Wang Si heard her two older brothers’ words, especially Wang Zhi-yi’s “although… but…” reasoning, and couldn’t help feeling speechless.
These two really were exactly the same as in her previous life.
One rigid and old-fashioned, the other sharp-tongued.
Neither of them were necessarily evil people, but they always ended up doing things that brought joy to enemies while hurting their own family.
In her previous life, Wang Si had tried to treat the Wang family as her real family since she had taken over this body.
But she was repeatedly let down.
After those lessons, she would no longer easily give her true heart.
For example, Madam Zhao… she was indeed a loving mother, but she was not hers alone.
And perhaps—maybe not entirely certain.
If Madam Zhao was truly broken by her three “pork floss children,” then—
Wang Si’s gaze shifted, and a thought quietly formed.
She raised her head and said seriously to Wang Zhi-li and Wang Zhi-yi:
“Why can’t Mother divorce Father?”
“Fourth brother, you just said it yourself—Father caused this disaster and harmed the entire family. He also favors concubines over his wife. If he can commit such wrongs, why can’t Mother divorce him?”
“And most importantly—at this point, Eldest Brother, Fourth Brother, are you really going to waste precious time here arguing about something that’s already decided and cannot be changed?”
Wang Si spoke very bluntly, without the usual respect she once showed her brothers.
Wang Zhi-li and Wang Zhi-yi were both furious.
But Madam Zhao felt unexpectedly comforted.
She knew—her youngest daughter was protecting her.
In truth, during their time in prison, Madam Zhao had already realized something.
She had four children, but the only one who truly cared for her was her youngest daughter, Wang Si.
Wang Jiao was spoiled and closer to the Grand Matriarch.
Wang Zhi-li was bookish to the point of rigidity.
Wang Zhi-yi was straightforward; he might not mean harm, but his words always hurt.
“I should have understood earlier… relationships depend on affinity. Even between mother and child, if we are not aligned, we are not aligned.”
“Fine. I’ve already done what a mother should do. The rest… I won’t overthink.”
“…I still have Si’er. I still have my parents and siblings.”
Madam Zhao finally came to terms with it.
She was already luckier than most women. Her husband was unreliable, and her children were troublesome, but she still had support.
Wang Zhi-li, hearing his mother’s words, ignored his pain and forced himself to raise his head, preparing to lecture his sister.
But his wife, Lady Li, tugged at his sleeve.
He turned, annoyed.
Lady Li touched her slightly raised abdomen.
“Master, Seventh Sister is right. We only have a short time to say goodbye before exile. We should speak of more important matters.”
Adults could endure hardship—but what about children?
Lady Li knew she could not compare to her mother-in-law, who had a powerful family backing her.
Her own family had already declined.
Even if they brought her back, her life would not be good.
She would likely be remarried off within days—to an old man or a disreputable playboy.
Compared to that, staying with Wang Zhi-li was still better.
He was rigid, yes, but he valued reputation and face.
After less than a year of marriage, she had already understood his temperament and was confident she could manage him.
Most importantly—she was pregnant.
Although the Marquis of Wuchang had fallen, the Grand Imperial Uncle’s household still stood.
As a relative of the Grand Imperial Uncle’s household, Wang Zhi-li would not be abandoned.
Perhaps there would still be a chance to return to the capital and live as a noble gentleman again.
Lady Li also noticed the two spacious carriages behind Madam Zhao.
“My mother-in-law truly loves her children. Those carriages must be for us.”
“There should also be other supplies inside.”
With these, the exile journey would not be so unbearable.
Although Wang Zhi-li was rigid, he was not completely foolish.
The heavy cangue around his neck was real—dozens of pounds pressing down on him.
His feet were already blistered from the walk to the city gate, burning with pain.
Only when one has enough food and clothing can one talk about dignity.
In exhaustion and hunger, survival instincts came first.
Wang Zhi-li, unlike Lady Li, had not noticed the carriages.
At this moment, he had only one thought:
“Mother, this cangue is truly too heavy! I… I can endure it, but Fourth Brother is still young and growing. He may not be able to bear it!”
His earlier righteousness disappeared as he began to complain of suffering.
Madam Zhao: …
If he had remained stubborn to the end, she might have thought more highly of him.
But instead—
He turned out to be a hypocrite.
Her disappointment deepened.
“Eldest, Fourth, don’t worry. I will speak to the guards.”
“Time is short, so I won’t say too much. These are the things I prepared for you: carriages, bedding, clothes, medicine pills…”
She then turned to Lady Li and specifically explained:
“One carriage is for the guards.”
Lady Li immediately understood.
“Mother, I understand. We are criminals in exile—we cannot live more comfortably than the guards.”
Madam Zhao finally relaxed. Good—at least her daughter-in-law was sensible.
She quickly finished her instructions, then handed out silver notes to Lady Li, Wang Zhi-yi, and Wang Jiao.
“As for the post stations along the way, your maternal uncle has also made arrangements. But we cannot be too conspicuous. Don’t have too high expectations.”
She wished she had more mouths to explain everything at once.
There were too many things she needed to say, too many worries she could not let go.
“Alright! It’s time to depart!”
The leading officer mounted his horse and struck a gong loudly.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
As he passed Madam Zhao, she quickly stopped him.
“Sir, my children are still young and inexperienced. Please take care of them along the way.”
She secretly slipped him a purse.
The officer did not dismount. He leaned down, took it smoothly, and weighed it lightly in his hand.
Soft rustling.
Silver notes—at least over one hundred taels.
He smiled knowingly.
His narrow eyes glanced meaningfully at the cangues on Wang Zhi-li and Wang Zhi-yi.
“Madam, don’t worry. I understand the rules.”
“However, we are still within the capital’s outskirts. Too many eyes here. Once we’re on the road, I’ll make appropriate arrangements.”
With this money, plus the carriage and supplies worth dozens of taels, it would be easy to remove the young masters’ cangues later.
The officer was calculating in his mind.
And so was Wang Jiao—who carried memories from her past life…