Xin Nian knew her mother wasn’t being overly sensitive – these concerns were genuine hardships women inevitably faced during exile journeys.
Already enduring relentless travel day and night, if they couldn’t manage menstrual cycles safely, they’d likely be completely broken before even reaching the far north.
For both their physical and mental wellbeing, Xin Nian had to retrieve her original space as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the old Escort had completed paperwork and seal procedures with the post station manager, directing everyone to split into two groups heading toward the backyard.
Half were crammed into the stables overnight, while the other half went to the woodshed.
The Xin family was assigned to the woodshed – relatively fortunate compared to others. At least the woodshed offered some roof coverage, better than the stinking stable sheds.
Soon enough, Xin Nian realized she’d been too naive.
The woodshed was no better than the stables. Seventy to eighty people crowded into one dilapidated room, men removing their shoes, their foot odor permeating the air…
After a day’s journey, everyone had developed blisters on their insteps and soles to varying degrees.
The Xin family was no exception.
Fortunately, she had been secretly channeling Healing Power for herself and her mother, so their foot injuries were much less severe than others’.
Her father had it worse – not only were his heels red and swollen, but he also had three to five blisters on his soles. Removing his shoes made him grimace in pain.
The family of five occupied the spot by the woodshed entrance, where leaving the door open provided slightly better air.
Dali brought them a straw mat to spread on the ground, placing the young master Xin Mochen slightly inward to avoid being stepped on.
Seeing her busily bringing water skins and flatbreads for her and her mother, Xin Nian waved her over. “Dali, come sit and rest. You must be tired after pushing the cart all day.”
Dali shook her head, speaking formally, “This servant isn’t tired.”
Xin Nian smiled at her. “Dali, what’s your family name?”
Dali paused, then shook her head. “This servant has no family name.”
“No family name is perfect! From now on, you’ll take our family name – Xin Dali! How does that sound?”
Dali’s eyes lit up as she clasped her fists in salute. “Thank you for bestowing your surname, young miss.”
Ancient people were so sincere, mother and daughter both thought simultaneously, watching Dali’s shining eyes.
“Come sit and eat with us. From now on, we’re a family of six!” Xie Ninglan said cheerfully.
After a moment’s hesitation, Dali sat down as instructed, taking a flatbread and saluting again. “Thank you, madam.”
Nearby, Xin Wenyuan huddled in a corner, calmly lancing three to five blisters himself, dragging out his words with pained hisses. “Daughter~ your father feels like these feet don’t belong to him anymore.”
Numb and itching, so uncomfortable he wanted to cry!
Xin Nian and Xie Ninglan looked at him with full sympathy.
To prevent escapes, men wore cangues during travel. Carrying over ten jin of wooden yoke, one could imagine the suffering.
Only during nightly rest could they remove them for relief.
Not only were Lao Xin’s soles rubbed raw, but both shoulders were also scraped red and bloody from the heavy cangue.
Xie Ninglan felt heartbroken as she applied medicine to his shoulder wounds. “Lao Xin, bear with it. Our daughter says this wound medicine isn’t very effective, only providing slight relief.”Tomorrow morning, my maternal family will send us another batch of medicinal herbs.” Once we get them, we’ll have our daughter prepare some truly useful medicinal powder when she has time. Then you won’t suffer so much.”
Xin Wenyuan nodded repeatedly, hissing through his teeth with continuous “aiyo~ aiyo” sounds. The expressionless Xin Dali secretly rolled her eyes at this delicate young master.
The young lady, such a precious daughter from a noble family, had even developed blisters on her soles, yet she wasn’t moaning “aiyo aiyo” as if at death’s door.
A grown man pulling a long face, trying to gain sympathy from his wife and daughter. The old madam was right – this young master was truly unreliable! She would have to support her young lady all along the way!
“Mother, give me some copper coins.” Xin Nian signaled to Xie Ninglan with her eyes, half shielding her as her mother fished out a handful of coins from the bulging money pouch.
The scattered silver given by their grandmother varied in amounts of one, two, or three taels, and also contained several hundred copper coins – quite a heavy bundle.
Xin Nian took the money and turned to walk outside. Many eyes followed her as they saw the young girl smiling and whispering a few words to the old escort.
The latter appeared quite polite. Before long, Xin Nian returned accompanied by two young servants from the post station.
Each servant carried a basin of hot water, set them down, then turned and left.
“Father, Mother, please soak your feet in the hot water.”
“Daughter, you go first.” Xin Wenyuan pointed to the clean water.
“No need, you two wash.” She understood her physical condition better than anyone – her supernatural power would continuously provide her with energy.
The blisters on her soles had already subsided. Although this delicate body wasn’t quite accustomed to high-intensity walking exercises, her situation was actually much better than her parents’.
Xin Wenyuan pulled over his young son squatting nearby, chuckling, “Son, come soak your feet with your father.”
“Don’t, don’t ruin the child with your smelly feet.” Xie Ninglan shot him a disgusted look and pulled the child to her side. “Han’er will soak with mother.”
“Then I won’t stand on ceremony!” Xin Wenyuan happily plunged his feet into the hot water, his face showing a pained yet comfortable expression while making strange “aiyo-yo” sounds.
Dali tightened her lips, secretly marking another big red cross against the young master in her mind.
Stingy! Delicate! Plus a bit gossipy! These were all fatal flaws in a man!
Men should be like Old Master Xie and the First Master – pillars of strength dominating everything, capable of supporting the entire family effortlessly.
The couple took off their shoes and soaked their feet in a corner by the door. Xin Wenan happened to turn and catch sight of this scene, immediately feeling anger rise in his heart.
Frowning, he walked over, his face full of disapproval. “Fourth Brother, you, this is… simply a disgrace to culture!”
The pedantic aura hit him head-on, making Xin Wenyuan retort, “It’s just soaking feet, how does that relate to culture? What, you never bathe or wash your feet? Have you been stinking for decades?”
Zhuang Shi stepped forward to mock, “Fourth Master, this is really too improper. Taking off shoes to wash in public like this – and you’re making Fourth Sister-in-law follow your example. A woman exposing her feet in public – it’s downright shameful for our entire family.”
Xie Ninglan was busy squeezing the small blisters on her stepson’s feet.
The small, pale feet were red, swollen, and covered with blisters. Xie Ninglan’s heart ached at the sight.
Why was this child so tough? Other children would be crying and making fuss after walking for a day, yet his feet were in this state and he hadn’t made a single sound of complaint.
Just as she was asking the child, “Your feet are like this, don’t you feel any pain? Why didn’t you tell your father?”, Xin Wenan and his wife came straight over, wearing sour expressions and deliberately looking for trouble.
Her fiery temper couldn’t tolerate this in the slightest. She immediately spat back, “What’s it to you? Do you two have to stick your noses into everything? If you don’t like what you see, why not donate your eyes?”
“Nobody offered you foot-washing water, yet you come rushing over asking for a scolding?”