The traps made by Su Miaomiao were completely dismantled when they left.
This was a matter of principle.
Unfortunately, others lacked it.
After the group took care of their physiological needs, they got back into the carriages and continued their journey.
This time, they would remember to pay attention to the vegetation along the road and look for any signs of others.
Ultimately, they discovered that it was indeed not just their group; there were likely several other groups ahead.
The carriages resumed their travel.
As time went on,
everyone grew increasingly bored, with nothing to do stuck in the carriages.
At noon,
they ate the dry rations kept in their respective carriages, washed down with boiled water.
Compared to the communal meals from the previous days, it was certainly not the same.
But no one complained.
Su Miaomiao, while in a focused mood, copied down quite a few medicinal prescriptions. Only when she was engaged in proper tasks could she settle down.
But it didn't last long.
Cheng Hao stopped her, urging her to rest her eyes and eat first.
They both ate biscuits, but with added ingredients. Using the soft-boiled eggs, shredded pork, seaweed, and peanut butter from the convenience store, they made simple sandwiched biscuits.
Su Miaomiao's eyes crinkled as she ate, giving Cheng Hao a thumbs-up. It was so delicious!
His cooking skills were truly excellent!
Cheng Hao glanced at her, then smiled again, and started making a second one for her.
He would have his own last.
Incense for repelling mosquitoes and insects was lit inside the carriage. The residual herbal scent from the previous night was still strong, and with today's addition, all other smells were completely masked.
Uncle Ji and Laifu were also eating. The dry rations had been softened by Cai Shi and Xi Shi to make them easier to eat, and they ate without complaint, just focused on their meal.
The monotonous mountain road ahead was already tiring, so the two took turns driving the carriages.
It was so boring.
Time flew by, and as they neared the temple where they were to rest,
everyone became a little more energetic.
They heard Li Datou shouting from ahead, "Slow down, everyone! We're almost there!"
Everyone was roused by the call.
They all climbed up, opened their windows, and looked outside, their spirits lifting considerably.
They prepared to disembark.
Those who needed to wear warmer clothes put them on, those who needed to grab shoes did so, feeling a sense of anticipation.
Jolting within the carriage,
the hair of the Cheng family patriarch and matriarch had become loose and needed to be redone.
The maids and servant women busied themselves.
It became quite lively.
Su Miaomiao and Cheng Hao, who had been napping, groggily got up. Before she could sit up, Cheng Hao pulled her back, wanting to hold her close to feel at ease. She had been soft and warm in his embrace, sleeping soundly. How could he do without her? He immediately wanted to hold her tight.
"Hmm? It sounds like they're stopping to rest outside. Quickly, let's get up."
Su Miaomiao struggled a bit but didn't dare to use too much force, afraid of hurting him. But he held her so tightly that after a few flutters, she surrendered and buried herself in his warm embrace.
It was toasty.
Taking a deep breath or two, she felt at ease. Closing her eyes, she giggled and hugged him.
Cheng Hao was also groggy, but he heard her words clearly, "Then let's snooze a little longer."
There was no rush to stop the carriage.
This feeling of being held was too comforting; she truly felt like lingering like this.
Clearly, it wasn't possible.
Li Datou finished his reconnaissance and discovered that there were quite a few people at the ruined temple.
Moreover, it seemed they had been living there for some time.
They were also preventing others from entering, demanding provisions if anyone wished to stay.
The Cheng family patriarch was indecisive. He temporarily parked the carriages aside and sent Li Datou to relay a message to the rear carriages to summon the clan members for a discussion.
Cheng Fengtai quickly got up, and Cai Shi hastened to hand him his outer coat. The temperature dropped sharply after sunset; this was a familiar occurrence.
He picked up his shoes and then his coat before rushing out of the carriage.
Cheng Xiaotian also wanted to go down.
Cai Shi stopped him, "Don't cause trouble! This is not something a child like you can participate in!"
Saying this, she grabbed her son's ear and began to scold him, "I've wanted to tell you for a long time, be content in all things. You haven't even fully grown up yet, but you're always thinking of doing something. Do things according to your age. Why are you bothering yourself with this?"
Cai Shi said that although they, as parents, couldn't be considered powerful, they could at least protect their child, so he didn't need to be like this. He should just grow up properly first.
Cheng Xiaotian wriggled out of his mother's grasp, covering his ear and frowning, a little unconvinced. He felt he was already a little man.
Cai Shi had to patiently reason with him until she finally persuaded him.
Cheng Xiaohua, on the other hand, blinked her eyes and was secretly watching the unfolding drama. When a real argument was about to break out, she would jump out to mediate.
The mother and son did not end up arguing.
Cheng Fengtai hurried off, and Cheng Kaichun naturally did the same.
When they arrived,
Cheng Dali, Cheng Dazhuang, and Cheng Xiaoxi were already waiting for them nearby.
The Cheng family patriarch valued Cheng Fengtai and Cheng Kaichun more. After all, in terms of bloodline, Cheng Fengtai was a bit closer, and Cheng Kaichun was more eloquent.
Cheng Dali and Cheng Dazhuang had the appearance of simple, honest, hulking figures, seeming not very intelligent. The Cheng family patriarch did not like to involve them in planning.
He merely let them listen in.
Cheng Xiaoxi was still a half-grown child and naturally couldn't offer any good ideas.
The Cheng family patriarch didn't pay him much mind.
It wasn't until Cheng Fengtai and Cheng Kaichun arrived that he busied himself beckoning them, "You're finally here! Quickly, let's us few discuss whether we should go in or not!"
It was said that there were many people inside, and they were united against outsiders, not allowing them to stay.
Clearly, they had occupied the temple.
But it was too cold at night.
Today was colder than the previous two days. Staying outside overnight would likely be unbearable.
People could manage to stay in the carriages.
But what about the horses and mules?
However, the people inside had also stated that if they truly wanted to stay, they would have to give some provisions.
Cheng Kaichun immediately cursed, "Provisions? What do they want? Grain? Cotton? Bedding? Or charcoal for winter? They can dream on!"
He stated directly that all these provisions were precious now, so how could they give them away?
Cheng Fengtai also hissed, drawing in the cold air, tightening his outer coat and shrinking his neck, saying, "This temple originally belonged to the public. How can it be occupied by people? These people are truly overbearing! But we are not familiar with this area enough. The dragon from afar cannot suppress the local snake; it's best to be cautious."
Cheng Kaichun expressed his lack of fear, saying they had so many people here, and seeing that the Jin family patriarch's caravan and the people from Shan'ao Village would also be arriving soon.
If a fight broke out,
it wasn't certain who would win or lose.
Cheng Hao had also brought Su Miaomiao over. Hearing Cheng Kaichun fanning the flames, he also said, "I don't think it's advisable. If we can avoid fighting, let's not. As soon as a fight starts, casualties are uncertain, which is truly not the best course of action."
A melee involving so many people.
The risk factor was too great.
Su Miaomiao knew about the strategy of advancing by retreating. She nodded in agreement, "Not fighting doesn't mean we're afraid of them. It's just that we feel it's unnecessary. Moreover, we have so many people, and they have so many people. No matter how large that temple is, it can't fit us all!"
The young girl saw it clearly.
Everyone suddenly understood.
They had completely overlooked this point.
Those people didn't know that you had two more groups behind you. If there were more,
how could they fit?