Qingshan Post Station.
After Zhao Momo presented the waist token symbolizing the Grand Tutor Manor, the station manager, recognizing them as people from the Grand Tutor Manor, promptly and enthusiastically arranged guest rooms for them.
Having experienced the Second Young Lady’s formidable nature twice in a row, Zhang Momo and her group behaved much more obediently within the post station.
Throughout the meal, Zhang Momo dared not cause any trouble.
After the meal, Ji Yunsu helped her mother and brought her younger brother back to their room to rest.
Since Liu Rumei had been coughing severely after returning to the room, Ji Yunsu went downstairs to ask the manager if there was a pharmacy nearby, hoping to get some medicine to temporarily relieve her mother’s cough.
However, the manager replied that there were no pharmacies in the vicinity.
“Manager, when the carriage entered the backyard of the post station earlier, I noticed an old loquat tree planted there. May I pick some of its leaves?”
Hearing this, the manager was taken aback. “Miss, the loquat fruit is edible, but what do you need the leaves for?”
“You may not be aware, Manager, but loquat leaves are quite valuable. Boiling them in water and drinking the infusion can relieve coughs and calm wheezing. They are a rare and excellent medicinal ingredient.”
Ji Yunsu patiently explained to the manager.
Upon hearing this, a flicker of skepticism crossed the manager’s shrewd eyes. In his decades of life, this was the first time he had heard that loquat leaves could treat coughs.
“Manager, may I go to the backyard to pick some loquat leaves?” Ji Yunsu politely inquired again.
“Of course, Miss. Feel free to pick as many as you like. That old loquat tree has plenty of leaves right now. Help yourself.”
As the manager spoke, his sharp eyes caught sight of an ornate carriage slowly coming to a stop at the entrance.
Having worked at the post station for many years, he knew that anyone who traveled in such a carriage must be of significant status.
Thus, the manager hurried out from behind the counter, beaming as he rushed outside.
Seeing that the manager was busy, Ji Yunsu made her way toward the backyard.
As she turned, she caught a glimpse through the thick veil of her weimao of the manager bowing and scraping obsequiously toward the carriage parked at the entrance.
This was a post station, and those who stayed overnight here were undoubtedly officials of the court.
Judging by the manager’s level of enthusiasm, which surpassed even when Zhao Momo had presented the Grand Tutor Manor’s waist token, the person inside the carriage must hold a higher status than the Grand Tutor.
However, this had nothing to do with her.
Her priority was to go to the backyard, pick some loquat leaves, and brew them into a remedy for her mother.
Losing interest, Ji Yunsu turned her head away, no longer paying attention to the entrance, and briskly made her way to the backyard.
At that moment, the curtain of the ornate carriage was slowly lifted by a slender, long-fingered hand, revealing a cold, transcendent immortal-like face.
The manager, upon seeing the noble inside the carriage, was struck with awe, frozen in place.
Strange occurrences happened every year, but today was particularly unusual. Not long ago, a plump young lady had checked into the post station, and now suddenly, a cold and aloof noble young master had arrived—truly two extremes.
Pei Wuheng’s stern face betrayed no emotion as he indifferently addressed the dazed manager.
“Where did she go?”
Hearing this, the manager was momentarily confused and instinctively asked, “Ah, whom is the young master referring to?”
“The woman in the weimao who was just here.”
Zhan Yi flashed the waist token of the Ninth Prince’s Residence, his face expressionless as he pressed for answers.
Seeing the gleaming golden waist token of the Ninth Prince’s Residence, the innkeeper’s heart trembled uncontrollably. Could this man before him be the renowned Ninth Prince?
The Ninth Prince was the Emperor’s most favored son, his influence nearly rivaling that of the Crown Prince.
But hadn’t the Ninth Prince always lived in seclusion, rarely appearing in public? Why would he come to this remote, out-of-the-way inn?
Though puzzled, the innkeeper dared not show any neglect and promptly replied with utmost respect.
“Sir, that young lady went to the backyard to pick loquat leaves. She said she was going to boil them in water to relieve her mother’s cough.”
Unable to resist gossiping, the innkeeper added, “This is the first time I’ve ever heard of using loquat leaves boiled in water to treat a cough. Quite peculiar, if you ask me.”
A sudden gust of wind swept through, carrying an intense pressure that nearly stole the innkeeper’s breath.
By the time he regained his senses, the noble gentleman had vanished without a trace.
“Watch your tongue,” Zhan Yi said sternly, his voice low as he warned the innkeeper.
The innkeeper, being no fool, quickly bowed his head and replied, “This humble one saw nothing and heard nothing.”
Zhan Yi nodded in satisfaction, though inwardly he was equally perplexed by his master’s uncharacteristic display of power in front of strangers.
For years, his master had maintained a low profile, living in seclusion and projecting an image of immense influence coupled with frail health and a short lifespan.
Even when pursued by assassins just last night, his master had refrained from revealing his martial arts skills, nearly putting himself in danger in the wilderness.
What had come over him? Why would he chase after an overweight woman with such urgency, even resorting to using his inner energy?
…
In the narrow corridor leading to the backyard.
Ji Yunsu walked with light, brisk steps, heading straight to pick loquat leaves.
The corridor floor was paved with bluestone slabs, worn with age, and her shoes made a clear “tap-tap” sound against them.
To outsiders, Ji Yunsu appeared as an overweight woman, but her bulk was merely swelling caused by toxins. In reality, she wasn’t heavy at all.
At present, she resembled an inflated doll—visibly plump but only superficially so.
If someone were to lift her suddenly, they would discover her body was surprisingly light.
Because of her light weight, the sound of her footsteps on the stone slabs wasn’t clumsy.
The brisk, tapping footsteps echoed continuously along the corridor.
Gradually, the sound reached Pei Wuheng, who was walking not far away. Hearing those light steps, his deep phoenix eyes narrowed sharply.
Almost simultaneously, Pei Wuheng’s long, sturdy legs instinctively quickened their pace.
Soon, the bulky figure of a woman came into view.
Pei Wuheng’s gaze burned as he stared at the large figure walking ahead, oblivious to his presence. A sense of familiarity struck him abruptly!
It was her!
That swaggering, audacious way of walking—he would recognize it even if she were reduced to ashes!
Unbidden, memories of last night’s humiliating scenes in the wilderness flashed through his mind, one after another.
The elegant hand at his side, its index finger bitten and wounded, unconsciously clenched slowly.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk…”
Pei Wuheng pressed his thin lips together, his stern face devoid of any emotion, yet his complexion was terrifyingly dark, as if a storm was imminent.
You fat sow, I’ve found you. You’re dead!