RWNEFE -Chapter 47 Feeling That Something’s About to Happen!

If they’re struggling with this much strength, they clearly won’t die.

Shen Lanxi thought for a moment, took a box from her space, silently placed it at the doorway, and left just as quietly.

Not long after, the exile group ran into some refugees. Fortunately, it was only a small group, about a dozen people. They were intimidated by the government officers’ knives and didn’t dare approach, but they didn’t leave either, instead trailing behind at a distance.

At first, Liu Laohu didn’t notice, but by noon, during a break, an old woman came forward with two skinny children asking for food, and he realized the seriousness of the situation.

“Xiao Fang, go scout in the direction the old woman came from. See how many there are, and be careful—don’t let them discover us!” Liu Laohu instructed cautiously, then immediately went to find Liu Yanhui.

“Master Liu, should we let the prisoners ride in the carriage?” Liu Laohu asked worriedly.

Liu Yanhui thought for a moment and shook his head: “Wait a little longer.”

Liu Laohu paced anxiously. Soon, Xiao Fang returned with a report.

“Brother Liu, it’s that same group we encountered before, about a dozen people. They’ve been following us. I secretly followed them and overheard them say that we’re government officers, with plenty of grain on the cart. They won’t just starve to death.”

Liu Laohu’s anger flared: “They’re trying to latch onto us! No, we have to hurry. If we run into a larger group of refugees who join forces, what if they try to rob us?”

Liu Yanhui felt anxious inside, but didn’t show it. He always sensed that Master must have arranged things this way for a reason.

“Wait a little longer. If the refugees become too many, we’ll let the prisoners onto the cart,” Liu Yanhui said carefully, glancing at Liu Laohu. With Master not around, could he be controlled?

Liu Laohu clenched his fists, paced a few more times, then groaned in frustration.

“Alright, let’s wait. Anyway, we’ll keep running into refugees wherever we go!”

Liu Yanhui relaxed slightly and turned to find his mother and sister to eat.

Thanks to Master, his mother and sister were no longer staying with the exiled prisoners. He also didn’t dare let them stay with the officers, nor could he trouble Master’s people. So when setting off, he openly paid to rent a carriage.

The officers happily collected the payment, and the prisoners didn’t complain.

“Yanhuai, come eat quickly,” Liu Yanhui’s mother said. After preparing the meal, she wrapped it in an old cotton coat for hiding and handed it to him like a thief as soon as he returned.

“Son, eat quickly, so those shameless people don’t notice!” Mrs. Su said, glaring toward the Shen family in the distance.

Liu Yanhui didn’t understand but didn’t ask, taking the food obediently.

Under the fragrant rice were round eggs and a few slices of salted meat—delicious!

Liu Yanjun, seeing his brother eat with such enjoyment, couldn’t help swallowing.

“Mother, Sister, you can have the eggs and salted meat,” Liu Yanhui said, finishing the rice but leaving the hidden eggs and meat untouched.

Although Liu Yanjun wanted some, he held back: “Brother, Mother and I already ate. You eat first, or someone might come asking for food!”

Liu Yanhui now understood why his mother had spoken so oddly before.

“Someone coming to ask for food? Who?”

Mrs. Su scowled, pushing the bowl back: “Who else? The Shen family! They had rich patrons helping before and acted so arrogant, thinking they were high officials, looking down on everyone. Now that their patron isn’t helping, they’re panicking and begging around!”

Liu Yanhui frowned: “Not the eldest branch, right?”

Mrs. Liu: “Don’t know which branch. Don’t recognize them. Young girls, probably sent by elders from home!”

Liu Yanhui quickly finished the eggs and meat, a plan forming in his mind.

“Mother, Sister, the next few days will be rough. Don’t prepare meat anymore. We eat the same as the officers! Boiled eggs are fine, but the smell of meat and rice is too conspicuous. Being watched feels like needles on the back—uncomfortable!”

“Son, is something wrong?”

Liu Yanhui: “I don’t know, but I have a feeling something’s about to happen!”

And that feeling soon came true. That afternoon, a wealthy man boldly appeared among the prisoners, claiming to be a relative of the Prime Minister. He said his family were merchants who had bribed him generously before exile, and boasted that once they reached Dongchuan, his family would send people to serve him. There, he would live in comfort and luxury.

He wasn’t just bragging. He actually spent money to ride the carriage, buy meals, and even pay someone to massage him, acting extravagantly!

Although the officers escorting the prisoners had a tough journey, encountering a wealthy person like this meant the bribes alone could equal a year—or even several years—of salary. It was a lucky, lucrative assignment.

If someone was willing to pay, the officers gladly accepted. No need to carry them—they could ride the ready-made carriage freely!

“Whoever wants to ride the carriage, pay up!”

Everyone except the Shen family’s eyes lit up.

They had money! Why didn’t they say so earlier?

The prisoners who planned to spend money in An Town instead spent it on carriage rides!

The Shen family was dumbfounded—they had no money!

“Officers, please, when our family arrives, we’ll pay. Can we ride now?”

A whip cracked in response.

“No money and you want a ride? Dream on!”

“Things are so chaotic now. Your family may not even come. Think you can fool us? The whip will make you regret it!”

Although the whip didn’t hit the Shen family, it scared them enough.

“Yuanjing, you can speak to the officers, right? Go negotiate so I and your grandfather can ride!” Old Madam Shen was in pain and couldn’t take a step further.

Yuanjing replied reluctantly: “Grandmother, I already asked two hours ago. I almost got whipped!”

Old Madam Shen was furious: “If your sister hadn’t stayed behind, would your grandfather and I suffer like this? She’s your sister, and if she makes a mistake, you bear the blame. Make a few trips—think of it as atoning for her sins. Go now!”

Yuanjing felt wronged. If not for his sister, they’d be dead by now. His grandmother wasn’t grateful, yet she blamed his sister?

“Grandmother, we’re prisoners, that’s how it is. My sister did nothing wrong; why should I atone for her?”

Old Madam Shen fumed, pointing at her eldest son: “Eldest, you raised such a son? Following your example, openly defying elders, disrespecting them—this is how you teach?”

Shen Conglian: “Eldest brother, you got angry at our parents, fine, but how could you also ruin the children?”

Shen Congli: “Our family does not tolerate unfilial descendants. If not on this exile route, I would have made our parents expel your family from the household!”

Shen Congyi: “Disobedient children bring misfortune to the family!”

Shen Congwen’s face flushed red as he turned to scold his son.

“Yuanjing, how dare you speak to your grandmother like that? If she tells you to do something, you do it—now go!”