My Lady Always Lacks Ambition
Chapter 85 - 87 The Road to Exile is Extremely Perilous

Chapter 85: Chapter 87 The Road to Exile is Extremely Perilous

As they ventured further west, the weather turned colder, especially during mornings and evenings, the bone-chilling cold made everyone shiver uncontrollably.

Upon seeing another post station emerge in front of them, the group of people exiled to the northwest could not help but shed tears of relief; all of them were thinly dressed and walking west, it was all too miserable.

"Dad, we’ve reached the post station." Qin Bohong, carrying his father who had become nothing but skin and bones, let out a slight sigh, glancing back at his equally emaciated son, his eyes brimming with tears.

Qin Yuanshan patted his shoulder, his voice hoarse, "Put me down, son, don’t tire yourself out."

"It’s okay, Dad, I’m not tired."

Throughout their journey, the first to fall ill was his son, who had never experienced hardship before. Fortunately, a noble benefactor assisted them by inviting a doctor for a diagnosis and even secretly gave them ten taels of broken silver to help with the treatment.

The son barely recovered, but then the elderly father caught a cold and fell ill. Now that they had reached the post station, they definitely needed to drink some medicinal broth, or else he feared they might not make it to their place of exile.

And among those who were exiled with them, three had already collapsed completely.

Qin Bohong shivered, then turned to his son, inquiring with concern, "Yan’er, are you feeling alright?"

Qin Mingyan sniffed his red, frozen nose, his expression listless, "Dad, I’m fine."

Qin Bohong saw his son forcing a smile and felt a pang in his heart—how could he be okay? Such a young child, pampered from a young age, how could he endure such hardships?

In just this short time, his child’s eyes had gained a depth beyond his years.

"Big brother, we’ve reached the post station, let Dad down. Don’t fall ill yourself; that would be a real problem." Qin Boqing, the third eldest of the Qin family, came forward, supporting their father from behind and persuading him.

Hearing this, Qin Bohong let their father down, and the two of them supported the old man from each side, waiting for the constable in front to assign them lodging.

Naturally, being criminals, having a place to shelter from the wind and rain for the night—even if just a firewood room—was considered good fortune.

After waiting for nearly an hour, it was finally their turn, and as expected, they were led to a firewood room.

"Constable sir, my father is severely ill; I fear he might not withstand the journey. I worry it might trouble you on the road, could you possibly find us a doctor, or at least brew some medicine to relieve the chill?" Qin Bohong, with a smile on his face, reached out discreetly, slipping a silver tael to the constable.

The constable’s eyes flickered, clutching the silver, "Always trouble with you lot, first it was that young lad, now it’s this old man, wait here."

"Ah, thank you for your trouble."

Qin Yuanshan lay on the dry firewood, curled up, hearing the term "old man" and couldn’t help but let out a bitter smile; he used to be the glorious Mr. Qin in front of others, now he was just a sickly burden to his children and grandchildren.

Glancing at his weak descendant beside him, Qin Yuanshan closed his eyes, clenched his fist, and coughed lightly.

Soon, a pot of strong medicinal broth arrived, along with a few pieces of old, thick clothing thrown their way.

Everyone was stunned.

"Constable sir, what is this?"

The constable said, "You guys seem to have some luck, not sure who the benefactor is who rewards you."

Qin Bohong quickly bowed, "We do not know which noble person this is, would the constable sir be willing to introduce us?"

"The benefactor has retired for the night, you better not ask. Though these are gifts for you, whether you dare to wear them or can keep them safe, that depends on your own abilities," said the constable with a profound expression.

While the younger Qin Mingyan did not understand, Qin Yuanshan and the others did, their expressions changing several times. In their convoy, not only the Qin family were exiles, but there were also those truly sentenced to harsh labor or military service, those who for the sake of survival would dare do anything.

The road to exile was far more treacherous than imagined.