Chapter 20: Exile

“Silence, silence! The exile procession will depart shortly. You will have plenty of time to reminisce. Quickly separate men and women, each take your place, and wait for the roll call.”

As the father and daughter exchanged tender glances, the prisoners from the dungeon arrived one after another in the square. Leading them, a captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard shouted loudly.

The prisoners, having been confined and disciplined for some time, dared not delay. They hurriedly formed groups by family, men and women standing apart. Chaochao, always protected by her simple-minded father, stood by his side, stretching on tiptoe to peek ahead. In the bright glow of the torches, the man who had just called out names opened the roster.

“From the former Duke of Ningguo’s mansion, the head of the Qi family of Yongning, Qi Kaihe—where is he?”

Among the group of women not far away, a tall, sturdy middle-aged man with a stern face and visible wounds stepped forward and responded in a deep voice, “Present.”

The captain nodded, marked a note with his brush, then lowered his head to continue. “His wife, Zhou Jinghuan.”

Standing next to the middle-aged man who had just answered, a woman of elegant charm and refined beauty, around thirty years old, lifted her proud neck and declared, “Zhou Jinghuan is here.”

The captain hummed and nodded again, crossing out her name before continuing. “Their eldest son, Qi Haoyang—where is he?”

A handsome youth of about fifteen stepped out beside the woman and said, “Present.”

“Second son, Qi Muan.”

This time, surprisingly, there was no answer. The captain’s voice deepened as he called again, “Qi Muan of the Yongning Qi family, are you here? Qi Muan, are you present?”

The prisoners exchanged uneasy looks and murmurs. The entire Qi family showed no unusual reaction, causing the captain to frown. He thought to himself, could it be that the twelve-year-old youngest son had escaped?

But that shouldn’t be possible.

This imperial prison was unlike ordinary jails; it confined criminals personally designated by His Majesty, guarded in three layers. How could such a mere child run away?

Could he still be in the dungeon, not yet brought out? Or had something else happened?

Just as the captain was about to signal his subordinates to check the dungeon, a thin, weak boy staggered out from the dungeon exit, swaying with every step, trembling as he raised his hand.

“The second son of the Yongning Qi family, Qi… Qi Muan, is here.”

The boy’s voice was clear and pleasant but frail. His face, inheriting the best features of both parents, was far more handsome than his brother Qi Haoyang. His sharply carved features, paired with bright, deep eyes and slanting eyebrows reaching his temples, gave him a refined and reserved air.

It was easy to imagine the captivating presence this boy would have when he grew older. Unfortunately, now he looked too fragile, lacking even the robust physique of the family’s ten-year-old second son, Li Changxiao.

The captain clicked his tongue upon seeing the boy but said nothing further. After marking the roster, he waved kindly, “Since you are here, quickly return and stand in line.”

The boy steadied himself against a pillar beside the dungeon, nodded slightly, glanced at his family not far away, his eyes gradually growing cold. He bowed to the captain in thanks, paused briefly, then, with heavy, staggering steps, moved toward the Qi family.

Chaochao saw all this but, as a petty soul, cared little.

The little one pressed a hand to her chest, holding back her restless curiosity as she peeked around, waiting for the roll call.

Finally, after passing the Qi family, then the Liu and Zhang families, it was their Li family’s turn.

The captain first called out the name of the family’s stern old matriarch, then the eldest uncle Li Zecheng, his wife Lady Xiao Luo, their children, and even the concubines. Only then was it their simple-minded father and herself.

Compared to the rest of the family, and those called before them, Chaochao suddenly realized their family was just the two of them. Their group was truly sparse.

Sigh, the child missed her mother once again.

This exile involved five families, over two hundred people in total. With everyone present, the roll call was swift.

After finishing, the captain handed the roster to the awaiting officer, officially transferring custody of the prisoners.

This officer, responsible for escorting the prisoners, held a sixth-rank official position as a clerk. He was of average height, around forty years old, wearing an official’s cap, his face covered in a thick beard, skin rough and dark, his voice booming like a bell.

After checking the roster, he took the transit pass and documents handed over, passed them to his trusted aides, and nodded in thanks to the Embroidered Uniform Guard captain. Then he stepped forward, glanced over the prisoners, and began his address.

“Everyone, my name is Chen Shan. If you like, you may call me Lord Shan.

“Our meeting today is fate. I’m no great man, so I’ll speak plainly.

“I don’t care who you were before, what status or office you held. Once under my charge, I have only one demand—you must obey!

“We are heading to the far north, over a thousand miles of treacherous journey. If you behave, cause no trouble, and do not attempt to escape, I am not a cruel man.

“But if any of you try to defy me, I’m sorry, but don’t blame me for harsh measures. Bandits roam the roads; the path is perilous. Losing a few along the way is only normal. Do you understand?”

The crowd fell silent, naturally understanding.

Seeing their silence, Lord Chen smiled with satisfaction and stroked his beard as he continued.

“Of course, there’s no need to fear. I have dozens of brothers with me, and we will ensure your safety.

“Also, the northern route is long and bitterly cold. It is already late autumn, quickly approaching winter. To arrive on time, starting now, you must travel fifty miles each day.

“I say this now so you know what to expect. Don’t complain once we’re on the road—then, the whips in my hands and those of my brothers will not discriminate.”

His mix of sweet words and harsh warnings left the two hundred-plus prisoners uneasy.

Lord Chen was pleased with the effect of his intimidation. He took the transfer documents from the captain, signed his name, returned the papers, and seeing the hour growing late, decisively waved his hand.

“Prisoners, put on your shackles.”

Immediately, dozens of attendants lined up, driving all men over fifteen toward the waiting horse-drawn carts to be shackled.

Chaochao, worried for her simple-minded father, tried to follow, but the attendants, pressed for time and task, paid her no heed and drove her back.

Fortunately, Aunt Song, remembering her kindness, quickly pulled Chaochao and her younger brother aside.

“Chaochao, don’t go. Don’t panic. Your father and the others will be back soon. Don’t worry.”

They were still in the square, only being driven to one corner. With Chaochao stopped, she calmed down and stayed by Aunt Song’s side. After about an hour, as dawn began to break, finally all the men wore heavy wooden yokes around their necks, their hands bound together, and iron shackles on their feet.

Seeing her simple-minded father’s heavy steps, burdened by the thick wooden yoke and chains, Chaochao’s eyes welled with tears and her nose tingled with sorrow.

“Xiao Yi, if it’s a family purge and exile, why must they treat people so cruelly?”

Xiao Yi replied, “In ancient feudal dynasties, it was always like this. If the young ones resist, Xiao Yi here has extensive knowledge across eras, interstellar sciences, and ancient exams to enhance strength and cultivate hosts’ all-round development in virtue, intellect, physique, aesthetics, and labor. Once the host becomes strong enough, the world will change for you.”

“I thank you!” Chaochao thought, still hoping to coax the child into studying.

The tears that had just welled up were instantly held back.