Chapter 148: Danger has come

The shopkeeper saw Jiang Xiaomu and Jiang Xiaoyu covered in blood, his face turned deathly pale from fright, and he exclaimed:

Heavens! What happened to you?

Jiang Xiaomu said weakly:

Shopkeeper, quickly, help us find a room.

The shopkeeper dared not delay, hurriedly helped them into a room, fetched clean cloth and hot water, and helped Jiang Xiaomu wash his wound.

While carefully wiping the blood from Jiang Xiaomu's body, the shopkeeper anxiously asked:

What... what on earth happened?

Jiang Xiaomu simply recounted what had happened.

After hearing it, the shopkeeper couldn't help but suck in a breath of cold air.

Luo Shisan is utterly devoid of conscience! Fortunately, you siblings are blessed and managed to escape disaster.

The next morning in the Xian Ya, Li Wenqing sat upright with a furrowed brow.

A yamen runner reported that a corpse had been found in the west alley of the city, none other than the notorious Luo Shisan who had been wanted for years.

Li Wenqing pondered for a moment, waved his hand to have the runner properly place the corpse, but his heart was stirred.

Luo Shisan was highly skilled in martial arts, considered a top figure in the jianghu; how could he suddenly drop dead?

Li Wenqing immediately thought of the Jiang Xiaomu siblings.

He decided to personally go to the tavern.

When Li Wenqing arrived at the tavern, Jiang Xiaomu was sitting in the hall, sipping bland rice porridge spoonful by spoonful.

Seeing Li Wenqing enter, he hurriedly rose and bowed.

Mr. Jiang, no need for excessive courtesy.

Li Wenqing waved his hand, indicating he should sit.

Regarding Luo Shisan's death...

Jiang Xiaomu set down his bowl and told Li Wenqing exactly what had happened the previous night, without hiding anything.

He even produced that wrinkled wanted poster, pointing at Luo Shisan's name and said:

Sir, Luo Shisan has committed countless evils; his death is more than deserved.

Li Wenqing took the wanted poster, examined it carefully, and already had an answer in mind.

He returned the wanted poster to Jiang Xiaomu and said:

Mr. Jiang, I know you're injured, but this matter is of great importance and requires further investigation.

During this time, just rest and recuperate at the tavern; if you need anything, feel free to come find me.

All right, thank you for your trouble, Sir Li.

Li Wenqing patted Jiang Xiaomu and said:

Alright, there's no outsider here, so we don't need to be so polite between us.

Take good care of your injury; I'll head to the yamen first.

Jiang Xiaomu cupped his fists.

After Li Wenqing left, Jiang Xiaomu let out a long breath, picked up the rice porridge, only to find it had gone cold.

The shopkeeper warmly came over.

Xiao Mu, would you like me to heat another bowl for you?

Jiang Xiaomu shook his head.

No need, shopkeeper; I just need to rest a while.

Having said that, he rose and returned to his room.

Jiang Xiaoyu had already changed into clean clothes and was sitting dazedly on the edge of the bed.

Seeing Jiang Xiaomu enter, she hurriedly rose and asked anxiously:

Brother, are you alright?

Jiang Xiaomu forced a smile.

I'm fine, Xiao Yu; don't worry.

But... you still have wounds on your body.

Jiang Xiaoyu's eyes reddened again.

Just a minor injury, it's nothing.

Jiang Xiaomu rubbed his sister's hair.

As for you, were you frightened?

Jiang Xiaoyu nodded, flung herself into Jiang Xiaomu's arms, and began to sob softly.

Jiang Xiaomu gently patted her back; in this chaotic world, his only concern is this sister.

Over the next few days, Jiang Xiaomu recuperated at the tavern.

Though said to be recuperating, it was more like a vacation.

Each day, aside from sleeping, he sat in the hall watching the comings and goings of guests, occasionally teasing the new maid Cui'er; his days passed quite leisurely.

Cui'er is a clever lass, her big eyes blinking, always with a smile.

She was especially concerned about Jiang Xiaomu's injury, bringing him tonics every day and asking after his well-being.

When Jiang Xiaomu was in a good mood, he would also joke with her, making her blush and her heart race.

Boss Jiang, is your injury better?

Cui'er held a bowl of chicken soup and placed it carefully in front of Jiang Xiaomu.

Thanks to Miss Cui'er, it's much better.

Jiang Xiaomu smiled as he took the chicken soup, deliberately putting on a lecherous look.

If Miss Cui'er could feed me every day, I reckon I'd be up and about tomorrow.

Cui'er's cheeks flushed instantly, and she said crossly:

"Boss Jiang, you're teasing me again!"

"Haha, just joking with you."

Jiang Xiaomu laughed heartily, but he felt somewhat sentimental inside.

Such a peaceful life is, to him, practically a luxury.

Jiang Xiaomu was enjoying the soup's flavor, while Cui'er diligently served him dishes on the side, occasionally stealing glances at him, her cheeks flushed crimson.

Jiang Xiaomu was in high spirits, teasing:

"Cui'er, did you put something in this chicken soup? Why do I feel hot all over after drinking it?"

Cui'er blushed all over her face, stammering:

"No... no... it's just ordinary chicken soup..."

At that moment, a clear voice broke the ambiguous atmosphere between them.

"Yo, Boss Jiang, what refined tastes you have."

Jiang Xiaomu looked up and saw Ye Ying appearing at the doorway at some unknown time, gazing at him teasingly.

He was startled, not expecting Ye Ying to appear suddenly; he hastily put down his bowl and chopsticks and laughed.

"Ye Ying, why did you come? It's just some everyday home cooking."

Ye Ying walked to the table, poured herself a cup of tea without ceremony, and said slowly:

"I heard Boss Jiang was injured, so I came specially to see him."

"Boss Jiang, your injury is healing quickly; just a few days and you're already flirting with young girls."

Jiang Xiaomu coughed embarrassedly twice.

"Ye Ying, you've misunderstood; I and Cui'er are just..."

"Just what? Mutual affection?"

Ye Ying raised her eyebrows, narrowed her eyes, her gaze full of teasing.

Jiang Xiaomu saw Ye Ying's hand slowly reaching toward his waist, and hurriedly tried to explain.

Suddenly, a cold mechanical sound rang in his ear:

【Warning! In three months, the barbarian iron cavalry will attack Wangzhou City.】

【The host leads troops to resist; defeated, the city falls, the host and others die in battle】

【Prefect Zhao abandons the city and flees; Jiang Xiaoyu and others have no survivors.】

This sudden voice shocked Jiang Xiaomu's heart; a chill rose from his soles to his head.

He clenched his fists tightly, a cold killing intent flashing in his eyes.

But he quickly returned to normal, pretending nothing had happened as he continued chatting casually with Ye Ying.

However, this subtle change was keenly caught by Ye Ying.

Ye Ying drank her tea without changing expression, but glanced at Cui'er from the corner of her eye, her mouth curling with a playful smile.

Cui'er felt uncomfortable under the gaze, hastily tidied her bowl and chopsticks, and fled as if escaping.

"Speak, what just happened? Your face turned paler than a corpse's."

As soon as Cui'er left, Ye Ying immediately asked, wearing a teasing expression.

Jiang Xiaomu feigned nonchalance with a shrug.

"What could I have? Just being startled by you."

Ye Ying pursed her lips, looking doubtful.

"Just you? Jiang Xiaomu, stop fooling me—I haven't forgotten who was laughing and chatting on the random burial mound."