Pear Blossom Spring

Meng Qingshan had initially worried that these people were careless and wouldn't notice the scent of ephedra.

Seeing Guo Xi'wu's cooperation, he nodded slightly and continued, "Since I have some knowledge of medicine, I found it quite strange when the county princess's horse was spooked in Jiaxing City that day.

When stabling the horse at the inn, I discovered the county princess's horse was agitated because someone had secretly fed it ephedra. Later, I smelled ephedra on Wang Ruozhi, which further solidified my suspicion of him.

Sheng Wubing and I consider each other brothers. Since County Princess Yun'an is Brother Sheng's friend, I naturally couldn't stand by idly. Thus, I secretly investigated this matter, and the subsequent developments are as you see them now."

Guo Xi'wu exclaimed, "So those two times you stopped to look were for this reason!"

Meng Qingshan smiled without answering.

Guo Xi'wu asked, "May I ask the young hero's name?"

Meng Qingshan smiled faintly and said, "I dare not accept 'young hero.' I am Meng Qingshan from Jade Mountain City, merely a wanderer in the jianghu."

Guo Xi'wu cupped his hands and apologized, "My brother was blind and didn't recognize your greatness. We offended you greatly, and I am fortunate that young hero Meng is magnanimous and doesn't hold it against us."

Meng Qingshan waved his hand with a smile, "Misunderstandings are inevitable when traveling in the jianghu. Besides, I am not a narrow-minded person; such trivial matters are hardly worth mentioning."

Guo Xi'wu felt even more admiration for Meng Qingshan upon hearing this.

He was about to chat with Meng Qingshan when An Ning'er said, "Thank you, young hero Meng, for saving my life today!"

After speaking, An Ning'er bowed deeply to Meng Qingshan.

Meng Qingshan waved his hand, "Your Highness, there's no need for such formality. It is the duty of jianghu people to draw their swords when they see injustice. Moreover, you are friends with Brother Sheng, so it is even more my responsibility.

However, the Murong Family and Beyond Heaven have colluded for a long time, and the forces behind them are complex. Your Highness must remain vigilant and be extra careful."

An Ning'er nodded in agreement. She knew of the Murong Family of Suzhou, Qingzhou, and Beyond Heaven was a notorious assassin organization in the jianghu, whose members committed all sorts of evil deeds with cruel methods.

She had heard of both, but had never connected them.

At this moment, Uncle Chen said, "Young Master Guo, Young Hero Meng, this is not a suitable place for conversation. Furthermore, it's getting late. How about we return to Jiaxing City first?"

Meng Qingshan nodded in agreement, "That's a good idea. We should leave this place as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary trouble."

Guo Xi'wu also nodded in agreement. The group then tidied up, found their scattered carriages, loaded the injured, and returned to Jiaxing City.

The moon hung high above the branches, and the night deepened.

At this moment, Meng Qingshan and An Ning'er had safely returned to Jiaxing City.

Since Meng Qingshan had arranged for the old horse at the Tongfu Inn, An Ning'er's group also followed and arranged a banquet at the Tongfu Inn.

On the second floor of the Tongfu Inn, in a private room brightly lit like daylight, seven or eight people sat around a table.

Meng Qingshan had already bathed and changed, and sat leisurely among them.

The delicacies on the table had not yet been served, but a jar of fine wine carefully prepared by the innkeeper had already made its appearance.

This wine was called "Pear Blossom Spring," a vintage treasured by the inn for many years, with an extraordinary flavor refined by time.

Legend had it that "Pear Blossom Spring" was meticulously brewed during the blooming season of pear blossoms, and its name alone was enough to evoke imagination.

There was an ancient poem: "Red sleeves weave silk, praising pomegranate flowers; green banners sell wine amidst pear blossoms."

At this moment, this line of poetry seemed tailor-made for the scene before them, with the red-clad maiden and the Pear Blossom Spring in the cup complementing each other, creating a beautiful sight.

The atmosphere in the private room was warm and lively, with everyone waiting for the delicacies to be served while savoring this rare and fine wine.

Guo Xi'wu and his younger brother Guo Xuewen had very different personalities. Guo Xi'wu was skilled at socializing and eloquent.

At this moment, he raised his wine cup and said in a loud and sincere voice, "Today, we escaped danger thanks to the strong support of young hero Meng. I have prepared this banquet especially to express my gratitude. Everyone, let us toast young hero Meng together!"

After speaking, he drank it all in one gulp, showing a rather heroic spirit.

The others at the table responded and drank the cup together.

"One Jiaxing Roasted Chicken, one Roasted Goose, a plate of stir-fried tripe, steamed perch, braised pig trotters..."

As the waiter announced each dish, plates of delicious food were brought to the table one by one.

Instantly, the table was laden with a dazzling array of dishes, their aroma filling the elegant private room.

Looking at the table full of delicacies, chicken, duck, fish, and meat, Meng Qingshan couldn't help but feel his appetite whetted.

The austere life he had endured in the stone chamber these past few days had almost made him feel as though he had lost his sense of taste. Naturally, he didn't stand on ceremony, reaching out to grab a roasted chicken and began to feast.

At that moment, Guo Xuewen, still wrapped in bandages, suddenly stood up, holding his wine cup, and said sincerely to Meng Qingshan, "Young hero Meng, I offended you greatly before. Today, I am fortunate to have your help and preserve my life. I will engrave this kindness and favor in my heart. If young hero Meng ever needs anything in the future, I will surely go through fire and water without hesitation."

Meng Qingshan, who was engrossed in his meal, saw this and, after chewing a chicken leg he had just put in his mouth, forcefully pulled out the bone. He said while chewing, "Mmm, also eating, five bites, now seven..."