Transmigrated Into A Novel As A Scumbag Princess’ Consort - Chapter 40

40:

Seeing this, Yu Lu felt a bit conflicted. Unlike the prisoners, the escorts had more concerns to weigh.

Take the Zhou family, for instance. Old Censor Zhou had acted improperly before the Emperor, resulting in his entire family being exiled. For the rest of the Zhou clan, who escaped implication, this was fortunate, so they had swiftly cut ties with Old Censor Zhou’s household on the very same day.

As for the young women, their families had been killed by bandits from Mao Family Village. If they returned to their hometowns alone, they would be vulnerable and likely targeted. It was better to take a chance on a different path forward.

Thus, they had little to lose.

Yu Lu and Shiniang aside, Xiao Gao and the other escorts all had families, with generations rooted in the capital.

They could see the situation clearly.

But if they acted recklessly, and word got out, what would become of their innocent families?

“I only have one thing to say: what happens today is known only to heaven, earth, and those present.” Ye Xuejin paused, glancing pointedly at Mu Er on the ground. “Rise, and say no more to this man.”

She still didn’t trust Mu Er.

As for the remaining escorts, there was no rush. If they could be won over, that would be ideal. If not…

Mercy does not command soldiers. Given her current circumstances, if she aimed to rise high, she couldn’t afford to be soft-hearted.

Most people didn’t immediately grasp the meaning of her words, but a few understood.

Old Censor Zhou, realizing he was already a step behind, eagerly spoke up to prove himself. “What Her Highness means is that we should pledge our loyalty in our hearts and not shout it out. Otherwise, with just the thirty of us, we wouldn’t stand a chance against even a village of soldiers.”

The implication was that if news about the Princess’ rebellion spread, the emperor wouldn’t even need to send troops. With a simple reward, the villages and towns along the way would be able to wipe out these thirty people.

Seeing that everyone took his words to heart, he added, “We should neither act nor speak recklessly. Simply follow Her Highness’ orders. This way, if things don’t succeed, no innocents will be implicated.”

After speaking, he hurriedly looked at Ye Xuejin, hoping he had not misunderstood her intent.

Ye Xuejin gave him a faint nod. “That is precisely what I have been meaning to say. Rest assured, within five days, I will give you all an answer. I will not betray your loyalty, nor will I leave you in fear and uncertainty.”

At these words, Old Censor Zhou and the others’ eyes lit up, their thoughts aligning. Could the Princess have another trump card?

Xiao Gao and the other escorts also breathed a slight sigh of relief. As long as they weren’t forced to rebel immediately, they could wait and see what happened in five days. If their concerns could truly be resolved, they would naturally be willing to pledge loyalty.

Forget talk of being pragmatic, based solely on the Princess’ connection to the immortal, they were willing to take the risk.

An immortal! One who granted food, water, and divine tools for protection.

With such conditions, it was absolutely worth the gamble.

In the latter half of the night, the group finally lay down, their emotions still surging, and fell asleep.

Yun Chi didn’t ask what Ye Xuejin’s words meant. She only knew that after tonight, just six days remained until Ye Xuejin’s vindication.

As long as they safely passed the next six days, none of this would concern her anymore.

However…

Yun Chi glanced at Ye Xuejin, who was lying with her back to her, and focused to retrieve a blanket, placing it over both of them.

People weren’t made of wood or stone; after spending so much time together, some affection was bound to grow.

For the remaining six days, she would do her best to help Ye Xuejin. It wouldn’t be in vain for their acquaintance.

As Ye Xuejin was drifting off, she felt a warmth envelop her and opened her eyes.

Realizing the situation, her heart warmed as well.

“Consort.” Ye Xuejin turned over, her fingers tightening slightly.

With everyone asleep, their voices stood out in the quiet.

Yun Chi tugged the blanket, pulling it over their heads, and scooted closer.

They were now pressed close together.

“If we keep our voices low, they shouldn’t hear us,” she whispered.

The space suddenly felt confined, their breaths mingling. Ye Xuejin froze for a moment before her lips curved silently.

“Thank you, Consort.”

Yun Chi smiled quietly as well, lowering her voice. “No need to thank me.”

Ye Xuejin, however, insisted. “If I can survive and reach the southern border, I will surely repay you.”

No matter what her consort desired, as long as she had it, she would give it.

Yun Chi’s heart stirred. “You said it.”

She suddenly felt she’d been too conservative. If she helped Ye Xuejin more, would it be too much to ask for ten thousand taels of gold instead of silver? Then she could truly live a life of ease.

Ye Xuejin smiled gently. “I will keep my word.”

Yun Chi grew even happier. “Give me your hand. Whatever I give you, just accept it.” With such a promise, she had to put in more effort.

It would make it easier to ask for more gold later.

Ye Xuejin didn’t speak, obediently extending her hand.

Suddenly, her hand felt heavy with something large and round, she didn’t know what it was.

Before she could react, the round object vanished, replaced by a handful of compressed biscuits, which then disappeared as well.

[System: One watermelon given. Please choose a reward: Five blankets or five blankets.]

[System: Twenty compressed biscuits given. Please choose a reward: Five blankets or five blankets.]

That was enough. Yun Chi didn’t explain to Ye Xuejin, simply pulling the blanket down and gesturing for her to look outside.

In the flickering firelight, those who had been curled up against the cold suddenly felt something soft and heavy fall over them.

In their drowsy state, it was as if they had returned to the capital, to their own rooms, sleeping in warm bedding.

Yun Chi had been strategic in distributing the ten blankets.

Yu Lu, Zhou Qiyue, and Shi Song, the first to pledge loyalty to Ye Xuejin, each received one.

Shiniang and the young women got two, Old Censor Zhou’s family of four got two, and the Zhou family’s servants, huddled in three groups, got three—perfectly allocated.

As for the escorts who hadn’t yet pledged loyalty and Mu Er, who still hadn’t woken up, they naturally got nothing.

After finishing, Yun Chi winked at Ye Xuejin and whispered, “The immortal only favors those loyal to you.”

Ye Xuejin’s eyes flickered, and she gripped Yun Chi’s hand. “Consort, I will never betray you.”

Her gaze was earnest and radiant, filled with deep affection.

Unfortunately, the night was too dark for Yun Chi to see clearly. She only chuckled. “I believe you’ll keep your word.”

She could almost see the gleaming silver… no, the glittering gold.

Ye Xuejin’s breath caught, and she slowly leaned into Yun Chi’s embrace. “I also trust the Consort.”

Yun Chi’s heart swelled, and she instinctively held her close. “Sleep.”

The night was cool as water, but everyone’s lips curved into smiles, as if lost in a beautiful dream.

The next day, at the crack of dawn.

Xiao Gao had slept restlessly, haunted by a dream where Zeng Laosan’s head seemed to grow on him, impossible to cut off.

In a panic, he jolted awake.

Moments later, he stared in disbelief at the prisoners nearby and Yu Lu a few steps away.

What was going on? Was he still dreaming? How else could he see everyone covered with blankets?

Just then, another person woke up.

“My heavens, am I dreaming?”

“It’s a blanket, so thick!”

“It’s wide and warm too.”

“No wonder I felt like I was back in my own bed in my dream. Turns out I really was!”

As more people woke up, they discovered the blankets covering them, feeling the warmth beneath. They were reluctant to get up.

Everyone wrapped themselves tightly, leaving only their heads exposed, chattering excitedly.

Xiao Gao: “…”

Everyone was thrilled, but he wasn’t.

The other escorts beside him weren’t happy either.

They noticed that everyone had blankets, even Yu Lu, Zhou Qiyue, and Shi Song each had their own—but they had none.

Oh, and Mu Er, who had just woken up, didn’t either.

But how could Mu Er compare to them?!

The group: Hehe.

The escorts: Not hehe.

“Get up, everyone. Line up to get food. The immortal also granted breakfast for today last night,” Yu Lu said, reluctant to leave the warm blanket but knowing they had to move as dawn approached. He took the lead, leaving the cozy bedding.

Zhou Qiyue’s eyes darted, and she suddenly shouted, “It’s the immortal! It must be the immortal!”

Zhou Qishan’s lips twitched. No need to state the obvious, everyone already knew. His little sister was really going all out to get a divine tool soon.

The next moment, another thunderous shout rang out.

“That’s right, the immortal is starting to favor us too!” Old Censor Zhou, a step behind, yelled loudly. Sigh, his daughter loved stealing the spotlight, leaving him no chance to shine.

As for why the immortal was favoring them, everyone understood.

Mu Er, bewildered, watched the excited crowd, feeling like he’d missed something. He couldn’t quite follow what they were saying.