The carriage jolted to a sudden stop under the bright midday sun, causing Tan Xiuying and Cai Ying to lurch forward in their seats. Exchanging quick, puzzled glances, they chose to step out and investigate what had brought their journey to an unexpected pause. Both women got out of the carriage, eyes scanning the surrounding area.
"What happened?" Cai Ying asked the driver.
The driver, a middle-aged man with a weathered face, scratched his head as he replied, "I'm not sure, Miss Cai Ying. Everything seemed fine, and then the carriage just stopped all of a sudden. I'll take a look to see if I can figure it out." He began checking the carriage and its surrounding area, trying to figure out the issue.
All of sudden, a voice came from the bushes nearby. Even in the bright midday sun, the sound made them feel cold, cutting through the warmth of the day.
