There were more than a hundred people in the exile group this time. Since they had only just begun the journey, most still had enough strength left to keep going.
The escort team consisted of five officers. The leader, Zhang Meng, was around thirty-five years old. A long scar stretched across his face, making him appear particularly fierce. He was an experienced constable who always handled escort duties with strict discipline. The other four were his subordinates. Most men who accepted this kind of work came from poor families and hoped to earn a little extra money along the brutal exile route.
The prisoners dressed in convict uniforms slowly began marching forward.
Gong Mohan was so severely injured that he could not walk at all. Without hesitation, eleven-year-old Gong Hao hoisted his older brother onto his back. The boy himself was barely over five feet tall and still just a child. His small body bent under the weight, struggling desperately to support his brother.
Holding Gong Ying’s hand tightly, Ziling watched the two brothers and thought to herself that something had to be done. At this rate, Gong Hao would collapse from exhaustion as well. Before they even reached the exile destination, both brothers would likely fall apart.
After another two hours of walking, the escort officers finally ordered everyone to stop and rest for a meal.
Most of the exiles had once been wealthy or noble. Few had ever walked such a long distance in their lives. The moment they heard they could rest, many collapsed onto the ground in relief, unwilling to move another inch.
Ziling looked around and noticed several large trees nearby with a few big stones beneath them.
An idea came to her.
Pulling little Gong Ying along, she called to Gong Hao:
“Gong Hao, there are stones over there. Hurry and help your brother over so he can sit more comfortably.”
When others saw they had claimed the stones and tried to approach, Ziling immediately glared at them.
“We found these spots first. If you want somewhere to sit, go find your own.”
She had Gong Hao lower Gong Mohan onto one of the stones, then took dried rations and water from her bundle. She first handed food to her mother-in-law, then to Gong Hao and Gong Ying.
Gong Ying was young and innocent. Since birth, she had grown up cherished and pampered by everyone around her. Yet somehow, she possessed none of the usual spoiled temperament. Like a resilient little blade of grass, she already understood that life was no longer what it once had been. Without hesitation, she accepted the ration and quietly began eating.
Gong Hao, however, was panting heavily from exhaustion and stubbornly refused to take the food Ziling offered him.
As for Gong Mohan, he didn’t even spare her a glance.
But Ziling came from the modern world. She had no intention of indulging the temper of two pampered young masters. She wanted to see how long they could keep pretending not to be hungry.
Ignoring them entirely, she calmly ate her own food.
After finishing, she quietly discussed matters with the Old Madam.
“Mother, Mohan can’t walk, and Gong Hao won’t be able to carry him much longer. We need to think of a solution so Hao’er doesn’t have to keep carrying his brother.”
Hearing this, Gong Hao instinctively straightened his back.
This woman… actually cares that much?
After only two hours, he had already nearly reached his limit. Quietly, he pricked up his ears to hear what idea she had.
The Old Madam sighed helplessly.
“We are exiles now. What solution could there possibly be? The officers would never allow prisoners to ride in a carriage. Besides, there are so many exiles here. Everyone is suffering the same.”
Ziling glanced toward the escort officers.
There were five guards in total. Three remained on watch around the prisoners while the other two rested. They had two horse carts—one transporting food and supplies, and another where the guards themselves took turns resting.
At the moment, there seemed to be no other option.
If only they could get Gong Mohan onto one of those carts.
Ziling decided to try.
Walking up to Zhang Meng, she took a deep breath.
“Sir, my husband is gravely injured and truly cannot walk any farther. Please show mercy and let him ride in the cart for a while. That way, it won’t delay your journey either.”
Zhang Meng frowned and looked her over.
“That’s against the rules. Since when are exiles allowed to ride carts?”
Ziling hurriedly replied:
“My husband truly cannot continue like this. If it goes on, he may not survive more than a few days.”
As she spoke, she discreetly pulled a jade pendant from her robes and offered it to him.
“Once we reach a market town, we’ll think of another solution. Please help us this once.”
Zhang Meng stared at the jade pendant in silence for a moment before finally taking it.
“Only this once. Don’t expect exceptions again.”
Ziling was overjoyed.
“Thank you, Sir! Thank you so much!”
She quickly returned with Gong Hao, and together they helped Gong Mohan onto the cart.
While assisting him up, Ziling secretly squeezed his injured arm, trying to assess the damage and determine whether she could heal it.
Gong Mohan shot her a cold look.
Pretending nothing had happened, she casually stepped away.
Meanwhile, Gong Hao’s opinion of Ziling quietly began to change.
Gong Ying noticed her second brother’s awkward expression and secretly covered her mouth while giggling.
“Sister-in-law,” she whispered softly to Ziling, “Second Brother probably regrets refusing your food now.”
Ziling intentionally wanted to temper Gong Hao’s stubborn personality a little, so she only replied calmly:
“Maybe your second brother simply isn’t hungry.”
At that moment, the collateral branch relatives of the Gong family came shamelessly over.
“How come you’re not sharing your rations with us?” they demanded.