As the temperature dropped, strong winds picked up, and dust and sand began to swirl in the air.
Luo Ying, who lived in the desert year-round, immediately noticed the change in weather. "A sandstorm is coming! Hey, hurry back inside!"
Bai Rong didn't move, so Xiao Ruo didn't move either.
Feng Guang tugged at Xue An's clothes again. His eyes darkened, and he pulled her in front of him, wrapping one arm around her waist and trapping her in his embrace, while his other hand held a delicate dagger against her fair neck.
"Have your men back off."
"Wait, don't hurt her!" Bai Rong shouted. Of course, she wasn't concerned about Feng Guang's life or death, but rather that she had been threatened by Wang Ci. If Xia Feng Guang couldn't return to the Prime Minister's residence unharmed, her identity as a woman disguised as a man would be revealed. She wasn't worried about the crime of deceiving the emperor, but she couldn't implicate Xiao Ruo.
"Aren't you going to let those archers leave?" Xue An tightened his grip on the dagger, and a bloodstain immediately appeared on Feng Guang's neck. The color of the blood stood out starkly against his fair skin.
Luo Ying looked surprised, but he didn't say anything more.
Feng Guang's face was deathly pale as she looked at Xiao Ruo with a sorrowful expression, "Cousin...save me..."
Xiao Ruo narrowed her eyes slightly. Yes, she was his cousin, and she was also the most favored daughter of the Prime Minister's mansion... Prime Minister Xia Chao held immense power in the court, and the power he controlled could not be moved overnight.
"Step back." Xiao Ruo raised her hand, and those two simple words were an order that could not be disobeyed. The archers from all directions put away their bows and arrows and quickly left, leaving only the five of them on the scene.
Xue An smiled with satisfaction.
Xiao Ruo said, "Now, you can release them."
"There's no rush. I'll release her once I'm out of the city." Xue An grabbed Feng Guang and retreated step by step outside the city.
Bai Rong: "Wait a minute..."
"Oh dear, grandma." Luo Ying stopped Bai Rong, pointing to the swirling sand in the sky, "The sandstorm is coming soon, we should go and take shelter first."
"But... ah, Xiao Ruo!"
Xiao Ruo immediately scooped the person up in her arms, saying, "Let's find somewhere to hide first, we'll talk about the rest later."
Luo Ying followed behind Xiao Ruo, feeling unconvinced. He wondered why he hadn't thought to just pick her up. He looked back at the city gate, the yellow dust blurring his vision. With that kid's skills, he believed he'd be alright. After confirming this, Luo Ying couldn't help but touch his nose. He'd probably be fine...
The sky darkened, and a fierce wind began to rage, with sand and gravel swirling wildly across the sky. The entire city of Guanghe was swallowed up by the sandstorm, and as far as the eye could see, there was nothing but yellow sand. The pungent smell of dust was unbearable.
Feng Guang couldn't stop coughing. The sand and gravel blown by the wind made it difficult for her to even open her eyes. Even though someone was holding her hand tightly, she gradually lost her strength and thought she would be swallowed up by the howling wind.
Suddenly, a garment was placed over her head. The man covered her mouth and nose with the garment, cutting off the polluted air from the outside. She struggled to open her eyes as wide as possible, looking in confusion at the man in front of her who had already taken off his outer clothes. His body was covered in sand and dust, but he didn't look disheveled.
Xue An pulled her to a sheltered spot on a high slope and squatted down. He tightened the clothes covering her head. The flying sand and stones were sharp, but with just a little effort, she leaned against his chest. Feng Guang was held tightly in his arms, and she could hear his strong heartbeat. Her face, which had been pale from discomfort, was now as red as a ripe apple.
His lips brushed against her ear, his deep, resonant voice sending shivers down her spine. "How could we let such a lovely young lady suffer from the ravages of wind and sand?"
In an instant, all the dust and grime became mere background.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com