Seeing their light traveling arrangements, he frowned slightly. “Why do you have so little luggage?”

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at their baggage before saying, “About the same as Uncle’s—just right, I’d say.”

How could it be the same?

“Where is your dowry?”

Zhao Hanzhang paused before answering, “Uncle must have heard by now—I signed a contract with Great-uncle stating that half my dowry would eventually go to Erlang. So to avoid putting the Fu family in a difficult position, I had the dowry sent to them in advance.”

Zhao Ji didn’t immediately understand. “Why would the Fu family be in a difficult position?”

“If I brought such an enormous dowry into their household, it would attract attention. Then in a few years, half of it would be gone. To outsiders, wouldn’t it seem like the Fu family had embezzled my dowry?” Zhao Hanzhang said with a regretful expression. “I was supposed to marry tomorrow, so I sent the dowry over two days early. I never expected this to happen.”

Zhao Ji’s mouth fell open, unable to speak.

Zhao Hanzhang urged him, “Uncle, now is not the time to discuss this. We should leave quickly—the rebel troops could arrive at any moment.”

The two guards also pressed, “Young Master, let’s go. When we left, Prince Donghai was already escorting His Majesty out of the palace. We need to hurry to the west gate, or we’ll be stranded in the city with no one to help…”

Zhao Ji: “All that dowry…”

Zhao Hanzhang also looked pained. “The Fu family can’t take it with them either. In the end, it will probably just benefit the rebels.”

“But misfortune depends upon fortune—this might actually be good for our family. Right now, escaping with our lives is what matters. By abandoning wealth and traveling light, we’ll definitely have a better chance of survival than other families.”

Zhao Ji’s chest heaved with anger as he turned and walked away.

He summoned a trusted aide. “Go investigate—did the First Branch really not keep anything back? When were the items moved out? With so much being transported, there should have been quite a commotion, yet the household knew nothing about it…”

Time was tight, and the First Branch had always been managed by Zhao Changyu and Zhao Hanzhang. How could they investigate anything so quickly?

But the aide was clever. Without stating things directly, he went out for a quick look around before returning to report, “Young Master, I’ve confirmed the items were indeed sent away.”

Zhao Ji asked, “When were they sent? Where from? Who arranged it?”

The aide hesitated, listening to the sounds of battle drawing closer outside, then fabricated, “The night before last, through the west corner gate. I heard it was Chengbo who arranged the people.”

Zhao Changyu had given Chengbo to Zhao Hanzhang, so even if he wasn’t the one who did it, he must know about it. Just two days ago, he had helped count the ready cash to hand over to Zhao Hanzhang. Last night there was an attack on the city, so nothing could be moved out. Since it wasn’t today or yesterday, it must have been the night before.

Zhao Hanzhang hadn’t expected them to guess correctly by chance. Once she confirmed Zhao Ji was preparing to leave, she had their horses brought and hung Zhao Changyu’s sword at her waist.

She instructed Zhao Erlang, “Once we’re outside, stay close to Mother’s carriage. No matter what happens, you must protect Mother, understand?”

Zhao Erlang solemnly agreed.

The Zhao family gates opened. Servants went out first, then carriages, mule carts, and ox carts filed out in order. Household guards flanked the vehicles on both sides, gripping their blades tightly.

They had barely gone far when the gates of the neighboring estate also opened, and a flood of people and vehicles poured out—carrying large and small bundles, with many bringing children. Clearly, like them, they were fleeing the city.

When the two groups met, someone immediately approached Zhao Ji. “Lord Zhao, are you leaving the city?”

Zhao Ji was pleased to see them and nodded repeatedly. “Indeed. If Brother Jia is also leaving, why don’t we travel together?”

The other was more than willing and immediately agreed. The two processions merged into one, becoming a chaotic jumble.

With so many people, not only were the servants panic-stricken, but the young masters and ladies protected in the middle were also terrified.

From her vantage point on horseback, Zhao Hanzhang could see people constantly urging their drivers to go faster. The drivers had no choice but to whip the horses and mules harder, causing the vehicles to lurch forward, pushing aside those ahead or forcing servants and guards to the side.

When people fell, the carts behind them slowed down. The passengers cursed angrily, and drivers would crack their whips at those blocking the way.

The First Branch’s servants, who had been following Wang Shi’s carriage in order, were scattered by this chaotic surge, with some falling behind.

Zhao Hanzhang pressed her lips together, turned her horse around, and grabbed a whip mid-crack. She yanked hard, pulling the driver off his cart. “If you can’t drive properly, get down! Cut in line again, and I’ll throw you, your cart, and everyone on it to the back.”

Someone in the cart threw open the curtain and glared at her furiously. “Zhao Sanniang, what do you mean by this?”

Zhao Hanzhang threw the coiled whip right at his face. “Exactly what I said. If you want to follow us, behave yourselves. Do you realize how much the whole procession has slowed because of you? Order brings speed; chaos brings only disorder. Jia Erlang, all your learning has gone to the dogs.”

Zhao Ji and Old Master Jia rushed over. Somewhat embarrassed about the slapped Jia Erlang, Zhao Ji said, “Erlang, don’t take Sanniang’s words to heart. She’s just anxious.”

He then turned to scold Zhao Sanniang, “Apologize to Erlang at once. How can you become more unruly as you grow older…”

Zhao Hanzhang, already dissatisfied that he couldn’t refuse the Jia family above or control the servants below, didn’t give him any face. She simply snorted coldly, turned her horse, and rode away.

Seeing her undermine him in front of outsiders, Zhao Ji was furious. “You…”

Old Master Jia quickly placated him. “Forget it, forget it. They’re just children—young and hot-blooded, that’s all.”

He then addressed Jia Erlang. “Move aside quickly. The carts and horses behind can’t get through because of you.”

Zhao Hanzhang rode through the crowd to find Chengbo, who was squeezed onto an ox cart with a group of servants. She pulled him onto her horse and delivered him to Wang Shi’s carriage.

Chengbo was flustered. “How can this be proper?”

Zhao Hanzhang said, “Chengbo, my brother and I still need your care. Please stay with the carriage.”

Wang Shi also lifted the curtain. “Yes, Chengbo. It’s so chaotic, and ox carts are too slow. You could easily get separated.”

Chengbo sat on the carriage shaft.

Their group headed west. As they passed various households, people would poke their heads out, see so many fleeing, then rush back inside to grab bundles and drag their entire families to follow at the rear of the procession.

By the time they had crossed two streets and could see the west gate, many people had already pushed into their ranks. The chaos was complete. With such a long Zhao family procession and Zhao Ji making virtually no arrangements, the front and rear couldn’t coordinate, and they quickly lost many people and much baggage.

Zhao Hanzhang rode about constantly adjusting personnel, trying to have guards and strong servants surround their First Branch people as much as possible to reduce losses.

But the Second Branch was hemorrhaging servants, even losing many guards. They could only shout to take people from Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t want to agree, but the guards knew the Second Branch was now in charge of the Zhao family. Without waiting for her consent, they pushed through to protect the Second Branch.

Zhao Hanzhang: …She swallowed the words on her lips. These guards weren’t her people. Everyone seeks advantage and avoids harm. Now that the Second Branch controlled the Zhao family, if forced to choose, she definitely wouldn’t be the one chosen.

She sighed and could only tell the following servants to keep up with the carts and horses as best they could, not to get separated, and to stop fighting over those departing guards.