"Lihua, you ride in the carriage, and I'll be the driver."
"There are so many people, if I ride, our daughter won't have a place."
Indeed, the carriage was packed full of things.
The Li family's wife, filled with gratitude, naturally didn't have the nerve to ride in the carriage. She ran alongside, talking to her child through the side window:
"It's alright, don't be scared, Mom's here. You can sleep with Sister A'jiu."
The carriage was filled with Wu Shi, Zhao Di, a swaddled infant, Wang Shi, and A'jiu herself. Coupled with other supplies, there was no more space.
"Auntie, you should squeeze in too. Your feet are bleeding," A'jiu suggested.
The Li family's wife looked sheepishly at her bare, bleeding feet and reluctantly got into the carriage.
"Sister A'jiu."
Tuoba Yan's voice called from outside the carriage window behind them.
"Huh? What is it?" A'jiu lifted the curtain and looked at Tuoba Yan. Perhaps because he was tall and had long legs, he only needed to follow with big strides.
He pulled something out of his sleeve and handed it to her.
A'jiu took it and looked – a rabbit woven from foxtails? Two furry ears stood up, bobbing with the carriage's jolts.
"Where did you find the foxtails?" A'jiu pushed aside the curtain and leaned out the window, watching Tuoba Yan.
Who knew ghosts could be so playful?
"Just over there," Tuoba Yan pointed behind him.
Suddenly seeing movement ahead, Yang Kun's expression darkened, and he quickly ran forward a few steps.
Meng Shaode, driving the carriage in front, pulled back hard on the reins, and the carriage suddenly stopped with a creak.
"Boss, the people in this carriage are my family. Please show some respect."
A'jiu recognized the voice as the second-in-command.
She quickly opened the carriage door and looked out.
A burly man over nine feet tall, holding a short knife at his waist, was followed by more than ten men with fierce expressions.
"Your family? Since when did you get married? I haven't settled accounts with you for sneaking off. Get out of the way."
The man stepped forward and kicked the second-in-command, sending him sprawling. Tuoba Yan, standing by the carriage, instinctively stepped forward, looking back at A'jiu inside the carriage:
"Sister A'jiu, don't be afraid."
Before the second-in-command could get up, a saber was placed at his neck, and the man bared his teeth, saying,
"Water, food. If you're smart, hand them over. Otherwise, I'll take lives. Don't be foolish."
A'jiu glanced at Tuoba Yan, "I'm not afraid."
Her words surprised Tuoba Yan. She wasn't afraid? But Tuoba Yan was actually afraid. He couldn't stand the sight of blood.
Moreover, Zhao Kun knew he was afraid of blood, so he would definitely not kill wantonly to protect him.
"Boss, haven't we met somewhere before?"
Seeing that the men were about to rob them, Meng Shaode, with a bow and arrows slung over his shoulder, dropped the reins, got off the carriage, pulled his wife behind him, and strode forward.
"Shaode, they have so many people..." Cai Lihua whispered, her face full of worry.
Yes, she had thought that once they were down the mountain, the path would be smooth all the way to Nanming City, where they could buy good food and seasonings.
Perhaps her daughter's idea of opening a small restaurant was feasible, but clearly, it wouldn't be so peaceful.
"Mom, don't worry. Dad used to travel extensively and encountered many bandits. He's quite well-known," A'jiu reassured her mother, while her mind was busy calculating how to respond.
Inside the carriage, Wu Shi and the Li family's wife clutched their two children, trembling with fear. Tears welled up in their eyes, but they dared not cry out.
"You?" The boss folded his arms and sized up Meng Shaode, who had stepped forward.
"What are you now?"
"My name is Meng Shaode. Have you forgotten? Two years ago, I was escorting a convoy to Menghua City to deliver military dispatches to Lord Chen. You blocked my path."
Meng Shaode's back was straight, his face expressionless. The fierce scar on his face revealed his former fearless demeanor.
This was like a bandit meeting a robber, seeing who was tougher.
"See, Dad is so imposing."
Seeing her mother's pale face, A'jiu quickly took the opportunity to comfort her.
Unexpectedly, the boss's expression grew increasingly strange.
"So it's you? You killed two of my brothers?"