C77 (1/2)
After leaving the Jia Residence, Chen Jing was strolling on the streets. His mind was filled with the information he had obtained today. Just what kind of place was Clear Sky Star? Or perhaps, what had happened to him? From the feeling of it, it should be an alien planet, but why was it so similar to ancient China? Could it be that that conjecture was actually true? The humans on Earth really came from another planet? He had coincidentally come to the hometown of humanity? But then why was Dream of the Red Chamber involved? Chen was well aware that Cao Xueqin was born in the 18th century, was a real Qing Dynasty person, and her fictitious Dream of Red Mansions should also be a matter of the Ming Dynasty.
Chen Jing kept thinking along the way, but how could he understand? Unknowingly, Chen Jing had already wandered around the streets and alleys of the ancient city for a long time. However, one thing that made Chen Jing feel strange was that it was noon when he arrived in this city, because Chen Jing remembered that he had observed the shadow of the sun. In this period of time, Chen Jing went to the Imperial Hospital, visited the Jia family mansion, and then wandered around the streets for 5 to 6 hours. In this period of time, Chen Jing went to the Imperial Hospital, went to the Jia family mansion, and then wandered around the streets for 5 to 6 hours.
Of course, Chen Jing couldn't figure it out, but he was too lazy to think about it. Chen Jing had already seen the golden signboard with the words ”Pleasing Hostel” in front of him.
”Lil 'Bro, stay here.” Chen Jing walked into the inn, took out the silver ingot that the purple cuckoo had given him, and said to a young man in a long gown and a black hat behind the counter.
”Alright then, guest. We have the best rooms, lower rooms, and a shared bed. Which type of room would the guest like to stay in?” The long-sleeved young man was very cordial.
”Let's have a room.”
”How many days will the guest stay?”
”I wonder how long this silver can stay for?” Chen Jing did not know the price.
”Customer, this is 10 taels of silver, you can stay here for 50 days.”
”Waiter, number nine, fifty yuan, as soon as possible.” Just as Chen Jing was about to answer, three scholar-like people walked in from outside. A tall and thin middle-aged man said to the long-sleeved young man.
”Sure, you go first. We'll have the food and wine soon.” The long-sleeved young man was very nimble. After speaking to the few scholars, he lowered his head and shouted at something that looked like a loudspeaker on the counter, ”Nine of Heaven, 50 dollars for dishes and wine.”
”Excuse me, sir. How many days will you be staying here?” After roaring, the long-sleeved guy turned around and apologetically said to Chen Jing.
”Put the money on the counter first. I'll calculate it together later. I want 50 yuan for the dishes and wine as well.” When Chen Jing heard that others wanted food and wine, he realized that he had not eaten for almost a year.
This is your room plate and bill, sir. I'll bring you your food and wine later.” The long-sleeved young man used the brush on the counter to write a few words on a piece of paper and stamped a seal on it. Then, he turned around and took out a wooden board from a small cabinet on the back and passed it to Chen Jing.
Chen Jing took it over and found that the sign was inscribed with the words ”Heaven Number 18”. The document was written with the words ”Ten taels of silver to deposit”. The position of the ”Ten taels of silver” was covered with a red square stamp.
Under the lead of another young man in short clothes, Chen Jing arrived at a room on the second floor. The room was neatly arranged, with a simple bed in the corner. The floor was carpeted and spotless, and against the right-hand wall was a small square red table with four round stools. In the center of the small table, on a wooden tray, was a small porcelain teapot and two teacups.
Not long after Chen Jing entered the room, a waiter brought over a huge table full of delicacies and a jug of wine. Not long after Chen Jing entered the room, a waiter brought over a large amount of delicacies and a jug of wine.
After that, Chen Jing, who had not slept for more than a year, slept soundly after having had enough to eat, and when he woke up, it was already the afternoon of the second day. After Chen Jing woke up, she walked around outside for a bit, and her stomach growled again as she felt hungry.
At the same time Chen Jing returned to the inn, in the alleyway of Luo Guo Inn, three hundred meters behind the Elegant Lodge, on the rarely seen bluestone path, he suddenly dashed past a group of black robed warriors, sending a reed chicken, which was taking a walk in the alleyway, flying up to the short wall.
A few minutes later, the Rushflower Chicken that had just been settled flew down from the wall, and was about to stand on a big basket to sing a song when the big basket suddenly moved. The Rushflower Chicken flew onto the wall again, and when it looked down, it discovered that a person who was different from its owner had come out from under the basket. Of course, it was hard to tell who the chicken belonged to. If Chen Jing was here, he would immediately see that it was a girl dressed in colorful clothes. Judging by her slim and graceful figure, she should be a beauty, but who exactly was she? Naturally, Chen Jing didn't know either.
After she came out of the basket, she tore a piece of cloth from her sleeve, wrapped it around the wound on her leg, and stood up to look around. Just as she was thinking about where to run to, she turned around and saw that the other black clad warriors had returned to the alleyway.
”BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!” As soon as Chen Jing started to eat, there was an urgent knock on the door. Chen Jing had no choice but to put down his chopsticks, get up and open the door. A woman in a costume with blood on her left leg squeezed through the door.
”Young master, save me!” The woman ran into the room and quickly hid behind the bed.
”As long as you are loyal to the Prince's Mansion, no one is allowed to move. Otherwise, kill them all!” Before Chen Jing could react, an arrogant voice came from outside.
Chen Jing naturally wasn't someone who was afraid of things and naturally didn't dislike the matter of a hero saving the beauty. He turned around and glanced at the bed. With a bitter smile, he shook his head and closed the door, then sat down to eat and drink as if nothing had happened.
The noise outside was unceasing, and Chen Jing knew that Prince Zhongshun's residence was being searched from door to door. Sure enough, a dozen minutes later, Chen Jing's door was kicked open, and three black-uniformed warriors rushed in.
”Prince Zhong Shun's Mansion is in charge, stay at the side and don't move!” One of the short, stocky men raised his steel saber, threatening Chen Jing for a while, then ordered the other two, ”Search!”
”Stop!” Who allowed you to come in? ” Naturally, Chen Jing could not be searched by them.
”Un, hmph, you sure are courageous. How dare you interfere in the matters of Prince Zhongshun's Mansion?” The short, stocky man sneered at Chen Jing when he saw that he dared to act so arrogantly. ”Wang San, go and kill him!” he ordered one of the men holding a sword.
”Yes sir!” The man named Wang San immediately stabbed at Chen Jing with his sword.