Unexpectedly, Cheng Qiqi had actually given those silver notes to Chuntao. Not only did Chuntao not embezzle them, but she also sent so many things over. Perhaps she should reevaluate this daughter-in-law!
Indeed, Mo’er’s judgment was always good. It was her, as a mother, who had too many prejudices.
The Jin family changed into new clothes, shoes, and socks, ate the buns, and everyone gathered around the carriage to take a look—there were quilts, clothes, shoes, socks, and some long-lasting food and pastries.
The Jin family looked at Cheng Qiqi with fervent eyes.
“It’s just a little food. What’s so great about it?”
Jin Yanzhi couldn’t stand everyone praising Cheng Qiqi. Such worthless things were enough to win them over.
“That maid just doesn’t know how to shop. These coarse clothes are clearly meant to save money!” Jin Xue’er chimed in, looking disdainfully at the clothes she was wearing, which weren’t even as good as her maid’s.
“Shut up.”
Lin Huilan listened to her children’s words and wished she could cover their mouths. Gritting her teeth, she said, “Haven’t you had enough of life in the prison cell?”
Life in the prison cell?
Jin Yanzhi and Jin Xue’er immediately fell silent.
“Officer, my husband and mother-in-law are injured and ill. Could they ride in the worst carriage or cart?”
Liu Suyi handed a hidden jade pendant to the officer. Before marriage, she was the daughter of the Grand Tutor; after marriage, she was the mistress of the Houfu. Now, reduced to a prisoner, she had shed all her arrogance.
“This…”
The scar-faced leader glanced at the jade pendant in his hand—it was of good quality. He pocketed it directly and refused, “No, they are criminals. How can they ride in a carriage?”
Taking money without doing the job!
Liu Suyi was so angry she nearly fainted. In the past, he wouldn’t even have been able to touch the threshold of the Houfu!
“Mother.”
Cheng Qiqi noticed the commotion and quickly stepped forward, handing over some more silver. Smiling at the scar-faced man, she said, “Officer, my father-in-law and grandmother are ill. We don’t want to make things difficult for you. Once we leave the capital, please be lenient and let them lie on the cart.”
“The carriage is a token of our gratitude for your hard work.”
Cheng Qiqi’s words were tactful, and her attitude was humble.
The scar-faced man glanced at her and finally said, “That’s more like it. Prepare to depart!”
After taking the money, the scar-faced man directly occupied the first carriage and said, “Put the cangues and shackles on them.”
“Before we leave the capital’s territory, these officers won’t let them ride in a carriage.”
Cheng Qiqi supported Liu Suyi and reminded her, “Mother, we need to think about who will carry Father and Grandmother.”
“You’re right.”
Liu Suyi took a deep breath. A tiger fallen on the plains is bullied by dogs. Now that these officers had taken the money without doing their job, there was nothing she could do. She was no longer the lofty mistress of the Houfu!
“You are all members of the Jin family. The Zhongyong Hou and the old madam are still unconscious. Who among you will carry them on the journey?” Liu Suyi’s gaze directly skipped over Jin Yanzhi and landed on the male members of the Jin family’s collateral branches.
The eldest branch: Jin Zhong, with his two sons Jin Lizhi and Jin Cizhi.
The third branch: Jin Xiao, with his two sons Jin Runzhi and Jin Zezhi.
The fourth branch: Jin Jing, with his son Jin Mingzhi.
The Jin family’s collateral branches were indeed thriving.
Jin Yanzhi hid among the crowd, quickly glancing at the tall Zhongyong Hou. He couldn’t carry him!
Several members of the Jinjia collateral branches exchanged glances. Eldest branch’s Jin Zhong stepped forward: “I’ll carry the Marquis.”
“I’ll carry the old madam,” said third branch’s Jin Xiao, squatting before the old madam.
Fourth branch’s Jin Jing didn’t want to fall behind either: “Elder brother, third brother, we can take turns later.”
Jin Lizhi and others said: “We can also take turns.”
Lin Huilan looked at her son hiding behind and explained awkwardly: “Yanzhi’s health isn’t good, I’m afraid he can’t carry the Marquis. We’ll have to trouble you all.”
He Shi, Mrs. Wen, and Li Shi ignored Lin Huilan and instead walked to Liu Suyi’s side, saying: “Sister-in-law, thank your daughter-in-law.”
If it weren’t for Cheng Qiqi’s maid delivering supplies, they’d probably still be wearing dirty clothes and shoes, starving right now!
What’s there to fear about coarse cloth and hemp clothing?
They used to be mud-legged commoners. If not for benefiting from the Marquis and his son, they couldn’t have lived such good lives.
“Qiqi is very good,” Liu Suyi said, watching Cheng Qiqi bidding farewell to the maid.
Cheng Qiqi pressed her forehead against her daughter’s, confirming the fever had subsided, then said: “Tell Aunt Chuntao… take care.”
Goodbye—perhaps they would never meet again in this lifetime.
“Aunt Chuntao, take care,” Cheng Sui’an said crisply, looking at Chuntao before stepping forward to hug her.
Since childhood, besides her mother, Cheng Sui’an had liked Aunt Chuntao the most.
“Miss Sui’an, you take care too.”
Chuntao squatted down, hugged Cheng Sui’an, secretly slipping some broken silver into her hair. Then she knelt before Cheng Qiqi, choking up as she said: “Shizifei, you take care too.”
Her life had been saved by the Shizifei.
“I won’t wear this!”
Jin Yanzhi’s loud shout rang out. Looking at the wooden cangue, the thought of having to walk while shackled like this made Jin Yanzhi wish he were dead.
“Why doesn’t he have to wear it?”
Jin Yanzhi pointed at Jin Zhong and Jin Xiao, who were carrying people.
“How about you carry someone instead?” Jin Zhong looked at Jin Yanzhi, his eyes feigning goodwill.
“I…” Jin Yanzhi immediately fell silent—he couldn’t carry anyone either.
The sound of a long whip cutting through the air rang out. Jin Yanzhi had no time to dodge, only hearing his mother’s startled cry. The next moment, he saw the whip coming through the air like a bolt.
Crack
The whip struck Jin Yanzhi’s body. The pain made him collapse to the ground. Looking up to curse, he saw the scar-faced man standing on the carriage: “Either put it on obediently, or take ten lashes from me.”
The scar-faced man held the long whip, his cold, stern eyes gleaming with eagerness.
A chilling coldness washed over Jin Yanzhi as if he’d suddenly been plunged into deep winter. Clutching his burning arm, he scrambled over to the official: “I’ll wear it.”
Jin Yanzhi stared fearfully at the scar-faced man, terrified he might strike again.
“Move out!”
The scar-faced man said with a hint of regret.
The Jinjia men wore cangues, the women wore shackles, their hands burdened with heavy chains.
Young Jin Yun was carried on his father’s back.
The youngest, Cheng Sui’an, was also carried on third branch’s Jin Runzhi’s back.
The Jinjia’s exile journey had only just begun today.
“Hurry up! Weren’t you just fed?”
The scar-faced man sat leisurely on the carriage, waving his whip, signaling them to walk faster. He said: “Fifty li per day. If you walk too slowly and can’t reach the relay station, you’ll have to sleep in the wilderness!”
…
“Shizi, you’ve finally awakened!”
Zhongshan entered with the medicine and, seeing the Shizi open his eyes, rushed forward excitedly, calling out, “Old Hu, Zhishui!”
Soon, Military Physician Hu and Zhishui gathered around the Shizi.