The route from Shengjing to the northwest is where ordinary people and merchants will take the official road.

  The official road is wide and has post stations and tea houses inns for resting along the way, connecting towns and having many merchants coming and going.

  It is very convenient and also very safe.

  But, in order to cover all the important towns, it is inevitable that we have to take a few more detours, and thus spend more time.

  Apart from the official road, there is also a small path.

  From Shengjing straight down, if you get a good horse with strong legs, you can rush all the way and arrive in Muzhou in about ten days.

  Yuan Wulang had previously rushed northwest to meet with his father and brother, taking this small path.

  However, although it saves time, the roads are mostly winding and small, and there are few inns to stay at, and sometimes even several days' journey can't get a drink of water.

  If one is not well-prepared or skilled enough to forage in the mountains, they will not only have to endure the hardships of wind and rain but may also lose their life in the wilderness.

  After exchanging a few pleasantries, Cui Ying asked with a faint smile, "Going to the northwest, I wonder which route Shi Jia's younger brother plans to take?"

  Shi Xiu needs to deliver winter clothes to Northwest in the shortest time.

  Taking the official road is indeed comfortable and safe, but it will delay his journey.

  Taking a shortcut, however, adds many uncertain dangers and this road will be very difficult.

  He needs to make a choice.

  And this choice can test what kind of person he is.

  Shi Xiuren also seemed to be in a difficult situation, but he didn't hesitate for too long and soon gave an answer.

  His voice was crisp and concise, "If we take the official road, we will definitely not make it in time. If we delay the Empress's errand, we will be punished severely. I dare not take this risk."

  Shi Xiu said, picked up the pen and ink that had been prepared on the table, and hastily drew a few strokes on the paper.

  "He pointed to the map and said, 'Wu Tiege sent me a letter. There is still a shortcut in the northwest, he drew the terrain carefully. According to him, although that small road is narrow, it can pass two-wheeled horse-drawn vehicles.'"

  The winter clothes, cotton-padded jackets and trousers, and fur coats and hats that Empress Jiang had collected totaled one million pieces each, which was not a small number.

  It must be packed in boxes and transported by horse-drawn carriage to the northwest.

  As long as the path is wide enough for two carts to pass, it can be done.

  Cui Ling nodded as she listened to Yuan Dalang's words. She had thought that taking the official road was a dead end from early on.

  Although she was reluctant to risk her life, since the imperial decree weighed heavily on her and this task would be beneficial to both the country and her family, she decided to do it well.

  In order not to give Empress Jiang an opportunity to blame her. Even if Shi Xiu chose to take the official path, she would advise him to try taking a shortcut.

  Chui Rong continued to ask, "I heard Big Brother say that the road is very desolate and there are no houses along the way. There are often bandits coming and going, isn't it a bit unsafe?"

  Delayed warm clothing is obviously lighter than lost warm clothing.

  Shi Xiu was very confident, "Wu Tiege can pass alone with a single gun, I'm leading a large team. What danger is there? Besides, the goods we're escorting this time are for the soldiers who are fighting for the country, who dares to move?"

  He seemed nonchalant, "Even in the wilderness, there's still a code of honor, so Fifth Sister doesn't need to worry."

  Cui Ling secretly rolled her eyes and thought to herself, "With Shi Xiao Si being so nonchalant about it, she's not worried? That's unlikely."

  The heroes in "Outlaws of the Marsh" seem to be chivalrous and righteous, but in real life, heroic bandits are rare.

  The sky is high and the emperor is far away, it's also in a remote and steep mountain forest, so the bandits don't care whose things you're escorting or who they're being sent to.

  Chui Ling felt that Shi Xiujian had bravery and courage, but lacked a bit of strategy.

  She felt somewhat disheartened.

  Originally, she thought that if Shi Xiu Jian was a reliable person, she would entrust everything to him, including her life and property.

  But now it seems that this matter is indeed pending discussion.

  She still has to rely on herself.

  Then next, Yuan Dalang and Shi Xiujian discussed the details of taking a shortcut, Cui Ying listened carefully.

  It's a matter of life and death for her, she no longer dares to be lazy or hide behind others.

  Silver ticket accessories must be brought, no matter where you go, with silver in hand, the momentum is sufficient.

  Even if everything goes smoothly, giving more tips will make it easier for the servants and maids to serve you.

  A silver mirror to protect one's heart, a short dagger for self-defense must be carried. The mind that guards against others is indispensable. Keeping some weapons at hand, if an emergency occurs, one will not be captured without a fight, and even have the ability to resist.

  Due to his distrust of Shi Xiuren, Cui Ying specially went to ask Wang Lao for a few Bao Xin Wan.

  On the way back, he passed by a pharmacy and asked Mugen to grab a few copies of several commonly used prescriptions.

  She felt like she was developing paranoia, always thinking that there would be bandits robbing them halfway, those people blowing knockout smoke using anesthetics, catching the entire convoy off guard.

  In preparation for this possible extreme tragedy, she prepared various cooling and detoxifying pills as well as... a pair of tweezers.

  A detoxifying pill might just save the day.

  And a slap on the face is the best tool to wake oneself up when feeling dizzy - it hurts!

  Thus, waiting for Empress Jiang's side to smoothly collect all the clothes, Cui Ying's things were also packed up.

  On the day of departure, Shi Xiuren personally came to the General's mansion to see him off.

  When he saw a whole truckload of reserve supplies, he was so shocked that his jaw almost dropped.

  He said with a smile, "Because we have to take that shortcut and there are no supplies along the way, I not only packed enough food, but also specially brought a chef and a doctor. Fifth sister, you really don't need to..."

  Cui Lingchong smiled and said, "Anyway, we're all going northwest, one more car or one less car doesn't matter."

  She lightly covered her mouth, "They're just some things I use every day, nothing worth mentioning, and it's laughable that Shi Si would see them."

  Shi Xiu couldn't help but mutter under his breath, even the pots and pans were wearing them, and he said it was not worth mentioning...

  He muttered to himself, but in the end didn't say anything else.

  As Cui Ying said, anyway we are going northwest, whether it's nine big cars or ten big cars, there is not much difference.

  The old lady saw that it was getting late, and the convoy was about to set off. Her eyes couldn't help but get a little moist.

  She held Cui Ying's hand tightly and didn't want to let go.

  Cui Ling smiled and said, "Grandma's body is still not well, it's cold outside, hurry back!"

  She rubbed her face against the old lady's cheek. "You've told me everything I need to know, and I'll remember what I should. Don't worry, I'll arrive safely, and when I do, I'll send you a letter with my drawings - don't be too critical of my art!"

  The old lady thought of Xiao Wu and his wife as a pair of mandarin ducks going back and forth, expressing their feelings through painting, and couldn't help but sweep away some sad emotions.

  Her sparkling eyes had yet to fade away, but she couldn't help laughing and patted Cui Ying, "You kid!"

  She now feels especially that Xiao Wu's wife is precious and hard to come by.

  These days, Xiao Wu's daughter-in-law was preparing for the ceremony while telling her what these things were used for.

  She felt deeply moved after hearing it.

  Medicinal materials are also good, sauce ingredients are also fine, even rice, flour and oil. They are all things that can be used on the way.

  Even if it's not used, when I get to the northwest, it won't be wasted.

  The old lady thought that if she heard people from the Anning Bo Fu say something like "the ninth aunt is not clever enough, please bear with her" again, she really wanted to slap those people in the face with a handful of tea leaves.

  This child is meticulous and even prepared herbal remedies for summer insect bites...

  What's wrong with you?

  Chui Rong bid farewell to her four sisters-in-law again.

  Yining Junzhu has been relying on her maternal instincts towards Yuan Yue'er these days. Now that she's about to bid farewell, she's already cried herself into a tearful mess.

  Yuan Dalang should have been persuaded, but he was also in a bad mood, with a dejected and dispirited look.

  Lian finally found a partner to exercise with her. And often able to taste the endless spicy dishes, she began to think that life is beautiful.

  But before long, her fifth younger brother and sister were about to leave temporarily.

  Seeing the county lord's daughter cry, she also turned her head and kept wiping away tears.

  Lian and Su were newly pregnant, at a time when emotions are most sensitive. Seeing the autumn wind sweep away fallen leaves was enough to bring sadness, let alone having someone in the family about to embark on a long journey?

  The two of them gently stroked their bellies, secretly sobbing, more sorrowful than when they had sent their husbands off to the battlefield.

  Choi Yong panicked all of a sudden.

  She hastily said some casual and playful words to tease her family members.

  But these people just kept crying and wouldn't listen to anything, even her usual cold jokes didn't work.

  There's no other way, Cui Ying could only stomp her foot heavily, "Eldest sister, don't cry. When you cry, everyone else will also be in tears. Grandmother is old and not in good health, what if she gets ill from crying?"

  She wiped away Yining's tears with her sleeve, saying, "Your tears are too alluring, Third and Fourth Sisters-in-law are still pregnant, they can't cry!"

  The princess of Yining had always been very dignified and majestic, this was the first time she lost her composure in front of outsiders.

  She sobbed and elbowed him with a hint of grievance in her tone, "Fifth brother, you're bullying me!"

  Choi Yeong let out a deep sigh, thinking that the women in her household were all serious and elegant when she first arrived.

  How did it all become like this in just a few months?

  She helplessly coaxed them, "Sisters-in-law, look at me, I'm about to set off on the road, but if you keep crying like this, how can I put my mind at ease? With your worries weighing on my heart all along the way, I won't be able to eat or sleep well. What if I fall ill?"

  After saying this, several sisters finally gradually stopped crying.

  It's time to go. Cui Ying looked around and saw that all her nephews and nieces had arrived, but there was no sign of Yu Ge.

  Among these children, she and Yu Geer are closest.

  Before parting ways, she didn't even say goodbye to that little guy, and she felt a bit regretful.

  But she thought, this child is so proud, must be reluctant to see herself leave, so hiding somewhere crying in secret?!

  She thought so and also slightly relieved her mind.

  Yuan Shang got on the horse-drawn carriage, opened the curtain for the last time to bid farewell to his family, and in the slightly biting cold wind, Cui Ling finally set out on a long journey.

  ps：

  Sorry, today's update is late! Still at grandma's house, had a family dinner today and didn't have the chance to write. Hehehe! Managed to sneak in some writing later, then used the neighbor's internet to try my luck, hoping it can be sent out successfully! Wish me luck!!!!!