Transmigrated Into A Novel As A Scumbag Princess’ Consort - Chapter 41

41:

Seeing the group’s overwhelming excitement, Yu Lu had to raise his voice and shout again, “Everyone, come line up to get food!”

Food! This time, the crowd heard clearly and reluctantly left their warm blankets.

Yun Chi, noticing this, leaned close to Ye Xuejin’s ear and whispered a few words.

Ye Xuejin nodded, stood up, and walked towards Yu Lu.

Yu Lu was just about to ask for her help. The food was neatly packed in transparent bags, looking like pastries, but there was no obvious way to open them.

Normally, he’d tear them open by force or cut them with a knife, but these were provisions granted by the immortal.

Hesitating, he saw Ye Xuejin approaching.

“Your Highness, this humble officer was about to ask, how do we eat this food?”

Ye Xuejin paused briefly, then turned naturally to Yun Chi. “Consort, come show everyone how to eat it.”

This food was new to her too, she had only seen it last night. Yun Chi had mentioned it was called “bread,” or something like that.

Yun Chi quickly reacted, stepping forward to demonstrate. She tore open the packaging and explained that it could be eaten directly.

Those who received the bread cautiously followed her example. As soon as they tore open the bags, a rich, enticing aroma hit them, instantly whetting their appetites.

The Zhou family’s old steward couldn’t wait and took a bite, squinting with satisfaction.

“Tch, tch, in all my years, I’ve never tasted such delicious pastries—so fragrant, so soft, truly delightful!”

Hearing this, the others eagerly bit into theirs, their faces mirroring the steward’s enjoyment.

Those who hadn’t received any craned their necks, many swallowing hard with envy.

Xiao Gao and the other escorts nervously helped distribute the food. When they saw a few pieces left in the bucket, exactly five, they hesitated.

“Sir, we…” Xiao Gao started, then faltered. They hadn’t pledged loyalty to the Princess, so they’d gone without blankets last night. Would they get a share of the food?

“Eat quickly, then pack up,” Yu Lu said with a nod.

“Yes, thank you, sir! Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you, immortal!” Xiao Gao and the others thanked profusely, each taking a piece of bread.

Yu Lu then took a piece and approached Ye Xuejin, handing it to her before asking, “Your Highness, the immortal is merciful, but we have to climb mountains today. Everyone’s strength is depleted, and I’m afraid it’ll be hard to carry these.”

The blankets were thick and warm, truly excellent—but the group had only eaten two full meals, and they still had to trek through mountain paths. Adding more weight would be burdensome.

Caught in this dilemma, he had no solution and came to consult Ye Xuejin.

Ye Xuejin gave a slight nod. “I was just about to discuss this with you…”

Yun Chi had just told her to have everyone mark the blankets they slept under, stack them together, and Yun Chi would collect them, redistributing them at night.

Additionally, moving forward, any bags or containers used for food had to be collected. These items weren’t of this world, and to avoid causing a stir if they were discovered, Yun Chi would take them back.

Yu Lu, hearing this, couldn’t help but marvel. “The immortal is truly benevolent.”

Not only storing the items for them but also redistributing them at night, how convenient!

Ye Xuejin smiled faintly. Indeed, her consort was pure and kind.

Returning to Yun Chi’s side, she watched her movements with interest, slowly mimicking her as she ate.

The bread was soft and sweet, with rich fruit jam inside, far surpassing any pastry from the imperial kitchen.

Nibbling delicately, Ye Xuejin glanced at Yun Chi, a sigh rising in her heart.

This was her consort…

For some reason, joy stirred within her, and she smiled unconsciously.

Yun Chi happened to look over, her gaze catching. This woman’s smile was truly beautiful, like frost melting away in the early autumn dawn, radiant and pure.

Momentarily stunned, she casually asked, “What are you thinking about?”

Ye Xuejin considered for a moment. “A deity.”

Her deity.

“What?” Yun Chi didn’t catch it.

“Nothing. Consort, hurry and collect the items,” Ye Xuejin said, finishing her last bite. She stood up, looked skyward, her expression devout and solemn.

If one day she could change the heavens and earth, she would share the world with her consort.

As Ye Xuejin struck this pose, the group instinctively held their breath, afraid to disturb her.

Yun Chi understood, focusing to collect the blankets, packaging bags, and the large wooden bucket into her storage space.

Ye Xuejin, no stranger to Yun Chi’s method of collecting items, knew it happened in an instant. She soon glanced back, and sure enough, the items were gone.

Then she looked at Yu Lu, signaling it was time to move.

As for Mu Da’s body, she didn’t mention it.

Yu Lu understood. Mu Da was someone operating in the shadows; there was no fear of discovery, and even if found, his identity wouldn’t be traced.

The group set off again. Having eaten their fill and slept warmly for half the night, their spirits visibly improved.

Only Mu Er kept looking back tearfully. Big brother…

After about an hour and a half, they reached a fork in the road. Unlike before, where there were two paths, this time it was a three-way junction.

Yu Lu consulted the map, hesitating whether to return to their original southeastern route.

In the middle of the group, Ye Xuejin saw the three-way fork, her gaze pausing. She instructed Shi Song to go to the front and relay a message.

Since receiving the divine tool last night, Shi Song had taken it upon herself to stay close to Ye Xuejin, vigilantly watching their surroundings and diligently acting as a guard.

Shi Song quickly ran to the front and said to Yu Lu, “Lord Yu, Her Highness says for safety’s sake, take the westernmost path.”

The westernmost path?

Yu Lu frowned. “Are you sure it’s this path? You didn’t mishear?”

They were supposed to head southeast. Even if they reverted to their earlier direction, they might not encounter those masked men. For safety, the middle path heading south would suffice.

There was no need to take the rightmost path, which would lead them completely west, forcing them to take a long detour later.

Shi Song confirmed, “Her Highness specifically said the rightmost, westernmost path.”

Yu Lu pondered for a moment before nodding. “Understood, we’ll take that path.”

Having resolved to pledge loyalty to the Princess and serve as her blade, he would follow her orders.

The group paused briefly before setting off again.

Shi Song ran back to the middle of the group, resuming her place behind Ye Xuejin.

A little further back, Zhou Qiyue watched Shi Song with envy, longing to be that impressive.

But she didn’t know martial arts. She’d planned to start learning last night, but her brother told her to save her strength, saying she could learn once they reached the southern border.

Feeling regretful, Zhou Qiyue suddenly heard a tearful voice beside her. “My brother’s dead, and I can’t even give him a proper burial.”

Seeing Mu Er, who had inexplicably appeared beside her and was saying these things, Zhou Qiyue had one thought: Is this guy sick?

“Xiao Yue, come help your mother,” Old Censor Zhou called out upon noticing.

“Coming!” As Zhou Qiyue left, Mu Er glanced at the wary Zhou family, his expression growing genuinely sorrowful.

He wiped the corner of his eye, slowing his pace as if dejected, soon falling to the back of the group alongside Shiniang.

“My brother and I were both Imperial Guards…”

The difference was that Mu Er was only an outer guard, responsible for city defense, essentially no different from a soldier at the city gate despite being called an Imperial Guard.

Mu Da, however, served in the Palace Command, accompanying the Emperor on outings, a true Imperial Guard.

“My brother was brave and resourceful, unlike me. I’m slow-witted, clumsy with words, and cowardly—nothing like him…”

He rambled on, heedless of whether Shiniang was listening, recounting his identity and past.

“The Princess is blessed by an immortal, a person of great destiny. I tried to persuade my brother, but he wouldn’t listen…”

At this, Shiniang shot him a sidelong glance.

Mu Er said pitifully, “I’m truly useless. I couldn’t stop my brother and even offended Her Highness.”

Shiniang looked away, her tone icy. “You are pretty useless.”

Mu Er: “…”

Before he could speak again, Shiniang drew her knife slightly. “Get lost. If you dare come near us again, I’ll cut out your tongue.”

She said “us,” including the young women.

Mu Er’s lips trembled, seemingly startled by her drawing the knife. He stumbled, then quickened his pace in apparent fear.

Shiniang snorted coldly, turning to Mei, Lan, Zhu, and Ju. “This man seems timid, but he’s restless after what happened and keeps hovering around us women. He’s clearly up to no good. Don’t let him fool you.”

Shi Mei nodded, and Shi Lan indicated she understood.

Shi Zhu mused, “He seems like a schemer to me. Sisters, be cautious.”

Shi Ju nodded in agreement.

Mu Er, still within earshot, heard them openly discussing him, and his expression cracked.

Were these girls even women? He was already so pitiful, yet not only did they show no sympathy, they were merciless with their words. Truly a bunch of venomous women.

He didn’t know that after the ordeal at Mao Family Village, the young women no longer trusted a single word from any man.

Zhou Qiyue, who had been observing Mu Er’s odd behavior, saw him persistently lingering near the women and her eyes lit up.

“Mother, I’m going to serve Her Highness. Let my brother help you.”

Without waiting for the Old Madam Zhou’s reply, she took three steps in two, squeezing in beside Shi Song and boldly speaking up. “Your Highness, I’ve discovered something important.”

Who said you needed martial arts to stay by Her Highness’s side? With her intelligence, she could rely on her wits.

Ye Xuejin, hearing this, gestured for her to come forward.

Zhou Qiyue’s eyes brightened further. She decided that until she learned martial arts, she’d serve as Her Highness’ strategist, staying by her side to solve problems.

Stepping to Ye Xuejin’s other side, she whispered mysteriously, “Your Highness, I just saw that Mu Er…”

Shi Song, closely following, heard clearly and immediately spoke up. “Your Highness, that thief is definitely up to no good. I’ll go kill him.”

Yun Chi, nearby: “…” This girl was truly fierce.

Ye Xuejin shook her head. “This is just your suspicion. Stay cautious, but don’t act rashly, lest we wrong an innocent person.”

Shi Song nodded firmly. Since Her Highness had spoken, she would listen carefully.

Zhou Qiyue, still unsatisfied, pressed, “Your Highness, I think he really is…”

“Xiao Yue, I do not wish to kill unjustly,” Ye Xuejin interrupted.

Zhou Qiyue closed her mouth, thinking to herself that Her Highness was too merciful, too quick to trust others.

At that moment, Yu Lu loudly ordered the group to rest in place.

It was noon, and they had just reached a valley, so he had the group stop.

Seeing this, Yun Chi glanced at Ye Xuejin and whispered, “Hungry?”

The implication: should she provide food for everyone?

Ye Xuejin nodded slightly, then turned to Zhou Qiyue and Shi Song. “Come back in half a quarter of an hour.”

“Yes.”

Stepping away, she looked at Yun Chi. “Consort, do you think Mu Er should be killed?”

Without much thought, Yun Chi replied, “I think both of them are right, Mu Er is probably up to something.”

Ye Xuejin’s face showed no surprise. “Then does the Consort think I’m not decisive enough, too soft-hearted?”

Yun Chi shook her head and countered, “Do you have other plans?”

She recalled her cousin’s complaints about the novel, which highly praised Ye Xuejin, summing her up as: Princess He’an is a woman of both beauty and intellect.

From her observations over these days, Ye Xuejin wasn’t someone who was blindly soft-hearted.

Ye Xuejin’s lips curved into a faint, gentle smile.

“The Consort truly understands me. I do indeed have other plans.”

Unlike Zhou Qiyue and the others’ mere suspicions, she was certain Mu Er was problematic.

The brothers were likely playing a double act, one boldly attempting assassination, the other feigning surrender to keep a fallback.

Unfortunately, they hadn’t anticipated Yu Lu’s pledge of loyalty at that critical moment, willingly becoming the blade to kill.

As a result, Mu Da died on the spot.

Seeing Yun Chi’s knowing look but lack of questions, Ye Xuejin gazed at her deeply. “Doesn’t the Consort want to know what my plans are?”