Qinzheng Hall

After Rong Shiguan finished reading the last memorial, he finally allowed Xiao Wuzi to summon the people inside.

After hearing the report, he asked indifferently, "Is the Third Prince really stuck with Gu Baijiang and the others, and has the carriage truly been completely destroyed?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, I sent someone to inspect it, and it is indeed damaged.

However, the Prince has guards by his side, and they can repair it at any time."

The person kneeling respectfully on the ground knew that those who served by the Prince’s side were handpicked, and handling a small carriage was within their capability.

Even if the horses pulling the carriage were gone, they could replace them in the shortest time possible.

"Old Third is really useless; he can’t even handle a mere Gu Baijiang." No one dared to respond to Rong Shiguan’s words, as these were matters between the Imperial Family, and who would dare to judge?

"Do you think Gu Baijiang has personal motives?"

The guard, lying on the ground, controlled his breathing as much as possible, "Your Majesty, should we bring Lord Gu back?"

"No hurry, I still want to see who will make a move first.

Instruct your people to continue watching, I want to see just how much ambition he has.

As for the Third Prince, leave him be. If he can’t handle even this, then he doesn’t have the qualification to compete."

At this moment, those serving in the hall wished they were deaf and mute, for serving the emperor was like serving a tiger, and knowing too much was not a good thing.

"Xiao Wuzi, inform Consort Liang that I will be staying with her tonight."

Xiao Wuzi promptly withdrew with respect; it was truly difficult to fathom the emperor’s mind. Just now, he seemed displeased with the Third Prince, yet now he’s favoring Consort Liang. It turned out the master was right; regarding matters of the court and harem, they should only lend their ears and take nothing else, to live a day longer and earn an extra day.

"You may leave too, continue to send people to keep watch."

"Yes."

☆

As the road became increasingly difficult to traverse, the number of days the group had to camp out in the wilderness increased, and the road became even harder to navigate.

The weather changed suddenly once more, and everyone tried to wrap all their clothes around their bodies.

"Please don’t rain," as they stopped to eat, many looked at the sky, praying.

Along the way, the weather had been fairly decent, but today not only was it windy, the sky was particularly murky.

Those with some experience knew that this was a sign of dropping temperatures, and if rain was added to the mix, it would indeed be a disaster.

"Didn’t they say the weather in Lingnan would be better?"

"Who told you that?"

"They said being here is even better than being exiled to Ningguta, where one truly could freeze to death."

"Don’t be naive, good places aren’t meant for us?

Lingnan is cold and damp, and it’s more unbearable than the northern days."

Listening to the conversations from outside, Gu Antong sat, hugging her knees, lost in thought.

These days, whenever she was in the carriage, she kept this position.

"Sister-in-law, I didn’t bring many clothes, could you lend me one?"

Xu Yulan shivered wrapped in a blanket, the carriage curtain fluttered with the wind, unable to keep the cold out.

She saw that the mother and daughter from the main branch were both wearing a cotton-padded jacket, and her eyes turned red.

"Second sister-in-law, we only have this one garment too. Didn’t I tell you at the post station to purchase clothing, why didn’t you buy it?"

"Wasn’t it because the price seemed too high, so I thought maybe I could find something cheaper." Xu Yulan now deeply regretted it, as it was just the three of them shivering.

No, actually just the two of them, for Gu Kaichen, who was needed in the front to pull the animals, had been given a cotton-padded jacket by Gu Baijiang.

"Well, I have no other way," Liu Yun said and then ignored her. Earlier, someone had reminded her to prepare clothes to prevent the weather change, but Xu Yulan didn’t listen, and now who could help her?

Moreover, once something is lent out, can it even be taken back?

"Do you think I should ask Third Sister-in-law for help, would she help?" Xu Yulan still thought that Bai Suihe might hold some hope.

Liu Yun looked at her but said nothing, thinking that the most cunning is that Ms. Bai, who spent dozens of taels of silver to leave this big family of theirs behind, yet left people unable to criticize.

On several occasions, they had sought help but were refused, forgetting that previously, she had lent Gu Antong a dress.

The targeted Bai Suihe suddenly sneezed twice, frightening her two maids, who quickly added another quilt on her.

Bai Suihe felt a bit helpless, "I’m really not cold, it’s just that my nose felt a bit itchy.

Wearing so much, with more layers, I’m almost buried under it all."

Dongmei and Chunxiang quickly spat a few times, "Miss, why are you speaking so carelessly now? Some things shouldn’t be said."

Bai Suihe chuckled foolishly, indeed becoming more unruly, momentarily forgetting these ancient taboos. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"I mean wearing too much may cause sweating later."

"It’s okay to sweat a little," Chunxiang tucked her quilt in, then went over to lean on the door; the curtain on one side was fixed, and she just needed to block this side to keep the wind out.

"Are their clothes warm enough?" Bai Suihe had been confined to the carriage since the weather changed, but she could feel the biting cold from the wind seeping through the crevices.

"They are dressed warmly," Dongmei said with a smile, "They’re wearing lambskin inside the cotton-padded jacket, plus they’re moving around, they’re cozy."

The master bought these things early on, from who knows where.

The lambskin was windproof and warm, plus a fur cap, they were fully equipped.

"Let’s light that brazier and make them some ginger tea," Bai Suihe pointed at the small stove placed aside, the road was relatively smooth now, so they could brew some ginger tea in the carriage.

Neither Dongmei nor the others objected, after all, besides the master, their men were also outside, and catching a cold on this journey was no trivial matter.

Gu Kaiyuan was at the front, occasionally kicking small stones to the side of the road, and just then, he felt some coolness on his face. Looking up at the sky, it was indeed starting to rain.

He remembered this weather event was also a turning point in his fate.

Gazing ahead gloomily, this time it all depended on who could endure this bone-chilling cold.

"Everyone, move faster, it’s raining," the escorts urged again, as the cooling and rain were truly lethal.

If they couldn’t quickly reach the campsite, they wouldn’t even be able to light a warming bonfire tonight.

Moreover, some didn’t heed advice and were ill-prepared; if this continued, someone could truly meet their end.

The numbers could dwindle, but if too many were lost, they’d also have to bear responsibility.

"Sir, it’s too cold, could you lend us your clothes?"

Finally, unable to bear it, someone pleaded, only to be met with the crack of a whip.

"Where would we get clothes to lend you? Do you really think we’re a wishing tree, here to give you whatever you want?" For those who lacked sense, the escorts were not polite, it’s not like they weren’t warned, what’s the point in bringing it up now?