Pear Blossom Spring

Meng Qingshan had been somewhat worried that these people were all careless enough not to notice the smell of ephedra.

Seeing how cooperative Guo Xi'wu was, he nodded slightly and continued, "Since I have some knowledge of medicine, when I saw the princess's horse panic in Jiaxing City that day, I felt that something was amiss.

"That day, while settling the horses at the inn, I discovered that the abnormality in the princess's horse was caused by someone secretly feeding it ephedra. Later, I also caught the smell of ephedra on Wang Ruozhi, which further strengthened my suspicion of him.

"Brother Sheng and I address each other as brothers. Since Princess Yun'an is Brother Sheng's friend, I naturally could not stand by and do nothing. Thus, I secretly investigated the matter. The events that followed unfolded just as you have seen."

Guo Xi'wu exclaimed, "So the reason you stopped and looked around those two times was actually this!"

Meng Qingshan merely smiled without replying.

Guo Xi'wu asked, "May I ask Young Hero for your honored name?"

Meng Qingshan smiled faintly. "There is no need for such formality. I am Meng Qingshan of Jade Mountain City, merely a wandering martial artist."

Guo Xi'wu clasped his hands and apologized. "At the time, my brothers failed to recognize your greatness and offended you in many ways. Fortunately, Young Hero Meng was magnanimous and did not hold it against us."

Meng Qingshan smiled and waved his hand. "Misunderstandings are inevitable when traveling the martial world. Besides, I am not a narrow-minded person. Such minor matters are hardly worth mentioning."

After hearing this, Guo Xi'wu admired Meng Qingshan even more.

He was just 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. "There is no need for such courtesy, Princess. When martial artists see injustice on the road, drawing their swords to help is only their duty. Besides, you are Brother Sheng's friends, so I could not possibly refuse to help.

"However, the Murong Family has been colluding with Beyond Heaven for a long time. The forces behind them are deeply complicated. Princess, you must remain vigilant and take extra care."

An Ning'er nodded in agreement. She naturally knew of the Murong Family in Gusu City, Qingzhou. Beyond Heaven was even more notorious throughout the martial world as an assassin organization whose members stopped at nothing and employed ruthless methods.

She had heard of both, but had never connected the two.

At this point, Uncle Chen said, "Eldest Brother Guo, Young Hero Meng, this is not a suitable place to talk. Besides, it is already getting late. Why don't we return to Jiaxing City first?"

Meng Qingshan nodded in agreement. "Very well. We should leave this place as soon as possible, lest unnecessary trouble arise for no reason."

Guo Xi'wu also nodded in agreement. The group soon made their preparations, found the carriage that had become separated from them, loaded the wounded aboard, and returned to Jiaxing City.

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

By then, Meng Qingshan and An Ning'er had safely returned to Jiaxing City.

Since Meng Qingshan had left his old horse at Tongfu Inn, An Ning'er's group followed him there and arranged a banquet at the inn.

On the second floor of Tongfu Inn, in an elegant private room ablaze with light and bright as day, seven or eight people sat gathered around a table.

Meng Qingshan had already bathed and changed clothes, and was now seated leisurely among them.

The dishes had yet to be served. The only thing to arrive first was a jar of fine wine carefully prepared by the innkeeper.

The wine was called "Pear Blossom Spring." It was a treasured vintage the inn had kept for many years. Refined by time, it possessed an extraordinary depth of flavor.

It was said that Pear Blossom Spring was carefully brewed when pear blossoms were in full bloom, and its very name was enough to stir the imagination.

There was an old poem that read: "Red sleeves weave silk, praising persimmon calyxes; beneath blue flags, wine is sold while pear blossoms bloom."

At this moment, the poem seemed to have been written specifically for the scene before them. The Red Clad Girl and the Pear Blossom Spring in her cup complemented each other beautifully, creating a sight of incomparable charm.

The private room was warm and lively. Everyone waited quietly for the dishes to arrive while savoring this rare and excellent wine.

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

At this moment, he raised his wine cup and said in a loud, sincere voice, "Our escape today was entirely thanks to Young Hero Meng's wholehearted assistance. We have specially arranged this banquet to express our gratitude. Everyone, let us jointly toast Young Hero Meng!"

With that, he drained his cup in one gulp, displaying an air of boldness.

Everyone at the table responded in turn and drank together.

"One Jiaxing roast chicken, one roast goose, one plate of stir-fried assorted meats, steamed perch, braised pig's trotters..."

As the waiter called out the dishes, plate after plate of delicious food was brought to the table.

In an instant, the table was covered with a dazzling array of dishes. Their enticing fragrance filled the entire elegant private room.

Looking at the feast of delicacies—chicken, duck, fish, and meat—Meng Qingshan's appetite immediately surged.

The austere days he had spent in the stone chamber had nearly made him feel as though he had lost his sense of taste. Naturally, he did not hold back now. He reached out, grabbed a roast chicken, and began devouring it.

At that moment, Guo Xuewen, wrapped in bandages, suddenly rose to his feet. Holding his wine cup and facing Meng Qingshan, he said sincerely, "Young Hero Meng, I offended you in many ways before. Today, thanks to your assistance, I was able to preserve my life. I will remember this kindness and favor forever. If Young Hero ever has need of me, I will brave fire and water without hesitation."

Meng Qingshan was in the midst of feasting. Seeing this, he chewed a few times on the chicken leg he had just stuffed into his mouth, then forcefully pulled out the bone. Chewing as he spoke, he mumbled, "Y-you eat too... d-don't... wait..."