Those Days of Exile and Farming with the Paralyzed Deposed Crown Prince

Shen Aman, a modern woman who transmigrated into the body of a servant in the Great Xia Dynasty, spent twelve years in the Crown Prince’s residence with the simple hope of earning enough silver to buy her freedom at age twenty-five. Her plans were shattered when Crown Prince Zhao Ye was accused of treason and corruption, leading to the confiscation of his household and the execution of all other servants. As the sole survivor chosen to accompany him, Aman was exiled to the remote and harsh Ningzhou Prefecture after Zhao Ye’s legs were broken and his tendons severed, leaving him a complete cripple. The journey took four months through sweltering heat, during which Aman pushed Zhao Ye on a wooden handcart, enduring worn-out shoes and bleeding feet while keeping him alive against all odds.

Upon arriving in Ningzhou, Aman found an abandoned, weed-choked courtyard with no proper bed or clean water. She immediately set to work clearing the land, filtering water, and tending to Zhao Ye’s festering sores and maggot-infested wounds. Despite his despair and initial refusal to eat, Aman persisted, driven by a late-awakening system that linked her survival to his. The system, currently stripped of most functions, informed her that if Zhao Ye died, she would die as well, but keeping him alive and well would eventually unlock abilities that might allow her to return to the modern world. This forced dependency transformed their relationship from master and servant to partners in survival.

Aman took on grueling labor to secure resources, working at a local slaughterhouse under Boss Tu Honglie. She demonstrated exceptional strength and skill, not only slaughtering pigs but also castrating them with precision that impressed the workers. Her earnings allowed her to buy better food, medicine, and supplies, including white flour and meat buns, which she prioritized for Zhao Ye’s recovery. She also ventured into the mountains to gather wild vegetables and herbs, treating his wounds with natural remedies when affordable medicine was out of reach. Her physical strength became a crucial asset, enabling her to carry the emaciated prince, lift heavy loads, and even subdue rampaging pigs that threatened her employer’s wife.

Zhao Ye, initially resigned to death and ashamed of his helpless state, gradually began to recover. Aman’s unwavering care and refusal to let him give up sparked a will to live within him. He started moving his fingers, then his hands, and eventually managed to feed himself with chopsticks. Aman built him a bamboo wheelchair and mat, encouraging his independence. As his physical condition improved, so did his determination to reclaim his life. The turning point came when he successfully lifted his arm and later crawled on his own, signaling that the old doctor’s prognosis of recovery was possible.

The story follows their daily struggle against poverty, illness, and the harsh environment of Ningzhou. Aman balances her work at the slaughterhouse with caring for Zhao Ye, while he focuses on rehabilitation and regaining his strength. Their bond deepens as they navigate the social hierarchies and dangers of their new life. Aman’s modern perspective and resilience contrast with Zhao Ye’s noble upbringing, creating a dynamic where she becomes his protector and he becomes her charge. The narrative highlights their journey from despair to hope, as Aman works tirelessly to restore Zhao Ye’s health and dignity, setting the stage for his eventual return to power and her chance to go home.