The person turned out to be Dong’er, who had left earlier. She smiled and said, “Cousin, how come you don’t recognize me after just a few days apart?”
Su Nuan looked Dong’er over. “With your androgynous appearance, I almost didn’t recognize you.”
Dong’er said proudly, “Cousin, I’m a free person now. You can’t drive me away, and no one can say anything about me following the exile procession.”
“It’s just a pity I didn’t have time to buy supplies. I’ll get bedding when we reach the next town.”
Su Nuan’s eyes grew warm. This silly girl—she had told her to live her own life, yet she still followed them.
Dong’er smiled and said, “Let’s go. You can’t ride in the cart yet, but it’ll be fine once we’re out of Jingdu’s territory.”
Su Nuan nodded. Getting to ride in the cart wouldn’t be easy—they needed to be far from the imperial city and also bribe the escort officers.
Dong’er drove the cart, keeping some distance. Actually, the escort officers were well aware of such situations.
Those with good relatives or friends would send people to follow and help.
The escort officers were very happy to have people following, as it meant they could get silver.
Seeing Little Aunt limping but biting her lip tightly without complaining or saying she was tired, Su Nuan felt a pang of heartache.
She crouched down and said softly, “Come, let me carry you.”
The little girl shook her head vigorously. “No, no, Sister-in-law, you’re already tired from carrying Big Brother. I’m fine.”
Su Nuan sighed. What a strong and adorable little girl. She had actually been cold to her, never giving her a kind look, and hadn’t even responded when the girl called her “Sister-in-law” while sick.
Fortunately, there was still a chance in this lifetime. This time, she would treat her well.
Su Nuan took Little Aunt’s hand and lifted her up with effort.
“Don’t be afraid. Your sister-in-law is strong.”
Because the place of exile was far away and they had to travel thirty to fifty li per day, the authorities allowed women to wear only leg irons without shackles.
Unexpectedly, Ling Yun suddenly rushed over and pulled at his sister. “I want a piggyback too!”
Because he was simple-minded, he also wasn’t shackled.
Seeing Little Aunt almost pulled to the ground, Su Nuan couldn’t help but kick Ling Yun in the stomach.
After realizing what she had done, she said awkwardly, “Sorry, but men and women should not touch each other.”
Xue Shi was dumbfounded. Wasn’t it said that the legitimate daughter of the Minister’s residence was gentle as water? How could she be so fierce?
Thinking Xue Shi was displeased with her, Su Nuan said uneasily, “Mother-in-law, I was wrong.”
Kicking her brother-in-law was indeed unconventional and not something a well-bred young lady should do.
But Xue Shi looked around and showed a pained expression. “This journey will take nearly half a year. You clearly didn’t have to suffer with us.”
Su Nuan glanced at Ling Yun, who was crouching on the ground holding his stomach, and comforted herself that she shouldn’t argue with a simpleton.
She smiled and said, “Mother-in-law, you saw it yourself—my father has disowned me. Although I entered the General’s Mansion, they didn’t give me a dowry. So if you don’t want me, I can only be an orphan girl.”
Xue Shi looked at her with heartache in her eyes. “They say that with a stepmother comes a stepfather, and it’s true. From now on, I’ll be your mother. Even if I go hungry, I won’t let you starve.”
Su Nuan felt like crying. How many years had it been since she had felt such warmth?
No—in her previous life, her mother-in-law had always been kind to her, cautiously so. It was she who had been blind and foolish, failing to accept their goodwill.
The little aunt in her arms comforted in a sweet, milky voice, “Sister-in-law, Tuan Tuan won’t eat either. I’ll give all my food to Sister-in-law.”
Su Nuan chuckled, “Alright, alright, no one will go hungry. Mother, I have innate divine strength, so don’t worry about me.”
Xue Shi only relaxed when she saw that Su Nuan truly wasn’t straining. She looked down at her disheveled son, her heart aching with pity yet amused. She reached out to help Ling Yun up.
“Be good and don’t fuss, or you’ll get a spanking.”
Ling Yun pouted, made a face at Su Nuan, and then hid behind Xue Shi.
Seeing Ling Yun act so childishly, Su Nuan felt relieved. This way, no one would find out about her sneaking into the palace at night or her visit to the Zhao Family.
Even if Ling Yun were to talk, no one would believe him—because he was a fool.
The escorting officers didn’t give them time to chat, brandishing their spears and shouting, “Move, move!”
Su Nuan held Tuan Tuan securely and followed closely beside Xue Shi.
Xue Shi held Ling Yun’s hand, and they fell silent, conserving their strength with unspoken understanding.
Only then did Su Nuan have time to reflect on her own situation.
It had been less than a day since her rebirth, and she had already accomplished quite a bit. It was just a pity she couldn’t witness Su Liren’s downfall firsthand.
Her physical abilities seemed to have improved dramatically—not only was she stronger, but she was also more agile. Perhaps this was an enhancement from the Space, a gift from the heavens. Sadly, she hadn’t had the chance to explore the Space yet.
“Ling Yun.” A voice called out from nearby.
Everyone turned to look, frowning at the sight.
The newcomers were Ling Yun’s fiancée, Mu Xue, and her cousin, Wang Qing.
Mu Xue was quite striking in appearance, but her expression was far from pleasant at the moment. She stepped forward and said, “Aunt, now that the General’s Mansion has fallen into disgrace, you likely won’t be returning from this exile.”
Xue Shi regarded her coldly. “So?”
Mu Xue took a step back, and her cousin Wang Qing spoke up awkwardly, “My cousin cannot go into exile with you. So, could the engagement be called off?”
Xue Shi didn’t lose her temper, though her heart felt chilled as she looked at Mu Xue. “Do your parents know about this?”
Wang Qing nodded and replied, “They do, but they’re too embarrassed to face you. Here are Ling Yun’s Gengtie and the token of engagement. Please take them back.”
Xue Shi reached out and accepted the Gengtie and a jade pendant. She opened it and glanced inside, then smiled mockingly.
“Has the Mu Family abandoned all sense of dignity?”
Wang Qing hurriedly produced a banknote. “This is the Mu Family’s compensation—one hundred taels in silver.”
“Since the betrothal gifts from back then can’t be taken with you, we’ve converted them into silver notes.”
Xue Shi retorted sarcastically, “Are you saying our betrothal gifts from back then are only worth a hundred taels? Though our General’s Mansion isn’t wealthy, we’re not that stingy.”
Pausing, her gaze sharpened. “One thousand taels.”
Mu Xue glared at her angrily. “Only a hundred taels. Not a cent more.”
Xue Shi remained unruffled and said calmly, “It makes no difference to me. The engagement is registered with the authorities. If I don’t return your Gengtie, you can’t annul the marriage.”
Mu Xue put on a tearful expression but wisely said nothing, simply gazing pitifully at Wang Qing.
Wang Qing gritted his teeth. “Fine, I’ll pay.”
Xue Shi beckoned with her hand. “Where’s the silver?”
“Here.” Wang Qing pulled out all the banknotes from his robe and thrust them at Xue Shi without looking.
It was clear the thousand taels had been prepared all along; he had only tried to fob them off with a hundred.
Xue Shi took out the token of love and the Gengtie from her bosom and handed them over. “You’re free now.”
She was also a clever person, having long anticipated that the other party would come to break off the engagement.
Mu Xue snatched the jade pendant, turning it over and examining it for a long while. After confirming it was her own, she turned and left without the slightest hesitation.
Xue Shi stood there, carrying a trace of worldly weariness, yet resembling a red plum blossom standing resilient against the snow.
Su Nuan stared fixedly at her. This mother-in-law was different from her previous life—she was remarkably strong.
Sensing Su Nuan’s gaze, Xue Shi asked in puzzlement, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Su Nuan gave an awkward smile. “I was just thinking how strong you are, Mother. If it were anyone else, they’d probably be crying themselves to death by now.”
Xue Shi sighed. “Have you forgotten? My husband was a general, and my son is also a general. I am not one of those timid women.”
“Besides, as long as the family is alive and together, safe and sound, nothing else matters.”
As Su Nuan watched her carefree mother-in-law, a wave of admiration rose from the depths of her heart.
In her previous life, it must have been for the sake of “keeping the family whole and together” that her mother-in-law had constantly yielded to her.
Suddenly, a scream echoed from afar, and everyone turned to look curiously.
After all, they had just left the imperial city and still had the energy to mind others’ business.