Transmigrated Into A Novel As A Scumbag Princess’ Consort - Chapter 59

59:

The sky gradually darkened.

The girls calmed from their excitement, donning their clothes and standing in a line.

Ye Xuejin handed The Art of War to Shi Lan: “This is a military book specially granted by the immortal. Study it for now. Once we reach the southern border, this palace will find more.”

Shi Lan took it eagerly, treating it like a treasure: “Thank you, Your Highness. Thank you, immortal.”

Ye Xuejin smiled faintly: “Return for now. In three quarters of an hour, bring everyone here. We’ll rest here tonight.”

“Yes.” Shiniang led the girls back to the boundary marker.

Once they were gone, Yun Chi took out the thirty self-heating rice packs.

With prior experience, they worked seamlessly—one tearing open packages, the other adding water to heat, in perfect sync.

After finishing, Yun Chi pulled out the dagger she’d previously given Ye Xuejin: “I won’t be able to store it for you later. Keep it for self-defense.”

After tonight, per the original plot, she’d be free in three days. The thought was thrilling.

Ye Xuejin looked at the girl’s expectant gaze, lowering her eyes to take the dagger.

Its cold metal matched the chill of the night, the biting wind, seeping into her heart.

This person was so eager for the day she’d leave…

Yun Chi didn’t notice Ye Xuejin’s shift, starting to inventory her storage: “Quilts, pots, and buckets are bulky to carry. Bowls and chopsticks can be distributed to everyone. Soup dumplings and watermelons can be eaten in the next two days. The sixteen stun batons and twelve bulletproof vests can be handed out. I’ll find a chance to prepare some bags for you. Other items are easy to carry, but the ten crates of gold are tricky. You’ll need a plan.”

She smiled as she listed everything, stretching as if she’d accomplished a great task.

Ye Xuejin’s lips curved slightly: “The Consort doesn’t need to worry. On the day of the exoneration, I will arrange everything.”

Yun Chi looked at the smiling woman, feeling a vague sense of deeper meaning in her words.

But the feeling was too fleeting to grasp or see clearly.

Rubbing her brow, she asked instinctively, “How do you plan to arrange it?”

Three million taels of gold is hard to transport and unsafe, even if possible.

Ye Xuejin’s smile didn’t waver, her eyes calm: “No need for the Consort to worry. I will handle it.”

Seeing she wouldn’t elaborate, Yun Chi dropped it, the vague feeling fading entirely.

Soon, the rice packs were heated.

As usual, Yun Chi collected the base trays and heating packs. The convoy approached.

Seeing the familiar boxes, they recalled the steaming rice topped with vegetables and meat.

Tonight, they’d feast again!

Almost simultaneously, everyone thought the same.

With the Princess, there was the immortal. With the immortal, they’d never starve.

At ease, they didn’t rush to eat, first checking their side dishes, swapping with others if they’d had them before.

“If every meal were like this, I’d be fine to exile forever,” the old steward sighed, squinting.

The Zhou family servants exchanged glances, not responding.

Most wanted this exile to end soon, at least to have a place to sleep.

With colder weather, rain or snow would be unbearable.

Seeing no reply, the old steward looked at them oddly: “What’s wrong? Don’t you like the food?”

Why were they so quiet, no one speaking?

“Huh? Oh, yes, the food’s great.”

“The rice is so fragrant.”

Zhou Qiyue watched the chatting Zhou family, quietly glancing at Ye Xuejin. Her Highness had only called Shiniang’s group, not her.

The food lost its flavor.

“Auntie, why are you sneaking looks at Fairy Auntie?” Xiao Ying’er, with a small appetite, gave her remaining half-box to her father, curiously looking around.

Her words drew everyone’s attention.

Zhou Qiyue gripped her chopsticks: “Nonsense, I wasn’t sneaking looks!”

Ying’er pouted: “Auntie’s lying. That’s bad.”

She saw clearly, Auntie was sneaking looks at Fairy Auntie.

Zhou Qiyue forced a smile, enunciating, “You saw wrong. Go sleep.”

Kids, no tact—how embarrassing to be so insistent.

Ying’er’s mouth flattened, huffing childishly: “Auntie’s bad. I’m telling Fairy Auntie.”

She stood and ran off.

As Ying’er dashed to Ye Xuejin, Zhou Qiyue tensed, then buried her head in her rice, feigning calm.

Ying’er slowed her steps near Ye Xuejin, standing beside her like a little adult.

“Ying’er, are you full?” Ye Xuejin smiled, pondered, then raised a hand. “Come, let me see if you’ve gotten chubbier.”

Ying’er hesitated only a second before snuggling into her arms.

Fairy Auntie was so pretty, even prettier smiling.

A five-year-old enduring exile, poorly fed and sleeping, cold and hungry, her face thin and pointed.

Ye Xuejin’s heart softened, pulling out the beef jerky Yun Chi gave her, pressing it into Ying’er’s hand.

“Hold it. Eat when you’re hungry.”

Ying’er took it dazedly, then remembered her purpose, whispering, “Fairy Auntie, Auntie was sneaking looks at you, but she’s not bad. Don’t blame her.”

Her innocent words made Ye Xuejin chuckle: “Alright, I won’t blame her. Try the jerky, is it good?”

Beside her, Yun Chi stared at Ye Xuejin. Unlike her usual coolness or occasional faint smiles, Ye Xuejin’s brows were impossibly gentle, her whole demeanor soft.

Different from usual.

In her view, Ye Xuejin, seeing Ying’er hesitate to eat, picked up a piece and held it to her mouth.

Ying’er ate, looking at the jerky. The bag wasn’t full, just a dozen small pieces.

Her little face showed conflict.

Ye Xuejin asked, “Not to your taste?”

Ying’er shook her head: “It’s good, really good.” Pausing, she frowned, offering the jerky back.

Ye Xuejin didn’t think much, gently pushing it back: “Keep it, Ying’er.”

Ying’er shook her head: “Can Fairy Auntie hold it for me? I’ll come when I’m hungry.”

Ye Xuejin’s eyes showed confusion: “Why not keep it to yourself?”

Ying’er’s mouth flattened, her face crumpling as if about to cry.

Ye Xuejin paused, softening her voice: “What’s wrong? Is Ying’er facing some trouble?”

“Father said… Father said…”

“What did he say?”

“Father said we’ll see Mother and brother soon, waaah.”

Unable to hold back, Ying’er burst into tears, throwing herself into Ye Xuejin’s arms.

Ye Xuejin, flustered, held her: “Don’t cry, Ying’er, don’t cry.”

While comforting, her heart sank, her gaze shifting to the Zhou family.

Hearing the child’s cries, everyone looked over, puzzled as Ying’er sobbed in Ye Xuejin’s arms. What happened?

Zhou Qishan stood up immediately.

“Dalang,” Old Madam Zhou called, stopping him. “Sit. I’ll go.”

Old Madam Zhou hurried to Ye Xuejin, apologizing: “Sorry to trouble Your Highness. Let me hold the child.”

“It’s fine,” Ye Xuejin said, watching Old Madam Zhou’s expression. “I don’t know what’s wrong with Ying’er. She cried mentioning her mother and brother.”

Old Madam Zhou’s face showed understanding, then helplessness. She comforted Ying’er, hesitating before Ye Xuejin.

Noticing her dilemma, Ye Xuejin said evenly, “Old Madam, return and rest early.”

“Yes, I’ll take my leave.”

Ye Xuejin watched the grandmother and child, silently gripping the beef jerky.

“Does something feel off?” Yun Chi, observing, was confused.

Ye Xuejin snapped back, her voice low: “The Consort noticed too?”

Yun Chi nodded: “The kid’s acting strange.”

“Not happy, more like sad crying, right?”

“Exactly. Normally, seeing her mother and brother soon shouldn’t cause this.”

Ye Xuejin looked at Yun Chi, saying slowly, “As far as I know, Zhou Qishan divorced his wife two days before the Zhou family’s trouble. His wife, from the Qi clan, one of the capital’s three great families, took their son when she left.”

By rights, Lady Qi should be in the capital.

Yet Ying’er said she’d soon see her mother and brother.

Old Madam Zhou also seemed to be hiding something…

Yun Chi, unfamiliar with capital families, couldn’t figure it out: “Could Lady Qi, worried for her husband and daughter, have followed her son?”

Ye Xuejin mused: “There’s another possibility.”

“What?”

Ye Xuejin’s tone was cryptic: “Lady Qi is on the southern border.” Waiting for the Zhou family.

Yun Chi was still confused: “Then Ying’er shouldn’t be sad.”

Ye Xuejin glanced at the jerky, shaking her head: “I am not sure either.”

She had guesses based on Ying’er’s reaction, but they weren’t certain without evidence.

A five-year-old’s perception could be skewed.

If her guess was true, she’d need to reconsider relying on the Zhou family.

Deep in the night, in an unnoticed corner, Mu Er quietly slipped from his quilt.

He ran back to the boundary marker in the evening, picked up a stone, and scratched at it for a while before returning.

Ten meters away, on a tree, Shiniang silently returned, reaching the convoy first and lying down.

The next morning, at dawn, some went to the river to wash, others to relieve themselves.

During the bustle, Shiniang approached the boundary marker.

The sky wasn’t fully bright. Squinting, she studied it, making out the marks.

She snorted, drew her knife, scratched over them, then pretended to return from washing, heading to Ye Xuejin.

“Your Highness, the thorn’s loose…”

Thanks to Her Highness’ order to watch Mu Er closely, or they’d be in trouble.

Ye Xuejin frowned, listening: “Be thorough. Tell Shi Song and the others to keep a close eye. Absolutely close.”

Shiniang hesitated, then couldn’t resist, making a slashing motion across her neck: “Your Highness, why not deal with it once and for all?”