Chapter 19 Local Officials

"Alright, I'm not good at talking, so I won't talk too much. My husband, let's hurry back. The officers will be embarrassed if they wait too long..."

Cheng Weiyao noticed Wen Chengyun's unnatural expression, smiled, withdrew her hand from his shoulder, and changed the subject.

She could notice Wen Chengyun's absence, and the officers would naturally react quickly. Instead of waiting for the other party to make trouble, it would be better to take the initiative to go back early.

Wen Chengyun nodded obediently, but put the matter of washing up on the agenda in his mind.

When they returned to the resting place, the officials really started shouting and counting the number of people from each household. When they started counting the people from the Qinghe Palace, they rushed back.

"Wen Chengyun, Cheng Weiyao, good, everyone is here."

The chief of the police, Wang Gang, glanced at the two men who had caught up with him while scouting the area. His face was unfriendly, but he didn't say much. He just clapped his hands to signal everyone to look over.

"Just a little further on, we'll reach our fiefdom. I'd like to give you all a heads-up. If you encounter high-ranking officials on your way into the city, don't rush over. Remember your identities: exiles! No one can save you except the emperor's pardon..."

Cheng Weiyao pursed her lips. No wonder the officials' attitude became much better. It turned out that they were going to the fiefdom.

Now that they have entered the city, the arrangements made by the exiles before will naturally take effect. After all, whether one is living a good life can be seen at a glance from his clothes, appearance and mental state.

Even though he was exiled, he still had friends and relatives. It wasn't impossible to spend some money to see him and have a chat...

The exiles' eyes lit up. They were preparing to enter the city, which meant they could rest longer. They were all exhausted physically and mentally after crossing mountains and rivers and sleeping in the wild.

With motivation, everyone's progress was much faster. The journey that was originally expected to arrive at dusk was completed at 3 p.m.

After entering the city gate, everyone's spirits were obviously much higher. After all, most people were not wearing handcuffs and shackles like serious criminals. Apart from being dressed in shabby clothes, they were still relatively free.

"Mom, I want that candied haws, buy it for me, buy it for me..."

When passing by the busy market, the children in the team were attracted by the candied haws sellers and clamored for some.

"I've given you too much freedom, haven't I? Behave yourself. We'll be at the inn soon. If you want to buy something, just wait!"

The officers frowned and rejected the suggestion. Although their tone was tough, it was much better than their previous ferocious look.

There were special inns for the exiles and prisoners to rest. After arriving at the inn and registering as usual, the officials were rarely kind.

"We'll spend the night in the city tonight. The ladies should all get ready. It's inconvenient out in the wilderness. There won't be any more shops like this after this one..."

As soon as these words were spoken, the eyes of the women in the family lit up. After all, men could go down to the river and bathe naked when they were dirty, but women could not.

Cheng Weiyao had a question mark in her heart. If something was out of the ordinary, there must be something wrong. It was strange that the officials were suddenly so kind...

Although she had doubts, Cheng Weiyao still followed the crowd and joined the group of people who were getting dressed.

The wooden tub for washing and bathing was in the room, with steam rising from the water. Cheng Wei Yao looked around and reached out her hand to test the water temperature.

"I'll wash first. I've been sleeping in the open air for so many days, I'm going to get moldy. When have I ever suffered such a hardship?"

Wen Liyu came in holding her clothes and hung them on the hanger beside her, speaking in a delicate tone.

"Okay, okay, no one will snatch it from you."

Cheng Weiyao curled her lips helplessly. As long as the conditions were a little better, her sister-in-law's princess-like behavior would reappear.

When Cheng Weiyao was about to leave, Wen Liyu stopped her and said, "Where are you going? Please help me pass something over."

Cheng Weiyao came back to her senses and was speechless when she saw Wen Liyu's astonishing face.

She knew that in ancient times, young ladies from wealthy families could have maids serve them, but! My princess, you are now an exile!

Cheng Weiyao complained in her heart, but still chose to stay and help close the doors and windows and move the screen over to block the view.

When she moved, Cheng Wei Yao found something wrong with the wall. She held the screen without moving and took a few more glances.

"What's wrong?" Wen Liyu had already taken off her coat. She looked in the direction she was looking and saw the painting on the wall.

"You wash first, I'll admire the master's handwriting..."

Cheng Weiyao moved the screen in front of the wooden basin and stood in front of the hanging painting. The colors of the Hundred Birds and Hundred Longevity Painting were rich and intense. The moment she moved the screen, she felt the painting move...

Her gaze lingered, and then she suddenly inserted two fingers at the same time. She heard the sound of tables and chairs colliding in the next room, and there seemed to be a small hole in the painting.

"Vulgar! Absolutely vulgar! He really is from a humble family!"

A curse came from the next room, and Wen Liyu's uneasy voice came from behind the screen: "What's going on outside? Why is it so noisy?"

"I'll go out and take a look. You wash yours. It's okay."

Cheng Weiyao moved a flower pot in front of the small hole to block it, then went out and closed the door.

Not only Wen Liyu was alarmed by the abuse, but the youngest Wen Chengming also ran out of the room and accidentally bumped into Li Yi who was leaving.

"Where did this dead kid come from? Your mother is dead, can't you see when you walk?"

Li Yi pushed Wen Chengming to the ground and patted his clothes in disgust.

"It's just a child. Why are you so angry? You're taking your anger out on a child because you failed as a thief, right?"

Cheng Weiyao took two steps forward and helped Wen Chengming up. She rubbed his little head and looked at him to ask if he was hurt.

Wen Chengming shook his head obediently. As expected of a family member, he was the same peace-loving person as Wen Chengyun.

"Who are you calling a thief? Be careful or I'll give you fifty lashes of the cane!"

Li Yi got angry the moment he saw Cheng Weiyao's face. It was a woman who was hindering his beautiful plans. She was Princess Mingcheng. How many people would be lucky enough to watch such a precious lady bathe?!

I didn't get to see the beauty emerging from the bath. If I hadn't dodged quickly, I would have been poked in the eye by this woman...

"Who's asking who's right? You know exactly what you did just now. Do you really think there are no laws in this world? Do you think being an official means you can do whatever you want?"

Cheng Weiyao protected Wen Chengming and retorted coldly. So this middle-aged man with a big belly was actually a local official? No wonder he was so bold as to do such a despicable act as peeping.

Before Li Yi could speak, he heard the sound of his sword rubbing against his waist. It was obvious that the officials had heard the noise and rushed over.

"What are you arguing about? Qinghe Palace, why is it your family again?"