It was said again.
Now that the three teams were traveling together, if the Cheng family lived in the temple, and they lived outside, then it would not make sense, and there would surely be resentment.
When the Jin family and the people of Shan'ao Village arrived, their numbers increased, and the people in the temple did not dare to provoke them, which was actually enough.
The head of the Cheng family also agreed that if only their convoy entered the temple, it would not be very safe, so it was better to stay outside.
"Weren't we also sleeping on the road for the past two nights? We have some experience, so let's continue like this. As for the horses and mules, we'll find a way to solve the problem. If we're afraid of them freezing, don't we have spare quilts? Just cover them!"
Cheng Fengtai said this, and he also agreed to stay outside at night for peace of mind.
If something happened later.
It would be quick to retreat.
After hearing everyone's opinions, the head of the Cheng family finally chose to let the minority obey the majority.
So they stayed outside.
They would no longer argue with the people in the temple who had unknown intentions.
It really saved a lot of trouble.
As soon as they finished discussing.
The Jin family's convoy arrived.
Steward Du immediately came forward and asked them what their plans were.
The temple was just ahead, why weren't they going in?
Uncle Ji had been listening silently, and when Steward Du came over, he explained, "...Therefore, we won't go in. We'll spend the night outside and need to tidy up quickly."
Steward Du was now following the Cheng family, so naturally, he would do as the Cheng family did.
He immediately went back and told everyone to get off the carriages and quickly set up camp and cook.
However, he couldn't help but sigh, "This terrible weather is so strange. It's so cold tonight, I'm afraid it won't be easy. You all learn from the Cheng family and protect your horses well, they are our treasures for escaping!"
The servants below, because Steward Du was well-fed, naturally listened to him.
They all responded, "Yes!"
And then they all got busy.
Steward Du then went to report to the head of the Jin family. The head of the Jin family was very dissatisfied with the dry food he ate at noon. He said that no matter where they lived, the food at night couldn't be bad!
Seeing that the head of the Jin family was hungry and about to lose his temper, Steward Du could only suggest using gold and silver to exchange for some food from Shan'ao Village. He saw that the eldest young mistress of the Cheng family did this, and they could eat better. He asked the head of the Jin family what he thought.
The head of the Jin family was immediately unhappy when he heard that he had to use his own gold and silver.
But his stomach was growling with hunger.
He hadn't eaten a good meal in days, so he relented, reluctantly taking off a thumb ring. But then he saw the pearl hairpin on his beautiful concubine's head, and with one hand, he pulled it off, smiled, and threw it to Steward Du, sending him away.
The beautiful concubine's headwear was snatched away, and she immediately felt wronged but dared not get angry.
She could only swallow it.
Steward Du was dumbfounded. He felt that he had a new understanding of the Jin family's stinginess, but he still didn't say much. He could only blame his ancestors for being unlucky, for owing the Jin family a favor, which forced him to humble himself by the side of such a person.
He took the gold and pearl hairpin and went to the women and children at the back of the convoy.
He smiled and discussed with them.
However, the women all said they couldn't make decisions and had to wait for their men.
Steward Du could only say it was fine.
The other women sat on the carts and were blown by the wind all the way. They wrapped everything they could around themselves and their children, like worn-out quilts and old cotton clothes. They were not cold, but their faces were red from the wind.
Upon hearing that they were going to rest outside.
With the experience of the previous two days, they all started taking their things out of the carriages, preparing to build a place to sleep, and then making something to eat for the men who had not yet arrived. They all got busy, quiet and orderly.
They were not causing trouble.
A large part of the reason they weren't causing trouble was that they knew there were people in the temple.
Their minds were also on that.
They were afraid of being bullied.
And their men were not around.
Therefore, they naturally dared not make any noise, for fear of attracting attention.
Steward Du returned empty-handed and could only tell the head of the Jin family a few words, to make other food first, and exchange it later. He coaxed him with good words.
The order of the Cheng family's convoy was even better.
Those who should be on guard were on guard.
Li Datou and Wang Daming at the front kept a close eye on the direction of the temple.
Four guards were left to continue guarding the head of the Cheng family and his wife. The other two were instructed to patrol and guard the convoy. Even getting two guards from the head of the Cheng family seemed like taking his life.
Uncle Ji's persuasion was useless, and finally, Cheng Hao had to step in to resolve the issue.
In this way, the safety of the convoy could be guaranteed.
Cheng Dali and Cheng Dazhuang, the brothers, were also very strong. They helped with the heavy work and could also help keep an eye on safety from time to time.
They were very reliable.
Cheng Xiaoxi settled the rabbit and immediately looked for work as soon as she got out of the carriage.
The concubines who were born out of wedlock also brought their children to help with small tasks that they could manage, but interestingly, they did not get involved in anything related to the kitchen or picking wild goods, but they did help with other things.
Knowing that they looked down on those tasks.
Everyone naturally wouldn't argue with them, as they could still be considered half-masters.
It was good that they helped.
Cai Shi and Xi Shi gathered with their children again and started preparing dinner.
The other servants, led by Uncle Ji, prepared to follow the instructions of their young master, using the gaps between the trees to build a low shed for the horses and mules to rest, to block some of the mist and wind at night.
Su Miaomiao asked Uncle Ji if there was anything she could help with. She had taken a nap with Cheng Hao and was now full of energy and could do any work.
Uncle Ji was stopped by her. He looked around and saw that his young master was not there, but he said, "Young mistress, you don't need to get your hands dirty, it's all rough work!"
The old man was very helpless. He could also see that his young master cherished her very much, so how could he let her do manual labor? It was really not feasible.
Su Miaomiao snorted, "We are all people, why do you look down on me?"
She deliberately said this to provoke the old man, wanting him to assign her some work.
She stated that she could work! She was not only good at hunting!
Others had work to do.
Why wasn't she assigned any?
Uncle Ji was amused by her, "Children pester for candy, young mistress, you pester for work, oh my, go ahead, let Xiao Wuzi and Xiao Liuzi carry some horse feed for you, and you go feed the horses!"
Feeding horses was easy.
Perhaps she would find it interesting.
Uncle Ji thought this way and made the arrangement, speaking to her in a tone of coaxing a child.
But he happily coaxed the little girl away.
The old man chuckled and shook his head, thinking that this eldest young mistress was truly special.
Just like a child.
But this kind of innocent and cheerful demeanor was truly rare and extremely precious.
Cheng Hao seemingly allowed Su Miaomiao to move freely within the convoy, but in reality, he would still check her whereabouts from time to time. Seeing that she knew not to help blindly and had even pestered Uncle Ji for work, he also smiled.
Seeing her obediently feeding the horses, his heart was a little more at ease.
Next.
He also threw himself into the busy work, helping with what he could.
Everyone truly respected him.
A noble young master could do this much and set an example.
Not a single servant was unconvinced!