Bai Yin simply said, “Just now, he did save our lives after all! If you really avenged me, I’d owe him a debt I could never repay.”

Bai Yin was someone who liked to keep everything clearly accounted for.

When Lian Que had injured him with a sword back then.

He had returned the favor with a sword as well.

Today, Lian Que had saved them, and he would return the sword to him—then they would truly be even.

Jingrong had no mind to listen to their conversation. He paced a few steps in the room, frowning as he pondered aloud, “He clearly had murderous intent before, pursuing us all the way from Yiwu to here. Why would he suddenly help us? What’s his purpose?”

It made no sense!

Bai Yin said, “I promised him I’d return the sword. When he comes tomorrow, I’ll try to find out.”

“Mm, probe him indirectly when the time comes. But be careful—that man is no pushover. If he’s approaching us, he must have some purpose.”

“I’ll be careful.”

Ji Yunshu spoke in a low voice. Seeing everyone was rather exhausted, she said, “So much has happened today. Everyone should go rest first.”

…

Deep into the night.

Ji Yunshu and Bai Yin had already gone to rest.

Jingrong and Lang Bo sat in the room.

Regarding the things encountered along this journey and what people they’d met, Lang Bo had learned pretty much everything.

He exclaimed in amazement, “I never imagined so much would happen during this time.”

“I didn’t expect it either.” Jingrong took a sip of tea and said, “You really are something! Actually, there was no need for you to come at all.”

“This subordinate naturally had to come. During this time, I’ve been dreaming of Your Highness every night.”

“…Oh!” Jingrong felt his eyelid twitch.

Those words had a strange feeling to them.

Lang Bo continued, “I don’t know why, but I kept feeling some bad premonition. So if I didn’t make this trip, I wouldn’t feel at ease, and my days wouldn’t be peaceful either.”

“Forget it. Now that you’re already here, I can’t very well drive you away.”

Lang Bo smiled.

He was going to stick around and not leave anyway!

Eight horses couldn’t drag him away.

He looked at Jingrong sitting across from him, suddenly feeling somewhat emotional.

That feeling was like being reunited with family.

And his anxious heart finally settled down.

“Your Highness.”

“Hmm?”

“Being able to stay by Your Highness’s side gives me more peace than anything.”

Jingrong smiled slightly, “To tell the truth, when you’re not by my side, I always feel something is missing! But I can’t keep you with me forever—you should have your own life too.”

“I understand. After helping Your Highness and Miss Ji finish this matter, after seeing you both settled, I’ll go back to find Qin Xi. Then I’ll live a good life with her.” He said this, then asked, “But Your Highness, do you truly trust that Young Master Cheng?”

“Why do you suddenly ask that?”

“This subordinate is just somewhat worried. After all, that Young Master Cheng is from Huyi, and we haven’t known him very long. We don’t know if he’s human or ghost—what if something happens?”

“There’s no other way! Right now, information about Chahe is extremely scarce. Bai Yin and I searched for quite a while and couldn’t find him! So we can only trust Young Master Cheng.”

Lang Bo nodded and sighed.

At this moment—

A voice suddenly came from outside the door: “Master Jing, you’re still not resting?”

It was Song Zhi!

He walked in, holding in his arms a neatly folded clean set of bedding.

“Master Song, is something the matter at this late hour?”

“No, I just came to bring this young master a set of bedding.” Song Zhi looked at Lang Bo.

Lang Bo quickly stood up, saying, “You must be Song Zhi.”

“Ah? You… recognize me?”

“I came all the way from Yiwu and heard about the theater manor case, so I more or less recognize you.”

“I see!” Song Zhi smiled awkwardly.

Lang Bo introduced himself, saying, “I’m called Lang Bo, my master’s attendant. If you have any needs, just call on me—no need to be embarrassed. Besides, this place is yours, so I should thank you for letting us stay here.”

“Not at all! Actually, I should be the one thanking you. If it weren’t for Master Jing and Master Ji helping clear my name, how could I have come to Gaoding? And along this journey, I’ve relied on their help as well.” Song Zhi lowered his head.

Hearing this, Jingrong said, “Master Song, let’s not distinguish between outsiders and insiders. In short, when traveling away from home, we should look after each other.”

“Yes, yes, yes, Master Jing is right.” Song Zhi nodded repeatedly, his gaze sweeping around the room a few times before asking Lang Bo, “But tonight… Master Lang, where will you sleep?”

Lang Bo puffed out his chest, “I’ll sleep on the floor.”

“How can that work? You’re still injured, and in the dead of winter, the ground is so cold.”

“It’s fine, I’m used to it. Don’t look at my injury—actually my body is very robust. Tomorrow I’ll be able to fight and kill again.”

Black lines appeared on Song Zhi’s forehead.

Seeing this, Jingrong took the bedding from his hands and said, “Master Song, you needn’t worry. Tonight I’ll sleep with him.”

Ah?

Lang Bo was dumbstruck.

Having followed Jingrong for many years, he had never slept with him before.

He questioned, “Master, are you certain?”

Jingrong glanced at him and asked in return, “What, you’re unwilling to sleep with me?”

“Actually, that’s not really… it’s just that I…”

Before he could finish speaking, Song Zhi interrupted.

He said, “How about this—Master Jing, your bed isn’t very large. Two people sleeping would be rather cramped! But my bed is quite large. Why don’t you, Master Lang, make do and sleep in my room?”

Lang Bo: “This… wouldn’t be appropriate. Aren’t you preparing for the exam? I’m afraid I’d disturb you. I’d better share a room with Bai Yin.”

“Bai Yin’s bed is even smaller.” Song Zhi said this, then asked, “Could it be that Master Lang dislikes me? Unwilling to share a room with you?”

“Of course not.”

“That’s good then.” As Song Zhi spoke, he took back the bedding that Jingrong had accepted.

He forcibly pulled Lang Bo to go sleep with him!

With such enthusiasm, Lang Bo couldn’t very well refuse.

Song Zhi made up the bed and said, “Master Lang, you sleep on the inside. That way I won’t bump into your injured hand.”

“…All right.” Lang Bo agreed awkwardly, struggling to say, “Master Song, actually I’m just a rough person. Having been exposed to wind and rain for years, I’m already used to it. I really can’t take your bed.”

“No more refusals.” Song Zhi directly blew out the candle.

Pulling him onto the bed.

The two lay on the bed, neither moving, with a small distance between them in the middle.

It wasn’t as if Lang Bo had never slept with strangers before!

Back then, traveling from Jinjiang to the capital, he had slept all the way with Wei Yi to the capital.

But sleeping together with this Master Song right after meeting him felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Yet though he felt awkward inside, he happened to fall asleep extremely fast.

As soon as he closed his eyes, he was asleep!

Song Zhi lay there properly and orderly, just about to fall asleep, when who would have known—

Lang Bo suddenly turned over, his hand reaching out to drape across his body.

One leg also draped over.

Ugh!

Song Zhi was dumbstruck.

His whole body trembled.

What on earth?

At this moment, he didn’t dare move at all.

How could he have known this Master Lang would sleep so restlessly?

He originally intended to call out and wake him, to have him retract his arms and legs. But thinking it over, the man was injured and must be very exhausted, so he decided against it—better not to disturb him.

He just lay there quietly like that, eyes closed.

Involuntarily pressing his palms together.

Silently reciting in his heart: Amitabha Buddha!

Good, good…