Chapter 184: Chapter 184: Here We Go Again
As soon as these words were spoken, the shouting voices fell silent, and they continued their journey. But when would this end?
Even if these livestock could endure, they could not.
All around was barren, and each household’s strong laborers had to go further to gather firewood to survive the night.
In this drafty place, everyone was shivering in the cold. Even when they managed to start a fire, it didn’t solve much.
At this time, the importance of the oilcloths they bought earlier became apparent. Leaning against the carriage, they could at least create a small windproof shelter.
"Honestly, it wouldn’t matter if we rested a bit later. Finding this ghostly place, the wind sounds like ghosts wailing."
"Could you not say that?" asked the timid ones, who felt a shiver down their spine and their back turning colder at the mere mention of it.
"I didn’t say anything wrong. Listen to the wind," said the person, unsure if they were doing it deliberately or showing off, "Woo-woo, doesn’t it sound like a ghost crying?"
"Stop saying that," a timid woman said, her voice tinged with tears, "It’s just the sound of the wind, but you have to interpret it like that. How are we supposed to rest?"
"Look at how scared you are. What’s there to fear? It’s not like you’re here alone; there are so many of us."
...
The escort, who came over on patrol, heard their words and paid them no mind. They had stayed in this place many times before; apart from the strong wind, there were no other problems.
Bai Suihe listened to the wind outside and thought how fitting it would be to watch a ghost movie at a time like this.
As for the fear of ghosts? Of course, she was afraid.
She used to say she was an atheist, but now, given her experiences, she didn’t dare deny the existence of spirits.
But seeking the thrill of watching ghost movies and fearing ghosts are two different matters. At least half the people would watch ghost movies, but if you asked them to meet a real ghost, no one would want to.
"I fear this wind won’t stop tonight," Dongmei frowned, "Miss, why don’t you go rest inside the carriage? I’ll secure all the curtains."
The carriage was surely not warmer than being by the fire, and with the wind blowing, it still swayed.
"We’ll hear the wind inside as well. Never mind, I’ll get used to it," Bai Suihe didn’t want to be bothered. If she really couldn’t sleep, she could sneak into her space before dawn to rest.
"Let’s move to the carriage," Gu Kaiyuan glanced at the sky, "It might snow tonight."
There had already been some light snow, and everyone had a hunch.
"Will it be a heavy snowfall?" As a southerner, Bai Suihe was somewhat excited. To see snow, they usually had to travel a thousand kilometers away.
Gu Kaiyuan nodded, wondering why Bai Suihe seemed excited. Was she not afraid of the cold?
"Sir, will we still travel if it snows?" Dongmei was worried; if it snowed, the road would be difficult to traverse.
"Even with hail, we must continue," Gu Kaiyuan knew that the truly difficult times were approaching, and they must reach Lingnan, where the temperature would rise.
Bai Suihe’s face grew solemn, realizing she had forgotten this fact. Heavy snow could block mountains and roads. In modern times, it required snow plows; what about them...
"It’s snowing heavily," someone shouted, and everyone who had been busy stopped to look at the sky.
Liu Pingkang sighed, knowing it was inevitable.
He had tallied up; in the recent skirmish, three more of their group were injured, and others had minor injuries. This was thanks to the cold weather and the layers of clothing that had protected them.
But many clothes were already tattered, making it impossible to stay warm. They could only mend them simply after meals.
Regarding the prisoners, he marked off over a dozen more. He feared their numbers would dwindle daily, hoping it wasn’t too extreme so he could keep at least half, or he’d have trouble explaining.
"Everyone try to gather more firewood, and those with fewer people should join others."
Everyone knew it would be a tough night, so they stopped quarreling and began to huddle for warmth.
Gu Kaiyuan thought this trip had nothing to do with them. Who knew that just as Dongmei had finished preparing the meal, Gu Kaichen would come over.
Seeing Gu Kaiyuan using oilcloth to construct a shelter, jealousy briefly flashed in Gu Kaichen’s eyes. They were brothers, and Gu Kaiyuan had previously led a tough life. Why should he now be living better than them?
"Kaiyuan, eldest brother is injured."
"Injured?" Gu Kaiyuan was momentarily stunned. With him not around to be the scapegoat, there was no one to protect them or be their shield.
"Cut by a knife, but it’s just on the left hand." Gu Kaichen’s tone carried a hint of disappointment. It would have been better if it were the right hand; he wondered how the eldest brother would flaunt then.
"So it’s only the left hand, then it’s not a big issue." Gu Kaiyuan looked at Gu Kaichen with penetrating eyes, "That way, it doesn’t hinder big brother’s chances of returning to court."
"You’re living quite comfortably," smelling the aroma of food in the air, while they could only heat some buns they had previously bought. These people could eat hot meals.
"It’s all thanks to Dongmei and the others. Otherwise, I might not even have hot water to drink." Gu Kaiyuan’s tone was sarcastic, reflecting his real situation in the Gu Family.
"You haven’t gone to bring food to father for quite a few days now, have you?"
Gu Kaiyuan gave him a half-smiling look, "I thought you and big brother didn’t want me to."
Bai Suihe watched the two brothers bickering, finding it more interesting than a TV drama and livelier than book descriptions.
After all, they were mere side characters; their lives were only briefly touched upon.
"My dear sister-in-law," Gu Kaichen saw that Gu Kaiyuan wasn’t yielding and turned his attention to Bai Suihe, who was watching the show, "Your Bai Family really takes good care of you. We are relatives, after all; it shouldn’t be too excessive."
Bai Suihe, "Second brother, what are you talking about? I don’t understand."
"We’re all smart here; no need to hide things," Gu Kaichen didn’t come over just to leave empty-handed, "Don’t try to brush us off with what you said before. We all know they were sent by your maternal family.
We have no complaints about them taking good care of you, but you’re dragging the third brother away to live well while leaving us behind. This wouldn’t look good if word got out."
Bai Suihe had no idea what strange mood possessed Gu Kaichen today, causing him to hassle her, "Second brother, without evidence, it’s better not to make baseless accusations. At the very least, evidence is needed for conviction."
