Chapter Twenty-Three: Staying Overnight at the Ye Residence

"After that, Yu’er disappeared without a trace..." As he spoke, the master’s tone carried a faint hint of sorrow.

Yet the melancholy soon faded, replaced by a brightness as clear as sunlight after rain. A smile crept onto the master’s pitted face, the wrinkled lines seeming oddly out of place.

"I am truly grateful to you for bringing Yu’er back. All these years, I’ve sent people to look for her, but there was never any news," he paused, then abruptly stopped speaking and patted Zhao Yuan gently, his voice warm and friendly. "Enough talk, come in quickly."

With so much said, Zhao Yuan and his companions were already feeling the pangs of hunger; the long journey had left them weary in body and spirit.

The master seemed to sense their exhaustion, their eyes clouded with fatigue from the hardships they’d endured. He instructed the maids of the household to prepare delicious food and hot water, so his guests might rest and recover.

As the three lay sprawled in misery upon the cushions, Ye Yu’er suddenly caught the savory scent of food wafting from afar. She rubbed her stomach and called Zhao Yuan and Ling’er to eat.

Following the enticing aroma, they soon arrived at the dining table. The Ye residence lived up to its reputation; even the meals for guests were exquisitely prepared. Though Zhao Yuan wasn’t particularly refined or familiar with many ingredients, he recognized some rare delicacies—truly a feast worthy of their status.

Before them, the dishes looked as tempting as fat game animals. The three devoured the food ravenously, stuffing those precious ingredients into their mouths.

After the sumptuous meal and a brief rest, several maids invited them to cleanse the dust from their bodies, washing away the grime accumulated over their journey.

Buckets of warm water filled the wooden tubs, releasing clouds of steam. Opening the door, they were met by the rich scent of milk permeating the room.

Shedding their clothes and drawing thick curtains for privacy, the three slipped into the bath, letting the warm water envelop them.

Before long, Zhao Yuan finished bathing, changed into fresh clothes, and waited outside the door for Zhao Ling’er.

After their bath, Zhao Yuan and Zhao Ling’er packed their clothes and belongings, preparing to venture forth once more. Just as they bade farewell to Ye Yu’er and were about to leave, they were stopped.

"If you’re leaving, where will you go? It seems you have nowhere in mind. Why not stay at my house tonight? Wait until you find a suitable place to settle," Ye Yu’er said gently. "You are, after all, my saviors. I am truly happy and grateful to be home again."

Zhao Ling’er was delighted by these words—she disliked the wandering life and looked forward to staying at the Ye residence for a while, playing with Yu’er and enjoying some stability.

Zhao Yuan noticed the spark of excitement in Zhao Ling’er’s eyes and was inclined to follow her wishes, agreeing to stay for a few days.

After they finished discussing, Zhao Yuan was eager to pick a room and rest—he had hardly slept well for days, and needed to recover his strength.

Yet the two beside him showed no intention of retiring early. Perhaps, thrilled by the prospect of staying here for several days, their weariness melted away.

Zhao Yuan guessed their intentions. Drooping his eyelids in reluctant resignation, he followed them out to the street.

The street near the Ye residence offered little amusement. Though livelier at night than by day, nothing there truly interested Zhao Yuan.

In truth, his purpose in going out was simply to accompany Ling’er and Ye Yu’er as they shopped; eating, drinking, and playing were not his concern.

Still, the street was filled with pleasant sounds—not music, but the voices of ordinary townsfolk, who, upon seeing Zhao Yuan, recognized him and spoke words of admiration for his deeds.

Zhao Yuan hadn’t expected such a response. He had done only a modest service, and bringing Ye Yu’er home was not solely his achievement. Yet the master of the Ye household was so overjoyed he spread the news far and wide, and some had known of Zhao Yuan’s reputation from the start.

Hands clasped behind his head, Zhao Yuan strolled leisurely behind the two women, like a bodyguard, ever vigilant for their safety.

The pair ahead were quite taken with the various wares: food, toys, and finely crafted trinkets made for idle hands. Zhao Ling’er, unaccustomed to such sights, was naturally drawn to the delicate little objects—hardly surprising.

They walked and shopped, buying anything that caught their fancy. Ye Yu’er mostly provided the funds, wielding a card acquired from the city’s largest auction house.

Such cards were extraordinary, storing vast sums of money. Masters of grand households deposited their assets in the auction house’s card to avoid carrying silver during auctions.

The card could be used throughout the city’s streets, which was why so many young masters and ladies possessed them.

Though the two women chatted and laughed, it was clear Ye Yu’er’s smile was forced, lacking genuine joy.

Zhao Ling’er noticed this and turned to ask, "Why do you seem so unimpressed with everything here? I think it’s wonderful—is there something wrong?"

Ye Yu’er’s lips curled into a faint, enigmatic smile as she replied, "These things are rather crude. Tomorrow I’ll take you to the outskirts of Bin City—there, the wares are true treasures, made from the finest materials."

"Are there really things better than these?" Zhao Ling’er’s excitement spilled over, causing her toy to drop to the ground.

"Of course. If you’re truly interested, tomorrow the three of us shall head to the outskirts of Bin City!" Ye Yu’er said with a smile.