That evening, they had a meal of sauerkraut and pork stewed with vermicelli. The dish was served in a clay pot placed on the stove, bubbling away. With a few ounces of strong liquor and some steamed buns, the meal made them sweat and feel warm and comfortable all over. After eating, they were overcome with drowsiness and each went to their rooms, collapsing onto the heated beds without even washing their faces or feet. The beds were so hot that as soon as they lay down, they quickly fell into a deep sleep, snoring loudly.
Not long after, there was a soft knock at the door.
"Dear guests, I've brought you some hot water," the innkeeper's hushed voice called from outside. The person on the bed, oblivious, turned over, deeply engrossed in their slumber.
The next moment, something thin slipped through the gap under the door, catching the faint light from the window and reflecting it. The object moved with a swift gleam, unlatching the door, which then opened quietly. Before the latch could fall, a hand quickly caught it.
"You promised you'd only take the money, not their lives," a voice whispered anxiously, filled with unease.
"Stop nagging. Who said anything about taking lives? I'm just getting a wife for you, Little Qizi," the innkeeper grumbled irritably as he stepped inside, the light from an oil lamp spilling into the room.
Holding a long knife, the innkeeper straightened his back, instantly appearing more imposing and menacing. Following him was a young boy, around fifteen or sixteen years old, holding the lamp. He was small and seemed reluctant to enter.
The innkeeper didn't bother searching the bundles on the table but headed straight for the heated bed, clearly more interested in the person sleeping there than in any valuables. However, just as he reached to lift the blanket, it suddenly flipped over on its own, covering his head and shoulders. He felt a sharp pain in his waist, and his body went numb, rendering him unable to move.
The boy holding the lamp reacted swiftly. Realizing something was wrong, he hurled the lamp toward the bed, simultaneously twisting his body and pushing off the door with his toes. He shot toward the figure on the bed like an arrow.
The lamp sailed through the air, and just as it was about to hit Mei Lin, she swatted it away. The light briefly illuminated her face. The boy, startled, stopped mid-leap and flipped to the ground.
The lamp crashed to the floor and extinguished with a puff.
Mei Lin, having anticipated the encounter, was ready to strike, but she was surprised when the boy suddenly halted. Just as she was about to take the initiative, she heard a voice, filled with disbelief and excitement, shout:
"Big Sister?"
Her heart skipped a beat. That voice... that name... Only that foolish boy, Yue Qin, could call her that... Could it be?
Before she could confirm, a soft sound followed, and the room lit up again. The boy had blown on the firestarter in his hand, reigniting the light. The flame revealed none other than Yue Qin's handsome face.
"Big Sister, it's me!" the boy exclaimed, bouncing over to her, practically dancing with joy. He didn't know how to express his happiness, so the firestarter in his hand waved erratically, casting flickering light around the room.
Mei Lin couldn't help but smile as she got out of bed and picked up the lamp. Yue Qin, realizing he had lost his composure, sheepishly scratched his head and walked over to relight the lamp.
At that moment, the door creaked open, and the bald-headed healer poked his head in.
As soon as they had seen the innkeeper's look, the two of them knew something was off. The healer, being who he was, had easily detected the mild sedative in the food, and Mei Lin had been prepared. They had eaten the meal with full awareness, enjoying it, and then had gone to bed, waiting for the thieves to fall into their trap. Luckily, they arrived quickly; otherwise, Mei Lin wasn't sure she could have stayed awake. But she never expected to find Yue Qin here, and that he had become a bandit.
Only now did she realize that the innkeeper hadn't been calling "Qizi," but "Qin Zi."
After the brief clash, the four of them sat around the blazing stove, chatting idly.
The bald-headed healer, having been quiet for days, was now full of energy with someone to talk to. He was no longer sleepy, grabbing the innkeeper and launching into a lengthy conversation. He talked about everything from the Prince of Jingbei's mansion to the chickens they kept at home, leaving nothing out.
The innkeeper, whose name was Zheng San, was wary of the two, though he disliked the endless chatter. Yet, he didn't dare to interrupt, nodding along with forced enthusiasm. His gaze kept drifting toward Mei Lin, who was listening to Yue Qin. He couldn't help but think it was a shame that such a beautiful young woman couldn't speak. But then he remembered her earlier display of skill, and whatever lustful thoughts he had quickly vanished.
Yue Qin, upon discovering that Mei Lin could no longer speak, was deeply saddened, and it took her some effort to console him. Though he eventually smiled again, there was still a lingering sadness in his eyes.
"Big Sister, I did as you said and waited for you in Lucheng, the city closest to Zhao Jing," he said, getting up to pour water from the boiling kettle into cups for everyone before sitting down again. "I found work as a servant in a tavern there, hoping every day that you would come for me."
Mei Lin felt a warmth in her heart, mixed with guilt. She knew she could never tell this innocent boy that she had never intended to come for him. Whatever her reasons, they couldn't justify such pure and sincere loyalty.
Yue Qin had indeed waited in Lucheng as promised, until the city was plastered with wanted posters bearing her likeness. In a panic, he began searching for news of her. Upon learning that she had been captured and sent to Jingbei, he left Lucheng immediately, determined to find a way to rescue her.
But when he arrived in Jingbei, he could find no trace of her. Whether she was in the local jail or at the prince's mansion, he had no idea, let alone the means to rescue her. Lost and desperate, he encountered Zheng San and his brothers, who had come to Jingbei to purchase goods. When a pickpocket attempted to rob them, Yue Qin's quick reflexes helped them catch the thief, leading to his introduction to Zheng San. After returning with them, Yue Qin discovered they were a band of mountain bandits. They promised to help him rescue Mei Lin, so he joined them.
After hearing Yue Qin's story, Mei Lin knocked him on the head, disapproval clear in her eyes. Murong Jing He was not someone a group of mountain bandits could hope to contend with.
Yue Qin, instead of being upset by the knock, was overjoyed, grinning as he took her hand, ready to say how glad he was that she was safe. But then he remembered she had lost her voice, and his face fell.
"Big Sister..." His eyes reddened as he tried to comfort her, but the more he spoke, the more upset he became.
Zheng San, seeing Yue Qin holding Mei Lin's hand, was filled with jealousy and was about to make a sarcastic comment when the sound of hoofbeats suddenly came from outside. Surprised, he looked over at Mei Lin, whose expression had changed as she stood up.
The bald-headed healer sighed deeply, leaning back in his chair and clamping his pipe between his teeth without saying another word.
Yue Qin, confused, was about to ask what was happening when there was a loud crash, and the front door was smashed into pieces.
Snow and wind blew in through the open doorway, blinding them with icy gusts. Murong Jing He, dressed in a black mink coat and covered in snow, stepped inside with a cold expression, like a god of death, his face grim and terrifying.
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