It was an extremely modest inn, run by a father-daughter duo, where the warmth of a charcoal fire set a cozy contrast to the chill outside.
"Lady, are you looking for a room or a meal?" asked the innkeeper's young daughter.
"A room, plus a meal. Oh, and could you take my horse outside and feed it some fodder?" Nan Feng said as she entered.
"Sure thing," replied the innkeeper's daughter, named Honghong, who appeared to be about sixteen or seventeen and as of yet unmarried, likely waiting to recruit a son-in-law for the household.
Xiaohong swiftly returned, and just as she was about to arrange a room, she realized none were available. She hurriedly apologized to Nan Feng, "I'm sorry, Lady, but there are no rooms left. However... if you don't mind, you could share a room with me. It's been done before when other female guests had nowhere else to stay."
