Chapter 45: Are You Planning to Give Up on Treating Grandfather?
Upon hearing this, Wang Ying casually waved her hand, saying, “We farmers have always gotten up very early. Second Sister-in-law, you used to live in the Marquis’ residence, so you probably don’t quite understand life in the countryside.
Doing these things is really nothing to us. Besides, our whole family has already gotten used to walking more than fifty li every day. We’re not tired at all. In fact, it’s you three who have never done hard labor before. You must be suffering more than us on this exile journey.”
“But we can’t just keep eating your food for free every day. It’s not easy for you to catch fish in the middle of the night. Plus, there are so many mouths to feed in your family. You can only rely on foraging for wild vegetables, eating the black bread distributed by the guards, and hunting for yourselves. How can we feel right about it?”
Although Ye Jiamei had saved Wang Ying’s two children before, now that the third branch of the Yu family was constantly expressing their gratitude, Ye Jiamei couldn’t help but feel increasingly uncomfortable. If they had been well-off, it wouldn’t matter, but they were scraping by and still thinking of others…
“Second Sister-in-law, you’re being too formal. It’s just about adding a few more fish and some extra water to the pot. Hurry and drink while it’s hot. I see the guards have already started eating, so they will likely get ready to move soon. I’ll head back first.”
After saying that, Wang Ying stood up and walked back to her own campfire. The sound of iron chains clinking away made Yu Luo and her family feel even more uncomfortable.
“Good thing I gave them some things before, or I’d really feel bad about accepting their kindness every day.”
Yu Luo shook her head, and Yu Haojie also nodded, “People in ancient times really were simple and honest. It’s just a pity they got dragged into this mess by that old man Yu.”
“That’s your father,” Ye Jiamei said irritably, glancing back at Yu Haojie. Yu Luo couldn’t help but cover her mouth and laugh at the side.
Yesterday, Yu Meiyao returned with an arrow wound. After everyone had finished sorting the things they looted from the bandits, Lady Lan thickened her face to ask Old Madam Chen for some wound medicine. Only after Yu Zhengqing spoke up did Old Madam Chen reluctantly give out the medicine.
Today, although Yu Meiyao’s wound still hurt, she had no choice but to keep moving. Luckily, the internal injuries suffered by Yu Zhengqing’s two sons had largely healed after days of treatment. At least the task of carrying Old Man Yu was no longer just Yu Zhengqing’s burden alone.
However, because they had looted so many clothes from the dead the previous night, everyone had more things to carry today. The direct descendants of the Yu family’s main branch had no choice but to carry even more, struggling forward under the weight.
Lady Lan, the most lowly concubine of the main branch, and the adult illegitimate daughter Yu Meiyao were naturally tasked with carrying most of the burden. The heavy cotton-padded coats taken from the dead were all given to Yu Meiyao to carry.
With only two makeshift ropes made from old clothes digging into her shoulders, occasionally rubbing against her wound, Yu Meiyao walked the whole way with tears in her eyes, but no one offered to help.
Lady Lan herself was carrying a basket packed full of their food, pots, pans, and other supplies. Even if she wanted to share her daughter’s burden, she was powerless.
The two adult sons of Chang Huilan wanted to help out a bit, but Old Madam Chen scolded them directly, ordering them to save their strength for carrying Old Man Yu. The two brothers didn’t dare to protest.
Although the journey into exile was hard, they were still fortunate that the guards hadn’t abused them.
As they got closer to Pingyang City, Yu Luo’s family could clearly feel that Wu Dahai was becoming more lenient with them.
Although Old Man Yu’s condition hadn’t improved, Wu Dahai actually allowed the main branch of the Yu family to make a special basket for carrying him and permitted them to move without being bound, as long as they didn’t fall behind. Even the iron chains on everyone’s hands were removed, leaving only the shackles on their feet.
“This is really strange. Could it be that Old Man Yu is about to be exonerated? Is that why Wu Dahai is suddenly treating them so leniently?”
During a rest, Yu Haojie couldn’t help but whisper his curiosity to his wife and daughter.
“How could that be possible? I don’t know what’s going on in your head. If he was going to be exonerated, the imperial decree would have been delivered directly to us.”
“My mother is right. I think the most likely explanation is that the Yu family still has someone backing them. Wu Dahai probably accepted their bribes,” Yu Luo shared her analysis.
The three of them huddled around the campfire for warmth, discussing quietly. The weather was getting colder by the day. Two days earlier, they had entered a snowy area, making the journey even more torturous.
That day, they were resting in a cave as snowflakes drifted from the sky. If not for the guards finding the cave, they would have had to camp out in the open like before, risking freezing to death by morning.
“Tomorrow, we will pass through a small town. It’s only three days away from Pingyang City. Considering our past ties, I will give you one last chance to buy supplies. Once we reach Pingyang, I will hand you over to the guards who are taking over. From then on, you’re on your own.”
In the quiet cave, Wu Dahai’s voice echoed faintly. The firelight flickered, casting shadows on his haggard face, making it hard to tell what he was really thinking.
Hearing this, everyone was stunned, especially the second and third branches of the Yu family, followed closely by the direct descendants of the main branch.
“This is great! Husband, I think you should go tomorrow. You’re strong and can carry more things back.”
As soon as Wu Dahai finished speaking, the exiles gathered excitedly to discuss what supplies to buy. The second and third branches of the Yu family also quickly took out the silver they had hidden, counting it up to see how much they could buy to save their lives.
“Grandfather’s medicine… if we can buy more, we should. I think we should also buy some silver needles and learn a bit from the doctor. Maybe we can help Grandfather recover with acupuncture. After all, we’ve been practicing martial arts since we were young and are familiar with acupuncture points.”
The dutiful Yu Xiaoran looked at Old Man Yu, who was lying there with vacant eyes and a slack mouth, a deep sorrow in his gaze.
Hearing his suggestion, the direct descendants of the Yu family fell into a collective silence.
Seeing everyone’s reaction, Yu Xiaoran abruptly stood up, eyes full of displeasure and indignation as he glared at his family.
“What do you mean by this? Are you planning to give up on treating Grandfather?”
