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When He Jinghe returned, Shang Ruoyi had already started stewing the chicken.
He placed the colorful mushrooms on the table, tilting his chin up with an air of pride. “Look at the mushrooms I picked, and then look at yours. The difference is obvious!”
Shang Ruoyi glanced at the increasingly vibrant—and increasingly poisonous—mushrooms he had gathered and scoffed. “Those mushrooms are inedible.”
Inedible?
“How are they inedible?” He Jinghe raised his voice. “I think you’re just trying to steal my credit!”
“Don’t make it sound so ugly. No one wants to steal your credit.” She had initially planned to ignore him, but she feared that if someone actually died, the officers would blame her—after all, if their journey was delayed because of their family, the officers’ whips wouldn’t discriminate.
She stepped forward and said, “These mushrooms are poisonous. I’m afraid if you eat them, you’ll end up seeing your ancestors.”
No sooner had she spoken than Madam Zhang strode over and snapped, “Ignorant fool! You just can’t stand others being better than you.”
Shang Ruoyi truly wanted to slap her twice. “Fine! I’ve said my piece. If you won’t listen, there’s nothing I can do.”
Madam Zhang examined the mushrooms her son had picked—they did seem unusually vibrant, the kind she had never eaten before.
“Son, it’s not that I doubt you, but we don’t know if these are safe to eat. Why not let your wife try them first?”
He Jinghe, still uncertain after Shang Ruoyi’s warning, brightened at his mother’s suggestion.
Exactly!
Why not use Madam Qiao as a poison tester?
If she ate them and nothing happened, that would prove the mushrooms were safe.
Qiao Yanxin, sitting nearby, had heard every word of their conversation.
She never imagined the mother and son could harbor such cruel intentions.
Before long, He Jinghe walked over with the mushrooms. “Yanxin, these are the mushrooms I picked. Try one.”
Qiao Yanxin selected one from the pile. “This one, then.”
He Jinghe looked at the red mushroom in her hand and nodded. The color was quite vivid—it should serve as a good test.
Little did he know, among his entire bag of mushrooms, this single red one was the only non-toxic variety.
Qiao Yanxin, of course, recognized these mushrooms, which was why she had deliberately picked the only safe one.
With the officers’ permission, He Jinghe filled a salvaged broken pot with spring water and prepared to cook the mushrooms.
Meanwhile, Shang Ruoyi busied herself by the stove. Soon, the rich aroma of chicken and mushrooms wafted through the air. The prisoners, having walked all day, were starving. With no provisions to speak of, the scent of the broth made their mouths water.
A young officer approached the stove, grinning. “Another feast tonight! I never knew you were such a skilled cook.”
Shang Ruoyi smiled modestly. “You flatter me, Master. My skills are hardly worth mentioning.”
He Jingheng, watching the officer hover around Shang Ruoyi, frowned deeply. He picked up a small stone from the ground and flicked it with Inner Force, striking the officer squarely on the forehead.
“Ow! Damn it! Where did that rock come from?”
The officer scanned the area, but the prisoners all sat quietly, showing no signs of movement.
Just then, the lead officer walked over, examined his subordinate’s head, and cast a veiled glance in He Jingheng’s direction.
“Boss, this place is cursed! How else would a rock just fly out of nowhere?”
“Cursed? More like you’ve got no brains!” He kicked the young officer. “Get over here!”
Who dares to covet someone else’s wife? Are they tired of living or what?
The Dingguo Prince Residence may seem to have fallen from grace, practically uprooted, but its members weren’t sentenced to execution—just exile.
As long as people are alive, there’s always a chance for a comeback.
Especially for those from the Dingguo Prince Residence.
He didn’t believe a general who once commanded a million-strong army could be so easily defeated.
That was why, even though the Crown Prince had specifically instructed to make their exile journey difficult, he occasionally gave them small conveniences.
As the aroma of chicken and mushrooms grew stronger, everyone’s appetites were whetted.
He Jinghe kept urging Madam Qiao to hurry up and cook the mushrooms.
Madam Qiao boiled the water in the earthen pot and tossed in only her single mushroom.
“What’s wrong with you? Why are you cooking just one?” Madam Zhang pinched her arm hard. “What, don’t want to share with us?”
Qiao Yanxin held back her tears and whispered, “The pot is too small. If I cook too many at once, it’ll take forever. I’ll cook mine first to taste it. If it’s good, I’ll cook the rest.”
“Hmph, you’d better.” Madam Zhang glared at her before walking away.
Qiao Yanxin clenched her fists, telling herself over and over—just endure a little longer, just a little longer.
Shang Ruoyi handed the chicken and mushrooms to the guards. She had planned to take the roasted potatoes from the fire back to share with the He family, but the lead guard quietly said, “I see there’s still some chicken broth in the pot. Take it and share it.”
Shang Ruoyi’s eyes lit up. If that was the case, she could add a bit more Spirit Spring Water to it and make a large pot, enough for everyone to have a bowl.
After simmering the broth, she cleaned the earthen pot she had found, filled it with soup, and made sure every member of the He family got some. Then she brought out the potatoes. The fragrant roasted potatoes made everyone’s mouths water—even the guards, who had just eaten, each took another one.
“Your cooking skills are truly impressive,” the lead guard said with a smile. “Not inferior to the Heavenly Fragrance Restaurant in the capital.”
Seeing that her cooking had won over the guards, Shang Ruoyi knew the timing was right. She smiled and said, “Lord Zhang, I have a request.”
“Go ahead.”
“When I cook for you in the future, could I also prepare a little for my family? I promise it won’t delay our journey. My grandmother is elderly and frail. If she falls ill, it might really slow us down.”
In Tianshun, failing to reach the exile destination on time meant punishment not only for the prisoners but also for the guards.
“Fine. But you’ll have to find your own ingredients.”
“You have my word.”
Who would’ve thought this woman would dare to negotiate with the guards?
He Jingheng sipped the chicken broth in his hand. Hmm, her skills really were something.