Facing Ji Yunwei’s curious gaze, Cui Wangshu did not explain.
By the time the two arrived in Tongzhou, it was already evening, and after all this fuss, they still hadn’t eaten.
The Ancha Shi had arranged a banquet earlier, but it was declined. Now seeing the two finally free, and with curfew approaching, it wasn’t suitable to go to a restaurant, so the Ancha Shi planned to host them in the residence.
Ji Yunwei glanced at Cui Wangshu and said, “There’s no need to trouble yourself, Ancha Shi. My lady Shangshu and I plan to investigate that clay figurine inn. Before curfew hits, we intend to stay there tonight, and we’ll handle our own dinner.”
The Ancha Shi reached out, wanting to say something more, but Ji Yunwei had already whisked Cui Wangshu away in a whirlwind.
The Ancha Shi: “……”
Youth was truly wonderful.
That distinctive clay figurine inn was called the Great Wind Inn, the first in Tongzhou to combine clay figurines with lodging. Business had been booming, which explained why the Kang Kingdom delegation chose it.
But after this incident, business plummeted, leaving the place deserted.
Seeing no one around, the innkeeper’s wife had planned to close up for the day.
Who would have thought two young women would suddenly walk in—one aloof and noble, the other appearing even younger and lively.
After entering the inn, Cui Wangshu quietly surveyed the surroundings. The first floor was for drinking and dining, the second for rooms—a standard inn layout.
Ji Yunwei sat down at a table and asked, “Innkeeper, do you have any upper rooms available today?”
This was the first group of guests all day, so the innkeeper’s wife was delighted and stood up immediately. “Yes, guests. Both upper rooms upstairs are empty.”
Ji Yunwei nodded. “Then two upper rooms, please. And bring some wine and food. Today, my friend and I want to drink and chat heartily.”
The innkeeper’s wife agreed enthusiastically, took their bundles upstairs, and went to the kitchen for drinks.
Cui Wangshu also sat down, her posture relaxed, which softened her aloof nobility, giving her the air of a true wandering swordswoman.
As they drank and chatted about trivial matters, they seemed like long-lost friends reuniting.
Curfew was nearing, and with no more customers, the innkeeper’s wife prepared to close the doors when two more women entered.
The innkeeper’s wife showed no impatience; her smile grew even warmer.
Cui Wangshu paused with her wine cup at her lips, her gaze locking onto the two newcomers.
The women wore conical hats with white veils over their faces, hiding their features. One of them seemed to pause upon spotting Cui Wangshu.
The other spoke up. “Innkeeper, two upper rooms.”
The innkeeper’s wife looked troubled. “Oh dear, guests, I’m sorry. The only two upper rooms were just taken by these two ladies. The left side rooms are also excellent—just a bit smaller. Would that work for you two?”
The woman frowned displeased and glanced toward the innkeeper’s wife’s gesture. Upon seeing Cui Wangshu’s face, she froze.
Ying Lan: “……”
What the hell.
“No, I want an upper room.” The voice that spoke was soft and pleasant, even causing Ji Yunwei, who was drinking, to pause.
She instinctively turned to look but first caught Cui Wangshu’s expression—Cui Wangshu was staring intently at the woman who had spoken, her eyes unreadable.
The innkeeper’s wife hesitated, not yet speaking, when the woman added, “I’ll room with her.”
Seeing the Palace Lord point at Cui Wangshu, Ying Lan pressed her lips together, not daring to speak, wishing she could vanish on the spot.
Cui Wangshu curved her lips, amusement in her eyes. “Miss, we’re strangers. That wouldn’t be appropriate, would it?”
Ji Yunwei hadn’t expected a stranger to say such a thing and quickly set down her wine. “Miss, first come first served. Even without upper rooms, you can’t just share with my… friend, right?”
Jiang Chenbi narrowed her eyes and stated firmly, “No. I want to room with her.”
Ji Yunwei: “You! How…”
Before she could finish, Cui Wangshu interrupted. “Fine.”
Ji Yunwei’s eyes widened: ?
Jiang Chenbi snorted coldly and asked the innkeeper’s wife, “Which room is hers? Take me there.”
The innkeeper’s wife looked embarrassed and glanced back at Cui Wangshu, who smiled faintly. “Take her.”
Ji Yunwei hurriedly whispered, “Lady Shangshu, why agree? Her background is unknown.”
Cui Wangshu chuckled lightly. “No matter.”
Ji Yunwei was utterly baffled, looking puzzled at the remaining woman, who calmly paid and headed to the left side room.
Ji Yunwei: ?
She must be hallucinating from exhaustion today.
Cui Wangshu set down her cup. “Yelu Narqi’s room is the one you’re in. Be careful tonight. I’ll come find you in the latter half of the night.”
Ji Yunwei, still reeling from the shock, nodded mechanically.
By the time Ji Yunwei snapped out of it, Cui Wangshu had already headed upstairs.
Ji Yunwei narrowed her eyes. Something was off. There was definitely something between Lady Shangshu and that white-clad woman!
Arghhh, what could it be? Ignorant of the truth, Ji Yunwei itched with frustration, clawing at her ears and scratching her cheeks.
Meanwhile, the moment Cui Wangshu opened the door, a tremendous force pinned her against it.
The woman’s scorching breath washed over her face. Jiang Chenbi devoured the cold fragrance mixed with the wine scent from Cui Wangshu’s mouth in a fierce, urgent kiss.
Jiang Chenbi bit Cui Wangshu’s lower lip, grinding her teeth. “Lady Cui Xiao has quite the mood tonight.”
Cui Wangshu chuckled softly, pushing back slightly so she no longer leaned against the door. She lifted a hand to stroke the back of Jiang Chenbi’s head, idly running her fingers through the silky black hair, threading through the strands and gently massaging her scalp.
Her other hand pinched Jiang Chenbi’s cheeks, forcing her to release.
Her tongue pushed past the teeth, ravaging freely, filling Jiang Chenbi’s mouth with the taste of wine.
One step, two steps, forcing her backward.
Jiang Chenbi retreated until she could go no further, her calf catching the bed edge. She tumbled straight onto the soft mattress. Before her back fully sank in, a shadow loomed over her.
Jiang Chenbi sat up, a cold smile on her lips. She propped herself on an elbow, rolling aside to dodge Cui Wangshu’s descending kiss.
Cui Wangshu raised a brow, kneeling on the bed with one leg bent. She grabbed Jiang Chenbi’s ankle and yanked her back.
Jiang Chenbi’s eyes were like inky cold pools, filled with chill as she stared at Cui Wangshu. She hooked her arm around Cui Wangshu’s neck, pulling her down and biting her lip.
Cui Wangshu winced in pain, tasting blood in her mouth.
Jiang Chenbi suddenly shoved her away, licking the blood from her lips. She raised a brow, provocatively eyeing Cui Wangshu.
Cui Wangshu sat up, touching the wound on her lip and rubbing the blood between her fingers. Even a clay figure has a temper, let alone Cui Wangshu.
Understanding the provocation in Jiang Chenbi’s eyes, Cui Wangshu narrowed hers. She straightened her disheveled clothes, a cold smile on her lips. “Don’t regret it.”
Jiang Chenbi sneered back. “Regret? If you don’t finish me off tonight, I’ll finish you.”
Cui Wangshu snorted coldly. “Good.”
With that, Jiang Chenbi leaped up, kicking toward Cui Wangshu. Cui Wangshu sidestepped, her toe tapping the ground as she flipped backward, creating distance.
Jiang Chenbi stood, unwinding the Nine Dragons Profound Iron Chain from her wrist.
Seeing her determination to fight, Cui Wangshu’s face hardened. She narrowed her eyes and drew the Onyx Iron Fan from her waist.
The Onyx Iron Fan whirled out with a gust of wind. Jiang Chenbi bent backward to dodge, then hooked the fan’s handle with her Nine Dragons Profound Iron Chain, swinging it back toward Cui Wangshu.
Cui Wangshu caught the fan and snapped it shut to block the incoming chain.
The commotion in the room was no small matter. Ji Yunwei downstairs noticed and rushed up sword in hand. Just as she reached the door, a sword sliced through the air behind her.
Ji Yunwei twisted away just in time, catching a glimpse of blinding white in her peripheral vision. The sword embedded in the door was yanked out, and Ji Yunwei blocked it with her own.
Ying Lan said coldly, “Mind your own business.”
The innkeeper’s wife, witnessing this, was terrified and fled without a word, inwardly cursing her rotten luck.
Ji Yunwei’s gaze chilled. “Get out of the way!”
Seeing talk was futile, Ying Lan attacked decisively. The two fought evenly matched.
At that moment in the room, Cui Wangshu caught another of Jiang Chenbi’s chain swings barehanded. Jiang Chenbi was furious, her strength immense, numbing Cui Wangshu’s arm.
Cui Wangshu frowned, wrapping the chain around her hand and yanking to pull Jiang Chenbi in.
But Jiang Chenbi, dead set on fighting, released the chain, spun, and drew the sword from the table.
Cui Wangshu wielded the chain in her left hand and the fan in her right, holding back due to Jiang Chenbi’s frail health.
Jiang Chenbi’s face was icy. “Don’t hold back for me!”
Cui Wangshu twisted her waist to dodge the sword, sliding low in a sweep. Jiang Chenbi chopped down with a leg split, blocked by the Onyx Iron Fan. She then leaped into a half-spin midair, borrowing force to jump away.
Cui Wangshu’s eyes darkened. The Nine Dragons Profound Iron Chain in her left hand “clanged—” and shot toward Jiang Chenbi’s slender waist.
Jiang Chenbi’s stamina faltered; she couldn’t dodge. The chain tightened around her waist, yanking her over. Her arms were seized behind her back, pinned in an embrace.
Fuming, Jiang Chenbi raised a leg to kick, but as it lifted, a knee wedged between her thighs, eliciting an unprepared grunt.
Cui Wangshu’s soft laughter sounded in her ear.
Jiang Chenbi snapped angrily, “Let me go!”
Cui Wangshu chuckled indulgently. “Alright, but tell me why you’re angry?”
Jiang Chenbi fumed. “You!”
Seeing no release forthcoming, Jiang Chenbi prepared to use the Love Gu, but Cui Wangshu seemed to anticipate it. “Tch,” she said, sealing her lips.
She plunged in deeply, carrying thin anger and soothing.
Jiang Chenbi whimpered, struggling, but before she could break free, a “bang—” sounded.
The door burst open.
Ying Lan had failed to stop her, and Ji Yunwei kicked the door in, only to freeze like she’d been struck by lightning.
Ying Lan hurriedly looked inside and was likewise thunderstruck.
Cui Wangshu’s face was icy as she pulled away from Jiang Chenbi’s lips. She slowly turned her head toward the doorway, her gaze frigid, her words spilling coldly from her throat like venom.
“Get… out.”
Ying Lan reacted first, averting her eyes from her Palace Lord’s pinned position and the kiss. She dared not interfere.
She slammed the door shut, dragging the dazed Ji Yunwei away.
Before Ji Yunwei could recover, Ying Lan stuffed something into her mouth and forced her to swallow by pinching her throat.
Ji Yunwei clutched the railing, retching futilely, her eyes red with physiological tears. “What did you make me eat?”
Ying Lan, though shocked herself, kept a calm face and tone. “A Gu Worm. If you breathe a word of tonight’s events, it’ll shred your guts.”
Ji Yunwei: ?? What!!! A Gu Worm!!!
