Heishan Ao was home to black bears—he intended to use the bears’ jaws to eliminate Qin Shou.
She needed to plan this carefully and take advantage of herb-gathering opportunities to enter the Space.
After all, wild animals required higher drug dosages than humans. Without using the stockpile in the Space, her goal would be unattainable.
The procession traveled for three more days, during which Su Nuan only managed to gather some mugwort and common fever-reducing herbs. These fresh plants could be boiled directly for preventive effects.
That day, the rain suddenly intensified, pouring down as if from upturned buckets. The path wasn’t gravel but muddy terrain, making travel impossible.
Soldiers approached from the front, shouting as they walked: “Pick up the pace! We must reach Heishan Ao before dark—there are numerous mountain caves there for shelter.”
“The commander says we’ll rest for several days until everyone recovers from illness before resuming the journey.”
Su Nuan glanced at the cart-pulling horses, deciding to deliver them to Dong’er once they settled—to let her care for them first. Otherwise, she truly feared these people might slaughter and eat the animals.
As the procession accelerated, they finally caught sight of Heishan Ao.
The valley nestled between two large mountains featured a gentle slope covered in grayish-white stones, dotted with caves of varying sizes.
The soldiers shouted again: “Faster, everyone ascend the mountain! Choose your own caves. Small groups aren’t allowed to occupy large caves—or you’ll face the whip.”
“Heishan Ao has giant black bears. Anyone attempting escape should weigh the consequences: get eaten by bears outside or beheaded by blades upon return. Your best option is to stay put obediently.”
Su Nuan chuckled softly. “Escape is a dead end anyway. Better to remain where we are.”
Xue Shi leaned out from the carriage to ask, “Are we waiting for the rain to stop before leaving?”
Su Nuan shook her head. “Not necessarily. Probably many foot travelers ahead have fallen too ill to continue.”
“Regardless, we just need to look after ourselves. Don’t bother with others’ affairs.”
Xue Shi pressed her lips together. Though the words sounded callous, what could she actually do? If she couldn’t help, why invite trouble?
After the forward groups had settled in caves, Su Nuan climbed up to survey the remaining options—all too small for her entire family.
She recalled her previous life: torrential rains had begun here, and when Cheng Feng sent men back for provisions, they found the return route blocked by mudslides. Starvation followed.
After careful consideration, she decided to warn Cheng Feng.
“Sir, the slopes along our incoming path show signs of soil instability—likely to cause landslides. Do we have sufficient rations?”
Cheng Feng replied dismissively, “One steamed bun per day when stationary, two during travel. As long as nobody starves, it’s fine.”
Su Nuan fell silent, never having considered he’d reduce rations. This probably happened in her previous life too, but she’d always received two buns and missed the detail.
She simply nodded. “Are there any larger caves available? I need space for lying down. The remaining ones are rather cramped.”
Cheng Feng produced a shovel. “Dig your own.”
Su Nuan: “…”
Dig herself? Fine then, she’d dig.
Taking the shovel, she entered a mid-slope cave with adequate height but insufficient width.
Swinging the tool vigorously, she first excavated a living area, then carved out three bedrooms and a small outhouse.
After returning the shovel, she came back to find Su Liren pointing at Xue Shi and berating her at the cave entrance.
“You old widow, how dare you treat my daughter like a beast of burden? Why don’t you go dig a mountain cave yourselves? Making my daughter do it?”
“Now get out immediately. The mountain cave my daughter dug must be occupied by me, her father.”
Su Liren kept scratching his face while cursing, his face already torn and bloody.
Su Nuan was quite pleased with her handiwork—the itching on Su Liren’s face would persist for a while before fading.
But Su Liren had once served as a Minister—how had he degenerated into a street ruffian?
Xue Shi was no pushover either. Despite recent hardships, she hadn’t been cowed, and now she glared with the authority of a general’s wife.
“You old scoundrel! Our Nuan Nuan dug this mountain cave—it’s hers to decide who stays here. If she’s willing to let you have it, I’ll step aside without another word.”
Su Zhen still held her parasol, though it was torn in several places. It was unclear whether this made her look more elegant or just less burdened.
She said, “Aunt, although my sister is with you, she hasn’t performed the wedding ceremony, so she can’t be considered your daughter-in-law.”
Her gaze shifted to Su Nuan returning, and she immediately smiled. “Sister, the Ling family is utterly shameless. They’re holding you captive without you even marrying Ling Cang, forcing you into hard labor.”
“Sister, come back to us. We’re family bound by blood—they’re just outsiders.”
“You never lifted a finger for household chores before, yet now you have to serve their elderly, weak, sick, and foolish. It breaks my heart.”
Su Nuan rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. This father and daughter were truly absurd—had she been blind in her past life not to see their hypocrisy?
Xue Shi looked at Su Nuan and smiled. “Come have some sweet soup. I kept it warm for you.”
Su Nuan nodded, taking the bowl Ling Yun handed her and drinking it in one go.
She turned to Su Zhen and asked, “Miss, what manner of creature are you? Why can’t you read the situation?”
Su Zhen was taken aback, her eyes reflecting pure foolishness.
“What situation? You’re my sister—aren’t we family?”
Su Nuan shook her head. This woman’s intelligence was lacking—battling her was less engaging than confronting the original Su Zhen, who was vicious and cunning enough to make it interesting.
Su Zhen continued, “Sister, do they have some hold over you? Why are you so determined to stay with them?”
Ignoring Su Zhen, Su Nuan looked at Su Liren. “You want to live in this mountain cave?”Su Liren smirked arrogantly, even throwing a provocative look at Xue Shi.”
“Yes, you’re my daughter. The cave you dug naturally belongs to your father.”
Su Nuan stroked her chin. “I wonder—if an exiled convict kills another exiled convict, would it be a capital offense?”
Xue Shi suppressed a laugh. “No. Fights among exiles—death is meaningless. The worst punishment is two days without food.”
Su Nuan nodded. “Understood.”
She then cupped her hands like a megaphone and shouted, “Officer! Someone’s trying to steal our cave—are we allowed to fight back?”
Cheng Feng’s voice echoed from afar, “Beat them to death!”
Su Nuan chuckled, asking Su Liren, “Do you still want to live here now?”
Su Liren had already lost his nerve, but his pride was wounded—how could he let his own daughter humiliate him like this?
He stiffened his neck and retorted, “You… you’re unfilial! Heaven will strike you with lightning!”
Su Nuan asked with a grin, “Your face seems to have healed. Since itching couldn’t teach you a lesson, let’s try pain.”
She raised her hand to strike, but before she could land the blow, her wrist was caught.
Su Nuan glanced coldly and found Ling Yun holding her.
“What are you doing?”
Ling Yun said cheerfully, “Sister-in-law, you shouldn’t hit people with your hand. Your hand will hurt.”
Su Nuan looked down and saw Tuan Tuan handing her a twig. “Sister-in-law, use this. Your hand won’t hurt.”
Su Liren retreated two steps and shouted angrily, “Su Nuan, how dare you!”