Chapter Seven, The Displaced Population (I)

Ping Yu was taken aback, looking at Chen Rong in confusion. After a while, she finally replied, "Yes." Since experiencing nightmares a few nights ago, this young woman had been changing more and more each day, and she had unknowingly developed a sense of trust in her.

He possesses self-discipline, yet the young boys and girls are evidently lacking in this regard. A girl of about fifteen or sixteen picked up her chopsticks, angrily stabbed at the bowl filled with white rice a few times, and disdainfully said: "Father too, why can't he drive away those lowly people?"

At this moment, Chen Rong already knew that Wang Jialang had not traveled with them because he still needed to pay a visit to a renowned scholar.

Tonight, a bright moon hangs in the sky, its silver light spreading over the earth. In such moonlight, on such a night, even the weary scions of the Wang family find themselves enchanted by this poetic and picturesque scene

The matron saw Chen Rong approaching, and while setting the dishes on the cart, she lowered her voice and said: "My lady, it seems you have hit the nail on the head."

During dinner, the Wang family still exuded an air of luxury, as if they were not fleeing from disaster, but rather going on a leisurely trip.

Time to dine, let's take a break

A young man gazed at the clear and beautiful Chen Rong under the moonlight, unable to help but say: "Ah Rong is truly a beauty. Such a beauty should learn a bit of poetry."

After Chen Rong returned, Shang Sou muttered gloomily, "That young lady from the Wang family is quite rude; Ah Rong was clearly acting with good intentions"

After having dinner, the convoy set off again

Chen Rong has a good understanding of martial arts and possesses excellent physical fitness, allowing him to keep up with the team for several miles without even breaking a sweat

In this situation, the royal family, which emphasizes noble demeanor, must bathe several times a day, resulting in only being able to travel twenty to thirty miles in a day

Amidst the sound of hooves "da da", a knight urged his horse forward towards the rear of the convoy while shouting loudly

Whether it is the whip or horsemanship, both are favored by the northern Hu people. The disdain that the Central Plains people have for the Hu people is deeply ingrained, and the laughter of young girls contains the most evident mockery.

Chen Rong smiled gently. She offered a graceful bow to the crowd and said, "If Chen Rong were to recite poetry, it would likely overshadow this bright moon." After speaking, she stepped back.

Because, three to four hundred steps behind them, stood several hundred refugees. These refugees, with children in tow and in tattered clothing, gazed blankly at the Wang family. Some children stared vacantly at the food and drink on the table, with dirty mouths drooling profusely.

Chen Rong glanced at the bright red sunlight in the west and leaped down from the horse's back

As soon as Wang Wulang's voice fell, a young girl chuckled and said, "Fifth Brother, are you asking Chen Rong to recite poetry? Wouldn't that be asking for her life?"

The novelty of the royal ladies gradually faded away as the days went by. Slowly, Chen Rong began to hear more and more complaints.

In the Chen family, she is the only master. At mealtimes, she simply prepares one meat dish and one vegetable dish, eating just to get by. When it comes to sleeping, unlike the Wang family members who insist on sleeping in spacious tents, she lies down in the carriage.

Under the moonlight, her graceful figure, paired with her clear, water-like eyes, exudes an indescribable and unpaintable beauty. Unbeknownst to her, several young nobles from the Wang family turned their heads to gaze at her.

The young girl chuckled again, "Everyone in Pingcheng knows that Chen's A-Rong likes whips and equestrian skills; she certainly does not care for these poems and verses."

What he saw was Chen Rong, whose eyes sparkled with brilliance and showed no signs of regret

The matron put away the dishes and retreated from the carriage. Just as she stepped down from the carriage, she heard the low murmurs of the young lady from her family inside, "I used to admire them, but it turns out they are merely playthings made of clay and wood." The voice was filled with deep disappointment.

The slender-faced, beautiful young girl heard these words, her delicate face stiffened, and just as she was about to retort, she closed her mouth again

This woman has a pointed chin and a long, thin face, her complexion pale and her features delicate, just like the one who had laughed at Chen Rong a bit too carelessly that day. Upon seeing her appearance, everyone knew she could not bring herself to face it. Amidst the laughter, a round-faced girl chuckled and said, "Seventh sister is afraid that Chen Rong will mock you, isn't she?"

As the girl's voice just faded, another woman's voice, somewhat sharp and urgent, came through, "No, no, I believe Chen Rong was just speaking carelessly."

Wang Zhuo shook his head, directly stuffing a piece of dog meat into his mouth, and said in a low voice: "To see but not to see is all there is."

In the carriage, after Chen Rong had finished her meal, she set down her bowl and chopsticks. She instructed the matron, saying: "Inform everyone that they must sleep beside the carriage these few nights, and unless absolutely necessary, they should not wander around."

This question has evidently stumped those young aristocrats, who are lost in a life of indulgence and are oblivious to the meaning of hunger and suffering. After pondering for a while, a young girl exclaimed, "Ah, this matter can surely be explained by that Chen family girl, A-Rong! Who will go fetch her and ask her what this is all about?"

Night gradually deepened

A young man responded from the side: "It is easy to drive them away, but if the scholars from the south learn that we are harsh on the common people, they will inevitably gossip about it."

Chen Rong approached the Wang family members who were enjoying the gentle breeze and the moonlight.

At this moment, the sun is setting in the west, casting golden rays of sunlight upon the still lush poplar trees. At this very moment, a thick layer of plain satin is spread beneath the poplar trees, on which are placed low tables and stools. Behind the low tables and stools, there are elegantly dressed individuals, each with a refined appearance, resembling celestial beings of the Wang clan under the glow of the setting sun

Wang Wulang was the first to speak, calling out: "A Rong, the bright moon is high in the sky tonight, the air is clear for thousands of miles, we are composing poetry. You should join us too."

Yes

Her words were indeed quite elegant, leaving the Wang family members momentarily stunned, and it took a while for the laughter to arise. Hearing that laughter, Chen Rong's lips curled downwards, revealing a hint of a cold smile: Originally, she had come to warn everyone about the suspicious movements and unfriendly gazes of the refugees. However, now she no longer wished to speak. After all, there were many guards in the convoy, and no matter how strong the refugees were, they would not be able to harm the vitality of the caravan. She decided to let them teach a lesson to some people on her behalf.

After traveling for seven days, the number of refugees on the road increased significantly. These ordinary commoners, in groups, were heading south. After consuming the provisions they had brought, they began to spontaneously follow behind the Wang family's convoy. This was because every time the Wang family finished their meal, there would be a large amount of leftover food.

At this moment, everyone began to get busy, some setting up tents, while others were preparing meals

These matters have nothing to do with Chen Rong

As soon as these words were spoken, laughter erupted all around

It is now early autumn, and the sky still bears the heat. The dust raised by the movement of carriages and crowds envelops everyone, leaving them increasingly covered in grime.

Yet at this moment, these elegantly poised young gentlemen all frowned, their faces a mixture of annoyance and helplessness. They stared at the dishes before them, but none of them lifted their chopsticks.

Chen Rong turned her gaze and fixed it on the young girl for just a moment, and in that instant, she recognized that this girl was indeed the one who had mocked her for being overly cautious that day

She spoke while glancing at the Wang family, who were three hundred steps away

Another youth remarked, "How strange! Usually, these lowly people see us and treat us with utmost reverence, almost crawling on the ground to kiss our toes. How is it that they are so bold at this moment?"

The thing she does the most now is sitting in the carriage for an hour, after which she will switch to riding a horse or simply walking

At this point, he cast a glance at Chen Rong.

As the number of people following behind increased, the Wang family began to feel annoyed. The filthy and foul-smelling refugees trailing behind them, with the stench carried by the wind for miles, were truly unbearable. However, they did not dare to take the action of driving away the refugees, as it would tarnish their reputation. Thus, the Wang family had no choice but to reduce their washing time and start to quicken their pace

However, although the people around her laughed, no one ever mentioned Chen Rong again

Under such a gaze, the young members of the Wang family felt as uncomfortable as if they had swallowed a fly. A middle-aged man leaned closer to the head of the family, Wang Zhuo, and whispered, "Lord Wang, what do you think?"