Chapter 12: Don’t Be Too Hostile Toward Us
Once they heard that the journey ahead was going to be even tougher, the entire main branch of the Yu family instantly wore expressions of dismay. Although they were mentally prepared, they never expected that the days with the carriage would end on the fourth day.
Before Yu Luo could speak, Yu Zhengqing immediately said, “Commander Wu, I’ll go.”
Looking at Yu Zhengqing, Yu Luo suddenly felt discouraged. Thinking of the relationship between the main branch and their family, she stubbornly tugged at Ye Jiamai’s sleeve.
“Mother, we must send one person. Although I have some supplies in my space, we can’t just openly take them out. Even if we can secretly load them during the journey, doing so too often will surely arouse suspicion. Besides, it is said that in the wild lands food is most scarce—the soil is thin and crops are hard to grow. We must stock up on all kinds of provisions for the future. Tell Commander Wu that one person from our family will go with you. After all, Commander Wu still owes you a bit of gratitude.”
Without hesitation and before Yu Luo could finish persuading, Ye Jiamai earnestly looked up at Wu Dahai, “Commander Wu, can one person from our family go alone? You know well that we’ve never been well regarded by the main branch…”
“Alright, one person from your family can go.”
Yu Zhengqing spoke, and before they even received a response from Wu Dahai, he promptly agreed with Ye Jiamai. The faces of the entire main branch of the Yu family immediately fell.
Yu Zhengqing walked over to Wu Dahai. With his feet shackled, his steps were extremely heavy. All traces of the dignified aura of the once-prominent Anrong Crown Prince were gone: “Commander Wu, look at my mother’s injury. She still needs medicine. Can you make an exception?”
As he spoke, Yu Zhengqing, carrying all the escort officials on his back, stuffed a silver coin into Wu Dahai’s hand.
“Alright, I’ll make a special exception. But remember, you are skilled—still the former An Rong Crown Prince. If you go out and something goes wrong, I won’t be able to explain it to the Emperor. I hereby allow you to choose one female from your family to accompany you. All the others must obediently remain at the relay station.”
Hearing Wu Dahai’s words, the entire main branch of the Yu family wore disappointed expressions.
Finally, Lan stepped forward, “Husband, let me go instead. My older sister never had to endure such hardships before she married you; after all, I come from a merchant family.”
Yu Zhengqing looked at his concubine, recalling her background, and eventually nodded.
“Remember, buy extra provisions—grains, utensils, rice, flour, medicinal herbs, clothing, bedding, and shoes…”
After Yu Zhengqing’s instructions, nearly everyone in the main branch began listing what they wanted. For instance, Yu Yingying demanded leather boots, while the old matriarch Chen wanted soft, glutinous osmanthus cakes—which to Lan sounded like a joke.
This was utterly unreasonable. Although they still had some silver on them, now they had to choose boots for the young lady and buy osmanthus cakes for the old woman—wasn’t this all just a farce?
Throughout the discussion, Lan obediently nodded and agreed to everything. “Husband, give me some silver. I’m afraid what I have on me isn’t enough. Then I can buy more medicinal herbs and provisions—buy as much as possible.”
Yu Zhengqing looked at Lan with a puzzled expression. He remembered that Lan’s family had also sent her some money! With the wealth of the Lan family, how could they not give her silver?
“This is 200 taels. We don’t need to buy the expensive stuff; just warm clothes, bedding, and shoes will do. Also, provisions and medicinal herbs are the most important.”
In the end, Yu Zhengqing took out the silver coin that his daughter Yu Qiu Yun had given during the farewell, and Lan accepted it obediently, nodding to show she remembered everything.
Before departing, Wu Dahai, in his routine manner, gave another set of instructions: “Now, as you depart, you must return by the time of the evening bell. If you dare to try any tricks or escape, remember that it will implicate the entire Yu family. Think carefully.”
Yu Luo and Lan both obediently nodded.
“Father, Mother, I’m going. I have the silver we acquired from our scavenging; with that, we can buy extra supplies and even store them in my system space.”
“Alright then, and remember to buy plenty of vegetable seeds. When we get there, even if our own farming doesn’t yield much, at least we can eat some vegetables. As for medicinal herbs, you needn’t worry—they aren’t necessary to buy. As for utensils, do as you see fit. And given this weather, buying some meat is also advisable. If we salt it, it’ll be enough to keep us fed on the journey. We’re not skilled in hunting, so if we don’t eat some meat, how will we have the strength to travel?”
“I’ll buy less meat; I already have some cured meat in my space. If we need to eat, we can just take it out of the space. Father, Mother, is there anything else we need to purchase?”
“Stock up on as much grain as possible—oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and so on. We don’t know if we’ll have a chance to leave once we reach the wild lands. If we can’t leave, we’ll definitely need to eat. Buy as much as your silver will allow.”
“Alright, I understand.”
Yu Luo and Lan changed out of their prison clothes, unshackled their feet, and entered the city together.
Throughout the journey, the two of them did not exchange a word. Although Lan was not as dismissive as those from the main branch, she never really interacted with them. Even when they bullied her daughter Yu Meiyao, she would just turn a blind eye. Thus, Yu Luo did not hold any special affection for Lan.
Each of them paid five copper coins as they stepped through the city gate. Just as they were about to go their separate ways, the usually silent Lan suddenly took the initiative to speak up: “Xiao Luo…”
Yu Luo frowned slightly, warily watching Lan, but said nothing.
Seeing the guarded and resentful look in Yu Luo’s eyes, Lan didn’t mind; instead, she wore a warm smile, “Xiao Luo, please, let bygones be bygones regarding the past. In the Marquis’s mansion, we were forced into our positions.”
“Lan Aunt, what are you trying to say? No need to beat around the bush—our time is precious.”
“I want to say that, in the future, we are still one family. There’s no need for you to be so hostile toward us. After all, once we reach the wild lands, the three of you will need protection. No matter what, your eldest uncle, your two cousins, and even your grandfather are skilled fighters. With them around, you can at least expect some shelter.”
Yu Luo was somewhat surprised. She never expected these words to come from Lan.
After a moment’s hesitation, she quickly understood: perhaps it was because her mother had revealed her medical skills, and her father had unexpectedly displayed his divine strength last night.
Yu Luo’s lips curved into a faint, ironic smile, “Lan Aunt, you seem to understand. I only worry that some people might not. Alright then, let’s split up. Lan Aunt, make sure you stock up on extra supplies—after all, there will be many people with you. Take care of yourself!”
With that, Yu Luo strode away without looking back.
Indeed, time was precious—how could she be so foolish as to wait until entering the city to fall out with the Yu family? Earlier, it was said that perhaps, if only that girl’s heart were resolved, then everything would be fine.
