Inside the town gate, everything was completely different from the cave it felt like another world. People were working, coming and going, shouting, laughing, and busy with their daily lives.
Xin Yi could describe it in one sentence:
"Full of life."
She began looking for a place to gather information to find the original body's family.
A teahouse seemed like the best option.
It wasn't far. When she arrived, everyone inside turned to look at her.
She was dusty, but her fair skin and beautiful face were eye-catching. More than that, she didn't look like someone from a wealthy family, and she didn't wear a veil, nor did she resemble a servant or a slave girl. That unfamiliar air drew attention.
Soon, the owner approached her with a friendly tone.
"Welcome, welcome. Come in, young girl. What can I do for you?"
Xin Yi smiled softly, answering with a hesitant, sorrowful tone:
"Actually… I… I…"
She couldn't finish the sentence. Her beautiful eyes turned red.
The owner saw that she was truly pitiful, and he said gently:
"Come, don't worry. Sit here… tell me everything. I'll help you."
He gestured to a chair. Xin Yi sat down slowly.
Then he turned and shouted to a boy nearby:
"Hey, boy! Go quickly and bring some tea for this young girl!"
"No need… no need, sir," Xin Yi said quickly.
The owner smiled.
"Don't worry about it…"
Then, noticing the boy still standing there and staring at Xin Yi foolishly, he snapped:
"What are you standing there for? Go quickly!"
Turning back to Xin Yi, he smiled again.
"Heh… this brat. Don't worry, you're safe here. Tell me everything."
Xin Yi gently wiped the unshed tears from the corners of her eyes.
"I don't know where I should go… I got separated from my family on the road. I couldn't find them. But I know they're passing through this town… so I came here, hoping they'll find me. Sir… do you think they will?"
The owner studied her carefully from head to toe, with a strange glint in his eyes. Then, he replied gently :
"Of course… of course. Don't worry. You can stay here. They'll definitely come to find you."
Xin Yi's eyes sparkled with joy.
"Thank you, sir…"
Then, as if remembering something, her expression fell slightly. Her voice softened.
"But… I don't have any money with me."
The owner waved his hand carelessly.
"It's okay… It's okay."
Just then, someone else entered the teahouse. The owner seemed eager to welcome the new guest.
"You sit here... I'll be right back," he said and hurried off.
Xin Yi watched his back for a moment, thoughtful. He was a middle-aged fat man with a big belly.
The boy returned with a cup of tea.
Xin Yi smiled gently and thanked him. The boy blushed and quickly left.
She took a sip… then wrinkled her nose.
"Eiii… not good," she muttered, putting the cup down.
She didn't come to drink tea. She started carefully listening to her surroundings. Her ears picked up on the loud voices at a nearby table. Three men were drinking and speaking loudly.
One of them said,
"You heard? They say that traitor Shen Yueran was spotted nearby. His Majesty sent troops after him."
Another replied,
"So that's why we've seen so many unfamiliar faces in town…" Did they catch him?"
The third man grunted,
"No one knows. But soldiers are everywhere, and a lot of sword-wielders have come to our town and the surrounding areas. Maybe they've already captured that wicked man…"
The first one added darkly,
"He was truly evil…What he did seven years ago still makes my scalp go numb."
The third added quickly,
"Yes, yes, who can forget those days. He was close to dragging our country to a bloody war..."
The second one said,
"Not only that - there were rumours about the late emperor's death and former crown Prince dum..."
The first one warned,
"Hush....don't talk about royal family affairs. Are you a Fool? "
The second one said hurriedly,
"Alright, alright.."
Then, they lowered their heads and continued in hushed voices.
There wasn't any special news. Everyone was just chatting about daily gossip.
Xin Yi thought to herself:
Was the disappearance of this body not big enough news for people to talk about? Or… has it already become old news?
Or perhaps… there's one other possibility — they never even knew.
After a while, she stood up to leave the tea house. Just as she reached the door, the owner hurried over to her.
"Young girl, where are you going?" he asked quickly.
Once again, she put on a pitiful expression.
"I'm going to search for them," she said softly, "They may have come to town. Maybe someone saw them, or they might be staying at an inn."
The owner's eyes flickered, but his voice was gentle.
"Of course, of course. But it's not safe out there. If you go alone, who knows what kind of trouble you might run into... There are bad people around. You shouldn't go alone."
Xin Yi said with a frightened tone,
"Then... what should I do? If... if I had someone with me, someone I could trust, like you..."
She lowered her head and tightly clutched her clothes.
"...I could quickly check the inns and come back."
The owner thought for a moment, then said:
"Alright, don't be sad. I'll send my servant with you. But don't take too long — come back quickly. It's dangerous for a young woman to be out there alone."
Xin Yi lifted her head and said joyfully:
"Would you really do that for me, sir? I don't know how to repay your kindness…Thank you."
Her eyes reddened with gratitude. She looked deeply moved, though even as she thanked him, she didn't bow.
But the owner didn't notice that. All he could think about was how stunningly beautiful she was.
He called out, "Hey, boy! Come here!"
A young boy came running over. He looked about eleven or twelve, his clothes dirty and worn. He stood in front of the owner, nervously clutching the sides of his shirt.
Xin Yi noticed his fingers were cracked and worn far too rough for a boy his age.
He spoke in a thin voice, "Yes, Master."
The owner ordered in a strict voice, "Go with young miss and show her the inn. Take care of her carful, come back quickly, okay, don't make yourself a fool."
From the start to the end, the boy only nodded his head like a chicken