In the tense atmosphere, neither side took the initiative to make a move, but Boss Luo and his group of refugees did not give way, clearly showing no intention of backing down.

A carriage slowly approached, followed by a mounted guard, and stopped to the side.

"You grown men really have the nerve to make things difficult for the elderly!"

A clear, melodious voice came from inside the carriage.

"Cheng Feng, tell me, how should we deal with government inspections and the resulting fights among displaced people?"

The mounted guard immediately responded respectfully, "Reporting to your Excellency, all those involved in the brawl among the refugees shall be given twenty strokes of the cane as an example!"

Tao Wanniang looked at the carriage that had suddenly appeared in surprise. She must have been watching the show for quite a while!

She discreetly examined the carriage. Without sufficient provisions, the horses couldn't be kept. There was also a guard with a sword at his side. This must not be an ordinary official!

In an instant, Tao Wanniang seemed to be possessed by a theatrical spirit. The kitchen knife in her hand wobbled to the ground, and she cried and stumbled as she rushed towards the carriage.

"My lord, Your Honor, I'm being helped!"

"My family, apart from my two sons, consists of women and children. These heartless bastards only target people like us to bully us. I'm willing to take twenty lashes, but I beg you, the righteous official, to save my life!"

"Sir, please don't leave! Please, sir, have mercy and escort this old woman and her family away from this place!"

As Tao Wanniang spoke, she glanced timidly at the group of refugees.

"The old woman was afraid that as soon as the adults left, these people would target our little children."

Suddenly discouraged, Tao Wanniang changed her tone abruptly, truly appearing like a pitiful, weak, and easily bullied woman.

Xiao Yi had been watching the show for quite a while. Just now, this woman was as assertive as a fighting cock, but now she was putting on a pitiful act. This contrast made Xiao Yi unable to resist lifting the carriage curtain.

The man with his hair tied up in a jade crown had a handsome face, but judging from his appearance, he was no longer a young man. When Tao Wanniang met his gaze, she immediately looked away.

She didn't want to anger these powerful figures, lest she be struck by an unexpected disaster.

Xiao Yi wouldn't even glance at the disheveled old woman; he just thought she was a bit cunning.

"Then let's see if your carts can keep up with our horse-drawn carriages. Cheng Feng, cover the rear!"

As Xiao Yi spoke, he lowered the carriage curtain.

Tao Wan's eyes lit up, and she quickly climbed onto the cart, urging Ling Dahu:

"Hurry up, catch the carriage! With adults here, let's see if these people dare to stop us again!"

Ling Dahu was so shocked by his mother's sudden change in expression that his heart pounded. How dare she try to tug at the government's carriage? Was she courting death?

"Hurry up!" Tao Wanniang saw Ling Dahu standing there dumbfounded and slapped his hand, urging him on.

Grandma Liang immediately helped her granddaughter onto the cart, and then pulled Gouwa along. As soon as they were seated, the cart started moving.

"Let's see who dares to lay a hand on you. You only bully the elderly, women, and children. You're all cowards, you deserve to go hungry, you deserve it!"

Tao Wanniang cursed at the group of people. With the nobleman's guards waiting by his side, the group of refugees really didn't dare to move.

Ling Dahu pushed the cart with all his might, not daring to relax. Behind him, Wang Hongyu carried Huani'er, Ling Dapeng carried Er Gou, and Zhou Xiaoyun carried luggage. They all walked very fast.

After traveling a long distance, Cheng Feng, who had been bringing up the rear, caught up and joined the carriage. The carriage then sped up and quickly disappeared from Tao Wanniang's sight.

"Can we still walk? If we can, we should hurry up and leave. We don't know if those people will catch up with us."

Tao Wan's mother turned and glanced at her eldest son before asking a question.

"Mom, let me do it. Big brother, take a break. I still have the strength."

Ling Dapeng then said that he gave the child to Zhou Xiaoyun and switched places with Ling Dahu.

"Tao, you scared me to death! You were really planning to fight someone to the death!"

Aunt Liang finally recovered and patted her chest, panting.

"How can we not risk our lives? We've encountered that man before, a beggar. He's got hands and feet, why doesn't he go find some himself?"

Tao Wanniang said indignantly, "Back then, they tried to snatch our child when we didn't agree. Luckily, I have sharp eyes. I can often tell whether a person is good or bad at a glance."

"Aunt Tao, do you think that person riding in the carriage is good or bad?"

Little Qiao asked, "I secretly peeked, and he's really handsome!"

Tao Wanniang recalled that handsome face and said with an air of seriousness, "He's not a bad person, otherwise he wouldn't have spoken up when he saw us being bullied."

"However, these people aren't with us. Speaking of this drought and famine, has the government actually done anything?"

“Mother, we can’t comment on the government’s affairs. But Mother, please let us know in advance if you’re going to take action or if it’s just a pretense. If you don’t tell us, we won’t know what to do.”

Ling Dapeng, who was pushing the cart, interjected, "Also, Mom, you're just bluffing with that kitchen knife, aren't you? You're not really going to chop it, are you?"

"Don't scare me. You two are grown men, and you keep quiet when something happens. Do you think I'm going to pretend I don't care?"

Tao Wanniang scolded, "I'm telling you, only I, Tao Wanniang, give people food and drink. Anyone who wants to steal our food is dreaming!"

Ling Dapeng fell silent. He had no idea how much food they had left. Sigh, it seemed like his deceased father hadn't taken care of them for a long time.

Out of lingering fear, Tao Wan's mother urged her son to keep going as long as he could, until they were truly too tired to walk any further, at which point the group finally stopped to rest by the roadside.

After traveling for several days, the group was nearing the town. They stopped to rest by the roadside and saw all sorts of people.

"Let's take a breather and try to get to town before dark. We'll go to town and see if we can find something to eat."

After Tao Wanniang distributed water to everyone, she drank the last of the water in the kettle.

"Mother, why do we have to go to the provincial capital? I think we can find a place to stay in the town ahead."

Ling Dahu asked the question that had been on his mind all along: what could they, as farmers from the countryside, do in the provincial capital?

"You're so ambitious, don't you want to live in a place with more people?"

Tao Wanniang retorted, "We are outsiders in the town, and we are still outsiders in the provincial capital. Why don't you think that there is a better chance of finding work and making money in the provincial capital?"

"Most importantly, this severe drought has affected areas for dozens of miles around, and it's uncertain whether there will be any livelihood in the town. But I believe that the provincial government will definitely provide relief, and even if the imperial court wants to provide disaster relief, it will certainly prioritize stabilizing the people in the provincial government."

The Ling brothers looked at Tao Wanniang with confusion, both feeling puzzled. How could their mother have come up with such thoughts?

"Mother, was it that person, um, Father, who appeared in your dream and said something to you?"

Ling Dahu asked, guessing.

Hey, that's a foolproof excuse.

Tao Wanniang was secretly pleased; there was no need for her to bother explaining.

"Yes, that's it, you know what I mean!"