Having disguised themselves, both wearing their own masks, Tuoba Keyan and Qiaomu were led by the attendant to a table not far from where Jian Yi and Feng Jiu’er were seated.

“What would you gentlemen like?” the attendant asked.

“Two rooms.” Qiaomu briskly handed over her bundle.

“Of course, sir.” The attendant received hers respectfully, then took Tuoba Keyan’s bundle with equal deference.

A second attendant came over and carried both bundles away.

The smiling attendant asked again: “Gentlemen, what would you like to eat?”

Out of sight, the attendant who had taken the bundles walked into the back hall and opened each one in turn — all the bundles that had been brought in, one after another.

He inspected them for a moment, then tidied the clothing inside, re-fastened each bundle, and turned to walk back out.

Coming face-to-face with an elderly man stepping in, the attendant murmured a quiet greeting: “Master.”

“What did you find?” The innkeeper’s gaze dropped to the three bundles on the table.

“Nothing out of the ordinary. The couple’s clothing is of rather fine quality, and there are several ingots of silver inside — they seem to be from a wealthy household. I’m told the wife is susceptible to the cold, and her husband brought her south to escape the chill.”

“As for the other two bundles, nothing unusual either — most likely just passing through.”

“Good.” The innkeeper gave a nod. “Nothing to worry about, then.”

“I’ve heard that the battle for Phoenix City has already begun. Keep your eyes open these days — understood?”

“Yes, Master.” The attendant smiled pleasantly and left without drawing any attention to himself.

Feng Jiu’er and Jian Yi’s dishes arrived quickly. The two sat close together, looking every bit the affectionate couple.

“My dear, here — the braised mutton you love.” Jian Yi picked up a tender piece of mutton and placed it in Feng Jiu’er’s bowl.

“My love, don’t drink too much during the day — just a taste is enough.” Feng Jiu’er lifted the wine flask and poured half a cup for Jian Yi.

No one knew that beforehand, she had already tested the food and wine with a silver needle.

“Thank you, my dear.” Jian Yi curved his fine lips slightly, picked up the cup his “wife” had poured for him, raised it to his lips, and took a small, unhurried sip.

“Honored guests, I’ve arranged the rear second-floor suite for you. How does that sound? It is our inn’s most comfortable room.”

“The front faces a large courtyard, and the back overlooks a small wooded hillside — the setting is wonderfully peaceful. And furthermore—”

The attendant leaned a little closer to Jian Yi and continued: “The rear suite is a standalone building, just two floors. The first floor has no other guests today.”

“If it pleases you, I won’t arrange anyone else there — it would give you more privacy. What do you say, sir?”

“I’ll take the first floor as well.” Jian Yi generously produced a silver ingot and set it on the table.

“My wife dislikes noise and bustle. If she takes a liking to this place, we may stay a few extra days. If the silver falls short, just come and ask me.”

“Yes, yes, of course.” The attendant cradled the weighty ingot in both hands and bowed repeatedly. “Then I’ll make sure not to disturb you and your wife during your meal.”

“I’ll see that the rear suite is arranged to your full satisfaction. Please enjoy your meal.”

Feng Jiu’er cast a faintly bashful glance at her “husband” before lowering her head and helping herself to the mutton.

“Always spending money so freely.”

“I earn money to spend on my wife — there’s nothing wrong with that.” Jian Yi placed another piece of meat in Feng Jiu’er’s bowl.

Not far away, an elderly woman with white-streaked hair, leaning on a cane, set down a few small coins, rose to her feet, and turned to leave.

As she departed, her gaze drifted past Feng Jiu’er — but it did not linger. In an instant she was gone from everyone’s sight.

After the evening meal, dusk had settled into darkness.

The tall, distinguished-looking man took his wife’s hand, and under the envious gazes of more than a few onlookers, followed the attendant away.

Feng Jiu’er had already gathered information about this inn beforehand. Had she not had her eye on the standalone two-floor building at the rear, she would never have chosen to stay here.

They passed through a large courtyard, and before them appeared the two-story building.

Outside the structure, lanterns hung all around — their light was not particularly bright, yet sufficient to let one see the path ahead clearly.

The attendant cheerfully led the two of them to the first floor of the building and pushed the door open.

Inside, candles flickered brightly — far more light than outside.

By the candlelight, Feng Jiu’er took in every detail of the interior.

Indeed — you get what you pay for. This was quite something.

“This here is the first-floor private suite. The bedroom is through there. The space on the second floor is even more expansive than down here.” The attendant introduced everything with evident pride.

“The most distinctive feature of this inn is the spring water flowing out from the cave behind the hill — warm in winter, cool in summer. Soaking in it for a while is a truly unique pleasure.”

“The bedroom has its own bathing room, and the bath uses flowing spring water. Sir, shall I take you upstairs to have a look?”

“That won’t be necessary.” Jian Yi waved a hand. “You may go. If we need anything, I will send for you.”

“Unless something particular comes up, don’t let anyone disturb us.”

Jian Yi produced a small silver ingot and handed it to the attendant, who received it with barely contained delight.

“Understood. Before the Hour of Chen tomorrow morning, I guarantee no one will come to disturb you.”

One look was all it took to know this was a pair of newlyweds — the attendant had seen the like many times before, and he knew exactly what to do.

“Bring some fine pastries and come to attend us after the Hour of Chen tomorrow.” Jian Yi said in a low, unhurried voice.

“Yes, yes, of course.” The attendant bowed with clasped hands and quietly withdrew.

Feng Jiu’er swept a glance at the closed door and then smiled at Jian Yi.

“My love, your wife is going up to wash and freshen up first. My love had better not come upstairs to peep.”

Tossing him a mischievous smile, Feng Jiu’er turned and headed toward the corridor she had spotted earlier.

Sure enough, after a short while she came upon a staircase leading to the second floor.

She swept her sleeve and climbed the steps briskly.

After a turn around the second-floor suite, Feng Jiu’er walked with satisfaction into the inner bedroom.

She opened the wardrobe, looked over her own clothes, picked out a casual set, and made her way toward the so-called bathing room.

What she had not anticipated until she saw it — this was where all the money went.

The setup reminded her strongly of the bathing chambers back in the Feng Clan’s imperial palace. The people of Yamu City were no less resourceful — they knew how to channel hot spring water into the bedroom and turn it into profit.

Here in Yamu City, she had been busy for several days on end, without a proper place to rest.

Feng Jiu’er felt that, at this moment, nothing could be more wonderful than soaking in the hot spring for a while.

She leaned over the edge of the specially crafted small pool and trailed her hand through the spring water. Feng Jiu’er let out a quiet sigh of contentment.

“This is absolutely divine.”

The person she was waiting for had not yet arrived. Downstairs, a full-marks “husband” stood guard — she had absolutely nothing to worry about.

She shed her outer garments, the girl stepped one long leg at a time carefully into the pool.

Settling into the warm and soothing water, Feng Jiu’er reached out a hand and swept aside the rose petals floating on the surface, then leaned back contentedly against the specially crafted headrest.

She gazed around the room for a moment, and then with a look of pure ease, let her eyes drift shut.

The money was already spent — not to enjoy it would be a waste. And Feng Jiu’er was not one to do something so foolish. Indulging herself properly was absolutely the right thing to do.