Transmigrated Into A Novel As A Scumbag Princess’ Consort - Chapter 11

11:

Yun Chi thought for a moment and decided to take out the tea egg first, as it was small and easy to conceal.

Having made her decision, she looked at Ye Xuejin, unexpectedly meeting her gaze.

The moonlight was bright, and once their eyes adjusted, they could see each other’s eyelashes fluttering.

Ye Xuejin was naturally striking, and when her eyes focused on someone, they were like a clear spring reflecting moonlight, with light and shadow dancing on the ripples, exuding a quiet, tender warmth.

But under the moonlit night, that subtle warmth seemed veiled by a layer of mist, making it hard to see clearly, yet carrying a hazy beauty.

Yun Chi was momentarily captivated, quickly collecting herself and looking away.

Ye Xuejin seemed unaware, neither noticing how intently she’d gazed at Yun Chi nor catching Yun Chi’s brief daze.

She calmly placed the water pouch in Yun Chi’s hand and turned her back again.

Yun Chi secured the pouch at her waist and fell into a deep sleep.

Near dawn, the temperature dropped further, autumn dew silently turning to frost, waking many as they shivered.

They were frozen awake.

Yun Chi was no exception, immediately stretching her limbs to warm up.

“It’s too cold. How are we supposed to sleep outside like this?”

Ye Xuejin stood up, gazing at the frost on the withered grass, and said wistfully, “Winter’s almost here.”

Autumn was nearly over, and she wondered if they’d reach the southern border before winter set in.

Nearby, Old Madam Zhou, having woken, kept coughing. Old Censor Zhou silently removed his outer prisoner’s garb, leaving only a thin inner layer.

“Put this on.”

“Father!” The Zhou siblings exclaimed, instinctively starting to remove their own clothes too.

“Master!” The Zhou servants followed suit.

“Stop it! My body’s stronger than yours. If you all get sick, what then? Don’t make trouble,” Old Censor Zhou cut them off.

The others froze, but Zhou Qiyue retorted, “We’re younger—how could our bodies be weaker than yours?”

Old Censor Zhou snorted. “Enough talk. Behave yourselves. I’m not old yet.”

He wasn’t exaggerating.

As an official for years, he’d climbed the long palace steps daily for court, expending more energy per climb than young people did in a day. Over time, it kept him robust.

He firmly draped the garment over his wife, muttering, “Don’t you know my strength, Wife? Rest easy. Even if you all fall ill, I won’t.”

Old Madam Zhou smiled through tears, nodding firmly. She couldn’t drag her husband down.

An extra layer might keep her warmer, helping her recover faster and avoid catching a chill.

Yun Chi couldn’t help stealing a glance.

In such cold weather, on an exile journey, Old Censor Zhou’s actions were undeniably touching.

Ye Xuejin’s gaze shifted, briefly landing on Yun Chi.

Perhaps one day, they could be like that…

In adversity, true feelings emerge. Since this person could stay by her side, she could do the same.

“Look over there!”

“Lord Yu’s bringing those women!”

Suddenly, the Mu brothers shouted in unison.

Everyone turned to see Yu Lu riding ahead, the dozen or so women following, quickly approaching.

Soon, Yu Lu reached the group, but the women stopped a dozen meters away.

“Lord Yu, what’s going on with them?” Xiao Gao asked first.

Yu Lu’s brow furrowed, his tone tinged with helplessness. “They’re pitiful. If they want to follow, let them.”

Clearly, he’d spoken with them and learned something.

Xiao Gao, sensing this, didn’t press further.

Yu Lu dismounted. “Distribute the food, fill your stomachs, and we’ll move out.”

“Yes, sir.” Xiao Gao turned but froze.

Seeing him pause, Yu Lu asked, “What’s… where are our packs?”

Mid-sentence, he noticed the problem—no packs were on the escorts or the ground nearby.

Xiao Gao grimaced. “We were in a rush last night and didn’t grab them.”

“We didn’t either. They’re probably still at the village entrance,” another escort added.

Yu Lu frowned, striding toward the women. After a brief exchange, he returned with a pack.

He tossed it to Xiao Gao and remounted. “Share it out. You eat first, I’ll ride back to check.”

With that, he galloped off.

Xiao Gao opened the pack, revealing a few white flour buns and some vegetable flatbreads—not enough to go around.

He glanced at the women, each with a bundle, but only a few had water pouches. They likely couldn’t help much.

Zeng Laosan eyed the pack’s contents, his eyes gleaming. “Let’s eat our fill first, then divide the rest.”

Xiao Gao frowned instinctively but, seeing the other escorts’ eager looks he was left with no choice but to hand the pack to Zeng Laosan.

Deep down, he felt the prisoners deserved their fate, and the escorts shouldn’t suffer.

“Handle it.”

In the end, each prisoner got half a vegetable flatbread.

Yun Chi wolfed hers down, and before Ye Xuejin finished, she grabbed her sleeve, heading toward a nearby grove, her tone deliberately harsh. “My stomach’s acting up. Come with me. All you do is eat, useless. I’ll deal with you later.”

After the past two days, no one was surprised, though their looks at Yun Chi grew more disdainful.

As for Ye Xuejin, they only felt frustration at her lack of resistance.

Who could’ve imagined the legendary, peerlessly beautiful, and talented Princess was such a pushover, not fighting back at all?

Ye Xuejin lowered her head, following Yun Chi glumly, looking utterly submissive.

“Sister Ye,” Zhou Qiyue couldn’t help calling out. The Princess in her mind wasn’t like this.

Old Censor Zhou glanced at his daughter. “Stay put. Not everyone needs or appreciates your kindness.”

His gaze lingered on Ye Xuejin’s back.

The emperor had long feared her, going to great lengths to frame her, yet was she really so weak in adversity, her spirit so soft?

How laughable…

Soon, Yun Chi and Ye Xuejin entered the grove, their figures partially hidden among the trees.

“Turn around and watch that way,” Yun Chi said, squatting to peel two tea eggs. She ate one, stomped the shells into the dirt, then tapped Ye Xuejin’s shoulder.

As Ye Xuejin turned, Yun Chi eagerly handed her the egg. “Eat quick, it’s still warm.”

Eating meant a reward. What would it be this time? More water would be perfect.

Despite it not being her first time, Ye Xuejin was still shocked by the egg. How did this person produce it?

Was it a trick, magic, or sorcery?

Seeing her daze, Yun Chi kindly nudged it closer to her mouth. “Eat while it’s hot.”

Ye Xuejin opened her mouth blankly, the egg’s aroma, mixed with tea’s fragrance, filling her senses. Perhaps due to hunger, it tasted unbelievably good.

Yun Chi’s eyes lit up.

[Gave one tea egg. Please choose a reward: one case of mineral water or one case of purified water.]

Water!

In a case!

Yun Chi was ecstatic, swiftly choosing the mineral water.

Ye Xuejin finished the egg, watching Yun Chi’s lips curve with joy. Instinctively, she asked, “You’re happy?”

Yun Chi snapped back. “Of course!”

She was thrilled, getting exactly what she wanted.

Wait…

Why again?

Last time, she’d inwardly complained about needing a place to hide things, and the storage space appeared.

This time, she wanted more water, and it came true.

Could it be…

Yun Chi’s heart raced. Was it really that whatever she wanted, the reward will be provided? So miraculous?

As her thoughts raced, a soft, hesitant voice broke through.

“Why are you suddenly so happy?” Ye Xuejin’s eyes flickered with confusion. In such dire straits, how could she be happy?

For some reason, she desperately wanted to know why Yun Chi was so joyful.

Yun Chi smiled. “As long as you’re okay, I’m happy.”

(As long as you’re okay, I’m happy.)

Ye Xuejin froze, the words echoing in her mind as if replayed.

Something sprouted in her heart, bringing sunlight, gentle rain, and green sprouts to a near-lifeless world.

“Let’s go. Act aggrieved when we get back.” Seeing Yu Lu return on horseback, Yun Chi started to move but stopped. “Wait, turn around again.”

With a case of water with over twenty-four bottles, and 500 milliliters each—she’d be a fool to stay thirsty.

If she could get more food, they’d have no shortage for the next twelve days, making it easy to hold out.

Then, once Ye Xuejin’s name was cleared, Yun Chi could save her life and regain her freedom.

This was also a chance to test if she could get the rewards she wanted.