Ri Ying gazed down at the waiter, asking coldly, "Do you have private rooms?"
"Yes, yes," the waiter nodded repeatedly. Ri Ying turned to look at his master. Feng Xie scanned the street. This sort of place would have to do for the night. If he didn't care about his subordinates, he'd rather doze off on the roadside. "We'll stay."
"Yes, Master." Everyone dismounted. The waiter immediately beckoned for people to take the dozen or so horses to be fed. He bowed low with a smile and led the way, "Guests, please follow me."
The group entered the tavern. The ground floor was bustling with noise. As the dozen or so of them walked in, the small establishment fell silent. All eyes turned towards them. Who were these people?
They were truly handsome, especially the man at the front. His face was like jade, noble and extraordinary. Every move he made carried an innate regal bearing, making people afraid to stare directly.
Yet, because he was so handsome, people couldn't help but steal glances from the corners of their eyes. The dozen or so people following him seemed to be his subordinates, and even his subordinates looked handsome and spirited.
This man must be someone important, everyone speculated, quickly lowering their heads to drink their wine.
The innkeeper emerged from behind the counter, smiling kindly, "Are the guests looking for lodging?"
Ri Ying nodded with a stern face. It seemed they had attracted too much attention. He wished they hadn't stayed, but since they were already here, dwelling on it was useless.
"Yes, we'll take over the entire first floor of the second story."
The moment Ri Ying spoke, a chorus of gasps rose from the diners downstairs. Many were indignant, but dared not speak out. Some of them lived on the second floor, and now their rooms were being taken over. Where would they stay?
"But the second floor is already occupied."
The innkeeper spoke with difficulty. Ri Ying shot him a cold glare, extended a hand, and tossed a silver note worth a thousand taels onto the counter. The innkeeper's eyes turned green. This was his income for several years. He immediately reached out to take it.
Turning to the waiter standing dumbfounded beside him, he said, "Clear out the guests on the second floor immediately and compensate them with double the price. I apologize to everyone today."
The innkeeper was shrewd. He walked to the center of the hall, cupped his fists, and apologized to the guests on the second floor. He also promised them double their lodging fees.
Those staying at the inn were surprised to have earned a little extra money. Although not much, the extra money was enough to find a woman. Therefore, they made a fuss but didn't say much else.
However, three men in a corner of the hall wore displeased expressions. One of them touched the saber on the table. The other two held his hand, shook their heads, and then stood up with the others, walking towards the exit.
In fact, Feng Xie had noticed the three men as soon as he entered the tavern, because the malevolent aura they carried was too strong, unlike ordinary merchants.
They seemed more like people who roamed the martial world. When they walked out, Feng Xie flicked his hand and headed upstairs. The waiter quickly ran ahead.
"Come, guests, follow me."
The most central private room on the second floor was elegantly furnished, complete with curtains and beds.
Feng Xie said nothing, waved for the waiter to leave, and reclined on a soft couch. He closed his eyes to rest. Inside the room, besides two personal guards and Bai Han, everyone else stood guard at the door.
"Master, those three men just now?" Bai Han asked softly. He had also noticed the movements of those three men earlier; they were clearly not right.
"They are likely the remaining eagles from the Thirteen Eagles." Feng Xie's eyes snapped open, his black pupils shining with an extremely cold light, like a Shura from the eighteenth level of hell, radiating intense killing intent. He placed a hand on his bent knee, tapping it lightly. The room filled with an icy chill.
Bai Han nodded. The Emperor's thoughts coincided with his own. Indeed, those people had been monitoring their movements and knew their whereabouts intimately. Could there be someone from their ranks within the palace? Who could it be?
"It seems they have someone in Weiyang Palace or Yongyuan Hall. This person is likely a eunuch or a palace maid. Others simply wouldn't know about leaving the palace."
"Your Majesty, perhaps you should switch rooms with me. I fear those people will make a move tonight," Bai Han said gravely. Since he had come out with the Emperor, he could not let the Emperor face danger.
"No need. I am not someone who fears death. Since they have come, let's meet those eagles. Only by eliminating these eagles will the person behind them make a move. Otherwise, we will remain passive."
Feng Xie said in a cold, charming voice, his eyes half-closed, a dangerous glint emanating from his pupils. He gestured for Bai Han to go and rest.
"You may leave. I wish to be alone for a while."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Bai Han withdrew. Only Ri Ying and Yue Ying remained in the room. They were the Emperor's two shadows, making no sound.
The room was filled with tranquility. A gentle breeze blew in from the window, causing the pearl curtains to sway softly, producing a pleasant sound. Feng Xie reclined on the couch, thinking of Liu'er, and his expression softened.
The harshness from before vanished. Ri Ying and Yue Ying knew their master was thinking of the Empress.
They would be able to see the Empress soon. But if the Empress truly lost her memory, their master would be heartbroken. However, what that woman had said did not sound like a joke at all, Ri Ying thought with distress.
After Feng Xie rested for a while, a light knock sounded at the door. Ri Ying stepped forward and asked lightly through the door, "Who?"
"Reporting to Lord Ri Ying, the waiter is asking if the Master's dinner should be prepared in the room."
It was the guard standing outside. Ri Ying mockingly chided himself for being too tense. With these people, how could those individuals succeed? He turned to look at his master on the couch, who seemed to be falling asleep.
His long eyelashes covered his expressive eyes, casting a shadow. Seeing his master asleep, Ri Ying tiptoed over, ready to ask them to wait for a moment. But his master's clear, cold voice rang out.
"Let him in."
"Yes, Master."
Ri Ying responded, opened the door, and there stood the waiter holding a delicate meal. Looking up and seeing Ri Ying's expressionless face and cold eyes, he couldn't help but tremble slightly. He didn't want to come.
But the innkeeper insisted he bring it. After all, these were wealthy patrons. They had spent so much money, and they had to be served well.
"Come in."
Ri Ying gave the shivering fellow at the door a cold glare. Why was this fellow so scared? Was he that terrifying?
After the waiter walked in, Ri Ying unconsciously touched his face. He remembered that many palace maids in the palace liked him.
He really didn't understand what this fellow was afraid of. Could it be that he had done something wrong?
The thought crossed Ri Ying's mind. He leaned forward. After the waiter had set out the meal, he reached out and lifted him up, snorting coldly, "Speak. Did you tamper with the food? Who instructed you to do this?"
The waiter's face, like a bitter gourd, was covered in cold sweat. He shook his head desperately, "This humble one did not. It's a false accusation. This humble one doesn't know what you're talking about."
Ri Ying was about to say something more when Feng Xie, who had been reclining nearby, waved his hand, signaling Ri Ying to let him go. The person behind the Thirteen Eagles was not that incompetent. They wouldn't use such low-level, pointless tricks. "Let him go."
"Yes."
Ri Ying released his grip. The waiter stumbled for a good while before he could stand steadily. He rushed out of the room, wiping the sweat from his head, silently thinking.
He would never deliver meals again after this. But these people would be leaving tomorrow, so he felt a little better. He fled the second floor.
Feng Xie was about to eat when Ri Ying stopped him. He quickly took out silver needles to test for poison, meticulously performing these tasks. No matter what those people did, caution was still necessary.
"All clear, Master. It's done." Ri Ying reported after checking, respectfully stepping aside.
Feng Xie began to eat. The room returned to its quiet state. Ri Ying saw that his master was eating very little, clearly distracted. He knew his master must be thinking of the Empress.
Since they would be meeting the Empress tomorrow, he must have some underlying unease, Ri Ying thought softly. He called out, "Master."