As the road became increasingly difficult and some people ahead were lazily shirking their duties, the group moved in fits and starts.

Liu Pingkang couldn’t stand it any longer and began urging people, "Move faster, if the cart won’t budge, just abandon it. If you want to keep it, put in the effort."

If it weren’t for the upcoming smoother roads requiring carts to speed them up, Liu Pingkang might have used his whip to separate the people from their carts.

His words worked, and the people who were resting quickly got up.

They were prisoners now, and upon reaching Lingnan, they’d have to rely on their possessions for survival. The ox carts, being valuable assets, couldn’t be abandoned.

Who knows if they’d be sold for an exorbitant price at the next post station?

Seeing the group resume moving, Liu Pingkang stood on high ground with satisfaction, watching everything.

These people also noticed him, and nobody dared to be lazy anymore.

☆

As night fell, they finally waited for Liu Pingkang to allow them to stop for a rest, and everyone collapsed to the ground.

"I can’t go on, I’m exhausted."

"This is unbearable, we’ve only just left the capital, and the roads ahead will be tougher. Can’t we take the main road?"

"Main road? Weren’t we on the main road earlier? Do you think we can continue speeding up on horseback?

If we don’t reach Lingnan on time, we’ll be in even more trouble."

"It’s all because of those who didn’t buy carts; we’re suffering because of them."

"What could be done? Adversity reveals people’s true nature.

Our luck was having someone send us travel gifts; otherwise, who knows how much more we’d suffer.

Especially after reaching Lingnan, we’ll truly have to rely on our own hands to make a living.

Those without relatives to send them off are surviving on a few buns each day now, but once they reach Lingnan, even those buns might be gone—that’s when the real disaster begins."

The crowd sighed with regret; they used to think walking was easier than pushing carts, but not anymore.

What’s wrong with pushing ox carts? At least they carry supplies and food, preventing physical collapse.

Bai Suihe had walked so far that her legs were swollen. Dongmei and Chunxiang quickly helped Bai Suihe lie in the cart, applying heat compresses and massages.

Gu Kaiyuan looked worried; they were only halfway through, and her feet were already swollen. "Maybe next time you should ride in the cart; we’ll try to make it stable."

Bai Suihe said, "Don’t worry, I’ll be fine after resting for the night."

Seeing Bai Suihe, Gu Kaiyuan immediately thought of her space.

She could rest more inside, but the road ahead wouldn’t be easy.

"You all shouldn’t crowd around here; hurry up and prepare, everyone is hungry."

As Bai Suihe mentioned hunger, Gu Kaiyuan realized he wouldn’t be much help here, "I’ll collect firewood and set up the stove. Do you have any particular cravings?"

"I’m fine with anything," Bai Suihe was not picky about food; if she didn’t like it, she’d eat less. She secretly added a meal in her space while resting.

Unfortunately, these things couldn’t be done openly, and Dongmei and others had to make do.

Everyone was tired and hungry but had no choice but to continue working with exhausted bodies.

Contrary to everyone else, Liu Yun seemed energized today; as soon as they stopped, she urged Gu Kaichen and the others to gather firewood, then dragged the reluctant Xu Yulan to start making dough.

"Sister-in-law, this is exhausting, can’t we just eat something simple?" They still had to knead dough. It’d be better to get buns from the escorts so everyone could eat and rest early.

"We don’t mind, but isn’t the esteemed guest here?" Liu Yun thought of Gu Ruotong already chatting amicably with Rong Ruiyuan, realizing her plans were largely successful.

"Why did father insist on having the esteemed guest accompany us?

Just when my feet were healed, they’re getting worn out again." After receiving the flour, Xu Yulan began kneading dough. Everyone was starving, and if her sister-in-law took her time, they wouldn’t rest tonight. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"Whether our family can return to the court depends on this person," Liu Yun painted a rosy picture, then whispered in Xu Yulan’s ear, "If Tong Er can become involved with this esteemed guest, our family would be part of the royal family, and if this person ever becomes the master of the Eastern Palace, do you think our family’s future would be bleak?"

Xu Yulan had long guessed the intentions of the main house, unsurprised but lacking high hope, "Sister-in-law, even if An Tong enters the royal family, she won’t be the principal wife, we can’t assume we’re related."

This remark hit Liu Yun’s sore spot; with their current status, even if tied to the Third Prince, they’d just be lowly concubines or housemaids.

"Second sister-in-law, you don’t have high hopes for Tong Er?"

"Sister-in-law, I do have high hopes for An Tong," sensing Liu Yun’s dangerous tone, Xu Yulan reluctantly murmured, "Even though my roots are rustic, I understand that without being a principal wife’s maternal family, how would we call ourselves kin?"

"That’s royalty, can it be like a normal family?"

"Royal families follow strict rules," Xu Yulan felt Liu Yun was losing perspective, "I’ve been pondering this all day and think you should discuss it with me. Am I right?

Even if this master eventually occupies that role, awarding the harem generously, could the initial principal wife, secondary wives, concubines be overlooked?

If you ask me, hoping for a niece isn’t as reliable as hoping for our father-in-law.

I see the Third Prince respects father, plus this time our family supported him significantly. If dad can regain his official role, our niece’s status would rise, and a secondary or concubine title could be conceivable."

Seeing the main house’s conduct today, Xu Yulan felt a sense of urgency.

She hailed from a rustic background and wasn’t versed in grand principles but understood one truth: brothers can be close, but not as close as father and son.

Letting the main house gain power was less preferable than letting Gu Bai’s family regain control, and in time, An Wei would mature, with his grandfather’s support, he’d surely find a path to success.

But if Gu Antong ascended, she’d have her parents and siblings to care for, and likely show no cordiality to their second house.

Moreover, although Gu Antong hid it well in the house, Xu Yulan wasn’t a fool. This person looked down on everyone, relying on her aunt and sister-in-law’s favor, she even eyed Bai Suihe’s dowry, how much fondness would she show to a penniless second aunt?

"But about father...," Liu Yun hesitated, if father-in-law could return to the court, that would be ideal. Her husband could return to the Hanlin Academy, and she’d be the celebrated matriarch in the capital.

"It’s all about convincing father, I believe father and brother should seize this chance."