There were seventy-three households in the small mountain village, and fifty-nine chose to follow Jiang Pan.
The remaining twelve households chose to follow Jiang Lao Er.
The old village chief looked at the twelve households and asked with some heartache, "Have you really thought it through? To split from the small mountain village? We took an oath when we left, to share fortune and face hardship together. What does this make you now!"
The representatives of the twelve households did not dare to meet the old village chief's gaze directly.
Jiang Lao Er stepped forward and said, "Old Village Chief, what are you doing? Everyone has their own plans and thoughts. If you don't want to go to your death, you can't force us, can you?"
The old village chief looked at Jiang Lao Er with cold eyes and said, "You, you are truly something! I was foolish. If I had known, I should have listened to Da Pan a few days ago and expelled you from the small mountain village!"
Jiang Lao Er chuckled, "There's no such thing as 'if I had known.' If I had known that following you would lead to such trouble, I wouldn't have gone with you!"
The old village chief was so angry he almost couldn't catch his breath.
Jiang Pan quickly helped the old village chief, "Uncle, don't bother with people like this."
The old village chief felt immense regret and patted Jiang Pan's hand self-reproachfully.
Jiang Pan had Da Lang help the old village chief away, then turned to look at the dozen or so households behind Jiang Lao Er, "Have you really decided to leave with Jiang Lao Er?"
Those people remained silent, turning their faces away.
Jiang Pan nodded, "Alright, everyone is thinking about their own safety, and I can't say you are wrong. After all, we are all from the same village, neighbors for decades, friends for generations. Since we are parting ways here, I wish you a safe journey to Jiangnan. Tonight, after dinner, get a good rest. Tomorrow morning, we will bid farewell."
However, in such an environment, who could sleep soundly, except for the innocent children?
Jiang Lao Er was extremely excited. He gathered the twelve households and painted a rosy picture for them, saying that he would definitely lead them to the best path and bring them safely to Jiangnan.
By the time he returned to his own cart, his voice was already hoarse.
Jiang Lao Tou'er asked with a grim face, "Are you really planning to take these people and go back?"
"Of course," Jiang Lao Er felt he was a leader now and no longer had the fawning demeanor he used to have with Jiang Lao Tou'er. He crossed his legs and said, "Dad, don't worry, I will definitely lead you out safely."
Jiang Lao Tou'er didn't quite believe him, "I know your capabilities better than you do, and I am your father. Don't mess around, be careful not to endanger our entire family's lives again."
Jiang Lao Er laughed heartily, "Dad, you're too timid. Guess why I insisted on separating from them?"
Jiang Lao Tou'er didn't know.
"Dad, you say, with them leading the way to attract those wolves, will we who are going back still be targeted by wolves?"
Jiang Lao Er's eyes were filled with malice, "I was really afraid they would all choose to go back. With so many people gathered together, wouldn't the wolf pack go crazy? Now, with them as bait, we are completely safe."
"As for these people who are going with us..." If there were still dangers on the way back, they would also be put to use.
He didn't say the latter half of this sentence, but his expression said it all.
Jiang Lao Tou'er was shocked, but soon, he accepted it. After all, if one does not look out for oneself, heaven and earth will destroy them.
"You are a man of plans. Alright, it's getting late, get some rest early."
The father and son parted ways to rest.
Behind the cart, Liu Shi, who had covered her mouth tightly, felt as if the sky was falling.
In Jiang Wan's carriage, Chen Yuezhi spread out the bedding and said to Madam Cheng, "The space is small, so we can only sleep like this. I'm afraid it will be a bit cramped for you."
Madam Cheng quickly replied, "It's not cramped at all. Being able to survive is a great fortune. Now that we have a place to stay, I can't be grateful enough."
Chen Yuezhi glanced at Madam Cheng's son, Cheng Sinian, "This child was greatly frightened today. He might have a fever tonight, so we need to be vigilant."
Madam Cheng gratefully said, "My son and I are truly blessed for several lifetimes to have met your family."
While the two adults were being polite, Jiang Wan and Cheng Sinian were staring at each other in the bedding.
Cheng Sinian was seven years old, two years older than Jiang Wan. He had immense trust in Jiang Wan, this chubby girl who had appeared out of nowhere to save him and his mother. So, as soon as he lay down, Cheng Sinian grabbed Jiang Wan's hand and refused to let go.
Jiang Wan tried to shake him off several times but couldn't. She glared at him impatiently, only to find that Cheng Sinian's eyes were filled with tears. His round eyes held fear and unease, like a wounded fawn.
Her actual age was much greater than Cheng Sinian's. Combined with her innate gentleness and maternal instincts, she felt this boy was quite pitiful. So, she sighed and let him hold her hand.
Seeing that Jiang Wan no longer wanted to shake him off, Cheng Sinian was overjoyed. He pulled her chubby little hand to his chest and closed his eyes with peace of mind.
Jiang Wan, exhausted from a day of activity, also fell asleep after a while.
In the middle of the night, Cheng Sinian indeed developed a high fever, and Madam Cheng also started to have a fever.
Chen Yuezhi had already made preparations, boiling some calming and fever-reducing herbal soup, keeping it warm by their fire. She could just lift the curtain to grab the small clay pot containing the soup.
After waking Madam Cheng to drink the medicine and feeding Cheng Sinian, Chen Yuezhi went back to sleep.
The next day, as soon as dawn broke, the small mountain village's convoy began to move.
Jiang Lao Er called out to the twelve households, urging them to pack their things and leave with him.
Jiang Pan's group was also starting to pack. Madam Cheng, after getting up, also hurried over to help.
However, born into wealth, she had never done any manual labor in her life and didn't know how to start. But she felt too embarrassed to do nothing and just watch, especially since they had saved her and her son, provided food and drink, and taken good care of them. She couldn't expect them to continue serving her.
Chen Yuezhi said, "Sister Su, you can't do these chores. Why don't you help my daughter-in-law with breakfast?"
Madam Cheng smiled and agreed, "Sister Jiang, I caused you a lot of trouble last night."
Although she had a fever, she remembered being woken up to drink medicine last night.
Chen Yuezhi smiled and asked, "It's nothing. Is Sinian's fever gone?"
Madam Cheng also smiled faintly, "It's gone. The medicine you gave was very effective."
From last night until now, she had been thanking the Bodhisattva in her heart for letting her meet this family. Otherwise, she and her son would have surely died yesterday.
Madam Cheng went to the campfire and helped Su Shi prepare breakfast.
When Jiang Wan woke up, she found a furry head resting on her shoulder. After a few dazed seconds, she remembered whose head it was.
She reached out and pushed Cheng Sinian's head away, then sat up to put on her clothes.
Cheng Sinian also opened his eyes and instinctively reached out to grab Jiang Wan's hand.
Jiang Wan was so annoyed she wanted to roll her eyes!