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Truly, she had seen shameless people before, but never anyone this shameless!
Ziling gathered up the bundle of rations, slung it onto her back, and said coldly,
“This was sent to me by my uncle. If you want to eat, go ask your own uncles.”
With that, she began preparing to set off.
The bundle on her back looked heavy, but in truth, Ziling had already tucked everything away into her secret space. She only carried a bundle so that others wouldn’t grow suspicious.
Gong Hao couldn’t help but burst out laughing. This sister-in-law really knew how to give people a tongue-lashing.
The young man himself didn’t even realize it, but he was starting to develop a bit of fondness for this sister-in-law of his. He just refused to admit it out of pride.
Ziling glanced at him, catching him sneaking a laugh, and said coldly:
“Hurry up and carry your bundle. Even if you don’t eat, you still need to carry your load. Are you planning to wait until the constables call us on the road before you start packing?”
Gong Hao’s heart gave a jolt. Why did his sister-in-law’s gaze at this moment feel so much like his elder brother’s—cold and terrifying?
He dared not delay, quickly gathering his things. In truth, there wasn’t much—just some clothes and shoes his grandmother had prepared for the family. The journey had to be done on foot, so extra belongings simply couldn’t be carried.
Seven-year-old Ying’er also asked to help carry luggage, but Ziling didn’t agree. The road ahead was still long. The little girl had already stumbled twice earlier; if Ziling hadn’t caught her in time, she would have fallen hard.
Just as the group had shouldered their burdens, the constables began shouting, urging the people forward:
“Move faster! If you dawdle, we won’t make it to lodging by nightfall—you’ll be sleeping under the open sky in the wilderness!”
The prisoners, who were used to traveling in sedan chairs, could hardly endure such hardship. After only a half-day’s march, they were already filthy, exhausted, and sprawled on the ground, refusing to move another step.
The lead constable, Zhang Meng, noticed and signaled with his eyes. Another constable immediately cracked his whip over the crowd.
“Move! Anyone who falls behind gets the lash!”
The whip landed on someone still sitting, drawing a pained scream as he scrambled forward, terrified of being struck again.
No one dared delay after that. The procession resumed its march. After only an hour, people were slowing again. Ten more li later, at last, a village came into sight.
It was a remote and dilapidated place, seemingly deserted. The constables herded everyone into a large courtyard, intending to spend the night there.
The afternoon’s travel had left everyone exhausted, hungry, and dizzy with thirst. None of them had the energy to wonder why the place was so desolate. They simply collapsed where they were.
That evening, food was distributed. At noon, the constables hadn’t given anything, so people had eaten from their own rations. Everyone assumed there would be a hot meal at night—but when the food came, it was just two coarse, rock-hard black buns per person.
After handing out the rations, the constables left two men to keep watch, while the rest went off to drink inside a half-collapsed house.
Ziling and Gong Hao supported Gong Mohan and the rest of the family into a corner, finding a few broken boards to use as seats so they could rest a little easier.
She stared at the hard, dark bun in her hand, pondering how to discreetly bring out the steamed buns from her space. Just then, a few members of the Gong clan walked over and sat nearby.
One man said, “Sister-in-law, we’re all one family. We should look out for each other.”
Their meaning was obvious. The black buns were barely edible, and they had seen Ziling’s group eating rations at noon. Surely she would have something better now and would share if they drew close.
Ziling, still trying to figure out how to hand out the food, was instantly angered by their shameless approach. She opened her mouth to speak, but Ying’er beat her to it, her childish voice ringing out:
“What are you doing here? We don’t have any rations to give you!”
Ziling raised a thumb toward Ying’er in praise. Ying’er, thrilled at her sister-in-law’s approval, wanted to say more—but her mother quickly stopped her.
Ziling’s brows knitted. Was her mother-in-law really going to keep playing the foolishly soft-hearted one? This road of exile was long. Even these coal-dark buns might not be guaranteed at every meal. If the others were kind people, she wouldn’t mind sharing. But on the journey, with their children so young and her husband badly injured, those people hadn’t lifted a finger to help.
Just as Ziling was about to speak up, Gong Mohan suddenly said:
“Gong Qingshan, our family has fallen into exile—we no longer have anything you can cling to. You’ve always claimed our downfall was retribution on the general’s manor. From now on, stay away from us!”
Ziling arched a brow, glancing at her husband. Not bad at all. He knows where to draw the line.
Gong Mohan felt her gaze on him. Turning his head, he caught the sight of her raised brow and realized she was… praising him?
His face darkened instantly. He turned away, refusing to look at her again.