Exile at the start? The princess is no ordinary woman.

The eldest and second eldest sons of the Qi family immediately spoke up to stop the younger members of the family when their own children started complaining.

Because the third branch of the family did not stop it, the noise grew louder and louder. Some people even approached Qi Su and Qi Zhou Shi, attempting to incite their dissatisfaction with Jun Yanchen and thus use their status to gain some benefit, or at least get some food.

However, all he got in return was a reprimand from Old Madam Qi and Qi Su.

"Shut up, all of you. If you're so capable, find your own food. If not, just put up with it. Third brother, keep an eye on the people in your room."

"Third son's wife, keep an eye on your daughter, and get your minds on your own."

"Remember this, anyone who dares to upset that child will face severe consequences," Qi Su sternly warned everyone in the family.

They couldn't help that child much, and in the end, it was he who led the Qi family out of poverty. The child suffered so much.

Seeing that the child had such a capable wife by his side, they were certainly gratified and happy. This whole family was capable and upright; they certainly didn't have the shame to watch the child eat, and they couldn't possibly do such a thing.

The third son's family is short-sighted and lazy, but they are not dead yet. How can we let them set their sights on that child, Huaiqing?

Gu Nanzhi vaguely sensed the commotion at the Qi family's place, but it remained irrelevant to her. She quietly watched the fish soup in the pot cook.

Xiahe and the others washed the dishes and brought them back.

The milky white fish soup simmered in the iron pot, releasing waves of fresh aroma that tantalized everyone's taste buds and made them unconsciously swallow their saliva.

Such temptation was an even greater test for Zhou Cai and the others, who could watch the fish soup simmer in the pot. They were all waiting.

They waited for Gu Nanzhi to speak, after all, they were able to enjoy this dinner entirely thanks to their wife—the roast chicken last night and the fish soup tonight.

The meals they had eaten over the past two days had lessened their sorrow over the exile. As long as their master and mistress were well, they were not afraid of not being able to survive even if they went to that barren land of exile that everyone feared.

Gu Nanzhi's eyes were only on the pot of fish soup in front of her. Feeling it was almost ready, she made a move under the eager gazes of the others.

"Alright, let's start with a bowl of delicious, original fish soup, and then we'll put the wild vegetables in to blanch."

After Gu Nanzhi finished speaking, she prepared to serve the fish soup. But with her words, how could the others wait for the madam to serve them soup?

"Madam, let this old servant do it, be careful not to get burned."

Butler Li, with great foresight, took on the task, and Gu Nanzhi was naturally happy to have some free time; why not use the available manpower?

And it was indeed quite hot near the fire.

"it is good"

Following the lady's suggestion, Butler Li first served her a bowl of food in the bamboo tube bowl that had been recommended.

"Madam, be careful, it's hot!"

"Thank you"

Then, the second bowl was naturally served to Jun Yanchen first by Cang Ling. She took care of the two masters first, and then herself. She also knew how to take care of the ladies. The third bowl was given to Xia He first.

After everyone had served themselves a bowl, there was still some soup and meat left in the pot. Following the lady's instructions, wild vegetables were also added in to blanch them.

The fish soup was delicious, and there was a good amount of fish—three fish weighing over two pounds each. It made a large pot of soup, enough for the six of them.

Moreover, the hot soup made even the black flour cakes from the escorts' quarters less difficult to swallow.

While the few of them were enjoying their meal, it was a hardship for those who could only smell the aroma.

"Delicious! Your cooking is truly superb, Madam."

"This soup is so delicious, thank you, madam."

The aroma alone was incredibly enticing, and when they actually tasted it, they were utterly amazed. Despite the simple setting, the lady of the house had managed to create such a delicious soup; her skill was beyond their reach.

Gu Nanzhi didn't say much to this, but silently responded in her heart: Isn't freshness a must? She added all the necessary seasonings, and the water was even spiritual spring water, so how could the soup not be fresh?

You should all be secretly happy that you've benefited from my influence!

Lunchtime was hardly considered a meal, but by evening they finally had a proper meal. In addition, Cang Ling, Steward Li, and the others were all adult men who had been running around all day and were exhausted, so the whole pot of fish was eaten up, and they were even a little stuffed in the end.

"Madam, please take these bamboo bowls and chopsticks, wash them clean, and keep them for later use."

Although it was just a simple bamboo tube, it was better than nothing. Regardless of whether we could have such meals again in the future, we were no longer living in the Prince's mansion, and we had to plan for everything.

"Um"

Gu Nanzhi made sure they had enough to eat and meat, so they were even more motivated to work. The tasks of washing pots and dishes naturally fell to them.

Now that Gu Nanzhi had eaten and drunk her fill, she didn't plan to stay put and rest. After all, someone would be looking for her in a few minutes, and she needed to give them a chance to approach her.

Thinking this, Gu Nanzhi hooked her fingers onto the three water pouches that had just been emptied, and gave a gentle reminder to Xia He, who had eaten her fill.

"Xia He, stay here and don't run around. I'm going to wash my face; it's a bit sticky and uncomfortable."

Xia He was genuinely happy. Although she had been exiled and had to travel constantly every day, after just these two days, from the roast chicken last night to the fish soup today, she even felt that this exile was a good thing.

She and her mistress had never lived like this in all those years on the estate. They couldn't even get enough to eat, let alone eat meat every day.

It's so nice to be with you, Miss.

"Okay, I understand, Miss. I won't wander off. Please be careful and come back soon."

Xia He was also a perceptive person; in just two short days, she seemed to have sensed that her young mistress didn't like having anyone with her when she went out to do certain things.

So the young lady told her not to run around and to go wash her face, so she obediently listened to the young lady and waited for her to come back!

Gu Nanzhi carried three water pouches and headed towards the river, avoiding crowded areas. Reaching a secluded spot, she vanished into her spatial dimension.

He came in there for no other reason than to go to the kitchen and brew the medicine to detoxify himself.

"Xiaobai, turn off the heat in half an hour."

Xiao Bai: "Yes, Master."

Gu Nanzhi filled the three water pouches with spiritual spring water, then flashed out of the spatial dimension and continued walking until she reached the riverbank. She leisurely found a rock to sit on and looked downstream, where she could see other people who had come to the riverbank—some washing things, some fetching water.

She quietly watched the crystal-clear stream and the rolling green hills; the unpolluted environment was indeed very pleasant.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Meanwhile, the guards at the camp cooked a pot of fish soup and ate it with their dry rations for dinner. After arranging the night watch, the others went to rest.

Qian Laosi was also among those resting, but gradually he felt something was wrong with his body; a sharp pain started coming from his heart.