“That good-for-nothing Xin Wenyuan has brought you nothing but misery, my poor child!”
Xie Ninglan was initially uncomfortable being held in the old madam’s embrace, but gradually relaxed and patted the elder’s back with stiff movements to offer comfort.
From her grandmother’s fragmented account, Xin Nian learned that her mother’s original self was an absolute love-struck fool!
In truth, Xie Ninglan came from a respectable background—her father served as Minister of Personnel, and her elder brother was the Prefect of Binzhou, both holding substantial authority.
Her family had originally arranged an excellent match with a gentleman of good character and learning, yet Xie Ninglan blindly set her heart on the wastrel Xin Wenyuan. She desperately fought to break off the engagement and then stubbornly tied herself to this hopeless man…
As for Xin Wenyuan, he indulged in all forms of pleasure-seeking and was particularly fond of cockfighting and bird-walking. However, it wouldn’t be entirely accurate to label him as thoroughly wicked.
At the very least, while he enjoyed his amusements, he never touched vices like prostitution, gambling, or drugs.
Even when engaging in cockfighting and cricket battles with his disreputable friends, he never wagered money—claiming it was due to his stinginess. Moreover, since financial control remained firmly with the main household, he lacked the nerve to challenge his parents’ authority.
Though Xie Ninglan had a fiery temper, she was merely a paper tiger, utterly incapable of restraining her wayward husband.
Furthermore, the scoundrel’s daily expenses were relatively limited, so Xie Ninglan often turned a blind eye. When truly enraged, she would secretly weep under the covers—proving utterly ineffectual.
The couple quarreled frequently and fought violently every few days, making chaos the norm in the fourth branch of the Duke Manor, something everyone had grown accustomed to…
Xie Ninglan felt somewhat dazed as Minister Xie’s wife pointed at her forehead and scolded her relentlessly.
What kind of miserable, suppressed life had the original self endured all these years? A dignified eldest daughter of the Minister’s household, wasting her days with a petty rogue.
Worse yet, she had borne three children for this scoundrel—her brains must have been addled.
Seeing her daughter’s oblivious expression, the Minister’s wife grew increasingly frustrated. “You useless child, if only you had listened to your mother years ago and returned home with the children. You would never have landed in this mess.”
“Now you’ve not only harmed my Nian Nian but also Chen Ge’er and Han Ge’er. Tell me, don’t you regret it now?”
Xie Ninglan nodded vaguely, though inwardly she thought: Fortunately, we didn’t separate, or I would have been inexplicably parted from my Lao Xin.
As the Minister’s wife wiped her tears, the matron beside her supported her and advised, “Don’t distress yourself too much, Madam. Time is pressing—we should quickly explain everything to the young lady and young mistress.”
Old Madam Xie nodded, turning a solemn face to Xie Ninglan. “It’s too late for regrets now. Since you’ve decided to follow Xin Wenyuan, you must fulfill your maternal duties on the journey and take good care of your three children.”
Xie Ninglan hastily nodded in agreement.
Old Madam Xie couldn’t hold back fresh tears. “You’ve never suffered such hardships in your life. The mere thought of you sleeping poorly and eating inadequately on the road pains me like a knife to the heart.”
The matron wept alongside the old madam for a while before offering more consolation.
Only then did Minister Xie’s wife dry her tears and turn to beckon, “Dali.”
A stout, broad-shouldered young woman pushed a heavily laden flatbed cart and strode briskly over.
The Minister’s wife took Xin Nian’s hand, her face full of concern. “Nian Nian, from now on, Dali will stay by your side.”
“This girl is eighteen years old, strong as an ox, and will ensure the safety of you and your mother.”
After speaking, she went on at length about the provisions prepared for them. Clothing, bedding, food, and medicine were all accounted for, with over a dozen water pouches included.
To ease their journey, Old Madam had specially ordered thicker straw sandals, with thick sheepskin sewn into both the inner layer and sole. Even if the straw soles wore out halfway, the sheepskin base would remain intact, preventing their feet from being bruised.
As for dry rations, she had prepared every available type of flatbread, pickled vegetables, and dried meat—all in substantial quantities.
Xin Nian’s heart, hardened over centuries, felt an inexplicable warmth.
Rarely had she received kindness from anyone beyond her parents and elder brother.
Especially in that treacherous apocalyptic era, where human relationships were defined by interests and exploitation.
This nominal grandmother made her feel a mother’s profound, heartfelt love.
“Always keep your wits about you. Prioritize your own children when distributing resources—don’t foolishly give everything away. With such a large family to care for, you can’t attend to everyone. In times like these, you must look after yourselves first.” The Old Madam repeated her admonitions, unable to rest easy.
Xie Ninglan’s heart ached as she nodded firmly. “I understand, Mother.”
Tears welling in her eyes, Old Madam Xie gently tidied her daughter’s disheveled hair. “Your elder brother will meet you in Binzhou. Don’t worry—we won’t let you suffer too much on the road. We’ll continue sending people with emergency supplies along the way.”
“As for the Escorts, the estate has already made some arrangements.” The Old Madam took two plain, inconspicuous cotton belts and personally fastened them inside Xie Ninglan and Xin Nian’s prison garments.
After tugging firmly to ensure they were secure, she nodded gravely and whispered, “Each belt contains a hundred gold leaves—for you to rebuild your lives in the far north. Do not reveal them lightly during the journey.”
She then accepted a pouch of silver fragments from a maidservant, pressing it into Xie Ninglan’s bosom with a pat. “Use these cautiously on the road. Those guards have voracious appetites—don’t spoil them all at once.”
Overwhelmed, Xie Ninglan knelt and kowtowed solemnly to her mother.
“Mother, please take care of your health—yours and Father’s.”
Old Madam Xie wept continuously, her voice choked. “You’ll depart the capital outskirts at dawn tomorrow, leaving the capital for good. Is there anything else you need before then? I’ll have it sent over.”
Hearing this, Xin Nian perked up and promptly asked the maidservant for paper and ink, swiftly drafting a lengthy list.
The maidservant watched in astonishment.
The list included items like mortar and pestles, medicinal bowls, herbs, and silver needles. Though Old Madam found it peculiar, she asked no questions, simply nodding and instructing the maidservant to prepare everything.
The three generations bid each other a reluctant farewell.
Dali, a man of few words, pushed a fully loaded flatbed cart at the front, drawing exclamations of awe from the other prisoners.
Mother and daughter followed behind Dali, enduring a mix of envious, greedy, jealous, and scornful stares.
An old Escort rubbed his hands together, smiling obsequiously as he approached. “Congratulations, Fourth Madam and Sixth Miss.”
Such a cartload of goods was a grand gesture—more valuable than gold on an exile’s journey!
Moreover, the Minister’s wife had even sent a maidservant to accompany her mistress. This preferential treatment did not go unnoticed.
Someone snorted disdainfully, half-envious and half-resentful, muttering, “Some people never drop their airs, even in exile. All they lack is a sedan chair to carry them!”
The mother and daughter couldn’t be bothered with these shallow-minded strangers. After exchanging a few polite words with the old escort and thanking him, they left.
“My dear, I finally understand why that old escort was so courteous to us earlier. It turns out he was doing it out of respect for your grandfather.”