Chen Zhaoci looked very unwell and said, "Uncle, Abo said that rats on the mountain are running down in swarms."

Having traveled extensively over the years, Wu Muyue was a man of considerable experience. Upon hearing Chen Zhaoci's words, he immediately went outside. Standing at the entrance of the inn, looking at the sunset in the west, he said with a serious expression, "Zhaoci, I'm afraid something really is going to happen."

Even in June, Chen Zhaoci felt as if he were immersed in ice water, and his palms were sweating cold and damp.

Wu Muyue said to A Yin, who was following behind him, "Give the order to find an open high ground, set up tents, and then go to the village head to encourage everyone to move out of their homes. Also, send as many people as possible to each village to tell them that there is going to be an earthquake and that everyone should find a place to take shelter as soon as possible."

Chen Zhaoci was surprised that Wu Muyue could start arranging things so efficiently.

Wu Muyue turned to Chen Zhaoci and said, "After such a disaster, there will definitely be strange weather phenomena. I estimate there will be heavy rain. I see there is an open space south of the town. Quickly arrange for people to set up tents there. Take another inventory of the medicinal herbs you have there, and make sure to store enough clean water. When that time comes, neither river water nor well water will be usable anymore."

Chen Zhaoci nodded and said, "Uncle, I understand. I'll go and make the arrangements right away."

Wu Muyue turned and went to the backyard of the inn. The innkeeper wasn't in the front hall, so he must be in the backyard. There were some injured people in the backyard, and the innkeeper was taking care of them.

As for how to persuade the shopkeeper, Wu Muyue had already figured it out. The shopkeeper was knowledgeable and experienced, and after listening to Wu Muyue's words and thinking it over carefully, he would naturally do whatever Wu Muyue told him to do.

Upon hearing the news, the village head came directly to the inn. Wu Muyue and the innkeeper were assigning tasks when the village head waited until they finished before asking about the details.

Wu Muyue said, "When there are unusual celestial phenomena, it is feared that a major disaster will occur. All we can do is take good precautions."

The village head said somewhat awkwardly, "But there are so many households in the whole town, there will always be some who don't believe it."

Wu Muyue said, "When faced with such a situation, one can only do one's best and leave the rest to fate. Whether one believes it or not is entirely up to the individual."

After hearing Wu Muyue's words, the village head sighed deeply, apologized, and went to make the arrangements.

Chen Zhaoci had the housekeeper bring out the tents they had brought and set them up in a suitable spot on the south side of town. These tents were designed by Xu Di and were made of cowhide and sheepskin with waterproofing treatment. Once the tents were set up, they would stay dry even if it rained heavily outside.

Besides the tents, the guesthouse also had several large water tanks filled with water, placed in the very center of the courtyard.

As darkness fell, the open areas of the town were filled with people carrying all sorts of belongings. Some had even set up makeshift sheds, bringing out their beds to settle the elderly and children in their homes. Others simply lay down on the ground, creating a noisy and lively atmosphere.

Xu Bai sat leaning against Chen Zhaoci, looking at the scene in the distance, and said with some surprise, "I didn't expect them to believe it as soon as I told them."

Chen Zhaoci said, "That's because of the landslide. Otherwise, why would people believe what you said?"

Xu Bai looked back at Qingqing lying inside the tent, sighed softly, and said, "I never imagined that we would have such a connection with Qingqing."

Xu Bai and Chen Yuyuan already know that their husband is going to adopt Qingqing.

Chen Zhaoci said, "This little girl has experienced many hardships since childhood. Her parents died early, and her only support, her grandmother, died while trying to save her. I hope that she can overcome her difficulties and live a happy life in the future."

Xu Bai nodded and said, "That's what I hope for too."

Qingqing told Chen Zhaoci that because Bai Wei gave her a deposit of one tael of silver and said that he would leave early the next morning, Qingqing's grandmother thought of making the pastries overnight. Qingqing accompanied her grandmother to make them. In the middle of the night, Qingqing couldn't stay up any longer and fell asleep leaning against the kitchen door. When she woke up again, her grandmother pushed her out of the kitchen.

Seeing that it was getting late, Chen Zhaoci said, "You should go and get some rest; you've been busy all day."

Xu Bai stretched and said, "I'm really tired, Mom. You should rest early too. I don't know what we'll be busy with tomorrow."

Before they could even fall asleep, a sound like the roar of a wild beast came from underground. Chen Zhaoci was so frightened that he sat up abruptly. Then, he felt as if he were sitting in a small boat adrift in a raging storm, being rocked up and down and left and right, making him feel nauseous.

Chen Zhaoci knew it was a real earthquake. Everything in sight was shaking. Qingqing, who was lying not far away, was curled up with her eyes closed and kept screaming.

Those standing inside the tent had already fallen to the ground and were too preoccupied to care for themselves. Chen Zhaoci, suppressing his nausea, crawled to Qingqing's side, hugged her, and kept comforting her.

After a long time, everything calmed down, and then panicked cries could be heard from outside.

Even though she knew it was safe here, Chen Zhaoci waited until the earthquake was over and Qingqing's emotions had stabilized before rushing to check on the tent next door, where Wu Muyue, Xu Bai, and Chen Yuyuan were staying.

Before they even left the tent, Xu Bai lifted the curtain and came in, asking Chen Zhaoci with lingering fear, "Mother, are you alright?"

A glass ram's horn lantern hung in the center of the tent, still swaying. Chen Zhaoci patted his chest and said, "I'm fine here, are you alright over there?"

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