Drama

"What is my uncle finding so amusing?" Madam Hu regarded him with a perplexed expression.

"Nothing," Song Qingshu evaded, lacking the audacity to disclose the truth. Shifting the topic, he inquired, "Sister-in-law, you once engaged in combat with Murong Jingyue. He mentioned that you seemed affiliated with the Tomb School?"

"Well, it is so," Mrs. Hu nodded gently. "During my childhood, I fortuitously encountered the master. She resided in my household for over half a year, imparting numerous teachings."

"Do you know her name, sister-in-law? Could it be Lin Chaoying?" Song Qingshu eagerly interjected.

Ms. Hu shook her head, secretly pondering her uncle's extensive knowledge of the Tomb School. "Lin Chaoying is my grandparents' generation. As for the master's name, I remain unaware."

Song Qingshu's countenance suddenly lit up. He contemplated how Xiaolongnu and Li Mochou would react upon learning of this senior sister's existence, though their responses remained uncertain.

Journeying through the dusty roads, they neared the vicinity of Gusu City. Realizing the lateness of the hour, they decided to seek respite in a small town on the outskirts and proceed to Yanziwu the following morning.

"Innkeeper, we require two rooms," Song Qingshu called out to the innkeeper, who raised his gaze to meet the pair and swiftly put on a smile. "Apologies, but we have only one room available at present. Would that be acceptable for the two of you? Just a moment, please."

Furrowing her brows, Mrs. Hu shook her head. "No, let us find another inn."

"Madam, in this town, our inn is the sole option. The gates of Gusu City are now closed, and the neighboring towns, located a hundred miles away, are the only alternative choices," the innkeeper explained, maintaining a smile.

"Let us continue our search," Song Qingshu suggested, sensing a hint of falsehood in the innkeeper's words, his suspicion aroused.

"Forget it, we'll take it," Mrs. Hu replied absentmindedly.

"Xiao Er, escort this lady upstairs," the innkeeper beckoned to Song Qingshu, pulling him aside. He leaned closer and whispered, "My son, please stay and have a chat with me."

As Mrs. Hu disappeared into the corridor, the innkeeper extended his hands and grinned. "My son, the room costs ten silver patterns. Thank you."

Song Qingshu's eyes widened with disbelief. "You're extorting money! The sign clearly states that a room costs only one or two silver."

Unfazed, the innkeeper chuckled softly. "My son, do you truly believe that a large inn like ours has only one guest room available? It's not a coincidence that we always seem to have just one room left when lone men and widows arrive. We provide opportunities, and it is up to you to seize them."

"Is that so?" Song Qingshu found himself immediately stunned.

"Well," the innkeeper's smile took on a strange quality, "consider this: have you ever wondered why there are numerous inns scattered across the rivers and lakes, yet they always seem to have only one room left when lone men and widows arrive? This is our rule, my son. The money disappears, but earning more is within your capabilities. However, acquiring a beautiful woman is not so easily accomplished."

Song Qingshu admired the innkeeper's shrewdness and willingly handed over a dozen silver pieces. "Truly, the individual who devised this marketing strategy is a genius!"

Suspicion etched on her face, Madam Hu inquired when Song Qingshu returned to the room, "What did the innkeeper discuss with you just now?"

"Nothing important, merely settling the payment for the room," Song Qingshu replied nonchalantly. "Sister-in-law, you can have the bed. I'll make do with the floor here."

Madam Hu furrowed her brow, feeling a deep sense of embarrassment. It was just a bed, and yet Song Qingshu, with his damaged meridians, insisted on sleeping on the cold ground.

"It's not okay. Your meridians are damaged, and the ground is too cold. How can you sleep like this?" Madam Hu's concern was evident in her voice.

"I'll manage. I'm a man, after all. I can endure it," Song Qingshu insisted, though he had no desire to sleep on the floor. He reluctantly laid a cushion down, preparing himself for an uncomfortable night's rest.

Madam Hu watched him silently for a moment before turning around and settling into the bed, still fully dressed.

In the dead of night, Madam Hu was abruptly awakened by faint, squeaky sounds. She opened her eyes to find Song Qingshu curled up on the ground, trembling and clutching the quilt tightly. His bruised arms were exposed, a testament to his pain.

Aware of the agony inflicted by knife wounds in inclement weather, Madam Hu bit her lip, refraining from making a sound. She couldn't help but think that her uncle was indeed a chivalrous gentleman.

The coldness of the ground intensified Song Qingshu's suffering, but his stubbornness prevented him from vocalizing his pain. In his mind, what could Madam Hu possibly understand? It was better to silently bear it, like a man.

"Uncle, come and sleep in the bed," Madam Hu's soft voice reached him from behind.

Song Qingshu stared at her blankly. "How can that be? Sister-in-law, leave me be. I can endure it."

"How do you expect to continue your journey tomorrow in this condition?" Madam Hu placed a firm hand on his shoulder, her voice tinged with urgency. "There's no shame in seeking comfort. If I, as a woman, can do it, why can't you? As long as we remain true to ourselves, it will be alright."

Though Song Qingshu was known for his arrogance, he wasn't a fool. Reluctantly, he made his way to the bed, feeling a waft of fragrance and warmth as he climbed in. In that moment, the pain in his body momentarily faded from his awareness.

As Song Qingshu settled into the bed, he realized that he had left his own quilt on the ground. He quickly understood that Madam Hu's gesture of allowing him to sleep on the bed was already a significant gift. How could he accept sleeping under the same quilt as her?

With a self-conscious smile, Song Qingshu retrieved his own quilt and found Madam Hu already wrapped snugly in hers, sleeping with her back turned to him. He gingerly lay down beside her, inadvertently brushing against her body a few times. Madam Hu's body quivered ever so slightly.

Unlike Zhou Zhiruo's betrayal, Madam Hu was as pure and untainted as crystal, and she had treated him with kindness. Song Qingshu dared not resort to despicable methods or deceive her. He appreciated her genuine care.

As he caught a faint fragrance emanating from her hair, Song Qingshu felt his tension gradually dissipate. The pain subsided, and before long, he succumbed to sleep.

The following morning, Song Qingshu awoke, reaching out to the side only to find the beautiful woman missing. Startled, he sat up and discovered Madam Hu gazing at him with a smile.

"Good morning, sister-in-law," Song Qingshu greeted her, his smile tinged with awkwardness.

Madam Hu nodded gently, her eyes revealing a hint of annoyance. She had noticed his actions earlier, his hands inadvertently touching her body multiple times during the night. If it hadn't been for her keen awareness through her internal energy, she would have already reacted.

Meeting Madam Hu's stern gaze, Song Qingshu felt a wave of guilt wash over him. He lowered his head, recalling the vivid dream he had indulged in the previous night. In that dream, Madam Hu lay before him, bashful and alluring...

If they were to reach Yanziwu in time, they needed to set out early. Song Qingshu knew that Shenhezhuang was likely located several dozen miles west of Gusu City. Leading Madam Hu, they embarked on their search, but despite inquiring from numerous individuals, they failed to uncover any information about the place. Madam Hu's confidence wavered, realizing they had taken the wrong direction. However, Song Qingshu remained steadfast in his conviction that they were on the right path.