Before dusk.
The Ruyi Commerce Chamber steward hurried back from the government offices and took Song Cheng and Tong Jia there for a visit.
Firstly, they arranged for new Road Guides, which included simple sketches of the two of them, their residence, and their household association, among other details.
Without this document, you couldn't settle down anywhere.
Even when it wasn't during inspection periods, and city gate checks were lax, it was impossible to check into an inn. Even if you managed to secure a room with silver, if something were to happen in the city, they'd first look for those without Road Guides... This was called "unknown origin, suspicious behavior." If a murder case occurred, and a muddle-headed official rushed to solve it, people like you of "unknown origin" could easily be turned into the murderer to improve their records...
With a Road Guide, one could generally move around the county. However, for long-distance travel, an official needed to note down the destination and time of departure on the Road Guide and stamp it with a seal.
Otherwise, you wouldn't be able to leave.
Secondly, there was the routine recording of statements.
Song Cheng and Tong Jia had escaped from Tang River Village.
The government office naturally had to record their testimonies to understand what happened in Tang River Village.
After recording, the two were considered to have completed the migration procedures between the two places.
However, what intrigued Song Cheng was, despite mentioning the matter of "filthy things," the recording clerk didn't seem surprised, as if he already knew.
He couldn't help but ask the steward about it.
Knowing the young lady valued this young man, the steward didn't delay and replied, "It's not just your Tang River Village. I've heard several villages have suffered from filthy things. There are as many as three villages in Hanping Prefecture alone, and your Tang River Village is just one of them.
Moreover, over two months ago, some villagers from your Tang River Village already escaped and told the story. Otherwise, how would our young lady know Miss Guan is still trapped in the village, and why would she have guards waiting outside the village for so long?"
Song Cheng asked, "Did any bandits escape too?"
The steward replied, "Those villagers who escaped said everyone was scared out of their wits at that time, whether they were villagers or bandits, all ran out in fear, who would care about whom?
But... they surely ran away. Otherwise, by now, they would have been beheaded at the market square, or escorted in a prison carriage to the Prefectural City."
Saying this, the steward continued, "Young man, the young lady values you, so stay well in our chamber. Rest for a few days, don't think about the past anymore, and once you've rested, the young lady will need you.
Did you know, the young lady has even allocated a separate house for you, so... repay her kindness well."
...
...
Creak.
The door opened.
The steward led Song Cheng and Tong Jia around inside, then handed them 10 taels of silver, saying, "This is for setting up your home, provided by the young lady. She wants you both to rest well and see her in a couple of days. As for the three meals, you can go to the dining hall."
The two expressed their gratitude repeatedly.
The steward left.
The door closed once again.
This house was within the Ruyi Commerce Chamber, ensuring safety was guaranteed.
And the inside of the house was almost as big as the original Rejuvenation Hall, with the former bamboo fence now a white wall.
Originally, whatever you did in the courtyard, outsiders could see clearly, but now with the wall, it was different.
Both felt as if they were born after a calamity.
Tong Jia glanced at the ready firewood in the corner and said, "Big houses are indeed different, even the firewood is prepared."
She then went inside, where there was also coal.
Squatting down to smell it, she caught a faint aroma and, pinching it, found the coal pellets very fine.
Young Mrs. Tong waved excitedly, calling, "Song Cheng, Song Cheng, come and see."
Song Cheng approached.
Young Mrs. Tong said, "This is good coal! It's expensive! At night, burn it, and the whole room won't be cold, plus there's a fragrance!"
Song Cheng let out a sigh of relief, feeling a bit relaxed too.
Young Mrs. Tong then ran to the bed, touching the bedding, exclaiming, "So smooth! So soft! I can't wait to cover myself with it!"
Song Cheng couldn't help but laugh.
The two sat down, looking around like country bumpkins entering a city, finding everything fresh.
The deep red lingering sun gradually hid, and night slowly unfolded.
The noises outside the wall hadn't stopped, faint lantern light in the distance dyed the dark clouds red.
This place, unlike the village, unlike the mountain, had the unique earthly atmosphere of the human world.
5 p.m. arrived.
The two were about to go out to eat.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door outside.
"Brother Song! Brother Song!"
Inside the room, Young Mrs. Tong glanced at Song Cheng, asking, "Who is it?"
Song Cheng recalled the wine invitation, hugging his wife's shoulder, saying, "A guardian from the mansion named Ding Kui, said to offer me a welcoming banquet, funded by the young lady."
"Well, you should go then," Young Mrs. Tong was very understanding.
Song Cheng didn't move, his expression somewhat odd.
The air quieted down.
Young Mrs. Tong suddenly seemed to realize something, asking, "Flowers... wine?"
Song Cheng replied, "Could be."
Young Mrs. Tong pushed him, saying, "Go, go, don't let people look down on you!
I tell you, when you get there, let go, if it comes to undressing for a woman, just go for it, don't be timid.
Spend the money to enjoy, as long as you don't bring a woman back, I agree to it."
Song Cheng: ???
"Darling, why are you speaking so crudely?"
Young Mrs. Tong snorted, "Are you just knowing?"
Song Cheng said, "No, dear, we're not talking about this. Let's just say, why would I ignore the beauty at home to sleep with some withered flowers outside?"
Young Mrs. Tong playfully hit him, laughing, "Go on."
...
The brief conversation between the couple ended.
The door opened.
Ding Kui gave Song Cheng a bear hug, then said, "I live just next to you. Our young lady treats us guards very well. We all just settled our families in the chamber.
Your wife can just go to the dining hall with mine and others, it will be fine."
Song Cheng smiled, saying, "Alright then."
The two walked away, gradually joined by over a dozen guards. Initially strangers, but soon warmer after chatting, by the time they reached "Biliu Courtyard" and drank a few rounds, they became brothers. And when the courtesans in the brothel came in lines, each sitting on the guards' laps, hooking their necks, the guards laughed heartily, occasionally swapping around, deepening the camaraderie.
Sitting on Song Cheng's lap was a girl as soft as satin, with skin as smooth as tofu, and exuding an enticing rouge scent. The women in the pleasure district didn't engage in labor, maintaining such appearances, how could she not?
In terms of looks, Young Mrs. Tong surpassed this girl.
But in terms of suppleness and scent, she was a bit lacking.
The girl glanced at Song Cheng, then looked to the side, giggling, "Old Man Ding, Big Master Song, is this his first time?"
Ding Kui laughed, "Of course it is! Entertain my brother well!"
The girl giggled more, leaned to Song Cheng's ear, and coquettishly said, "Sister's name is Hua Zhi, later I'll give you a red packet, visit sister again next time."
...
...
Midnight...
Some guards stayed overnight, some returned.
Song Cheng also returned.
His body carried a mixed fragrance of scent and wine, yet to fade.
Moonlight like snow fell upon the small courtyard.
Before reaching the door, Song Cheng heard the swishing sound of wind in the courtyard, and upon opening the door, saw Young Mrs. Tong still practicing her swordsmanship.
Sweat soaked her black hair, hanging on her skin, her eyes sharp, exuding a heroic aura.
Above her, data showed "5~5."
Seeing Song Cheng return, she put down the sword, went to heat water for his bath.
It was midnight by the time they lay on the bed.
After a fierce, fearsome attack, Young Mrs. Tong grumbled, "You must not have let loose at Biliu Courtyard."
Then curiously leaning down, propping herself on his chest with her elbows, she asked curiously, "What did it taste like?"
Song Cheng said, "Had no mood for it."
The four words pulled Young Mrs. Tong back to that terrifying emotion.
If not for an accident, she and Song Cheng would already be two corpses.
After a long time, Song Cheng suddenly said, "I'm going to check outside."
"Haven't seen enough?" Tong Jia asked in surprise.
Song Cheng leaned into her ear, saying, "Going to check in a trance state, letting you know, so you won't be afraid."
Tong Jia suddenly understood, initially thought of saying, "Check tomorrow, after doing so much today, aren't you tired," but recalling the terror experienced deep in the mountains, she just nervously said, "Be careful."
Song Cheng nodded, then lay flat, closed his eyes. In the void, a nine-story gloomy tower appeared, the young Divine Soul climbed layer by layer, at the top, leapt and flew out.
Today, the wind was mild, allowing for half an hour of wandering.
Having arrived in an unfamiliar county, he intended to observe every character within the county closely.
Who was stronger than him, by how much, who hated him, and why, he needed to have an understanding.
To put it simply, it was... "exploring the map" first.