Chapter 298 Book 6 Trouble knocking on their door
The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the small courtyard of the Yuan family home. The rhythmic crash of waves against the shore was a constant companion, a stark contrast to the sudden clamor that shattered the peaceful quiet.
Mother Yuan, her hands stained with the purple juice of ripe mulberries, looked up from the basket she was filling. Xiao Lan and An An, giggling as they chased a stray chicken, froze at the sound of frantic footsteps. Their neighbor, Old Man Ki, a wiry figure whose usual stoop was now replaced with a frantic urgency, burst through the gate, his eyes wide with fear.
"Mother Yuan! Soldiers! Soldiers of Lord Fen! They're coming!" His voice was hoarse, punctuated by ragged breaths. "They say… they say they're coming for the family who was hoarding food!"
