Ji Taoyu had been quite curious about how other places looked, but seeing this bleak scene under the dreary rain, he realized it was far less entertaining than Tongzhou.
"Guests, are you staying the night? If many of you are lodging, our inn can offer a discount today."
Since they needed a place to stay anyway, Ge Liang asked, "What’s the price?"
The innkeeper, hearing the commotion outside, poked his head out with hands tucked in his sleeves. Seeing it was a merchant convoy, he hurried out despite the cold rain.
He greeted them, "It depends on what rooms you’d like. The price is negotiable."
Business had been slow lately, so the innkeeper was eager: "How about we include a couple of free side dishes?"
Ge Liang looked at Huo Shu.
Huo Shu said, "We’ll stay here."
Ji Taoyu, limbs weak, followed Huo Shu into the inn, glancing around at the unfamiliar surroundings.
The inn must have been open for many years. The furnishings were old, and to save costs, few candles and lanterns were lit, leaving the interior dim in the rainy weather.
The waiter stood hunched, rubbing his hands, waiting to see if the guests would stay before getting to work.
On such a chilly, rainy night, at home, they would surely have had a pot of hot soup ready, perhaps radish and pork lung soup if prepared in advance.
The whole family would gather around the table, a charcoal brazier at their feet and hot dishes on the table. His father would inevitably pour himself a bowl of wine, sipping it while chatting with his mother about village trivialities.
Huo Shu, silent as ever, would sit beside him, quietly adding food to his bowl.
The warmth of home suddenly contrasted sharply with the desolate inn.
He took a deep breath, trying to suppress the discomfort rising in his chest.
The inn provided different room types: celestial (upper-class), earth (middle-class), human (lower-class), shared sleeping quarters, firewood rooms converted to lodgings, and stable accommodations.
For traveling merchants like them, especially without a large convoy, frugality was key.
Still, Huo Shu and Ge Liang were decent leaders, they wouldn’t make everyone sleep in the stables with the livestock. A night like that would be unbearable.
On a long journey, poor rest would only make the road ahead harder.
The firewood room wasn’t cold, so it would do for the night.
The innkeeper, sympathetic upon hearing they were merchants from Tongzhou, hoped for repeat business.
He offered the shared sleeping quarters at 18 copper coins per person instead of 20, while the firewood room was 12 copper coins.
Some hesitated, tempted by the cheaper option.
Noticing this, Ji Taoyu asked, "Do you provide hot water?"
"We’re a small business. For such a low price, how could we afford hot water?"
Huo Shu and Ge Liang frowned.
Ji Taoyu whispered a few words to Huo Shu.
After agreeing, Ji Taoyu said, "How about this: we’ll take the shared bunks, and you let everyone have a hot bath. If not, we’ll have to take the firewood room."
The innkeeper hesitated but finally relented. "You drive a hard bargain, young master. Fine, as you wish."
Huo Shu also booked a separate human-class room for Ji Taoyu.
Exhausted from the day’s travel, some went to bathe, others tended to the livestock, and a few lingered in the main hall drinking tea.
Ji Taoyu took his room key and went upstairs first.
After settling the bill and ordering hot water and tea, Huo Shu followed.
The human-class room, though costing dozens of copper coins, wasn’t spacious, far inferior to the Ji family’s home.
The furnishings were old, but at least clean, so it wasn’t unbearable.
Entering, Huo Shu expected to find Ji Taoyu collapsed on a chair or bed, but instead, he was at the desk writing something.
At first, he thought it might be a letter home, but upon closer look, the notebook read:
"Great Yuan Dynasty, Year 51. Passing through Shuixi County, staying at Xiangyue Inn. Thirteen shared sleeping quarters at 18 copper coins each, one human-class room at 40 copper coins..."
"Keeping accounts?"
Ji Taoyu hummed in agreement. "Every coin spent on the road should be recorded. First, to calculate expenses and distribute profits later. Second, in case of disputes, there’s proof."
Huo Shu remarked, "Seems we’ve brought an accountant along."
"Since you’re multitasking, I’ll have to pay you extra."
Ji Taoyu smiled, carefully finishing his notes before setting the brush aside to let the ink dry.
He watched Huo Shu organizing their bags, then suddenly walked over and pressed himself against Huo Shu’s back, clinging like a boneless fish.
Huo Shu’s brow twitched. He glanced at the young ger wrapped around his waist.
"What’s wrong?"
Ji Taoyu shook his head.
Perhaps it was his first night away from home, or the exhaustion from the journey, but his body felt heavy.
Though he hadn’t walked a step all day, staying cramped in the carriage wasn’t comfortable either, his legs were swollen.
He nuzzled against Huo Shu. "My legs just feel sore."
Without a word, Huo Shu turned, picked him up, and set him on the bed.
He took Ji Taoyu’s slender ankle and gently massaged his calf.
"Rest for a bit. I’ll order food, and you can sleep early. Traveling is no easier than labor."
There was a reason people spoke of the hardships of travel.
"Don’t order anything special. It wouldn’t look good if others saw."
Ji Taoyu leaned against Huo Shu. "Some dry rations will do."
"The money we spend is our own. After Shuixi County, we’ll enter Lianping Prefecture, and there won’t be towns for a long stretch. You won’t even have the chance to eat fresh food then."
Ji Taoyu conceded, "Then just a little. I don’t have much appetite anyway."
Soon, the waiter brought hot water, and Huo Shu ordered food.
Ji Taoyu forced his drowsy body to wash up and soak his feet in hot water, feeling slightly better.
That night, he ate a bowl of rice and went to bed early.
Huo Shu didn’t bother with anything else, lying down to sleep beside him.
The unfamiliar inn's bedding felt chilly at first, but Ji Taoyu quickly warmed up pressed against Huo Shu's solid frame.
Normally, Ji Taoyu would fall asleep soon after snuggling into the warm blankets with Huo Shu.
But tonight, though exhausted, sleep wouldn’t come.
Lying there, he still felt the swaying motion of the carriage.
He closed his eyes, willing himself to sleep.
Huo Shu held the young ger in his arms. Usually chatty before bed, Ji Taoyu’s silence tonight felt unnatural.
In the faint candlelight, he noticed Ji Taoyu’s reddened eyes and the tears on his cheeks.
His chest tightened. Though Ji Taoyu hadn’t spoken, he knew he was homesick.
Huo Shu didn’t offer empty comfort, only held him tighter.
It pained him, but if he hadn’t brought Ji Taoyu along, he would have been at home crying from missing Huo Shu instead.
Either way, there would have been tears.
Truly, a crybaby reborn.
Thank you for the update!!!
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