Shen Qingwan had just finished packing when Old Madam Lu arrived with her two sons to load up more supplies.

Since the old house only had a single handcart, they couldn’t carry too many things.

The cart had to be pushed manually, so heavy items were difficult to transport.

Because of this, Old Madam Lu decided to bring all the heavier items over to Shen Qingwan’s place.

The bulk of the load consisted of farming tools. As traditional farmers, they relied on these tools to survive. No matter where they went, they had to bring them along. More importantly, those tools were also their best weapons for self-defense.

Shen Qingwan secured the tools at the back of the mule cart with ropes so they wouldn’t take up too much space.

There were also four large wooden barrels that Old Madam Lu planned to use for carrying water.

“Mother, these barrels don’t have lids. If we fill them with water and put them on the mule cart, they’ll spill everywhere along the way. I placed four wine jars underneath the cart instead. They’re sealed, so even if they shake, the water won’t spill. We only need to bring two empty barrels for refilling along the journey,” Shen Qingwan explained.

She showed Old Madam Lu the black lacquered wine jars securely stored in the hidden compartment under the cart.

The jars were sturdy but not too tall, fitting perfectly in that space.

“This is a great idea! Why didn’t I think of it? You’re really smart. These wooden barrels wouldn’t have worked well for water anyway—those wine jars are much better!” Old Madam Lu praised.

Then, she brought over a large iron pot. “Where should we put this?”

Shen Qingwan took it and hung it at the back of the mule cart, covering a smaller pot inside it.

Next came household items.

Shen Qingwan watched as Old Madam Lu packed all sorts of random things, and she couldn’t help but rub her forehead in frustration.

“Mother, do we really need to bring this small tiger stool? And all these jars and bottles? They take up too much space and are heavy. Also, the wooden ladles and straw raincoats—why bring them? If it rains, they won’t be much help for all of us. Carrying them will just be extra trouble. And… why are you bringing a broom? Mother, we’re fleeing a famine, not moving house! If we bring too many things, even another mule cart wouldn’t be enough!”

Shen Qingwan started pulling out the unnecessary items one by one.

“Oh dear! But that tiger stool has been passed down for generations—Wenzhao even played with it as a child. It would be a shame to throw it away. These jars all have things stored inside; I can’t bear to leave them behind. The ladles and raincoats are brand new! And your father just made this broom last month—he hasn’t even used it yet!”

Old Madam Lu touched each item, reluctant to part with anything.

“Mother, my sister-in-law is right. These things will just be a burden. We should leave them behind,” Lu Wenguang persuaded.

But Old Madam Lu still looked heartbroken.

She had lived frugally all her life, saving everything she could.

Seeing things go to waste pained her.

But they were fleeing for their lives—bringing too much would only slow them down.

“Mother, the journey ahead is thousands of miles long. Think about our children. My son Xiaoyu, Second Brother’s daughter Xiaojun, Third Brother’s sons Mingxuan and Minghao—five children in total. They can’t keep up on foot for such a long distance.

If you fill the mule cart with too many things, those children will have to walk. Do you think these things are more important than your grandchildren? If we travel light, you and Father can rest on the cart when you’re tired. What’s more important?”

Hearing this, Old Madam Lu finally understood.

Of course, nothing was more important than her grandchildren.

“You’re right. These things aren’t as important as the children. Let’s leave them. Your father’s cart is also overloaded—we should go help lighten his load too!”

She had been too focused on saving things and hadn’t realized how difficult the journey would be if they were overburdened.

By carrying less, they would ease the strain on the men pushing the carts.

Lu Wenguang and Lu Wenzhi were astonished.

Had Shen Qingwan really convinced their mother in just a few words?

Old Madam Lu grabbed Shen Qingwan’s hand and led her to the old house.

There, Old Master Lu stood in front of an overloaded cart, frowning.

The cart was stacked like a small mountain, and he was clearly worried about how difficult it would be to push.

Yet, his two daughters-in-law refused to part with their belongings.

“Take everything off and repack!”

Old Madam Lu’s order shocked everyone. The two daughters-in-law, who had been busy loading the cart, immediately stopped.

Shen Qingwan hadn’t expected Old Madam Lu to be so decisive. Seeing her authority, the daughters-in-law didn’t dare argue.

“Mother, why are we unpacking everything? We just finished loading!” Li Qiujun, the second daughter-in-law, complained.

Old Madam Lu snorted. “We’re fleeing a famine, not moving house! We can’t bring everything. Take it all off and repack it—listen to your sister-in-law’s arrangements.”

With that, everyone turned to look at Shen Qingwan. Feeling slightly awkward, she rubbed her nose and braced herself.

“Remove everything from the cart. Each person can only bring two or three sets of clothes, a few small valuables, and two thin blankets. Other than that, only food and dry rations should be loaded. Food is heavy, so we’ll store it on my mule cart. Dry rations can go on the handcart. Unless something is absolutely necessary, we’re leaving it behind.”

“Sister-in-law, what about my dowry? Do I have to leave that behind too?” Li Qiujun protested.

Shen Qingwan glanced at Lu Wenzhi and Li Qiujun, then said coolly, “If Third Brother is willing to push the cart himself, you can bring everything.”

Li Qiujun’s so-called dowry was just sewing kits, wash basins, and some furniture—nothing of great value. If they were moving houses, she could take them as keepsakes, but now they were fleeing for their lives.

“That won’t do! Wenzhi is going to take the imperial exams in the future—he can’t be doing manual labor!” Li Qiujun pouted.

“In that case, Third Sister-in-law can push the cart instead,” Shen Qingwan suggested with a cold smile.

Li Qiujun flared up instantly, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

“Sister-in-law, what do you mean? How can you expect a woman like me to push such a heavy cart? That’s unfair!”

“The family only has so many people. If you won’t push it and won’t let Third Brother push it either, then are you expecting Second Sister-in-law to do all the work? Or do you want Father and Mother to take turns?

Besides, with the empire in turmoil, no one knows when the imperial exams will resume. Are you saying that just because Third Brother might pass the exams someday, he can avoid all responsibility now?

Second and Third Brother should take turns pushing the cart. If you refuse, then fine—carry your own things on your back and walk!”

“You—! Why should we listen to you? You don’t even live with us anymore! Besides, you have a mule cart—you don’t even have to push anything!”

Li Qiujun stomped her feet angrily, her words becoming increasingly reckless.