The Tofu Queen: A Modern Woman's Ancient Kingdom Journey

After arriving at Jinyang City, Jiang Huaiyu deliberately chose a modest inn and entered discreetly through the back door. The inn's attendant, braver than Yang the coachman, checked the unconscious man's breath. Upon confirming he was alive and not in imminent danger, the attendant helped carry him upstairs.

However, upon seeing the bloodstains, the attendant demanded extra payment, citing the effort it would take to clean up. Jiang Huaiyu sighed, reluctantly handing over a silver ingot.

"Consider this payment for the room," she said.

The attendant's smile widened, and he quickly left to fetch hot water.

Yang the coachman, meanwhile, glanced nervously at the man slumped over the table, his body half-propped up. "Miss Jiang," he stammered, "I've done my part. I... I can't take you any farther. Just show the innkeeper the travel document to settle the bill."

Without waiting for a reply, he bolted, disappearing before Jiang Huaiyu could even process his departure.

She sighed, her gaze returning to the unconscious man. Was he really that terrifying?

Yang had indeed been frightened out of his wits. The stranger had come dangerously close to throttling him earlier, and Yang didn't dare stick around to see if the man's temper would flare again.

Resigned, Jiang Huaiyu handed the attendant a few coins to clean up the man and buy him a change of clothes. She also rented an extra room, though the expense made her heart ache.

With Tangbao visibly exhausted after the day's travel, Jiang Huaiyu focused on cleaning him up and feeding him before settling into a restless sleep. She resolved to address the stranger once he woke up—and to ensure he compensated her for the trouble.

Jiang Huaiyu awoke to the dim light of dusk filtering through the windows. Rubbing her temples to ease the stiffness, she began preparing to feed Tangbao.

But as her gaze shifted, she froze.

At the center of the room, the stranger sat by the table, illuminated by the flickering light of a candle. He toyed with a small, copper object, his expression unreadable.

Her pulse quickened as she took in the man before her. Though clean now, his presence felt no less dangerous.

Another headache, she thought, already weary of her string of misfortunes.

The man seemed to sense her wakefulness. He turned slightly, his features catching the light.

His face was striking—fair skin, a high nose, and lips curved into a lazy, knowing smile. His hair, now free of blood and grime, was tied neatly with a simple pin, giving him an air of a refined young noble.

However, the playful glint in his eyes and his rakish demeanor suggested he was more a charming rogue than a gentleman.

"Ah, so it was such a lovely young lady who saved me," he drawled, his voice laced with teasing. "It seems I have no choice but to offer myself in marriage as thanks."

Jiang Huaiyu's expression didn't change. Her voice was steady. "Strictly speaking, you forced your way into my carriage. I had no choice but to bring you here. Now that you're awake, all I require is compensation for the trouble."

The man blinked, caught off guard by her straightforwardness. He coughed lightly and recovered with a smirk. "Well, I'm afraid trouble may find you again soon."

Her brows knitted slightly, but her tone remained calm. "What do you mean?"

"Some men have been loitering near this inn," he said casually. "They're discussing capturing a woman with a baby. From what I overheard, it seems the innkeeper let slip your presence. They haven't decided whether to barge in yet."

Jiang Huaiyu's heart sank. It seemed Yan Er had gone to great lengths to pursue her.

She'd underestimated the extent of his pettiness and desperation. He was likely clinging to the tofu recipe as a last-ditch effort to remain in his family's good graces.

She took a deep breath to steady herself and met the man's gaze. His eyes were alight with amusement, as if he were enjoying her predicament.

"So," she said, "you're offering to repay me by becoming a servant to my son? A combination guard and errand boy, perhaps?"

Her tone was light, but each word was deliberate.

The man's fingers stilled, the copper object vanishing in an instant. His lips twitched, and a faint blush crept up his face.

"Quite the proposition," he said after a pause, his voice tinged with forced levity. "But I'll settle for ensuring you and your child make it safely to the capital. Consider it my way of repaying my debt."

Before Jiang Huaiyu could reply, a loud, insistent knock echoed through the room.

Her eyes flickered to the door, then back to the man. "I'll leave it to you, then."

"With pleasure," he said, rising with a fluid grace.

The man strode to the door and flung it open, leaning casually against the frame.

"And who might you be?" he drawled, his voice low and mocking.

The group of men standing outside faltered. They had expected to intimidate a defenseless woman, not face a tall, commanding figure with an aura of menace.

One of them, braver than the rest, attempted to peer around the man into the room.

"Hey," the man said sharply, his tone laced with danger. "If any of you so much as glance at my wife again, I'll pluck your eyes out myself."

The words were delivered with a smile, but the threat was unmistakable. The men froze, their courage draining away.

After muttering hurried apologies, they retreated. Once they were out of sight, the man closed the door with a triumphant smirk.

"They won't bother you again," he said, returning to his seat.

"Thank you," Jiang Huaiyu said sincerely, cradling Tangbao in her arms.

The man waved off her gratitude. "Think nothing of it. It was the least I could do. Of course, if you really feel indebted, there's always the option of—"

"Next life," Jiang Huaiyu interjected, cutting him off with a faint smile. "In the next life, I'll repay you by becoming your servant."

Her words had the desired effect. The man's grin faltered, and he leaned back, a touch offended.

"Isn't that what people say when they aren't really grateful?" he muttered, more to himself than to her.

Jiang Huaiyu chuckled softly. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll arrange for dinner. Afterward, I think it's best if you return to your own room. We wouldn't want to frighten the baby, after all."

The man watched her leave, his fingers once again twirling the copper object. His smile returned, this time quieter, more thoughtful.

"This lady," he murmured, "certainly has a way of keeping a man intrigued."