The following day, the shopkeeper dragged his tired body to feed the horses in the backyard. As soon as he returned to the inn, he saw a guest coming down from upstairs and instructing him,
"Shopkeeper, send some hot water upstairs and prepare a serving of food."
The one who came downstairs was the guard, Little Ding. Last night, he had secretly returned to the inn with the Empress. Today, he was going to leave after eating and drinking his fill.
"Sir, you have to wait for a while. There's only this old man in the shop, and I'm too busy. Why don't you go out and buy some food yourself?"
The shopkeeper told Little Ding with a bitter face that he couldn't earn money.
Guard Ding didn't waste any more time with him. He knew where the waiter went. He was already dead.
He went out to buy breakfast and came back. The shopkeeper had just finished boiling water and was carrying it upstairs with difficulty.
