She had been aggressive earlier, insisting that Cheng Yao did not know how to treat injuries, that the old madam and Second Madam Zhan would only grow worse after drinking the ginger soup, and even forcing Cheng Yao into a wager.
Now Cheng Yao had done exactly what she promised and stabilized the injuries of the old madam and her daughter-in-law. It was time for Feng Xianxian to honor her side of the wager.
However, once their household was separated, Cheng Yao might well stop looking after the old madam.
Feng Xianxian had truly gained nothing and lost everything.
Listening to the clansmen’s discussions, Zhan Jinmo’s face turned livid. He was filled with disgust toward Feng Xianxian.
Everyone had witnessed the improvement in Zhan Haoting’s condition.
Under such stormy weather and in such harsh conditions, if Cheng Yao did not possess genuine skill, how could Zhan Haoting have held on?
It was impossible.
This was something everyone had seen with their own eyes and understood perfectly. Yet Feng Xianxian alone refused to see it, insisting on provoking Cheng Yao. Now everyone was laughing at her, and she had completely humiliated him!
Feng Xianxian was wiping down Second Madam Zhan, pretending not to hear the conversation nearby.
The strange looks from everyone made her feel as if thorns were pricking her back. She did not dare turn around.
She regretted her impulsiveness somewhat.
She had always disliked Cheng Yao. That country bumpkin had come from nowhere—what right did she have to marry Zhan Haoting in her place, especially when he was the man Feng Xianxian loved but could never have? How could she accept it? How she hated her!
Besides, on the exile route, Zhan Haoting’s people must have been treating his injuries in secret. Yet that wretched woman had allowed everyone to believe that it was the ginger soup that had saved him. How shameless!
She had not dared to touch Cheng Yao in the palace, but now that they were in exile, who would indulge that little slut?
She had merely forced Cheng Yao to treat the old madam and then challenged her to a wager.
Who could have known that the wretched woman would actually stabilize the injuries of the old madam and her mother-in-law with ginger soup?
It was impossible. It had to be Zhan Haoting’s hidden subordinates helping that woman.
But in everyone’s eyes, Cheng Yao had accomplished it through her own ability.
If Feng Xianxian really made the decision to separate Cheng Yao’s household from the others, the old madam would surely fly into a rage once she woke up.
But now Feng Xianxian had already placed herself in an impossible position…
Cold sweat soaked her back as her mind raced, searching for a solution.
Just then, a cold voice rang out.
“Lady Cheng, how dare you conceal supplies!”
Feng Xianxian abruptly looked up. It was the constable who had made Shao Yutong “attend” to him!
Her heart immediately relaxed. Lowering her eyes, she slowly curved her lips into a smile.
Cheng Yao loved showing off. She had stepped in to help Shao Yutong out of trouble, but in doing so, she had offended the constable.
The journey into exile was long and arduous. The constables held the life and death of the entire group in their hands. If they wanted to kill a prisoner, they had countless methods at their disposal.
With the constable targeting her, Cheng Yao’s days ahead would certainly be miserable.
At a time like this, no one could blame Feng Xianxian for agreeing to separate Cheng Yao from the rest, could they?
With that thought, Feng Xianxian turned around and waited leisurely for the spectacle to begin.
But Cheng Yao remained perfectly calm. Her bright, clear eyes were as pure as a newborn baby’s, without the slightest trace of impurity. As she gazed at the constable, he felt as if his filthy thoughts had been laid bare beneath those eyes. He grew inexplicably uncomfortable.
“What are you looking at? Keep staring and I’ll gouge your eyes out. Everyone else has already handed over their supplies. Are you going to hand over yours?”
Cheng Yao gave him a faint, mocking smile. “Mother, give that bundle to the constable.”
Lady Zhan’s face had gone pale. She clutched the bundle tightly and shook her head again and again.
The medicine inside could save her son. She would rather die than surrender it!
The constable drew his sword and pointed it at her.
Cheng Yao stepped in front of Lady Zhan and looked the constable straight in the eye. “My grandmother gave this to me. Technically, I am not required to surrender it. But since you insist, Constable, then we will hand it over.”
After saying this, she leaned close to Lady Zhan’s ear and whispered, “Mother, my husband’s medicine isn’t in here.”
Lady Zhan’s grip immediately loosened.
Cheng Yao took the bundle and handed it to the constable.
He weighed it in his hand. “Is that all?”
Cheng Yao spread her arms. “Constable, we have nowhere to hide anything else.”
The constable narrowed his eyes, then suddenly gave an ominous smile.
Holding his sword, he pointed at Hongxiu and Xiao Fu. “The supplies belonging to the two of you must be surrendered as well.”
Hongxiu’s pupils contracted. “Constable, the two of us are free citizens, not prisoners. We’re not part of this exile party.”
Xiao Fu also forced a smile. “This old man has nothing but a few changes of clothes.”
“You two serve Zhan Haoting. Anything you carry belongs to him as well. Enough nonsense. Hand it over.”
Hongxiu was furious. “You’re twisting the truth! I won’t hand it over.”
“You won’t?” The constable gave a cold laugh, his gaze as venomous as a snake’s. “Then get out of the group.”
“You—”
Hongxiu was so angry that she was rendered speechless. Cheng Yao tugged at her. “Forget it. Give it to him.”
“But…”
Hongxiu glared at the constable, her eyes bloodshot.
If they gave it to him, they would have nothing left!
They would not even have a way to help conceal anything for Madam!
Xiao Fu’s heart was filled with grief and outrage. His cracked lips moved, and his voice was hoarse, yet it carried an unyielding strength.
“Constable, the general is Dafeng’s God of War. Even if he has fallen into disgrace and become a condemned minister, he still deserves a chance to live, doesn’t he?”
When his lord had fought on the battlefield and cut down enemy after enemy, these constables had probably still been hiding in some forgotten corner!
The constable spat on the ground. He tossed the bundle Lady Zhan had given him onto the dirt, planted one foot on it, and ground his heel against it. His smile was vicious.
“I’m not giving it back. What are you going to do about it?”
Xiao Fu’s chest heaved violently. “The way you humiliate people is no different from treating human lives like weeds!”
As soon as the words left his mouth, he gave a self-mocking laugh, his voice steeped in bone-deep sorrow.
“Forget it. You’re someone else’s lackey too. Once a man has knelt for too long, he forgets how to stand. Why should I expect you to become a human being again?”
His words struck a nerve. A murderous glint flashed in the constable’s eyes, and he kicked the back of Xiao Fu’s knee.
“You old bastard, you still dare talk back!”
Cursing furiously, he pressed the sole of his boot hard against the prisoner’s lower leg. “What condemned ministers? You’re nothing but dogs for us to step on! If we give you food, that’s mercy. If we don’t, you’ll starve to death! And you still dare accuse me of treating human lives like weeds?”
He grabbed Xiao Fu by the hair and was about to smash his head against the ground when Cheng Yao spoke coldly.
“That’s enough!”
She stepped forward and helped Xiao Fu up. Her movements were gentle, but the look she directed at the constable was sharp as a blade.
“What an impressive show of authority, Constable. Not only do you mistreat condemned officials, you also assault ordinary citizens. Do you truly regard the law as nothing but dust?”
The constable’s breathing quickened.
That wretched woman had ruined his fun and even accused him of breaking the law. She was utterly detestable!
He strode toward Cheng Yao. “Today, I’m going to see just—”
Suddenly, a voice came from nearby.
“Touch even one of her fingers and see what happens.”
The voice was hoarse and weak, yet it carried with astonishing force, landing clearly in everyone’s ears.
The constable’s footsteps halted. A chill shot from the soles of his feet straight to the crown of his head.
The Crippled Prince, Zhan Haoting, had spoken!
He might have fallen, but even a ruined ship still had three thousand nails. After serving as a Prince of a Different Surname for so many years, it was impossible that he had not cultivated his own forces in secret. He must have hidden guards following him.
Damn it! How could he have forgotten this woman’s identity?
If the War King wished it, a single gesture would be enough to end his life right here!
The constable stood frozen in place, cold sweat soaking through his entire body.
