Chapter 63 You Sure Know How to Hide-Após o confisco dos bens e o exílio da minha família, construí um império usando meu espaço secreto.(Como num sonho)

Father Song took these factors into consideration and hinted meaningfully, "Which is more dangerous, an assassin or a wild beast?"

Hearing this, Zhang Huai made his choice immediately. "Then I will lead Lord Song and your family along a lesser-known path, though it will be a bit of a detour."

Father Song asked, "Do many people know about these paths?"

Zhang Huai replied that not many did. "Actually, if one doesn't make a deliberate detour, these paths are much faster than the official highway."

"A small number of bailiffs who know them take these paths on their return journeys to save a lot of time."

Father Song thought of something. "These paths must pass through quite a few mountains, right? Are there plenty of things to eat in the mountains?"

His knowledge of mountains was limited to hunting and composing poetry.

Without thinking too much or asking further, Zhang Huai answered, "There is indeed plenty of food in the mountains this season, but the dangers are also very high."

"Wild beasts roam about looking for prey during this season, and anyone trespassing into their territory is likely to be attacked."

Upon hearing this, Father Song had already figured out how to proceed.

"Please, Captain Zhang, after we pass the next town, take us into the mountains as I just suggested."

He added, "Preferably along the least-traveled paths possible. Don't worry about whether it makes the journey longer."

Zhang Huai nodded in agreement. "Understood, Lord Song."

Father Song glanced at the other bailiffs and said with a smile, "You just said yourself that the mountains are very dangerous. If anything happens to anyone, they can only blame their own bad luck, right?"

A chill ran down Zhang Huai's spine, and he felt grateful once more that he had chosen not to go against the Song family from the very beginning.

"Lord Song is entirely right. In a place as dangerous as the mountains, accidents happen all too easily."

With that, Father Song dropped the subject and began asking in detail about the specific conditions of those mountain paths to plan ahead.

Taking the minor paths was, in its own way, an adventure.

Yet compared to the troubles and perils of the official highway, the mountain tracks offered greater safety.

Having mapped out the plan, Father Song summoned his three sons to discuss taking the mountain trails.

"I have already settled this matter with Captain Zhang, so you all need to be extra vigilant from now on."

His brow furrowed slightly. "Also, we need to buy some tools like sickles in the town; they will come in handy in the mountains."

Previously, Shiwei had bought kitchen knives and the like, but no sickles.

Song Mingxuan voiced his thoughts. "Father, since we are taking the mountain road, why don't we stay in the mountains for a few days?"

Father Song looked at him.

Song Ming宇 continued, "Staying in the mountains temporarily has two benefits."

"First, the bailiffs and the mole within our ranks will be unable to send messages out and will likely grow anxious, which will make it easier for us to make our move."

"Second, while we remain hidden in the mountains where those people cannot track us, they might be forced to act out in the open, making it easier for the Emperor to make his move."

Hearing this, Father Song looked at him with new eyes. He truly had not realized before that Mingyu possessed such a sharp mind.

"You rascal, usually so quiet and unassuming, yet you actually have brains."

Song Mingyu gave an awkward laugh. In the past, there was the family above him, followed by his father and eldest brother; there had simply been no need for the youngest son to do anything.

Song Mingxuan looked his third younger brother up and down, amazed at how well the fellow could hide his talents.

Song Mingting gently tapped the back of the third brother's head. "You sneaky brat, you hid that well."

Father Song patted his shoulder and encouraged him, "Mingyu, our situation is no longer what it used to be. You will have to work a little harder and not let your eldest sister bear all the burden."

From this incident alone, he realized he hadn't truly understood his three sons.

Song Mingyu patted his chest and promised, "Father, rest assured, I won't let Eldest Sister work so hard anymore."

After everything that had happened, he was determined never to let his eldest sister shoulder such hardships again.

Father Song grew increasingly pleased with his youngest son, a smile finally gracing his face. "We will do as you suggested and stay in the mountains for a few days."

Song Mingyu said, "Father, we cannot stay in the mountains that people frequent; we must stay deep within those remote, untrodden mountains."

"If we are to stay in such mountains, we need to prepare more food," Song Mingxuan noted. "In addition, we must get insect-repellent powder."

Song Mingting chimed in, "Let's prepare some food that is easy to store."

"We shouldn't buy too many other things, lest certain people find out and turn it to our disadvantage."

Song Mingxuan nodded in understanding. "The best way is to ask the post station master to buy them for us, but that carries risks."

Father Song said, "The Prince of Ding stated that he has already made arrangements with the post station at the next town."

"In that case, we can safely ask the post station master to purchase our supplies."

Song Mingyu disagreed. "Father, it is best not to involve outsiders."

"If the Prince of Ding can make arrangements with the post station, what's to stop others from bribing the master?"

Father Song, however, smiled mysteriously. "Bribing him would be even better."

"If we ask the post station master to help buy some unusual items, those people will likely seize upon this to report to the Emperor."

"At a crucial time like this, do you think the Emperor will start second-guessing things?"

Enlightened as if a sudden flash of insight had struck him, Song Mingyu looked at his father with admiration. Truly, ginger grew hotter the older it got!

Song Mingxuan and Song Mingting also learned a great deal from this.

The father and sons discussed the matter in minute detail.

Meanwhile.

Song Shiwei had just finished drinking her medicine and lay on the donkey cart with a bitter expression, as the concoction was truly dreadful.

"Eldest Miss, good medicine tastes bitter," Concubine Liu said softly, wiping the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief and coaxing her gently. "Only by drinking the medicine can you recover faster."

Song Shiwei felt her entire mouth filled with a lingering bitterness, so pungent that even swallowing her own saliva tasted foul.

There was also a faint wave of nausea rising within her.

"Concubine Liu, I understand."

Concubine Liu did not urge her further, thinking instead whether she could buy a few preserved sweet plums at the next town specifically to help the Eldest Miss take her medicine.

"Would the Eldest Miss like to sleep a little longer, or would you prefer to get down and walk around?"

Supported by Concubine Liu's hands, Song Shiwei slowly climbed down from the donkey cart. "I'll get down and walk a bit."

"Lying on the donkey cart for so long makes my whole body ache."

Carefully supporting her, Concubine Liu walked slowly around the vehicle. "We'll reach the town tomorrow, and then the Eldest Miss will be able to sleep on a proper bed."

Song Shiwei looked at Concubine Liu's once fair and tender face, now flushed, chapped, and gradually turning rough, before casting her gaze upon her own slightly coarsened hands.

At a time like this, who could spare a thought for mere appearance? Simply staying alive was already a formidable challenge.

"Eldest Sister!" Song Shiyue bounded over, asking with concern, "Are you feeling better?"

Forcing a smile, Song Shiwei said lightly, "I'm feeling much better."

Noticing that her third sister's face was also chapped and rough, she furrowed her brows slightly.

"Eldest Sister, I was just talking to Concubine Liu about the winter," Song Shiyue said, sharing her thoughts. "Shouldn't we buy some frostbite ointment to keep on hand?"

Song Shiwei had indeed overlooked this matter.

"You child!" Concubine Liu reproached Song Shiyue with a look. "Third Young Miss, the Eldest Miss needs proper rest. How can you give her more things to worry about?"