After our homes were confiscated and we were exiled, the women in my clan and I raised a million sol

Under the harsh urging of the yamen runners, a group of shackled prisoners staggered forward. They were pale as paper, and they walked unsteadily, looking extremely weak.

If Zhang Liang were here, he would definitely recognize at a glance that these people were poisoned.

At this moment, a young yamen runner cautiously approached the leading yamen runner and asked in a low voice, "Boss, are we really not going to give them the antidote? I'm worried that if this continues, they may not survive until they reach the place of exile."

Upon hearing this, the leading yamen runner turned around abruptly, his eyes sharp as a knife, and glared at the young runner fiercely, saying in a cold voice: "It's better for them to die, so as to save us trouble. Who let them be so reckless as to offend someone they shouldn't offend!"

The girl supported the old man and walked forward step by step with difficulty. Each step seemed heavy and slow.

The old man coughed from time to time, his voice was hoarse and weak, and every cough made the girl's heart tighten.

Seeing the old man so weak, the girl's eyes were filled with guilt and self-blame.

"I'm sorry, father."

The girl's voice trembled slightly.

"If I had agreed to become Qin Hao's concubine, perhaps none of this would have happened."

Hearing his daughter's words, the old man waved his hand gently, as if wanting to comfort her, but just as he was about to speak, a young man suddenly supported the old man and interrupted him.

"Little sister, you don't have to blame yourself so much."

"Even if you compromise with Qin Hao, those people in the court will not let us go."

He paused, a look of determination in his eyes.

"What's more, Qin Hao is notoriously violent. We can't bear to push you into this fire pit!"

Hearing the young man's words, the girl pursed her lips, tears of emotion flashing in her eyes.

At this time, the old man sighed slowly, with a hint of worry in his voice: "Now I am worried about what happened to your sister?"

After saying this, he sighed deeply again.

The leading yamen runner had sharp eyes and noticed the whispers between the group of prisoners and the two young men in the distance.

His brows were furrowed, displeasure flashed in his eyes, and he strode towards them, shouting, "Hey! What are you all doing together? Separate yourself!"

The leading bailiff approached and was about to teach this group of ignorant prisoners a lesson, making them realize that his authority was inviolable, when a breathless bailiff hurried back.

"Boss! There's a dilapidated temple up ahead. We can stay there tonight!"

Upon hearing this, the leading yamen runner snorted coldly, the anger in his eyes fading slightly, and then he said, "Hurry up! Don't dilly-dally! Stay there tonight."

Under his urging, the team moved much faster, but for the old man and his family whose feet had been cut by the sharp gravel on the ground, every step became a painful torture.

As the distance to the ruined temple gradually shortened, the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry also noticed them.

Soon, a Tiger and Leopard Cavalryman entered the ruined temple and came straight to Zhang Liang. He said respectfully and eagerly, "My lord! A group of people appeared outside and are approaching us."

"Judging from their attire, they seem to be escorting exiled prisoners."

After hearing the team leader's report, Zhong Tian quickly walked up to Zhang Liang and said solemnly, "My lord, it seems these people are planning to stay here tonight as well. Look at us..."

His voice was slightly hesitant, and he was obviously thinking about how to respond.

Zhang Liang glanced at him, a hint of understanding flashed in his eyes, and he understood Zhong Tian’s worry.

He pondered for a moment and then said, "Don't be too nervous. We are just ordinary businessmen. Since they want to stop by here, then let them come."

Zhong Tian nodded, indicating that he understood and agreed with Zhang Liang's decision.

Zhang Liang then continued, "However, we still cannot be careless and must remain vigilant. Ensuring our safety is our top priority."

After hearing Zhang Liang's words, the Tiger and Leopard Riders did not draw their swords from their waists, but put their hands on the hilts, guarding against those who were about to come in.

Not long after, Zhang Liang and the others heard the crisp sound of shackles colliding and the sound of dense footsteps coming from outside.

These sounds are particularly harsh in the quiet night.

From time to time, there were a few insults from the yamen runners mixed in. Those dirty words were like gusts of foul-smelling wind, blowing in the face and making people feel extremely uncomfortable.

"You damn old woman, get out of here!"

A yamen runner was scolding the prisoner in front of him in a rough voice.

"Stop dawdling, idiot! If you don't hurry up, I'll whip you!"

Another yamen runner waved the whip in his hand and threatened.

"You bunch of losers, you can't even walk this short distance? You're really a bunch of useless people!"

Another yamen runner began to curse with even more vicious words.

When these words fell into the ears of Zhang Liang and others, they all frowned at the same time, because they felt that these words were really too harsh.

Immediately afterwards, Zhang Liang and his companions saw several yamen runners walking in from outside, followed by several prisoners with disheveled hair and ragged clothes.

After seeing Zhang Liang and his group, the yamen runners were obviously stunned for a moment, as if they did not expect there to be anyone here.

However, after taking a look at them, the bailiffs pushed the prisoners to a corner.

Wang Yuehan was originally resting with his eyes closed.

Suddenly, the harsh sound of shackles broke the silence of the night, like cold water drops falling on the lake of her heart, causing ripples.

Through the flickering firelight, an old man with disheveled hair and ragged clothes came into her sight.

The old man's figure looked particularly desolate in the firelight, and every step he took was accompanied by the sound of heavy chains dragging on the ground, as if it was fate's endless mockery of him.

Wang Yuehan's gaze gradually focused, and when the wrinkled and weathered face appeared clearly in front of her, her heart suddenly sank and she could hardly believe her eyes.

"Father?"

Her voice was as thin as a mosquito and trembled with disbelief.

She hadn't seen him for a long time, and now he appeared in front of her in this way, which made it difficult for her to accept it for a while.

To confirm that this was not an illusion, Wang Yuehan slowly opened his dry lips and called out again with all his strength: "Father!"

Hearing this call, the old man's body shook noticeably, as if being pulled by an invisible force. He slowly stopped, turned his head, and his eyes met Wang Yuehan's.

Seeing the old man's reaction, the last trace of doubt in Wang Yuehan's heart disappeared.

Wang Yuehan's heart was filled with doubts and heartache. She couldn't understand why her once strong and mighty father had fallen to such a state.

Her heart was full of confusion, but more of it was deep sympathy and heartache for her father.

Wang Yuehan couldn't help but rush over and held his father's hands tightly. Those big hands that were once warm and powerful had now become rough and cold.

She asked excitedly, "Father, what happened? Why are you here?" Her voice trembled and tears flashed in her eyes.

However, my father remained silent and just lowered his head silently.

Wang Yuehan's heart tightened, and she suddenly realized that things might not be as simple as she thought.

She turned her head and looked at the other prisoners, hoping to find the answer from them.

At this moment, she saw a familiar figure—her mother! Her brother and younger sister were also among the prisoners.

Wang Yuehan exclaimed: "Mother! Brother! Little sister!" Her voice was full of shock and disbelief.

After hearing what she said, the other prisoners also gathered around.

They looked at each other and then burst into tears.

Their cries merged together to create an atmosphere of indescribable sadness.

Wang Yuehan cried even more, "Father, how could you? How could you..."

Having said this, she could no longer speak and burst into tears.

Her heart was filled with pain and despair, and she could not accept this cruel reality.

At this moment, Wang Yuehan seemed to have lost all her strength. She fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face like a spring.