The next morning, Jiang Yueli left Qianshui Town early. At the county office, however, a crowd had already gathered. Two men—the innkeeper and Hou San—were hanging outside the gate, their confessions posted on the wall beside them. Curious townsfolk approached, and after reading the confessions, they couldn’t help but feel satisfaction: these unscrupulous people were finally being dealt with.
When the county magistrate opened the office doors, he saw the gathered crowd and the two “dead pigs” swaying outside. He was surprised to see the innkeeper among them, but recognizing him as an old acquaintance, he initially didn’t show hostility. The innkeeper, thinking he was saved, was shocked when the magistrate read the confessions and the letter Jiang Yueli had sent. His expression changed instantly, and he ordered the two men thrown into the county jail under strict supervision.
The innkeeper and Hou San were bewildered. They had thought themselves rescued, but the magistrate’s cold demeanor left no room for doubt—they would face severe punishment. Even the thugs who had helped them were captured; they might avoid exile, but they would certainly face beatings and imprisonment for three to five years.
Jiang Yueli, meanwhile, paid no attention to the matter. The Qianshui Town incident was merely a minor inconvenience on her journey and hadn’t affected her in the slightest.
Having learned from the previous incident, Jiang Yueli no longer dared to stay in small county towns. As she neared Lingnan, a sudden gust of wind and dark clouds indicated an impending storm. The clear skies from moments ago had turned gray, heavy with rain.
She quickened her pace, hoping to find shelter to avoid being drenched. October was already chilly, and getting soaked could easily lead to illness. In the ancient era, even a simple cold could require ten days or more of bitter medicine to recover.
Just as the raindrops began to fall, Jiang Yueli spotted a structure not far away. Sprinting closer, she realized it was an abandoned teahouse. Though dilapidated, it could still shield her from the storm. Pulling her horse inside, she was immediately confronted by a group of black-clad men wielding long swords.
Instinctively, Jiang Yueli stepped back, keeping a safe distance. She noticed their horses, realizing they were also seeking shelter and had simply arrived before her.
“Gentlemen, we’re all just here to avoid the rain. There’s no need for swords. Once the storm passes, I’ll be on my way,” Jiang Yueli said cautiously.
The leader, a stern and cold man, replied, “This place is ours. You should leave.”
Jiang Yueli frowned. With rain pouring down, she couldn’t simply comply.
“This place was unoccupied before. You claim it just because you arrived first? I only need temporary shelter and won’t take up much space. I’ll leave as soon as the rain stops,” she said. She intended to reason once more, but was prepared to test their strength if necessary. The rule of the Jianghu was clear: don’t provoke unnecessarily, but know when to defend yourself.
The man’s face hardened, and he drew his sword, ready to drive her away. Suddenly, a cold male voice echoed from inside the building:
“Shi Ying, let him in.”
The man called Shi Ying immediately sheathed his sword and replied respectfully, “Yes.”
Seeing that the swords were lowered, Jiang Yueli brought her horse inside. By now, she was already soaked from the rain. She wiped the water from her forehead and entered the main hall.
Expecting more people inside due to the crowd outside, Jiang Yueli was surprised to find only a fire burning in the center of the hall. Beside it stood a man in a dark robe, eyes closed in quiet repose. Jiang Yueli couldn’t look away; his finely chiseled features were breathtaking. She had thought Fu Qingchen was handsome beyond compare, elegant and otherworldly, yet this man’s beauty was even more captivating.
A cold, aloof expression framed his sharp, symmetrical features, making him impossible to ignore.