“Alright, I’ll prepare everything for you gentlemen right away.” With that, San Niang instructed the waiter, “Hurry up and take these gentlemen upstairs. Make sure to serve them well, understand?”

“Yes, ma’am!”

The waiter responded, draping a towel over his shoulder as he came forward respectfully. “Gentlemen, this way to the second floor, please.”

Jingrong lifted his foot and headed upstairs.

Ji Yinshu followed behind, but after only two steps, she was suddenly blocked by San Niang.

That voluptuous figure positioned itself in front of her, even deliberately brushing against her. Eyes narrowing slightly, San Niang said, “This gentleman… smells truly fragrant.”

She wrinkled her nose.

And even licked her tongue!

Ji Yinshu felt a shiver run through her entire body. She stepped past San Niang and went upstairs.

San Niang, however, curved her thin lips into a smile, staring after her.

Little did she know that as Muruo passed by San Niang, he actually stopped and looked her up and down.

San Niang was delighted and naturally draped her arm over Muruo’s shoulder.

“Has this gentleman taken a fancy to San Niang?”

Muruo smiled. “Miss, I can see that your body is weak and soft, your legs lack strength, your arms are the same. And look at your eyes—scattered and confused. These are symptoms of physical deficiency.”

“Sir, you really love to joke.”

Muruo shifted his body to the side. “I speak no falsehood.”

San Niang nearly fell over.

But she wasn’t annoyed. Instead, she smiled even more brilliantly. “It seems this gentleman is very curious about me.”

“You’re mistaken. This young master doesn’t care for your type. It’s just… I find the wine fragrance on you pleasant.”

With that, he went upstairs.

San Niang didn’t feel embarrassed. Instead, she raised her voice and called out to Muruo, who had already gone upstairs, “If the gentleman finds the wine fragrant, why not challenge San Niang? If you can beat me at drinking, I’ll give you a great gift.”

No response!

Before long, Zhao Huai’s men also came in, and immediately after, that troupe of performers arrived as well, filling the inn to capacity.

San Niang twisted her body as she stood behind the counter, her nimble fingers constantly moving the beads on the abacus before her, while her other hand fanned herself with a fan.

That appearance of hers was truly captivating.

The waiter came down from upstairs, squeezed to her side, and said, “San Niang, what kind of wind is blowing today? So much good business coming to our door. That group that just went upstairs—they brought large and small boxes. Who knows what treasures are inside. How about we…”

Before he could finish, San Niang struck him hard on the head with her folding fan.

Glaring at him, she said, “Behave yourself. Don’t stir up any trouble.”

The waiter was surprised. “San Niang, that’s big business. There’s no reason for you to let it pass, is there?”

“Are you stupid?” San Niang’s fingers left the abacus as she pointed toward the second floor. “Didn’t you see that those people aren’t to be trifled with? The first group that came in—every one of them is a martial arts master. No matter how quick our hands are, they can’t be faster than their swords. The second group that came in—each one fierce and menacing. Though their kung fu may not be great, they’re all brutes, probably people from the underworld. Do you dare touch them?”

He didn’t dare.

But—

“San Niang, what about the group that came in last? They’re old and young, and each one looks useless. Besides, with so many boxes, even if we open just one or two, we could eat well for several months, right?”

Smack!

San Niang hit him again with her folding fan.

“I’m telling you, don’t do anything tonight. It’s better to miss out on some money than to bring trouble upon yourself. The inn is full of masters everywhere. If you cause any trouble, I won’t be able to protect you.”

Though the waiter was somewhat unwilling, he looked up at the second floor. Jingrong’s guards were standing and watching from various corners up there.

His courage faltered!

He swallowed hard. “I’ll go tell them to hurry and prepare the food.”

He scurried away.

Soon, the waiter brought out the prepared food and dishes.

San Niang stopped him.

“I’ll take these dishes up myself.”

She directly took the food and dishes, twisted her waist, and went upstairs.

Upstairs, in Jingrong’s room.

“Your Highness, we’re still one day’s journey from Anfu County. Should we notify the Anfu County magistrate in advance?” Lang Bo asked.

“No need,” Jingrong said. “We’re merely passing through. We won’t stay long.”

“Yes.”

Jingrong poured himself a cup of water and took a sip. As if remembering something, he said, “Is the magistrate of Anfu County still Liu Zhiliang?”

Lang Bo replied, “It’s him.”

“Interesting.”

He laughed briefly.

“Back then, Liu Zhiliang bought his position. When the news spread, it was Your Highness who suppressed it. Seeing that he was an honest person, you spoke to the Ministry of Personnel and had him assigned to Anfu. He’s held that position for quite a few years now. And I hear that Anfu’s public security is excellent and the common people live peacefully, which shows Your Highness was right to keep him back then,” Lang Bo said.

Jingrong curved his lips, looking at the flickering candlelight before him. “Although Liu Zhiliang doesn’t have much learning—couldn’t even pass the provincial examination after more than ten years—his mind is quite sharp. He’s full of clever tricks. This kind of person is actually most suitable for being an official. Bad people can’t take advantage of him, and good people can’t get any benefits from him either. That Anfu has been peaceful for so many years is truly his achievement.”

“Your Highness is right.”

“Anfu isn’t large, but it isn’t small either. The court has tried to promote him several times, but that fellow refuses. He’s nestled in Anfu, becoming a local emperor.”

“Your Highness, shall we really not notify him then?” Lang Bo asked once more.

“No need.”

Lang Bo also closed his mouth and asked no more questions.

Just at that moment, San Niang passed by their room. Even through the door, she could hear the conversation between the two people inside.

A prince?

San Niang’s spine went tight.

They say thieves most fear officials.

San Niang was no exception, especially since this was a prince inside.

She simply carried the food in her hands and bypassed this room, knocking on the adjacent one.

But the door wasn’t locked!

She pushed the door open and saw Muruo lying on the bed like a corpse.

Her red lips curved.

“Sir, the food you ordered—shall I put it on the table? Or…”

She carried the food to the bedside.

Muruo opened his eyes, glanced at her, and gave a cold laugh.

“Just give me a pot of wine.”

He struggled to sit up from the bed, only then discovering he was still holding a bottle in his hand.

“It seems this gentleman really enjoys drinking.”

“Not enjoys—it’s a habit.”

San Niang smiled. “If that’s the case, why not have a few drinks with San Niang?”

“Do you have wine?”

“Of course!”

“Is it good wine?”

“Premium Daughter’s Red wine.”

“How much?”

“As much as you want.”

Question and answer.

Muruo’s wine craving was hooked. He got up, walked to the table and sat down, his fingers tapping on the table.

He called out, “Then bring up the wine!”

San Niang placed the food to one side, walked outside, and called down a few instructions. The waiter immediately brought up several jars of premium Daughter’s Red wine.

“Does the gentleman want to drink bowl by bowl? Or jar by jar?”

“Whatever.”

“Then… what’s the wager?” San Niang’s eyes, containing a glimmer of light, fixed on him.

Having traveled north and south all these years, Muruo knew the rules.

He casually pulled a jade pendant from his waist and tossed it onto the table.

“Beat me at drinking, and the jade pendant is yours.”

San Niang was about to pick up the jade pendant to examine it when Muruo used a cup to cover it.

He smiled and said, “What’s real cannot be fake, what’s fake cannot be real.”

“Sir, you truly have a way with words.” San Niang continued, “Sir, you’re using a jade pendant as your wager, so I…”

“No need. If you win, take the jade pendant. If you lose… take it anyway.”

“Oh? There’s such a good deal?”