Chapter 1549 - 1396: Fake Commandery Princess 6
Ye Shuangshuang could only find some dry firewood, arrange a few stones to set up a makeshift stove, and rummage through the carriage to find a coarse porcelain jar, which was earlier prepared by Bai Menghan’s family.
Among the two carriages, one was arranged by the Bai Family entirely for the use of the officers escorting them, as they too needed to bring luggage for the thousands of miles journey, which required a significant amount of belongings.
The remaining carriage was prepared for use by the Ye Family, with luggage and miscellaneous items needed for the journey inside.
There was nothing precious or valuable, just ordinary items, even the clothes were only slightly better than those worn by the common people.
It’s not that Bai Menghan’s family was stingy, reluctant to prepare good things, but rather, prepared items that were too good might attract attention and bring trouble to the Ye Family.
Exile is a punishment; the Emperor’s kindness is not meant for you to take advantage of, making exile seem like a noble’s outing, which would certainly prompt an Imperial Censor to file a report—a displeased Emperor might later settle accounts at the cost of one’s life; so it’s better to endure some hardship than risk angering the Emperor.
Ye Shuangshuang used the coarse porcelain jar to boil a pot of hot water, crumbled some biscuits into it, picked some wild vegetables from the roadside, washed and tore them into pieces, found some seasoning in the carriage, added a bit of salt for taste, and a pot of wild vegetable porridge was ready.
Ye Shuangshuang first served two bowls of porridge to Ye Feiying and the Shen Family, leaving the rest aside, and brought it to the head officer.
Ye Shuangshuang, smiling, said, "Dear officers, you’ve had a hard journey; although the weather isn’t cold, it’s not very warm either. Eating cold food can upset the stomach, so please have some hot porridge. My cooking isn’t great, please don’t mind it."
The head officer, with a good-natured smile, replied, "Miss, you’re too kind, we shall gladly accept your kind offer and have some hot food.
Miss, you may rest a bit more, there’s no rush; the Emperor hasn’t set a time frame, we just need to travel ten more miles by afternoon to reach the town and rest."
These officers were astute people; though the family of General Ye was exiled, the Emperor had shown significant favor.
Ordinary exiles have tight schedules, and shackles, and are truly life-threatening; dying along the journey is all too normal.
But when it came to the Ye Family’s exile, the Emperor specifically decreed no time restrictions, no shackles, pardoned the crime upon arrival without forced labor or servitude—that’s royal favor.
Moreover, the affair of the Ye Family wasn’t a secret in the Capital City; supposedly, the crime was only due to being implicated in the adopted son’s disgrace leading to confiscation and exile, but the Emperor wasn’t necessarily abandoning General Ye; perhaps he might remember the Ye Family later and restore their status.
Thus, the escorting officers treated the Ye Family kindly, without urgency, threats, or abuse; being called "big brother" by Ye Shuangshuang left them feeling honored.
Who is Ye Shuangshuang? Originally the beloved Little Princess of Prince Nan Mansion; though it was revealed she wasn’t, Prince Nan Mansion didn’t abandon her.
It’s said she insisted on going into exile with her biological parents; Prince Nan and Princess Consort Nan wanted to keep the adopted and biological daughters together, showing how cherished the adopted daughter was.
Although Ye Shuangshuang chose to follow her biological parents into exile, it demonstrated her good character—a trait admired by many, willing to forgo wealth to endure hardship with her biological parents.
Ye Shuangshuang left Prince Nan Mansion, but if she suffered mistreatment and Prince Nan Mansion was displeased, it would be troublesome for them.
Thus, they were exceedingly courteous to Ye Shuangshuang, and though she offered them porridge, they each took a bowl but refrained from eating to ensure the Ye Family wouldn’t go without.
Eating hot porridge was not as good as their usual fare but certainly better than cold water biscuits, leaving their stomachs without discomfort afterward.
Ye Feiying and the Shen Family finished their porridge, while Ye Shuangshuang went to the roadside trees and broke off some flexible long branches, sat on a large stone, and began stripping the leaves to weave.
Ye Feiying and the Shen Family rested together with closed eyes; they weren’t physically well, even being carried for two hours left them uncomfortable.
Ye Fangchen had been carrying Ye Feiying along the journey, now exhausted, naturally worrying about his parents and his wife, Bai Menghan.
After walking for two hours, Bai Menghan, unaccustomed to hardship, had blisters on her feet, in pain such that she dared not let her feet touch the ground.
Additionally, Bai Menghan’s legs were trembling, muscle cramps due to sudden strenuous movement; previously, Bai Menghan bore the discomfort herself without revealing her concern.
A muscle cramped is sore and painful, sitting on the ground Bai Menghan wished she could faint due to exhaustion; just two hours of walking proved unexpectedly taxing.
Ye Fangchen compassionately massaged Bai Menghan’s legs, but helplessly, as he needed to carry his father, unable to carry his wife, only able to offer massages.
Ye Shuangshuang observed Bai Menghan’s condition, feeling inclined to sigh; Bai Menghan’s physique was below even suboptimal health.
No wonder Bai Menghan didn’t survive the journey to Nanzhao in the previous life; alone, she faced threats to her life, let alone with a child; enduring alone was suicidal.
However, Ye Shuangshuang couldn’t spare the time to alleviate Bai Menghan’s discomfort; she was engaged with attending to the Shen Family and Ye Feiying.
Ye Feiying and the Shen Family were in worse shape than Bai Menghan; continuing to carry them for the afternoon would undoubtedly lead to illness by evening.
Ye Jingyi surveyed the surroundings, first checking in on his grandparents, aiding them with leg massages and back rubs, then relieving Ye Fangchen’s shoulder and back tension.
Having attended to the grandparents and father, Ye Jingyi approached Ye Shuangshuang holding Ye Jingfei, curious as he watched Ye Shuangshuang quickly weaving with the branches.
"Sister, what are you doing? What are you weaving?" Ye Jingyi asked as he took branches to strip leaves off, with Ye Jingfei mimicking actions to help.
Ye Shuangshuang replied while weaving, "Grandfather and Grandmother’s health is frail; carrying them during a journey compresses their chest uncomfortably, resulting in fatigue if prolonged.
I plan to weave two soft chairs worn on the back to allow them to sit while carried, easing discomfort during long travels."
Ye Jingyi hadn’t anticipated Ye Shuangshuang was weaving this, feeling a bit moved, "Sister, you are indeed thoughtful."