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

Ji Yunshu loves spicy food, and she has been eating mostly bland food all the way. Even the dishes she ate at the inn in Dongyang County were mainly light. Perhaps it's because there are no chili peppers in ancient times, but she has been wanting to try something spicy for a long time.

"Mom, it's ready. Everyone, if you're hungry, go ahead and eat." She said as she poured the mushrooms that had been soaking into the simmering chicken soup.

The chicken is almost done stewing; it just needs the mushrooms to cook before we can eat the chicken and mushroom stew.

Xie Mohuan and Xiao Lan had been waiting impatiently. As soon as Ji Yunshu finished speaking, the two of them grabbed their bowls and chopsticks and rushed to Ji Yunshu's side.

"Third Sister-in-law, hurry up and give us Chengsheng chicken. We can't wait any longer. This chicken smells so good, and we've never seen it prepared this way before."

The chicken they used to eat was either steamed or stewed, and it all tasted pretty much the same. They never imagined it could be cooked this way, and with an even richer aroma.

There was a slightly pungent smell in the air, very faint, not unpleasant, but rather it made people feel more hungry.

Ji Yunshu smiled faintly. Just as she had thought, this way of eating really didn't exist in ancient times.

She handed a bowl of chicken to Xie Mohuan.

"I won't divide it up for you. You can take it and eat it yourselves," she said, pointing to the chicken in another pot.

"This will be ready soon too. You guys eat first, I'll finish this one first. Don't wait for me, eat whenever you're hungry."

She wasn't particularly hungry; she had already taken some snacks from her spatial storage when she went into the grove.

Seeing that she said that, everyone stopped refusing and came to the side with a pot of spicy chicken. They all picked up their bowls and quickly started eating the spicy chicken from the pot.

This spicy chicken smells delicious, and tastes even better. One bite reveals its crispy exterior and tender interior, with a subtle fragrance. Xie Mohuan and the others praised it as they ate, their taste buds thoroughly satisfied. Even the old princess and Granny Li were enjoying it immensely.

Previously, for the sake of health, she ate very bland food. She never expected that this spicy flavor would taste so good. The old princess praised Ji Yunshu's cooking skills.

The family sat together happily, but Xie Moyao and Li Shi, inside the carriage, couldn't resist any longer. They lifted the carriage curtain, their eyes fixed on the spicy chicken they were eating.

Ji Yunshu happened to see this scene but didn't say anything. Li Shi and Xie Moyao's bodies weren't suitable for eating too much spicy food. Fortunately, the other pot of chicken in front of them was almost ready.

She took another plate, ladled out the chicken and mushroom stew and set it aside. She then filled two bowls and gave one to Xie Moyao and one to Li Shi, who each took a bowl into the carriage.

This was a special tonic she prepared for Xie Moyao and Li Shi to nourish their bodies. She even used spiritual spring water for the chicken broth. The combination of these two benefits would be very good for Li Shi and Xie Moyao's health.

Ms. Li gave birth a few days ago and only ate some light food. We can't give her any nourishing food too early, otherwise she will have blocked milk ducts. Now that a few days have passed, she can slowly start nourishing herself.

But she didn't dare to take too much tonic at once; she even skimmed off the oil from the chicken soup she brought in.

Li Shi and Xie Moyao were feeling better, so she didn't need to worry about their meals. After serving them two bowls of chicken, she let them eat on their own. She then jumped off the carriage, returned to the group, picked up another set of chopsticks and bowls, and began to eat as well.

The family ate with great relish, while the others around them watched with envy, their mouths practically reaching out to grab the food.

"Brother, why hasn't the princess brought us any food yet? I'm starving."

"Yes, yes, I just ate a steamed bun, which wasn't filling at all. I still feel hungry. The chicken smells so good. When will Your Highness bring it over for us?"

The officers and soldiers craned their necks, their eyes fixed on the two bowls of dwindling chicken, swallowing hard.

Ling Yun glanced at their pathetic appearance, feeling both helpless and somewhat angry.

"Useless things. I sent you into the woods to find food, and you came back empty-handed. Now you're even eyeing other people's food. The princess said last time that she wouldn't give us food directly anymore."

If you want some, go ask for it yourselves, but the princess might not give it to you. Or, if you have some silver on you, you can buy it yourself.

After saying that, he plopped down to the side, clearly indicating that he didn't want to get involved.

The officials looked at each other, then said, "Are they going to ask for it themselves?"

Go buy it with money?

Why did things suddenly change?

The princess used to send them a portion of food whenever she had it, so why has she stopped all of that all of a sudden?

The group sat together, none daring to step forward and ask the princess for food; it would be too embarrassing.

They hesitated to use silver to buy it, as the princess's possessions were not cheap.

Zhou Yanran sat next to a government official, almost leaning against him, her voice sweet and coquettish.

"Sir, could you please get me something to eat? I'm so hungry! If you feed me, I'll make sure you get enough to eat too."

Chastity and reputation are all nonsense until you have a full stomach.

I'm starving to death, what's the use of reputation?

The officer beside her was named A-Cai. In this group, most officers would listen to Ling Yun, but A-Cai was unwilling to listen, and he didn't respect Ling Yun from the bottom of his heart.

However, since Ling Yun was the designated leader of the team from the capital, he had been holding back all along, even though he had long been somewhat disgusted with Ling Yun.

He and Ling Yun both served in the capital, and he had escorted exiled prisoners several times before. Why should he have to listen to Li Yun just because they were working together?!

Ah Cai touched Zhou Yanran's little face and teased, "Little beauty, you have such a sweet tongue. It's just food, right? I'll go get it for you. Once you're full, don't forget what you promised me."

He was a normal man, and some things could happen on the road to exile. But there were too many people and too many eyes in the group, so it wasn't convenient for him to force Zhou Yanran. If he could bribe her with some food, it would be a very worthwhile deal.

Zhou Yanran was, after all, a daughter of an official family in the capital. She was fair-skinned and beautiful, and every man coveted her.

After Ah Cai finished speaking, he got up and walked towards Ji Yunshu and her group.

Zhou Yanran proudly raised her head. The food problem is solved now, isn't it?

It seems that being pretty does have some advantages.

Doesn't that make men willingly go and find food for her?

Look at those three idiots, Ji Yunyao and Xie Mohe. They went into the woods and came back empty-handed.