Dogs know to protect their masters, yet these despicable servants simply left.
The Cheng family patriarch was helpless.
In the end, he had to hand over the keys. The old steward rushed to the nearest grain store and bought two carts of provisions to appease everyone. However, with everyone fleeing, it attracted the suspicion of some townsfolk, causing widespread panic.
Time was short; they had to escape quickly.
The convoy gathered in front of the Cheng family mansion.
As the eldest legitimate son of the Cheng family, Cheng Hao was entitled to his own carriage.
Thanks to him, Su Miaomiao also managed to climb into the spacious carriage.
This was a carriage designed for long journeys, complete with a small couch for sleeping. It had been hastily stocked with bedding. Su Miaomiao took off her shoes and climbed onto the low couch to make the bed, with Cheng Hao helping her.
The two of them quickly made arrangements.
Su Miaomiao lifted the curtain and watched as they were still loudly discussing personnel arrangements outside. Soon, everyone found their assigned carriages and squeezed in.
It was an escape, after all.
Everyone wanted to travel faster by carriage, so the clan members crowded into the carriages. The mule carts were used to transport luggage, covered with oilcloth and tied securely with rough ropes.
Their carriage was third in line. The second carriage carried the Cheng family patriarch and his wife. Jiang Xiyue was with the Cheng family matriarch, not having to crowd with others.
The leading carriage carried the Cheng family patriarch's two concubines, two illegitimate sons, and one illegitimate daughter.
While the leading carriage seemed advantageous, the first carriage was actually more dangerous than the second and third.
Su Miaomiao saw this clearly. Leaning her head against Cheng Hao's chest, she looked up and asked him, "This Cheng family patriarch isn't Uncle Cheng, and Auntie isn't here either. Are our grandparents and my parents not here?"
Their grandparents had always been the kindest to them, even more so than their parents.
Su Miaomiao's emotions became a little low when she mentioned both families' grandparents.
Cheng Hao hugged her tighter and said, "The world is not peaceful. It's better they are not here."
Su Miaomiao hummed and turned to stare blankly at the carriage interior, finally saying, "I feel comforted."
Only then did Cheng Hao release his arm around her and take out a mirror from his convenience store to distract her.
Su Miaomiao inexplicably took it and was so startled she cried out, "How can I be so ugly!"
Cheng Hao laughed brightly, "If you hadn't smeared makeup all over my back, you'd be even uglier right now..."
Unable to accept her embarrassment, Su Miaomiao directly reached out to hit him. Cheng Hao only blocked her blows without retaliating. Finally, he grabbed her with a laugh and pulled out makeup remover wipes and oil from inside.
Su Miaomiao was now engrossed in removing her makeup. Her unadorned face was the most beautiful.
Cheng Hao watched her regain her vitality, heaved a sigh of relief, yet felt considerable pressure.
The situation was urgent.
Because of the large number of people, it had significantly delayed them.
Cheng Hao couldn't help but feel anxious.
In this kind of world, they had to escape not only enemy soldiers but also the depravity of human nature in chaotic times.
Two people traveling alone were too easily targeted. Traveling with the main group could avoid some trouble; at least a large, imposing presence could deter scoundrels.
Fortunately.
After a chaotic period outside, everyone finally boarded the carriages and prepared to depart.
The Cheng family had been a single-child lineage for three generations. It was only in the Cheng family patriarch's generation that they desperately tried to expand their offspring. The old patriarch and his wife had also passed away, so there were no legitimate relatives, only these clan members. Now that they were almost all gathered, they could set off.
They discussed heading south. The border there was the Southern Kingdom. Although it was far, that country was on the verge of collapse, unless a capable person appeared to turn the tide.
Otherwise, they could only seek refuge in the Southern Kingdom, hoping that they would be accepted.
The Cheng family patriarch cast a final glance at the magnificent Cheng family mansion before finally mounting his carriage to leave.
Cheng Hao heard the coachman board the carriage and lifted the door curtain to inquire, "What is your name?"
The young servant driving the carriage outside replied, "Reporting to the young master, my name is Lai Fu. Qing Ke, who used to serve you, ran away. The head steward then assigned me to serve you!"
With all the servants gone, the number of people serving them had also decreased. The concubines only had two attendants each, while the remaining strong men waited in front of the Cheng family patriarch's carriage.
This showed that the Cheng family patriarch was also a man who feared death and protected himself most closely.
It was human nature.
Cheng Hao replied, "Alright, drive carefully."
Lai Fu responded, "Yes, young master and young madam can rest assured! I often follow the head steward to the farms, and I can drive steadily even on difficult mountain roads!"
Cheng Hao remained noncommittal. Lai Fu's heart tightened, and he became even more diligent.
As the convoy was about to depart, the old steward ran over and handed over a large bundle, containing some clothes and socks that he had hastily prepared for Cheng Hao and Su Miaomiao.
"Alas, those rotten-hearted wretches swept through your room, young master, and didn't even leave a single peanut... What is to be done?! Those scoundrels, even the young madam's dowry is gone!"
He was unaware that Cheng Hao had already taken everything. The culprit was currently just a carriage curtain away, guiltily touching his nose.
The old steward trembled with anger, cursed in a shaky voice, and then continued, "This old servant could only manage to find a few newly made outfits for you. Although the fabric is rough, at least they are wearable."
Both Cheng Hao and Su Miaomiao were surprised by the old steward's concern for them. Thus, Cheng Hao politely said, "Uncle Ji, you are too thoughtful. The convoy is about to depart, please join us in this carriage."
The old steward looked around. Everyone had found their seats, so he didn't refuse.
The driver's seat outside could accommodate at most three adults. If there were servants, it could fit four.
Ji Bo and Lai Fu sat outside, which was quite spacious, and both had experience together.
With a loud shout of "Giddy up!" from the leading carriage and the sound of a whip!
The convoy gradually accelerated, the sound of horses' hooves became synchronized, and the carriage wheels rolled over the stone-paved road towards the city gate. Due to the commotion, as they left the residential area, the common people in the bustling market were startled, and they all started whispering and asking about the situation.
Smart people, seeing this commotion, quickly returned home to pack their belongings and prepare to flee.
The foolish ones were still running around like headless flies.
There was only one main road leading to the city gate. With so many people leaving the city, the carriages inevitably encountered each other, slowing down the pace of travel even further.
It was like moving at a snail's pace.
Outside the carriage.
The old steward was anxiously saying, "How can we afford to delay now?"
Lai Fu merely comforted him, "Once everyone is out of the city gates, the road will clear."
The old steward just sighed.
Cheng Hao lifted the small window curtain to look outside. The surrounding street vendors were also discussing amongst themselves.
Seeing a food stall, he quietly took out some small silver ingots from the convenience store counter he had placed earlier and then beckoned to them.
He signaled them to come over.
With the convoy moving so slowly ahead, doing a little business was not a problem at all.