CHAPTER 104: CHAPTER 102: THE APPROACHING BLIZZARD

Not long after, a faint rumble could be heard from behind the clouds, occasionally accompanied by flashes of lightning, vanishing as quickly as they appeared.

She felt the temperature dropping lower and lower.

Ruan Mian furrowed her brow, a sense of foreboding rising within her.

A few days ago, she had heard those seasoned government officers mentioning that a snowstorm was imminent. Judging by the current weather, it seemed like it wouldn’t be an ordinary storm.

If they didn’t take precautions in advance, they might be...

Thinking of this, she immediately returned to the thatched hut to wake up her brother and father.

She told them that the snowstorm was arriving soon, and the thatched hut was unsuitable for shelter; they must move immediately.

The huts were located near the river, in a position that allowed the wind to blow in from both sides. If the snowstorm got severe, they might get blown into the river.

They could only take refuge in the nearest cave for now.

Ruan Mian thought of other innocent people and called other family members to notify the neighbors. Thus, the village gradually erupted with shouts, becoming lively.

The experienced exiles took one look at the sky and knew calamity was imminent, quickly taking flight.

However, most people had never experienced this before, and being woken up in the middle of the night, they had no outlet for their anger.

The Liu Family kicked open the door and roared at the people outside!

"Who the hell is spreading panic here? We’ve just arrived, and already you’re telling us to move. What’s your ulterior motive?!"

She looked at the little snow falling and said,

"Is this little snow really worth the fuss? We’ve experienced snowstorms before, haven’t we? We still have huts to shelter in, so what’s all the shouting about?! If you want to run, then run; stop disturbing me!"

She cursed as she called her family back to sleep, even scolding the people rushing by.

"You fools, you’ve all been incited by that bitch Ruan Mian. Does she tell you to do something and you just do it? Would you eat shit if she told you to?!"

She was not part of that rabble, led wherever they were told.

Seeing the people from the Qi Mansion acting so arrogantly, Cui Zhu spat.

"What a way to repay good intentions! Let’s go, Miss. We won’t stoop to the level of such short-sighted people. When the time comes, they’ll be crying too late."

Initially, Ruan Mian hadn’t intended to notify them. Whether they lived or died had nothing to do with her.

She only needed to lead the innocent to the nearby cave for shelter.

As they moved towards the cave, the snow fell harder, soon blocking the view ahead, making it hard to see, and the snow beneath their feet grew thicker.

Fortunately, they moved in time, reaching the cave before the strong winds hit.

Ruan Mian’s supply cart carried some items for warmth, along with some dry food.

The small cave became packed with people, not just the Ruan Family, but also some from the Uncle’s Mansion and exiles living in the village.

Crowded together, they lit a fire, making it warm enough inside the cave.

As the wind rose outside, the situation at the huts became dire.

Huge gusts lifted cold, icy shards from the snowy ground, sweeping across like a tornado.

Where the gusts passed, roofs were flipped over, and the world turned into a vast, misty white expanse.

The officials had long retreated to avoid the storm, leaving the Liu Family to fully comprehend the gravity of the situation, hurriedly packing dry rations to head towards the cave.

Unexpectedly, the roof was suddenly lifted, and Liu Family was swept to the ground by the wind and snow, yelling as she rubbed her pain-stricken bottom.

Turning around, she saw Ah Ruolan and her son supporting each other forward, to her great surprise!

Raising her voice, she demanded, "Why are you taking her with you? She’s a prisoner now and can’t do anything to you. Taking her means dragging a burden! Let go! Help your mother!"

Ah Ruolan’s gaze turned fierce, and she kicked her away. If Liu Family hadn’t quickly grabbed a rock, she might have been blown into the river!

At this moment, Qi Nanfeng was also agitated, shouting loudly: "Why aren’t you running to safety already? Are you looking to die?!"

He didn’t want to take Ah Ruolan either, but this crazy woman had poisoned him. Without the antidote for a few days, he would feel as if thousands of ants were gnawing at him, making survival impossible.

The unbearable agony was like death by a thousand cuts.

Having experienced it once, he became obedient.

Unfortunately, only Ah Ruolan had the antidote, so despite all his aversion, he had no choice but to bring her along.

Liu Family watched her son choose to walk with that woman rather than lend her a hand, her heart utterly broken.

She looked towards Yuanxi in the distance, feeling closer to this girl than her own son.

Thus, she leaned on Yuanxi, braving the wind and snow together.

They grit their teeth to enter the forest, finally reaching the leeward slope with great difficulty, and looking back, saw not a trace of the huts left behind.

The fierce wind continued to howl, sending shivers down spines.

Liu Family was filled with regret!

Why hadn’t she listened to that wretch’s warning earlier? Had she left sooner, she’d be in the cave by now, spared from this unwarranted disaster!

Just the thought made her seethe with anger.

At this moment, a familiar voice sounded from behind the distant trees.

"Nanfeng, Nanfeng, hurry and save Mr. Li!"

Li Mao lay in the snow, face flushed as he called for help, his right leg pinned under a fallen tree trunk, unable to budge.

The moment Qi Nanfeng heard his voice, his expression darkened.

He snorted and kicked him in the face: "Mr. Li, have you forgotten how you beat me before? And now you have the nerve to ask for my help?"

"Heh, I can’t even take care of myself, why would I help you? I’d say you deserve to perish here!"

Still unsatisfied, he punched Li Mao twice, then hurriedly urged the others onward as the storm intensified.

Yet, Li Mao cried out desperately, "Nephew Nanfeng! I was wrong! I had no choice back then."

"You have no idea how I cozied up to that bitch Ruan Mian. In truth, I hate her to my core! She colluded with those Golden Feather Clan members and nearly tortured me to death. Such a deep grudge can’t be forgotten just like that!"

"Now, let me tell you, today it’s not just a simple snowstorm. A rebellion has broken out at the Lanqiang border, and enemy forces have entered Wuheng!"

"If you save me, I’ll take you to Lanqiang. I have connections to ensure our safety! Otherwise, even if you survive this snowstorm, you’ll end up killed by enemy forces or captured and tortured!"

"What?" Qi Nanfeng was dumbfounded, immediately grabbing Li Mao by the collar.

"Who told you this?"

Li Mao smirked: "Don’t forget, the Governor is my nephew. My intel is reliable. If I die here today, no one can provide you with a way out."