Chapter 52: Is Yu Zhengqing Going to Be Cleared of Charges?
“Mom, I think something’s not right.”
After walking through both streets, the mother and daughter spent less than two quarters of an hour searching for people. Yu Luo’s expression suddenly became serious, and she lowered her voice to speak to Ye Jiamei.
“Are you thinking that it’s suspicious for Wu Dahai to give us several hours to buy supplies in such a small town?”
Ye Jiamei wasn’t foolish. As soon as Yu Luo opened her mouth, she guessed what Yu Luo was about to say.
Yu Luo nodded repeatedly. “Exactly! You really know me, Mom. How did you figure that out so quickly?”
“It’s not that I figured it out. I just realized the same thing. Before, we were too busy being happy and indulging ourselves. Now that we’ve walked through both streets, I just realized how odd it is. This town is so small that Wu Dahai must’ve known it wouldn’t take that long to buy things.
Even if we took our time, an hour would’ve been enough—two hours tops. But we set out around Si time (9-11 a.m.) and were told to return by Shen time (3-5 p.m.). Now Yu Zhengqing has disappeared. Don’t you think Wu Dahai is deliberately giving him time and opportunity?”
Hearing her mother’s analysis, Yu Luo nodded rapidly. “Exactly! I also feel like Wu Dahai is helping Yu Zhengqing on purpose. And not just him—lately, the officers have been surprisingly lenient with everyone.
Mom, do you remember when we first started the exile journey? The legitimate heirs of the Yu family used to get whipped at the slightest misstep. Even if Wu Dahai didn’t strike them himself, the officers would whip them. But lately, as long as they don’t cause trouble, the officers act like they’re taking everyone on a leisure trip.”
The more they thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed. All of a sudden, it felt like this exile journey might just come to an abrupt end thanks to Yu Zhengqing’s efforts!
“If Yu Zhengqing can actually clear his name and save us from being exiled, I’d be more than happy,” Yu Luo murmured. She had a whole system’s worth of supplies, but who would want to go to that barren wasteland if they didn’t have to?
“You there! What are you doing here?”
Just as the mother and daughter were getting excited, a familiar voice rang out, making them jump. They turned to see Yu Yongjun, his face swollen like a pig’s head. Ye Jiamei’s eyes widened in shock.
“What happened to your face? Who did this?”
“They ran into some thugs who tried to rob them. Luckily, they met my father, who drove them away,” Yu Xiaoran interjected quickly, not giving Yu Yongcai the chance to answer.
“Yes, it was a good thing we ran into Brother Zhengqing, or we’d have lost all our things today,” Yu Yongcai added hastily, nodding repeatedly as if afraid Ye Jiamei wouldn’t believe them.
Yu Luo’s eyes flickered as she studied Yu Zhengqing. No matter what, if he could really clear the charges and save the family from exile, she would be more than happy to support him.
After all, even with a system full of supplies, who would want to be banished to some desolate wasteland?
“It’s almost time to meet up with Commander Wu. We should hurry back,” Ye Jiamei reminded them calmly after a quick glance at the loaded baskets on Yu Zhengqing and his son’s backs.
When they returned to the meeting point, the officers noticed Yu Yongjun’s swollen face and naturally started asking questions.
“Could it be that we’re just overthinking things?”
Trailing behind, Yu Luo whispered to her mother, her tone uncertain.
“I don’t know. But there’s definitely something fishy going on. Let’s keep observing for now. If he really has the ability to clear the charges, it wouldn’t hurt to lend him a hand. After all, if we don’t have to go to that godforsaken place, that would be best. I still want to live a good few years with your dad,” Ye Jiamei replied quietly.
Hearing her mother’s words, Yu Luo fell silent, not objecting.
When they returned to the previous resting spot, they found Yu Haojie, who had been bored out of his mind, had actually picked a bunch of wild vegetables and was even cooking porridge.
“Commander Wu, thanks for giving us the opportunity. There wasn’t much to buy in the town, but I did get a few roasted chickens and some wine for you and the brothers,” Yu Luo said, pulling out two flasks of wine and five roasted chickens from her system storage.
Even though Wu Dahai had been unusually lenient lately, it was always better to play it safe and make friends if possible.
Wu Dahai’s wound had long been stitched up and healed, just as Ye Jiamei had said it would. Seeing this miraculous recovery in just ten days, both Wu Dahai and the officers had even asked Ye Jiamei to teach them the stitching technique.
So whenever there was a chance, Wu Dahai liked to buy a flask of wine to warm himself up at night. This gift of wine and roasted chicken was like giving them a pillow when they wanted to sleep.
“Ah, Miss Luo, you’re too kind! Bringing us wine and meat, thank you so much!”
Before Wu Dahai could even respond, Officer Xiao Li took the flasks and chickens with a grin, expressing his thanks repeatedly.
“It’s nothing, Brother Li. You’ve had a hard time escorting us. Besides, you’ve all treated us well on this journey,” Yu Luo replied with a polite smile.
After eating, they set off again, but surprisingly, Wu Dahai was unusually lenient that evening. Instead of insisting they cover the usual fifty miles, he found a sheltered spot by a hillside and let them rest early.
“What’s going on? That little beggar seems to have been following us,” one of the patrolling officers reported to Wu Dahai, frowning.
Wu Dahai glanced in the direction the officer pointed but saw no sign of the beggar.
“Don’t mind him. If he wants to follow, let him. A little beggar won’t follow us all the way to the wastelands,” Wu Dahai said nonchalantly, taking a swig from the flask and feeling the warmth spread through him.
“Oh my! I found a big burlap sack!”
As everyone was busy gathering firewood for the night, Ye Jiamei suddenly exclaimed dramatically, causing everyone to look over in surprise.
Meanwhile, Yu Luo had the urge to facepalm.
There was no cave to shelter them from the wind and snow tonight. Ye Jiamei, worried about the temperature dropping to at least ten below zero, had urged Yu Luo to find an excuse to pull out the custom-made tent.
Hence the exaggerated act just now.
“Mom, I told you to act, but not like a stage play! If it weren’t for the size of that thing, do you think anyone would buy your performance?” Yu Luo hissed in exasperation.
