Having confirmed the whereabouts of their family, the Jiang family headed directly to the Cheng residence.
Along the way, they noticed that all the shops on the street were filled with people, and even the coffin shops were occupied.
Compared to the coffins, the refugees outside the city were more terrifying.
The entire county's population was crammed into the county town, with people everywhere. Yao County was prosperous and had many shops, but it couldn't accommodate the large population, with people and voices filling every street and alley.
This inevitably reminded Jiang Xiao of the bases in her previous life.
At that time, all places except the bases were overrun by zombies. Survivors gathered within the bases, with people everywhere, leading to various inconvenconveniences and severe resource shortages.
Although she lived more comfortably than most, it was only compared to those within the base.
She thought she would no longer have to endure such a situation upon arriving here, but unexpectedly encountered this.
The similar scene made Jiang Wan unhappy.
Seeing her with a somber expression, Chen Yuezhi asked, "Wan Wan, what's wrong?"
Jiang Wan sighed, "Mother, if those people outside the city don't leave Jiangnan, what will we do? Will we be trapped in the city like this forever?"
"The city's resources are limited. Once they run out, what will people do?"
Chen Yuezhi didn't know either.
She freed a hand and rubbed Jiang Wan's hair, "These are matters for adults to worry about. Why are you, a child, thinking so much? Don't worry, if the sky falls, your parents will be here to support you."
As they spoke, they arrived at the Cheng residence.
As soon as the gatekeeper of the Cheng residence saw the Jiang family, he hurried to greet them, "Master Jiang, Madam Jiang, you're finally back. The master and madam have been worried about you these past few days. Please come in."
After handing over the carriage and horses to the gatekeeper, the family entered the Cheng residence through a side door.
Soon, Madam Cheng received the news and rushed out. Following behind her were not the three eldest brothers, but the two sisters-in-law, Su Shi and the others?
As soon as Su Shi and Zhang Qiaoxiu saw them return safely, they burst into tears.
During this period, they realized how difficult it was to manage without the adults in the family. They had to make decisions on their own, bear everything themselves, and were so frightened their legs went weak when the refugees entered the city.
They had never been afraid when they were with their in-laws.
Seeing her two daughters-in-law cry, Chen Yuezhi couldn't help but redden her eyes.
Madam Cheng also wiped away a tear, then smiled, "It's a great thing that you're back safely, why are you crying? Oh, right, where is Xiao Bao? Did you pick him up?"
Jiang Xiao Ba brought Xiao Bao over, "We picked him up. Thank you, Auntie, for your concern."
Madam Cheng looked at Xiao Bao carefully, her face full of pity, "Poor child, you've suffered so much injustice, it's truly not easy. Everything will surely go smoothly from now on."
Chen Yuezhi pulled Su Shi and asked, "Where are the children? Are they all right?"
Su Shi wiped away tears and said, "They are all fine, just... just..."
"Just what? Hurry up and tell me!"
Chen Yuezhi was anxious to death.
Su Shi leaned close to her ear and whispered, "I was a bit frightened and have no milk. Auntie Cheng has arranged for a wet nurse."
Chen Yuezhi patted her chest, "So that's what it is! I thought something major had happened. As long as the child has milk to drink, it's fine. A wet nurse is experienced in taking care of children, and you can also free up your hands to do other things."
After asking her eldest daughter-in-law, Chen Yuezhi turned to Zhang Qiaoxiu, "Qiaoxiu, where are your parents?"
Zhang Qiaoxiu quickly replied, "Auntie Cheng also brought them into the residence. They are not feeling very well and are lying down in their room."
Upon hearing that her in-laws were ill, Chen Yuezhi took the initiative to offer to see them. Zhang Qiaoxiu was deeply moved and said, "They are no longer in serious condition, Mother. You just returned, you must be tired, please rest first."
Cheng Yuezhi also said, "I'll have someone prepare hot water and food. You can wash up and eat first, and we can talk later."
The family, having traveled with their hearts in their throats for so long, finally felt exhausted now that their worries had subsided.
After entering the guest courtyard, washing up, and eating a little, they could no longer resist and all fell asleep.
They slept until the next morning.
When Jiang Wan got up, she heard the sound of reading from a distance.
She put on her clothes and went out, following the sound. In the courtyard next door, Scholar Zhou was teaching San Lang and Cheng Sinian.
To Jiang Wan's surprise, Cheng Sinian and San Lang were reading the same book.
Cheng Sinian had started his education at the age of three, while San Lang had only begun a few months ago. Reading the same book, was San Lang too smart, or Cheng Sinian too slow?
Scholar Zhou saw her approach and instructed his students to continue reading while he walked up to Jiang Wan, signaling her to speak outside.
When Jiang Wan went out, she asked, "Teacher, how is my younger brother's learning progress?"
Scholar Zhou praised, "Very ideal."
Jiang Wan couldn't help but curve her lips upwards. As expected, her younger brother was naturally intelligent.
"Why are you at the Cheng residence, Teacher?"
Scholar Zhou said, "Some refugees sneaked into the city, broke into my house, and set fire to my house."
Jiang Wan was startled, "Then how is your Osmanthus tree?"
Scholar Zhou's gaze softened slightly at her concern, "The Osmanthus tree is very good. San Lang and I protected it desperately, and later the neighbors came to help. The Osmanthus tree only suffered some leaf damage. My house was burned beyond repair, so Master Cheng asked me to come here."
Jiang Wan breathed a sigh of relief, "It's good that the Osmanthus tree is fine. I'll check on it when I have time and give it some more fertilizer. Next autumn, it will surely bloom with more Osmanthus flowers."
She had also smelled the fragrance of the Osmanthus tree this year, which indeed perfumed half the city.
Scholar Zhou bowed to her, "Then thank you, Miss Jiang."
Jiang Wan sidestepped the bow, "Teacher still has classes, I won't disturb you any longer."
Scholar Zhou nodded and returned to the courtyard.
Jiang Wan was quite familiar with the Cheng residence, so she went to Madam Cheng's courtyard. When she arrived, Chen Yuezhi was also there.
Seeing her approach, Chen Yuezhi and Madam Cheng beckoned to her, "Wan Wan, come quickly, your room's things are all here."
Jiang Wan's eyes lit up, "Really?"
Upon closer inspection, she saw that the very large bundle was indeed filled with the little trinkets from her room.
Seeing the joy on her face, Madam Cheng also curved her lips upwards, "I've had people put away the other things from your room and will have them sent to you later."
Jiang Wan ran to her side and hugged her, then took the opportunity to transfer some of her abilities to Madam Cheng.
"Thank you, Auntie Cheng. I thought all these things were lost yesterday."
Madam Cheng stroked her head, "Knowing that the situation was not right, your Uncle Cheng asked me to arrange for people to go to the village to pick up your sisters-in-law, and also to bring all the things from your rooms."
In fact, most of the things in Jiang Wan's room were small, inexpensive trinkets.
But these trinkets were items that Jiang Wan cherished greatly.
Jiang Wan thanked Madam Cheng again and asked, "Auntie, what is the situation in the city now?"