Mrs. Chen quickly said, "Uncle Ma, you can't drink that unboiled water. It'll give you diarrhea."
Uncle Ma just smiled. "It's fine. I'm always on the road, so I'm used to it."
After filling their water containers, they continued on their way.
After being delayed on the road for an hour, it was already dark by the time their party arrived at the small town.
Every home in the small town was shuttered and dark; only a single inn still had its lights on.
The group steered their carts over. Several young men were standing guard at the courtyard entrance.
The men sized up their convoy. "Here for the inn?"
Gu Zhang nodded quickly. "Yes, to stay the night. Do you still have room?"
The men stepped aside. "Come on in. We still have space."
The group drove their mule carts inside and saw several horse-drawn carriages already parked in the courtyard. The stables were filled with horses.
Two of the carriages were empty; their cargo must have already been unloaded.
