RWNEFE -Chapter 63 If You Can’t Beat Them, Join Them!

Wei Dongzhu waited a moment. Seeing no one speak, he finally opened his mouth.

“These two groups must be made up of one or more villages combined.”

“With elders and children, their marching speed will be slow.”

“I suggest sending scouts ahead to confirm exactly how many women, children, and elders are in each group.”

Shen Lanxi glanced at Liu Laohu and Liu Yanhui. The former quickly lowered his head and scratched it nervously.

Liu Yanhui: “I agree with this brother’s suggestion. I’ll add my thoughts as well!”

“We absolutely cannot let these two groups merge. Then we figure out which group is weaker, and find a way to join them!”

Liu Laohu suddenly brightened: “If you can’t beat them, join them—this is perfect, perfect!”

Shen Lanxi shot him a side glance, and Liu Laohu quickly lowered his head again.

“These two groups have made it this far without consuming each other—they’re not stupid. How do you plan to convince them to let us join?” Shen Lanxi asked calmly.

Liu Yanhui straightened his wrinkled brocade coat and said, “I can pretend to be the city governor’s brother-in-law!”

Liu Laohu had a sudden idea and joked, “If you pretend to be a brother-in-law, then I’ll be the big brother-in-law~”

Shen Lanxi gave him a sidelong look, making Liu Laohu awkwardly wave his hand. “I just wanted to lighten the mood—you can pretend I didn’t say anything.”

Shen Lanxi took a deep breath and withdrew her gaze, speechless.

“Continue!”

Liu Yanhui smiled: “Since ancient times, the common people have always feared officials. I’ll find the weaker side, give them two bags of grain, and promise that once we reach the city, they can settle there. The condition: they must protect us along the way!”

Wei Dongzhu thought for a moment: “How confident are you?”

Liu Yanhui pondered: “Sixty percent.”

Shen Lanxi: “You can also sow discord!”

The three looked at her.

“There are plenty of men with martial skills among us. We don’t have to put ourselves in a weak position. We’re a force to be reckoned with too!”

Liu Yanhui’s eyes lit up and he followed her lead: “These two groups have been traveling together, so there must have been friction. They haven’t clashed because the cost would be too high. Even the winner would suffer heavy losses!”

Wei Dongzhu looked at Shen Lanxi in surprise—this person had an amazing mind.

Shen Lanxi, inscrutable, added: “Besides sowing discord, there are other methods. Think carefully.”

Liu Yanhui sensed her guidance and thought seriously for a while: “We can also win people over and make them serve us!”

Wei Dongzhu glanced at Liu Yanhui. As a warrior, he would think only of force, while Liu Yanhui’s suggestion was that of a strategist.

“Once we fracture and control this group, we can negotiate with the other group and merge them into one!”

Liu Laohu nodded earnestly: “Makes sense!”

“….”

Shen Lanxi: “For now, follow Liu Yanhui’s plan. After joining the group, we adapt as needed!”

“Understood!”

“This plan is Liu Yanhui’s idea, so ask him what to watch out for!”

“Yes!”

After the three left, the group discussed details: how much grain to give, what to say when meeting them, and what kind of presence to show.

During a rest, the Shen family could no longer contain themselves. While the officers were busy elsewhere, they approached Shen Lanxi.

“How dare you two servants block me!” the matriarch shouted, accompanied by the Shen family behind her. She expected her granddaughter to be delighted to see her, but was instead stopped by the two servants.

“Madam, the young master is resting. With men accompanying you, it’s inconvenient. Let us inform him first,” the servants explained.

Hearing this, the matriarch’s expression softened.

Boys and girls older than seven sat separately; daughters must avoid their fathers and brothers, let alone uncles and cousins from other branches.

“Go ahead, tell her to come down and see me!”

Chunxue and Qiushuang didn’t want to go. Their young mistress had just rested a little; these people never slept and made noise. Even a grandmother shouldn’t be so inconsiderate.

During these exiled days, the two had long understood the matriarch and other branches. Although unwilling, these people were the Shen family’s masters. As servants, their ingrained servility made them put aside their feelings to inform their mistress.

“Master, the matriarch and three other branches have arrived!” Chunxue said softly. She hoped her mistress wouldn’t hear, so she wouldn’t be disturbed. Unfortunately, her hope failed.

A long rod lifted the carriage curtain. Chunxue hurried to the other side to pull it.

Shen Lanxi held the rod, leapt from the carriage, and approached her grandmother.

The matriarch saw the iron rod in her granddaughter’s hand, her expression changed slightly, and she instinctively stepped back two steps—tripping on her son’s shoes—before regaining her balance.

“Grandmother, uncles, aunts!”

Looking at her granddaughter’s commanding presence, the matriarch gritted her teeth and steadied herself.

No matter how strong she had been, she was still a woman. In the future, she would rely on the men of the Shen family for a stable life. Thinking this, a kind smile appeared on her face.

“Lanxi, you’ve lost weight and tanned!”

Shen Lanxi hid a flicker of bitterness as she faced her wary relatives.

“Thank you for your concern, Grandmother. It’s normal to be thinner and tired after such a long journey.”

The matriarch expected Lanxi to complain about her own hardship, giving her an excuse to make demands—but Lanxi’s reply was soft and effortless, like a fist hitting cotton.

“Lanxi, you’ve only lost weight and tanned. Your grandfather and I have truly suffered. The officers wouldn’t let us ride the carts; our feet are blistered. Being older, your grandparents suffered more. Haven’t you noticed how much your grandmother has aged?” Shen Congyi said, giving his mother a look. The matriarch pretended to be weak and leaned on her son.

“Lanxi, no matter how hard it’s been for you, you had a cart to ride. Your grandparents walked every step themselves!” Shen Congli added.

Shen Lanxi: “Why did everyone else get to ride, but not you?”

Just as the Shen family prepared to continue their self-pity… they froze.

“What other reason could there be? Because we are the Shen family!” Shen Congyi sighed.

Shen Lanxi: “Then why can other Shen family members ride, but you can’t? Are they not Shen family too?”

A flash of fury appeared in Shen Congyi’s eyes. That stubborn girl—she’s no longer the princess favored by the royal family. She is nothing now!