Transmigrated Into A Novel As A Scumbag Princess’ Consort - Chapter 23

23:

Ye Xuejin silently clenched her fists, her heart far from calm. She had never imagined that in the land of Dashao, there could exist such a vicious group of people. She couldn’t bear to think how many innocent lives had been harmed or how many women were still trapped in such a quagmire.

What was the local government doing to allow such negligence and failure?

Noticing her somber expression, Yun Chi sighed inwardly and gently squeezed her hand.

Ye Xuejin paused, then relaxed her grip. “I’m fine. Their names are lovely.”

Yun Chi nodded immediately. “I think so too. Shiniang put thought into it. Their personalities match their names perfectly.”

Shi Mei was resilient, Shi Lan reserved, Shi Zhu humble, Shi Ju steady, and Shi Song the bravest.

Ye Xuejin glanced in the direction Shiniang had gone, lost in thought.

Shiniang had left with Yu Lu because the county magistrate of Zhenshan, Cai, had warmly invited them, specifically requesting that Yu Lu bring the “backbone” of the female prisoners.

The request gave Yu Lu an uneasy feeling, and out of caution, he decided to bring Shiniang along. First, they were staying in the county for the night, so it was unwise to offend Magistrate Cai and invite trouble. Second, Shiniang, with her background as an armed escort, was experienced, worldly, and highly skilled in martial arts, capable of handling unexpected situations.

At the county yamen’s rear courtyard.
(yamen = the headquarters or residence of a Chinese government official or department.)

Magistrate Cai raised a toast to Yu Lu and his group, his words carrying a hidden meaning. “Escorting exiled prisoners is a tough job, especially to a barren place like the southern frontier. It’s been years since anyone’s been sent there. Brother Yu, you seem like a man destined for great things. Why not make a fortune with your men?”

Yu Lu was puzzled. “What does Lord Cai mean?”

Cai clapped his hands, and his aide opened a box, placing it on the table.

The square wooden box contained four neat rows of gold ingots, worth at least several hundred taels.

Hundreds of taels of gold, just like that.

Yu Lu’s heart skipped a beat. “What is Lord Cai implying?”

Cai smiled. “To be frank, Brother Yu, everything in Zhenshan County is fine, except we have far more male infants than females. Over time, our young men are struggling to find wives.”

At this, he cast a pointed glance at Shiniang, his eyes appraising.

Shiniang, uncomfortable under his gaze, set down her chopsticks and lowered her head, holding back her irritation.

Yu Lu noticed Cai’s look, his sense of unease growing. He too put down his chopsticks.

“Lord Cai, speak plainly.”

Cai withdrew his gaze. “Simple enough. If Brother Yu agrees to leave the female prisoners in Zhenshan County, this gold is just an appetizer. There’s more to come.”

Yu Lu lost his appetite entirely, his expression turning cold. “Lord Cai, have you had too much to drink? If I mishandle my duties like that, how could I answer to my superiors?”

He didn’t want trouble, but he wasn’t afraid of it either.

Cai kept smiling. “Don’t be hasty, Brother Yu. As long as you’re on board, everything else can be managed. You’ll head south through deep mountains and old forests, accidents happen all the time.”

His words implied he could cover things up, making it look like the women met with an accident.

Yu Lu stood abruptly. “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear Lord Cai’s words. Farewell.”

“Wait.” Cai tried to stop him, turning to Shiniang with a sly smile. “Brother Yu may not know the hardships, but why should this young lady pass up a life of wealth and ease to go to that barbaric southern frontier?”

The implication was clear: what if the women didn’t want to endure more hardship and chose to stay?

“Lord Cai doesn’t need to bother. I won’t agree, and no one’s staying.” Yu Lu shot Shiniang a look, turned, and left.

This time, Cai didn’t speak, only letting the smile fade from his face.

“Sir, the Mao Family Village gang missed their delivery deadline and hasn’t sent a word. Something might’ve happened,” the aide said while pouring wine. “I quietly checked, the women in this group are top quality. Are we really letting them go?”

Cai leisurely lifted his cup. “What do you know? It’s better to let them go, far away.”

The aide was puzzled. His master didn’t seem like someone with a conscience.

A glint of determination flashed in Cai’s eyes. Thinking of the princess in the exile group, he hummed a cheerful tune.

On the road, Yu Lu said gravely, “Shiniang, we can’t stay here long.”

Shiniang glanced at the sky. “You want to leave tonight?”

“Better to be prepared than sorry.” Yu Lu turned. “Go back to the post station. I’ll head to the yamen to verify the documents, and we’ll discuss later.”

The prisoner escort papers had to be checked upon entering the city and verified before leaving to ensure passage.

At the post station, Shiniang had just stepped inside when someone grabbed her sleeve.

“Shiniang, I need to speak with you privately.”

“What is it?” Shiniang stepped back outside.

Shi Ju gripped her sleeve tightly. “When the yamen runners delivered wine earlier, I saw one of them—he’d been to the Mao Family Village cellar.”

Her parents had passed early, leaving only her and her brother, so she had shouldered family responsibilities young, developing a steady nature.

She had been passing through Mao Family Village with her brother for the imperial exams.

She never imagined she’d lose her only family member there.

“Are you sure?” Shiniang was shocked.

Shi Ju was certain. “Absolutely.”

She’d never forget those faces or the torment of those dark, hopeless days.

Shiniang’s heart sank. “I understand. You did well. Don’t tell the others yet.”

She’d noticed when she entered that the other four girls likely didn’t know.

Otherwise, less composed than Shi Ju, they’d have shown panic.

Shi Ju nodded. Her sisters had just escaped a nightmare; they couldn’t handle more fear so soon.

“Go back inside and wait. Don’t worry.” Shiniang patted her shoulder and went to the post station gate. As soon as Yu Lu returned, she told him about Shi Ju’s discovery.

“…Lord Yu, your instincts were right. We can’t stay here.”

Yu Lu had heard about Mao Family Village the night they met, which was why he agreed to take them along. Now, learning that the village was colluding with Zhenshan County’s yamen, and recalling Cai’s demeanor, it all became clear.

No wonder the Mao Family Village gang dared commit such atrocities, it wasn’t oversight from above but collusion.

Without hesitation, Yu Lu said, “We leave now.” Before the city gates closed and while it was still light.

He’d rather have everyone rough it in the wilderness than risk staying for a night’s comfort.

“I’ll gather them,” Shiniang said, thinking she needed to find a way to send word to the capital, to inform the young miss and the master to quickly send someone to shut down this corrupt Zhenshan County yamen.

In the room, Yun Chi was stunned to hear they wouldn’t stay in the city overnight.

She’d just prepared her bedding and hadn’t even lain down yet.

Seeing everyone’s confusion, Shiniang urged, “Hurry and pack. We leave the post station in a quarter of an hour.”

With the decision made, everyone quickly gathered their things.

Fortunately, leaving the city went smoothly. Not long after the group departed, the city gates slammed shut with a loud “boom.”

Ye Xuejin turned back in surprise, pausing to look behind.

Yun Chi asked, confused, “What’s wrong?”

Ye Xuejin frowned slightly. “The gates closed too early.”

Yu Lu, overhearing, asked urgently, “What do you mean?”

Ye Xuejin replied calmly, “The dynasty’s regulations state that in autumn, city gates close at the hour of Xu (8 p.m.).”

But it was only the start of You hour, an hour and a half before Xu.

Yu Lu’s expression changed, he realized they’d been tricked.

Seeing this, Ye Xuejin quietly squeezed Yun Chi’s hand, signaling her to ask Shiniang.

Judging by Yu Lu’s reaction, something must have happened that afternoon they didn’t know about.