The teaching of the two had officially begun.
Besides busying themselves with daily chores, everyone followed along to learn skills.
In just one month.
Their physical fitness had improved significantly.
Those practicing martial arts, from the initial backaches to later getting used to it.
Had changed greatly.
And those who followed Su Miaomiao to learn skills had also made much progress.
Not to mention how many herbs they could distinguish.
But some everyday first-aid methods, everyone understood how to handle them.
Everyone felt they had benefited greatly.
Their gratitude towards the couple grew even more.
Currently, in terms of prestige, the young couple was at the very top of the convoy.
Everyone was obedient to their commands.
Recently, as the weather had stabilized slightly, and the snow no longer fell randomly.
Everyone had adapted a lot.
Therefore.
Outdoor teaching also began, along with venturing out to find some food.
Su Miaomiao also taught everyone how to hunt, how to identify locations in the snow, and thus avoid getting lost. With her leading, everyone was much safer.
Although it was all white everywhere, as long as they followed her instructions, nothing would go wrong. Now, everyone completely trusted everything she said.
When they went out hunting for food, Uncle Ji would stay behind to watch the home in place of the couple.
The Wugu Temple was like everyone's temporary home. Everyone even developed a sense of belonging, as if they were a lively family.
But in reality, possessions were still distinguished, only the feelings had become much closer.
Another early morning.
Uncle Ji watched the group set off, and then returned to his tasks.
In the past month or so, the convoy had not been frugal with their provisions. To maintain good health, they naturally couldn't be stingy, so everyone had put on some weight.
Uncle Ji was naturally happy seeing this. If his convoy members were strong and spirited, there would be no worries about safety in the future, but the food consumption was also fast.
He flipped through the inventory ledger. Indeed, a lot had been eaten, which was worrying.
Thinking of this.
The old man couldn't help but feel fortunate that their young master and his wife had later discovered a batch of supplies. Otherwise, it would have been difficult for everyone to even survive the winter.
He marked out the budgeted food quantity for the day and then closed the thick inventory ledger.
Jia Wang did not go out to hunt or search for mountain goods. Instead, he followed Uncle Ji to organize the inventory. He and Lai Fu always took turns, and one had to be left behind to help.
Uncle Ji was old, and could not handle too many mentally taxing tasks.
Seeing the old man looking tired, Jia Wang immediately brought a small stool and helped him sit down. He couldn't help but complain in a low voice, "Look how tired you are, and our young master and madam, they haven't stopped working..."
As for the head of the family, the mistress, and that other lady of the family, the three of them, they just waited to eat every day without doing anything.
Lai Fu truly looked down on them.
Uncle Ji then said, "Oh dear, child, you mustn't speak such words carelessly!"
He reprimanded him a couple of times.
He said that if these words got out, Lai Fu wouldn't know how he died!
"Alas, he is the head of the family after all. The vehicles and supplies we have now all came from his hands. Otherwise, would we have such good days? Let them do as they please. Don't forget that our indentured servitude contracts are still in their hands. Remember not to talk nonsense next time!"
Uncle Ji admonished him sternly, and Jia Wang, head lowered, said he wouldn't dare.
The old man also sighed.
Everyone in the convoy vaguely centered around their young master.
Although it was a good thing.
It was also a bad thing.
Recently, Master Cheng often liked to call Uncle Ji for a talk, inquiring about what Cheng Hao was doing. It was clear he was also a bit scared.
No one was willing to fully relinquish power.
Even to their own son.
And the legitimate eldest son at that!
Uncle Ji could see through Master Cheng's concerns, worried that he would cause trouble for his young master and his wife. This was why he stepped in to mediate.
He had been feeling very tired lately.
On the other side.
Mistress Cheng also whispered constantly into her husband's ear every night, saying to Master Cheng, "...If you don't discipline him properly, he'll dare to sit on your head and act tyrannical! Look at everyone now, who doesn't praise him?"
She also mentioned the past, "In the past, you managed the Cheng family's business and earned all this money, supporting a large family. Did the people in our mansion feel as grateful as they do now? Look at these lowly servants! They all drool and rush to fawn over Hao'er!"
As Mistress Cheng said this, she harbored ill intentions. Primarily, she was truly afraid. If Cheng Hao truly took charge, would she still have good days? Would her only blood relative, her niece, still be alive?
Although she had witnessed how fake Master Cheng's affections were, when he was happy, he would dote on her as if she were a treasure in his palm. Therefore, Mistress Cheng learned to lower her status and tasted the benefits.
Now, the constant nagging in her ears never stopped. She seized every opportunity to speak.
"My concubine dares not say much, but lately, I have been having dreams. I dream that Hao'er... he harbors rebellious thoughts, directly bullies the three of us, seizes the convoy, and says you are an old useless person, I am a slut, and our Xiyue is a money-losing item, treating the three of us like dirt!"
Mistress Cheng spoke as if it were true, her face full of lingering fear.
Master Cheng was also frightened by her words. Being a naturally suspicious person, this planted a seed in his heart. However, he still tried to defend his legitimate eldest son, scolding her, "My dear wife, you probably haven't been out lately and are feeling angry in your heart, thus having unfounded suspicions. That's why you dream of what you think about during the day!"
He also said, "If we are to speak of it, it is your fault. How can you think of Hao'er like this? I know Hao'er's character best. He is kind-hearted, just like his mother! How could he bully you? Moreover, I am his biological father, not a stepfather. If I were harsh on him! How could he be unfilial to me?"
Master Cheng was also afraid, but he still spoke arrogantly, pretending not to be.
Mistress Cheng did not know his true thoughts, but she only felt he was stupid! This boy has wolf-like ambition, looking like he wants to conquer everyone! And her foolish husband still trusts him so much!
He even blamed her, saying she was judging a gentleman with a petty mind! He also said that if it happened again, he, as the child's biological father, would blame her, and told her, the stepmother, to trust him like a birth mother!
Mistress Cheng's heart was filled with anger, but she could only force a smile. She suddenly felt that she couldn't go on like this anymore. She had to find a way.
She needed to make her husband hold onto control tightly, instead of indulging in pleasure and ignoring these trivial matters. If he truly didn't care, then she, as the mistress of the household, would have to manage it. It was truly going to be chaos!
Master Cheng reprimanded his new wife like this, and then felt somewhat annoyed with her. Day and night, she nagged him. If it weren't for the fact that he found her flower-like beauty attractive, and that she looked pitiful when she cried, he wouldn't even bother with her!
Now, he found these concubine-born children quite amusing. They surrounded him daily, calling him "Daddy," "Father," and were much closer to him.