As night deepened, the inn gradually quieted down.
Inside the room, Nangong Ye slowly opened her eyes. She found herself sitting cross-legged on the bed, her dress neat and tidy. At the window, Xie Jinhuan, dressed as a wandering swordsman, stood with one hand behind his back, wearing an expression of concern for the nation and its people. Who knew what he was looking at...
Nangong Ye glanced around, looking slightly puzzled.
"Weren't we eating? What were you and Qingmo doing just now?"
Xie Jinhuan had, of course, been attending to his honored patron, using his hands and mouth while Momo rode his face and so on. But Qingmo dared not let her master know about any of that, and had insisted on getting dressed afterward to put on an act. He could only comply. Hearing the question, he turned around.
"We finished eating ages ago. I was teaching Momo sword-control moves."
"Sword control..."
Nangong Ye believed him at first, but upon paying closer attention, she discovered a pleasant sensation throughout her body, as though her daughter had secretly taken the chariot for a spin. Her icy expression turned speechless again. After a moment's silence, she said with slight displeasure,
"You've traveled so far. Everyone's tired. Go to sleep."
Xie Jinhuan had only just gotten dressed, but now he undid his belt again and approached the bed.
"How are things in the Capital City?"
Nangong Ye's heart tightened at the sight, and she instinctively shrank farther into the bed before immediately putting on a frosty air again.
"Xie Jinhuan, is there no satisfying your greed? Qingmo already..."
Xie Jinhuan sat down before her and took her fair hand.
"I'm just lying down to have a private chat. Where has your mind gone?"
Nangong Ye was no foolish little girl. They