An orphan girl in troubled times, living a miserable life

Chapter 302: Lu Family Exile Night Farewell
The long corridor seemed to have no end. Through the high air vents on the wall, the sky outside was still as dark as ever. Everyone in the Lu family was happy. Even though they were about to be escorted on the road, they felt that there was hope.

They were escorted to the dungeon hall and gathered. They cried with joy when they saw each other. They supported the old and protected the young. They supported each other and staggered out step by step from this prison where they felt like they had lived in their entire lives. When they saw the dark sky outside, they only felt it was the bright sunshine.

Lu Yao held the hand of his wife, who had lost a lot of weight, and picked up his young son. Seeing his younger brother who was holding his mother and looking around, he guessed what he was expecting, so Lu Yao stepped forward and patted his brother on the shoulder.

"Second brother, we decided to set off at this time on a whim, and we set off in the middle of the night. It happened suddenly, so it's understandable that Ji Mo and the others didn't know about it. Besides, as friends, they have helped us a lot. If it weren't for them, my father would have been exposed to the wilderness, and no one in our Lu family would have survived. To get such a result, I don't know how much effort they have put in. Don't blame me for not being able to come today..."

Upon hearing this, Lu Fang immediately became anxious, "Brother, what are you talking about!" Fearing that his brother would misunderstand him, he hurried to explain.

"Brother, how could I be such an ungrateful person? I will always remember everything that Brother Ji and Yaoguang have done for our family. Not to mention that they didn't come to see me off, even when something happened at home that day, they ignored us like those ungrateful people, but I didn't have any resentment at all. They have been good enough and have done enough. If I want anything more, wouldn't I be worse than pigs and dogs? I, I, brother, I just can't bear to leave. I'm afraid that this time... Alas!"

Lu Yao understood his brother's sincere words and felt the same way. He wanted to comfort him, but unfortunately the escorting soldiers who came to hand over the goods had already arrived and were swinging their whips to give him a lecture.

Lu Yao didn't say much. He just patted his brother's thin shoulders heavily, and led his wife and children to stand behind his brothers and mother in a protective manner.

They were escorted into exile, and according to the rules, all males should have been put in shackles. However, because of the previous siege on the palace, the people who knew the situation were still dissatisfied, but the emperor had already taken a step back, and the people as his subjects naturally took a step back as well. Low-level clerks and soldiers like them, even if they were dissatisfied and sympathized with the Shen and Lu families, did not comment too much on the matter.

Of course, if conditions permit, they will still take care of the Lu family secretly. At least they will not let them wear the wooden shackles. They will only tie the men's wrists with the thick hemp ropes used to tie up the women, and then arrange them in order. The women and children are free.

The Lu family was shocked by such treatment, but they naturally understood the good intentions of the visitors. They thanked the escorting officers, said goodbye to Old Uncle Ni, and walked on the bluestone streets of Kyoto towards the West City Gate, following the sound of the night watchman's stick.

Under the kind gaze of the soldiers guarding the city, they passed through the city gate that was opened at night. In the dark night, the family couldn't help but stop and look back at the glowing tower. Fang sighed and patted her son, "Son, don't look at it anymore. Looking at it again will only add to your sadness. Let's go, let's go..." As long as people are alive, it's fine!
Everyone in the Lu family understood and agreed in unison, suppressing their reluctance. Lu Yao took the lead, followed by Lu Fang, and then Lu Qing and the others. After only taking a few steps, they heard a hurried shout mixed in with the sound of horse hooves from behind.

"Wait, wait, Lu Fang, Madam..."

Everyone in the Lu family looked back, only to see that the city gate, which was about to close, suddenly stopped and then opened again. From the opened city gate, a strong horse hurriedly emerged, with two people sitting on the horse, one in front and one behind.

With the help of the light from the torches on the city wall, the Lu family could see clearly who was coming. Who else could it be but Ji Mo and Li Yaoguang, their friends who had always helped them?

The one who just shouted was Li Yaoguang who was protected by Ji Mo.

The two men rode their horses over and stopped when they were close. Ji Mo jumped off the horse with extremely swift movements. As soon as Li Yaoguang moved, Ji Mo immediately carried her off the horse.

They were in a hurry and the night wind was cold. Li Yaoguang's face was flushed as she was blown all the way. She didn't feel cold. She ran straight towards the Lu family with a big bag in her arms, feeling grateful as she ran.

"Luckily, fortunately, we finally caught up." Lu Fang and the others were also surprised by their arrival. Lu Fang hurriedly asked with concern, "Yaoguang, and Brother Ji, why are you here?"

Speaking of Li Yaoguang, he got angry and wanted to curse the old emperor and use all the vicious words on him.

It’s a pity that he could think of this. It would be fine if he was exiled, but he even set off in the middle of the night. What a loser!

Seeing that she was angry again and there were soldiers escorting her, Ji Mo became concerned and worried that Li Yaoguang would say something bad, so he followed her with his bags and hurried to explain.

"How can you not see your friend off when he's on a long journey? Unfortunately, we only received Uncle Ni's notice at the last minute, and time is tight, so we are not well prepared. You can just take these."

As he spoke, Ji Mo handed over the things in his hand one by one. Seeing the situation of the Lu family and the inconvenience of the men's hands and feet, Ji Mo simply opened the big package himself, took out the thick cotton jackets and gave them to them one by one. Then, for the remaining bundles, the big and heavy ones were tied directly on the backs of the Lu Yao brothers who had inconvenience of their hands, and the small ones were given to the half-grown men who were not tied up with ropes.

Li Yaoguang also hurriedly handed the things he had prepared to Fang and He Wanniang.

While Ji Mo and Lu Fang were whispering instructions, Li Yaoguang followed suit and took out the thick coats from the big bag for the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law to put on quickly. Then he pointed at the package he had prepared and whispered to the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.

"Madam, Sister Wan, time is urgent, so I temporarily packed some things that women can use. This is a menstrual belt, which is brand new. There is also a roll of white cotton cloth, which can be used for bandaging or not. In addition, walking in exile will waste shoes, so I prepared a bag of shoes and socks for the female relatives. It's not too much, and they may not fit your feet, so please don't mind."

Fang and the others would naturally not despise it. Not only did they not despise it, they were also very grateful to Li Yaoguang for his thoughtful consideration for them.

If it weren't for the two children in front of them, their family would have been tortured to death. Now even the menstrual belts for women are carefully prepared. How can they not be moved? They only regret that they can't repay him with their own bodies.

Such a kindness, no words can express it, I just buried it in my heart and waited to repay it later, and then I heard Li Yaoguang continue: "Madam, Sister Wan, I asked the store to make the cotton-padded jackets you are wearing thick, and I personally sewed gold leaves on the corners and pockets inside. When you encounter difficulties, you can take them out and use them."

"How can we do this? You have helped us enough. We really can't ask for this anymore."

"Hush, Madam, Sister Wan, it's okay." Seeing that the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were about to refuse, Li Yaoguang quickly held down their hands and lowered her voice, "Actually, these are not mine. Have you forgotten that Second Brother Lu is a member of Xinhai Pavilion? He is the boss. These are Second Brother Lu's. They are your Lu family's own things. Just use them with confidence."

It can be said that it is their blessing.

The Lu family has a kind father and filial son, respectful brothers and friendly younger brothers. Lord Cheng'en and his wife are open-minded. Because they love their son and encourage his growth, they gave him the villa and land for free. However, they did not take a single share of Xinhai Pavilion, and gave it all to Lu Fang as his private property. No one in the Lu family intervened, and the property was not confiscated by the public. Instead, they escaped the disaster when the house was searched.