Chapter 7: Midnight Accident

Sui Sui, who had never heard a story, sat obediently there, head on her knees, eyes half-closed, firelight from beside her lighting her face, making her look weak and helpless yet somewhat cute.

Feng Xuanrui had been quietly wiping his tears, but seeing his sister's cute appearance, he couldn't help reaching out to ruffle her hair again.

Feeling the not-so-good texture under his hand, Feng Xuanrui muttered: What the hell, Uncle, you've kept my sister's hair like weeds.

How on earth are we supposed to fit four hundred thousand children into a single pit?

To be honest, Sui Sui didn't understand a word.

But she was happy listening.

Aside from her brother nearby, no one had been willing to speak to her kindly for a long time.

So even if she didn't understand, she was willing to listen, and even wanted to keep listening.

But today she had been worn out for too long, both body and mind exhausted to the limit from tiredness and hunger.

So before Uncle XiaoQi's story was finished, Sui Sui had already fallen into a deep sleep.

The system was actually worried that, with the cool spring night, sleeping in this exposed place might leave them all sick by morning.

After all, children's bodies are very fragile.

But what came before illness was……

Accident!

In his daze, Feng Xuanrui heard what sounded like screams from outside.

He had been sleeping uneasily already, and this directly startled him awake.

The village, deep in night and usually quiet, now echoed with wave after wave of screams and wails.

This situation is wrong!

Feng Xuanrui, uneasy, gently rose, leaning on his injured leg, and peeked outside.

The dilapidated house had long lost its courtyard walls.

So Feng Xuanrui could clearly see the village awash in firelight, many people brandishing torches screaming and shouting something.

Bandits!

That was Feng Xuanrui's first thought.

This time, following Prince Qing to Qingzhou, he had come precisely to suppress the increasingly rampant bandits!

Could it be that they've run into them already?

Feng Xuanrui couldn't be sure, but he couldn't take the risk.

He didn't think bandits would bother coming to this deserted ruin.

But what if?

He and Sui Sui are just children, with no ability to resist.

At this moment, Feng Xuanrui chided himself for not practicing archery enough, while shaking Sui Sui awake: "Sister, don't sleep—bandits have entered the village!"

【Sui Sui, wake up quickly, there are bandits, danger!】

Sui Sui stirred groggily, and the voices of Feng Xuanrui and the system reached her ears at the same time.

Bandits?

Sui Sui was not unfamiliar with that term.

Last year their village had bandits too; then the whole village united in resistance, barely managing to hold onto their homes.

Upon hearing that bandits were coming, Sui Sui sprang up quickly, but her loose clothing tripped her, almost sending her into the fire.

Feng Xuanrui, watching with trembling heart, grabbed her back and at the same time surveyed the thatched house's structure.

This house is too dilapidated, with nowhere to hide anyone.

Moreover, what if the bandits search the house?

At this point, running outward is definitely not an option.

Outside it's pitch black, they don't know the way—where could they run?

Besides, his leg is still injured; he can't run far at all.

What should we do?

Feng Xuanrui thought for a while and finally decided to hide Sui Sui first.

Sui Sui is small and thin; if hidden carefully, she shouldn't be noticed.

As for him?

A man, a true man, must not be afraid!

If they dare to kill, my Imperial Uncle will send their whole clan to the netherworld!

Having figured it out, Feng Xuanrui began to tuck Sui Sui into a corner: "Sui Sui, remember, don't make a sound—no matter what you see or hear, stay silent."

Feng Xuanrui still wanted to say, "When big brother comes back alive, I'll take you to the residence and raise you as my little sister!"

But he couldn't get the words out; his mouth trembled too badly, making his speech incoherent.

After all, he's just a ten-year-old child.

Although Sui Sui doesn't understand many things, she grasped the situation now.

While putting up a little resistance, she pointed to the half-collapsed chicken coop outside and said, "Brother, let's hide in the chicken coop; there's a spot inside that can't be seen from outside."

Afraid Feng Xuanrui wouldn't believe her, Sui Sui quickly added, "Brother, I'm telling the truth! When Da Mao and his gang beat me, I'd hide there and they couldn't see me!"

Hearing this, Feng Xuanrui gritted his teeth in anger.

If the timing weren't wrong, he'd want to send that Da Mao off to quarry work right now!

But staying alive comes first!

Dragging his injured leg, he hastily dealt with the fire, then brought Sui Sui crawling into the low chicken coop.

Once inside, they positioned themselves left and right, wedged into the visual blind spots at either side of the entrance.

Feng Xuanrui tightly curled himself into the corner, tears falling again.

He didn't want to cry; he just couldn't hold back!

Although this chicken coop has been neglected for years, no longer housing chickens, and it doesn't smell strong.

But, as a young master accustomed to luxury, when has he ever suffered like this?

The more he thought about it, the more wronged and frightened he felt!

The noise and footsteps outside were drawing near.

Bandits have come!

Realizing this, Sui Sui and Feng Xuanrui's breathing eased considerably.

In this dilapidated courtyard, so small, Feng Xuanrui wasn't sure whether the chicken coop could hide them at all.

Just as Feng Xuanrui grew tense, his heart nearly jumping out, someone shone a torch toward the chicken coop.

This almost stopped Feng Xuanrui's heart.

Sui Sui was fine; used to being bullied, she had her own way of protecting herself.

As long as she held herself tight and stayed silent, if they didn't come in, they wouldn't see her!

She had practiced this many times in the village; it wouldn't fail.

He casually shone the light; someone behind him watched and teased, "Old Four, what are you looking at? Could anyone hide in that broken coop?"

The one called Old Four gave a cold snort: "Who knows?"

A group of over ten came hurriedly and left noisily.

Hearing the footsteps fade, Feng Xuanrui finally let out a long breath.

He worried about his sister and called softly: "Sui Sui?"

Sui Sui also broke out in a cold sweat; hearing her brother call her, she quickly replied in a low voice: "Brother, I'm here."

That "I'm here" eased Feng Xuanrui considerably.

After they caught their breath, Feng Xuanrui whispered: "Sui Sui, I'll go check outside first; you stay still."

Hearing Sui Sui's response, Feng Xuanrui dragged his injured leg out to crawl.

Just as he crawled out, he felt something was off.

Feng Xuanrui instinctively looked up and met three pairs of cold eyes.

Feng Xuanrui:!!

He wanted to shout: "Sui Sui, don't move!"

The words rose to his lips, then he realized: if he shouted, wouldn't that expose Sui Sui?

Realizing this, Feng Xuanrui pressed his lips together.

The Old Four who had spoken earlier gave him a cold glance and lightly scoffed: "I said the fire inside still has warmth; the person surely hasn't gone far, yet you don't believe me. From that noise just now, there's still someone in there—Old Five, go drag them out."