Chapter 063 – Gaining the Upper Hand
Before long, the Ginger Tavern was visited by two cloaked figures. Yet the door and windows remained firmly shut, as if the establishment had already closed for the night. Through a narrow gap, however, someone could be seen peering outside...
Li Yuan pulled his hood back slightly and called out for the proprietress. Recognizing him immediately, someone inside quickly cracked the door open just enough and quietly beckoned, “Come in, come in.”
Leading Yan Yu inside, Li Yuan found the main hall already teeming with people—men and women alike, clutching makeshift weapons and nervously watching the entrance. Among them were the restaurant’s bodyguards, staff, and even tea girls from Full Moon Teahouse..
“Auntie Wang! Xiao Sheng! Niu Niu?” Li Yuan called, spotting a small family huddled in a corner. Relief washed over his face; he had been worried about them and never expected to see them here.
“Master, Madam!” Auntie Wang hurried over with the two little ones. She bowed and quickly added, “Madam told me that if I ever got into trouble, I should head straight to either the Ginger Tavern or Full Moon Teahouse.
“That day, when you both went to Moon Creek Heights, I took the kids out to buy groceries. Suddenly, chaos broke out on the streets, and remembering Madam’s words, I rushed here. Later, I overheard that the proprietress was with you both, and since neither had returned, I didn’t dare go back home. So I stayed here, waiting safely.”
“That’s good, that’s good,” Li Yuan murmured, feeling yet another worry ease away.
Across the room, one of the tea girls spotted Yan Yu and cheerfully called out, “Yan Yu!”
Yan Yu turned toward the voice, dabbed the corner of her eye, and replied, “Xiao Hong! I’m so glad you’re alright!”
Meanwhile, when the bodyguards and staff caught sight of Li Yuan’s distinctive long blade, stained with fresh blood, they all felt reassured and saluted him enthusiastically.
“Greetings, Young Master Li!”
“Young Master Li.”