Pei Shu'er smiled and said, "Sure, after all, even my uncle can't compete with a mere woman like me."
Tang Peilin was so enraged by Pei Shu'er that he lost his mind and raised his hand to hit Pei Shu'er.
Pei Shu'er immediately burst into tears, looking innocent and aggrieved.
"My mother-in-law and Tang Zan have never hit me. Is my uncle really going to hit his niece-in-law? Just because she saved her nephew from the mouth of a wolf?"
Tang Peilin was cornered by Pei Shu'er. If he hit her, it would be like blaming his niece-in-law for saving his nephew.
People would think he was heartless and cold, unable to distinguish right from wrong.
The people around were already looking at him with strange expressions, and others began to distance themselves a bit.
As if they thought he wasn't someone they should associate with.
The exile had just begun, and if he was isolated, the days ahead would only become tougher!
Finally, his sister-in-law Mrs. Li tugged at his sleeve.
She whispered in his ear, "Husband, she's hiding silver coins..."
With Mrs. Li's hint, Tang Peilin suddenly realized this. At this moment, Pei Shu'er carrying Tang Zan seemed less important.
Silver coins were exceptionally valuable on the road to exile; they could improve meals, conditions, and even buy leniency from officials. All relied on silver coins.
They had hidden some too, but they all turned them in to Old Madam Tang. Now, if they could get the hidden silver coins from Pei Shu'er, they would have capital.
He gave Mrs. Li a look, and she walked over, raising her hand with a smile as she looked at Pei Shu'er.
"Shu'er, you know silver coins must be handed over."
Pei Shu'er's eyes turned fierce. She wasn't really related to these people; she was alone and had to keep some money for survival.
Besides, now that this aunt was asking her for money, it probably would end up in the big house's pocket.
Pei Shu'er looked helpless, "Aunt, there's none left."
Mrs. Li naturally didn't believe her and reached out to start searching.
Pei Shu'er frowned and took a step back with Tang Zan on her back.
Mrs. Li couldn't help but frown, appearing fierce but actually timid, yet still maintaining the dignity of an elder.
"Since you're part of the Tang Family, how can you not hand over the silver coins? They are life-saving capital."
Saying this, she gave Tang Peilin a look, and he restrained Pei Shu'er while Mrs. Li started to act.
Pei Shu'er had already transferred the silver coins into her space, and she didn't intend to let anyone touch her.
She couldn't help shifting her gaze to the government officer.
"Lord, I see the wolves are coming; don't let unrelated people delay the journey."
The government officer at the front was already organizing the team and happened to come to this side.
The officer, who had received silver coins, lashed his whip and struck towards Mrs. Li and Tang Peilin, causing them to grit their teeth in pain.
"Behave yourself; if you two cause trouble, you'll go to the end of the line."
Once these words were out, both of them looked as if they'd eaten bitter melon, as being at the end of the line meant being sacrificed first.
Pleading didn't work, and instead, they were driven to the back of the line with whip after whip from the government officer.
The Tang Family members looked at Tang Zan with hesitation, as they certainly wouldn't let Pei Shu'er carry Tang Zan.
But throughout the journey, everyone had been taking turns carrying Tang Zan, and no one could manage to run carrying him.
Tang Zan's fourth uncle coughed as he stood up, "I'll carry him."
He himself had an injury; walking was already a problem for him.
Pei Shu'er shook her head, "I'll carry him. I won't fall behind."
Everyone's eyes became even stranger.
Who didn't know that Pei Shu'er was raised delicately? Even though Tang Zan was seriously injured and emaciated, the bones of a man standing nine feet tall still weighed heavily; how could she possibly carry him?
Everyone had been locked up in prison for several months, and now they were braving the cold wind, walking from the Capital to the desolate wilderness.
Even the once robust men were exhausted and weak, making it arduous to carry someone further.
How could they even outrun the pack of wild wolves?
Especially when it came to such a pampered lady like Pei Shu'er.
Such a selfless and fearless act would not be surprising on any woman.
Except it seemed impossible on someone as unpredictable as Pei Shu'er.
She wished for nothing more than Tang Zan to die quickly.
Pei Shu'er took a water pouch from her bag, actually sneaking a bit of water from the Spiritual Spring while no one was looking, and drank it.
Instantly, all fatigue in her body vanished, and her strength increased eightfold, allowing her to carry 400 pounds with ease.
With such physical prowess, carrying an adult man was truly a piece of cake.
The exiled prisoners began jogging under the command of the officer, with 50 government officers flanking them to prevent anyone from fleeing.
Pei Shu'er ran quickly at first, and everyone didn't pay it much attention.
After all, running with a person would become increasingly exhausting.
Initially, it might seem easy, but it gets tougher the further you go.
One kilometer passed, then two, then three, four...
Pei Shu'er still carried Tang Zan, running swiftly.
She remained within the middle of the group without falling behind.
If not to avoid looking too conspicuous and arousing the officers' suspicions, Pei Shu'er would have left them all behind long ago.
Meanwhile, some of the others had already fallen behind and been consumed by the wolves.
Pei Shu'er's cheeks merely showed a bit of flush from exertion, and her breath was only slightly heavy.
It was simply unbelievable. Was this still the delicate Pei Shu'er?
The officer saw that the wild wolves were no longer following and noticed a small forest ahead, so he called out.
"Everyone, enter the forest and rest."
Hearing this, Pei Shu'er's eyes lit up, and she immediately stopped by a large tree, securing a spot.
The bearded man from the Tang family's side also arrived, his eyes filled with greed and desire as he looked at Pei Shu'er.
Tang Peilin had just told him that this woman still had silver coins.
He also said she was fickle and vain, having flirted with the Third Prince after getting engaged.
Now without support, who knows, she might end up with him.
With this thought, the bearded man approached with a lecherous smile.
"Little lady, hand over your silver coins, and I want this spot too."
Pei Shu'er was initially checking Tang Zan's injuries, paused for a moment after hearing this, but quickly continued to examine his wounds.
Just as she was pulling open Tang Zan's outer garment, she felt a sweaty hand touch her cheek, followed by a sticky laugh.
"Little lady, your husband is useless now. Why not be with me, and we'll share your silver coins. I promise you'll live better than a god after reaching the exile place."
Pei Shu'er was caught off guard by this harassment and felt disgusted, her skin crawling.
Seeing Pei Shu'er staying still, the man's confidence grew, and he moved to embrace her.
As the man was about to touch her, Pei Shu'er suddenly turned and punched him in the face.
The man's face caved in immediately, and he staggered several meters back, slamming into another tree and spitting out blood.
His cheek hurt so much it didn't feel like his own, swelling up quickly.
At this moment, he lifted his head in surprise and fear, looking at Pei Shu'er.
"You, you hit me?"