Chapter 553 Preparing to Rejoin the Exiles

Zhao Xi arrived at the post station much later than them, after all, he had waited there for a long time before he was lucky enough to be picked up by a caravan.

Upon arriving at the post station, he inquired about the leading official.

The lead officer had just woken up and reportedly vomited for quite a while.

Taking advantage of a moment when no one was looking, Zhao Xi secretly met with the man, re-examined him, prescribed him medicine, and asked him to find someone to catch him. He also inquired about the situation.

Only then did they realize that after the courier hit the mule cart, he didn't stop at all; he just cursed at them a couple of times and continued riding away.

He did leave, but the exile team was thrown into chaos.

Hou and the sixth young lady were injured, but thankfully not seriously. The leading officer was unconscious, but his life was spared. The real danger was Shu Yu, who was taken away by a crazed mule, and no one knew where he went; his fate seemed grim.

The soldiers searched the vicinity but couldn't find the person, so they let it go.

The group suffered heavy losses, but the rest of the Shu family were unharmed. They finally felt triumphant and gloated for a long time.

Zhao Xi came out to look for them this morning, following the trail from yesterday, and then saw the signal left by Meng Yunzheng. He was exhausted after spending most of the day there.

He sat on the stool, poured himself a glass of water, and said as he drank, "Although the leading officer was injured, they dared not delay their journey. In fact, because they were delayed for half a day yesterday, they have to speed up now. They set off early this morning. The leading officer was put on a cart, so Hou and her daughter had to walk."

As he spoke, he glanced at Meng Yunzheng and asked Shu Yu, "What about you? What are you planning to do?"

"Let him recover first," Meng Yunzheng replied. "Once he's feeling better, we'll go back to the post station and have them send a message to the escorting officers."

Zhao Xi pursed his lips, "That's fine too."

They settled down in the town temporarily, and with Zhao Xi around, Shu Yu's injuries healed very quickly.

In just two days, the scratches had almost completely healed.

The only thing to be careful about is the right hand. Although it has been reattached, it's best to be cautious in order to ensure it can be used properly in the future.

After staying in the town for three days, Shu Yu decided to catch up with the exile procession so that she wouldn't be left behind when her family members had already arrived in the southwest.

Meng Yunzheng still felt that the time was a bit short, but seeing her insistence, he didn't say anything in the end. The three of them packed up and headed to the nearest post station.

Shu Yu changed back into his prison clothes, put on handcuffs and shackles, and appeared at the entrance of the post station.

Having given them some travel expenses, the post station naturally sent people to catch up with the exile caravan ahead.

This pursuit and return took another two days, allowing Shu Yu to stay at the post station and continue recuperating.

Two days later, one of the guards who had been escorting them returned.

It wasn't the leading officer who arrived; it was said that although his injuries were no longer serious, he was not suited for such a long journey.

So the person who came was the official who had some connection with the Hou family.

He was also quite surprised to see Shu Yu. "I heard you were still alive, but I didn't quite believe it. I didn't expect you to look so good. Your hand is broken?"

Shu Yu nodded with a wry smile, "I was lucky. The mule charged into the forest like a madman. The prison cart broke down, and I rolled out and down the hillside. I passed out on the spot, but I didn't expect to run into a doctor who came to the mountains to collect herbs and he rescued me."

(End of this chapter)