When the people of Shan'ao Village had finished packing their belongings, they were ready to depart.
Gao Dashan looked at his own large carriage, where the children had already settled in. He expressed his repeated gratitude to the young couple, "We don't know how to repay you. You're letting us use such a fine carriage."
Cheng Hao patted his shoulder and said with a smile, "It's nothing, don't give it another thought. Just make yourselves comfortable here."
They would need to look out for each other on the road.
This sentiment was understood without needing to be spoken.
The people of Shan'ao Village now regarded the young couple almost as living deities.
It was impossible for them to treat the couple poorly.
"It's getting late, let's set off. We need to find a place to rest before noon."
As Cheng Hao spoke, he and Su Miaomiao got into the driver's seat of Gao Dashan's carriage.
Gao Dashan immediately responded, pulling the reins together and settling into the driver's seat. He was responsible for driving, "Alright, Young Master Cheng and Madam Cheng, hold on tight!"
The curtain was pulled back.
Gao Dashan's wife poked her head out to check, "Oh, why are you sitting outside? It's quite spacious inside, would you like to sit in here?"
Su Miaomiao replied with a smile, "No need, it's not far. We'll return to our own carriage once we're out of the city. It's no trouble, you sit there."
"Ah, alright then. Here, have some preserved fruits to nibble on."
The wife, unable to sit still, immediately handed them a bag of preserved fruits.
Su Miaomiao couldn't refuse and took some, eating them slowly.
They were sweet and sour, quite pleasant.
Gao Dashan was still discussing with Cheng Hao about which resting place would be best.
"At our pace, it shouldn't be a problem to reach the next temple before noon."
"Mm, if that's the case, then we'll rest there and avoid the hottest part of the day."
The weather was too hot, the sun too fierce. They couldn't travel at the height of noon.
Su Miaomiao listened to their discussion about the journey, and a sense of familiarity returned.
After resting for several months, they were now embarking on an unknown road again.
The familiar city gate was just ahead.
Their group passed through smoothly, and the familiar yamen runners wished them a good journey.
However, as the dull wind blew, it carried with it their sighs.
"Alas, the Cheng family has also left. Life is truly unbearable now."
"Seven or eight households left yesterday."
"Isn't that the truth?"
The hushed whispers reached their ears, sounding rather disheartening.
Gao Dashan couldn't help but look back.
After that, he didn't look back again.
After rejoining their convoy, Cheng Hao and Su Miaomiao hopped off the carriage.
They walked towards their own carriage.
Uncle Ji and Laifu had been waiting early and quickly helped them board as they approached.
Their carriage had three doors.
They could enter from the middle, and also from the front and back. They usually used the middle door.
Immediately, the middle door was locked.
Inside, it was similar to before, but more spacious and with more cabinets.
They were all filled with belongings.
The steps leading into the carriage were for placing shoes, as they wouldn't wear shoes inside.
Su Miaomiao nimbly sat down beneath the sleeping platform. In front of her was a small square table, and underneath it was a built-in charcoal stove, with a domed ceiling made of paulownia wood and other materials.
It was heat-insulated yet ventilated. Since it was summer, ice blocks were placed inside, keeping it cool.
Her feet felt comfortable resting on the side, and she propped herself up on the small table.
Her cheeks were flushed.
Cheng Hao lowered the windows on both sides of the carriage. The front door was covered by a curtain.
Jade pendants were used to weigh it down.
So the wind wouldn't lift it.
He stealthily added more ice into the built-in ice chest.
The temperature inside the entire carriage dropped significantly.
It was much cooler now.