Volume Three: Unbound by Carefree Ways Chapter 105

The woman who had just been dragged away looked somewhat familiar. Jinli felt as though she had seen her somewhere before, yet she could not recall where, no matter how hard she tried. After paying her fee, she headed straight toward the city gate; she would have to beg the City Lord to lend her the Kunlun Mirror.

But just as she reached the gate, the sound of thundering hooves approached. The clatter was intense, and the people on the road cried out in alarm, with some shouting repeatedly, "Get out of the way!"

Jinli turned her head to see several spirited horses charging toward her through the crowd. They moved with such velocity that they seemed to disregard the commoners entirely, showing no concern for their lives.

Frowning, she quickly stepped forward and pulled a frail youth out of the way.

The white veil on the youth’s bamboo hat fluttered in the wind. Clearly startled, he stared at Jinli in a daze, speechless. She kept her gaze fixed, solemn, on the horses as they galloped past.

The people on the road could only dust off their robes, grumbling, "That little duchess is racing through the streets in broad daylight again, without a care for our lives."

*A little duchess?*

Jinli released her hold. "My apologies, I was too abrupt."

"No... it is quite alright. My thanks to you, milady."

The voice was soft and pleasant to the ears. She smiled and prepared to leave, but the youth in the white hat called out to her, "Milady, please wait."

"Is something the matter?"

"Are you from outside the city, milady?"

"Yes."

"In that case, you should take this."

Surprised, Jinli looked at the jade token in the youth’s hand. She chuckled, "Is it impossible to enter without this? I heard the thief had been caught; why is it still so difficult for outsiders to enter?"

"It... it would be safer for you to carry it, milady."

Half-doubting, she accepted it. "Then I thank you, young master. I shall certainly return it in the future."

The youth said nothing more, merely raising his hands in a polite bow. She took the token and walked toward the gate.

"Young master, where have you gone? You had us searching everywhere for you. Your health is delicate; you shouldn't be out in the wind. Let us head back."

Hearing this, Jinli turned slightly to look at the youth. The person beside him, who appeared to be a servant, was extremely deferential, and a carriage stood nearby. She did not dwell on it. When the soldiers at the gate blocked her path, she showed them the jade token; their eyes widened, and they immediately gestured for her to enter.

Such a small token possessed such influence—it seemed the youth was no ordinary person.

*I had better return it to him as soon as possible,* she thought. *Since I am already inside, now is the time to find him and return it.*

Once inside, she waited by the weeping willow near the white stone bridge. The bridge was magnificent and ornate, carved with countless exquisite patterns, and the emerald, crystalline river flowed gently by. The streets were bustling with an endless stream of carriages and pedestrians. Perhaps, as that person had said, the appearance of the thief had put the entire city on high alert, resulting in an unusual number of patrols.

She observed the passersby. Everything here was truly different from the outside world, and even distinct from the mortal realm. In the mortal world, women were expected to manage the household and raise children, while men were the pillars of the family.

But here, the status of men and women was completely reversed. Although women were still the ones who gave birth, their status here was infinitely noble. Only men of noble birth could claim any status or power.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of bells. She shifted her gaze to the carriage the youth had boarded earlier. She stepped forward and flagged it down. The attendant beside the carriage bowed respectfully and asked, "Does milady require something?"

Jinli replied, "I have an object to return to your young master. I hope you will pass it along."

At that moment, the carriage curtain was lifted just a corner, and she caught a glimpse of the white hem of the youth's robe. "Please keep it, milady. Consider it a token of gratitude for saving my life."

After exchanging courtesies, they parted ways. Jinli watched the carriage disappear, then examined the crystal-clear jade token in her palm. The craftsmanship was incredibly fine, and it felt cold to the touch. This was certainly no ordinary item.

She wandered the streets, pondering how she might enter the City Lord’s residence and gain an audience. Would revealing her true identity be premature and alert the enemy? Jinli sighed.

She found a decent-looking inn and lifted her skirt to enter, surveying the surroundings. It was acceptable.

"Innkeeper, I’d like a room."

"Coming right up."

"I’d like a superior room."

"Certainly. That will be ten strings of spirit stones."

Jinli was just about to pay when she was shocked by the price. At the Yanhe Pavilion, a full feast cost only fifty strings of spirit stones, so how could this ordinary inn charge so much?

"Why is it so expensive!"

At her exclamation, the innkeeper smirked. "Oh dear, milady, you call this expensive?"

"Is... is it not?"

"So, are you staying or not?" The innkeeper’s tone shifted, and even the way he addressed her became distant.

It wasn't that Jinli couldn't afford it, but if she paid, she would be left with absolutely nothing.

She might not even be able to afford a meal for the next few days.

"I... I will stay."

Just as she was about to pay, a voice rang out again: "Milady, my master has settled the bill for you. He wishes to make your acquaintance."

Jinli looked at the unfamiliar face, then followed his gaze to the second floor, where a man wearing a silver mask was looking down at her.

*Isn't that Lord Sinian? Why would a noble Lord like him be staying in an inn? Could it be that the arrival of this distinguished guest is the reason the inn is so quiet and the prices are so high?*

*Vile nobility.*

Jinli bowed in acknowledgment. The innkeeper watched her with a meaningful look, as if to say she had merely stumbled upon dumb luck—a woman letting a man pay for her, a total parasite.

Jinli followed the guard upstairs. She bowed to Lord Sinian in thanks, "My gratitude, Lord Sinian."

Lord Sinian did not speak. He was occupied with brewing tea, his slender, elegant hands gripping the jade tea whisk with delicate movements—a stark contrast to the swift, decisive figure she had seen at the city gate.

The sound of the inn door closing shattered the stillness. The guard beside Lord Sinian spoke, "My master intends for you to take a seat, milady."

Having to have someone else relay a request for her to sit—this Lord Sinian was either a mute or simply did not care to speak. She thanked him and sat down.

A faint, lingering aroma of tea filled the air, making the room feel more serene. Yunxiang also brewed excellent tea, but she could no longer taste it, and she had no idea when Yunxiang would return.

She looked at the agate-like color of the tea in her cup, which carried the sweet scent of jasmine. This was her first encounter with Lord Sinian, and she could not tell if he was friend or foe.

Jinli lifted the cup and took a light sniff, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Lord Sinian’s tea is truly excellent." She set the cup down without drinking and asked directly, "Does Lord Sinian have something to say to me, given that you went to such lengths to wait for me here?"

The guard beside Lord Sinian stepped back. The Lord took a sip of tea, then lifted his eyes to look at her.

Behind the cold mask, his dark eyes stared at her, making her feel as though those eyes were equally icy.

His thin lips parted slightly. "Are you a member of the God Clan?"