NFBE Chapter 330 Grassland Inn
Chapter 330 Grassland Inn
Before long, the once bright sky seemed to be slowly drawn back to night by an invisible hand, and it gradually grew darker. Darkness falls early on the grasslands, and the surrounding air had become slightly chilly. The six of them didn't plan to linger at the barbecue stall, but after enjoying the beautiful scenery and eating the grilled meat, each of them wore a satisfied expression, and their stomachs were full. After discussing it, they unanimously decided to head to the inn to find a place to stay for the night.
Despite being a group of six, they were surprisingly economical with their accommodations. After some searching, they settled on a small, charming courtyard. The courtyard immediately evoked a sense of warmth. Upon entering, they were greeted by a small but well-organized hall. The tables and chairs were neatly arranged, and several elegant calligraphy and paintings adorned the walls, adding a touch of refinement to the small space. Further in were three bedrooms, each equipped with a large bathtub – a tempting offer for their weary journey. And so, this seemingly small courtyard perfectly accommodated the six of them, three couples.
Looking back on their journey, they had been traveling non-stop for two days. During those two days, they had endured wind and rain, sleeping under the open sky. Although they had seen much of the scenery along the way, their physical exhaustion had been gradually building. Only today had they finally decided to stop at this inn. The horses that had accompanied them throughout were equally exhausted. These horses, who had worked tirelessly, carrying them and their luggage for the long journey, now had drooping heads, their manes dull and lifeless, their sweat-soaked fur clinging to their bodies, each breath a heavy, labored sigh.
The advantages of this small courtyard became apparent at this moment. It was spacious enough to securely park all their horses and carriages. Outside the courtyard gate, servants specially assigned by the post station diligently took turns standing guard. These servants were all alert and sharp-eyed, constantly watching for any movement around them. With them there, everyone felt much more at ease, less worried about theft. After all, in this land of Great Xia, the average standard of living was quite high, the people lived in peace and contentment, and everywhere presented a prosperous and peaceful scene.
Speaking of the peace and prosperity of the Great Xia Dynasty, one cannot help but mention Gu Mochen and Ye Qingchen. They have fully mobilized the initiative of the people of Great Xia. Even the bandits who once plagued the area in the mountains have been successfully recruited by Gu Mochen and Ye Qingchen. Back then, with their extraordinary wisdom and courage, they personally went up the mountain to negotiate with the bandits. They reasoned with them, appealed to their emotions, and painted a beautiful picture of a stable and prosperous life if they reformed. Under their persuasion, the bandits laid down their weapons and chose to abandon their evil ways. Now, these former bandits have started businesses in the area. Some have opened small restaurants, attracting many passersby with their unique culinary skills; others have run general stores, offering a wide variety of goods and providing convenience to the surrounding residents. Their transformation has not only greatly improved the security of the area but also injected new vitality into the local economy.
The six people entered their respective rooms, their hearts filled with anticipation as they gazed at the rustic bathtubs. Ye Qingchen, already impatient, rolled up her sleeves and entered the bathroom to prepare for a bath. This was the inn that Gu Mochen and Ye Qingchen had renovated. In the summer, they could enjoy solar-powered hot water, which was originally stored in large iron tanks placed on the roof. On such a hot day, the water inside was already very hot; as soon as the tap was turned on, water flowed into the bathtub by itself, allowing her to rinse her hair as well. Ye Qingchen muttered, "Finally, I can take a proper hot bath. I've been traveling for the past two days, and I'm almost smelly." While rinsing her hair and showering, she used shampoo and body wash from her spatial storage. Gu Mochen, standing beside her, chuckled and teased, "Don't complain. Think about those people still sleeping in the open, we're already very fortunate to have such a comfortable place. But Madam, you smell so good while bathing, are you perhaps trying to seduce me?" Gu Mochen smiled, said nothing more, and prepared to bathe as well.
In another room, a woman dressed in light blue sat quietly on the edge of the bed, watching the sky outside the window gradually darken. Bai Zhi's eyes held a faint trace of sorrow. The arduous journey had brought back many memories. She sighed softly, silently praying that the trip would go smoothly. At this moment, her younger sister, Fu Ling, entered. Seeing Bai Zhi's appearance, she asked with concern, "Bai Zhi, what's wrong? Are you tired?" Ling'er shook her head, forcing a smile, "It's nothing, I'm just a little uneasy." Fu Ling sat down beside her and gently took her hand, "Don't worry, not to mention our martial arts skills, the Emperor and Empress, and even my brother-in-law and Song Ming—none of them are weak in martial arts. How could anything happen to us?" Bai Zhi nodded, agreeing with Fu Ling's words.
In the spacious and brightly lit hall, besides Song Ming and Bai Yufei, there was no one else. The two sat facing each other, with exquisite teacups in front of them, wisps of steam rising from them. Song Ming picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and savored the rich aroma of the tea. His gaze was deep and sharp, as if it could penetrate all appearances and see through to the essence of things.
Setting down his teacup, Song Ming looked at Bai Yufei beside him, a faint smile playing on his lips. "This post station is quite interesting. I noticed it even has a complete water recycling system." Bai Yufei smiled dismissively, picking up his own teacup as well, and said, "What's so special about that? The Emperor and Empress have invented many things; this water recycling system is just one of them."
"Invention?" Song Ming was clearly unfamiliar with the word. He frowned slightly and asked in confusion. Seeing this, Bai Yufei quickly explained, "Oh, it means innovation. The Emperor and Empress always come up with novel ideas and then turn them into practical things." Song Ming nodded thoughtfully, feeling a surge of admiration for Gu Mochen and Ye Qingchen's wisdom. Moreover, Song Ming also noticed that everyone greatly respected Emperor Gu Mochen. He should probably learn to obey, since Gu Mochen was no longer the head of Medicine King Valley. With a stroke of his pen, he had given Medicine King Valley to his daughter, Princess Qianqian, who was managing it very successfully.