Chapter 586: Chapter 573: A Cunning Slave
Though not comparable to a Ferghana horse that could travel a thousand miles a day, they were also known for their endurance and stamina. High-intensity sprints like this, without rest, could last for two to three days without any problems.
However, despite their ability to run without rest, they still needed to eat and drink, or else they might not run fast during the day.
A fine substitute for the horses would not easily be found in a regular county town, so they would need to take a brief rest.
Zhuang Qingning nodded, âAlright.â
She looked around. Ying County was rather bustling. At this time, the morning market vendors were already welcoming customers, back and forth. The small food stalls and shops selling breakfast were all open for business.
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Seeing a shop selling pan-fried buns up ahead, the enticing aroma wafting from it beckoned many people. They also had long tables and benches outside and sold things like soy milk, porridge, and tofu pudding.
Su Mu went off to find food for the horses, while Zhuang Qingning and Su Ye ordered some pan-fried buns and tofu pudding to eat.
Zhuang Qingning, delicate and beautiful, and Su Ye in her dark, rugged attire exuding an icy chill, quickly garnered attention. Many people looked over, but sensing their distinguished identities, dared not offend them or even sit near them.
Fortunately, there were not many out eating breakfast so early, and many bought food to take back home. There werenât many people at the stall and those present kept their distance, so they didnât stand out too much.
âTwo servings of pan-fried buns, quick,â a man in blue shouted at the owner.
The owner, a slightly fat middle-aged man, smiled and replied, âPlease wait for a while, it will probably be done in the duration of a cup of tea.â
âDonât you have two servings of buns in hand? Why do I need to wait so long?â The man furrowed his brows and demanded.
âApologies, but these two servings were ordered by these two ladies a while ago. The last batch was sold out and youâll have to wait for the next,â the owner explained.
âWell, then give me these two servings and let them wait instead,â the man requested.
âUhâŠâ Seeing the man acting unreasonable, the owner could only smile wryly, âThere should always be a âfirst come, first servedâ rule. Not long now, only a cup of teaâs time, you just need to wait a bit.â
âHow about this, after a while Iâll give you an extra half serving of buns. You can take it home and eat.â
âAre you treating me like a beggar, offering half a serving of buns?â The manâs face turned sour instantly, âDo you know I am from Magistrate Zhuangâs residence? Our young master is merely passing by and is hungry. If he eats your buns, it is a favor to you. Donât bite the hand that feeds you and get ahead of yourself.â
Thereâs a saying that commoners shouldnât antagonize officials, especially when the person is a servant of the magistrateâs household â itâs simply a scandal.
After some thought, the owner gave up and turned to Zhuang Qingning and Su Ye with an apologetic smile. âIâm sorry, ladies. Please wait a bit longer. Please consider the tofu pudding on the house.â
Saying this, the owner reached out to hand the buns to the man.
âHold on,â Su Ye stood up, blocking the ownerâs hand. âI donât agree with this.â
She was ordered to protect Miss Zhuang. If she couldnât even guard her dignity over a serving of buns, how could she face her superior?
She would undoubtedly lose face amongst the secret guards!
âWho is this madwoman, dressed neither as a human nor a ghost, daring to rob my buns?â The servant looked Su Ye up and down, sneering, âJust to let you know, I work for the magistrate. These buns are for the young magistrate. If you know whatâs good for you, scram. If not, be careful or Iâll send you..â
Before he could finish, he was suddenly cut off.
Not that he didnât want to speak, but because his throat was tightly choked by Su Ye, leaving him unable to utter any sound.
Su Ye was naturally taller than most, almost the height of an adult male. With her hand lifted, the servant was left dangling in mid-air, struggling to breathe. He flailed helplessly in the air, utterly powerless.
âYou dare to bully others because of your superior? You even dare to spew such nonsense here.â
With a growl, Su Ye swung her arm, and the servant flew out like a sack, landing next to a carriage.
Seeing this, another servant dressed like him rushed over to help him up, asking what happened.
The servant was out of breath for a long time, before he came round and explained what had happened. He even cried and asked the young Magistrate Zhuang, Zhuang Lianghong, who was in the carriage, to redress this grievance for him.
âYoung master, it doesnât matter that I was insulted, but they also disrespectfully laid a finger on you. This kind of offense should be punishable by death!â
âIf we just let this slide this time, wonât we be ridiculed and mocked from now on?â
Zhuang Lianghong, who was accustomed to acting domineering everywhere, was unusually irritable at this moment. He couldnât stand the fact that he couldnât even get a plate of buns for his breakfast, let alone having his servant humiliated.
Would Zhuang Lianghong still have any face to spare in the future?
With growing anger simmering within him, Zhuang Lianghong got down from the carriage and walked towards Zhuang Qingning and Su Ye, hands folded behind his back.
âYoung Master, itâs those two women. The one who hit me was the woman in the black outfit,â the servant informed.
Zhuang Lianghong snorted coldly, âSo, itâs the two of you who stole my buns and hit my servant?â
Zhuang Qingning, hearing the voice, turned her face to this side, casually picking up a bun with her chopsticks, âSo, what if it was?â
âSo, what if it was?â
At her contemptuous response, Zhuang Lianghong gritted his teeth, âThen you shouldâŠâ
Before he could finish, Zhuang Lianghong suddenly froze.
Zhuang Qingning before him was extremely charming, her almond-shaped eyes full of life. Her long eyebrows extended to her temple, demonstrating determination yet softened by femininity, adding a hint of charm. Her high nose was not obtrusive, and her cherry lips curled slightly upwards. Despite her anger, her intense eyes held a certain beautyâŠ
In short, the lady before him was simply too beautiful.
She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
If there had to be a comparison, only the celestial beings in the paintings could possibly rival her.
Zhuang Lianghong, who was originally thoroughly incensed, had most of his anger dissipated. He even had a somewhat flattering smile on his face toward Zhuang Qingning, âMiss, may I know how I should address you? Where is your residence, and may I ask your age? Are you already betrothed?â
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