The Eunuch Has A Wife - Chapter 12

In less than half a day, Bai Zhi realized that they might not survive the journey to the border. After walking for half a day just to get out of the city gates, the shackles and chains on their bodies felt as if they weighed a thousand pounds.

At this moment, she suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for Wei Ziwan. This so-called “troublemaker” was truly pitiful—bound in the cold palace for two days, only to be freed for a few days before being shackled again.

By noon, they reached a fork in the road. The two officers escorting them exchanged a glance and then took the side path.

The road grew increasingly remote, and the signs of human habitation dwindled. Bai Zhi, watching the officers who were focused on moving forward, began to feel a growing sense of unease.

They were supposed to be exiled to the southern border. Starting from the capital, they should have been heading south, but it felt like they were moving northwest instead.

After carefully confirming the direction, Bai Zhi couldn’t help but feel a jolt of alarm—they were indeed heading northwest.

“Officers, could we stop for a moment so I can have some water?”

“Hold on a little longer.” the officer in front remained silent, while the one behind muttered a response.

Bai Zhi quietly observed the two officers. They carried nothing with them, not even a water flask, which was unusual for a long journey.

She nudged Wei Ziwan’s arm. “Are you hungry?”

Wei Ziwan glanced up and replied casually, “Of course I’m hungry.” Wasn’t that obvious?

Bai Zhi pursed her dry lips and called out to the officers again, “Officers, do you know when we’ll be able to eat?”

The two men carried no provisions, and the path they were taking grew more desolate by the minute. There wasn’t a soul in sight. What would they eat when they got hungry?

This time, the officer in front spoke up, “It won’t be long now.”

What did he mean by “it won’t be long”? Bai Zhi’s suspicions deepened.

Through this exchange, Wei Ziwan also began to sense that something was amiss. Her eyes flickered, and she nudged Bai Zhi’s arm, her tone weary. “Husband, if we can’t share wealth and honor in life, let’s at least keep each other company on the road to the underworld.”

Bai Zhi, walking beside her, twitched at the corner of her eye.

In their past life, they had indeed ended up as companions on the road to the underworld. This troublemaker really knew how to bring up the worst topics.

“I’m not ready to die yet. If you want to go, hurry up and don’t drag me with you.” Bai Zhi retorted irritably.

Wei Ziwan, seemingly oblivious to the disdain in her voice, forced a faint smile. “It’s too lonely to go alone. It’s more lively with two.”

Bai Zhi’s eye twitched again. Was this troublemaker doing it on purpose? In their past life, she had dragged her down to death. Was she going to make the same mistake twice in this life?

Frowning, Bai Zhi pondered seriously for a moment and felt a slight sense of relief. She had a vague feeling that these two officers meant no harm.

“Hold on a little longer”? “It won’t be long now”?

Could it be that she had misunderstood? Was there a resting spot ahead?

Bai Zhi let out a bitter laugh and, for once, tried to be optimistic. “Maybe our fate isn’t as dire as we think?

The note my foster father gave me said, ‘Leave the capital, and the clouds will part to reveal the moon.’

We should trust him.”

Hearing this, Wei Ziwan blinked but didn’t waste any more breath. The feeling of hunger and thirst was all too familiar, and conserving energy was the wisest choice.

After walking for another half an hour, their steps grew slower and even began to tremble slightly.

Bai Zhi glanced at the sun, feeling as if she might collapse at any moment.

Just then!

A carriage appeared ahead!

She froze, instinctively stopping in her tracks.

The officers in front also halted.

“Ladies, this is as far as we go.” the two officers said, unlocking their shackles before quickly departing.

Bai Zhi and Wei Ziwan exchanged bewildered looks. What was going on?

For a moment, they didn’t dare to move, their eyes fixed on the approaching carriage.

When the carriage reached them, the driver jumped down and clasped his hands in salute. “I apologize for the delay, Miss. Please board the carriage. We’re heading to Ninglin Prefecture.”

Bai Zhi’s heart skipped a beat. Miss! Ninglin Prefecture! That was where her uncle lived.

Almost without thinking, she concluded that this was her foster father’s arrangement. As for the term “Miss.” it seemed to be directed at her. Even her identity had been disclosed—this must be someone her foster father trusted.

Wei Ziwan, on the other hand, thought she had misheard. Miss?

There were only her and that eunuch here. The “Miss” must be referring to her, but what was this Ninglin Prefecture?

Hadn’t all the people who were supposed to escort her fled? She didn’t know anyone in Baiyue.

But then she saw Bai Zhi smile gently and say to the driver, “Thank you.”

Realizing that this was her foster father’s arrangement, Bai Zhi felt as if she had seen a savior and quickly climbed into the carriage.

Wei Ziwan, still standing below, looked puzzled. “Husband?” Why did it feel like this eunuch knew what was going on?

Bai Zhi glanced at her and waved her hand. “Come up quickly. There’s food inside.”

Wei Ziwan pressed her lips together. Food!

She immediately set aside her doubts and gracefully climbed into the carriage.

The driver, seeing this, leaped onto the carriage and turned the horses around.

The carriage moved forward at a steady pace, and the occupants silently ate their fill.

After eating until they were about seventy to eighty percent full, Bai Zhi took a few sips from the water flask and finally had the leisure to rub her sore neck.

“Husband~” The woman in front of her had a soft gaze, her lips curving into a smile. Her already beautiful features seemed even more enchanting.

Bai Zhi’s fingers tightened, suppressing the strange feeling in her heart, and replied coldly, “What is it?”

Wei Ziwan’s gaze fell on the flask in her hand.

Bai Zhi looked down and saw the flask. She raised her eyes, a question in her gaze.

Wei Ziwan bit her lip lightly. “There’s only one flask?”

She was really thirsty. This eunuch had drunk his fill and was now holding onto the flask without letting go. What was the meaning of this?

Bai Zhi’s breath hitched, and she handed the flask over.

Only one flask…

She had just drunk from it. Was this troublemaker trying to take advantage of her?

Was she taking advantage of her?

Right…

Was she?

Wei Ziwan’s lips curved slightly as she took the flask. Instead of drinking directly from it, she took out a handkerchief and began wiping the mouth of the flask.

Her movements were meticulous and forceful, as if she were cleaning something filthy.

Bai Zhi’s mouth twitched. This annoying troublemaker!

She was actually despising her! She hadn’t even despised her yet! How utterly despicable!

The atmosphere in the carriage grew strangely tense.

Wei Ziwan, seemingly oblivious, took a few sips of water before setting the flask down. “Husband, do you know what’s going on? Why is the driver so respectful to us? Why did he call me ‘Miss’ right away?”

It was as if he already knew their identities. So this eunuch really had some tricks up her sleeve, even arranging for a carriage to meet them.

Bai Zhi’s lips twitched. So this troublemaker thought the driver was addressing her. Well, that saved her the trouble of explaining.

“It must be someone arranged by my foster father. We’re going to seek refuge with my uncle in Ninglin Prefecture.”

“Your foster father is…?” Wei Ziwan asked again.

Bai Zhi thought of her foster father, a touch of warmth flickering in her eyes. She then thought of her uncle, whom she had never met, and felt a glimmer of hope. Perhaps life wouldn’t be so bitter in the future.

But how should she answer this troublemaker now? She lifted her chin and said coldly, “You’re asking too many questions.”

Wei Ziwan gritted her teeth in secret. This detestable eunuch.

—————–

Author’s Note:

(On the road. For the geographical location of Ninglin Prefecture, search “Jinjiang July Shore” on Vb to unlock the Baiyue map.)