It took You Yuji a long while to recover from her numb feet. But she was getting more and more anxious because Zhao Sheng's men hadn't come yet.
At this moment, Lin Yingying asked with a trembling voice: "Sister, will someone really come to rescue us?"
Cuiyu complained again: "Someone must have framed us! What a damn bad guy!"
Cui Yu glanced casually and found that Si Que glanced at her. She looked again and found that Si Que had moved away. It was as if it was just an illusion. For some reason, Cui Yu felt that Si Que was not only a strange person, but also a dangerous person. She moved to the side and stuck to Lin Yingying.
Madam Jing got off the car earlier. She looked around for a long time before coming back. Standing outside the car window, she said, "Madam, Zhuo Wen sent people to keep an eye on them, but they haven't seen any of General Zhao's men."
The two horses pulling the cart kept stepping on the snow, making strange, impatient noises from their noses.
Including the coachman, there were a total of twelve guards outside.
You Yuji raised her hand and lifted the curtain in front of the window, and a gust of cold wind immediately blew into the car. I originally thought that this car was thin and could not keep out the cold, but when the cold wind blew in, I realized that the icy car was indeed a safe haven.
The snow outside was getting heavier and heavier, and the snow was falling in a huge flake. The second snow of this winter seemed to have been brewing for a long time, and it had to make its grand debut, with no intention of stopping for a moment.
"No need to wait, let's go on our own."
You Yuji had a bad feeling in her heart, and was worried that something had happened to Zhao Sheng. If it was just a delay, it would be fine. But if Zhao Sheng was implicated and in danger because of her, how could she not feel guilty
You Yuji bent down, untied the snow-white cotton cloth wrapped around her feet, and put on her shoes and socks that were still wet and cold.
Chun Xing clenched her hands on her knees and said, "Madam's shoes are wet. If you don't mind, let's change them! I'm not afraid of the cold!"
You Yuji had already put on her socks and shoes. She raised her eyes and smiled at Chun Xing, saying softly, "Take care of yourself."
In such a cold weather, no one wants to wear wet shoes and socks. But Chun Xing is of humble status, weak and submissive, and habitually tries to please others. She couldn't help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief when You Yuji refused.
Zhuo Wen said that this place was in the middle of the mountains, and whether you continued to Yunping Temple or turned back, the distance was about the same. But the wind direction was different, and going back would be against the wind.
You Yuji thought about it and decided that the group should move forward to Yunping Temple.
When getting off the bus, You Yuji looked back inadvertently and saw Si Que taking a pill. You Yuji frowned slightly, remembering that Si Que was weak, and thought that he should be more careful on the road.
"If you really feel uncomfortable, remember to tell me." You Yuzhi grabbed Si Que's sleeve and said in a low voice.
Si Que chewed the bitter pill slowly and said, "Okay, I'll listen to my sister."
A group of people walked in the snow, one step deep and one step shallow, with the whistling wind in their ears and endless snow-covered mountains in front of them.
After walking for a long time, the wind suddenly became stronger, pushing people forward.
“Ouch!”
You Yuji turned around and found that Cuiyu had fallen down and was helped up by Lin Yingying.
Cuiyu cried, "Why don't you just wait in the carriage for someone to rescue you? Why do you have to go alone?"
"The wind is too strong and the road is hard to walk on. Zhuo Wen, go find a place where we can temporarily avoid the wind and snow."
After You Yuji explained, he said to Cui Yu, "They are in the dark, and it would be too conspicuous for us to stop there."
This was exactly what You Yuji was worried about. Since the other party had put out such a big show, they would not gamble on the small probability of freezing to death. There must be other people waiting to ambush and kill.
Cuiyu said unwillingly: "We are living in a peaceful manner and have not offended anyone. Are they trying to harm you? We are being dragged down by you innocently!"
Chun Xing lowered her head and tugged at the corner of Cui Yu's clothes from behind.
Cui Yu regretted it as soon as she finished speaking, and pursed her lips tightly. She didn't know if it was because she was ridiculed and scolded since she was a child, she also developed an unpleasant mouth, and she couldn't control it every time.
Si Que glanced at her and touched his waist out of habit. But the copper plate fell in the carriage and he forgot to take it with him.
He glanced at Jade again and smiled.
—This person is so lucky.
Not long after, Zhuo Wen rushed over and indeed found an abandoned animal nest where they could temporarily shelter from the wind and snow.
The place was small, and could only provide temporary shelter for a few women.
You Yuji looked at the guards whose cheeks were red from the cold and couldn't bear to let them rest any longer.
"Ma'am, you guys might as well take a break. I'll leave half of the men here. Take the others and search the mountains. I heard there's a snowy mountain hot spring. Maybe we'll find it if we're lucky."
There is nothing else to do.
The cave was very small and several women could barely squeeze in.
You Yuji was worried about Zhao Sheng and at the same time hoped that the snow would stop soon.
Suddenly, there was a sound of something loosening, and You Yuji looked up to see the dirt above her head falling down.
"Be careful!" You Yuji grabbed Si Que beside her and held him in her arms. She raised her hand and used the cloak on her arm to cover the falling mud.
Si Que was held in You Yuzhi's arms, his cheek buried in her chest. He could clearly hear her soft heartbeat against his cheek, one after another.
Si Que blinked slowly and thought to himself - this can't go on any longer.
Just as Si Que was about to stand up, some more dirt fell down. You Yuji pulled him into her arms again and protected him with her cloak.
Si Que's entire face was buried completely.
He took a breath of warm fragrance and made a decision.
About a quarter of an hour later, Zhuo Wen came back with his men, and he had actually found the hot spring.
"What good luck! That hot spring is steaming, just the right place to cool down the ladies!"
"That's great!" Lin Yingying's red, frozen face finally broke into a smile.
After walking out of the cave, the wind and snow outside subsided a little. The group walked quickly and it took them three quarters of an hour to reach the snow mountain hot spring.
The guards stayed away.
The distant mountains were covered with snow, and this small hot spring was filled with steam and surrounded by green grass. The group had already frozen stiff and wanted to jump into the hot spring water immediately.
You Yuji squatted down by the water, lifted her sleeve with one hand, and dipped her other hand into the water to test the water temperature. The warmth trickled into her body from her numb fingertips.
"Sister, you soak in the bath for a while. I'll help you keep an eye on them." Lin Yingying lowered her voice and looked in the direction the guards left.
Madam Jing rubbed her hands and said, "That's right. No matter how decent these guards are, they still have to follow the rules. They won't be criticized in the future. Let's warm up one by one, and the rest of us can keep an eye on the guards. They can also serve as witnesses."
There were more than one or two guards, and if one of them spoke nonsense, it would ruin their reputation. It would also be inconvenient to have only one person to watch over the guards.
Originally, Lady Jing and Lin Yingying went to watch first, but Cuiyu was a little embarrassed because she had just said the wrong thing, so she also ran to help watch first.
Chun Xing shook her head repeatedly, feeling embarrassed to take a hot spring bath with her mistress, and ran off to chase after the others.
Therefore, only You Yuji and Si Que were left.
Si Que lowered his head and pressed the corners of his eyes with his fingertips. There was a natural red tint under the corners of his narrow eyes, which always added an inappropriate splendor to his overly cold and indifferent eyes.
You Yuji had already sat down by the spring, quickly took off her socks and shoes, and soaked her numb snow-covered feet in the hot spring water.
The mist was lingering, gently caressing her snow-white feet. The small red mole on her ankle floated up and down the waterline with the waves.
Si Que stood aside, his eyes slowly moving from You Yuji's toes upwards, across the red mole, and then falling on the small section of her slender calf exposed under her skirt.
"Sister, do you want to take a bath with me?"
You Yuji turned and looked over.
The sky was gray, with a large area of gray between the sky and the earth. The falling snow fluttered down, separating the two people. There was also a layer of snow on the shoulders of his snow jacket.
Si Que lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes obscuring the emotions in his eyes, so You Yuzhi had no way of detecting them.
At this moment, she felt that Si Que, who was standing not far away, was like a very distant person.
You Yuji curved her lips and said softly, "The situation is forced and the conditions are limited, so naturally there are not so many rules and etiquette. Would Queque dislike you and be unwilling to bathe with you?"
Si Que slowly raised his drooping eyelashes, looked into You Yuzhi's eyes, and gently forced out a faint smile.
When their eyes met, You Yuji felt a strange and unfamiliar feeling in her heart. She suddenly felt that Si Que in front of her was different from usual. She was confused again for a moment - did she really understand Si Que
You Yuji looked away first, scooped up a palm of hot spring water and brushed it on her ankles. She said, "I'm fine, but my feet are very cold. You are weak and can't stand the cold, so take off your clothes and soak in the hot spring water for a while to warm up your body, don't get sick. The others are still waiting, we will call them over after we warm up for a while."
After You Yuzhi finished speaking, she didn't hear Si Que's voice for a long time, so she couldn't help but turn her head to look over again.
Si Que stood sideways, looking at the water expressionlessly, as if hesitating about something.
"Que Que?" You Yuzhi stood up and walked towards Si Que carefully on the smooth and moist stone surface beside the hot spring.
She stood three or two steps in front of him, looked at him and smiled gently: "What's the matter? Are you frozen and can't untie your clothes by yourself? Do you want your sister to help you undress?"
Si Que looked at You Yujie and suddenly smiled.
—A smile that is obedient, bright, and even innocent.
"No need to trouble you, sister." Si Que looked into You Yuzhi's eyes and untied the belt around his waist.
He wore a loose cross-collared shirt over his snow-white waist-length skirt, revealing his collarbone.
Si Que took off his coat and placed it on the clean stone surface beside him.
For some reason, You Yuji felt an inexplicable strange feeling in her heart.
Under Si Que's outer garment was a snow-white inner garment.
He continued to undress while staring into You Yuji's eyes. When the two pieces of his shirt opened, You Yuji discovered that he was not wearing a shirt underneath.
You Yuji was startled, and muttered to herself - although I always knew that Queque had a flat chest, I didn't expect it to be so flat that she didn't even need to wear a shirt...
Although they were both women, You Yuji still looked away.
At this moment, she was still thinking that a flat chest would definitely save her a lot of trouble. She was a little envious.
Si Que bent down and put the undergarment he took off together with his outer garment.
Although the wind is much weaker than before, it still feels a bit cold on my body.
Si Que looked at You Yuji with interest and began to untie the belt around her skirt. The thin belt was pulled out of the knot. He bent down, raised his long legs, and took off the skirt and the inner hakama together.
Just as You Yuji was about to turn around and undress to get into the water, Si Que called her back.
"Sister, please look at me."
"What—" You Yuji turned around and her gentle voice suddenly stopped.
She screamed subconsciously and stepped back instinctively. The stone surface was slippery and she fell to the ground accidentally. The pain was forgotten and she just stared at Si Que.
Madam Jing's voice came from not far away: "Madam, what happened?"
You Yuji put her palm on her chest, trying to calm down, and replied to Madam Jing in a calm tone: "It's okay. I mistook the shadow of the tree for a person."
Too shocked, You Yuzhi sat stiffly on the ground, still looking at Si Que in disbelief.
Si Que looked at You Yuji and smiled. He didn't say anything, but stared into You Yuji's eyes and silently lip-synced: "Does it look good?"
He paused for a moment and then mouthed the words silently: "Sister?"
You Yuji's bright red lips trembled.
Si Que took a step towards You Yuji.
You Yuji reacted instantly and said anxiously: "Don't come over here!"
Si Que had already reached out his hand to help You Yuji up. Hearing this, he paused for a moment and instead touched You Yuji's head.
"Okay, I'll listen to you, sister." He obediently withdrew his hand, turned around and walked into the warm hot spring water.
The gently swaying water waves gradually submerged his body.