Xie Ninglan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, poking her daughter’s waist. “Look at your own tender face. You’re only fourteen or fifteen years old. Don’t speak so maturely in the future.”
Xin Nian grinned, catching up with the slow-moving large group ahead, walking with light steps.
The family of three had long grown accustomed to their routine: waking at three in the morning, desperately practicing their supernatural powers, and sleeping soundly from seven or eight in the evening.
Although this life was tougher than a dog’s, at least the father and his children still had some hope.
Once a person has a goal, they have endless motivation.
Xin Nian’s greatest motivation now was to reach the third level as soon as possible and retrieve some of her previous supplies.
Everything else was trivial to her.
After walking for nearly two hours, Old Mother Wang suddenly collapsed to the ground, throwing a tantrum and rolling around, demanding to relieve herself, claiming she couldn’t hold it any longer. She clung tightly to her son, insisting he carry her.
Wang Bangyan was miserable but couldn’t defy his mother, so he could only bow and scrape to the escorts, repeatedly apologizing.
Xin Nian thought Old Wang was quite admirable.
How could a living person be held back by urine? It had been two hours, and they still hadn’t arranged for anyone to relieve themselves. Their bladders were about to burst.
Ask any of the women or young wives here—weren’t they all holding it in? Only Old Wang was bold enough to disregard her dignity, daring to lie down and make a scene, unafraid of being whipped.
Despite her plump figure, the old woman was remarkably agile. When the whip came down, she dodged and weaved all over the ground. Though it was somewhat comical, there was a touch of bitterness in the humor.
In any case, Xin Nian had never known before—what law could possibly forbid people from using the restroom?
Even if her uncle had detained her at the station, she still had human rights, for goodness’ sake!
The feudal system ought to be overthrown because it was utterly inhumane and immoral.
The escorts gave them half a quarter of an hour to relieve themselves. Xin Nian linked arms with Xie Ninglan, grabbed Dali, and the three of them ran a bit farther away.
By the time they returned, the escorts were already calling roll and counting heads, preparing to continue the journey.
Xiao Jia hurried forward, looking up at Liang Guang, who was on horseback. “Boss, a noble’s carriage procession is approaching.”
Liang Guang quickly jumped down from his horse, gesturing and shouting, “Move to both sides! Everyone kneel on both sides!”
Xin Wenyuan sensed something amiss and quickly shouldered his cangue, calling his young son as he rushed toward his wife and daughter.
The group moved with perfect coordination, squeezing and shuffling quietly to the very back of the crowd.
By the time everyone was ordered by Liang Guang to kneel and prostrate in salute, the father and his children had already crouched at the rear of the crowd, sitting on the ground and leaning forward, making it look as if they were lying prone.
Screw kneeling—though the family of three showed no expression on their faces, their minds were filled with furious curses.
“It’s Princess Jiuni’s carriage emblem,” Xin Wanqing knelt properly beside her mother, Nie Shi, glancing up briefly before quickly lowering her head.
Princess Jiuni—the beloved daughter of King Su Bei, a figure even in the capital whom no one dared to provoke.
Was her appearance here a coincidence or something more?
The Old Madam, Yu Shi, clenched the sleeves of her prisoner’s uniform, her body trembling uncontrollably.
Whether from anger or fear, she didn’t know. Just moments ago, she had glanced back and seen the entire unreliable fourth branch of the family sitting on the ground, leaning forward.
Fortunately, they were positioned at the very back, completely inconspicuous, with grass covering them from both front and back.
Otherwise, if the princess accused them of great disrespect, their lives might be in danger.
The princess’s carriage came to a halt amidst the crowd lining the path.
The carriage curtain was lifted, and a slender, jade-like hand extended out.
Liang Guang scurried forward with a fawning bow, but before he could speak, he was sharply rebuked by the maid Xuancao with a “Get lost!”
“Don’t even look at what kind of trash you are, daring to approach our princess,” Xuancao sneered with utmost contempt, snorting through her nose.
Turning around, she obsequiously and respectfully laid a silk handkerchief over her own hand, carefully assisting the princess as she descended from the carriage.
The princess was strikingly beautiful, with bold and vivid features. Dressed in a peacock-feather-patterned crimson gown, she appeared exceptionally radiant and alluring.
The escorts stole a glance but quickly lowered their heads, not daring to look further.
Such a noble and extravagant figure was not someone lowly escorts like them were fit to gaze upon.
“Where is the family of the former Magistrate of Jingzhao Prefecture, Lord Si?” the maid, holding the noble lady’s delicate hand, haughtily scanned the surroundings as she inquired.
The crowd looked up, exchanging uncertain glances.
Han Li whispered to his elder brother, “Xiao Jiuni is here for Si Nanfeng.”
Han Zhao curled his lips—it was obvious.
The story of Xiao Jiuni falling head over heels for the eldest son of the Magistrate of Jingzhao Prefecture at first sight and vowing to marry him was known throughout the capital.
The Magistrate of Jingzhao Prefecture was known for his integrity, and many in the court held grudges against him, eagerly awaiting his downfall.
Now, as luck would have it, the eldest son of the Magistrate of Jingzhao Prefecture had stubbornly refused to marry Princess Jiuni, offending King Su Bei!
Thus, various factions joined forces, and Lord Si was stripped of his position entirely.
Xin Nian pricked up her ears, listening to the whispered conversation between the two brothers from Yongkang Viscount Estate, while secretly observing Xiao Jiuni’s convoy.
Impressive! This princess was probably leaving the capital for a leisurely trip. Just the carts carrying supplies numbered seven or eight, as if she had brought along all the bedding and furnishings from home.
Wasn’t this like receiving a pillow just as one was about to doze off?
She had been worrying about not being able to acquire a batch of supplies before the natural disaster, and now someone was practically delivering them to her doorstep. Wow, how delightful!
Life for the common folk in ancient times was tough. Xin Nian felt guilty about robbing ordinary people, but when it came to seizing resources from corrupt nobles and unscrupulous officials, she had no qualms at all. Hehe.
Xin Wenyuan and Xie Ninglan sat beside their daughter, and seeing the mischievous glint in her bright, sparkling eyes, they knew she was up to no good.
Over there, Liang Guang, like an eager lapdog, repeatedly bowed to the princess and hastily ordered someone to drag Lord Si’s family forward.
Madam Si wept bitterly, trembling as she held her coughing young son, whose eyes were narrowed in discomfort.
Lord Si knelt beside his eldest son, Si Nanfeng, clenching his fists in suppressed anger. “We greet the princess,” he said.
Xiao Jiuni giggled softly, supporting herself on Xuancao’s hand as she stepped forward. She lifted a handkerchief and tilted Si Nanfeng’s chin with it. “My dear Si, do you regret it now?”
Xin Nian and her parents nearly choked back laughter…
Oh my goodness, was Princess Jiuni acting out a domineering CEO script?
[“Madam, do you regret it? When will she come to apologize?”]
[“No, Madam is already with your best friend, and they’ve had three children together!”]
The trio lowered their heads, struggling to suppress the trembling of their shoulders.
Who said ancient people had no entertainment? Wasn’t this a live-action short drama? Cackle, cackle~
“This princess is on her way to Yunlin Villa to escape the summer heat. My dear Si, as long as you say you regret it, I will take you with me and spare you the hardship of exile and labor.”
Xin Nian stole a glance. From her angle, she could only see the heartbreakingly handsome profile of the eldest son, Si Nanfeng.
Tsk, tsk, tsk—a female tyrant forcibly seizing a common man!
Her hands itched. How could she resist the urge to punch someone?
Xin Wenyuan noticed his daughter’s intention and quickly whispered to dissuade her, “My girl, we’re still too close to the capital. If you must fight, go somewhere farther away to avoid trouble.”
“Si Lang?”
“Get lost!”
Hahahaha! If she could, Xin Nian would have laughed herself into rolling on the ground.