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."
When He Zhiran didn't say this, it was fine, but when she saw her daughter had become more sensible, Ling Xueyan cried even harder.
Although He 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 He Zhiran, 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."
Saying this, He Yuanming took out a bulging purse from his robe and secretly put it in He Zhiran's hand.
In addition, he also gave He Zhiran a package of medium size.
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 favors 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 some better food."
"Also, you've loved cleanliness since you were little. Your mother packed some spare underwear for you," He Yuanming said, but he couldn't continue.
He turned his head away, not daring to look at He Zhiran anymore, and finally said, "It's Father's fault for forcing you to marry into the Mo Family."
"Father," He Zhiran called this word without any pressure.
No matter if it was the He Yuanming in the original host's memories, or the affectionate father before her eyes, He Zhiran could confirm he was a good father.
For such a person, she was willing to affectionately call him Father.
"I was ignorant before and often angered Father and Mother.
Now, I have married Mo Jiuye and will be part of the Mo Family going forward.
Rest assured, I will live well. When the day comes I turn my fortunes around, I will properly serve you and Mother."
Hearing He Zhiran'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 He Zhiran again and wailed loudly.
He 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 maybe because He Zhiran cherished this familial love, but her tears also streamed down her face.
He 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."
He Zhiran looked over at Mo Jiuye 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 He Zhiran didn't dare be careless.
He Yuanming heavily nodded his head. The way he looked at He Zhiran was increasingly remorseful.
"Father knows Brother-in-law is injured."
Saying this, he had already strode towards Mo Jiuye's direction.
Seeing unconscious Mo Jiuye with his own eyes, He 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 Mo Family.
But he didn't want to go back on his word like a scoundrel, so he forced his daughter to marry into the Mo Family by drugging her.
And in just one day, the Mo Family was raided and exiled.
Looking at Mo Jiuye, 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 Mo Jiuye's current state, even if he were well right now, safely reaching the place of exile would not be easy.
It seemed his daughter was fated to be a widow.
He could only hope she would be blessed with good fortune and safely arrive in the northwest.
When the Emperor was less wary of the Mo Family, he would find a way to bring his daughter back from the northwest.
Seeing Mo Jiuye, Ling Xueyan kept wiping away tears, feeling more and more heartache for He Zhiran.
At the same time, she regretted insisting on marrying her daughter into the Mo Family.
He 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 Mo Jiuye's clothes.
Then he stood up and looked at Old Lady Mo, "Mother-in-law, Ranan was spoiled by our family. If she doesn't behave properly, please be magnanimous and make allowances for her more."
"What is Brother-in-law saying? The He girl is clever and lively. I like her very much," Old Lady Mo replied.
"Since this is the case, I shall take my leave." He Yuanming didn't say much more. He pulled the still sobbing Ling Xueyan and turned to leave.
Ling Xueyan looked back at He Zhiran every three steps, reluctantly watching her daughter for a long time until she could no longer see her shadow...
This sudden familial affection left He Zhiran with mixed emotions.
She really envied the original host for having such sensible parents who cherished her.
It was just a pity the original host was ill-fated 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, He Zhiran believed that as long as Mo Jiuye survived, the Mo Family would definitely have a day of returning to the capital city.
Seeing He Zhiran standing there in grief, several sisters-in-law quickly came up to comfort her.
"Young Sis don't be sad. He Yuanming is an upright official and will surely be safe."
"That's right Young Sis. Look how fortunate you are that your parents personally came all this way to see you off. Not like me, there wasn't a shadow of anyone from my family."
"... "
He Zhiran 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."
He Zhiran used her sleeve to wipe the remaining tears at the corner of her eyes and pushed Mo Jiuye's cart to move forward.
Third Sister-in-Law hurried to catch up. "Young Sis, let me help you."
Old Lady Mo also said, "Pushing the cart while traveling 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 stifling 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 were covered in dirt from head to toe.
The Mo Family members looked at each other in their patched coarse hemp clothes and shoes so worn the colors were indistinguishable, looking no different from a group of beggars.
Although He Zhiran 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 she slumped on the ground unable to get up.
The others were the same, their waists 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 with their stomachs grinding against their backs.
As it was only the first day of He Zhiran's exile, she didn't have any expectations for their meals.
Just 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, He Zhiran nearly burst out laughing. These officers were quite crafty, pricing the food as if robbing them.
Upon hearing this, Mo 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 Mo 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."
