Chapter 102: Matters at the Inn Concluded

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Hearing Tong Xiangyu’s words, Guo Furong felt a bit overwhelmed. Did she not want to be a good person? Of course she did. She had dreamed in her youth of becoming a chivalrous hero who stood up for the weak, though the outcome was far from perfect.

She had once pursued justice according to her own ideals for a time, but things were different now. She was no longer young, no longer a carefree young lady with nothing to worry about.

Now she was a wife, soon to be a mother. Beyond that, during her days at the inn, she had come to understand the hardships her own parents endured.

Could she really ignore everything, dragging her friends and family and her unborn child into a pit of fire? That was impossible!

"Then just admit defeat. Fine, leave! This matter is settled! If you’re afraid of being implicated, leave my inn now, and I’ll pretend I don’t know you from now on," Tong Xiangyu snapped, anger surging through her. She barely knew what she was saying—she was just speaking whatever came to mind, without a second thought.

“Tong Xiangyu, I truly didn’t expect you to be so heartless. Fine, I’ll leave. Scholar, pack up; we’re leaving right now!” Guo Furong was just as stubborn. Tong Xiangyu’s words had pushed her to her limit. She slammed the table and stood, ready to go.

But after only a few steps, Guo Furong collided head-on with Zhu Yu descending the stairs, followed by Yu Huatian and Pei Zhicheng.

“Master Zhu Yu.” So many things had happened in these days, so suddenly, Guo Furong had completely forgotten that the inn was also sheltering a noble guest.

At the sight of Zhu Yu, Guo Furong immediately knew there was hope. Her anger melted away into a smile.

“We’re saved! There’s a way out!” she called out to the group.

“Oh? Isn’t this Miss Guo? Are you here just for a meal or to stay the night?” Tong Xiangyu sneered, ignoring Guo Furong altogether.

Tong Xiangyu’s words nearly choked Guo Furong. In this awkward moment, Zhu Yu spoke.

“Hostess, please don’t be angry. I saw everything that happened just now. Honestly, I admire everyone’s actions, but I must say, Miss Guo’s choice is perfectly understandable.

Since this matter is so troublesome, why don’t you hand over the accounts to me? I will take over from here. None of you need to worry anymore. I, Zhu Yu, will give the suffering people a proper explanation.”

“This, Master Zhu, the Eastern Depot isn’t an easy force to deal with. We have nothing, and if trouble comes, it comes. You must think carefully,” Tong Xiangyu warned kindly, though she was secretly relieved to have someone take the responsibility.

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Seeing someone take the lead, Tong Xiangyu was happy but also kindly advised once more.

“Oh, hostess, why do you linger? Don’t worry, Master Zhu is a capable man.”

Before Zhu Yu could explain, Guo Furong spoke up.

Zhu Yu and Yu Huatian exchanged thoughtful glances. Though they could hardly believe it, Guo Furong seemed to already know Zhu Yu’s true identity. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so confident in vowing on his behalf. No one knew how she found out.

“Master Zhu, this—” Guo Furong began to explain, but Tong Xiangyu looked to Zhu Yu for his response.

“Miss Guo is correct. I am indeed capable—in particular, I do not fear the Eastern Depot.”

The group exchanged looks. Then Tong Xiangyu stood and personally handed Pei Zhicheng’s bundle to Zhu Yu.

After receiving the items, Zhu Yu exchanged no more pleasantries and turned to ascend the stairs, returning to his room.

“Your Majesty, that servant named Guo downstairs likely knows your identity. For safety, we cannot stay here long,” Yu Huatian reported as soon as Zhu Yu entered.

“Yes, I noticed as well. Prepare to leave tomorrow. Also, send this account book back to the capital overnight. The matter concerning the Summer Resort must be thoroughly investigated. When there are results, have Cao Zhengchun explain personally to me.”

Zhu Yu agreed with Yu Huatian’s view. More importantly, after staying so many days in the Seven Heroes Town, he was bored.

“Yes, I understand. Also, regarding tomorrow’s departure, Your Majesty, will you return to the palace or—”

Upon receiving Zhu Yu’s order, Yu Huatian nodded readily but still had questions to clarify.

That question hit Zhu Yu’s heart. The Seven Heroes Town was small; he had grown weary after just a few days. The palace, though vast, was no better, and after so long, he was more than tired of it.

No one else knew that a few days ago, Zhu Yu had ventured out of the palace to the Summer Resort and was immensely happy.

But there was no alternative—where else could he go besides the palace? Yet he was still somewhat unwilling to accept it.

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Just as Zhu Yu was about to say he wanted to find a scenic place to relax for a few days, a plan he had long cherished flashed through his mind.

“How much longer until that matter is resolved?”

That matter? Yu Huatian instantly understood what Zhu Yu meant.

“Your Majesty, I have already ordered people to handle it. It may take as little as two months, or at most six months, before there is a result.”

“I see. Then prepare to depart for the palace tomorrow,” Zhu Yu considered briefly and ordered.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Yu Huatian bowed and withdrew, preparing for Zhu Yu’s journey back to the palace and to deal with Pei Zhicheng kneeling outside.

Thinking of this, a cold smile curved up Yu Huatian’s lips. The Eastern Depot? If we don’t manage to take a bite out of you this time, then my name isn’t Yu Huatian!

The next day, with the warm farewell of the inn’s guests, Zhu Yu and his companions left Seven Heroes Town. Before departing, Zhu Yu left a kind of gift—not quite a present—with Bai Zhantang, Guo Furong, and the others.

He helped name their unborn children: Bai Zhantang’s child was named Bai Jingqi; Scholar Lü’s was Lü Qingning, and he even gave an extra name—Lü Qingcheng.

Watching the direction Zhu Yu and the others headed, Bai Zhantang sighed, “They really are heading toward the capital. I still don’t know what Master Zhu’s true identity is. He’s not afraid even of the Eastern Depot. Guo, you must know something. Tell me, brother.”

On the way back, Bai Zhantang kept pestering Guo Furong, but by the time they reached the inn’s entrance, Guo Furong could no longer endure it.

Looking around to be sure no one was watching, she quickly leaned close to Bai Zhantang’s ear and whispered a few words.

Though no one else heard Zhu Yu’s identity, their reactions made it clear that Master Zhu was indeed someone of great importance.

After Guo Furong finished speaking, Bai Zhantang’s legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground. Struggling to stand, he hurried past everyone and went inside the inn alone.

As he walked, he muttered, “That Xiangyu… let’s sleep in separate rooms for a few days. For these few days, I’ll sleep in Master Zhu’s room. No, better yet, let’s swap beds—move Master Zhu’s bed into our room.”