Exile, two simple words, yet the meaning behind them was chilling and terrifying.

Not to mention anything else, just the thought of walking thousands of miles with shackles on their hands and feet could take many lives, let alone the countless hardships they would experience along the way.

Lu Yao and Shen Yanrong were also shackled.

Yunhao and Yueyue, their two little ones, watched helplessly, their eyes filled with tears, but they held back, not daring to shed a single drop.

They had heard their parents analyze the possible situations they might encounter in prison these past few days. They had some understanding and mental preparation for exile, but seeing their parents shackled with these heavy things, they couldn’t help but feel afraid and sad.

Their parents must be very uncomfortable and in pain. They didn’t want their parents to suffer.

Seeing their children like this, Lu Yao and Shen Yanrong felt bad too. They wanted to pick them up like they used to, but the two children refused.

“I’m not a child anymore.”

“I’m grown up too.”

The two children, like little adults, looked serious.

Yunhao said earnestly, “We can walk ourselves.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Yueyue nodded repeatedly. Her brother had said what she wanted to say.

Their parents’ hands and feet were shackled, and they, as children, couldn’t share their burden, but they couldn’t add to their burden either.

Xie Zheng could have left after giving the instructions, but he didn’t. He followed the group all the way to the city gate, his attention constantly on the family of four, observing their interactions and exchanges, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Seeing the four of them taking care of each other and following the soldiers forward, while the rest of the Shen family was still dawdling, he immediately said to his deputy, “Tell them to hurry up.”

At this rate, they wouldn’t be able to leave the city until noon!

These people were worse than three-year-olds.

The deputy received the order and quickly went to urge them.

Facing the fierce soldiers, the Shen family members now dared not disobey in the slightest.

Crying and wailing? Didn’t they hear the soldiers say that if they didn’t reach the first post station today, everyone would have to sleep outdoors? They might as well walk a few more steps with that energy.

These people were not known for their mercy. If they delayed them, they would definitely face consequences.

Under high pressure, there are always unexpected results.

Before noon, they left the city gate and arrived at the Five-Mile Pavilion.

They would rest there for a while and meet up with other exiles who were being sent to Qianzhou. The exiles’ relatives and friends would also choose to see them off here.

Hearing that they could rest, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Many people sat down directly on the ground and gasped for breath.

They had never walked so far, and they had never suffered like this.

The shackles on their hands and feet were heavy, and every step was difficult. Along the way, their ankles and wrists were chafed, and even a light touch made them hurt badly. But they didn’t dare show any dissatisfaction or complain. They could only endure the pain and slowly move forward.

The few who were pushing the cart were overjoyed when they heard the soldiers’ call. The breath they had been holding finally released. Some even collapsed directly to the ground.

Their status was awkward. Although they were occasionally bullied by the mistress and the legitimate children, they had lived a pampered life for all these years. Now, not only did they have to drag heavy shackles, but they also had to push a cart. They were already exhausted after just two hours. If it weren’t for Wang Lao Tai Tai and the others, they would have already thrown in the towel.

Thinking about the long journey ahead, they felt a pang of sadness. They wondered if they could even make it to their destination.

“Auntie, what’s wrong with you?”

The aunt had collapsed to the ground. Shen Yu Lian rushed forward to help her up. Seeing her pale face and cold sweat, she couldn’t hold back her tears, “Auntie, wake up, don’t scare me.”

Auntie had been taking care of Lao Tai Tai and protecting her, and she was already in poor health. Now, she had to push the cart too. Even a strong body couldn’t endure this.

“What are you crying about!”

Wang Lao Tai Tai sat on a rock, supported by Wang Ya Lan. Seeing Shen Yu Lian crying, she was even more annoyed, “What else can you do besides cry? You useless thing, you’re making a fuss about pushing a cart.”

She dangled her legs and complained. It was a good thing she was old and didn’t have to wear shackles like the others. Otherwise, her old bones wouldn’t be able to take it.

“Mother, don’t be angry,” Wang Ya Lan comforted her, “It’s always hard to adjust at first.”

“She’s just stupid,” Wang Lao Tai Tai disagreed, “My grandson was also doing this for the first time, but he did a good job.”

Shen Yaoming was taking care of Shen Shiren in front of the cart. Hearing Wang Lao Tai Tai’s words, he wiped the sweat from his forehead and smiled, “This is what a son should do.”

He said it as if the others were just putting on a show, while he was the only one who was truly dedicated.

Sitting on the ground, Shen Yu and Shen Hui exchanged glances. They saw dissatisfaction and forbearance in each other’s eyes.

They knew that their status and their aunt’s status weren’t high, but being bullied like this, it was impossible to say they didn’t hate it.

Lu Yao and Shen Yanrong ignored the drama unfolding around them. They just wanted to find a place to rest away from those people.

Wang Lao Tai Tai wouldn’t let them have a peaceful moment. She sneered, “My grandson is the most filial, unlike some ungrateful, heartless bastards. Your own father is in danger, and you don’t even bother to help take care of him. You don’t even give him a glance.”

She had been pent up all this time, and now she finally had a chance to vent her anger. How could she let them get away with it?

Shen Yanrong didn’t even give her a look. He took his children and walked away.

“You heartless wretch!” Wang Lao Tai Tai was enraged by his attitude. She picked up a stone and threw it at him, “Why don’t you just go die? Our Shen family has been cursed for eight generations to encounter trash like you from the Rong family!”

Wang Lao Tai Tai had been taken care of by a group of women these past few days, and she didn’t have to wear shackles. Now, you could tell from her strong voice that she was in good shape. She was furious, and she threw the stone with all her might. If Lu Yao and Shen Yanrong hadn’t been constantly on guard against the old woman’s sudden madness, they might have been hit.

They didn’t want to pay any attention to those people, but some people just had to be annoying.

“Indeed, people who have no shame are invincible,” Lu Yao told her husband to take care of the children, then stepped forward and sneered, “Your Shen family has done all sorts of evil and lived a good life. We’re more likely to live long lives.”

When they first set off, they received a tip from General Xie. The Rong family’s case was reopened, and the truth had now been revealed. Otherwise, the Shen family wouldn’t have been punished now. This also meant that the Rong family would soon be cleared of their charges.

As for the Shen family…

Seeing Wang Lao Tai Tai rolling her eyes in anger, Lu Yao comforted her, “A scourge lives a thousand years. You’ll definitely live a long time, so you can see how the Shen family gets their retribution.”

She couldn’t help but worry about them, “You have to be careful at night. Your mother and the wronged souls of the Rong family are all waiting. Especially you, Lao Tai Tai, and your nieces and this Shen Da… oh, my mouth! He’s not an adult anymore, he’s a criminal.”

“You, you, you…” Wang Lao Tai Tai pointed at Lu Yao and stuttered for a long time, but she was so angry that she couldn’t speak.

Thinking of her past achievements, when had she ever been wronged like this?

But seeing the slut’s eager look, as if she wanted to have a big fight with her, she turned and glared at Shen Yanrong, “Aren’t you going to control her?”