Suddenly, a deafening thunderclap split the sky, and a strong wind started to blow. The villagers who were waiting for the free medical consultation and herbal tea all looked up at the sky.
"No wonder it's so hot today. It's been unusually sweltering. Looks like a heavy rain is on the way, and it's gonna be a big one," one of them said.
"Damn it! I've got grains drying at home. I gotta rush back and gather them up!" another exclaimed.
"Right! Right! My clothes are still hanging out to dry. I'd better go back and collect them quickly!"
Realizing that the weather was about to change, the villagers who had been queuing up immediately dispersed and hurried back home.
The sudden gust of wind almost blew away the papers on Ye Wanmian's table. Fortunately, she managed to hold them down in time. The flags on the awning flapped noisily in the wind, and the awning supported by bamboo poles began to sway precariously.
Ye Wanmian quickly wrote down a dietary therapy prescription for an old woman. She reminded the woman to pay attention to her diet. The old woman didn't even wait for the ink to dry before stuffing the paper into her bosom and leaving in a hurry.
The awning, which had been full of people just moments ago, suddenly emptied. Ye Wanmian and the others quickly packed up their things, moving the big cauldron of herbal tea, books, brushes, and ink into the medical hall.
The wind outside grew stronger and stronger. Flying sand and stones made it hard to keep their eyes open, and their hair was in a complete mess.
Just as they finished moving everything inside, the awning, which had only been up for two days, made a "crack" sound. The bamboo poles were actually broken by the strong wind!
Ye Wanmian didn't have time to worry about the awning outside. Qi Wen and Mo Zhizhang were busy using wooden planks to seal the door of the shop, while Ye Wanmian went to the backyard to quickly gather the herbs and clothes that were drying under the eaves and in the yard.
Just as she carried the herbs into the house, big raindrops started to fall from the sky, splashing on the ground. She looked up and saw that dark clouds had completely covered Dongli Town. The dense rain couldn't hold back any longer and poured down on the earth.
She held out her hand to the sky. The raindrops landed on her palm, causing a slight stinging sensation. Why did it have to rain at this moment?
Whether it was because of this sudden rain or something else, the uneasiness in her heart was growing stronger.
...
"Boom!" Thunder rumbled in the sky. The stuffy, hot wind hit their faces like knives, making it impossible to open their eyes.
Xiao Jingcheng tightly grasped the reins of his horse. His eyes were fixed on the road ahead, and he didn't slow down at all.
He knew that the commotion caused by his departure from Dongli Town would soon reach Xiao Yixuan's ears. Xiao Yixuan would surely deduce that one of the two people leaving the town was him and would definitely send people to chase after him.
He needed to gain as much time as possible to put some distance between himself and Xiao Yixuan. Every extra moment meant a greater chance of survival for his mother in the Cold Palace.
A cool drop of liquid landed on his face. Xiao Jingcheng looked up. Rain was falling from the sky, hitting him mercilessly. His bangs were quickly soaked.
It was raining. The rain could hide his tracks and wash away the horse's hoof prints behind him. It was as if God was helping him.
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Jingcheng slapped the horse's rump hard, urging it to run faster.
On his side, the dogs were still chasing closely. It seemed that they were determined to leave Dongli Town with him. Although some of the dogs were exhausted, they didn't slow down at all.
Seven miles away, Xiao Yixuan led the Pei Family Army behind him, following the remaining horse tracks on the ground closely.
It had been almost an hour since they received the news and started chasing, but there was still no sign of any suspicious figures ahead. This made Xiao Yixuan increasingly annoyed.
He couldn't help but wonder if he had chased in the wrong direction. Maybe the person who had fled west was really Xiao Jingcheng.
He also noticed the change in the sky. When the raindrops started to fall, his impatience reached its peak.
"Your Highness, it's raining!" Meng Zhao shouted to Xiao Yixuan. "The clouds in the sky are too thick. This rain is coming down hard and is likely to last a long time. We can't chase anymore!"
This was just like before!
On the day when the coffin was buried, the weather was the same. What should have been a foolproof plan had failed. The tomb had been dug up, the coffin smashed, and Xiao Jingcheng's body had disappeared!
Why was Xiao Jingcheng so lucky? He had set up so many obstacles but still couldn't get rid of that man. Now, was even God on his side?
"No! I must catch that traitor!" Xiao Yixuan's face contorted with anger. "I'll kill him, skin him alive, and pull out his tendons!"
The rain was getting heavier. Xiao Yixuan's hair and clothes were quickly soaked.
But fortune favors the bold. He heard the barking of dogs, and in the rain curtain ahead, a figure on a galloping horse gradually emerged.
They had caught up. The target was just ahead!
However, there was a loud "crack" sound. A bolt of lightning shot down from the dark clouds and struck a big tree not far from Xiao Yixuan.
Even though it was raining, the big tree burst into flames instantly!
This thunderbolt was not a good omen. Meng Zhao was extremely worried and advised again, "My Lord, we can't chase anymore. The thunder is unpredictable, and it's really dangerous out here. If anything happens to you, how can I explain it to His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine?"
Xiao Yixuan was also greatly shocked by the thunder. He had witnessed with his own eyes how the Taoist Yuanqi had used magic to trap Xiao Jingcheng's soul, so he naturally believed in the supernatural. The sudden thunderbolt filled him with a hint of fear.
But the figure was right in front of him. If he just increased his speed a bit, he was sure to cut that man down from his horse!
Gritting his teeth, Xiao Yixuan was reluctant to let go of such a good opportunity. Just as he was about to continue chasing, a panicked shout came from behind:
"Your Highness! Your Highness, Prince Xuan! Something terrible has happened!"
A soldier on a horse was galloping towards him through the heavy rain from behind.
Xiao Yixuan tightened the reins, slowing down his horse. He wiped the rain off his face and asked, "What's the matter? Why are you so panicked?"
The soldier looked terrified. "Just now, a seriously injured man rushed into the Liuxiang Tower and said that on the way back to the capital while escorting the Crown Prince's body, Prince Mu colluded with the military governors of Hexi, Lingyang, and Luozhou and launched a rebellion. They have already invaded the imperial city. The whereabouts of His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine are unknown. Prince Mu... has already ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor!"
Xiao Yixuan pulled the reins hard, forcing his horse to stop. He looked at the messenger soldier in shock.
Another thunderclap roared in the sky. The lightning reflected on Xiao Yixuan's face, making his handsome face as pale as paper.
"What did you say?"
"Prince Mu has rebelled and is now... on the throne?!"