90There are really only two rooms left.
AI Model: gemini-3.0-flash
Chapter 90: There Really Are Only Two Rooms Left
Hearing this, Shen Yulou knew there was a chance.
Since she said it was a bit against the rules, it meant it was barely acceptable.
"Come over and lie down. Otherwise, you won't have the energy tomorrow and might fall off your horse."
Qingqing bit her lip, a look of hesitation on her face.
Consummating the marriage on behalf of the Commandery Princess did indeed happen, but such things were usually proposed by the Commandery Princess herself. How could Shen Yulou be the one to suggest it?
Even if such a thing were to happen, Qingqing should be given some time to prepare. They were currently traveling, and to do this for the Commandery Princess in some random inn was simply too hasty!
But if she didn't sleep in the bed, she really might doze off on her horse tomorrow, which would be very dangerous.
She hadn't slept well last night anyway. If she didn't get some sleep today, she'd be completely exhausted tomorrow.
After struggling internally for a long while, Qingqing finally got into bed. She lay at the edge, her back turned to Shen Yulou.
"Lord Shen, I really can't hold out any longer and need to lie down for a while. You must not do anything reckless; it's against the rules."
Shen Yulou nodded and said readily, "Don't worry, I'm the most well-behaved sleeper."
"Lord Shen, where are you putting your hand? This is against the rules!"
"I'm just touching a bit. I'm used to it; I can't fall asleep otherwise."
"Lord Shen, you mustn't be so rude!"
"Qingqing, I'll just hold you, nothing else."
"I'll just rub a bit, I won't go in."
"I'll just put it inside, I promise not to move."
...
"Men are all liars!"
Song Hu:??
Song Hu, who was stuffing his face with buns in the inn early in the morning, felt instantly aggrieved upon hearing Qingqing's outburst.
Qingqing sat on the first floor and took a fierce bite of a bun. She first glared at Shen Yulou, then shot a fierce glare at Song Hu as well.
Not a single man is any good!
Just then, a group of people walked into the inn.
"Waiter, we'd like to stay! Are there any rooms left?"
The Waiter immediately greeted them warmly, "Please come in, guests! We have over ten rooms available, plenty of space!"
Qingqing:??
Shen Yulou stood up. "I've finished eating. I'll head out first."
Qingqing glared at Song Hu with fury, while Song Hu instantly put on an innocent expression, stuffed the rest of his bun into his mouth, and hurried out the door.
The three of them galloped all the way and traveled for another full day, finally arriving near Qinghe County.
Seeing the somewhat familiar surroundings, Qingqing felt a bit emotional. Unfortunately, her parents had already passed away; even though she had returned to her hometown, there was no one left to visit.
They reached an inn near Qinghe County. This time, Qingqing walked into the inn with them. Song Hu said:
"Waiter, we're staying. Open a few rooms."
The Waiter said, "I'm sorry, guests, but there are only two rooms left."
Qingqing:??
Song Hu:...
Shen Yulou:...
Qingqing turned her head and glared at Shen Yulou.
"Why are you using this trick again?"
Shen Yulou said somewhat awkwardly, "This time, there really are only two rooms left!"
"Do I look like I believe you?"
After dinner, as they were about to go upstairs to sleep, the Waiter said:
"Everyone, things have been a bit unsettled around here lately. Make sure to lock your doors at night."
"Understood."
It seemed the rebel situation had a significant impact here. They were still three or four shichen away from Qinghe County.
Since even the Waiter here said so, it meant the Black Mountain Army wasn't far away.
After entering the room, Shen Yulou took off his clothes and began tonight's routine.
"Wash face, wash feet, test the marriage, sleep."
Qingqing's face instantly turned red. "Still testing? Didn't we test it yesterday?"
"How can we tell after just once or twice? Besides, you weren't cooperating."
"I..."
...
Not far from Qinghe County, three figures were walking along the road.
One of them was tall and powerful with a saber hanging at his waist, while the other two were clearly his lackeys.
"Brother Zhang, with your background, why aren't you enjoying life in the capital instead of coming to this backwater with us?"
"Yeah, Brother Zhang. Your father is a Successful Candidate and your sister is a consort, so you're technically an Imperial Relative. Shouldn't you be living the high life in the Imperial City?"
This minor rebel leader with the saber was none other than Consort Su's brother, Zhang Anze.
"You wouldn't understand. What's so good about the Imperial City? There's no freedom at the foot of the Son of Heaven."
Half a year ago, a fire broke out in the Imperial Prison. Zhang Anze escaped in the chaos and fled north. With nowhere else to go, he joined the Black Mountain Army.
To evade responsibility, the old man in the Imperial Prison reported that Zhang Anze had been burned to death.
So after Zhang Anze escaped, he became an undocumented person. Without a household registration, it was hard to find a place to stay.
Later, he joined the Black Mountain Army and became a squad leader, and his life finally became a bit more stable.
"Captain Zhang, it's so late. Will any fat sheep pass by?"
They had been attacking Qinghe County recently, and the army's consumption was enormous, so they had taken up highway robbery.
But with frequent fighting in the area, fewer and fewer people were passing through.
Zhang Anze said, "Someone saw several horses enter the inn today. They were all jujube-red horses; the owners must be either rich or noble.
This haul will definitely make us a fortune!"
His two followers nodded, growing excited.
"It would be even better if there's a pretty lady. We could let off some steam!"
A wicked expression appeared on Zhang Anze's face. "Depends on luck. Money is best. Once you have money, you don't have to worry about finding women."
The three of them arrived near the inn. Seeing the three jujube-red horses in the stable, their eyes lit up.
Regardless of any money, these three horses alone were worth a lot.
Zhang Anze gripped his saber and slowly climbed up from the outside.
There were external stairs on the outside of the inn, originally for convenience in the summer, but now they provided a convenient path for Zhang Anze.
Usually, they wouldn't dare take such a big risk, but seeing those horses, the three of them were so lured by the potential profit that they didn't care about anything else.
Inside the room, Shen Yulou was holding Qingqing.
Qingqing's cheeks were flushed, and her body was still trembling slightly. She curled up with her back to Shen Yulou, her heart a mix of shame and happiness.
Shen Yulou said, "Come, let me tell you about the 'Double Bloom' and the 'Hat Trick' I mentioned earlier..."
Just then, Song Hu suddenly burst in and whispered:
"Someone's here!"
Startled, Qingqing quickly dove under the covers and hid her face.
Shen Yulou wrapped Qingqing tightly in the quilt and quickly put on his clothes.
Immediately after, Zhang Anze and his two men burst through the door.
A cold sneer appeared on Song Hu's face. He hadn't fought in a while, and his hands were itching for some action.
...
"Great masters, we are truly sorry. We were blind not to recognize your greatness. Please, spare us!"
Zhang Anze and the other two knelt before Shen Yulou, their faces bruised and swollen.
Meanwhile, Shen Yulou sat with his legs crossed, sizing up the three men before him.
"Names, where are you from? Think carefully before you speak. You each get only one chance. Lie, and you die