The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1501: The Roadside Inn

Ye Shikai advanced slowly, guiding the guards. He Linghan, being a woman inexperienced with horses, was also a reason for his measured pace, wanting to savor their precious time together.

By the time the guards had traversed the boundary between East County and He Nei County, darkness had fully descended. Ye Shikai directed his soldiers to seek out an inn, set up camp nearby, and arrange for He Linghan to stay within the inn's confines.

"Sir, you should remain at the inn as well. If Madam stays alone, it might not be safe," Man Cang advised. After all, this was not a main road but a minor path, seldom used by travelers. The inn's solitary location by the roadside struck him as somewhat peculiar.

"Very well, you will remain here with the brothers. Xue San, take a few men to stay near me," Ye Shikai conceded, admitting to a slight apprehension. He acknowledged the potential trouble if they happened upon a "black inn."

"Innkeeper, bring forth some wine and meat. Also, there are over two hundred horses outside; please procure fodder and ensure their care," Ye Shikai instructed as he and his soldiers entered the inn, where they were met by a staff member.

"Esteemed guests, welcome. Are you seeking a meal or accommodation?" the attendant inquired.

"Prepare three rooms. Should anything further be required, I shall inform you," Ye Shikai stated plainly.

"Very good, please proceed inside."

Ye Shikai escorted He Linghan into a guest room. Naturally, an inn from this era could not compare to modern accommodations, and this was far from the bustling city of Xianyang; it was merely a roadside establishment. While the conditions were basic, they were certainly preferable to enduring the elements outdoors.

"Ling'er, what do you think of this place?"

"It is acceptable. You know I do not concern myself with such trivialities," He Linghan replied calmly. Ye Shikai surveyed their surroundings; they were on the second floor. The courtyard visible from the window held common poultry like chickens and ducks—nothing out of the ordinary. The small inn spanned only a few dozen square meters, insufficient for concealing numerous individuals. Moreover, with Ye Shikai's two hundred guards present, security should not be a significant concern.

"Hmm, we shall rest here for the night. Assuming all proceeds as expected, we should reach the Commander's Mansion by tomorrow," Ye Shikai affirmed with a nod.

"Sir, I have conducted a check, and everything in the room appears to be in order," Xue San reported, stepping forward. Ye Shikai had indeed tasked Xue San with close protection, given his past experiences roaming the jianghu and his familiarity with such inns. Therefore, he had ordered Xue San to thoroughly inspect the premises before checking in.

"Excellent."

"Sir, this inn feels somewhat unusual," Xue San suddenly remarked. Hearing this, He Linghan instinctively shivered.

"What do you mean?" Ye Shikai immediately pressed for details.

"Firstly, it is uncommon to find an inn situated on such a secluded path. The current climate is unstable, with numerous bandit groups operating in East County. A small establishment like this, lacking substantial security, would likely have been plundered by now. Yet, it appears unusually peaceful, with an abundance of chickens, ducks, pigs, and sheep in the yard—a peculiar sight."

"Are you suggesting... this is a 'black inn' operated by bandits?" Ye Shikai listened, his expression growing serious. Xue San's reasoning was sound, and he had indeed overlooked this possibility.

"This is merely a conjecture on my part, sir. During my years wandering the jianghu, I often heard tales of 'black inns' run by bandits or robbers. They would mix opium into the food to incapacitate unsuspecting travelers, then proceed to murder them, confiscate their possessions, and dispose of the bodies in remote locations, leaving no trace."

"Is it truly that dreadful?" He Linghan felt a chill run down her spine at Xue San's words. The description was indeed terrifying, and such 'black inns' were known to exist. Encountering one would be a matter of sheer misfortune.

"Please rest assured, General's wife. With me present, I guarantee your safety."

"Xue San, examine the dishes served at this inn later," Ye Shikai commanded.

"Have no concerns, sir. Our brothers have consistently maintained vigilance within the kitchen area. I suspect even if this were a 'black inn,' they would hesitate to make a move against us. Furthermore, with two hundred men stationed outside, should any incident arise within, they could reduce this place to rubble in mere moments."

"Regardless, maintain utmost caution."

As night fell.

"Innkeeper, do you typically receive many guests here?" Ye Shikai inquired during their evening meal.

"Ah, to be frank with you, sir, while this road is somewhat out of the way, it serves as a convenient shortcut for merchants traveling between nearby counties. Naturally, there are few travelers at night, but a fair number pass through during the day, often stopping for tea and wine," the attendant replied.

"Is that so? The current times are turbulent, with many robbers and marauders in the vicinity. Are you not concerned about the risk of being robbed while operating an inn in this location?" Ye Shikai countered, his gaze sharp.

"Sir, your words are a little off. This road is quite long, and we are the only inn. The merchants who pass by need a place to rest. If this inn were to be destroyed, then those passing merchants would have nowhere to stay, inevitably leading to a decrease in the number of merchants on this road. If I were a robber, I certainly wouldn't want the merchants here to disappear."

Ye Shikai grasped the waiter's meaning. Compared to robbing this inn, robbing merchants along the road would yield greater rewards. However, if this inn were destroyed, fewer merchants would travel here, and though robbers might be brutal, they wouldn't engage in short-sighted actions like killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.

"Gentlemen, what would you like to order?"

"Some wine and meat, and noodles, please."

"Alright, gentlemen, please wait a moment. The delicious food will be here shortly."

"Sir, I, along with the brothers, examined the premises earlier. There is no hidden tunnel beneath the inn for concealing people, and the brothers have also sampled the wine and meat; there were no issues," Xue San whispered.

"Could it be that we are indeed overthinking this, and perhaps this is just an ordinary inn?" He Linghan inquired calmly.

"Gentlemen, I understand your concern that this might be a black inn used for murder and robbery. Please rest assured, this inn is quite reputable." The waiter, observing everyone's hesitation to eat, guessed their thoughts.

"If the gentlemen do not trust me, I can taste the food myself."

"Hahaha, there's no need for that. Why wouldn't we trust you? It's just that my wife has suddenly felt unwell," Ye Shikai stated with a sudden laugh, taking out some silver fragments from his pocket.

"Innkeeper, please kill two chickens and stew some hot chicken soup for my wife. The remaining silver is your tip."

"Yes, thank you for the generous reward, sir. I will prepare it right away. Please bear with me."

"Everyone, please begin eating," Ye Shikai said calmly. "Rest assured, there is no poison in the food."

Upon hearing this, everyone, though still somewhat puzzled, placed their trust in Ye Shikai and started to eat. Despite the inn's remote location, the culinary skills displayed were quite commendable.

"I recall a certain type of poison that is administered in two parts. If one consumes only a single part, it is harmless, but when both parts are mixed, it becomes highly toxic. If the innkeeper had poisoned the dishes and the wine separately, even the brothers who tested them wouldn't detect it. However, to be absolutely certain, I had it tested on the dog outside the inn. Both the wine and the food are free of poison," Ye Shikai explained to everyone.