Chapter 181: Danger Approaches

Jiang Yiniang followed the gaze of Old Madam Ye and understood her intention.

She looked at Ye Jingchuan and said, “Master, the eldest miss has a cart; it can carry the old madam for a while.”

Ye Jingchuan’s face showed hesitation. “There’s too much stuff on the cart, it can’t carry anyone.”

He hadn’t told anyone about his severing ties with Ye Chutang.

He had originally planned to reveal it once he became the marquis, to make Ye Chutang regret it!

But not only had he failed to become a marquis, he had also been raided and exiled.

Now, in this situation, he didn’t want anyone to know that he had cut ties with Ye Chutang.

Having a connection with the Qi family would still earn him a little respect from the officers.

Jiang Yiniang, unaware of Ye Jingchuan’s thoughts, shot a glare at Ye Chutang.

“A daughter who has been married off is like water that’s been spilled; the old madam is this sick, yet the eldest miss remains unmoved. How unfilial.”

Ye Jingchuan gave Jiang Yiniang a warning look and scolded her. “Shut up!”

Old Madam Ye knew that Ye Jingchuan and Ye Chutang had a poor relationship.

Her son didn’t want to relent, and she could understand that.

“Chuan’er, there’s no need for you to speak. I’ll talk to Chutang.”

Ye Jingchuan immediately opposed, his tone urgent, “Mother, don’t add more trouble for Chutang.”

Old Madam Ye was unconcerned. “I can tell, the Qi family is now being led by Chutang. She can easily free up space on the cart with just a word. It won’t cause much trouble.”

“Mother…”

Ye Jingchuan still wanted to stop her, but was interrupted by Wu Chengang.

“Old Madam, please hurry. If we delay any longer, we’ll have to sleep in the wilderness.”

Ye Jingchuan immediately said, “Officer, the Qi elders aren’t on the cart, so how can we let my mother sit? I’ll carry her.”

Old Madam Ye coldly snorted, “If you carry me, we’ll both die on the exile road!”

She then closed her outer coat, buttoning it up, and shakily stood up. “Jiang, help me over.”

Ye Jingchuan tried to stop her, but was warned by Wu Chengang’s gaze.

He could only close his mouth and silently hope that Ye Chutang would still care about family ties.

After all, blood ties can’t be severed, even if the relationship is!

Jiang Yiniang helped Old Madam Ye toward Ye Chutang.

Ye Chutang, who had been resting not far from the Ye family, heard their conversation clearly.

She curled her lips in mockery, watching the two of them approach.

Before Old Madam Ye could shamelessly speak, Ye Chutang refused, “If you want to sit on the cart, forget it.”

Old Madam Ye froze for a moment, her face darkening.

She coldly said, “Chutang, only beasts would abandon their own kin!”

Implicitly, if Ye Chutang didn’t let her sit, she would be a beast.

Ye Chutang nodded in agreement.

“Indeed, a beast!”

The two words, “beast,” were entirely fitting for all the Ye family members.

Seeing that provoking her didn’t work, Old Madam Ye quickly changed her tactic to acting pitiful.

“Ah, my fate is so miserable! I’m about to die from illness, and I can’t even get a little sympathy from my dear granddaughter. I might as well die!”

If they were in a crowded place in the capital, this would have been useful.

The people of Beichen Kingdom place great importance on filial piety. If someone is unfilial, not only would they be scolded, but they would also be imprisoned.

So, few people dared to bear this reputation, fearing being vilified and losing their standing.

But now, in the wilderness, with no one to accuse Ye Chutang, Old Madam Ye’s cries sounded like a joke.

“Old Madam Ye, you might as well save your energy and use it to walk.”

As soon as Ye Chutang finished speaking, Wu Chengang came over.

“Madam Qi, move some things around on the cart and make room for the old madam to sit.”

Hearing his commanding tone, Ye Chutang rebutted, “I have no kinship with her, why should I?”

At these words, Ye Jingchuan immediately panicked.

He rushed over, trying to pull Old Madam Ye away, but she shook him off.

“Chuan’er, why are you pulling me?”

“Mother, stop making trouble. Since Chutang doesn’t want to, then let it go. I can carry you.”

Old Madam Ye ignored Ye Jingchuan and sternly asked Ye Chutang, “What did you mean by what you just said?”

What does ‘no kinship’ mean?

Was that wild man, Tang Waning, the one who fathered an illegitimate child?

Realizing this, she didn’t wait for Ye Chutang to respond and immediately grabbed Ye Jingchuan’s arm, asking, “Who is that wild man?”

Ye Jingchuan: “???”

Before he could react, Ye Chutang, understanding, slapped Old Madam Ye hard across the face.

The force was so strong that two teeth flew out.

Old Madam Ye was stunned.

The searing pain on her face snapped her back to reality, and she raised her hand to slap Ye Chutang.

“You beast! You’ve gone too far!”

Blood filled her mouth, and when she opened it, blood splattered everywhere.

Ye Chutang swiftly slapped her hand away, then retaliated with another slap to Old Madam Ye.

The two bloodied teeth flew into the bushes, disappearing from sight.

Old Madam Ye’s face swelled visibly, the fingerprints left clearly marked.

She stared blankly at her limp hand, slowly realizing what happened, then let out a shrill scream.

“Ah!”

Jiang Yiniang looked at Old Madam Ye’s pitiful state and angrily scolded Ye Chutang.

“Eldest Miss, how could you hit an elder?”

Ye Siyan, with righteous indignation, spoke up, “Eldest sister, Beichen Kingdom values filial piety…”

Ye Chutang didn’t want to listen to Ye Siyan’s lecture and interrupted her.

“Only elders can talk about filial piety!”

After speaking, she reached into her sleeve pocket and took out the letter of severance.

“I’ve already cut ties with Ye Jingchuan. Old Madam Ye is not my elder, so why should I talk about filial piety?”

Old Madam Ye stared in disbelief at the severance letter that was shoved in front of her.

“Wh… when did this happen?”

Her face was swollen, her speech slurred, and she slowly turned to look at Ye Jingchuan.

“Is this severance letter real?”

At this point, Ye Jingchuan had no choice but to nod and admit it.

“It’s true. Chu’er thinks I’m responsible for her mother and brother’s deaths, and that I abandoned her in the countryside without care. She believes I’m not worthy of being a father.”

Old Madam Ye immediately began to distort the truth.

“Tang Wanning and the legitimate eldest son were killed by Kong Ru, what does it have to do with you? Sending Chu’er to the countryside was so she wouldn’t suffer under the stepmother, what wrong was there?”

Qi Yanzhou stepped forward and held Ye Chutang’s hand.

“Favoring a concubine and neglecting the wife is wrong. Being ungrateful is wrong. Failing to raise a child properly is wrong. Letting slaves mistreat the master is wrong. Forced marriages and exchanges are a series of wrongs.”

After speaking, he snorted coldly.

“What use is there for such a selfish and vicious father? Severing ties was the right decision!”

Madam Qi also stepped forward to support Ye Chutang.

“Though the Kingdom of Beichen values filial piety, the proper order is for the father to be kind, and the child to return that kindness. A person who shows no goodness towards their children is not worthy of being respected or followed.”

Old Master Qi also spoke up.

“Since the ties have been severed, we are now strangers. There’s no need to be involved anymore.”

Ye Jingchuan was embarrassed by the scolding and quickly said, “Mother, I’ll carry you.”

After saying that, he pulled Old Madam Ye back to their position at Ye’s house.

Old Madam Ye’s hand was dislocated, and her mouth was full of blood, her cries weak and pitiful.

“Chuan’er, I’m going to die, save me.”

Wu Chengang, having watched the scene unfold, glanced at Ye Chutang before walking up to Old Madam Ye.

He reset her hand and unlocked the shackles on Ye Jingchuan.

“Let’s go!”

The journey ahead was slow, but no further accidents occurred.

When they reached the post station, it was an hour later than Wu Chengang had expected, and the sky had turned completely dark.

Ye Jingchuan, upon seeing the place to rest, let out a sigh of relief.

Exhausted, his legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground.

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

Wu Chengang knocked on the post station door.

“Someone, open up!”

The postmaster and his staff were drinking in the main hall.

Upon hearing the knock, they immediately guessed who it was.

He put down his wine cup and ordered his staff, “We have many guests tonight. Let’s prepare more food.”

After that, the postmaster opened the door.

Wu Chengang handed the official banishment papers to the postmaster.

After reading them, the postmaster immediately opened the door and said, “Gentlemen, please come in.”

Since the post station was near the capital, it was larger, capable of accommodating over a hundred people.

Seven carts were left outside the post station.

One belonged to the Qi family, the rest were from the officials, guarded by the station staff.

The leader of the Longwei guards, Han Chong, arranged for thirty people to stay outside the post station to prevent the Qi family from escaping.

The rest entered the courtyard.

There were too many people, so the main hall couldn’t accommodate everyone. Many had to rest outside in the corridor.

The Ye, Qi, and Zhao families could only sit on the ground.

Except for Ye Chutang and Qi Yanzhou, everyone else’s feet were covered in blisters.

Once the blisters were popped, the pain was unbearable, and they stuck to their socks.

Ye Jingchuan lay motionless on the ground, his chest rising and falling, giving the illusion that he might be dead.

Wu Chengang, once he had entered the main hall, ordered the postmaster, “Hurry and prepare food and drinks.”

“The staff is preparing, but with so many officials, it might take a while. There are rooms on the fifth and third floors for rest.”

“It’s fine, but no one’s occupying those rooms, right?”

“No, there are five rooms on each of the fifth and third floors, and three more in the back courtyard.”

Since so many officials had arrived at once, the postmaster could only give up his own and his staff’s rooms.

Even so, there weren’t enough rooms.

The postmaster had done everything he could, and how the rooms would be allocated was beyond his concern.

Wu Chengang discussed the matter with Han Chong.

He requested two rooms on the third floor.

Although it would be cramped with five people per room, it was better than sleeping outside in the open, being bitten by mosquitoes.

Han Chong had no objections.

“Alright, I’ll handle the guard duty.”

Afterward, he arranged the shifts.

Wu Chengang poured himself a cup of wine, finished it, then went into the courtyard to arrange rest places for the three families.

“Ye’s family will stay in the stable, Qi’s family in the front yard, and Zhao’s family in the back yard.”

Though the stable could shelter from the wind and rain, it smelled foul and was filled with mosquitoes, making it the worst of the three locations.

The front yard was larger, and it was the most suitable for watching the Qi family.

Once the arrangements were made, Wu Chengang had his subordinates distribute black bean buns and pickled vegetables.

No one wanted any.

He didn’t insist, saying, “There’s a well in the back yard.”

Zhao Mingxu’s wife, Zhu Rong, immediately asked, “Sir, is there anywhere we can bathe at the post station?”

After walking all day, their clothes were soaked with sweat, dirty and foul.

The rooms at the post station had bath tubs, but they were reserved for the prisoners.

“Figure it out yourself.”

Wu Chengang said, then returned to the main hall to drink wine and eat simple rice.

Unable to endure the filth, Zhu Rong limped off to find the postmaster.

She paid one or two silver coins in exchange for three buckets of hot water and a chance for her family to bathe in the storeroom.

“Master, the post station isn’t selling food right now, shall we move the stuff to the back yard?”

Zhao Mingxu didn’t want to move and weakly waved his hand.

“Rest for a while, I’m really exhausted.”

After resting for a while, Ye Chutang stood up.

“Ah Zhou, go greet the officers and ask if we can cook outside the inn.”

The elderly couple of the Qi family, despite drinking the spiritual spring water, were extremely tired and needed to eat something to replenish their strength.

Qi Yanzhou went to find Wu Chengang, who allowed the two to cook outside the inn.

Just as Ye Chutang was about to call out to Qi Yanzhou, Aunt Xu said, “Madam, let me help you.”

“Alright.”

She and Aunt Xu went outside the inn.

At the entrance of the inn, two lanterns hung, casting a dim yellow light over the small area.

Ye Chutang took a wooden bucket from the cart.

“Aunt Xu, take this to Ah Zhou and ask him to fetch some water.”

Aunt Xu took the bucket and left, while Ye Chutang took out the vegetables she had bought yesterday.

It was hot, and some of the greens were wilting, but the potatoes, which were easier to store, were still fine.

The fried meatballs smelled delicious and were not spoiled.

She also took out a large piece of marinated beef from her space.

When Aunt Xu returned with the bucket, she saw Ye Chutang preparing cooking utensils and quickly came forward to help.

Ye Chutang refused, saying, “Aunt Xu, you prepare the vegetables. We’ll work together to be more efficient.”

“Alright, I’ll handle the vegetables for tonight’s meal.”

Aunt Xu was a noblewoman who had never done any cooking. Even when she occasionally prepared meals for Old Master Qi, it was more for the couple’s fun and was done with the help of servants.

So, even with Ye Chutang directing her, Aunt Xu made a complete mess and was on the verge of tears.

Qi Yanzhou brought the water bucket over and stood at the inn’s door.

“Aunt Xu, give me the vegetables.”

While traveling in the capital, he had to cook for himself.

Though his cooking wasn’t the best, he knew how to handle different ingredients.

Aunt Xu felt embarrassed and brought the vegetables to the door.

“Second Young Master, I want to help too. Please teach me.”

“Alright, first, give the water to Ah Tang.”

Ye Chutang quickly gathered everything needed for cooking.

A tripod, about the height of her calves, was set up with an iron pot on top.

The basin used for washing clothes was turned upside down, and on its bottom were spices for stir-frying and a chopping board for cutting vegetables.

She sliced the marinated beef into thin pieces and prepared a bowl of sauce.

She also cut some ginger and garlic to stir-fry the vegetables.

With Qi Yanzhou’s help, the vegetables were quickly prepped.

While Aunt Xu washed the vegetables, Ye Chutang used some dry branches she had picked up at noon to start the fire.

As the dry twigs caught fire, she asked, “Aunt Xu, can you cut vegetables?”

Aunt Xu awkwardly shook her head. “I’ve watched before, but never actually cut them.”

She felt like a fool, not knowing how to do anything!

Ye Chutang had already guessed the outcome. In ancient times, not only men but also noblewomen rarely cooked.

She softly said, “If you don’t know, you can learn slowly. But since it’s getting late, I’ll cut the vegetables, and you can make the meatball soup.”

Upon hearing this, Aunt Xu wished she could crawl into a hole.

“I… I don’t know how.”

“I’ll teach you.”

After saying that, Ye Chutang placed the knife into Aunt Xu’s hand and picked up the sharp kitchen knife.

Exiled prisoners were not allowed to carry knives.

But because of the special circumstances of the Qi family, the officials didn’t interfere.

Ye Chutang was cutting potato strips while observing the situation in the pot.

Seeing her multitasking, Aunt Xu was worried that Ye Chutang might cut her fingers, and tightly gripped the ladle.

“Aunt Xu, the pot is hot. Add a small half ladle of oil. Once the oil starts to smoke, add some ginger and garlic to stir-fry, and then pour in a big bowl of water.”

“Alright, alright.”

Although Aunt Xu’s movements were stiff, she carefully followed Ye Chutang’s instructions without making any mistakes.

As the water was poured into the pot, Ye Chutang also finished cutting the potato strips.

She soaked the potato strips in water to remove the starch.

“Aunt Xu, I’ll do the rest. Pay close attention, watch carefully, and remember it.”

Aunt Xu hurriedly handed the ladle to Ye Chutang.

“Madam, don’t worry, I’ll learn how to cook properly.”

Ye Chutang continued cooking while explaining the process in detail. Soon, two dishes and a soup were ready.

Garlic stir-fried greens, spicy-sour potato strips, meatball soup, and marinated beef.

There weren’t many types of dishes, but the portions were generous.

While making the dishes, she boiled water to cook rice.

Aunt Xu sat quietly to the side, silently remembering how Ye Chutang prepared the food.

Her memory was good, and she quickly memorized the steps.

While the rice was still cooking, Aunt Xu practiced with the potato slices she had peeled earlier.

When Ye Chutang saw her knife technique was off, she gave some pointers.

Aunt Xu smiled and said, “Holding the knife like this really feels more natural and easier.”

Then, she looked at Ye Chutang with admiration.

“Madam knows everything, truly worthy of respect.”

Ye Chutang looked at the bubbling rice in the pot and thought about the hardships the original owner had gone through.

“The more you know, the more suffering you have to endure. Rather than suffer and tire myself out, I would rather be a carefree child.”

She said this on behalf of the original owner.

After all, in ancient times, women didn’t need to know many skills. As long as they had someone who cared for them and a solid foundation, that was enough.

Standing at the inn’s door, Qi Yanzhou heard Ye Chutang’s words and felt heartache for her past suffering.

Here is the English translation:

Thinking about how he was also making her suffer, a wave of guilt washed over him.

Aunt Xu knew some of Ye Chutang’s circumstances and said, “Madam, you will definitely have sweet times after the bitter ones.”

Although they had been exiled, she believed the Qi family still had a backup plan and would not fall here!

Ye Chutang nodded firmly, “Of course.”

After speaking, she scooped up a ladle of rice soup.

Seeing the rice had been cooked through, she used a bamboo strainer to separate the rice soup and then put the rice back into the pot to simmer on low heat.

“Aunt Xu, the rice will be ready soon, please bring the dishes inside.”

Aunt Xu brought the dishes in while Ye Chutang cleaned up the condiments and the chopping board.

Once she cleaned the items on the wooden basin, she used it as a table to place the dishes.

Soon, the fragrant rice was ready.

The Qi family gathered around the basin, eating heartily.

The tempting aroma of the food made others drool.

Aunt Su and Aunt Gao looked at the jerky and steamed buns in their hands and immediately lost their appetite.

“This is so dry. If only we could have a bowl of soup,” Aunt Su said.

Aunt Gao knew that Aunt Su was doing this on purpose, trying to make her the fool to go buy soup.

She swallowed the jerky in her mouth and said, “I bought some heat-relief pills at noon. If Su sister wants, you can go buy some soup?”

This was said with obvious meaning. Aunt Su was unwilling but could only accept.

“Alright, I’ll go ask.”

She endured the pain in her feet and walked wobbly over to Ye Chutang.

“Madam, I wonder if you’re selling any meatball soup?”

Without looking up, Ye Chutang replied, “If we don’t finish it, we can sell it, just wait.”

The implication was that even if Aunt Su wanted to buy, she could only get leftover soup.

Aunt Su rolled her eyes. “I don’t want it.”

Ye Chutang didn’t care whether she could make a few coins from it.

“Whether you want it or not.”

Just as her voice dropped, Ye Jingchuan, who had been lying on the ground, spoke up, “If there’s extra soup, I’ll take it.”

He was so hungry that his stomach was pressed to his back, but he didn’t have much of an appetite for the dry, bland bread.

Ye Chutang didn’t refuse. “Alright.”

After all, who she sold it to was the same.

The dishes she made were really delicious, and Qi Heran couldn’t stop eating.

Even though his stomach was full, he finished the last bowl of soup.

“Burp!”

He rubbed his swollen stomach and let out a contented burp.

“Get the pots and bowls cleaned up.”

Aunt Xu looked at her son, who had become more obedient, and happily said, “I’ll help you.”

Ye Chutang stood up and said, “Boil some hot water, we’ll take a bath later.”

There’s nothing like a hot bath when you’re extremely tired.

The Qi family thought they had heard wrong and immediately questioned her.

“A bath?”

“Yes, I bought a spliced bathtub.”

This was something made in a rush by the carpenter’s shop, along with a portable toilet.

It was the first time Qi Yanzhou had heard this word and curiously asked, “What is a spliced bathtub?”

Ye Chutang took out a bundle of wooden boards from the cart and spliced them together into a bathtub.

The joints were all mortise and tenon structures, tightly fitted, and wouldn’t leak water.

Everyone was stunned.

Even Wu Yungang, who was drinking wine in the hall, said, “I’ve lived more than forty years, and this is the first time I’ve seen such a bathtub.”

Ye Chutang smiled and said, “That’s because usually no one would take a bathtub when traveling.”

Without an occasion, there would naturally be no one selling them.

Ordinary people would use bathtubs in inns when traveling.

After praising Ye Chutang a few times, the old madam of the Qi family asked, “Chutang, where are you planning to bathe?”

“Spend a little money, let’s go to the storeroom.”

Qi Yanzhou immediately went to find the station chief.

He only needed the space, not hot water, so it only cost him a couple of silver.

Ye Chutang wandered around the yard, walking aimlessly to help digest the food.

Qi Yanzhou walked with her, and as they walked, he took her hand.

He whispered so only the two of them could hear, “Chutang, although it’s been just thirty minutes since leaving the capital, the emperor may not act right away, but still, we need to be careful.”

“I know. Tonight, we will each keep watch for half the night.”

The emperor’s intentions to destroy the Qi family were too strong, and he might not follow normal procedures.

Qi Yanzhou squeezed Ye Chutang’s hand. “You rest well, I, Third Brother, and Father will keep watch.”

Although Qi Yanzhou’s father enjoyed indulgence, it was all for the emperor’s benefit.

Though his body was weak, he had martial arts foundation, so staying up was not an issue.

Ye Chutang needed more sleep, so she nodded.

“Alright, if I’m too tired, wake me up.”

Qi Yanzhou didn’t say anything, his gaze falling on Ye Chutang’s belly.

“Are you tired?”

Ye Chutang knew what he was asking and her eyes softened.

“I’m not tired, don’t worry.”

This wasn’t to comfort Qi Yanzhou, but the truth.

With her earth-based supernatural ability, she didn’t tire from walking; it was just the heat that made her feel uncomfortable.

Qi Yanzhou gently touched Ye Chutang’s head, his eyes full of affection.

“Don’t push yourself, if you feel it’s too hard, I’ll carry you.”

Ye Chutang leaned on Qi Yanzhou’s shoulder and nodded.

“Okay, but don’t complain when you get tired.”

“Even if I carry you my whole life, I won’t get tired!”

Just as his heartfelt confession ended, Qi Heran rushed over and said, “Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, the hot water is ready.”

Qi Yanzhou let go of Ye Chutang’s hand and said, “I’ll go take a bath first.”

He was worried that the storeroom might have problems, so he wanted to check it first.

Ye Chutang had no objections. “Alright, go ahead.”

Here is the English translation