The group slowly made their way, finally reaching the post station before nightfall.

Because it wasn’t far from the capital, there were very few people who actually stayed here, so the post station wasn’t very big. It was usually used for passing officials, soldiers, and travelers to rest and have a meal.

Because the escorting guards had sent notice beforehand, they weren’t flustered when so many people suddenly arrived.

Some of the guards went to the hall, while others stayed behind to guard, in case of any accidents.

The innkeeper came over to greet everyone and told them to find a place to sit, and someone would bring food soon.

There were no tables or chairs in the courtyard, only bare eaves and bluestone slabs under the skylight. The innkeeper’s meaning was clear.

Some people were still optimistic, thinking that they could finally sit down and have a good rest and eat something.

But they didn’t even have a place to sit, and they couldn’t help but feel discouraged.

Sigh, they were already prisoners, what else could they complain about?

As long as they could reach Ganzhou safely, they would be grateful to heaven and earth.

Lu Yao and Shen Yanrong didn’t hesitate, took their children to the eaves, found a place by the side, and sat directly on the steps.

Even sitting on the steps, they couldn’t help but sigh.

The journey was really too tiring.

Even Lu Yao and Shen Yanrong, who had experienced hardship, were a little overwhelmed, let alone the two children.

Actually, compared to the news about exile that she had seen in her memory, they were already lucky.

At least, the escorting guards didn’t beat, scold, drive them away, rob them, or bully women and the weak.

Moreover, they had paid attention when they paid before.

Although they took money, it was all clearly priced, there was no discrimination, and they didn’t overcharge.

This was already very good.

Besides, paying to avoid disaster, only those who had walked with shackles on their hands and feet knew the pain.

Hopefully,

It would be like this in the future.

Shen Yanrong took out the water bag prepared by his brother-in-law and handed it to Yuye, “Have some water and rest for a while.”

Little Yuye obediently took it, took a sip, and handed it to her brother. Haohao took it, took a sip, and handed it to his mother.

Lu Yao didn’t refuse, took a sip, and handed it to Shen Yanrong.

The family took turns drinking, and the tacit understanding between them was particularly heartwarming.

Shen Yanrong asked the mother and children, “Do you want more?”

The two children shook their heads.

Shen Yanrong rubbed their heads, “It’s okay, we’ve reached the post station, you can refill it after you finish.”

Even if it wasn’t allowed, Yao Mei had a cheat device.

Was it called a cheat device? Shen Yanrong thought this term was much more powerful than a trump card.

Lu Yao nodded in agreement.

A mother knows her children best, she could guess their thoughts accurately.

Hearing their parents say this, Haohao and Yuye no longer held back and took the water bag and drank two more sips.

They weren’t selfish children, they drank, but they couldn’t forget their parents. However, the two adults shook their heads and refused, just smiling and watching their children take turns drinking.

It was very loving.

“Dinner is coming soon,” seeing them finish drinking, Lu Yao reminded them softly.

Children were very sensitive to their stomachs, she was afraid they would get a stomachache.

The two children immediately returned the water bag to their father and waited for dinner with peace of mind.

Their children were so well-behaved and sensible, which made them feel relieved as parents, but also heartbroken and guilty.

If they could, they would give them the best things in the world, but now…

It wasn’t the time.

Lu Yao rubbed their heads, not saying anything. Shen Yanrong held her hand, his eyes looking at their mother and children, filled with a faint mist of self-blame and guilt.

It was all because of him, if it weren’t for him, their mother and children wouldn’t have to suffer.

Seeing the man like this, Lu Yao didn’t need to guess to know what he was thinking.

She sighed helplessly, took his hand back, and squeezed it, “Didn’t we agree? We’re a family, and a family should be together, no matter what. Don’t think too much.”

Little Yunhao heard his mother’s words and agreed, “Mother is right, we’re a family.”

A family should share good fortune and hardship together. If his parents were to abandon him and his sister, he would definitely not agree.

Mother had said that as long as they persevered, everything would be fine.

Little Yuye nodded heavily when she heard her brother’s words, “Brother is right.”

So, she didn’t want her father, mother, and brother to work so hard to take care of her.

Sigh, when would she finally grow up? Her little feet were so useless, not only did her father carry her, but even her brother carried her for several stretches.

With the two little ones distracting him, Shen Yanrong couldn’t say anything.

He sighed softly, ignoring the gazes of those around him, and gathered the mother and children into his arms with effort.

What kind of virtue did he have to deserve such a good wife and children.

Soon, several innkeepers came over with wooden buckets, each giving them a meal.

The food was the same as the prison standard, one black steamed bun and a bowl of thin rice porridge that could reflect a person’s shadow.

The food was bad and the amount wasn’t much, but no one complained.

Over the past few days, they had already experienced all kinds of beatings and had come to understand the harsh reality.

For the sake of survival, how could they dare to have a single word of dissatisfaction?

If there were any naughty children who made a fuss, before the guards could scold them, they would quickly cover their mouths, either coaxing them or scolding them.

If they didn’t listen, they would have to slap them.

They knew their strength, if they were caught by these escorted people, it wouldn’t be a matter of half a life.

Officer Wu twitched his lips, were they that scary?

Heh, it’s best if they keep thinking that way, otherwise, if they cause any trouble, they won’t be so easygoing.

During exile, the court would cover all expenses, including accommodation and food, but how could they possibly prepare anything good?

The limited funds would be passed from one hand to another, and in the end, very little would actually reach the prisoners.

As long as they could survive and reach their destination safely, that was all that mattered.

What? Not enough to eat?

You can pay for it yourself, they’re not interfering.

The accommodation is bad? That’s because you haven’t slept outdoors yet.

Having a place to shelter from the wind and rain is good enough, still picky and complaining? Believe it or not, I’ll have you sleep outdoors tomorrow.

In short, if you want to eat well, sleep well, and have an easy journey, pay for it. As long as you have money, everything is negotiable.

And indeed, there were those who paid for better treatment.

Old Lady Wang had been walking all day and was exhausted. Seeing the food that was worse than the prison, she thought of the news she had heard before, and with a wave of her hand, she told the innkeeper to prepare a bowl of noodles for each of them.

Of course, the illegitimate sons and daughters, as well as the concubine, were not included.

Not only were they not included, but they couldn’t even think about getting their share of the black steamed buns.

Although these things were disgusting, they were still food. It was better to have something than nothing.

Not full? Not enough energy?

Hearing someone retort, Old Lady Wang immediately flew into a rage, “Everyone else is eating like this, why are you special?” She tapped the ground with her cane, making a loud thud, “Others can eat, and they can eat their fill, why can’t you few? All you do is shirk your responsibilities, eat and sleep all day.”

You don’t do any work, but you eat a lot.

Tsk, don’t even look at what your status is!

After scolding them, Old Lady Wang ignored these annoying things and turned to see how her son was doing.

Therefore, she didn’t see the angry and unwilling expressions of those illegitimate sons and daughters, as well as the concubines.