Exile? A mad, wicked woman empties the national treasury to escape famine.

This road was relatively familiar to them; they had traveled this route before when escorting other exiled prisoners.

There was indeed a village not far ahead of them, but that village was extremely poor, perhaps even poorer than theirs. Every time they passed by, the villagers there couldn't even afford to eat.

Every time they passed by, they not only ate there, but on several occasions they even gave the villagers the money they had on them.

It wasn't that they were generous; it was just that the villagers were so pitiful. Many had starved to death, eating anything and everything, and they were all skin and bones. No one could bear to look at them.

There was no food for them in the village, and they didn't have any extra money on them. Since everyone was about to give up, they figured they might as well rest here and take care of their own food. When they reached the village, they would stay overnight at the villagers' homes and continue their journey early the next morning.

Ji Yunshu jumped off the carriage. The weather was still unbearably hot, but the spot Ling Yun had chosen was in the woods, with plenty of branches providing shade, which was much better than being directly exposed to the sun.

The others also got off the carriage. While traveling, the carriage was fine with occasional breezes, but once it stopped, it became unbearably hot and stuffy, making it impossible to stay inside.

"Your Highness, shall we start a fire and cook now?" Xie Lin asked softly.

He was somewhat undecided, worried that the officials might suddenly set off later.

Ji Yunshu glanced at the place where the officials were resting, and then recalled Ling Yun's words. "The official just said that everyone should get something to eat before continuing the journey. Let's start a fire and cook. You guys start the fire first. There is rice and noodles in the supply wagons. Steam some. I'll go into the woods to see if there is any wild game or anything like that."

When he was stockpiling supplies in Dongyang County, he did not buy meat or similar items because the weather was too hot, and fresh things like meat and vegetables would spoil after a few hours.

Anyway, she has plenty in her space, so she can take some out.

Xie Lin nodded and led Xiao Lan to gather firewood.

After exchanging a few words with Xie Mohuan, Ji Yunshu turned and went into the woods nearby.

Everyone rested in one place, and seeing that Ji Yunshu had gone into the woods to forage for food, the others couldn't wait any longer.

Ji Yunyao, Xie Mohe, and Xie Mojiang exchanged a glance, and the three of them stood up at the same time and went to the side of the officials.

"Gentlemen, we also need to find something to eat. We saw Ji Yunshu go into the woods, so we'll follow her and see if we can find something too."

After what happened before, they had all learned their lesson and wouldn't go against Ji Yunshu. Moreover, based on their previous experience, there was a high probability that Ji Yunshu would find food, so as long as they followed behind Ji Yunshu, they might also find food!

The officials weren't in a hurry; they all looked relaxed. They still had some silver left, and this time they bought some dry rations, enough to last them a few days. In addition, Ji Yunshu would always share some food with them whenever she found it, so they waited for Ji Yunshu to bring them food without any qualms.

As for Ji Yunyao and the other two wanting to go with them to find food, they had no objection.

One of the officers waved his hand impatiently, "Alright, alright, hurry up and go. Come back soon, and don't even think about running away. If you do, you know the consequences..."

After the official finished speaking, Ji Yunyao's face lit up with joy. She turned around impatiently and chased after Ji Yunshu in the direction he had left.

Xie Mojiang and Xie Mohe followed behind her, trotting happily into the woods.

Ling Yun sat to one side, watching their disappearing figures. After pondering for a moment, he said to the other officers beside him:

"Hey you guys, send two of you in to follow them, keep an eye on them, and also find some food to bring back."

"The princess told me last time that when she went to find food, she told us to go with her. It's impossible for all of us men to wait for her, a woman, to find food for us every day. I thought it made sense, so I went quickly."

Most importantly, Ji Yunshu made it very clear that she would no longer bring them food whenever she found it, as she used to.

Ling Yun was their leader, and he usually made the decisions when something happened in the group. Now that Ling Yun had spoken, the other officers and soldiers had no choice but to get up, call a few people in twos and threes, and go into the woods together.

In the woods

Summer nights are long.

After entering the woods, Ji Yunshu searched around for a while but couldn't find anything to eat, let alone water.

She came behind a big tree and then slipped into the space.

The living room of the small villa was cool and comfortable with the air conditioning on. She sat on the sofa for a while, enjoying the cool air until she felt completely relaxed, before getting up and going to the shopping mall.

Unable to find food outside, she had no choice but to try to get something out of her spatial storage.

All the basic areas of the shopping mall have been unlocked, and there is everything you need for food, drinks and daily necessities.

It's too strange for her to take out.

After browsing for a while, she picked out some cabbages and then caught two chickens from the poultry section.

The chicken is still alive.

She could just take it out and let Xie Mu and the others kill it on the spot. If anyone asked, she could say it was a pheasant she caught in the forest.

Carrying a bunch of things, she flashed out of the space, back behind the same big tree she had entered before.

Just as I was about to carry my things back, I heard a rustling sound all around me.

She quickly pulled her foot back after taking a step forward, and craned her neck to look. She saw Ji Yunyao and several officers searching the vicinity.

Holy crap.

When did these guys get in?

Didn't I see her go into the space and then suddenly come out?

Clutching her belongings tightly, she excitedly emerged from the tree when no one was looking, beaming at everyone.

"Oh, you guys came in looking for food too? Take your time, I'm heading back now."

She waved the two chickens and some cabbage in her hand, leaving Ji Yunyao and her group dumbfounded.

Ji Yunshu had just entered the woods when they followed her in. They didn't see Ji Yunshu when they came in, but when they saw her again, she was holding two chickens and some things that looked like vegetables!

Where did she just appear from?

"Ji, Ji Yunshu? Where did you come from? And where did you find the chicken and vegetables in your hand?" Ji Yunyao stared, unable to believe her eyes.

Ji Yunshu ignored her and left.

Ji Yunyao pursed her lips. If only they had come in faster, and stayed within Ji Yunshu's sight, they were sure they could have gotten some food. Now…