Mao shi.
Cheng Hao woke up.
As soon as he opened his eyes, he first raised his hand to touch Su Miaomiao's forehead, who was nestled in his arms. Her forehead felt cool, so he was relieved. It was fortunate that she hadn't developed a fever during the night.
He propped himself up and gently loosened his hold on her. He then tucked his long pillow into her arms. This trick had always worked since he was a child, and it was always effective.
After tucking her in, Cheng Hao quietly got up and quickly put on his outer clothing.
The wind and rain outside had lessened considerably.
The ruined temple was quiet. Many people were not sleeping soundly. Hearing Cheng Hao's slight movement, they all opened their eyes to look at him, but no one spoke.
Cheng Hao saw the orphaned mothers and children on the other side, and the aged elders. He sighed inwardly, but they were all in their own precarious situations.
When he walked outside, he could hear rustling sounds from the side hall.
He vaguely heard the voices of servants.
"The rain has lessened now, should we wake up the master and the others?"
"What if the enemy soldiers pursue us?"
"Why don't we report it to the young master?"
Cheng Hao's actions yesterday had clearly caught the servants' attention.
They knew the master was unreliable.
So they all thought of reporting to their young master.
But they didn't dare.
The servants debated in hushed tones, chattering nervously.
Cheng Hao stopped.
Just as he was about to push open the door.
He heard Ji Bo say, "Let's tidy up our own things first. According to Xiao Tao, the masters discussed where to go last night and talked for most of the night. They are sleeping now, so let's not disturb them. We'll tidy up our belongings first."
As the head steward, he must have his own capabilities, and everyone respected him.
Then they scattered like birds.
They began to pack their things.
They all obeyed him.
Only then did Cheng Hao deliberately cough twice, and then pushed open the door and stepped into the inner room.
This place was even more dilapidated, so much so that it had leaked rain in the middle of the night. Some areas were damp. The house servants were all crowded in the dry spots. The bedding was piled in the corners, and the room was filled with the smell of dust, which was indeed uncomfortable.
Cheng Hao didn't even frown. He had experienced the bumps and jolts of yesterday, and his clothes were still clean. He stood before them like this.
The servants felt that their young master was radiant. Entering this broken place was indeed a desecration of his noble aura, and they all felt it was a pity.
The old steward rushed forward, "It's dirty inside, young master, please stop quickly!"
He extended his hand, signaling for his young master to stand outside the door.
The other house servants also quickly rolled up their bedding.
Cheng Hao smiled amiably, "It's alright. We will be fleeing together from now on, so there's no need to be so particular. I just came over, and I seemed to hear you discussing something?"
As he said this.
The servants below became flustered. Gossiping was not allowed in the Cheng mansion.
Let alone discussing.
Ji Bo quickly bowed and replied, "Reporting to young master, we were discussing whether to inform the master that the rain has subsided considerably, and whether we should set off."
The old steward reported truthfully.
Cheng Hao looked at this group of almost bewildered house-born servants, then at the loyal Ji Bo. Lai Fu, who had driven him yesterday, was still sleeping soundly.
Ji Bo saw that his young master's gaze fell on Lai Fu, this young brat, and he nervously explained, "This child was on guard duty last night..."
Cheng Hao interrupted the old steward's nervous explanation midway, "It's alright, I'm not blaming anyone. But many people are still sound asleep now, and considering my father's temperament, if we wake him up, it might cause a scene."
His cheap father in this life was not only cowardly but also pampered. He had a significant temper when woken up. If he were to wake him now, it might cause a major uproar.
Cheng Hao looked at the sky. It was not yet fully dawn, and he could only barely make out people.
"Like this, Ji Bo, you take everyone to organize your belongings first. See how many things we have brought out, and count them. We need to have some idea."
Cheng Hao could make decisions on such matters. He also instructed two people to check the temple's well. If the water was full, they were to draw water and boil it.
"Once it's boiled, find all the water skins, canteens, and even buckets. Fill as much as you can. This will be our drinking water then."
"Also, pass down the order that from now on, no one in the caravan shall drink any external water casually. The water to be drunk must be boiled water."
"Do you understand?"
Cheng Hao's words arranged everything clearly for everyone, and their hearts immediately settled, no longer panicking. The servants just needed something to do.
So they all nodded their heads obediently and said, "Yes!" and immediately got busy.
Those who were supposed to roll up their bedding did so, and those who were supposed to fetch water did so.
Ji Bo quickly took some literate people and busied himself with counting the supplies.
After giving the orders, Cheng Hao also did not idly stand by. He quickly took care of his personal hygiene and then helped Ji Bo count the items, and reconnected the horses and the carriage.
During this period, he found that there was still time, so he had the servants below quickly bake some flatbread. Fortunately, the kitchen stove in the temple was intact.
After a slight tidying up.
They could bake some unleavened bread. Although it tasted bad, it was enough to fill their stomachs.
Cheng Hao's carriage also had some purchased dry rations, which could be used later.
Ji Bo was efficient.
With the help of his men, he quickly counted the supplies according to his young master's instructions.
"Before leaving the city, Master had me go to the grain store and collect two carts of grain. Each cart had six hundred jin of grain, including rice, flour, and some beans."
"As for the fabrics, I, along with Jia Wang, went to the storeroom and brought out all the remaining ones. There are twenty-six bolts. There are one hundred and ten winter clothes that have not been distributed yet. As for the bedding, everyone used it last night, so there are still three new ones unused."
"Lai Fu and the other children are also smart. They put everything they could see onto the carts. There are ten large wooden basins, six double-handled copper washbasins, six double-eared copper kettles, three ceramic teapots, thirty-six teacups, three large iron pots, three pairs of scissors, five cleavers, and fifty sets of bowls and chopsticks..."
It seemed that these children had emptied the kitchen's remaining items.
Cheng Hao remembered that he had taken all the food from inside and cleared his throat somewhat awkwardly, causing Ji Bo to look at him with concern. He was signaled to continue reporting, so the old man diligently continued to read.
"A pair of jade lions, one blue and white porcelain vase with intertwined branches, one rosewood money tree..."
The items Ji Bo reported later were more valuable, all some expensive decorative pieces, but there weren't many. Originally, after the previous turmoil, not much of the family fortune was left. The Cheng family master valued his reputation and displayed everything prominently in the house. Kuaishu Pavilion
Now.
Many guests or servants had taken what they could.
Only these few items were left.
As for the items in the Cheng family master's hidden treasury, they were in his carriage.
Ji Bo naturally could not go there.
He was only in charge of the household's trivial matters. The master's treasures were kept by himself.
Even so.
Cheng Hao had a general understanding of the supplies, so he also troubled Ji Bo to count the number of people. Yesterday was chaotic, and everyone was in a complicated mood, so no one was counted. Now, it is indeed necessary.