Transmigrated Into A Novel As A Scumbag Princess’ Consort - Chapter 12

12:

Ye Xuejin said nothing, turning around as instructed.

She knew Yun Chi harbored secrets and that Yun Chi, to help her, was willing to reveal a glimpse of them…

So, she wouldn’t ask.

Behind her, Yun Chi focused, retrieving a bottle of mineral water and pouring half into the water pouch. She drank the remaining half herself.

But what about the bottle? Could the storage space hold it?

With a thought, the bottle vanished from her hand.

Yun Chi was thrilled, her eyes widening. This storage space was incredible!

Suddenly, transmigrating didn’t seem so bad.

Taking two deep breaths, she quickly calmed down.

“Ye Xuejin, drink the water. Finish it.”

Just in case, it was better to leave the pouch empty. It was troublesome, but safety comes first.

With everyone so desperate for water, and the escorts—especially the scheming Zeng Laosan—holding all the power, it was wiser to keep a low profile.

Ye Xuejin felt the weight of the pouch as she took it. There really was water!

Despite her resolve not to probe Yun Chi’s secrets, she couldn’t help marveling inwardly.

This person could even produce water—could she really wield some mysterious otherworldly art?

Suddenly, she felt incredibly fortunate.

This was her consort…

Ye Xuejin drank the water in a daze, stealing glances at Yun Chi, who often seemed lost in thought, eyes unblinking as if her mind was elsewhere.

Yet those thin lips always curved upward at such moments, as if she’d encountered something wonderful…

Ye Xuejin quietly noted this, watching her silently without interrupting.

Yun Chi had indeed stumbled upon something great. To test her theory, she’d mentally repeated her desire for lots of food. Since this was the first time giving Ye Xuejin mineral water, she expected a new reward but hadn’t anticipated something so novel items would be impossible in this ancient setting.

Gave half a bottle of mineral water. Please choose a reward: one case of self-heating rice or one case of self-heating hotpot.

Both… how could she choose?

Since her wishes seemed to come true, why not get greedy?

Yun Chi tentatively chose both, but the storage space remained unchanged, and the reward countdown began.

Fine, people shouldn’t be too greedy.

She picked the more cost-effective self-heating rice for its filling potential.

However, the case only contained six portions—not as much as she’d hoped.

Yun Chi felt a twinge of regret, then glanced at Ye Xuejin, their eyes meeting again.

In that shared gaze, Yun Chi felt a flicker of unease.

Had she acted too strangely? But maybe it wasn’t a big deal.

Ye Xuejin was on her side. Unless she was foolish, she wouldn’t tell anyone.

To be safe, Yun Chi added, “I was thinking about something. Let’s go back.”

Ye Xuejin handed her the pouch. “I understand. Let’s go.”

Yun Chi paused. Understand… What did that mean?

Whatever it meant, this woman wouldn’t talk, right?

That was enough.

Sometimes, a mutual understanding between them was fine.

Yun Chi rubbed her brow, deciding not to overthink, and hurried to catch up.

As they returned, Yu Lu announced he hadn’t found the packs and ordered everyone to move out immediately.

Zeng Laosan glanced at Ye Xuejin, then shot Yun Chi a fierce glare.

This beggar, was she even doing her job? Ye Xuejin didn’t look beaten or humiliated; she seemed in decent spirits.

He needed to speed things up.

Though Yun Chi was thrilled about her new rewards, she hadn’t forgotten her precarious situation. Rejoining the group, she cautiously glanced at Zeng Laosan, only to meet his vicious stare.

“…”

Got it, her act wasn’t convincing enough.

Next time the group stopped, she’d have to perform better, or she’d face the whip again.

Ugh, life was tough.

The group set out again. Hungry, thirsty, and restless, Yu Lu told everyone to pace themselves—no need to rush today.

Then he galloped ahead to scout for a river and check the distance to the next town.

Behind the group, the dozen or so women followed at a leisurely pace.

“You go ahead; I’ll catch up,” said the oldest woman, who looked to be in her thirties, while the rest were teenage girls.

“Shiniang, we’ll wait for you,” a timid girl said.

Shiniang scanned the girls, seeing their anxious, frightened faces she softened her tone. “It’s fine. Go on, I’ll catch up soon. Don’t worry; that Lord Yu is a good man.”

The girls exchanged glances, falling silent but not moving.

Clearly, they relied heavily on this woman called Shiniang.

With no choice, Shiniang hurried into the grove’s depths.

Soon, she stopped under a large tree—the same one Yun Chi and Ye Xuejin had used.

Her sharp gaze swept the area, and she bent to touch a barely noticeable patch of fresh soil.

Eggshells?

Her expression eased, and she quickly returned.

The boldest girl approached. “Shiniang, are we really following them to the border?”

Shiniang had saved them from dire straits.

But the thought of trudging to the southern border like exiles made them uneasy, especially since Shiniang seemed to have deep plans—silencing others and hiding the escorts’ packs. She didn’t seem ordinary.

And she wasn’t, how could someone who single-handedly rescued them be?

Shiniang paused, not hurrying on, and said gently, “If any of you don’t want to follow the exile group to the border, you’re free to leave. Take your belongings.”

Several girls stepped forward, bowing deeply before retreating.

Shiniang’s expression remained gentle. “Go, and be more cautious in the future.”

The girls bowed again, leaving reluctantly.

Shiniang looked at the remaining girls, her tone growing serious. “If you choose to follow me, you’ll do as I say. If you’re unwilling, you can leave now.”

Two more girls left, leaving six, including Shiniang.

She gave them a long look, then turned to chase the exile group.

The group marched until noon, when Yu Lu returned on horseback, his face grim, sinking everyone’s hearts.

Xiao Gao, familiar with him and considering himself an ally from the Ministry of Justice, asked first, “Sir, how far is it to the next settlement? Can we rest by a river today?”

Yu Lu frowned. “About thirty li to a county town, with a river outside it.”

Xiao Gao frowned too. No wonder they were worried, the group’s normal pace was about fifty li a day. Now, after half a day, hungry, thirsty, and unrested, their speed was much slower.

Given the prisoners’ condition, thirty li would take most of the day, reaching the town’s outskirts at midnight, when the gates would be closed.

Nearby, Zeng Laosan glanced back subtly, hinting, “Sir, the prisoners can go hungry, but surely we brothers shouldn’t?”

Wasn’t there an obvious source of supplies? These women wanted to follow, shouldn’t they show some sincerity?

Yu Lu shot him a cold look. “Don’t get any crooked ideas. We’re escorts, not bandits.”

Zeng Laosan grinned awkwardly. “Sir, I just meant borrowing some food and drink from them.”

Yu Lu looked away, saying flatly, “They’re weak women with little to spare. Bear with it and pick up the pace.”

Seeing no room for negotiation, the escorts urged the prisoners to move faster.

Otherwise, they’d have no food or water tonight.

“Move it!”

“Hurry up!”

Whips cracked, striking anyone lagging behind.