Yun Erman and Yun Sanman exchanged glances, then, pulling their cotton-padded jackets tighter, crawled out together...
Outside the snow cave, the cold was piercing. The wind raged like the gaping maw of a beast, devouring everything living in its path.
The pitch-black night concealed all scenery, with visibility extending less than two meters.
"In this cursed weather, there shouldn't be any living souls around!" Yun Siman scanned the surroundings.
Yun Sanman narrowed his eyes, his expression cautious. "But we clearly heard someone calling just now, we couldn't have been mistaken..."
The horse pulling the snow sled lay prostrate by the edge of the snow cave, its head lowered, snorting incessantly.
Suddenly, a faint beam of light flickered in the distance. Though dim, all three brothers saw it clearly.
Yun Erman craned his neck, peering intently. "Third brother, fourth brother, you two saw it, right? There's light ahead..."
Yun Siman grunted, "There really is someone!"
Just as the three brothers were about to investigate, a hoarse cry came from ahead, "Help, help me, is anyone there? Help us!"
The person calling for help seemed to have been doing so for a long time, their voice already hoarse.
Yun Siman didn't have time to think. He pushed forward against the gale, stumbling as he went...
Erman and Sanman supported each other and followed Siman, soon arriving at a stranded carriage.
The carriage wheels were stuck deep in the thick snow crust. A man lay stiffly by the side of the carriage, frozen to death.
The wind lifted the curtain on the carriage window, and a faint glow emanated from within...
Yun Siman reached out and yanked the curtain down. Inside the carriage sat two young women, huddled together for warmth.
The charcoal fire in the bronze basin was about to die out. A cold gust of wind blew the embers, scattering them in all directions.
"Wuwuwu, save us, cough cough!~"
Sensing someone approaching, the older of the two women looked up, trembling, towards the outside.
Yun Siman frowned. "Get out of the carriage quickly!"
If they delayed any longer, both of them would be frozen into ice pops...
Furthermore, judging by their attire, they were likely ladies or concubines from wealthy families.
But in such cold weather, why weren't they staying warm in their mansions, instead choosing to venture out.
"Wuwuwu, my feet are frozen stiff!" the older woman cried out.
Yun Siman: "..."
Just then, Erman and Sanman ran over. With a bit of effort, they pulled the women out of the carriage.
Yun Siman didn't stand idle either. He tore down the curtains and silk cloths hanging from the carriage window; these could provide warmth.
The snow cave, originally meant to hold only three people, was now crowded with the arrival of two women.
And the arrivals were none other than Zhen Meili and Xiao Cui, who had set out from the capital, intending to find Gu Shi in Dashui Village...
They had bad luck. After leaving the General's mansion, the weather had been clear and sunny. When they reached this open plain, Zhen Meili, eager to reach Dashui Village as quickly as possible, had not stopped to rest, urging the driver to continue.
Unexpectedly, they encountered a severe blizzard. Several guards by her side were frozen to death. If they hadn't met the Yun brothers, she and her maid would have perished here...
"Third brother, move over, I'm being squeezed to death!" Yun Erman twisted his body, wanting to take a sip of water, but he couldn't even extend his hand.
Yun Sanman looked helpless. "Second brother, just let me crawl out, don't you see how small this snow cave is!"
He was now hunched over, his back pressed tightly against the snow, feeling a chill, and shivering uncontrollably...
After drinking some hot water, Zhen Meili and Xiao Cui slowly regained their senses.
"Thank you all for your rescue. Once the blizzard passes, this madam will surely reward you handsomely!" Zhen Meili said.
Yun Siman glanced at her after hearing this. "Tell me, why did you come out here for no reason? Are you tired of living?"
He truly couldn't understand the thought process of these noble ladies. They were practically bored to death in their mansions, and insisted on finding trouble...
Zhen Meili rubbed her lotus-like fingers, breathing warm air onto them. "I didn't know the weather would change. Besides, weren't you also trapped here?"
"Us?" Yun Siman snorted dismissively. "We're not like you. At least we won't freeze to death in extreme weather. Who's like you, wanting to show off and ending up killing others..."
The truth was indeed so. If Zhen Meili hadn't insisted on rushing, those guards wouldn't have turned into ice sculptures.
Zhen Meili was instantly displeased upon hearing this. "No, why are you speaking so rudely? Didn't your parents teach you manners?"
Upon hearing this, Yun Erman and Yun Sanman moved their bodies forward, pushing Zhen Meili and Xiao Cui towards the cave entrance...
They didn't particularly like this woman.
After all, the three brothers were their saviors, yet Zhen Meili acted like a demanding lord, shamelessly.
Yun Siman curved his lips. "I am only polite to those who deserve respect. As for you, forget it! We have an agreement, once the blizzard passes, you two should leave quickly, don't cling to us!"
The immediate priority was to return to Dashui Village quickly. Siman didn't want to pick up two burdens to travel with...
Zhen Meili pouted. "Cling to you? Heh, unless I'm completely out of my mind!"
As a noble lady with a penchant for cleanliness, she felt it was already beneath her to be crammed into a snow cave with these three men, sharing the same air.
Moreover, judging by their attire, they were clearly ordinary villagers, all unsophisticated bumpkins who had never seen the world...
Yun Erman threw the curtain he had brought back to Zhen Meili and Xiao Cui, reminding them, "Wrap yourselves in this. If you freeze to death, we won't be responsible!"
Zhen Meili glared at him, then casually pulled the curtain over and draped it entirely over herself, leaving Xiao Cui without even a scrap of cloth.
No one slept well that night. They sat around the fire, nodding off from exhaustion, wanting to lie down but having no space, so they could only huddle together to endure the night...
At dawn, the blizzard that had howled all night finally subsided.
The warm winter sun emerged from behind the clouds, illuminating the vast snowfield.
"Oh, my legs, my legs are so sore!" Yun Erman was the first to crawl out of the snow cave, hopping on his feet.
Following him, Sanman and Siman, along with Zhen Meili and Xiao Cui, also climbed out...
There was still a long way to Dashui Village. Yun Siman decided not to eat yet and to continue forward. They would pass a post station before noon, where they could grab something to eat.
Yun Sanman re-attached the horse to the sled and carefully determined the direction. "Second brother, fourth brother, let's go!"
He couldn't stand staying in this cursed place for another moment.
However, just as the three brothers climbed onto the snow sled, a scream suddenly came from behind them...