By evening, the exiles had marched about twenty li (roughly ten kilometers).
Everyone was exhausted.
Some collapsed and couldn’t even get back up.
They were tired, starving, and the elderly, frail women could barely endure it any longer.
The weather was unbearably hot as well.
Hua Zhiyun stayed inside her carriage. If she hadn’t secretly taken ice from her space to cool herself down, she would probably have suffered heatstroke too.
If only I could drive my RV…
She had one stored in her space.
Unfortunately, she was running low on gasoline.
Besides, if an RV suddenly appeared in this ancient world, people would probably call her a monster.
Hua Zhiyun had no desire to be burned alive.
Tonight, they camped outside the first small city south of the capital.
The exiles weren’t worthy of entering the city, so they would bypass it entirely.
Chen Dali and the other guards planned to go into town to buy supplies.
The exiles still had quite a bit of hidden silver and valuables on them.
Naturally, the guards intended to squeeze every last coin out of them.
After all, supplies were essential for the journey.
Chen Dali stayed behind to guard the prisoners while sending several local constables into town.
They would purchase everything needed by tomorrow.
Goods in the capital were expensive.
Small-town prices were much cheaper.
Having escorted exiles south many times before, they knew the market well.
Hua Zhiyun stepped down from her carriage and immediately noticed that many of the guards were gone.
After asking, she learned they’d gone shopping.
She clenched her fist.
Chen Dali nearly dropped to his knees in terror.
“Next time, I’ll definitely take you with us, Grandmother!”
“If there’s anything you need this time, we can send a message by carrier pigeon and have them buy it.”
Hua Zhiyun had just begun mentally making a shopping list when Chen Dali foolishly added,
“But… a pigeon message can only fit a few words.”
She exploded.
“Get lost!”
She wasn’t relying on them anymore.
She’d go herself.
Opening her map, the cursed system immediately displayed the supply situation inside the nearby city.
Red markers popped up everywhere.
Each one even came with descriptions.
The nearest town to the capital—Huanzhou—actually contained a surprising amount of supplies.
The largest stockpile belonged to…
A collateral branch of the Su family.
A relative of Grand Secretary Su served as an official there, controlling the main route into the capital and lining his pockets for years.
Knowing there wasn’t a single decent member of the Su family, Hua Zhiyun’s eyes lit up.
She’d wait until everyone was asleep tonight.
Then she’d strike.
Dinner wasn’t much different from lunch.
While everyone else swallowed coarse porridge and pickled vegetables…
Hua Zhiyun had grown tired of porridge.
Tonight she wanted noodles.
Chen Dali personally kneaded the dough and hand-pulled fresh noodles.
Before serving them, he picked a handful of wild greens growing by the roadside and washed them clean.
Soon, a steaming bowl was placed before Hua Zhiyun.
Everyone nearby looked at her sideways, as though she’d done something disgraceful.
Some even looked at Chu Linzhang with pity.
As if he were wearing a bright green hat.
(Cuckolded.)
Chen Dali didn’t enjoy looking like a bootlicker either.
But his life was in Hua Zhiyun’s hands.
If he failed to serve this little ancestor properly, he’d be buried alongside her.
Compared to staying alive…
A few gossiping tongues meant nothing.
Chu Linzhang noticed the contemptuous looks everyone was giving them.
His expression didn’t change.
He knew they envied Hua Zhiyun.
She could eat well, drink well, and live comfortably because she had the ability.
Not because she’d traded herself for favors.
Chen Dali must have some weakness in her hands.
Otherwise, he would never obey her so completely.
Most likely… she’d poisoned him.
The antidote was with her.
Chu Linzhang smiled faintly.
Bai Zhong brought over dinner.
He never ate the guards’ food.
He was afraid it might be poisoned.
Besides, he simply couldn’t stomach it.
The Prince’s meals were secretly prepared by hidden guards following them from afar.
Since Bai Lian was still recovering from his injuries, Bai Zhu had temporarily taken over attending Chu Linzhang.
Tonight’s meal was excellent.
Braised pork ribs with Chinese yam.
Steamed carp.
A bowl of old hen soup.
Chu Linzhang looked at the dishes before saying,
“Take the chicken soup and the ribs to the Princess.”
“I can’t finish this much.”
“The fish is enough for me.”
Without hesitation, Bai Zhong carried the two dishes over.
“Princess, His Highness asked me to bring these to you.”
Hua Zhiyun was happily slurping noodles.
Seeing the ribs and chicken soup, her eyes lit up.
“Thanks.”
“What is your prince eating?”
“Steamed carp.”
“Bring it here.”
She frowned.
“How can an injured patient eat carp?”
“He needs dietary restrictions.”
“Steamed fish is fine—but only certain kinds.”
“Snakehead, sea bass, crucian carp… those are acceptable.”
“Carp isn’t.”
“It’s considered a ‘trigger food.'”
Bai Zhong hesitated.
“But His Highness needs nourishment.”
“If I give you the fish, he’ll only have plain porridge.”
Hua Zhiyun crossed her arms.
“Carp delays wound healing.”
“I’m giving him the ribs so he won’t go hungry.”
“I’ll deal with the carp.”
“I’m being considerate.”
“And you’re still complaining?”
She planted her hands on her hips.
“What?”
“You think I’m abusing your prince?”
Bai Zhong: “…”
I’m finished.
Am I about to get beaten to death too?
Fortunately, Hua Zhiyun wasn’t unreasonable.
Compared to arguing…
Eating was far more important.
She waved him away.
“Hurry up and go.”
Bai Zhong secretly sighed in relief.
Returning with the ribs, he reported,
“Your Highness.”
“The Princess says carp is bad for wound healing and asked me to exchange it.”
Chu Linzhang looked toward Hua Zhiyun’s carriage.
He gestured for Bai Zhong to push the prison cart over.
Hua Zhiyun raised an eyebrow.
I only told him to change one dish.
Why did the patient come personally?
His bright eyes looked at her.
Wrapped up like a mummy, he was amusing every time she saw him.
“Thank you for reminding me.”
“In the future…”
“I’ll have to trouble you to keep an eye on my meals.”
“Princess?”
She gave him a warning look.
Chu Linzhang explained,
“I know it’s somewhat inappropriate.”
“But to avoid unnecessary gossip…”
“Until you obtain the divorce papers and leave…”
“We should continue using our current forms of address.”
“Otherwise people may become suspicious of your identity.”
“What do you think?”
Hua Zhiyun narrowed her eyes.
He had a point.
She could tell Chu Linzhang bits and pieces of the truth.
But no one else could know.
She trusted that he wouldn’t betray her.
Still…
Walls had ears.
Princess it is, then.
Every time he addressed her, he always hesitated first.
Honestly…
She was getting tired of correcting him too.
She nodded.
The smile in Chu Linzhang’s beautiful eyes deepened.
Beautiful eyes or not…
Combined with that mummy head, the overall effect was… average.
She looked away after one glance and continued eating.
Fish.
Chicken.
A bowl of noodles.
Two meat dishes.
She’d only eaten half when a crowd gathered around the carriage.
Every one of them was from the Chu family.
Now that Chu Linzhang had people protecting him—and actual meat to eat—
Their shameless relatives immediately came over hoping for a bite.
Second Master Chu smiled obsequiously.
“Having fish?”
“It smells delicious.”
“We’re family after all.”
“And we’re your elders.”
“How can you eat so well while leaving us out?”
“That’s right!”
“Let me have a bowl of that chicken soup.”
“I haven’t tasted any in ages.”
“Don’t finish all the noodles.”
“Leave me a few bites.”
The old matriarch also chimed in.
“I’m the eldest here.”
“Even if I’m only from a secondary branch, I’m still your elder.”
“You youngsters should respect your elders.”
“My teeth aren’t good anymore.”
“I can at least eat some fish.”
Chu Linzhang was being fed by Bai Zhong.
His hands still hadn’t recovered.
He couldn’t move them.
Eating, drinking, even relieving himself all required assistance.
If his hands had worked…
He would’ve dumped the soup all over their faces himself.
Unfortunately…
Someone beat him to it.
The old woman suddenly had an entire bucket of urine splashed directly across her face.
“If you wanted something to eat, you should’ve just said so.”
“It’s not like I can’t afford it.”
“Enjoy yourselves.”
“Tomorrow I’ll save some poop for you too.”
“If that’s not enough, there’s plenty more.”
“I’ve been in a good mood these past few days.”
“No constipation.”
“Fresh every day.”
Hua Zhiyun had absolutely no intention of indulging these people.
Trying to use seniority to control her?
They weren’t qualified.
The old woman was drenched from head to toe.
Smelling the urine covering her body, she nearly fainted from rage.
The others splashed as collateral victims looked just as sickened.
Yesterday in the capital…
They’d already been drenched with filth by angry commoners.
It was an experience they’d never forget.
They’d assumed a noble young lady would value dignity, manners, and reputation.
Who would’ve thought Hua Zhiyun would be so utterly shameless?
Using a chamber pot inside her carriage was one thing.
Saving it…
Just to throw it on her elders?
The old matriarch slapped her thigh dramatically before collapsing onto the ground.
“Oh, Heaven!”
“Take this unfilial daughter-in-law away!”
“How could the Hua family raise such an untalented, immoral daughter?!”