"A-a meal, or..." The innkeeper stumbled over his words. "A room" rolled around on the tip of his tongue, only to turn into-
"A meal?"
The moment the words left his mouth, an eerie silence fell over the open space outside the inn. The world felt vast and cold, with nothing but the whistling wind around them.
Jiang Yanchuan raised an eyebrow, regarding the innkeeper, who had already broken out in a light cold sweat, with an amused gaze.
He was of average height and somewhat lean, but looked reasonably healthy. His skin had the pallor of someone who spent most of his time indoors.
Jiang Yanchuan searched every corner of his memory without finding a single image connected to this man.
But-
He recognizes me.
Jiang Yanchuan thought.
He fears me.
Jiang Yanchuan had rarely left the palace in his life. After ascending the throne, he had spent years busy waging campaigns far and wide. Even during breaks to rest and regroup, he had worked diligently in the palace, seldom leaving the Capital.
By all rights, this innkeeper should not have recognized him.
Almost simultaneously, the officials accompanying him arrived at the same suspicion.
This man...
There was definitely something wrong with him!!
"C-can't we stay here?" A timid little voice suddenly interrupted the two sides' differing thoughts.
The innkeeper lowered his gaze to the little girl in Emperor Mingze's arms.
Soft, fair, and round-cheeked, she was exactly the sort of child he found endearing.
Ordinarily, if he had run into this little girl on the street, he would certainly have gone over to tease her a little. But now...
Just thinking about this child's relationship to Emperor Mingze made his teeth ache faintly.
The innkeeper rubbed his hands together and offered an apologetic smile. "Well, you see, we're