Chapter Twenty-Three: Setting Out

Urged by the guards, the younger Madam Luo dared not delay.

With no close relatives present and no desire to waste words on a servant, fearing a lash of the bailiff’s whip should she be a second late, she stuffed a bundle into the arms of her eldest son, who was supporting his grandmother. She strapped another bundle to her own back, grabbed her daughter, and hurried to join the assembly.

Seeing this, the stout steward let out a long sigh but said nothing further, instead ushering his two attendants away with crisp efficiency.

The well-wishers sobbed and clung to their charges, departing one after another, but a complication arose with Chaochao and her father.

At the sound of the bailiffs’ impatient urging, the four handmaidens—Shiqin, Shiqi, Shishu, and Shihua—who had already made their plans, moved in unison.

They quickly gathered the items brought by the various maids and servants, strapped on bundles and baskets, and stood behind Chaochao and Li Zelin, assuming the exact same posture as Qiuxiang.

The father and daughter were dumbfounded. "Sister Shiqin, what are you doing?"

The four spoke with one voice.

"Young Mistress, Second Master, we have discussed this among ourselves. While we may not be as capable as Sister Qiuxiang, we have sincere hearts. The journey to the Far North is thousands of miles long and treacherous. You have never known such hardship; we are worried and wish to accompany you."

Good heavens!

It was one thing to have Qiuxiang, but they couldn't possibly take four more maids! They were going into exile, not on a vacation!

"No!" Before her foolish father could speak, Chaochao refused. "I’m not taking any of you! None of you are allowed to go!"

Faced with this refusal, the women became anxious.

"Young Mistress..."

"Don't—even if you call me your ancestor, it won't work. I said no, and I mean it. Not just you, Sister Shiqin, but Sister Qiuxiang as well!"

With a single sentence, she halted Qiuxiang, who had been about to step forward.

Chaochao was incredibly firm.

"Sisters, my father and I are branded criminals; we have no choice. But you are different. Setting aside the fact that you are free women, take Sister Qiuxiang—you are of age. When my mother passed away, she was still thinking of finding you a good home. How can you go to such a place with me? Absolutely not!"

"Young Mistress, I will not marry!"

"Don't say that. This was my mother’s dying wish, and you must listen to it, Sister Qiuxiang."

The four maids seized the opportunity. "Then we shall stay with you, Young Mistress."

"No, the same goes for the four of you. You’re all grown women; don't give me more things to worry about."

The five were left speechless, moved yet heartbroken. Chaochao, however, showed no signs of softening. She waved her hand.

"Be good, sisters! On this journey, it will be hard enough for my father to protect just me; how could he look after all of you? So, be obedient. None of you are to come. Go back and live your own lives."

At that moment, further urging came from the front of the line. There was no time to delay, and fearing they might remain stubborn, Chaochao made the first move.

"Quick, give me the things! You must leave now, or the bailiffs’ whips won't show mercy."

Other servants rushed over, some offering advice and others helping Chaochao pack. The scene was chaotic.

With so many people, even with only two or three items each, it was hard to manage in the rush—especially for a little girl like Chaochao, who couldn't carry much weight. As for her father, it was difficult enough for him to move while wearing a cangue and shackles.

"The Far North is bitter and cold. The journey is long and winter is coming; you must take the sheepskin coats."

"The cloaks can serve as quilts; take them too."

"Shoes! Shoes! Walking wears them out, don't forget them."

"Don't touch that! In that cloth bag is the oil-roasted flour I made especially for the Young Mistress; you must take it."

"The pot! The pot! That small iron pot will be useful for cooking and boiling water on the road..."

Good grief, Chaochao was stunned; she felt the task was truly daunting.

It was a pity that with so many eyes watching, all of this was a gesture of their heartfelt devotion. She couldn't bear to throw any of it away, yet she couldn't fit it all into her pack. It was enough to worry the little one.

Fortunately, Qiuxiang and the others were sharp; even amidst the chaos, they managed to pack and organize quickly.

They rolled up the sheepskin coats and tied them to the waists of the father and daughter; they strapped water skins of various sizes onto their bodies.

They took the shoes, as well as the silver, salt, sugar, and pastries that others had secretly tucked into the luggage, and wrapped them into two sturdy bundles. Qiuxiang and Shiqin worked together—one slung a bundle over the shoulder-board of Li Zelin’s wooden cangue, and the other tied one onto Chaochao’s back.

There was still a large basket that Qiuxiang had brought, which the father and daughter couldn't possibly carry, and the line had already begun to move under the guards' pressure.

In a moment of desperation, Chaochao saw the Third Madam’s family, who stood empty-handed without any relatives to see them off. Her eyes brightened. She ran over, blocked their path, and quickly explained the situation. Madam Song, of course, did not refuse.

The family of four was brought over by Chaochao, and Qiuxiang and the others fell into another flurry of activity.

In the blink of an eye, Li Zefeng, also wearing a cangue and shackles, had a large bundle added to his back. Madam Song carried the large basket Qiuxiang had brought, and even seven-year-old Li Changmao and five-year-old Li Changying each carried a small bundle. In this way, they managed to take the gifts from the servants.

"On the road! Let's go..."

The urging came again. No matter how deep the attachment, they had to part.

Chaochao bid everyone farewell. Qiuxiang, unable to let go, lunged forward, crouched down, and hugged Chaochao tightly. She whispered in her ear while slipping something into Chaochao’s sleeve.

"Young Mistress, this is the silver I exchanged for you. It is one hundred taels. Keep it safe, and do not be afraid to spend it when you face difficulties."

Chaochao nodded repeatedly. "Thank you, Sister Qiuxiang."

How could her little mistress be so good, so sweet, and so thoughtful? Qiuxiang couldn't help it; she sobbed, lowered her voice, and continued quickly.

"Our Young Mistress has grown up, it’s wonderful! I am ashamed that I cannot follow you north. I only hope that you will have smooth paths from here on out. As for the things, if you can't keep them, don't worry about giving them away. Your own safety is what matters most."

"Mm, mm, I'll remember it all," Chaochao nodded, reaching up to stroke Qiuxiang’s face in comfort.

Qiuxiang was weeping uncontrollably. "My dear Young Mistress, why don't you just take me with you? Boo-hoo-hoo."

Shiqin and the others couldn't hold back either, and soon they were all sobbing.

Just then, the bailiffs arrived with whips in hand. No matter how deep the sorrow, they had to separate.

Chaochao sighed, patted Qiuxiang’s shoulder firmly, and with Huahua, who had taken the opportunity to fly onto her shoulder, she pulled herself out of Qiuxiang’s arms. Mimicking her foolish father, she bowed solemnly to them.

"Everyone, we have shared a bond of master and servant, and I, Li Zelin, will never forget your kindness. A journey of a thousand miles must end in a farewell. Today, we part ways. I wish you all a lifetime of health and prosperity. Farewell, no need to see us off further."

"Nanny, sisters, do not cry. I do not know when we shall meet again. Chaochao wishes you all a lifetime of peace and prosperity, free from illness and disaster. Please, take care of yourselves."

It must be said, the words taught by Little Yi were quite rhythmic.

Qiuxiang and the others straightened their expressions, knelt down, and bowed deeply to Chaochao and Li Zelin.

"We, your servants, wish our masters a turn of fortune and a smooth path ahead. The journey to the Far North is long and arduous; we pray our masters remain free from worry, that the journey be swift and safe, and that you stay well! Please, take care! Boo-hoo-hoo..."

Collapsing into each other's arms, Qiuxiang and the others could only watch as their little mistress and the master disappeared into the crowd, further and further away...