Chapter Forty-Eight: The Only Daughter of a Reclusive Family

Dusk was falling.

Gu Hua and her companions were currently in a small town just outside the Crimson Moon Dynasty. They planned to spend the night at the inn before entering the city the next day.

“Full Moon Inn, Sister Gu Hua, why don’t we stay here tonight and head into the city tomorrow?”

There was usually a curfew in the imperial city at night, and it was unlikely anyone would let them in now.

“Alright.”

At this moment, Gu Hua was speaking as sparingly as ever.

This seemed to be the only inn in town. Passing trade caravans all stopped here, and the sounds of drinking games and laughter from inside drowned out the conversation of Gu Hua’s group.

Gu Hua led Gu Zhi and the others to the counter.

“Innkeeper, eleven people in total, six upper rooms!”

Gu Zhi untied her money pouch and set it on the counter with a heavy thud.

The innkeeper glanced at the pouch, swallowed hard, and opened it to reveal a pile of gleaming silver. He briskly called for the servant to prepare the rooms.

“Right this way! Would you like to have some of our specialties with a little wine while you settle in?”

Gu Zhi asked the others. After a day’s travel, the dry, tough rations had long since lost their appeal. Now, the aroma of hot food awakened their hunger.

Once everyone agreed, Gu Zhi said, “Bring us all your signature dishes.”

“Very good! Would you care for some wine as well? We have excellent Maiden’s Red and Peach Blossom Brew, both aged for many years!”

The innkeeper introduced his wares with a fawning smile. With such wealthy guests, he wouldn’t miss the chance to make a tidy profit.

“Innkeeper! I want two upper rooms for myself!”

A sharp, coquettish voice rang out as a pretty young woman in pink, her face painted with exquisite makeup, swept in through the door.

Gu Hua, sitting by the window gazing at the bustling street outside, thought the sudden appearance of this voice felt jarring and petulant.

The innkeeper, just back from the kitchen, looked troubled. After glancing at the obviously wealthy young lady, he pointed to the tables near Gu Hua’s group. “I’m terribly sorry, miss, but our upper rooms are all taken. The last few were just reserved by those guests over there.”

Watching the reactions of the rich young lady and Gu Hua’s group, he spread his hands in feigned helplessness. “Perhaps, miss, since you seem distinguished, you might go and speak with those guests. Maybe you can persuade them to take the lower rooms instead... What do you say?”

The young lady from a wealthy family frowned in irritation and ordered her servant, “Go. Tell them to give up their rooms for me. I have plenty of money; if need be, I’ll buy the rooms from them!”

The servant hurried off, terrified of being too slow and feeling the sting of his mistress’s whip.

He approached Gu Zhi, bowing submissively and speaking politely enough, “Gentlemen, my lady never stays in lower rooms. Would you be willing to let us have two of your rooms? Even one would do. We servants can stay below.”

“There are six of us here. Let us discuss it amongst ourselves,” Gu Zhi replied, not giving him a chance to press the matter further.

When the servant’s mission dragged on, the wealthy young lady grew impatient. “Why are you so slow? Can’t you hurry up?”

With one glance, she realized something was amiss. The woman by the window, Gu Hua, looked as if she had stepped straight out of a painting. In comparison, her own carefully applied makeup seemed superfluous. Who in this inn would pay her any heed now?

Another servant tried to step forward and remind his mistress of her father’s strict order—“cause no trouble”—but before he could utter a word, she was already standing in front of Gu Hua.

He sensed disaster brewing.

“You—stand up!” the young lady commanded Gu Hua, her voice sharp and angry.

The noise in the inn died away as drinkers and diners all turned to watch.

Gu Hua continued to gaze out the window, ignoring her.

[Master, that fierce woman is staring right at you...]

Prompted by her companion’s reminder, Gu Hua finally turned. She looked at the young woman with mild surprise. “Hmm? Are you speaking to me?”

The onlookers marveled—not only was this beauty striking to behold, but her temperament was gentle as well. The rich girl’s behavior suddenly seemed outrageous. Still, no one dared speak up for fear of being the next to lose their room.

The wealthy young lady, seeing Gu Hua’s seemingly innocent act, grew convinced she was putting on a show. She declared, “I am Ning Xue’er of the Ning family of the Crimson Moon Dynasty! Do you know my father is the richest man in the land? I’ll buy your room!”

With a sharp clink, a gold ingot landed on the table.

[Wow, Master! Real gold! Let me have a bite!]

Gu Hua thought it must indeed be valuable, given that it was thrown out so casually by the daughter of the richest man in the dynasty.

In her previous worlds, currency had always been spirit crystals; this was her first time seeing something so dazzling and golden. She wanted to possess it.

Gu Hua agreed without hesitation—so quickly, in fact, that even Gu Zhi was surprised.

Ning Xue’er, meanwhile, decided she had nothing to envy in this country bumpkin who had probably never laid eyes on gold before. She wasn’t worth being angry over. With her two servants, she turned on her heel and went upstairs.

“Gu Hua, why did you give up the room so easily?” Gu Zhi protested.

“Hmm? What’s the difference between an upper room and a lower room? Aren’t they both for sleeping?”

“Oh, Gu Hua, have you grown muddleheaded after so long in the clan? Gold is something your father has in abundance—why do you care about that one piece?”

Gu Hua’s hand, toying with the gold ingot, paused midair as she stared at Gu Zhi, unable to explain.

How was she to know her cheapskate father had so much shiny gold?

Gu Jun: This has nothing to do with me. We spirit cultivators care only for cultivation—money is but a worldly possession! Spirit crystals are my true love!

Seeing Gu Hua’s perplexed expression, Gu Zhi assumed she realized her mistake, and decided not to scold her, considering it a good deed for the day.

“How about this? I’ll stay in the lower rooms and give you mine. Ah Ze and I can share.”

The named Ah Ze offered a sheepish grin. In truth, they were all willing to give up their rooms for Gu Hua.

Gu Hua waved dismissively. “No need. The lower rooms are fine for just one night.”

Gu Zhi tried to persuade her a few more times, but Gu Hua refused firmly, so Gu Zhi let it drop.

The spectators, seeing that the matter was settled, returned to their food and drink. Occasionally, a few whispered comments could be heard, all concerning the two principals, Gu Hua and Ning Xue’er, offering their opinions on the scene just witnessed.

The innkeeper, seeing the situation resolved, hurried over to Gu Hua’s table to resume touting his wine.

Gu Zhi shot a cold, sarcastic remark at the innkeeper, who had hidden behind the counter moments before, and ordered two pots of fine tea—no one at their table would be drinking tonight.