Chapter 7: Theft

More than 20 servants, under the lead of the officer in charge, escorted four families exiled to Beiguan along the official road.

Among these four families, the Wei family had the second fewest number of people.

The total number of masters, young and old—including 6 year-old Xiao Jiayan and the infant Xiao Jiarong, who had just turned a month old—amounted to only 7.

Adding in the loyal servants who volunteered to follow and the three maidservants brought by Wei Yunlan, their total came to 16—just one more than the Bai family, who had only elderly and women left.

The Liang family’s carriage led the way, followed by the Feng and Bai families.

The pace of the journey was slow. To conserve the mules’ strength, Wei Yunlan and Sui He, who had originally been driving the cart, no longer rode. The two mules were instead led by Dong Da and Liu Quan.

Originally from the Tian Shi Manor and brought into the Wei household when the Gao family married in, these two were skilled bodyguards, far superior to ordinary ones.

With them in control, the mules were manageable.

The cart piled high with oilcloth-covered supplies wasn’t suitable for passengers. However, another mule cart remained empty.

Seeing her sister-in-law, Cheng Yue’e, preparing to take the swaddled baby from Wang Mamma and move toward the front, Wei Yunlan quickly called out,
 “Sister-in-law, you should sit with Jiayan and Jiarong.”

Cheng Yue’e adjusted the damp strands on her forehead and shook her head. “Let Mother take Jiayan and Jiarong instead.”

Before Wei Yunlan could press further, Madam Gao turned back.

“Yue’e, listen to Lan’er. Take the two children and get on the cart. Your health is good, and a few steps won’t hurt you, but you’ve just finished your confinement—how could you handle a long journey?”

“Sister-in-law, now’s not the time to be stubborn. You still need to nurse Jiarong. Only if you rest can she be well, right?” Wei Yunlan added, glancing at the tender little face wrapped in swaddling clothes, her heart aching.

In her previous life, until her soul was torn apart, she’d never had the chance to meet this little niece, nor heard any news of her. On a journey like this, if the adults had fared so poorly, what chance did a month-old infant have?

Cheng Yue’e followed her gaze and looked down at her child. The baby wasn’t sleeping soundly—her once full cheeks had grown thinner in the past days, likely due to hardship and the departure of her wet nurse.

“Yunlan is right,” Cheng Yue’e thought. Only if she remained well could she care for her child. If her milk dried up, how could she feed her?

“I’ll listen to you and Mother,” she said aloud, gently settling into the cart with Jiarong in her arms. To her surprise, the cart didn’t jostle too much.

She reached down and discovered that layers of soft padding had been laid beneath her.

Her heart, which had grown cold from her estranged natal family, warmed slightly. She opened the curtain and said, “Yunlan, thank you.”

“No need to be so polite between families,” Wei Yunlan replied with a soft smile. “Rest well, Sister-in-law. I’ll call Jiayan over.”

She hurried to catch up with little Jiayan, who was walking beside Wei Mingxuan. She pointed toward the mule cart.

As she reached his side, the boy straightened proudly and shook his head.

“Auntie, I’m like my little uncle! I’m a man, I can walk by myself!”

“You and Grandmother can sit. Jiayan won’t!”

“Such a little man,” Wei Yunlan said, tousling his hair fondly.

It was good that he was building strength. In their current situation, resilience was everything.

There was still space in the cart for one more, but she didn’t press the issue. Fortunately, they could take turns resting when needed.

The group continued their journey north.

Behind them, the towering city walls faded into the distance, then into the dark, vanishing from view.