Transmigrated Into A Novel As A Scumbag Princess’ Consort - Chapter 56

56:

Yun Chi: “…”

What’s going on? No breakfast, marching on empty stomachs?

And why was Ye Xuejin walking ahead alone?

The group: “…” Though they didn’t know why, it seemed the Consort had upset the Princess.

Usually, the two walked hand-in-hand in the middle of the convoy, but now, the Princess had left the Consort behind, striding ahead alone.

Yu Lu glanced at Ye Xuejin’s expressionless face, wanting to ask but not daring to, focusing all his energy on marching.

With the Princess watching, he didn’t dare slack off.

The group fell eerily quiet, the atmosphere much heavier than yesterday.

Until a fast horse appeared from behind, slowing as it neared the convoy.

“Who’s there?” Shiniang and the others instantly went on alert, the rest stopping in their tracks.

The rider, a middle-aged man, saw the convoy halt and quickly took a bundle from his shoulder, offering it with both hands: “Someone sent letters for the exiled prisoners. Please pass them to Her Highness, the Princess.”

Without waiting for Shiniang to take it, he dropped the bundle at his feet, remounted, and galloped off.

Shiniang eyed the bundle, using her blade to open it. It contained only a few letters, but knowing they were for the Princess, she remained cautious.

At that moment, Ye Xuejin approached from the front.

“Shiniang, they’re from our people. Just give them to me.”

Hearing this, Shiniang understood, Her Highness knew what these letters were about.

After reading them, Ye Xuejin signaled Yu Lu to gather the officers.

Of the five officers, aside from Xiao Gao, who had pledged loyalty and received a stun baton, the other four were uneasy.

They were the only ones in the convoy who hadn’t followed the Princess, not because they didn’t want to, but because they couldn’t.

If things went wrong, what would happen to their families in the capital?

Now, they were terrified. Was the Princess planning to silence them for not submitting?

Ye Xuejin glanced at the four, picking five letters from the stack, handing one to Xiao Gao and the rest to Yu Lu: “Lord Yu, they’re marked with names. Distribute these family letters.”

Family letters?

Everyone was puzzled.

Yu Lu too was confused until he saw the writing on the envelopes, realization dawning.

To my son, Zhuang Xiao Liu.

To my son, Li Luo.

…

They were indeed the officers’ family letters!

Yu Lu handed them out by name, smiling broadly. Now, except for that thorn Mu Er, the convoy was all their own people.

The officers took the letters in disbelief, eyes widening at the envelopes. After reading the contents, they tucked them close, turning in unison to Ye Xuejin.

“We swear to serve Your Highness to the death!”

The letters were truly from their families, stating that the Princess had gathered them, with people caring for and protecting them.

The officers knew, whatever kind of “protection” this was, they had no choice left. With no way back, they could only move forward.

Ye Xuejin nodded, her expression softening: “Do your duties well. Let’s move.”

She headed forward again, pausing briefly as she passed Yun Chi.

Yun Chi felt a twinge of panic. She wasn’t foolish, Ye Xuejin’s hours of ignoring her showed their earlier conversation had soured their relationship.

Whatever Ye Xuejin’s intentions were in saying those words, she, once a revered Princess, now the convoy’s backbone, and perhaps a future ruler, was not someone to be refused.

But there are some things, Yun Chi had to refuse.

Their eyes met, Yun Chi’s gaze growing firm, her heart calming.

Ye Xuejin noticed her change, silently clenching her fingers, saying casually, “Would the Consort join me at the front?”

Her expression and tone were neutral, hiding her emotions.

Yun Chi looked at her, suddenly smiling: “Sure.”

The olive branch was offered; refusing would seem petty.

As Yun Chi approached, Ye Xuejin took her hand naturally, as if nothing had happened, just like always.

For no reason, the group sighed in relief.

The atmosphere lightened, conversations sparking, the mood livelier.

Yu Lu tactfully fell back, keeping his distance.

Yun Chi had calmed down, but Ye Xuejin’s touch stirred her panic again.

She wanted to say something but feared making things awkward again, so she stayed silent.

Unexpectedly, Ye Xuejin brought up the topic.

“What are the Consort’s conditions?”

Yun Chi glanced at her in surprise, probing: “If I said I hope we can part ways then, would you agree?”

She hadn’t hidden her abilities because of the original plot’s depiction of Ye Xuejin.

The Princess, endlessly praised by the female lead, was noble, righteous, and benevolent…

But this was ancient times, and Ye Xuejin now held the most authority in the convoy.

What if—just what if—Ye Xuejin coveted her abilities and refused to let her go?

The thought barely formed before Yun Chi dismissed it. No, that wouldn’t happen.

She was a decent judge of character, and Ye Xuejin wasn’t the type to repay kindness with enmity.

Ye Xuejin’s next words proved she hadn’t misjudged.

“Why say that, Consort? I have already promised you, didn’t I?” Pausing, Ye Xuejin slowed, “When you say ‘then,’ when do you mean?”

Relieved, Yun Chi replied, “The day you’re exonerated.”

Just four days left.

Ye Xuejin’s fingers tightened, gripping Yun Chi’s hand, even stopping to look at her deeply.

“Can the Consort keep her word, staying until I am exonerated?”

“Of course,” Yun Chi blurted, then felt the words were odd. What was odd?

Ye Xuejin didn’t give her time to think, confirming, “Then I hope the Consort won’t break her word either.”

Yun Chi laughed: “Don’t worry, as long as you don’t, then I won’t.”

She wouldn’t go back on it.

Ye Xuejin’s lips curved slowly, smiling: “I will keep my word. On the day I’m exonerated, I’ll fulfill the Consort’s conditions.”

With things cleared up, their relationship seemed to normalize, holding hands as usual, steps in sync, whispering occasionally.

“How did you win over those officers?” Yun Chi, relaxed, asked about the earlier scene.

Ye Xuejin didn’t hide it: “The night before we left Caozhou City, I asked Sister Yi to handle a few things.”

One was contacting her people in the capital to gather the officers’ families, protecting them.

She wanted full control of the convoy, leaving no loose ends.

Yun Chi was puzzled: “That was fast.” Just a day and a night.

Ye Xuejin smiled: “Sister Yi is skilled at training hawks.”

In other words, the messages were sent to the capital by hawks, and the family letters were brought back to the southwest the same way.

A day and a night was more than enough.

Yun Chi’s face showed awe. She’d thought of carrier pigeons, even picturing a pigeon carrying letters, which felt surreal.

But hawks?

Ye Xuejin glanced at her with a smile, then looked ahead, her long lashes hiding any trace of mirth.

So, the Consort wasn’t incurious or blindly trusting.

She just didn’t care about Ye Xuejin’s plans for the future, intending to leave once exonerated.

Parting ways…

Ye Xuejin’s eyes flickered. What a pity, as long as she lived, that day would never come.

At noon, during the break, everyone glanced eagerly at Ye Xuejin, then quickly looked away, silently praying.

Since Her Highness had made up with the Consort, she’d be in the mood to eat, right?

As if hearing their thoughts, Ye Xuejin, after everyone sat, took Yun Chi’s hand and glanced at Shi Song and Zhou Qiyue.

Shi Song and Zhou Qiyue stood instantly. It’s here, the immortal must have granted food. If they prayed sincerely with Her Highness and the Consort, everyone would have delicious food.