowered her voice: “The Royal Consort noticed it too?”

Yun Chi nodded: “That child seemed off.”

“She didn’t look happy; she looked sad and tearful, right?”

“Exactly. Normally, one shouldn’t have that reaction when about to see one’s mother and little brother.”

Ye Xuejin looked at Yun Chi and slowly said: “As far as I know, Zhou Qishan divorced his wife two days before the Zhou family incident. His wife is from the Qi family, one of the three great noble families in the capital. Ms. Qi took their son with her when she left the Zhou family.”

Logically, Ms. Qi should be in the capital right now.

But Little Ying’er just said that she would see her mother and little brother soon.

Old Madam Zhou also behaved as if there was a hidden complication…

Yun Chi didn’t know about the noble families in the capital and couldn’t figure it out: “It couldn’t be that Ms. Qi was worried about her husband and daughter and chased after them with her son, could it?”

Ye Xuejin looked thoughtful: “There is another possibility.”

“What possibility?”

Ye Xuejin’s tone was deep: “Ms. Qi is in the Southern Territory.” Waiting for the Zhou family in the Southern Territory.

Yun Chi still didn’t understand: “But Little Ying’er still shouldn’t be sad.”

Ye Xuejin looked at the beef jerky in her hand and gently shook her head: “I don’t quite understand either.”

In fact, she already had some speculation, but that guess was based on Little Ying’er’s reaction and couldn’t be confirmed. She needed more evidence.

A five-year-old child was simply too young, and their perception might be inaccurate.

However, if her speculation turned out to be true, she would have to reconsider whether to heavily rely on the Zhou family.

Late at night, in an unnoticed corner, Mu Er carefully crawled out of his bedding.

He ran all the way to the boundary marker they had passed in the evening, picked up a stone, scratched at one side of the marker for a long time, and then ran back.

On a tree ten meters away, Shi Niang silently returned, rushing back to the group ahead of him to lie down.

The next day, as soon as the sky brightened, everyone woke up. Some went to the river to wash up, others went further away to relieve themselves.

Shi Niang took advantage of the crowd movement to approach the boundary marker.

The sky hadn’t fully brightened yet. She moved closer to the marker, squinted at it for a moment, and then clearly saw the marks on it.

She let out a cold snort, took out her knife and scraped the marks clean, then pretended to have just returned from washing up and walked toward Ye Xuejin.

“Your Highness, the nail is loose…”

Thankfully, Your Highness specifically instructed me to keep a close eye on Mu Er, or else a major incident would have occurred.

Ye Xuejin frowned after hearing the report: “Be meticulous. Tell Shi Song and the others to keep a watch on him. You must watch him closely.”

Shi Niang hesitated for a moment, then couldn’t help but raise her hand and make a slashing motion across her throat: “Your Highness, why not solve it once and for all?”