Everyone had gathered at the village entrance in groups with their valuables with them. The ballifs were responsible for transporting the rations they had gathered in a cart they had built overnight. The exiles still looked despondent and unwilling judging by their reluctant behavior. As Su Xiao prepared the horses for travelling she could catch the faint dissatisfied murmurs coming from them,
"Acting all mighty thinking they're still at the palace"
"Yes. What rubbish about a flood"
"I think they're just looking for attention"
Despite the gossip she remained calm and expressionless. She wasn't a saint and naturally didn't care if they died or not as long as her family was safe. The children had been placed securely into the cart with Li Tuo as the driver. As for the food, she had taken advantage of Bai Ling's absence to stuff half of it into the space and just a few amount into the bags they were traveling with. The journey would not be peaceful, so to avoid any mishap she took precautions in advance.
Mu Wei had left earlier to meet the ballif chief and hasn't returned. While waiting for his return she chatted with the kids to make them feel less afraid,
"Mother, are we going to die?"
Those fearful but expectant eyes made her heart soften. She smiled gently at them before comforting them,
"Of course. Mother would never let any harm come to you"
"What about father?"
She was momentarily stunned at the question before realizing,
"Of course, mother will protect you all"
Su Xiao felt her cheeks grow hot as she remembered waking up in that strong embrace. He had sneaked into her bed and took advantage of her. Just as she was thinking of him, a commotion jolted her back. Mu Wei was walking with Lu Dan, his distinctive features more prominent after her careful feeding. The ladies gawked at him with unrestrained infatuation as he conversed seriously with Lu Dan.
Looking at the oblivious man attracting that attention she felt inwardly irritated. She couldn't help but curse,
'What a walking disaster'
Perhaps her gaze was too intense he turned to look solely at her. Their gaze locked and he lips curved into a smirk. Su Xiao felt her cheeks become warm again and she rolled her eyes at him.
'Bastard'
He only knew how to mess with her. Lu Dan cleared his throat and everyone listened attentively.
"As you all know about the flood, and why I called you all out here. We have to hurry and reach the Shi forest before dawn so we don't get swept away by the flood coming and our loved ones stay safe"
He paused to examine the looks on their faces before continuing.
"I know what you might be thinking. That we're deliberating making up the news about the flood but I assure you it's not. The rain has been falling continuously and the dam at Yan City is almost collapsing due to under construction. If you don't believe me then you can continue walking slowly till you're dead. That's all I have to say, so everyone gets going"
Murmurs and complaints sounded but they still began moving. Mu Wei walked to their cart and got on. They didn't have much time to waste and had to hurry up. On that morning, footsteps and murmuring echoed as everyone walked the lonely part to the Shi forest. The children looked reluctantly at the village getting smaller till it was out of sight and let out a sad sigh. Su Xiao hugged them close and consoled them,
"Don't be sad babies, mother is going to find you somewhere more beautiful and no one will make you leave"
Her assurance made their face lit up in happiness and they snuggled further into her embrace, giggling happily. Soon they were fast asleep, Su Xiao tucked them in the cart and opened the window to examine the situation outside. Their surrounding was calm and quiet as the murmuring group had quiet down. Her nerves were tensed as she prepared in case of any other situation apart from the flood.
Just as she was looking around, she felt a malicious gaze and turned. Cai Ning was not expecting the woman to turn so fast as their eyes locked. She immediately flashed a smile uglier than a cry but she ignored her which made her expression twist. She had been observing the woman or more exactly the man with her and her face flushed. He was good looking and strong which was deserving of her, not to talk of him being an ex general.
She had been looking for a situation to approach him but the damn woman was everywhere making it impossible. She was the daughter of the minister of rites but due to an accident with the offering, her father was exiled by the emperor and they all came with him. She lowered her eyes thinking there would be an opportunity. Su Xiao didn't care about the woman. If she dared act on her thoughts then don't blame her for being impolite.
Mu Wei was in charge of driving along with the Li brothers who were leading the way. The skies were still gloomy indicating a down pour and the ballifs urged everyone to move faster. The atmosphere looked terrifying with the occasional thunder bolt which scared some of them making them involuntarily walk faster. They were getting close to the official road which they would bypass to enter Shi forest.
Mu Wei observed the surroundings on alert of any sudden movement. Once they had entered the Shi forest, they wouldn't be caught by the flood as it would not reach that path but instead would follow the official road down to the Tang village which was also deserted by now. As they walked his ears twitched and he turned back in surprise. His gaze met with Su Xiao and she understood the meaning, her gaze also turning solemn.
The horses trashed and neighed wildly wanting to escape the impending danger. Mu Wei hurried to calm it down while shouting,
"Everyone, the flood is near. Drop every heavy load that could hinder you and run through the path by the official road"
Lu Dan understood what he meant and shouted at them to run. Su Xiao had already taken the lead with the children running madly into the road after taking control over the cart. At first they thought it was a joke, but when they saw Su Xiao and Mu Wei sprinting into the official road bypass, they picked up speed. Screams and cries rang as everyone fled for their life, some were still reluctant to throw away their belongings, thereby left behind.
Everyone was running following Mu Wei's lead to save their lives. Su Xiao continued running alongside Mu Wei and Li Gu without stopping. The Shi forest was almost in sight and they sped up faster. As everyone was running, a high pitched scream rang and they turned to look back. They stood frozen in shock as the massive flood flowed, swallowing up everything in sight. Those who recovered, ran for their lives, pushing and shoving everyone out of their sight.
The rushing water sounded behind them and they ran faster, Su Xiao immediately steered the horse to the Shi forest entrance as directed by Mu Wei and entered, followed by Li Gu and Mu Wei as the last. Others immediately poured in after them. Those slower were unfortunately swept away just as predicted.