Chapter 252 – Another Instant Trigger Task (1)
The next day, before dawn, four carriages quietly rolled out of the city gates under the protection of fifty guards.
Although the true masters were just Liu Zhi and his “father,” they ended up preparing four carriages.
One for Liu Zhi, one for Jiang Pengji, one for a distinguished servant, and the last one for various supplies—clothes, food, fresh water, silver, and other items to keep warm. The packages of the accompanying guards were also stored on this carriage.
This was already a scaled-down version; if we counted what the Stepmother and Lady Die initially prepared, there would have been at least six carriages.
Simply put, traveling in this ancient era with such limited means was no easy feat.
The audience in the live stream was stunned and learned something new.
【Jun Mu Yi】: I used to watch dramas where everyone traveled light with just a maid and a young servant. Turns out… the lavish setup the streamer shows is the correct depiction of ancient travel?
【Jing Hong You Long】: Tsk, it really is a grand affair, makes it feel like the streamer’s time travel is a win.
Many viewers expressed their envy, wishing they could swap places with the streamer to enjoy such lavish treatment.
Of course, there were also some rational voices.
【Old Driver Alliance】: So sour! Can you really believe what dramas portray? Do you even know how underdeveloped ancient transportation was? It’s not just about the vehicles; there weren’t even proper roads. Things like post stations weren’t everywhere. When you traveled, you often wouldn’t see a single living person for three to five days. How can you prepare for hunger and thirst without ample food and water?
Wealthy families venturing far would consider every possible aspect, accounting for unexpected situations.
Those without resources would have to carry a small pack, bringing along enough food to fill their stomachs, keeping things light and simple.
And let’s not even mention the slow pace and dangers along the way.
The ancient world isn’t like the modern-day viewers’ lives, where skyscrapers reduce wildlife habitats. Many eat pork without ever seeing a pig run. But in ancient times, danger lurked everywhere, and snakes often visited homes.
【Fluffy Rooster】: Hey, did you folks eat explosives today? Just a word of envy, and you jump like that?
The live stream comments were filled with fireworks, and Jiang Pengji paid no mind, reclining against a table to rest.
They hadn’t left Hejian County yet, so the jostling of the carriage was within manageable limits, but as noon approached, the carriage bumped wildly.
Viewers started to wonder if the carriage might just tumble apart from all the jolting.
【Jing Hong You Long】: Suddenly… not envious anymore. A short while is bearable, but over time, my bones would shake loose.
Some viewers even mentioned that the shaking camera was hurting their eyes and making them feel nauseous.
“Have we left the main road?”
Jiang Pengji lifted the carriage curtain and saw the scenery outside transformed into a chilly autumn landscape.
Ta Xue wasn’t in the third carriage; she had stayed with Jiang Pengji.
“Considering the timing, we should have left the official road. I’ve prepared some cushions to make it less jarring for you.”
Why was transportation so inconvenient in ancient times?
The outdated vehicles were one reason; another significant factor was the poor road conditions of that era.
Apart from the official roads being moderately smooth and wide, other places didn’t even have a proper “road.”
Liu Residence’s carriage boasted a relatively advanced shock absorption system, and it was still bouncing so much; heaven knows how rough a regular carriage would be!
“I’ll ride for a bit.”
Jiang Pengji, with her excellent physical condition, simply couldn’t endure the jolting any longer. Not to mention those delicate ancient folks who would suffer even more.
Liu Zhi stared speechless as he saw Jiang Pengji on a tall horse.
“Be careful while riding, you rascal.”
He warned, thinking his daughter couldn’t handle the bumps and decided to ride instead.
“Mm.”
Jiang Pengji rode along, leisurely keeping pace with the convoy as the sun rose higher in the sky, warming her.
Traveling in ancient times came with many inconveniences, but thankfully, Liu Zhi was experienced and had prepared well for this journey.
He opened the carriage curtain and suggested, “Let’s stop for a break and have something to eat.”
“Sure.”
Jiang Pengji agreed, signaling the convoy to halt while everyone took a moment to eat before continuing.
“Xiaoyu looks unwell; is he sick?”
When Xu Ke got off the carriage, his pale complexion caught her attention.
His lips were as white as a sheet.
Right now, Xu Ke felt like his entire body was falling apart, and as he stepped on the ground, his legs wobbled, nearly collapsing. Just at that awkward moment, he could hear his Young Master’s teasing in his ear, making him want to give up on life.
After half a day of maintaining his posture, Xu Ke reluctantly smiled at Jiang Pengji.
But that smile… was pretty forced.
“A fire should be lit over there to heat water for cooking dried meat. Just drink some later. If the carriage is too bumpy, you can ride.”
Jiang Pengji wasn’t worried that Xu Ke couldn’t ride. After all, the six arts of a gentleman were skills that every scholar in this era had to master.
Xu Ke clasped his hands in gratitude, “Thank you, Young Master.”
“What are you thanking me for? Didn’t you bring this on yourself?” Jiang Pengji looked him up and down with a teasing gaze and whispered, “So, Xun Mei visited you yesterday, huh? If only you weren’t so thick-headed and understood a woman’s feelings. You could have had a lovely companion on the road…”
Xu Ke’s face turned pale, then quickly turned green as he hurriedly added, “Young Master, please don’t misunderstand; Xun Mei is not…”
In wealthy families, the close maidservants were mostly concubine candidates, Xu Ke wouldn’t dare harbor such thoughts.
“Why are you so anxious?” Jiang Pengji leaned in, snickering, “You should have seen her red eyes when she came back…”
Xu Ke fell silent.
“I treat her like a sister and have no other thoughts. Plus, Xun Mei has her own ideas; she may not even want to be a concubine of a wealthy household… she really likes you,” Jiang Pengji continued, watching Xu Ke’s head bow lower and lower, “What’s your response?”
“Ke… rejected Xun Mei.”
Xu Ke’s voice was barely a whisper, and a slight blush dusted his cheeks.
“Honestly, I don’t see Xun Mei as a good match for you.”
Xu Ke might not be impressive now, but his future was bright, and Jiang Pengji was confident in both him and herself.
In this era, there were far too few men who stayed true to their first intentions.
How many later abandoned their original wives after gaining success, citing the need for heirs as an excuse to take concubines?
