Chapter 244: Only One Room

Distracted by Qin Zhan, everyone finally pretended to come back to their senses.

Jia Shun had prepared a sumptuous banquet at his mansion, so Bai Wei and Xiao Moting went to the Taishou Mansion together.

At the table, Jia Shun was extremely fawning toward Bai Wei, and to show his respect, he toasted her many times.

However, every time he toasted Bai Wei, Xiao Moting blocked him and drank in her stead.

Xiao Moting sat beside Bai Wei, occasionally picking up the ivory chopsticks specifically used for serving food from a small dish to place food for her; he barely ate anything himself, preoccupied only with taking care of Bai Wei.

He did not notice it himself, but everyone around them saw it all.

On the surface, everyone acted as if nothing were amiss, but in their hearts, a thought sprouted—the Prince of Beijiang was truly "henpecked"!

Bai Wei ate this meal with extreme satisfaction.

The cook at Jia Shun's mansion was a former imperial chef from the palace, and the ingredients used were all purely natural, completely free of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and feed...

Even the green vegetables were grown naturally, and the taste was exceptionally fragrant.

This was true ancient cuisine, tasting far better than those big restaurants in the modern era that hung up signs for "imperial dishes"!

The chicken had the taste of chicken, the duck had the taste of duck, and the vegetables also had their natural, authentic flavor...

Coupled with Xiao Moting sitting beside her, constantly serving her food, Bai Wei ate until she was stuffed.

"I'm so full..."

Bai Wei held her waist and walked out of the Taishou Mansion, feeling completely satisfied.

If she had the chance in the future, she would definitely bring these true ancient delicacies back to the modern era!

The sky was overcast, and it began to rain.

The pattering rain hit the dark blue roof tiles, and the streets paved with bluestone slabs in the city were washed into a wet mess.

"This rain doesn't look light," Qin Zhan said, looking at the rain. "We have to take the minivan back to the Beijiang Camp, which normally takes two hours; with this rain, I'm afraid we won't be able to make it back to the camp in three hours."

Xiao Moting's sword-like brows furrowed slightly as he looked up at the sky.

It was already dark.

He pondered for a moment, then turned to Bai Wei and said, "Bai, it is late now, and the Post Road from Xuancheng back to the Beijiang Camp will be very slippery once soaked by the rain; I fear we can only stay in Xuancheng tonight."

"Stay in Xuancheng?" Bai Wei was startled.

Xiao Moting nodded. "The Cement Road built by the Beijiang has not yet reached Xuancheng. The Post Road is a dirt road, and with all the mud and water, I am afraid the minivan's tires will slip, making the journey unsafe."

Bai Wei thought for a moment.

Besides selling goods for Bai Ji Zahuodian, she had another important task for coming to Xuancheng today: to browse the market.

However, business at the shop had been too good today, and she had been busy until evening, then invited to eat at Jia Shun's mansion, leaving her no time to shop at all.

"Is there still a market tomorrow?"

"Yes," Xiao Moting said. "The market will be open for three days. We shall stay in Xuancheng for the night and head to the market first thing tomorrow morning."

"Alright." Bai Wei also breathed a sigh of relief.

She was returning to the modern era tomorrow; if she came to the ancient world and didn't browse the ancient market to buy something valuable to take back, it would be too much of a loss.

Coming to Daliang once caused the Jade Pendant to crack once; she couldn't run to Daliang every few days, so she had to seize the opportunity.

Hearing that they were going to stay in Xuancheng, Jia Shun immediately spoke up fawningly again.

"Prince, Bai, this humble official has another residence in Xuancheng that is usually unoccupied."

"That residence is very quiet, and the surrounding environment is quite good. If you do not mind, you may stay at this humble official's residence for the night."

Xiao Moting pondered briefly. "Very well, staying at your residence for the night is safer than an inn."

"This humble official will send people over immediately to tidy up the residence."

Jia Shun beamed with joy and hurriedly called for the steward to take the servants over to clean the residence.

The coachman from the Taishou Mansion drove a carriage over.

Xiao Moting stepped forward and lifted the carriage curtain, letting Bai Wei sit inside.

The carriage wheels rolled over the water-logged stone streets, moving forward through the city with a rhythmic clatter.

Before long, they arrived at a residence.

Bai Wei lifted the carriage window curtain and peered outside.

The residence was located in the south of the city, a particularly secluded area where there were not many people on the surrounding streets, making it very quiet.

"Bai, we have arrived."

Xiao Moting jumped off the carriage first, then reached out his arm.

Bai Wei smiled at him, lifted the hem of her skirt, and stepped off the carriage, supported by his arm.

Jia Shun did not often come to this residence, leaving only one steward and three servants to guard the house, usually just to clean and water the flowers and plants.

Xiao Moting looked around before nodding.

"This residence is quite clean."

The steward apologized with a smile, "Since the Prince is coming to stay, it naturally must be cleaned thoroughly."

After speaking, he called over a maid to lead them to the west wing to stay.

The steward had the maid carry a cow-horn lantern to lead the way, with Xiao Moting and Bai Wei following behind.

The maid pushed open a door.

"Prince, this is the room for you and your wife."

Bai Wei walked into the room and looked around.

The room was very spacious and decorated in an antique style, appearing elegant and clean.

She asked the maid, "I am staying here, where is Xiao Moting staying?"

"Ah?" The maid was startled and looked at Xiao Moting in astonishment. "Is the Prince not staying with you?"

"Ah?" Bai Wei also failed to process this.

The maid was also startled, "Madam, do you and the Prince not live together?"

"How could I possibly live with him..."

Before Bai Wei could finish her sentence, she was interrupted by Xiao Moting.

He gave the maid a look, "You may leave first."

The maid hurriedly withdrew.

After the maid left, Bai Wei frowned as she looked at Xiao Moting.

"There is only one room, how are we supposed to stay here? Don't tell me you expect us to live together."

Xiao Moting smiled.

"The manager must have mistaken you for my wife, which is why they arranged only one room."

"However, this is fine. With me by your side, I can better protect your safety."

"Xuancheng has a complex population; there are many foreign merchants in the city, as well as people from the Western Regions. I will stay here just in case."

Bai Wei finally understood his intention, and her face flushed slightly.

"Then... are you going to stay with me?"

Although her relationship with Xiao Moting had grown closer, and they had just pretended to be a married couple in front of the matchmaker, they were not truly husband and wife after all.

Having grown up to this age, Bai Wei had never shared a room with a strange man, so she could not help but feel a little nervous.

Xiao Moting smiled, "Bai, rest assured, I will not be staying in the same room as you."

"Then where will you stay?"

"You sleep in this room first; I will have the maid arrange a room nearby, close to you, so that if there is any situation at night, I can come over to protect your safety at the first opportunity."

Bai Wei could not help but feel moved, "Xiao Moting, you have been tired all day, and now you have to stay nearby at night; won't that be very exhausting for you, and you won't be able to sleep well all night?"

"It's fine, I have always been like this when I was in the army," Xiao Moting smiled, "When the army camps out at night, one must maintain constant vigilance; I am already used to it."

"Then... I'll have to trouble you tonight."

"It's no trouble," Xiao Moting said, then turned and walked out of the room.