Outside the city, a group of prisoners in shackles stood on the roadside, looking back at the capital with sad and confused expressions.

Being exiled to Liangcheng, thousands of miles away, will I be able to come back in my lifetime?

Dying in a foreign land, unable to return home, is the final outcome for many exiled criminals.

Will they be one of them?

In contrast, women and men under the age of ten did not have to wear shackles and their lives were not as hard.

Mu Wanqing and her daughter were the only ones from the second branch of the Mu family who were not wearing shackles. Wanqing was wearing a smaller set of men's clothes, which was altered from her second brother's clothes. She had her clothes tied in a neat ponytail, and it was difficult to tell whether she was an androgynous person.

She also asked Qian to sew a bag with the cut cloth, and put the clothes and boxes in it. This was all the luggage for the second room.

It’s pitifully small, but it’s good compared to others.

The others were truly penniless and had no money, and they didn't know how they were going to survive the difficult road of exile.

Many people died on the road to exile. It can be said that it was a life-and-death journey.

Even in exile, few people could survive safely.

She looked around. In addition to the Mu family, there was also the family of Fang Yukun, the former head of the Ministry of War. There were more than 300 people in total.

As for the servants, they were all sold and no one knew where they ended up.

There were thirty officers in charge of the escort. They had five carriages and several horses, and were scattered around the prisoners.

The leading yamen runner was named Zeng. He was tall and strong, with a strong and sturdy demeanor. He rode on his horse in a majestic manner, staring at the prisoners.

Mu Wanqing kept collecting information and analyzing it quickly.

Suddenly, I heard the joyful voice of Aunt Six from the side branch. It was her family members coming.

Not only did they come, they also brought clothes and dry food, which made Aunt Liu's family very happy.

This set a good example, and other people's relatives and friends came to see them off.

Only the main branch of the Mu family didn't make any movement. Everyone was eagerly waiting, looking around, extremely anxious.

Mr. Mu and his wife just stayed there quietly without any expectations.

Mu Ziang couldn't help but ask, "Dad, will someone come to see us off?"

Master Mu smiled bitterly and shook his head slightly, "No."

The second wife hardly ever leaves the house, so she has no chance to make friends. As for relatives, no one looks up to her.

"Where are my maternal grandparents?" the eldest son Mu Zicheng asked curiously. He seemed to have never seen anyone from my maternal grandparents' family.

Madam Mu II looked at her husband and son in chains and felt very distressed. "Why did the old lady choose me as the second daughter-in-law? It's because my family is not strong enough."

She came from a merchant family, and merchants did not have a high status. Moreover, her biological mother died early and she had no brothers from the same mother.

The stepmother looked kind but had a bitter heart. She gave birth to a son and the backyard became her world.

The biological father travels all over the country, the relationship between father and daughter is weak, and there is a stepmother to cause trouble. With a stepmother, there is a stepfather.

So, even if she was harsh on her stepdaughter, no one dared to say anything.

After I got married, my parents saw that they could not benefit from it and simply stopped contacting me.

The second wife was chatting about family matters, while the first and third wives were so anxious that they were jumping up and down.

Third Master Mu watched the sun rise higher, feeling anxious and irritated. "Mother, why haven't my two sisters shown up yet? There's no way they don't know about this."

Uncle Mu frowned, "If you don't come, we'll have to leave."

The marriages of the two younger sisters were carefully selected to bring help to the family. Marriage is a good thing for two families.

We are relatives by marriage, sharing the same blood and weal and woe.

"Here she comes, Second Aunt is here."

The Mu family was shocked and excited as if they had found a savior.

A carriage stopped, the curtain was drawn aside, and a maid helped a beautiful woman in plain clothes to walk down.

She was the second aunt of the Mu family. She was outstanding in appearance and temperament. She married the eldest grandson of Minister Sun and had two sons.

Madam Mu's face was long and she was very unhappy. "Why did you come just now?"

"Mother, it is my daughter who is unfilial, but..." Second Aunt Mu couldn't help but tear up when she saw her mother looking so haggard and skinny.

She has two mothers-in-law above her and sisters-in-law who like to compare with her, so her life is not easy.

"My mother-in-law never allowed me to go out, so I sneaked out."

When her mother's family was supportive, she was still valued, but once something went wrong, her treatment plummeted and everyone under her dared to give her a cold shoulder.

Only after she had two sons did her in-laws give up the idea of divorcing her.

A woman’s parents’ home is her support, and her son is her courage and confidence. Now that her parents’ home is gone, she can only live in fear.

Madam Mu's face looked unhappy. She had only thought of marrying into the same family, but she forgot that this circle was the most snobbish and shrewd.

Once you fall, you will turn your back on others.

"It's not easy for you either. Where's your elder sister?"

Second Aunt Mu frowned, "She has it even harder than me. She only has one daughter, and the Xu family is clamoring to divorce her. She can't even leave the house."

Uncle Mu couldn't help but curse, "Snob, worthless."

He personally approved the marriage of the Xu family. The Xu family was considered to be his capable and clean one, so he married his sister to the Xu family in order to win their hearts.

The humble flattery at first turned into ruthless kicking when someone is down.

Master Mu stretched his neck impatiently, "Stop talking about this, what have you prepared for us?"

Second Aunt Mu was a filial and thoughtful woman, and she prepared two carts.

"My mother is old and can't stand long journeys. I feel more at ease with this as a means of transportation."

There were a lot of things piled on the two carts, including clothes, shoes, socks, and various daily necessities.

"The items are all the same. Each room can take one."

She only prepared two and completely forgot that she had a second brother.

There is a difference between legitimate and illegitimate children, and she has always looked down on her second brother who was born out of wedlock.

She also gave Old Lady Mu a sachet containing three thousand silver notes.

These were her private savings, and they were used when she got married with a grand wedding.

With this money in hand, Old Mrs. Mu felt confident that if her children and grandchildren wanted to live comfortably, they had to respect her.

She held her second daughter's hand and sighed, "You are so thoughtful. I love you so much. You should be filial to your parents-in-law, serve your husband well, and please them. Whether we can come back depends on you."

Second Aunt Mu was a calculating person, and readily agreed, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Not only that, she also asked her men to bribe the escorting officials with silver.

I don't ask for much care, I just ask not to make things difficult for you.

This is also a routine operation, and usually the officials will be bribed.

The Mu family couldn't wait to open the package and check. Oh, there was a greasy meat pie.

Everyone rushed forward to grab the food, like starving wolves, all of them were extremely greedy.

They were so busy eating that they forgot to let Old Madam Mu eat first.

Seeing this, Second Aunt Mu personally took a meat pie and handed it to her mother, deliberately raising her voice and saying, "My two brothers, you must be filial to mother. If anything happens to her, I will not tolerate it."

Uncle Mu understood the meaning of her words and smiled, "This is also our biological mother. Even if I don't eat it myself, I will let my mother eat it first, without your order."

Third Master Mu also patted his chest to make a promise, and said a few words, then changed the subject, "Second sister, you should talk to your husband's family more and coax them to get us back to the capital as soon as possible."

Second Aunt Mu naturally agreed readily and walked in front of her most beloved niece in a blink of an eye.

"Jinyao, cheer up. You are one of the two famous beauties in Beijing. I don't know how many men love you. Are you willing to sink into despair? Listen to me, live well. Only by living can there be hope."

Mu Jinyao has been feeling sick all the time. She is worried. "Second aunt, I..."

Second Aunt Mu interrupted softly, "Don't forget, when you were born, the fortune teller said that you were invaluable. I believe this without a doubt, and you should also believe that I will do everything I can to get you out."

She couldn't save the entire family, but by looking for those admirers, she might be able to rescue her niece.

My niece is both talented and beautiful, and she will rise to a high position one day.

Her words touched Mu Mu Jinyao, and she became more energetic.

The second aunt winked at her niece and secretly handed her a sachet.

Mu Jinyao pinched it gently, and it felt light and fluffy, so it should be a banknote.

She quickly hid the sachet, and her wandering heart finally settled down.

After eating and drinking, Third Master Mu began to show off, "Second brother, since there is no share for your second branch, do you regret it?"

This mouth is really cheap.

The second house had nothing, not even a meat pie to eat. Master Mu was used to being treated differently and was not angry.

Third Master Mu pushed further, "Let the third girl kneel down and admit her fault. Maybe mother will be kind enough to give her something as a reward."

This brought back memories for Old Lady Mu, causing her to feel strongly dissatisfied. "Humph, I don't have such an unfilial granddaughter."

The second aunt then saw the second family. Hey, they seemed to be in good spirits, much better than the others. "Mom, what's going on?"

Master Mu San couldn't wait to complain, "She bullied us in prison, ate alone, and even made my mother faint from anger."

The second aunt had been keeping a low profile these days, and had been holding back a lot of anger. She immediately vented all her anger on Mu Wanqing and slapped her, "Today I will teach you a lesson, you disobedient and unfilial boy..."

"Murder." Mu Wanqing dodged the opponent's attack with a slight flash, then screamed.

She doesn't take the initiative to cause trouble, but she is never afraid of trouble.

The whole audience looked over at once, their eyes surprisingly bright, watching the show.

Upon hearing this, Second Aunt Mu’s hands froze in the air.

Mu Wanqing yelled even louder, "Everyone, come and see. Don't miss it if you pass by. The eldest granddaughter-in-law of Minister Sun is bullying others by taking advantage of her power. She said she wanted to beat and kill my niece. Whose power is she taking advantage of?"

As soon as these words were spoken, passers-by gathered around, forming three layers inside and three layers outside.

Mu Wanqing laughed, "The emperor is kind and generous, he spared my life, you are even more majestic than the emperor..."

Second Aunt Mu was so frightened that she rushed over to cover her mouth without thinking. "Shut up, don't talk nonsense."

She had seen how a single sentence could kill someone without them even noticing. It was the first time she knew her niece had such an ability.

Mu Wanqing pried her hands apart with force and whispered incoherently, "Two hundred taels, hush money."

Hush money? Second Aunt glared at her fiercely, wishing, "Are you crazy, you damn girl?"

Mu Wanqing was unhappy, "Five hundred taels."

She raised the price as soon as she disagreed with something, and suddenly, she screamed in fear.

"What? Minister Sun asked you to do this? Why? Does he want to show off that he is more capable than the emperor? God is so hungry."

The whole audience was silent, shocked, stunned, and also faintly excited.

Fight, fight! Hurry up!

The author has something to say:

Hahaha, the drama spirit Qingqing is possessed, do you like her?