Everyone drove their vehicles, no further calls needed, and sped off at top speed. They paid no mind to the muddy mountain roads, speed being the priority.
The convoy rushed through the mountain forest, not even bothering about the startled birds.
What need was there to hide their tracks now?
The enemy soldiers couldn't catch up for the moment, and there weren't birds flying everywhere on the road.
Just keep your heads down and run.
This time, even if everyone was tossed around until they were sick, no one complained.
Some threw up.
After throwing up, they endured it.
The hot water buckets were tightly covered and secured with cloth strips, and stored in the compartment under the bed, so there was no fear of them spilling.
No worries.
The rest was to push on desperately. When they encountered branches blocking the way, they became even more skilled, no longer dawdling. All available hands got out to clear the obstruction, finishing quickly before setting off again. Not a single person complained of being tired.
They ran straight from before dawn until noon, and even the best horses couldn't endure such a pace, so they finally slowed down to rest.
They had already reached the old official road. The surrounding area was all continuous mountain roads, and most of the route ahead would also be mountain roads, but they were relatively smooth.
After the convoy stopped, everyone got out of their vehicles and attended to their bodily needs.
However, Cheng Hao, along with a few others, went to the junction where the mountain road connected to the old official road and made some concealed treatments to hide their tracks.
Su Miaomiao couldn't stay put and followed along. Both of them had been interested in such things since childhood and were quite adept at concealing their traces.
Under their coordinated leadership, several people finished processing the area, restoring it to look like a wild, overgrown place, indistinguishable from the entrance to an old road.
They had even gotten lost themselves earlier. Fortunately, Cheng Fengtai had a good memory and found their way back, preventing them from taking the wrong route, which would have been troublesome.
The abandoned old official road was indeed hidden.
It was relatively safe.
Just as they finished setting things up, a light rain began to fall intermittently.
It had been like this all morning, no torrential downpours, but a continuous drizzle.
The group was lucky. They had shaken off the storm clouds behind them and watched as the rain grew heavier in the distance, while the rain on their side was truly gentle.
Cheng Hao took off his outer jacket and draped it over Su Miaomiao's head, but she grabbed his arm and pulled him to share the jacket with her.
"Why, you're fine on your own, must you both get wet to be satisfied?"
"What do you know? When couples face disaster, they part ways. I, Su Miaomiao, am not that kind of person. Even if I'm dying, I'll share half a coffin board with you, woo woo woo!"
Before Su Miaomiao's loose tongue had run for long, Cheng Hao, with a frown, covered her mouth. She had forgotten that her childhood sweetheart was most sensitive to such talk. He used to claim to be an atheist, but when facing her, he had become superstitious and more particular than she was.
She originally intended to retort a few words, but then thought of transmigrating and shut her mouth.
She immediately gave him a look, indicating that she would definitely not speak nonsense again.
Cheng Hao raised an eyebrow, "Really?"
Su Miaomiao immediately closed her eyes and nodded firmly. She then pouted and kissed his palm. Immediately, someone pinched her cheeks and scolded her, "Your hands are full of mud, Su Miaomiao, don't you find it dirty!"
Even when scolded, she was still grinning foolishly.
She loved to be mischievous with him.
The surrounding servants cautiously glanced at their young master and mistress, wondering why they seemed to have known each other for eight hundred years, even though they had just gotten married.
Especially the silent communication, a look or a raised eyebrow was enough.
This astonished the young men, filling them with envy.
Having a wife is truly wonderful!
Lai Fu followed closely behind his young master and mistress, like a shadow.
Only when Cheng Hao dismissed him to rest did he go to find Uncle Ji.
Su Miaomiao watched the boy run off. After a bumpy morning and helping them conceal their tracks, he was still full of energy. She couldn't help but praise, "This child is amazing! Very good stamina."
Her tone was filled with admiration.
Cheng Hao glanced at the few people who were throwing up their guts, then at Lai Fu. He was indeed quite good. If trained, he would be a capable subordinate.
The few who were throwing up their guts naturally included the Cheng family's master and mistress in their vehicle, who were "almost wiped out," unable to get down due to dizziness.
Even the vehicle of the Cheng family master's concubine fared better. At least a few of them held on, and though their faces were pale, they hadn't thrown up.
It was clear that fleeing and traveling was arduous.
Some lost their ability to move, while others had to get busy.
Seeing that they would be resting temporarily, Uncle Ji once again mobilized personnel, telling the servants to quickly prepare some food. Eating only dry rations wouldn't suffice, especially since the group was so unwell. They needed to eat something soft.
To warm their stomachs.
They couldn't afford to get sick on their escape.
Cheng Hao, seeing this, also remarked to Su Miaomiao, "Uncle Ji's physical condition is also not bad."
Su Miaomiao was full of spirit, having completely recovered. She also whispered, nudging Cheng Hao's arm and leaning in to his ear, "I feel like my stamina seems to have come over with me."
She increasingly felt that her body was adjusting very well, with no discomfort whatsoever.
If it were truly the original, delicate body of a sheltered young lady, she would have been dizzy long ago, just like the pampered Cheng family master's party.
But she was now like before, regardless of how many thrilling amusement park rides she took, her face remained unchanged, and she never felt dizzy.
Cheng Hao couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. He had also noticed it, otherwise, she wouldn't have had so much energy. He raised his hand and pinched her chubby cheeks with his long fingers. They were so soft and fleshy, a sensation he hadn't felt in a long time.
Su Miaomiao could only glare at him, her almond-shaped eyes wide, her pupils large, like a cat. She didn't scare him, but instead made his lips curl up.
"Alright, stop glaring. I'll go see what they're cooking, don't waste the provisions. You, don't wander off, you can't leave the crowd."
Cheng Hao instructed, noticing her cheeks turning a bit pink. He rubbed his childhood sweetheart's face. He was the one who bullied her, but he was also the one who would feel sorry for her later.
Su Miaomiao, though appearing delicate, was actually quite tough. This kind of teasing didn't faze her at all. She just didn't like Cheng Hao messing with her, so she impatiently slapped his hand away, her strength much greater than his.
Cheng Hao said nothing, giving her a warning look to ensure she didn't do anything reckless before leaving.
Seeing him start to manage her again, Su Miaomiao began to wander around the camp, which was temporarily their resting place.
Some servants were busy bringing down the large pots and provisions to prepare food, while others were cleaning the wagon wheels. If not for the large size of these wheels, they might have been delayed by mud getting stuck, causing them to fall behind schedule.