The Head Guard gave one last cold look in the direction Bai Ming had been dragged away.
"Everyone, finish packing. You have ten more minutes. We move immediately after," he announced before turning and walking off with his men.
I turned to Fu Sheng with a teasing smile curling on my lips.
"So," I asked lightly, "why did you protect me like that earlier?"
He met my gaze for half a second, then looked away and simply walked off. No words. He just turned and headed toward his parents.
I blinked, then laughed softly to myself. So shy. Fine, I would let him escape for now.
Turning back to my parents, I bowed slightly.
"Father, Mother… thank you. Truly. For everything you brought."
Madame Su took my hand warmly.
"Silly child. You're our daughter. Of course we will help you."
Master Su nodded with quiet pride.
"Stay calm. Stay smart. And stay alive. That's all we ask."
I smiled.
"I will."
We hugged briefly. It was warm, steady, and reassuring.
Then my brothers walked up, both serious, both tall, and both terrifying when angry. The older one glanced toward Fu Sheng, then back at me.
"Su Long, if that man dares let you get bullied—"
"We will come back and drag you home," the younger one finished firmly.
They said it calmly, but the warning behind their words was loud and clear.
Fu Sheng, who stood not far away, stiffened slightly.
Good.
My brothers leaned closer, lowering their voices.
"Be careful. Eat properly. Don't tire yourself out. And if anyone dares make trouble—"
"Hit them first," the other added.
I laughed softly.
"I'll be fine. Really."
They still didn't look convinced, but eventually they nodded. It was time.
They climbed into their carriage, and I watched them go... my new family leaving the capital behind… and leaving me behind too.
With that done, I turned toward the Fu family with a slight grin.
"Fu Tong, Fu Teng, Fu Fei, and Fu Li… what are you four still doing standing over there? Who's going to carry all these bundles?" I asked, folding my arms.
They all stared at each other, completely confused.
Fu Fei finally blinked and looked at me.
"Sister-in-law… what do you mean carry them? Aren't these things… yours?"
I tilted my head and smiled innocently.
"Of course they are mine. But now, they're for all of us. Unless…" I glanced toward Grandma Fu, who was pretending not to listen, "you don't want them. Should I give everything to Grandma Fu instead?"
Grandma Fu's ears perked up immediately.
Master Fu, Madame Fu, and even Fu Sheng looked stunned.
Fu Teng's eyes widened.
"Wait… sister-in-law… you're really giving these to us? Truly? No way."
I raised a brow.
"Yes way."
They were all shocked... Even Fu Sheng looked completely surprised.
They all slowly walked toward me and the bundles that were placed on the ground.
There were 8 bundles and 3 basket bags. I handed four bundles to Fu Fei, Fu Teng, Fu Tong, and Madame Fu as they hung them on their backs. The heavy ones were given to the men and the light ones were for the females.
I carried one of the baskets and gave one to Fu Sheng and one to Fu Li. The remaining four bundles were placed on Master Fu's wooden wagon, the wagon was big enough and the best for carrying bundles.
"What are the baskets for, Su Long?" Madame Fu asked, confused.
I just smiled as I explained, "We will need to hunt and carry some things. The baskets will be very useful."
"Oh!"
"When we get to a place to rest, I'll tell you all what's in all those bundles. Don't worry, with me alongside you all… food will not be a problem." I reassured them, and unlike Bai Ming, I was saying these words with hundreds of golden taels in my space.
Just then, a woman arrived. She was dressed neatly, carrying a bundle as she walked toward us, her head slightly bowed.
As soon as the Fu family caught sight of her, they were all shocked, but I wasn't, as I had already anticipated her arrival.
Li Manman, the female lead and heroine of this drama.
After the Fu family got exiled, she appeared and claimed to want to accompany them on their exile, all in the name of wanting to repay the things their family had done for her. But that, as always, was a lie.
She was here for two things: one, to seduce the male lead and take the position as the first madame of the Fu family.
Why? Because she hated Su Long.
You may think she was doing it because she was in love with Fu Sheng, but that wasn't the case at all. Unknown to everyone and Su Long, she was actually Su Long's half-sister, born of a maid. After learning her true identity, she had grown to despise Su Long for taking everything from her.
Su Long was doted on and loved by her parents and brothers, living in luxury all her days, while she suffered with her sickly mother, who eventually died years later.
After Su Long got married, she started working in the Fu household, trying her best to seduce Fu Sheng. But no matter how much she tried, no matter how much Fu Sheng hated Su Long, he never cheated on her.
But this time, she was ready to try her best to get him to fall in love with her and hate Su Long, even though it meant she would be in exile as well.
Well… unlucky for her, the foolish Su Long no longer existed, and I was completely ready for her.