Chapter 473 - 473. The Weirdo Next Door

Chapter 473: Chapter 473. The Weirdo Next Door

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Xiao Zeyu caught Ghostmother’s subtle gestures but remained unfazed. His expression turned sorrowful as he sighed, “Officer, this man is my uncle. An enemy broke his limbs, and he was rendered mute due to poisoning. Sadly, he also has some mental issues now.”

Ghostmother glared at Xiao Zeyu as if ready to eat him alive.

“See, he’s acting up again. When he’s like this, he tends to bite,” Xiao Zeyu added, shaking his head in despair. The three soldiers from the Imperial Court heard Xiao Zeyu’s explanation and looked at Ghostmother again, now convinced that he was unstable.

“How about this,” began one of the soldiers, “each of you will pay one tael of silver for military expenses, and well exempt you from service.”

Not wanting to waste more time, the soldiers calculated the fee based on the number of people in the group. Eleven people in Xiao Zeyu’s party, including Ghostmother, amounted to twelve taels of silver.

“Sir, we’re just escorts and don’t have much to spare. Twelve taels is a bit steep,” Xiao Zeyu hesitated. Dealing with soldiers, he knew that readily handing over twelve taels could lead to them demanding even more. It was best to feign hardship.

“Enough nonsense. Aren’t you thankful that the authorities are taking care of you? Keep talking, and you’ll come with us,” the soldiers growled, pressing their knives to Xiao Zeyu’s neck.

Su Qing stepped forward and addressed the soldiers with clasped fists. “Gentlemen, would you kindly remove the knives first? I’ll go retrieve the money.”

Hearing this, the soldier sheathed his knife and proceeded to lecture Xiao Zeyu.

Throughout, Su Qing maintained her smile, puzzling Xiao Zeyu. Her composure seemed out of character, and he wondered why she wasn’t displaying her usual fiery temper.

As she turned to leave, Su Qing shot Xiao Zeyu a chilling glance, leaving him instantly aware that she harbored lethal intentions toward him.

Su Qing reached into his bag to fetch the silver, but not before applying a layer of deadly poison. He was sure this would spell the end for the soldiers; their ill-gotten silver would accompany them to the afterlife.

Upon receiving the silver, the soldiers couldn’t contain their delight. This courier station assignment was quite lucrative. The three men each pocketed four taels of silver, roughly equivalent to two months’ salary.

Only after the three soldiers had departed did the innkeeper dare to send the waiter to escort Su Qing and the others upstairs. One was already taken of the two available rooms, so Su Qing and Xiao Zeyu claimed the other. The source of this content can be linked to n0velbin•

The group took Ghostmother to stay in the large common room. Su Qing was so displeased with her behavior that she subjected her to intense pain, leaving her writhing on the floor like an injured insect. The discomfort was so extreme that Ghostmother’s remaining eye almost bulged out of its socket.

“It’s fine, just a friend,” Xiao Zeyu reassured her, noticing the malice in her gaze.

Relieved, Su Qing withdrew her icy demeanor and sat up. “Did I fall asleep?” she asked.

“You’re tired, Qing’er,” Xiao Zeyu acknowledged, moving to sit beside her on the bed. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, letting her rest comfortably against him. His deep voice was tinged with sorrow.

“Yes, you should always be by my side, Qing’er,” she agreed.

“I’d like that,” Su Qing closed her eyes and leaned into his embrace, cherishing the fleeting moment of warmth in their lives of constant danger.

“When I entered the city, I saw a portrait of Yong Kang,” Xiao Zeyu whispered in Su Qing’s ear.

It appeared that Su Qing’s scheme had worked. There was no refuge left for Qiu Yongkang.

All fraternal affection for Yong Kang had evaporated; he was merely facing the consequences of his actions now, deserving no pity.

“Just as I planned,” Su Qing rotated to rest her head on Xiao Zeyu’s thigh, a satisfied glint in her eyes. The snare she had laid for Qiu Yongkang had left him with no way out.

“Qing’er, you’re truly cunning,” Xiao Zeyu remarked.

Xiao Zeyu burst into laughter upon seeing Su Qing’s playful expression. He leaned down and kissed her flushed lips. Su Qing, in turn, wrapped her arms around his neck, losing herself in the moment.

The atmosphere in the room grew palpable as if a volcano had erupted between them.

However, the sound of falling objects and breaking plates from next door abruptly interrupted their passionate encounter. Both quickly pulled apart; Xiao Zeyu adjusted his shirt to alleviate the awkwardness and said to Su Qing,

“I’ll go see what’s going on.”

Su Qing’s face was flushed, her eyes brimming with desire. She looked visibly annoyed at being interrupted. Seeing this, Xiao Zeyu whispered in her ear, “Don’t worry, we have all night.”

Straightening up, he addressed Su Qing,

“I’ll go check on our neighbor.”

He then approached the door of the adjacent room and knocked twice, asking, “Brother, do you need help?”