Zhou was so flustered she couldn’t say a word, and Zhang quickly grabbed her. “Mother, don’t speak, careful the officer hears.”
Shen Jiaojiao hid behind them, too afraid to make a sound. She had been hoping Shen Yaowu would succeed—then both her father and grandfather could be relieved, and maybe she could even get a share of the benefits. But instead, not only did it fail, he got whipped.
From a distance, Boss Wang saw all the commotion, frowned, and strode over. “What’s all this? Are we going or not? Keep dawdling, and tonight you’ll sleep out in the wilderness!”
Everyone quickly shut up. Shen Yaowu dared not complain, retreating to the side, holding his sore arm.
Shen Yaozong ignored them entirely and pushed the cart forward. “Let’s go. Don’t waste time with them.”
The three of them followed the officials’ group, leaving the rest of the Shen family behind, grumbling at one another.
“All because Second Brother insisted on joining that commotion. Now he got whipped and gained nothing,” Shen Yaozu muttered.
“I was just trying for Father!” Shen Yaowu grumbled. “Besides, I only went because Big Brother told me to.”
Shen Yaowen’s expression darkened. “Second Brother, don’t say that. I also had filial intentions, who knew the officer would be so unreasonable?”
Old Master Shen watched his sons shift blame and felt a deep sense of helplessness. He had spent his life valuing the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate sons, favoring the eldest branch—but in crucial moments, his sons only thought of themselves. No one truly cared about him.
After walking some distance, Shen Shuangshuang pulled a small cloth bundle from her space and handed it to Shen Yaozong. “Dad, this is an ointment soaked in Spirit Spring water. Rub it on your neck—it’ll ease the abrasion a bit.”
Shen Yaozong applied it, feeling the cool relief spread instantly, dulling the pain. “Still my own daughter thinking of me.”
Xiang Meimei sighed. “Your brothers are all so unreliable. Especially your eldest—always scheming, even using his own younger brothers.”
“Don’t worry about them,” Shen Shuangshuang said. “From now on, let’s stay away. Let them fuss however they want, as long as they don’t touch us.”
Just then, the sound of galloping hooves came from ahead. Several officials on horseback rode up, calling to Boss Wang: “Boss Wang, there’s a relay station ahead. Let’s rest there for the night!”
Boss Wang nodded. “Good! Pick up the pace—we want to reach the relay station before dark!”
Hearing they could rest, everyone perked up and quickened their pace.
Shen Yaozong, with ointment on his neck and Spirit Spring water in his system, felt no fatigue—if anything, he grew more energetic.
Shen Jiaojiao trailed behind, watching Shen Shuangshuang’s family laughing and chatting. She was burning with jealousy.
She had been hungry all day, gnawing on hard flatbread, while Shen Shuangshuang’s family had white flour buns and braised meat. Now Shen Yaozong had even freed his shackles. In contrast, she had to keep walking and fear punishment—a stark difference.
“Mother, I want a white bun too,” Shen Jiaojiao tugged at Zhang’s sleeve, whining.
Zhang sighed. “I’d like to give you some too, but we have no silver. I thought about asking your Third Uncle for two, but you saw—they didn’t even bother with us.”
“It’s all that Shen Shuangshuang’s fault!” Shen Jiaojiao gritted her teeth. “If not for her, the officer would have freed Grandpa’s shackles, and we could have benefitted too!”
Zhou, overhearing, seethed inwardly. “Just wait—one day I’ll get back at her! That illegitimate little brat thinks she’s so high and mighty?”
By nightfall, the group arrived at the relay station.
The station was small, with only a few guest rooms and a courtyard. The officials locked the men in a large room and the women in another, posting guards at the doors.
“Dinner is on yourselves!” Boss Wang called from the courtyard. “There’s hot water if you need it—go fetch it yourselves! Anyone causing trouble gets tossed out to the wolves!”
Shen Shuangshuang’s family, under Boss Wang’s protection, were assigned a small private room with two beds. It was simple but shielded them from wind and rain.
“Finally, we can rest properly.”
Xiang Meimei lay on a bed, exhausted.
Shen Yaozong fetched some hot water from the relay station kitchen, returning with a bowl each for Xiang Meimei and Shen Shuangshuang. “Drink some hot water to warm up.”
Shen Shuangshuang pulled out several white flour buns and a small dish of pickles from her space, plus a piece of braised meat. “Mother, Dad, let’s eat something to fill our stomachs first.”
As they ate, a knock sounded at the door. Shen Jiaojiao’s voice called out: “Shuangshuang, can I have a bowl of hot water? My mother is so thirsty.”
Shen Shuangshuang frowned, about to refuse, but Xiang Meimei stopped her. “It’s just a bowl of water. Give it to her; don’t make her shout outside.”
Shen Shuangshuang got up, opened the door, and handed the water over. “Take it—don’t come again.”
Shen Jiaojiao took the bowl, eyes lingering on the buns and braised meat. She swallowed. “Shuangshuang, can I have a bun too? I’m really hungry.”
“No,” Shen Shuangshuang said coldly. “We barely have enough for ourselves. If you want more, find your own way.”
She slammed the door, cutting off Shen Jiaojiao’s pleading.
“This child is getting greedier and greedier,” Xiang Meimei shook her head.
“She won’t learn unless we teach her a lesson,” Shen Shuangshuang said, returning to her meal. “I already gave her two buns today; now she asks again—always pushing her luck.”
Shen Yaozong nodded. “Right. Our food isn’t blowing in the wind; no need to spoil them endlessly.”
After dinner, Shen Shuangshuang let Xiang Meimei rest while she stayed by the door, knowing the Shen family wouldn’t give up easily. They might try something tonight.
Sure enough, in the middle of the night, Shen Shuangshuang heard light footsteps outside.
She quietly approached the door and peeked through the crack, seeing Shen Yaowu and Shen Yaozu sneaking around, up to something.
“Do you think they have a lot of food inside?” Shen Yaozu whispered.
“Definitely!” Shen Yaowu lowered his voice. “I saw them eating white flour buns and braised meat during the day. Maybe there’s even silver! Let’s sneak in, grab some, and leave. Then we can buy more good food later.”
“But the officer said no trouble…” Shen Yaozu hesitated.
“What’s there to fear? It’s midnight; the officer is asleep,” Shen Yaowu said. “Quietly, we grab what we can and go. They won’t notice.”