Jingrong and Ji Yunshu got down from the carriage and looked at the inn before them. Not bad.

So he pulled Ji Yunshu inside.

Song Zhi also followed behind Bai Yin, carrying his bundle containing a few shabby sets of clothes.

They checked into rooms.

Jingrong instructed the guards to go purchase some Huyi clothing and some items they’d need for the journey.

Then he and Bai Yin led the horses and carriages to the rear courtyard.

Ji Yunshu was alone in her room. As soon as she entered, she habitually pushed open the window to let in some fresh air.

Outside, she could see the street below perfectly.

A breeze blew in, quickly dispersing the stale air in the room.

She also brought down from the carriage the two sandalwood boxes she carried with her. Just as she was about to open them to check whether the “treasures” inside had been damaged, Song Zhi appeared at her room door.

“Knock knock knock…”

He knocked very politely.

When Ji Yunshu saw it was him, she said, “Come in.”

Only then did Song Zhi walk in.

“Young Master Ji.”

“Do you need something?”

Song Zhi pulled some silver from his waist and placed it on the table in front of her, pushing it over.

He said, “This is for the room.”

Ji Yunshu’s brow furrowed. What was this about?

Song Zhi said, “Just now, Young Master Jing helped advance the payment for the lodging. I wanted to repay him, but he’s not in his room, and Bai Yin isn’t around either. So I had no choice but to bring it to you, Young Master Ji. I trouble you to return it to him later.”

So that was it!

Ji Yunshu smiled and pushed the silver back across. She said, “You don’t need to be so formal. Since we’re traveling together to Gaoding, if you insist on keeping everything so separate, wouldn’t that mean eating meals separately? Paying silver even for drinking water?”

“This…”

“Take it back.”

“That wouldn’t be proper.”

Ji Yunshu knew this bookworm’s personality. She simply picked up the silver and forcibly stuffed it back into his hands, saying, “You’re different from us. You’re going to Gaoding to take the imperial examinations. There will be many places you’ll need to spend silver afterward. You should keep this for when you need it, lest you have nowhere to turn in an emergency. Besides, we don’t lack this bit of silver from you. Just focus on studying well.”

Song Zhi held the silver that had been stuffed back into his hands, his heart full of gratitude.

He said again, “But there are still many days ahead on this journey. I can’t keep troubling you.”

“One more person isn’t much, one less isn’t little—it’s just adding an extra bowl and chopsticks. In any case, take the silver back. If you truly feel indebted, then Young Master Song, you must use your utmost ability to achieve top honors in the examinations. Repaying us in the future will be the same.”

These words made Song Zhi feel somewhat better.

He had no choice but to accept the silver. “Yes, I will certainly not disappoint Young Master Ji’s expectations.”

Ji Yunshu smiled.

Song Zhi suddenly noticed the two sandalwood boxes she’d placed on the table.

His eyes lit up.

He asked, “What are these?”

“My treasures!”

“Treasures?”

Ji Yunshu knew he was curious, so she opened one of them.

Inside were several small Luan brushes she used for painting, along with pigments and other tools.

Everything was separated by category into layers, arranged neatly and orderly!

Some of the tools leaned toward modern design—things Song Zhi had never seen. He stared somewhat dumbfounded, stunned for a moment.

Then he asked, “The things Young Master Ji uses for writing are truly different from ordinary people.”

“These aren’t for writing—they’re tools for painting.”

Song Zhi understood. “Oh, for painting portraits of the deceased as they were in life?”

“That’s right.”

“This truly opens my eyes. I’ve never seen such exquisite painting tools.” Song Zhi noticed the other box and asked, “What about this one?”

Ji Yunshu was quite patient and opened the other one to show him as well.

The moment the box opened, Song Zhi was decisively frightened.

His body stiffened!

Because what this box contained wasn’t painting tools, nor was it jewelry or gold and silver treasures.

But rather…

A pile of knives!

Wide ones, flat ones, pointed ones, round ones… one could say it had everything.

Ji Yunshu saw the astonishment and terror flash across Song Zhi’s face. She quickly closed the box to avoid scaring him and explained, “Don’t be afraid. These aren’t for killing people—they’re just for making certain tasks more convenient.”

Song Zhi asked, “What convenient tasks?”

“Sometimes when encountering the dead, tools are needed. One can’t simply use bare hands.”

Song Zhi was shocked. “You’re a coroner?”

“No!” Ji Yunshu denied it and answered him clearly. “I’m just a painter.”

A bone portrait artist!

Though Song Zhi had read many books and was very intelligent, he always couldn’t understand what Ji Yunshu was saying.

“So Young Master knows so many things. Truly admirable.”

Unlike him, who apart from writing some plays, only knew how to read books by rote.

Ji Yunshu sometimes felt this bookworm was actually quite endearing.

Just had some of that scholarly stubbornness.

That made people anxious.

At this moment, in the inn’s stable.

After Jingrong and Bai Yin had led the horses and carriages here, both rolled up their sleeves. Each carried a bucket and, taking horse brushes and cloths, began brushing the horses and washing the carriages.

Very harmonious.

Because of last night’s heavy rain and the mountain mud, both the horses and carriages were covered in mud.

So the rear courtyard was full of muddy water.

Their bodies were also dirty.

Bai Yin glanced at the diligent Jingrong and said, “I can handle this. You don’t need to do it.”

After all, that fellow was a prince!

Jingrong didn’t stop. While brushing the horse’s back, he said with a smile, “I’ve neither broken my hands nor my feet, and I’ve done this kind of work before.”

“You’ve done this?”

“What, very surprising?”

“I thought that as a prince, you’d always lived in luxury and comfort.”

“It seems that in these few months we’ve spent together, you still don’t know me well enough.”

Baby was a little hurt.

Bai Yin smiled and said nothing. After brushing the horse a few times, he suddenly looked up and asked, “Do you regret coming to Huyi with us?”

“No.” Jingrong answered with certainty, then looked at him seriously and said, “Actually, before coming, Yunshu’s heart was also full of hesitation. We’ve experienced so many things—her heart has long been riddled with wounds. She only wanted to settle down and didn’t want to experience those storms and waves again. Moreover, she knew very clearly that if she decided to come to Huyi, I would also come with her regardless of everything. But with my status, once discovered, there would certainly be much trouble. For her, I can do anything. Wherever she goes, I go. Whether it’s a mountain of blades or a sea of fire, I won’t hesitate.”

As a man, Bai Yin was moved by these words.

At this moment, he truly regretted not being a woman.

A man like Jingrong was rare in this world.

Bai Yin said, “It seems my sister indeed chose the right person. Entrusting her to you, I can rest easy.”

“Of course. Yunshu’s judgment has always been excellent!” Jingrong said with a smile.

Oh my, old fellow, you’re getting cocky!