Cheng Hao informed the head of the Cheng family of this discovery. The latter immediately dispatched people to investigate cautiously, instructing them not to disturb the villagers under any circumstances.
The guards acknowledged the order and silently departed one by one.
The news of a nearby village had made the head of the Cheng family somewhat uneasy.
Madam Cheng had already taken Jiang Xiyue to the outskirts, awaiting the maids and servants to prepare her bedding. She was, unusually, not by her husband's side.
Cheng Kaichun seized the opportunity to solicitously approach the head of the Cheng family, inviting him to sit by the fire that the servants had lit in a clean area.
He then invited the head of the Cheng family to warm themselves by the fire, remarking on the increasingly cool weather as they traveled further north.
The head of the Cheng family sighed, "My brother, look at this. We have to eat and drink along the way, and the expenses are considerable. Our provisions can barely keep up with our consumption."
He elaborated, "As you said, once the weather turns frigid, even firewood will be a significant expense. Where can we find so much firewood for so many people?"
Cheng Kaichun, wanting to foster a closer relationship with the head of the Cheng family, chimed in, "Indeed! If it becomes an ice and snow world, we won't be able to travel at all. We must hurry and cover more ground while the weather is still warm!"
The head of the Cheng family then mentioned the horses. "We also need the horses to endure. If they can't, what can we do? And what about the mules pulling the provisions? These livestock must be able to withstand it. Otherwise, can we truly rely on our manpower to push the carts? How long would that take?"
Cheng Kaichun nodded in agreement. "Yes, yes, that's true."
He merely engaged in idle chatter, offering no practical solutions.
The head of the Cheng family clearly sensed this, but in such chaotic times, having someone to talk to was better than dwelling on his own worries.
The two men idled.
The Cheng Fengtai family, being honest folk, helped with chores every time they stopped.
Aunt Cai, along with Xi Shi, went to clean the stove area to prepare for dinner, then went to find a well and drew a bucket of water to begin cleaning.
Su Miaomiao passed by the kitchen and peeked inside quietly, not wanting to disturb them. In truth, she wasn't skilled at cooking and preferred not to join in the activity.
She did, however, remember to check on Xiao Liuzi, who was still working despite the handprint on his face.
Su Miaomiao approached him and asked, "Your face is still so swollen. Later, get some hot water and apply a compress; it will help a lot. You should rest."
She didn't understand the reason for his condition.
Xiao Liuzi dared not be lazy. He only said gratefully, "Thank you, Young Madam. I'm already much better and don't need to rest. It's just a minor injury."
He asked Su Miaomiao not to worry about him, stating that his life was humble and he was accustomed to hardship, not fussy. He added that as long as he could move, he wouldn't be lazy.
Su Miaomiao saw that the ingrained sense of hierarchy and social status was deeply rooted in him, and she felt helpless. Glancing around, she indeed saw people watching from the shadows.
She understood.
Without further ado, she simply reminded him to apply a hot cloth compress to his face.
Xiao Liuzi nodded in agreement.
He watched Su Miaomiao leave before continuing his work. Xiao Wuzi, who was his closest friend and always by his side, couldn't help but whisper to his companion, "Not only is our young master kind, but the young madam who just joined the family is also extremely benevolent. We servants are fortunate."
To have such masters.
Xiao Wuzi, working alongside Xiao Liuzi, also expressed envy that Laifu was traveling in the same carriage as the young master and young madam, considering him truly lucky.