Transmigrated Into A Novel As A Scumbag Princess’ Consort - Chapter 44

44:

The soldier returned and allowed the exiled group to pass.

As they entered the city, most of the group showed no unusual behavior, except for Xiao Gao, who was visibly nervous, drawing a few extra glances from the soldiers.

However, since Captain Hu had given the order, and with a figure like Ye Xuejin in the group, the soldiers didn’t make a fuss.

After entering the city, Yu Lu followed routine and inquired about the location of the official post station.

Compared to Zhenshan County, the post station in Caozhou was far stricter. Not only did they refuse to provide rooms for the prisoners, but they also required that their hands be bound, or entry would be denied.

Yu Lu could only whisper to Ye Xuejin, “I’m sorry for the inconvenience, Your Highness.”

With that, he took the hemp ropes provided by the post station staff, and along with a few officers, bound the hands of all the prisoners, not sparing even five-year-old Xiao Ying’er.

The post station staff explained that if the child helped the prisoners escape, they might seize the opportunity to commit crimes.

Only then were they allowed to enter the post station, but the prisoners were restricted to staying in the empty stables in the back courtyard.

Once inside, the group tiptoed around, their faces full of disgust.

“Ugh, don’t push me! I stepped in horse dung,” someone complained, hopping in place.

“Move aside, hurry up and go further in,” those at the back urged impatiently.

The cramped stable erupted into chaos, filled with grumbling and resentment.

Yun Chi was equally exasperated. The stable was not only filthy but also reeked.

She suddenly felt she had been too greedy before—compared to this stable, camping in the wilderness would have been better.

Fortunately, the group’s attitude toward her and Ye Xuejin had shifted, and they instinctively kept some distance, avoiding crowding them.

Even so, the environment was unbearable, and the prisoners kept bickering.

Seeing Yun Chi frown with an expression of discomfort, Ye Xuejin glanced at Zhou Qiyue beside her.

Zhou Qiyue and Shi Song were following closely behind, carefully watching their steps and surroundings to ensure no one carelessly bumped into Ye Xuejin.

“Xiao Yue,” Ye Xuejin called.

Zhou Qiyue quickly turned. “Your Highness.”

Ye Xuejin said calmly, “Quiet everyone down. I don’t like noise.”

Hearing this, Zhou Qiyue immediately raised her voice. “Everyone, shut up!”

Her loud command startled the group into silence, and they all turned to look at her.

Seeing Zhou Qiyue glaring at them with fierce determination, the Zhou family members quietly averted their gazes, understanding that their young lady had received another order from the princess and was asserting herself.

Shiniang and the young girls, already quiet, moved closer to Ye Xuejin’s side. The Zhou family servants shuffled to make way, obediently stepping aside.

At that moment, Xiao Gao rushed over, clutching a bundle, looking flustered. He stopped outside the stable, wrinkling his nose.

He scanned the group, his expression somewhat sneaky.

The Zhou family servants were inside, while the women stood closer to the entrance.

Xiao Gao’s gaze quickly settled on Shi Song.

“You, yes, you, come here.”

Shi Song, already standing near the entrance, saw that neither Ye Xuejin nor Shiniang stopped her, so she walked over.

Xiao Gao swiftly untied Shi Song’s ropes and handed her the bundle. “Hide it well. If someone comes, don’t forget to pretend your hands are tied.”

Shi Song looked at the bundle and noticed dried bloodstains on it, suddenly realizing something.

“This… it’s not that officer’s head, is it?”

She remembered it was this officer surnamed Gao who had wrapped up Zeng Laosan’s head.

“What, are you scared?” Xiao Gao raised his chin, not waiting for an answer before adding, “I’m no coward.”

With that, he turned and ran off.

Shi Song: “…”

The group: “…”

Zhou Qiyue rolled her eyes. “Is he crazy or what?”

Shi Song nodded earnestly, agreeing. “He does seem a bit off.”

Then, she carried the bundle back to Ye Xuejin and Yun Chi’s side.

Yun Chi: “…” Just like that, she brought Zeng Laosan’s head over!

The image of Zeng Laosan flashed through her mind, and she quietly shuffled her feet, stepping behind Ye Xuejin to keep some distance from Shisong.

Ye Xuejin was also looking at Shi Song, frowning slightly. She ordered, “Untie Shiniang immediately.”

Shi Song placed the bundle by her feet and complied.

Ye Xuejin then gestured for Shiniang to lean closer, whispering eight words: “Dispose of it cleanly, go quickly, return quickly.”

Shiniang understood instantly, picked up the bundle, and leaped out, quietly leaving the post station.

The stable fell silent, everyone unsure of what was happening.

Soon, Shiniang returned.

A trace of relief appeared in Ye Xuejin’s eyes. She had been careless, forgetting that Xiao Gao had been carrying Zeng Laosan’s head without disposing of it promptly.

Yun Chi, watching quietly, noticed Ye Xuejin’s expression softened and inexplicably felt relieved too.

Ye Xuejin suddenly remembered something and turned to look at Mu Er in the corner.

The group followed her gaze, and Mu Er instinctively stepped back, his back against the wall.

Under so many stares, he said nervously, “Your Highness?”

Ye Xuejin merely glanced at him before addressing the group. “If someone comes for a routine search, I hope you won’t make me regret trusting you.”

“Your Highness, rest assured, the Zhou family will not speak out of turn,” Old Censor Zhou was the first to respond. Something must have happened in the front courtyard, which was why Xiao Gao hurriedly brought Zeng Laosan’s head over.

However, Xiao Gao’s lack of foresight was evident. If someone came to search, they wouldn’t spare the prisoners either.

Judging by Xiao Gao’s actions, it was likely a rash decision made by the young officer in a panic, without informing Yu Lu. Otherwise, with Yu Lu’s cautious nature, such a significant oversight wouldn’t have occurred.

Thankfully, they had Shiniang, who was skilled enough to handle it, or they might not have escaped scrutiny.

Ye Xuejin thought the same. Yu Lu likely didn’t know Xiao Gao had brought the head. If he had…

“Your Highness!”

Yu Lu, recalling what Xiao Gao had whispered to him earlier, was filled with shock.

He had been careless. It was inconvenient to deal with it in the mountains, but they should have buried Zeng Laosan’s head after descending.

Regret gnawed at Yu Lu. He had just reached the stable’s entrance and called out, “Your Highness,” when a steady, commanding voice came from behind.

“What’s Lord Yu in such a hurry for?”

Yu Lu spun around, his fists clenching instinctively. “Why is Captain Hu here? This place is filthy; let’s talk in the front courtyard.”

“Lord Yu, you jest. Serving the court is my duty. No matter how filthy the environment, I’m not afraid,” Captain Hu said, waving his hand forward. “Search them accurately, don’t miss a single one.”

“Captain Hu!” Yu Lu raised his voice in urgency.

“Lord Yu,” Ye Xuejin called calmly, “Cooperating with the officers is the duty of every citizen of Dashao Kingdom.”

Her implication was clear: don’t stop them, don’t panic, let them search.