"Room and board together," Mo Chou said coldly. This girl was becoming more mature by the day, handling all their affairs while traveling. Qingyao was content to be idle.
"Alright, and how many rooms will the guests require?"
"Two elegant rooms," Mo Chou stated as usual. One for the master, and one for Mo You. Mo You had to drive the carriage during the day, so he needed a good night's sleep. The two of them had to serve the master, and could sleep in the carriage during the day.
"Very well, esteemed guests, please follow me," the waiter said, leading the way.
Qingyao, along with the other three, followed him upstairs, taking in the surroundings. The establishment wasn't luxurious, but it was meticulous and clean despite its simplicity.
The inn was silent, likely because there were no other guests. It was a small town, not frequented by many people, although it was not far from the main road.
However, with larger towns on either side, such small settlements were usually ignored, hence the lack of patrons.
The so-called elegant rooms were merely slightly more refined than ordinary rooms.
A carved bed, a round table, a few low stools, and a simple couch with curtains formed an elegant room.
Mo Chou surveyed the room, a hint of displeasure on her brow. She cast a sharp, knife-like glance at the waiter, making him break out in a cold sweat.
Why did this attendant give off such a chilling aura? He dared not speak further. Qingyao, knowing Mo Chou feared she would be wronged, waved her hand and said indifferently.
"You may leave now. We'll call you if we need anything later."
"Yes, esteemed guest," the waiter said, relieved, and quickly retreated.
Inside the room, Qingyao glanced at Mo Chou and admonished her gently, "Don't always frighten people like that. There are many ordinary people outside, not like that place. From now on, don't be so sharp; sheath that edge of yours."
"Yes, Mistress," Mo Chou replied. She went to the window to check it thoroughly before inviting her master to sit. However, Qingyao did not sit. Having sat in the carriage all day, her body ached. She decided to move around, eat first, then stroll through the small town before resting.
"Let's go down for dinner. Mei Xin, go call Mo You from next door; he must be exhausted."
"Alright," Mei Xin said with a smile and walked out. Qingyao went to the window and opened the street-facing pane. The evening glow had faded, and the dim, hazy light cast a beautiful golden hue over the distant mountains, as if adorning the winding peaks with a magnificent brocade.
"It must be close to New Year's," Qingyao sighed. To think that her first New Year since transmigrating would be spent wandering, she felt a tinge of desolation.
"Mistress? Why don't we gallop to Huaicheng and celebrate New Year's with Aunt Su Ge? She would be very happy," Mo Chou suggested, afraid her mistress would become sad.
If they could celebrate New Year's in Huaicheng, her mistress would surely be delighted, as Aunt Su Ge doted on her so much.
The thought of Aunt Su made Qingyao's face glow with even more moisture. She lowered her head, stroking Mao Xueqiu's head, her eyes sparkling, a smile playing on her lips.
"Let's not. Let's just the few of us celebrate the New Year. There's no need to rush there."
She suspected that person would have people guarding Huaicheng, so why should she lose the bigger picture for the smaller one? It didn't matter where she celebrated the New Year, as long as she could see Aunt Su. Qingyao no longer dwelled on the New Year's matter. At this moment, Mei Xin's voice sounded from outside the door: "Mistress, we're going down to eat."
"Mm," Qingyao replied. Holding the little fox, she walked out. Mao Xueqiu burrowed its head into her arms. This fellow was becoming more clingy, not allowing anyone else to touch it. Another worry.
Mo Chou followed her mistress and asked worriedly, "Mistress, shouldn't we have the food sent up to avoid revealing our identities?"
Qingyao's body did not stop as she opened the door. Mei Xin and Mo You were standing outside. The three of them looked at her, seemingly disapproving of her going down to eat, mainly for fear of being recognized.
However, Qingyao had something else in mind. Now that she was pregnant, she couldn't just sit still all the time; moving around more was beneficial.
They were already far from Lin'an City. Even if he sent people to look for them, they might not cross paths. Even if they did, she would never go back.
Qingyao's eyes were filled with cold determination. Since she had left that place, she would not return. As long as she didn't want to, no one could force her back.
Once she emerged from that gilded cage, she had resolved that in the future, if she didn't want to or wasn't willing, no one could force her to do anything!
The former her was indifferent, detached from worldly affairs. On many occasions, if people didn't offend her, she wouldn't offend them. But she eventually realized that sometimes, not offending others wasn't the best way to protect oneself. On the contrary, only by becoming stronger, and destroying them before they could reveal their intentions, could she prevent anything from sprouting.
Take Ximen Xinyue, for example. When she first had the chance to enter the palace, she knew her intentions clearly, but because Qingyao hadn't provoked her, she ignored it.
If she had wanted to, she could have preempted and driven this woman out of the palace. Therefore, having suffered a loss, she would never suffer a second time. From now on, if anyone provoked her, none of them would have an easy time.
Qingyao looked straight ahead, her gaze so cold and sharp that it made one feel as if they were standing at the edge of an abyss or treading on thin ice. An aura of dominance emanated from her.
"Let's go down. From now on, I will no longer hide. As long as I don't wish it, no one will make me return to that place."
Her resolute voice echoed in the corridor. Mei Xin and Mo Chou sensed a change in their mistress. She seemed to have grown stronger, from her thoughts to her actions, no longer indifferent and distant, but becoming cold, strong, and domineering.
"Yes, Mistress."
After all, there was no one else in this inn. The three responded with candid agreement, following their mistress downstairs.
In the lobby downstairs, the innkeeper was tidying accounts behind the counter. The waiter, with one hand propping up his chin and the other holding a worn towel, leaned against the counter, gazing expectantly at the street, hoping for a miracle and for more guests to arrive.
Upon hearing footsteps from the stairs, the innkeeper and the waiter snapped back to attention. Both smiled warmly at Qingyao and her companions.
"Go see what the guests want to eat. Serve them our specialties and don't neglect them."
"Yes, Innkeeper," the waiter replied and rushed over. He was about to collide with Qingyao's body but stopped himself with practiced ease, halting precisely in front of them. He said with a smile as benevolent as that of Buddha, "What would the esteemed guests like to eat?"
His gaze was fixed on Qingyao, a flash of curiosity in his eyes. How could such a handsome young master exist? He was comparable to those depicted in paintings.
His eyebrows were as finely curved as willow leaves, and his eyes were not only bright and dark but also deep, as if shimmering with light. His lips were as red and alluring as cherry blossoms. Each feature, seen separately or together, was exceptionally beautiful.