In the woods behind the mountain, Wu Luoluo rummaged through the snow - covered tree roots with ease, looking around for dry branches that could be used as firewood. Soon, she had gathered two large bundles of firewood and piled them up on the snow.
Wu Luoluo tied up the firewood. Lifting her eyes, she saw Shangguan Yun darting back and forth in the woods. Watching him running and frolicking in the snow with a look of novelty on his face, she couldn't help but burst into laughter. She never thought that the cold, reserved and arrogant young master she first met would have such a lively and playful side. It really surprised her.
Just as Wu Luoluo was about to put away the firewood and go to the bamboo forest to dig some fresh winter bamboo shoots, Shangguan Yun suddenly appeared in front of her beaming. He took out two fluttering wild chickens from behind him like presenting treasures and handed them to her. Wu Luoluo stared at them with wide - eyed delight and asked, "Did you catch these?"
Shangguan Yun nodded repeatedly, looking like a child waiting for an adult's praise.
"You're amazing!" Wu Luoluo couldn't help but reach out and touch his hand. Feeling that the temperature of his palm was okay, it seemed that he wasn't cold after all that exercise. Only then did Wu Luoluo feel relieved.
Hearing her praise, Shangguan Yun was satisfied and his eyes curved into a smile.
Wu Luoluo quickly tied the feet of the two rather plump wild chickens with a withered vine and threw them into the carrying basket. She smiled gently at Shangguan Yun and said, "You can go and play for a while longer. Don't go too far. I'll dig some winter bamboo shoots and then we'll go back."
Shangguan Yun nodded and dashed away.
Wu Luoluo never expected Shangguan Yun to be so capable. He could catch two wild chickens bare - handed in the snow. It seemed they were in for a treat tonight. She was a pro at cooking chicken!
During the Chinese New Year, thanks to her grand - master - uncle, they had some meat. Two big black carps had lasted her and Wang Jiu from the first day to the tenth day of the lunar new year. Tonight, she would cook wild chicken with dried ginger for the young master to give him a good nourishment and drive away the cold.
Wu Luoluo groped around in the snow and dug a full basket of winter bamboo shoots before slowly walking out of the bamboo forest. Looking up, she was a bit stunned. There was a huge bundle of firewood where she had piled the firewood earlier.
Seeing Wu Luoluo busy, Shangguan Yun had imitated her and gathered a large pile of dry firewood buried in the snow. There was much more than what Wu Luoluo had collected before. He knew that a large amount of firewood was needed for decocting herbal medicine. The firewood the girl had collected was simply not enough.
Wu Luoluo was a bit in a dilemma. She was afraid it would take her several trips to transport all this firewood home. But Shangguan Yun without a word tied the branches tightly with withered vines. He slung one bundle on his back, carried one in each hand and walked back on the snowy ground, not letting Wu Luoluo carry a single piece of firewood.
Wu Luoluo was extremely shocked. She never thought that this seemingly gentle and elegant man would have so much strength. He could carry firewood taller than himself and walk so effortlessly. She really had underestimated him.
Right, he could casually crush Wang Jiu's scapula. How could he be an ordinary weakling! Wu Luoluo stepped on Shangguan Yun's footprints and walked back. Suddenly, she became a bit curious about his background.
What on earth did he do? And how did he end up in the freezing Tianhu Lake? But he couldn't remember, and Wu Luoluo didn't feel it appropriate to ask too many questions.
The two walked back one after another. Suddenly, Wu Luoluo saw many people in groups walking up the mountain on the road leading down the mountain. Suspicion welled up in her heart. These people were dragging their families and carrying big and small bags. Could it be that the town at the foot of the mountain had been affected by the war and everyone was fleeing with their families?
No, she had to go and ask about the situation in the town at the foot of the mountain! In a hurry, Wu Luoluo took Shangguan Yun and quickly went home.
The mountain road was still covered with snow and winding, making it difficult to walk. Many people led horses and donkeys carrying luggage through the white - covered mountain road.
A mother and son were walking at the back of the crowd. The mother was about fifty years old and clearly had some difficulty walking on the mountain road. The man in his thirties supported his mother with one hand and led a donkey with the other, walking anxiously towards the crowd.
Suddenly, a young woman wearing a veiled hat to cover her face came from the side of the road. She bowed to them and said, "Big brother and auntie, please stop for a moment. My family lives in the mountains. Seeing so many people in a hurry today, has something happened in the town at the foot of the mountain?"
The kind - hearted auntie saw a young girl come to ask questions and quickly nodded and replied, "Oh, little girl, you don't know! There's a war in Jiangcheng! Early this morning, the war spread to our town. A large group of Tianchao soldiers rushed into the town, killing people, setting fires and running amok! They looted most of the town, causing panic. We have no choice but to flee in groups!"
Wu Luoluo asked in surprise, "I heard it was the Northwest Iron Cavalry attacking Jiangcheng. How could it be Tianchao soldiers?"
The auntie replied, "Those people carried the Tianchao flag! They killed every man they saw and grabbed every woman! I say, little girl, listen to me. Hurry up and take your family to escape! If it's too late and those Tianchao scoundrels catch up, you may not survive!"
Wu Luoluo's face turned ashen. She never thought that the town at the foot of the mountain was already in great trouble without her knowing.
The man in his thirties urged his mother to walk faster and at the same time reminded Wu Luoluo, "Little girl, go and tell your family to escape quickly! The horses of those Tianchao scoundrels are very fast! If you're slow, it may be too late."
Wu Luoluo thanked the mother and son and rushed back.
Shangguan Yun, standing in the dark, heard the whole conversation clearly. He clenched his fists tightly, looking incredulous. Tianchao soldiers! Tianchao flags! There were clearly traces in his mind. He almost instantly determined that he came from there! But how could the soldiers of his great Tianchao do such immoral things to innocent people of other countries! He didn't believe it!
Wu Luoluo saw Shangguan Yun standing still with a solemn expression and red - rimmed eyes. She was a bit stunned. What was wrong with the young master? She reached out to grab Shangguan Yun's hand. His fair and slender fingers were tightly clenched, with veins bulging. Wu Luoluo couldn't pull his hand at all. Panicking, she whispered, "Young master, what's wrong with you?" Judging from his appearance, had he remembered something?
Shangguan Yun suddenly picked up Wu Luoluo horizontally and ran back at full speed. Wu Luoluo was startled and quickly wrapped her hands tightly around Shangguan Yun's long neck. Then her face flushed. This posture was a bit too ambiguous.
Shangguan Yun didn't pay attention to the blushing Wu Luoluo under the veiled hat. With a few leaps, he had already stepped into the gate of Wu's Medicine Shop. He gently put down Wu Luoluo and whispered, "You hide first and wait for me. I have to go down the mountain and have a look!" With that, he turned to leave.
Wu Luoluo caught her breath. Regardless of anything, she rushed forward and tightly hugged Shangguan Yun's waist, choking with sobs, "You can't go! I won't let you go! Your cold illness is not cured yet. You can't catch a cold. Moreover, it's in a complete mess down the mountain now. If something happens to you... what should I do..."