Junwan lowered the carriage curtain, and Linglan drove the carriage forward. Mei Shi sat to the side and followed them, while Jiang Shi quickly hurried after her.
The Lü family all wore unpleasant expressions. Lü An shot a glare at Madam Kong before walking away with heavy steps.
Madam Kong was already furious from Junwan and Noble Consort Yi’s words, and Lü An’s glare only made her feel more wronged.
Lü Chunxuan held Madam Kong’s arm. “Grandmother, they’re going too far! No matter what, you and Grandfather are their elders. They’re clearly humiliating you on purpose!”
Madam Kong gritted her teeth. “There’s still a long road ahead. There will come a day when they’ll have to ask us for help.”
Lü Chunxuan pressed her lips together and said nothing, but hatred burned in her heart.
At noon break, Zheng An, in gratitude for Junwan saving Fan Wei, had Fan Wei bring over more than ten steamed buns for Junwan’s group, along with some vegetables.
Most of the others still had silver, so they bought buns from the officers.
By evening, they finally arrived at a small village.
The village was next to the official road, and people often stopped there to rest. In order to earn some income, the village head had organized the villagers to pool money and build a simple inn.
Zheng An negotiated with the village head, and that night they stayed in the village inn.
After returning, he said to everyone, “The large dormitory is fifty wen per person. A private room for two costs two taels of silver per room. Choose for yourselves. If you have no money, you’ll stay in the wood shed outside.”
Everyone knew the high prices were basically extortion by the officials, but they had no choice.
Those without money went to the wood shed. The Lü, Shi, and He families still had some silver left, but they wanted to save money, so they all chose the dormitory.
“We’ll take two rooms,” Noble Consort Yi said to Junwan. “You and Nanny Lin with Linglan in one room, and the rest of us in another.”
Junwan was still in her postpartum period. Not only was the dormitory uncomfortable, it would also be inconvenient for feeding the baby.
“Alright, as you say,” Junwan agreed.
She secretly took ten taels of silver from her spatial storage and handed it to Fan Wei, who was with Zheng An.
Seeing that only Junwan’s group chose private rooms, Fan Wei wanted to give them a discount, but he did not have the authority. He could only take out a small piece of silver as change. His face turned slightly red as he said, “Thank you.”
He silently swore that he would ensure their safety all the way to their destination.
Noticing his slightly flushed face, Junwan understood he was still embarrassed about what happened last night. She smiled lightly. “No need to thank me. Can we go to our room now?”
“Of course,” Fan Wei said, secretly relieved that she did not mention it in front of others.
Junwan returned to the room with Nanny Lin holding Little Jingchen. Linglan went to unhitch the carriage before coming in.
Junwan took out another ten taels of silver and handed it to Linglan. “Go ask Madam Yi what she wants to eat. Then have the kitchen send it over. Also, arrange some fodder for the horses.”
“Yes, I’ll go right away,” Linglan replied, taking the silver and heading to Noble Consort Yi’s room.
“Madam, my mistress asked what you would like to eat,” Linglan said respectfully.
“Besides a bowl of chicken soup for your mistress, we’ll just have some steamed buns and three vegetarian dishes,” Noble Consort Yi replied.
She thought that in such times, aside from Junwan needing something better, they should save wherever possible.
Linglan noted it down and left.
As she walked out, she thought that although Prince Zhan wasn’t particularly impressive, Noble Consort Yi truly treated her mistress very well and always cared for her.
Inside the room, after Linglan left, Mo Lian sat quietly with her head lowered, lost in thought. Noble Consort Yi glanced at her, then at Mei Shi and Jiang Shi, and sighed inwardly.
In these two days, she had realized Junwan had changed—she was far more decisive than before. She only hoped these two concubines would be sensible and not end up like Madam Ding.
At that moment, Mo Lian suddenly stood up. “Mother, I’m going out for a bit.”
“Where are you going? You don’t know this place,” Noble Consort Yi asked worriedly.
“I’m going to find my sister-in-law. I’ll be back soon,” Mo Lian said, then left.
Noble Consort Yi relaxed when she heard she was going to Junwan.
Mei Shi also stood up. “Madam, this servant will go out as well.”
Jiang Shi quickly said, “Sister Mei, are you going to change clothes? I’ll go too.” Then she turned to Noble Consort Yi. “Madam, this servant will also go out for a moment.”
Noble Consort Yi knew everyone had not had a chance to relieve themselves during the journey, so she waved them off.
Meanwhile, after staying in the dormitory, the Shi family immediately sent someone to Zheng An, asking for a doctor for Old Madam Shi.
Zheng An did not want anyone dying right after departure, so he asked the village head to bring the only doctor in the village.
Old Madam Shi remained unconscious.
After examining her, the doctor shook his head. “She is exhausted and frightened. If she had been treated earlier, there might have been hope. But now… I am powerless.”
Upon hearing this, the Shi family members had mixed expressions.
Especially Shi Wenqing’s wife and his eldest son, Shi Shuiying, who both secretly sighed in relief.
Old Madam Shi had been carried all the way by Shi Shuiying and Shi Zhongying. Shi Shuiying was already weak from indulgence and exhaustion; carrying her had nearly made him collapse several times.
“If not for that wretched woman refusing to treat her, Grandmother wouldn’t be beyond saving!” Shi Huamiao cursed bitterly.
Shi Wenqing’s eyes also filled with hatred.
At that moment, a female voice rang out.
“Interesting.”
Shi Huamiao turned angrily. “He Muki, what do you mean?”
“What I mean is exactly what I said,” He Muki replied coldly. “Some people mocked her medical skills yesterday, saying she learned them in a dream. Now you’re blaming her for not treating your grandmother?”
“What, are you afraid her ‘dream medical skills’ would have made things worse? Then wouldn’t you blame her even more?”
“You—!” Shi Huamiao was speechless.
“In this world,” He Muki continued disdainfully, “helping you is kindness, not helping you is normal. Stop acting like everyone owes you something.”
“Shut up, He Muki!” Shi Huamiao shouted angrily.
Shi Shuiying and Shi Zhongying were about to step in when Shi Wenqing suddenly shouted, “Enough!”
He thought bitterly that if Shi Huamiao had not mocked Junwan, perhaps she would have treated his mother, and she might not be beyond saving now.
Now that his mother was like this, and she still had the mood to argue, she truly had been spoiled.
Shi Shuiying and Shi Zhongying immediately quieted down.
He Muki was also called away by Madam He.
At this time, Junwan had no idea the Shi family and He Muki were arguing over her.
After feeding Little Jingchen, Nanny Lin urged her to lie down and rest.
Just as she lay down, a knock came at the door.
When Nanny Lin opened it, she saw Mo Lian standing outside.
“I… I’m here to see my sister-in-law,” Mo Lian said awkwardly.