Transmigrated Into A Novel As A Scumbag Princess’ Consort - Chapter 24

24:

Yun Chi caught the hint and noticed Yu Lu riding over to speak with Shiniang, so she didn’t rush to approach.

Soon after, Yu Lu ordered everyone to move quickly and not stop until nightfall.

The escorts, who had been lenient for two days, began cracking their whips again.

Before long, the sky turned completely dark.

Yu Lu observed the weather and had everyone stop to rest. The mountain paths were rugged, and the weather was unpredictable, it was unwise to travel at night.

On the mountainside, there were several caves of varying sizes, likely used by generations of hunters. Even the largest could only fit five or six people.

Yu Lu instructed everyone to find a cave to rest in and ordered the escorts to light fires for all.

“Sir, this isn’t proper,” Zeng Laosan objected, unable to hold back. How could they provide warmth for prisoners?

Yu Lu’s voice was stern. “Do as I say. Anyone who causes trouble tonight will face my blade without mercy.”

In such critical times, he couldn’t afford to care about protocol.

Zeng Laosan gritted his teeth and stayed silent.

The group quickly dispersed, as the caves were small and couldn’t accommodate everyone together.

Yu Lu stood alone outside, taking it upon himself to keep watch.

From the moment he realized they’d been tricked, his heart had been on edge. He couldn’t rest easy without personally standing guard.

The atmosphere grew heavy.

Yun Chi finally found a chance to speak with Shiniang. After hearing the full story, she felt uneasy. “So, you’re saying Magistrate Cai deliberately let us leave the city early. What’s he planning?”

Shiniang’s expression darkened. “Lord Yu and I discussed it. He’s likely trying to keep his hands clean afterward.”

Thinking back, Cai’s words had carried deeper meaning—once they entered the deep mountains and forests, “accidents” were common.

How infuriating that they hadn’t realized it then, falling right into that corrupt official’s trap in their haste.

It made sense. With the princess in the exile group, Cai, long accustomed to abusing his power, valued his own life too much to act directly in his own jurisdiction.

Now that the documents had been issued, once the group reached another’s territory, Cai would likely make his move.

Hearing this, Yun Chi felt a slight relief. “So it seems we should be safe tonight.”

They weren’t far from Zhenshan County, still within Cai’s jurisdiction.

Shiniang gave her a look. “Be cautious. If anything happens to Her Highness, don’t expect mercy from me.”

Yun Chi pouted and turned away.

Everyone kept threatening her, but when it mattered, they weren’t always reliable. Otherwise, how could Ye Xuejin have died in the original story?

Returning to Ye Xuejin’s side, Yun Chi recounted everything.

“How dare they!” Even Ye Xuejin, usually composed, couldn’t hide her anger.

“Shiniang said that once we cross this mountain and reach a populated area, she’ll send word to the Prime Minister’s residence. Cai won’t be able to cause trouble for long.”

Ye Xuejin nodded. “That’s good.”

But Yun Chi wasn’t optimistic. She knew Ye Xuejin’s death in the original story was approaching, and she wondered if it was tied to Zhenshan County’s yamen.

The mountain night was far colder than the lowlands. Though it was still autumn, it felt like winter had arrived.

Seeing the escorts weren’t distributing food, everyone ate what they had. In such cold weather, going hungry was unbearable.

The Mu brothers had bought food through the escorts earlier, and Shiniang, Yun Chi, and others had purchased supplies in town.

So most had enough to eat, except the Zhou family, who were stretched thin.

The food Old Madam Zhou had traded for with the gold locket was split among over a dozen people, barely enough to fill their stomachs.

Censor Zhou frowned in thought, knowing something was wrong.

A day or two of this was manageable, but any longer could spell trouble.

He wondered if the heavens would still show mercy to the Zhou family.

As if bad luck answered, a sudden clap of thunder roared, followed by a downpour.

Yun Chi and Ye Xuejin were in a small cave, the torrential rain forming a curtain that blocked the outside view, giving them some privacy.

“Eat something and drink some water.”

Yun Chi pulled out a pound of dried beef and a bottle of mineral water.

Ye Xuejin didn’t hesitate, quietly eating some beef and drinking some water.

[Given 100 grams of dried beef. Please choose your reward: one cotton blanket or one cotton blanket.]

[Given half a bottle of mineral water. Please choose your reward: one cotton blanket or one cotton blanket.]

Yun Chi: “…”

She had wished for two blankets in advance, but her golden finger was stingy, offering only two blankets total for both rewards.

Still, something was better than nothing.

She immediately took out the blankets, spreading one on the ground and using the other as a cover.

“Come in, it’s warm here.”

Yun Chi slipped inside first, lifting the blanket’s corner and quietly calling to Ye Xuejin.

Ye Xuejin’s heart inexplicably quickened. She steadied herself, calmly got up, and slid in.

“Warm, right?” Yun Chi smiled naturally.

Ye Xuejin murmured an “mm.”

“I wonder when this rain will stop.”

“Maybe tomorrow.”

“Hopefully.”

The two chatted idly, and before they knew it, they fell asleep.

The next morning, the rain was still heavy, the sky overcast.

When Ye Xuejin opened her eyes, she felt warmth enveloping her. The person behind held her tightly.

She blinked, then, almost instinctively, moved her hand to rest on Yun Chi’s, which was wrapped around her.

A moment later, realizing what she’d done, she yanked her hand back, staring at the rain curtain, unable to snap out of her daze.

Just then, a figure seemed to approach through the rain.

Ye Xuejin quickly grabbed Yun Chi’s wrist and shook it firmly.

“Consort, someone’s coming.”