This was the only path to survival Jiang Wanwen could devise for them, based on her calculations from the book’s timeline and the actual distance between locations.
Even with urgent first-class military dispatches rushing to Shengyang, news of Fu Xuanrui’s rebellion would likely take over thirty days to reach the capital.
Jiang Wanwen planned to have someone deliver a letter and the servants’ indentures to the chief steward Yu Wei in the Wangfu’s front courtyard five days after their departure.
By then, Yu Wei would be granted full authority to handle these matters.
Preoccupied with these thoughts, Jiang Wanwen slept restlessly. When Ruhua woke her at the appointed hour, she felt more exhausted than if she hadn’t slept at all.
But with their imminent escape, she had no time to dwell on fatigue. She hurriedly instructed Ruhua to bring the pre-packed bundles while shouldering a large parcel herself.
This substantial bundle Jiang Wanwen carried personally would serve as cover for retrieving items during emergencies on the road.
Arriving at the rear gate of Zhuangzi, she found Fu Xuanming and his siblings, Jiang Ping’an, and Fu Zhuoxu—who was being carried by Fu Xuanming—already waiting.
Upon seeing Jiang Wanwen, they all stepped forward to pay respects.
Before she could bid them rise, Fu Xuanchen’s discontented voice cut through, “Mother, why have you dragged us out at this hour? I’m utterly exhausted.”
His accompanying yawn ignited Jiang Wanwen’s irritation.
Without a word, she took the sleeping Fu Zhuoxu from her second son’s arms and thrust him into Fu Xuanchen’s embrace. “Silence. Hold him properly.”
Fu Xuanchen, instinctively clutching Fu Zhuoxu, opened his mouth to protest.
But Jiang Wanwen gave him no opportunity, striding directly toward the waiting horses outside.
Fu Xuanming and Fu Xuanzhao immediately followed, while Zhong Yuancheng—who had been standing by—swiftly approached, scooped up Jiang Ping’an, and deftly mounted his horse.
Though willful, Fu Xuanchen was no fool. He hurriedly mounted with Fu Zhuoxu in his arms, complaining nonetheless, “Mother, you expect a half-grown boy to ride alone while holding a child?”
Admittedly uneasy about this arrangement, Jiang Wanwen rummaged through her bundle—actually retrieving a thick cloth from her spatial inventory—before dismounting.
She securely fastened Fu Zhuoxu against Fu Xuanchen’s chest with the cloth. “There. Now focus on riding.”
Jiang Wanwen knew her children were burning with questions, but explanations would have to wait. Drawing on the original host’s memories, she smoothly mounted her horse and took the lead, setting off at a brisk pace.
Though initially concerned about her lack of equestrian experience in her previous life, the moment she laid eyes on the horse, a strange calm settled over her as the original host’s memories surfaced.
In that instant, Jiang Wanwen knew—she could ride.
The group rode urgently through the night, only reaching their predetermined destination as dawn tinged the sky. A merchant convoy of twenty people awaited them beside the official road with horse-drawn carriages.
Zhong Yuancheng, carrying the slumbering Jiang Ping’an, strode to Jiang Wanwen’s side. “Godmother, we’ll be traveling by carriage during daylight hours from now on. The merchant carriages are rather basic—I apologize for the discomfort.”
“At a time like this, there’s no room for grievances. You’ve all worked hard! Once we reach our destination, I, the Wangfei, will not treat you poorly.”
Jiang Wanwen directed these final words primarily to the twenty Anwei. Though perhaps they couldn’t strictly be called Shadow Guards anymore—in recent years, the original owner had shown mercy, allowing those who wished to start families to do so.
Now they essentially served as Jiang Wanwen’s private soldiers!
“Thank you, Mistress. We would die ten thousand deaths for you without hesitation.” These men had originally been utterly loyal to General Jiang. Now that both of the General’s only two masters were here, and the new mistress (the eldest young lady) treated them well, they had no reason to betray her.
They even voluntarily kept watch on those around them—if anyone dared to betray their mistress, they themselves would never forgive such a person.
Jiang Wanwen quickly instructed everyone to rise, then boarded the carriage with her attendants and daughter.
Fu Xuanming and Fu Xuanchen seized the opportunity to squeeze aboard as well. The moment Fu Xuanming entered, he scrutinized the carriage interior.
Instantly, his brows furrowed so deeply they could have crushed several mosquitoes. Only the seating area had simple padding—everything else fell far short of their Wangfu’s standards. “Mother, what’s going on?”
Jiang Wanwen couldn’t very well tell them ‘your eldest brother has rebelled,’ especially since Shengyang hadn’t received the news yet, and she shouldn’t have any sources of information herself. “We’re going to find your eldest brother.”
Fu Xuanming was the cleverest among the children present. Reading between the lines, he widened his eyes and stared at his mother.
Jiang Wanwen never underestimated this son’s intelligence. Seeing that her second son had guessed the truth, she shooed them away. “Both of you, go quickly to the carriage behind and take good care of Xu Er.”
Fu Xuanchen and Fu Xuanzhao had no objections to their mother taking them to find their eldest brother. In their minds, with their father gone, their eldest brother was the next Prince Pingwu, so seeking refuge with him was perfectly natural.
However, they hadn’t even brought their personal attendants, and they still had countless questions to ask.
All these thoughts became irrelevant to Fu Xuanchen when he heard that he and his second brother were expected to look after that little brat Fu Zhuoxu. “Mother, Second Brother and I have never actually taken care of a child before! Normally, the wet nurses handle the children. At most, we just give instructions.”
As he spoke, Fu Xuanchen untied Fu Zhuoxu from his carrying cloth, his eyes filled not only with helplessness but also clear disgust—taking care of a child was far too troublesome, and now he reeked of urine and feces.
Truthfully, Jiang Wanwen didn’t want to care for the child either, but when she saw her two flustered children, her heart softened and she eventually took Fu Zhuoxu from them.
Jiang Wanwen shooed them away again. “Enough, you two keep a good watch on your cousin in the carriage.”
Fu Xuanchen still wanted to ask about his personal servant, but before he could speak, Fu Xuanming pulled him out of the carriage.
Fu Xuanzhao was also worried about her own attendants, but when she saw that her mother hadn’t even brought her matron—only Ruhua and Ruyue Gugu—she knew she shouldn’t ask.
Instead, she thoughtfully took her little nephew and held him.
After that, their entire party traveled day and night without stopping. When they passed through towns, they only sent people in to replenish supplies—Jiang Wanwen and her group never showed themselves.
Fortunately, because Prince Pingwu had passed away, everyone in Pingwu Wangfu was observing deep mourning.
According to protocol, all the masters of the Wangfu were not permitted to leave the residence without reason and were not accepting visiting cards.
Thus, the Pingwu Wangfu fell into silence, and no one grew suspicious.
On the sixth day after Jiang Wanwen and her party had departed, Yu Wei, the chief steward of the front courtyard of the Wangfu, received two large boxes delivered to him by someone from outside.
Having received prior instructions from the Wangfei, Yu Wei recognized the boxes and surmised they pertained to the matter the Wangfei had mentioned before leaving for her Buddhist devotions, which she had entrusted him to handle.