Chapter 18: A Bunch of Desperate Beggars

Chapter 18: A Bunch of Desperate Beggars

She imitated the scenarios from the TV dramas of her past life and spoke softly to console her mother.

"Mother, I'm just being exiled, not going to my death. Please don't be sad."

Her words only made Ling Xueyan cry harder, seeing that He Zhiran had become more sensible.

Though He Yuanming didn't weep as copiously as Ling Xueyan, his eyes were also reddened with tears.

Aware of the limited time they had, he reached out to pull Ling Xueyan closer to him.

He turned to He Zhiran with a serious expression and said, "Indeed, it's our fault as your parents, letting you suffer such an unforeseen calamity on the second day of your marriage."

As he spoke, He Yuanming took out a bulging purse from his chest and secretly placed it in He Zhiran's hand.

Moreover, he handed her another package of moderate size.

The officials didn't intervene; after all, they had already received their benefits.

Moreover, with money in their hands, these prisoners would undoubtedly bribe their way through the journey.

"This is the travel allowance that Father and Mother prepared for you. Don't be stingy with it. Apart from taking care of the officials, also ask them to provide better food.

Also, since you've always been fond of cleanliness, your mother packed a few changes of undergarments for you."

As He Yuanming spoke, he found it difficult to continue. He turned away, not daring to look at He Zhiran, and finally admitted, "Father was wrong for forcing you to marry into the Mo family."

"Father." The word 'father' rolled off He Zhiran's tongue without any hesitation.

Whether it was the original He Yuanming in her memories or this loving and caring father before her eyes, He Zhiran was certain that he was a good father.

To such a person, she was willing to call him 'father' wholeheartedly.

"In the past, I was an ignorant daughter who often made Father and Mother angry. Now, I am already married to Mo Jiuye, and I will be part of the Mo family from now on.

Rest assured, I will live on well. When the day comes for me to turn the tables, I will take good care of you both as your filial daughter."

Hearing He Zhiran's words, Ling Xueyan burst into tears once more.

Her daughter had matured overnight, alas, such a sensible daughter was now being exiled to the northwest to suffer.

The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt. Ling Xueyan hugged He Zhiran again and wailed loudly.

He Yuanming could no longer hold back his emotions, wiping away tears incessantly by their side.

Perhaps it was due to her immersion in the original owner's feelings, or perhaps it was because He Zhiran cherished this familial bond deeply, her own tears began to stream down her cheeks as well.

He Yuanming, being more rational, noticed that time was running out. Gently patting the backs of the mother and daughter, he said,

"Alright, we don't have much time left. I still wish to see your husband before we go."

He Zhiran turned her head to glance at Mo Jiuye, who was lying unconscious on the wooden cart not far away.

"Father, he's still in a coma."

Despite knowing that her parents would never betray them, He Zhiran couldn't afford to be too careless with so many watchful eyes around.

He Yuanming nodded gravely, his gaze toward He Zhiran filled with increasing guilt.

"Father understands that your husband has been injured."

With that, he strode purposefully toward Mo Jiuye.

Seeing Mo Jiuye lying unconscious, He Yuanming genuinely regretted marrying his daughter off to him.

His daughter had made it clear from the start that she didn't want to end up like the women of the Mo family, widowed soon after entering the household.

But he refused to be a dishonorable man who broke his promise, and thus drugged his daughter to force her marriage into the Mo family.

And now, just one day later, the Mo family had been stripped of their wealth and exiled.

Judging by Mo Jiuye's condition, his fate seemed uncertain as well.

As a high-ranking official of the imperial court, He Yuanming was all too aware of the hardships of exile.

Let alone with Mo Jiuye in his current state, even if he were well, it wouldn't be an easy feat to safely reach his place of exile.

It seemed that her daughter was destined to be a widow.

She just hoped that she would have great fortune and survive the journey to the northwest unscathed.

When the Emperor's suspicions towards the Mo family lessened, he would find a way to bring his daughter back from the northwest.

At the sight of Mo Jiuye, Ling Xueyan couldn't stop wiping away her tears, feeling even more pity for He Zhiran.

At the same time, she shared the same regret as He Yuanming, both wishing they hadn't insisted on marrying their daughter into the Mo family.

He Yuanming tried to compose himself and, finding a spot out of the officials' view, pulled a letter from his chest and slipped it into Mo Jiuye's hands.

Then, he stood up and glanced at Old Lady Mo. "Sister-in-law, Zhiran has been spoiled by our family. If she has any shortcomings, please bear with her generously."

"Sister-in-law, what are you saying? That child from the He family is clever and likable. I adore her very much."

"In that case, I'll take my leave." Without further words, He Yuanming led the still sobbing Ling Xueyan away.

Ling Xueyan turned her head back every few steps, gazing at He Zhiran with reluctance for a long while until her daughter's figure was no longer in sight...

This sudden outpouring of affection left He Zhiran with a mixture of emotions.

She truly envied the original owner for having such wise and loving parents.

Unfortunately, the original owner's life was short, and her bond with this familial love lasted only seventeen years.

Well then, let her take the original owner's place in honoring and respecting their parents in the future!

Although this vow seemed distant, He Zhiran believed that as long as Mo Jiuye could live on, the Mo family would one day return to the capital.

Seeing He Zhiran standing there, sorrowful, her sisters-in-law hurriedly came forward to comfort her.

"Don't be sad, Ninth Brother's wife. Father He is an upright official; he'll surely return safely."

"Yes, Ninth Brother's wife. Look how fortunate you are. Your parents personally chased after you to see you off, whereas in my case, not even a soul can be seen at home."

"..."

Feeling the warmth of her sisters-in-law's intentions, He Zhiran responded with a smile.

"Rest assured, sisters, I believe we will have a day to return."

Just as the sisters were about to say more, the officials began urging them on.

"Well then, stop standing around. Let's hasten our journey."

He Zhiran wiped away the remaining tears from the corners of her eyes with her sleeve and pushed the wooden cart forward.

Third Sister hurriedly caught up.

"Young Sister Ninth Brother, let me assist you."

Madam Old Mo added, "Pushing the cart isn't an easy task. We should take turns to help."

In ancient times, the roads were made of dirt and often dotted with potholes, causing the cart to sway continuously throughout the journey. Moreover, it hadn't rained for over half a month, and the sweltering heat made everyone drenched in sweat.

Occasionally, a gust of wind would stir up the dust, adhering it to their exposed skin.

By the time evening arrived and they prepared to rest, everyone, including the officials, had become dusty and disheveled.

The Mo family exchanged glances. With their patched coarse cloth garments, tattered embroidery on their shoes that had lost their original color, they were a perfect picture of a group of beggars.

Despite having pushed the wooden cart for less than two hours, He Zhiran was still exhausted.

After all, this body had always been pampered and lacked physical strength.

After only one afternoon of travel, she was so drained that she slumped to the ground, unwilling to get back up.

The others were in the same state, too tired to even stand straight, groaning in complaint.

Moreover, they had started the day with an early meal, and now, after a full day, that energy had long been depleted. They were all famished, their empty stomachs pressing against their backs.

It was He Zhiran's first day in exile, and she had no idea what kind of food they would be served.

In any case, she hadn't held much hope for it.

As she mulled over her thoughts, the leading officer bellowed out an announcement.

"It's dinner time! Free coarse grain steamed buns, one per person. For white flour steamed buns, it's two silver taels for a pair. If you don't have the silver, forget about it."

Hearing the officer's call, He Zhiran almost lost her composure and burst into laughter. These officers were truly something else, openly pricing their food as if they were daylight robbers.

Mo Hanyue tugged on Old Mo's arm and said with a pout, "Mother, I don't want to eat the coarse grain steamed buns."

Although she had never tasted a coarse grain steamed bun, she had heard the servants talking about how it could scrape the throat raw. Just the thought of it made her uneasy.

Old Mo was now penniless, and seeing her daughter still acting entitled and picky despite being exiled, she immediately adopted a stern expression.

"Hanyue, if you want the white flour steamed buns, you'll have to exchange them for silver."