Transmigrated into the Scum Female Consort - Chapter 72

Ye Xuejin glanced at the city gate nearby and quickly gave her instructions, leaving Shu Shi behind to stay in the city with Shi Niang and the others.

Yun Chi did not take back their bulletproof vests or the three sleeve-crossbows, though she did reclaim all the stun batons. The battle at the city gate had been too conspicuous; she feared that if the young women were seen with the batons, it would draw unwanted attention from those with hidden agendas.

Seeing several people leave the group—all of them beautiful young women not wearing prisoner’s garb—the lead guards exchanged glances but decided to pretend they saw nothing. Yu Lu thought for a moment, then stepped forward and presented the exile documents to explain the situation. The guards simply waved them off, appearing surprisingly easygoing and asking no further questions.

When they arrived at Yangzhou, the exile party had entered through the West Gate. Now, leaving through the East Gate, they were essentially traversing the entire city. Yun Chi looked curiously at the flora along the way. Yangzhou was built within a mountain basin, looking very much like the modern-day Bashu region.

“These flowers are beautiful.”

As they moved forward, the roadside was increasingly covered in patches of reddish-purple and violet-blue flowers, forming a spectacular sea of color. Ye Xuejin bent down, lifting a leaf to inspect the stem, which indeed showed a hint of purple-red.

“This is the Bronze-Grass Flower (Tongcao Hua). According to records, if wild Bronze-Grass grows in large patches, there is often a copper mine beneath it.”

The Great Shao Kingdom’s mining technology was far inferior to modern standards, but the wisdom and experience accumulated over generations provided their own methods—like using these flowers as indicators. The “Eastern Pit” Deputy Chen had mentioned was a copper mine located ten miles east of the city.

Yun Chi remembered reading a book about plants associated with mineral deposits, though she only recalled Equisetum (Horsetail) at the time, known as a “natural gold detector” because it grows in soil with high gold content. She scanned the roadside plants but, unsurprisingly, found nothing. Well, some things were meant to stay in dreams.

“What is the Consort looking for?” Ye Xuejin asked softly, seeing Yun Chi staring at the weeds.

Yun Chi replied casually, “Nothing, really. Your words just reminded me of a type of grass that likes to grow near gold mines.”

Ye Xuejin smiled gently. “The Consort must be referring to Gold-Seeking Grass (Wenjin Cao). It is quite rare.” Especially in large wild patches. Her Consort really did have a singular obsession with gold.

Yun Chi nodded. It seemed Equisetum was called Gold-Seeking Grass here—a fitting name. Too bad it was rare; otherwise, with her storage space, she wouldn’t have a worry in the world.

Wait a minute.

Yun Chi suddenly grabbed Ye Xuejin’s hand and lowered her voice. “This copper mine… do you want it?” If she couldn’t fill her space with gold, she could fill it with copper. It was right here, after all.

Ye Xuejin looked at her and said slowly, “Copper is precious, but smelting it is complicated. If there are finished weapons, then I shall have to trouble the Consort.”

Raw ore was one thing, but ready-made weapons were definitely worth considering. Yun Chi’s eyes lit up. “Then let’s keep a lookout and try if we find the chance.”

Strangely, she felt a sense of anticipation. Ye Xuejin paused for a fraction of a second before continuing forward with composure, as if the hesitation had been an illusion. The Consort seemed much more invested in her affairs now, even taking the initiative to offer schemes.

She looked deeply at Yun Chi’s excited profile. Deep in her heart, tiny, selfish branches began to sprout, spreading instantly like a canopy, attempting to bind her “deity” to her side. No, I shouldn’t think that way. I mustn’t.

But what if the deity doesn’t want to leave? What if the deity stays of her own accord? Ye Xuejin bit her lip. Would the Consort be willing to stay? Besides gold, what else can I use to keep her?

She found no answer, and they arrived at the mining pit.

The guards spoke with the overseer and then turned to Yu Lu. “Brother, the prisoners are delivered. You and your men should head back with us. If it gets any later, the city gates will close.”

Yu Lu froze, his eyes widening as he looked to Ye Xuejin for help. Xiao Gao and the other officers also realized the problem and stood there, stunned.

The sky was falling! This was a death sentence! They had forgotten they were official guards who had to return to the capital to report; they couldn’t stay here to dig in a mine. But they had already sworn their lives to the Eldest Princess!

Ye Xuejin said calmly, “Officer Yu, you should return to the city.” It would be good for them to help Shi Niang and the others.

Yu Lu was genuinely stunned now, looking as if he’d been struck by lightning. “Your Highness… did I just dream that you don’t want us anymore?”

Beside them, Yun Chi couldn’t help but roll her eyes. A grown man playing dumb to escape reality. “You aren’t dreaming. Her Highness told you to go back first.”

Ye Xuejin added, “It is a rare occasion to visit the Southern Borders. Officer Yu should tour the city and then regroup with Shi Niang before returning to the capital.”

“Tour the city? Right, right! We’ll tour for a few days, meet up with Shi Niang, and then head back.” Once Yu Lu understood the hidden meaning, he shook his head vigorously, feeling alive again. The Princess wouldn’t abandon them. They were hers in life and death. Yes, back to the city to find Shi Niang. Her Highness must have a plan.

The local guards watched silently, memorizing the conversation to report back later. Once Yu Lu and his men left, the only people remaining in the exile group were Yun Chi, Ye Xuejin, and the fifteen members of the Zhou family.

The Zhou family felt a wave of relief. It was wonderful—they could stay with the Princess. Suddenly, being a prisoner didn’t seem so bad; with the Princess and the protection of a “deity,” they felt incredibly secure.

As evening approached, the overseer of the copper mine appeared—an old man with a goatee. His name was Mr. Zhang, a counselor for the Governor’s Estate. Though he held no official rank, everyone respectfully called him “Lord Zhang.”

Lord Zhang glanced at the exceptionally beautiful Ye Xuejin, stroked his beard, and said solemnly, “Men will stay in the shacks ahead. Mining starts tomorrow. Women, follow me.”

The Zhou men: “…” The sky has fallen again. We can’t even stay with the Princess!

Under the envious gazes of the men, Zhou Qiyue grinned, holding her mother’s arm with one hand and little Ying’er with the other as she followed Yun Chi and Ye Xuejin. In the end, I’m the one who gets to stay close.

Unlike the men in their crude grass shacks, the women were given wooden huts. Though small and dilapidated, they were far better than the shacks.

“You three are one family; stay in that room. You two stay in this one.” Lord Zhang pointed to two adjacent huts. Inside, there was nothing but a single straw mat on the floor to serve as a bed.

Zhou Qiyue couldn’t hold back. “Lord Zhang, do we not have blankets or anything?”

Lord Zhang raised an eyelid. “We do. Buy them with silver, or find your own way.”

Zhou Qiyue fell silent; the Zhou family didn’t have a penny left. After a moment of disappointment, she looked eagerly at Ye Xuejin. How could I forget? With the Princess here, the deity is here. A mere blanket would be easy to obtain.

Ye Xuejin saw the expectation in her eyes and gave a slight nod before leading Yun Chi into their hut. Old Madam Zhou followed suit, taking her daughter and granddaughter into the neighboring room.

Lord Zhang raised an eyebrow in surprise, then sneered. All newcomers were like this—acting as if they had such strong backbones. After two days of hardship, they would learn how to be obedient. He glanced at the other women peeking out from nearby huts and walked away arrogantly.

Inside, Yun Chi turned to close the door, only to find the wooden planks were barely holding together. “There isn’t even a lock.”

She grumbled, then pulled out a large wooden tub from her storage to block the door. Ye Xuejin smiled. “The Consort always has a way.” Though crude, it was better than being out in the wild.

Yun Chi agreed. “Of course. Wait for me.” She pulled out a pile of compressed biscuits, cradling them in her arms, and winked at Ye Xuejin. “Take one first.”

With her “Golden Finger” and the ability to retrieve items at will, as long as the door was closed, no one could see how they were truly living. Why hesitate? She was going to give this broken hut a full renovation in minutes.