If everyone was skeptical at first, after several days of vomiting and diarrhea due to eating moldy black bread, and they reported the matter to the escort, the escort still gave them the moldy black bread, and everyone gradually believed the rumor, that is, everyone who could not reach the northern border would be buried with the third prince.
"Dad, let's find a chance to escape, shall we?" Wan Huqing had developed diarrhea the previous morning after eating peach cakes containing croton seeds. Even though he was cured by the imperial physician, his stomach was still damaged. Eating anything would cause diarrhea, and even walking, resting, and sleeping would cause uncontrolled bowel movements. The diarrhea had become a habit.
Lin Yingnan had already spent all her money, unchecked, on helping the Wan family. She even worried about food and drink for herself and her maids on the road. She couldn't afford to spend every meal on the Wan family's plates as she had before. They were reluctant to spend their own money, so they had to rely on black-faced bread for every meal.
The problem was, while others would only experience a few bowel movements after eating the moldy black bread, he was completely uncontrollable, barely better than the last time he ate the peach cake. Unable to bear it any longer, he starved himself for two days. But how could he have the strength to walk without food? He no longer had the privilege of riding in a carriage all day. Now he couldn't eat, and he couldn't not eat either. It was excruciating.
Another thing that made him want to escape was that he felt like someone was trying to harm him. He would go to the water to drink, and someone would take advantage of him and push him in.
He and Wan Hesu would go hunting, imitating others. After finally finding prey, it would attack no one but him. It was okay once or twice, and Wan Hesu even jokingly said he was a lucky charm, always securing prey with him. While it was fine for small animals like pheasants and rabbits, one time it turned out to be a bear.
If Wan Hesu had not been good at martial arts and had not had help from others, he would have died inexplicably long ago.
Well, he had learned his lesson. No matter how much Wan Hesu tried to persuade him to go hunting with him, he refused decisively. But snakes, insects, etc. still came to him from time to time.
He was very sure that he had never been like this before, so it was very likely that someone had poisoned him, causing the animals to attack only him.
The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to escape, so he took this opportunity to discuss this matter with Wan Chengji.
"Escape? Where to escape? Don't you want to live?" As expected, Wan Chengji objected.
Wan Jiangyuan followed up, "Whoever you want can escape, but I definitely can't."
He was able to survive until now thanks to the unfortunate Lin. It was because of her money that he had the opportunity to ride in a carriage. But now he definitely didn't have that privilege anymore and had to follow the others.
He was pleasantly surprised to find that, aside from feeling tired, his health seemed much better than before. This reminded him of something Wan Xueying had said before. The gist of it was that even though he wasn't in good health, he should still get out and about more often. Lying in bed or staying indoors all day was actually bad for him.
He also said that when the people in the countryside are busy with farming, unless they are too sick to get out of bed, they have to go to the fields to work. But after they finish their work and sweat, they feel much better.
He felt that this was an insult to him. How could he, a young master from a baronial family, compare himself to a country bumpkin? He angrily scolded Wan Xueying at the time and ignored her for a long time. Now that he thought about it, it seemed that he had really wronged her.
Xu followed up, "We'd better go to the Northern Frontier honestly. Maybe one day when the Crown Prince ascends the throne we'll be pardoned. With Qing Ling here, we might even be able to return to the capital."
"What about the Crown Prince and Qing Ling?" Wan Huqing curled his lips. "I heard the Crown Prince originally planned to kill the Third Prince at Fengyang Ridge, but the Emperor found out and has now ordered him to reflect on his mistakes. I also heard the Emperor is considering deposing the Crown Prince." Furthermore, he'd been in trouble lately, and he suspected it was related to the Crown Prince. After all, the peach cakes the Crown Prince had Wan Qing Ling send him nearly cost him his life.
"Who told you this?" Wan Chengji asked.
“A lot of people are spreading it now.”
"Since it's just a rumor, don't take it too seriously. Besides, deposing and enthroning a crown prince is a major national event, and the emperor will certainly not depose the prince easily." Although Wan Chengji was only an earl before, he was in the capital, and even if the earl's mansion was slightly poorer than other families, he still had some experience and knowledge through long-term exposure.
"That's hard to say." Wan Huqing curled his lips again, "Those people said that if the Third Prince hadn't died, the throne would most likely have belonged to him in the future. Now that the Emperor has rejected the Crown Prince, it's hard to say who will inherit the throne in the future."
"Stop talking nonsense!" Wan Chengji shouted angrily. "As long as the Emperor hasn't announced the Third Prince's death, that rumor can't be taken seriously. As long as the Emperor hasn't deposed the Crown Prince, he's still the heir apparent, and he'll have the greatest chance of success in the future."
"But I also heard that Pei Xuanqing was punished to serve as a fifth-rank commander in the Northern Frontier Reserve Camp for failing to escort the Third Prince. By the way, Shen Yu was not only pardoned for the crime of forming a clique for personal gain, but was also appointed as the assistant garrison commander of the Ningjiang County Reserve Camp." Although Wan Huqing didn't know their official ranks, Shen Yu was an official again.
"Are you saying that Pei Xuanqing was demoted for failing to escort the Third Prince? And Shen Yu was pardoned?" After hearing Wan Huqing say this, Wan Chengji began to doubt the truth of the rumors about the Third Prince.
"How could this be false? Even the escorts have released Shen Yu. They just need to let him go to Xueying and follow the exile team. Dad, please think carefully about whether we should take the opportunity to escape with those people?" Wan Huqing spent a long time talking about the information he had just found out, and his purpose was to escape.
"Don't be anxious, let's wait and see." The reason why Wan Chengji hesitated was that he was afraid that if the third prince really died, the emperor might settle accounts with their family again because of Wan Huqing's denunciation of the steward of the third prince's mansion.
"Okay, I'll also ask for some information at any time."
Shen Yu was indeed released, and Captain Hao and Ma Xiaoqi happily sent him to Wan Xueying, and also congratulated Wan Xueying.
Wan Xueying's mouth twitched. What was the point of congratulating her? Shen Yu had nothing to do with her now.
When Shen Yu saw the two men congratulating her, she was so happy that her mouth widened. She even discussed with Wan Xueying to ask her to help prepare a banquet for the escort and themselves.
In history, Shen Yu was not the first person to be pardoned and given an official position while in exile, but he was one of the very few. Wan Xueying was happy to see that everyone was happy, so she asked Nanny Wu to take the trouble to help arrange it.
Due to limited ingredients, in order to make the banquet acceptable, Wan Xueying secretly took out the smoked meat and smoked sausage that she had prepared earlier from the space, and also took out five jars of aged wine that she bought in the capital.
In fact, she still had a lot of fresh ingredients like pork, chicken, and fish in her space, but those were too conspicuous to be taken out, unlike the bacon and smoked sausage they had eaten on the road before, so it wouldn't be surprising. Anyway, no one knew what she had in her carriage, or what was left.
She didn't really have much wine, just ten jars. Firstly, she wasn't a fan, and secondly, her space was too small to store too much. Those ten jars were bought for her adoptive father, and if it weren't for this good opportunity, she wouldn't have reluctantly given up half of them.
Everyone was really happy. Qiu Shi volunteered to take a few guards to go hunting and fishing to add to the dishes. Wan Xueying didn't stop him and even asked him to take Gu Ming with him.
Although Gu Ming worked tirelessly every day to earn two bowls of summer-heat soup for him and his mother, Wan Xueying never accepted the herbs or fish he collected. If he caught too many fish and was worried they would spoil, Wan Xueying would give him some money to buy them.
The two sides have always maintained a relationship with an appropriate distance, just like a business relationship, no one will take advantage of the other, and Wan Xueying has never treated him as her own slave, ordering him around or driving him around at will.
Today is really a good day. Qiu Shi and his friends not only hunted five pheasants, but also caught a basket of small fish.
While Madam Wu was preparing the meal, Captain Hao and Ma Xiaoqi went back to wait, saying they would bring someone over later. Shortly after they left, Shunzi, Nanying, and Beiwu caught up with them.
"Young Master, Miss Wan." Shunzi rushed to the two of them as soon as he got off his horse.
"Young Master, Miss Wan." Nan Ying and Bei Wu also came over quickly.
"You guys have worked hard." Shen Yu was very pleased to see the few people become darker and thinner.
"Thank goodness I've accomplished my mission!" Shunzi was very excited, his eyes instantly turning red. "The trouble at the Duke's Mansion has finally been resolved."
Shen Yu nodded, "That's good." All their efforts were worth it. He then asked, "How are my parents and eldest brother? Are they injured or sick?"
"The Duke, his wife, and the eldest young master are all doing well. They said that the Emperor takes good care of them and has never tortured them." This was what Shen Yuanfeng specifically asked Shunzi to convey.
"They all miss the Second Young Master very much, and are very grateful for everything Miss Wan has done for the Duke's Mansion." At this point, Shunzi pulled out two purses from his pocket, filled with banknotes. He gave the larger one to Shen Yu, and the smaller one to Wan Xueying.
"This is..." Shen Yu asked.
"This is something Madam gave to Young Master and Miss Wan." Shunzi smiled smugly. "Guess what? The Duke and Madam took Miss Wan's advice and made preparations, hiding some money."
"So that's how it is," Shen Yu smiled, "Then I feel more at ease."
"The Duke and his wife also told you to treat Miss Wan well in the future. She is not only our family's benefactor, but also their promising daughter-in-law. It's a pity that we didn't have the chance to get along well."
Shen Yu glanced at Wan Xueying and smiled, "I will."
Wan Xueying rolled her eyes at him. What was going on today? Why was everyone talking about them? Although she didn't want to spoil the fun, she said solemnly, "Shen Yu, don't forget, we're divorced. We're not related anymore." She didn't deny having feelings for Shen Yu, but she wasn't ready to remarry him.
"I know." But it won't delay their fresh start! He had treated their marriage too frivolously before, so this time he would definitely seize the opportunity.
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