“Pah!”
A rotten egg flew over, smashing right into Liu Suyi’s face. The sticky egg white dripped down from her forehead.
The stench of decay was nauseating. As she listened to the angry curses and saw the twisted faces of those shouting insults, Liu Suyi felt numb.
The Jin family members hung their heads low, wishing they could find a hole to crawl into.
Cheng Qiqi lifted her clothes, shielding An’an completely. The sound of curses followed them all the way, and the smell of rotten eggs was sickening. She had never been in such a wretched state in her life.
When they finally reached the southern city gate, the filthy Jin family was shoved out of the cart.
After what had just happened, no one even felt like speaking. They could only look hopefully toward the city gate. No one dared to associate with the Jin family now. The collateral branches—the eldest, third, and fourth households—had no connections to speak of. Their only hope was Liu Suyi’s maternal family.
If the Liu family, headed by Grand Tutor Liu, didn’t send anything, wouldn’t they be doomed on this exile journey?
“Liu Suyi, will your family really come?”
Lin Huilan said with a mocking tone, “Could it be that even your own parents have abandoned you?”
They were all about to be exiled, yet why was Liu Suyi still being treated with such respect by the collateral branches?
“What does it have to do with you?” Liu Suyi lifted her eyelids. Deep down, she knew her father was angry at her for choosing the neutral Zhongyong Hou and refusing to marry into the imperial family to bring glory to the Liu family.
Her mother was gentle and submissive, always deferring to her father.
Her two older brothers were selfish and opportunistic. When the Houfu was in power, they had been friendly, but now that it had fallen, they were afraid of being implicated.
The Liu family would not come.
“They’re here!”
He Shi said excitedly, “Sister-in-law, I told you the Liu family wouldn’t abandon their daughter.”
“Second sister-in-law, if there’s any food or money, don’t forget us. We’re all family.”
Mrs. Wen was also excited. If they could have a carriage, food, and money during the exile, they might just make it to Lingnan.
Once they reached Lingnan, they could always start farming again.
“…”
Liu Suyi raised her eyes, her gaze flickering. She clenched the collar of her clothes tightly. “It’s not them.”
He Shi, Mrs. Wen, and Li Shi didn’t believe her. They were sure it must be someone from the Liu family.
Cheng Qiqi, holding Jin Suian, saw the head poking out of the carriage and smiled faintly. Her three years of kindness to Chuntao hadn’t been in vain.
When Chuntao saw Cheng Qiqi covered in filth, she was so excited that she didn’t even wait for the carriage to stop properly before jumping down. “Shizifei!”
As soon as she spoke, Chuntao choked up with emotion.
“It’s not the Liu family after all.”
“Just a maid.”
“How are we going to survive this journey?”
The Jin family collateral branches watched the scene, their hearts sinking. What good could a maid possibly bring?
“Chuntao, I’m a criminal now. There’s no need for formalities.”
Cheng Qiqi steadied Chuntao.
“Shizifei will always be Shizifei in Chuntao’s heart.”
Chuntao wiped away her tears and turned to pull the carriage over. “I only managed to buy two carriages and one cart. I bought ten sets of bedding—I hope it’s enough. There are also clothes, shoes, socks, and medicine.”
As she spoke, Chuntao suddenly remembered something. “I also bought some steamed buns. Are you hungry?”
Seeing the large bundle of buns, she immediately handed them over. “I just bought them. They’re still warm.”
“Good.”
Cheng Qiqi looked at the various items, large and small, and thought to herself, Chuntao was truly honest—the silver notes she had given her were probably almost all spent, right?
Food?
The Jin family’s eyes lit up.
“Mother.”
Cheng Qiqi took the steamed buns and brought them to Liu Suyi, saying, “Mother, please eat quickly.”
Liu Suyi looked at the familiar-looking steamed buns, her eyes welling up with tears. “Good, good child.”
“What about the officials…” Liu Suyi glanced at the escorting officers nearby.
Chuntao took the roast duck over and discreetly slipped some silver to the officers, bowing as she said, “Sorry to delay you, sirs.”
The scar-faced leader glanced over, having thought this trip would yield no benefits at all.
“We depart at exactly 5:45 a.m.”
The scar-faced man weighed the silver in his hand—this maid was truly loyal.
“Yes, yes, yes.”
Chuntao was overjoyed and quickly brought out clothes to help Jin Suian change.
“You, hurry up and bring the steamed buns over! Do you want to starve me to death?”
Jin Xue’er had eaten little in the prison, and now, smelling the aroma of meat buns and roast duck, she was practically drooling!
Jin Xue’er acted as if she were still the lofty Houfu young lady, ordering others around!
“Jin Xue’er, didn’t you say I was a country bumpkin who only ate meat buns?” Cheng Qiqi spoke up. If Jin Xue’er wanted something, she should have the right attitude when asking!
“You…”
Just as Jin Xue’er was about to lose her temper, Lin Huilan pulled her daughter behind her and said with a smile, “Xue’er is young and doesn’t understand. Qiqi, as her sister-in-law, surely you won’t hold it against her, right?”
“Mother.” Jin Xue’er protested.
Lin Huilan glared at her and turned back to Cheng Qiqi with a bright smile. “Our Houfu is in trouble, so we should all unite and face this hardship together.”
Never mind that her parents weren’t in Jingdu—even if they were, once the Houfu fell into trouble, her family would quickly cut ties!
Cheng Qiqi’s maid had somehow managed to get so many things, but when it was time to bow one’s head, one had to bow.
“Qiqi, I’ll have Xue’er apologize for what happened before.” Lin Huilan pulled Jin Xue’er forward, pinched her hard, and whispered, “Do you want to starve to death on the road?”
Jin Xue’er fell silent instantly. “I’m sorry.” Her voice was as faint as a mosquito’s, and she seemed as if her soul had been drained.
“Concubine Lin is right, we are all family.”
Cheng Qiqi didn’t say anything more and simply had Chuntao distribute the food and clothes to everyone.
Earlier in the prison cart, everyone’s clothes had been filthy and foul-smelling.
Now, with steamed buns in hand, the Jin family members completely forgot their earlier disdain for Cheng Qiqi. They quietly changed clothes and wolfed down the buns!
After days in the prison, the pig slop they had been given was truly unbearable.
“An’an, eat quickly. Mother will change your clothes.”
Cheng Qiqi took off her daughter’s outer garment and dressed her in clean clothes. She then changed her own outer garment as well. With a bite of steamed bun and a sip of water, she finally filled her stomach.
“In the clothes, the waistband, and the soles of the shoes, I’ve sewn in silver notes. In the padded jacket, I’ve also hidden broken silver.” Chuntao whispered almost directly into Cheng Qiqi’s ear as she helped her change.
“Thank you for your hard work, Chuntao.”
Cheng Qiqi felt deeply grateful.
“Shizifei.”
Chuntao shook her head, choking back tears, which fell like broken strings of pearls.
Cheng Qiqi hugged her and said, “We have shared a bond as mistress and servant. From now on, find a good family, marry, and live a good life—tending to your husband and raising children.”
Cheng Qiqi patted Chuntao’s waist, as if to comfort her, as if to bid farewell.
After serving the old madam her medicine and changing her clothes, Liu Suyi glanced at the marquis. With Lin Huilan by his side, fawning over him, there was no need for her to intervene. Her gaze fell upon Cheng Qiqi and Chuntao embracing each other not far away.