She imitated the scenarios from her previous life's TV dramas and softly consoled,
"Mother, I'm just being exiled, not going to my death. Don't be upset."
It was fine when Li Xinyue didn't say this, but when she saw her daughter had become more sensible, Ling Xueyan cried even harder.
Although Li Yuanming didn't cry as hard as Ling Xueyan, his eyes also reddened.
He knew time was limited, so he reached out and pulled Ling Xueyan to his side.
Facing Li Xinyue, he solemnly said, "It is indeed Father and Mother who have wronged you, letting you suffer such an unjust calamity the day after your wedding."
After saying this, He Yuanming took a bulging purse from his robe and secretly put it in Li Xinyue's hand.
In addition, he gave Li Xinyue a medium-sized package.
The officers didn't interfere with this. After all, they had already taken bribes from the family.
Moreover, with this money, the prisoners would have to give them favours on the road.
"This is travel money your Father and Mother prepared for you. Don't hesitate to use it. Aside from bribing those officers on the road, ask them to get you better food."
"Also, you've loved cleanliness since you were little. Your mother packed some spare underwear for you," Li Yuanming said, but he couldn't continue.
He turned his head away, not daring to look at Li Xinyue anymore, and finally said, "It's Father's fault for forcing you to marry into the Qin Family."
"Father," Li Xinyue called this word without any pressure.
Whether it was Li Yuanming in the original host's memories or the affectionate father before her eyes, Li Xinyue could confirm that he was a good father.
For such a person, she was willing to call him Father affectionately.
"I was ignorant before and often angered Father and Mother.
I have now married Qin Yichen and will be part of the Qin Family.
Rest assured, I will live well. When I turn my fortunes around, I will properly serve you and Mother."
Hearing Li Xinyue's words, Ling Xueyan wept uncontrollably again.
Her daughter had become so sensible overnight, but this sensible daughter had to suffer exile in the northwest.
The more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt. Ling Xueyan hugged Li Xinyue again and wailed loudly.
Li Yuanming could no longer hold back and wept constantly at the side.
Maybe it was because she had blended with the original host's emotions or because Li Xinyue cherished this familial love, but tears streamed down her face.
Li Yuanming was more sensible. Seeing time was almost up, he lightly patted the backs of mother and daughter.
"Alright, we don't have much time left. I still want to see Brother-in-law."
Li Xinyue looked at Qin Yichen, lying unconscious on the wooden cart nearby.
"Father, he's still unconscious."
Although she knew her parents wouldn't betray them, there were still so many eyes watching them, so Li Xinyue didn't dare be careless.
Li Yuanming heavily nodded his head. The way he looked at Li Xinyue was increasingly remorseful.
"Father knows Brother-in-law is injured."
Saying this, he had already strode towards Qin Yichen's direction.
Seeing the unconscious Qin Yichen with his own eyes, Li Yuanming truly regretted marrying his daughter to him.
His daughter had already said she didn't want to be a young widow like those women who married into the Qin Family.
But he didn't want to go back on his word like a scoundrel, so he forced his daughter to marry into the Qin Family by drugging her.
And in just one day, the Qin Family was raided and exiled.
Looking at Qin Yichen, it was also unknown whether he would live or die.
As a second-rank senior official at court, how could he not know the hardships of exile?
Not to mention Qin Yichen's current state, even if he were well-fitting now, it would not be easy to reach the place of exile safely.
It seemed his daughter was fated to be a widow.
He hoped she would be blessed with good fortune and safely arrive in the northwest.
When the Emperor was less wary of the Qin Family, he would find a way to bring his daughter back from the northwest.
Seeing Qin Yichen, Ling Xueyan kept wiping away tears, feeling more and more heartache for Li Xinyue.
At the same time, she regretted insisting on marrying her daughter into the Qin Family.
Li Yuanming struggled to compose himself. He found an angle the officers couldn't see, took out a letter from his robe and tucked it into Qin Yichen's clothes.
Then he stood up and looked at Old Lady Mo, "Mother-in-law, our family spoiled Ranan. If she doesn't behave properly, please be magnanimous and make allowances for her more."
"What is Brother-in-law saying? The Li girl is clever and lively. I like her very much," Old Lady Qin replied.
"Since this is the case, I shall take my leave." Li Yuanming didn't say much more. He pulled the still sobbing Ling Xueyan and turned to leave.
Ling Xueyan looked back at Li Xinyue every three steps, reluctantly watching her daughter for a long time until she could no longer see her shadow...
This sudden familial affection left Li Xinyue with mixed emotions.
She envied the original host for having such sensible parents who cherished her.
It was just a pity the original host was unfortunate and only had this familial bond for seventeen short years.
So, from now on, she would take the original host's place and serve her parents!
Although this oath was somewhat distant, Li Xinyue believed that as long as Qin Yichen survived, the Qin Family would have a day to return to the capital city.
Seeing Li Xinyue standing there in grief, several sisters-in-law quickly comforted her.
"Young Sis, don't be sad. Li Yuanming is an upright official and will surely be safe."
"That's right, Young Sis. Look how fortunate you are that your parents came this way to see you off. Not like me. There wasn't a shadow of anyone from my family."
"... "
Li Xinyue felt the kindness of her sisters-in-law and smiled back at them.
"Sisters, don't worry. I believe we will have a day to return."
Just as the sisters-in-law wanted to say more, the officers urged them to move on.
"Alright, stop standing around. Hurry and get moving."
Li Xinyue used her sleeve to wipe the remaining tears from the corner of her eyes and pushed Qin Yichen's cart to move forward.
Third Sister-in-Law hurried to catch up. "Young Sis, let me help you."
Old Lady Qin said, "Pushing the cart while travelling isn't easy. Let's take turns."
In ancient times, the roads were dirt and often had bumps and holes, causing the carts to shake nonstop.
Plus, it hadn't rained in over half a month, and the weather was hot, causing everyone to sweat profusely.
Occasionally a gust of wind would blow, sending dust sticking onto their exposed skin.
By the time they stopped to rest at dusk, everyone, including the officers, was covered in dirt from head to toe.
The Qin Family members looked at each other in their patched coarse hemp clothes and shoes, which were so worn that the colours were indistinguishable, and they seemed no different from a group of beggars.
Although Li Xinyue had only pushed the cart for less than half an hour, she was exhausted.
After all, this body had always been delicate and pampered without much stamina.
Just half a day of traveling had already tired her out, so much so that she slumped on the ground, unable to get up.
The others were the same. Their waists were sore from exhaustion as they groaned in misery.
Moreover, they had eaten an early breakfast, so it had been a whole day since their last meal. Their energy was completely spent, and they were starving, their stomachs grinding against their backs.
As it was only the first day of Li Xinyue's exile, she had no expectations for their meals.
As she was lost in thought, the lead officer loudly shouted, "Dinner time! Coarse flour steamed buns are free, one per person. White flour buns are two taels of silver for two buns. No silver, no fancying!"
Hearing the officer's shouts, Li Xinyue nearly burst out laughing. These officers were quite crafty, pricing the food as if robbing them.
Upon hearing this, Qin Hanyue grabbed Old Lady Mo's arm and complained, "Mother, I don't want to eat coarse steamed buns."
Although she had never eaten coarse steamed buns, she had heard from the servants that they could scrape your throat raw. Just thinking about it frightened her.
Old Lady Qin was now penniless. Seeing her daughter exiled yet still fussily picking and choosing, her face immediately hardened.
"Hanyue, if you want white flour buns, use silver to exchange for them."