Chapter 98: Final Preparations for the Journey

“I have nothing to do these days. Should I go fire a few more kilns of charcoal?”

Wen Nuannuan immediately objected, “No, it’s too hot. Besides, the five kilns of charcoal you fired in April not only made up for what we used in winter, but there’s still extra.” The fourth area was now packed full, with no room left.

Firing charcoal in this heat? Was he trying to get heatstroke?

Outside, the sun blazed overhead, and waves of heat rolled through the air. Even staying indoors felt uncomfortably hot, yet Eldest Brother seemed unaffected—unafraid of the heat, unbothered by exhaustion, and terrified of being idle.

“There are still some dandelions that haven’t been cleaned up. You and Little Brother can sort them out this afternoon. While there’s still water in the well, wash them clean so they can dry. Once dried, they can be brewed into tea to clear heat and reduce swelling—perfect for summer.”

During spring days, the three of them had been up in the mountains gathering wild vegetables, storing away dozens of baskets. With the storage room that kept things exactly as they were when put in, there was no need to dry everything. Most could be eaten fresh.

Wild garlic and wild onions were prepared the same way—pickled and ready to eat straight from storage.

Purslane and Malantou were blanched, dressed cold, and packed away.

Shepherd’s purse was minced with pork, mixed together, and used to make hundreds of dumplings.

Chicory was mixed with wheat flour and cornmeal to make vegetable buns.

Dandelions were more effective medicinally when dried, so only a small portion was blanched and dressed cold, while most were dried for brewing tea.

Recently, most of the food sent to Leng Xiao and Leng Chen had been made from wild vegetables. There was no other choice—with no rain for months, sending fresh vegetables would have been too conspicuous.

Wild vegetables were hardy and more drought-resistant. Some of the vegetables in the garden simply wouldn’t grow, while others withered halfway. Only wild vegetables could still thrive stubbornly after the start of summer.

But now, even they had completely died off.

Fortunately, Leng Xiao and Leng Chen would be back soon. Otherwise, if they could still send fresh wild vegetables later, it would attract unwanted attention.

While others didn’t even dare to eat their fill of coarse black pancakes, how could having fresh vegetables in your home not stand out?

“Alright!” Having something to do actually calmed Leng Tian and Leng Yun.

Especially organizing ingredients—it brought an inexplicable sense of reassurance.

Leng Tian remembered what his eldest brother had instructed. “Eldest Brother said that once he collects the travel permits and if there’s nothing else at the Academy, he could be back home by the ninth if all goes smoothly.

He also said there are many refugees outside, and it’s chaotic. We don’t need to send him food these next few days. Instead, we should pack up everything we can and need to bring. Once they’re home, we’ll set off as soon as possible!”

He had only just returned and hadn’t said much before Auntie Zhu and Auntie Jiang arrived, making it impossible to continue.

“Hmm, did your eldest brother say anything else?”

Wen Nuannuan understood that Leng Xiao was worried about refugees reaching their secluded mountain hollow. Having the strong and sturdy Eldest Brother stay home would ensure their safety.

Realistically speaking, their location was actually safer than the city or the suburbs. The city had many wealthy households and more opportunities for work, with charitable people occasionally distributing porridge. Heading to the city was a sensible choice.

The suburbs had vast flat farmland and many households with stored grain, and they were close to the city—making them the primary target for those with ill intentions.

Their place, however, was a two- to three-hour walk from the city. Most households at the foot of the mountain made a living by hunting and had some level of skill. By all accounts, they weren’t the first choice.

Unless something unexpected happened.

That was precisely what Leng Xiao feared.

The unexpected was uncontrollable and didn’t follow the rules. In times of chaos and famine, no amount of caution or preparation was ever too much.

“Qin Old Master is also going to Ruzhou, along with four other scholars. Eldest Brother is considering whether to travel together.”

People from other counties fleeing disaster often travel in groups of dozens or even hundreds. Auntie Zhu said their entire village moved together. That village is small, and including the Leng Family, there are only twelve households. Eleven of those families haven’t split off, with each having over a dozen members at most and seven or eight at least. Altogether, they number over a hundred people. Excluding the elderly, weak, sick, and young, there are still forty or fifty able-bodied adults.

Leng Yun added, “Our family of five is indeed too few.”

Wen Nuan Nuan also thought about this issue. A large group has its drawbacks, but the advantages are obvious—they are less likely to be targeted. Even if malicious people have designs on them, they would have to weigh their own numbers and strength.

On the road of escape, there are no laws to restrain people, no officials or soldiers to deter them. Instead, there are starving refugees with hunger in their eyes. The consequences for those traveling alone are easy to imagine.

At best, they might be robbed; at worst, they could be assaulted or killed. In the direst circumstances, being cooked and eaten is not impossible.

“Whatever decision your Eldest Brother makes, I agree,” Wen Nuan Nuan said sincerely.

After all, in the book, Leng Xiao took his three younger brothers to Ruzhou first for the exams and then to the capital. Even though the journey was difficult and arduous, they still arrived safely, didn’t they?

With Leng Xiao’s meticulous mind, he must have considered all aspects. In this unfamiliar dynasty, where she doesn’t understand the rules or survival principles, it’s much safer to listen to Leng Xiao than to make rash decisions herself.

She asked again, “Is there anything else?”

Leng Tian scratched his head, smiling with a look of honesty. “There’s more, but it’s not important. They said not to make stewed meat, stewed fish, or fried dishes. I told them Sister-in-Law had already thought of that. Not only stewed dishes, but we’ve also stopped cooking meat altogether.”

“Sister-in-Law said that even though we’re a distance away from the neighbors and they can’t smell anything, we should still be cautious in case someone passes by our courtyard. To be safe, it’s better not to cook such things.”

“Of course, I still know basic common sense. Did your Eldest Brother feel reassured when he heard that?” Wen Nuan Nuan asked with a proud, beaming smile.

Finally, there was something she had considered first.

“Not really. Eldest Brother’s expression was still as cold and unreadable as ever, but I feel he’s still not entirely at ease,” Leng Tian frowned, trying to accurately convey his elder brother’s thoughts to his sister-in-law.

“That makes sense. Even with thorough instructions from afar, it’s hard to feel completely reassured. That’s normal,” Wen Nuan Nuan thought. People who overthink rarely trust others; they only feel at ease when they’re personally present.

Besides, with Eldest Brother being thirteen and Little Brother only ten, two such young boys left at home—it would be abnormal to feel completely at ease.

Leng Yun thought for a moment and suggested, “I’ll go cut some small branches and sharpen them to reinforce the inside and outside of the courtyard wall. Also, if the carriage isn’t going out these days, we can finish preparing its exterior.”

Leng Yun’s suggestion was immediately approved by Wen Nuan Nuan and Leng Tian. With only seven days left, the final preparations needed to be completed.

“The sun is blazing right now; it’s too harsh. Let’s wait until evening to go.”