With a half-smile, she said, "Since you're so grateful and caring, why don't you take Lu Jiaojiao back with you? She can be your daughter, and you won't have to worry about other people's business all the time."
"We don't want to!"
Pei's father and the two Qin women shouted out almost simultaneously.
Madam Qin recoiled in disgust, saying, "This girl is so vicious, we don't want her as our daughter!"
Shen Qingtang raised an eyebrow: "Oh? You don't want it, but you want me to recite 'the grace of raising'? You're quite adept at double standards."
Just then, Shen Qingtang suddenly frowned.
The once clear sky suddenly darkened, and the wind changed; it started as a slight cool breeze, but soon it carried a biting chill.
The wind was so strong that people couldn't open their eyes, like a sign that a storm was about to break out.
"Something's wrong, run!" Shen Qingtang immediately turned and shouted to the officers.
"Mind your own business! It's just a bit of wind, do you really need to hide?"
Lu Jiaojiao was still being stubborn, and she started cursing at Shen Qingtang, "You're just trying to make things difficult for us on purpose!"
"Slap!" Shen Qingtang slapped her across the face, her tone leaving no room for argument: "Shut up if you don't want to die! The wind is about to get stronger!"
Pei Wuwang immediately said in a deep voice, "Listen to Shen Qingtang, hurry to the cave! The wind is strange, it looks like a strong wind is about to rise, staying outside will cause trouble."
He was constantly away on campaigns and was extremely sensitive to weather changes; he knew something was wrong as soon as he saw this.
The officials didn't dare hesitate and immediately organized everyone to run towards the cave.
But after running only a few steps, the wind suddenly picked up and howled, whipping up sand and gravel that scraped against people like knives.
Even more terrifying, the wind grew stronger and stronger, and several light-weight people were blown off the ground, screaming as they were swept into the air!
"Hold on tight to the people around you! Don't get blown away by the wind!" Shen Qingtang shouted as she gripped Pei Nian'an's hand tightly and pulled back Shen's mother, who was almost blown over.
Pei Wuwang stood in front of them, shielding them with his own body, while grabbing a nearby constable who was swaying in the wind.
Pei's father, Pei's second uncle, and the two Qin women were already terrified.
They pulled at each other and hid behind a large rock, no longer caring about putting on airs.
Lu Jiaojiao was blown to the ground by the wind, clinging tightly to a tree trunk, not even daring to cry.
They could only let the sand and stones hit their faces.
"Everyone, grab onto the vines and rocks around you! Don't let go!"
Shen Qingtang shouted against the strong wind, her voice broken by the wind, but it still reached everyone's ears clearly.
She gripped Pei Nian'an tightly with one hand and pulled Chen's mother with the other, her gaze quickly sweeping over the surrounding sand and stones being whipped up by the gale.
Several people were already being blown about, and they could be swept away if they weren't careful.
Pei Wuwang held Pei Nian'an protectively in his arms, while his other hand gripped the thick tree branch beside him tightly.
The strong wind made his wounds ache, and cold sweat streamed down his forehead.
But he still gritted his teeth and didn't loosen his grip even slightly.
He knew that if he let go, Nian'an and those around him might be in danger.
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