Zhao Shi was also crying uncontrollably, holding Xiao Bao and repeatedly saying, "Your godmother doesn't want you, it's just that your godmother is sick now and cannot continue to take care of you. Be good, go find your birth mother."
Xiao Bao naturally refused, holding onto Zhao Shi and refusing to let go.
Zhao Shi hardened her heart and gave Jiang Xiao a look.
Jiang Xiao quickly stepped forward, and Zhao Shi immediately pushed Xiao Bao into her arms, "Xiao Bao, be good, wait until your godmother is well and then we will come see you."
After speaking, Zhao Shi turned her head, wiped away her tears, and was about to leave.
Jiang Xiao said to her retreating back, "Thank you."
Zhao Shi's body paused for a moment, then she ran out of the guest courtyard crying.
Guard Ma also followed and left.
Xiao Bao cried and wanted to chase after them, but was stopped by Jiang Xiao.
"Xiao Bao, don't chase. Your godmother is sick and cannot take care of you. From now on, you will be with your mother. When your godmother is well, we will come back to see her, okay?"
Xiao Bao was crying so hard he could barely catch his breath, but this time, he didn't struggle or kick. Instead, he obediently buried his face in Jiang Xiao's embrace and cried out for his mother.
Zhao Shi's words just now had a significant effect, making Xiao Bao no longer resist Jiang Xiao.
This was the method that Guard Ma and his wife thought of after receiving kindness from the Jiang family. The couple had raised Xiao Bao for several months and had gotten to know his temperament well. They knew that Xiao Bao would not readily accept Jiang Xiao, which was why they decided to make this special visit.
Jiang Xiao understood their intentions and was extremely grateful.
Chen Yuezhi held the bundle that Guard Ma had delivered earlier, sighing heavily.
This bundle contained Xiao Bao's toys and clothes, which Guard Ma and his wife had specially sent.
But these items were destined not to appear before Xiao Bao again.
Because Xiao Bao had to forget them as quickly as possible.
After the belongings were packed, Lord Shen and his wife came together to see the Jiang family off.
Along the way, Madam Shen was busy asking Chen Yuezhi for advice on how to care for her youngest son.
Chen Yuezhi was also very sincere, sharing many methods with her.
Upon ascending the city wall again, Madam Shen's face turned pale from the sight of the refugees outside the city.
As a woman who rarely went out, she had stayed indoors even more since the refugees surrounded the city. Although she often heard that the situation outside the city was dire, hearing about it and seeing it with her own eyes were vastly different.
Madam Shen looked at the dense crowd, clutching her chest, and said, "Sister Chen, you must be extremely careful on your journey."
Chen Yuezhi nodded, "You must also be very careful and not be negligent."
Even though the city wall was so high, if the refugees outside the city truly united, they could still find ways to make life unbearable for those inside the city.
On the other side, Lord Shen said to Jiang Pan, "I have arranged for people to prepare carriages and horses for you ten li outside the city. Some dry rations have also been prepared, and if all goes well, it should be enough for you to reach Yao County."
Jiang Pan thanked him profusely.
Lord Shen said, "All journeys must come to an end. Brother Jiang, we part ways here. Take care on your journey. Once this turmoil passes, we brothers will share a drink."
Jiang Pan nodded in agreement, "You too, take care."
The large wicker baskets were brought over again. Yan Li and his disciple went up first, as they were going down to provide support.
Next were Jiang Pan and a few other soldiers, who were going down to help drive away the refugees and prevent them from approaching the baskets.
Chen Yuezhi and her two daughters, along with Xiao Bao, were the last to be lowered.
Xiao Bao was tightly secured to Jiang Xiao's chest. Being lowered from such a height on the city wall, Xiao Bao buried his head in Jiang Xiao's embrace, terrified.
Jiang Xiao was also scared, but with Xiao Bao, she became very strong and brave. She gently patted Xiao Bao, soothing his emotions.
Finally, they landed, and the refugees immediately swarmed closer.
Yan Li and his disciple, Jiang Pan, and Jiang Wan did not hesitate to draw their weapons and attack the refugees.
The refugees were not foolish. Seeing how fierce these individuals were, they quickly retreated.
Jiang Wan turned back and called out, "Mother, Eldest Sister, hurry up and follow!"
Chen Yuezhi and Jiang Xiao quickly stepped forward, entering the "protective circle" that the four had forcefully created.
Their clothes were clean, their complexions were ruddy, and they had descended from the city wall. To the refugees, they were like mortal enemies. The fierce gazes seemed to wish they could devour them alive.
Jiang Wan felt little sympathy for these refugees. Although being displaced was indeed tragic, it wasn't their fault. If they had the ability, they should go settle accounts with the country's rulers.
What kind of capability was it to direct their hatred towards ordinary citizens!
Therefore, when Jiang Wan cleared the path, she did not hold back her strength at all. With a forceful push, a large number of refugees who tried to pounce on them fell down.
Some of the starving refugees, seeing Jiang Xiao looking frail and holding a child, set their sights on her, trying to find ways to get closer to her.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Xiao suddenly pulled out a sharp dagger, skillfully tied it to her hand, and without hesitation, she slashed at anyone who dared to reach for her.
A few hands that were too slow to retract were cut, bleeding profusely.
This was the first time Jiang Xiao had injured someone, and she was terrified. But feeling the child trembling in her embrace, Jiang Xiao suppressed her fear. She gently patted Xiao Bao with her free hand, while the hand with the dagger remained steadfastly pointed at the ill-intentioned refugees.
Finally, they squeezed their way out of the crowd of refugees.
Jiang Wan raised the red cloth and waved it towards the city wall. Soon, a similar response was given from the city wall.
It was their way of bidding farewell.
No one knew if they would ever see each other again after this parting.
Jiang Pan picked up Jiang Wan and said to the others, "Alright, let's go."
As they moved away from the vicinity of the city gate, the number of refugees decreased significantly, but as far as the eye could see, there were still many refugee figures.
These refugees were heading in the direction of Jiangning Prefecture.
Having been out for over ten days, Jiang Pan was very worried about the situation at home.
Jiang Wan was also a little worried. Before setting out for Huainan Prefecture, she had instructed the eagles to keep a close watch on any developments and to report to her immediately if anything was amiss.
Although no bad news had been received yet, no one could guarantee that there would be no accidents.
"We must return as quickly as possible."
When they reached the location mentioned by Lord Shen, they successfully obtained the carriages and horses.
Lord Shen had arranged a carriage pulled by two horses and three tall horses for them.
The carriage was spacious, and inside were two boxes filled with grain.
Upon opening the boxes, they found dried meat jerky and some dry rations.
Jiangnan was not short of water, so Lord Shen had not prepared drinking water for them.
These were already sufficient.
The women all got into the carriage, while the men mounted their horses.
Jiang Wan sent several bursts of her abilities towards the five horses. The horses suddenly felt an inexhaustible supply of mysterious power coursing through them.
The men flicked their whips, and the horses shot forward with a "whoosh," startling the men on their backs, causing them to lean back and then frantically steady themselves.
Jiang Wan laughed heartily, picked up her whip, and urged the carriage horses forward.