Lu Jiaojiao spotted the room key in the owner's hand at a glance and immediately shouted in a shrill voice, "Boss! We want the best room! We're His Highness the Second Prince's people, how dare you refuse us?"
The shopkeeper looked troubled and glanced at Shen Qingtang. Shen Qingtang smirked and pulled out another silver ingot from her pocket, slamming it on the counter: "I'll buy all three of these superior rooms. Also, I'll book the last one as well; I won't be staying there, so it'll be empty."
Lu Jiaojiao was so angry that her face turned pale. She pointed at Shen Qingtang's nose and yelled, "Shen Qingtang! Are you deliberately making things difficult for us? Do you have such a big butt? Do you need so many rooms? That room is just sitting empty anyway, why can't we stay in it?"
"Why should I?" Shen Qingtang raised an eyebrow, her tone frank. "Because I have money, and I want to. Besides, I'm deliberately making things difficult for you, so what?"
These words made Lu Jiaojiao so angry that she almost jumped up, but she was helpless because she didn't have that much money to compare with Shen Qingtang.
Lu Jin and Lin Peirou were also furious, but they could only watch helplessly as Shen Qingtang led her family upstairs and moved into the best room.
The Second Prince arrived at the inn shortly afterward. Upon hearing that Shen Qingtang had booked all the best rooms, his face immediately darkened.
He looked in the direction of Shen Qingtang's room.
His eyes were icy cold, and he made a silent vow: Shen Qingtang, you just wait, I will settle this score with you sooner or later!
The next morning, the second prince went to the county government office with his entourage. The county magistrate was a fat man in his fifties.
His name was Wang Huai'an, and he was usually incompetent and foolish.
All they know is how to exploit the people.
Upon seeing the Second Prince, he was immediately terrified and knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly: "This humble subject, Wang Huai'an, greets Your Highness the Second Prince! I was unaware of Your Highness's arrival and have failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me!"
The second prince helped him up and whispered a few words in his ear. Wang Huai'an's eyes lit up instantly, and he quickly smiled obsequiously, "Your Highness, rest assured! I will certainly handle whatever you have instructed! I guarantee that Shen Qingtang will suffer the consequences!"
Meanwhile, Shen Qingtang was strolling around town with Pei Nian'an and Shen Minglan.
The town was poorer than she had imagined; most of the houses along the road were dilapidated.
Many houses had tattered straw curtains hanging at their doors, and the pedestrians on the street were all emaciated and had numb eyes. Even more horrifying was the sight of the corpses of starving refugees lying on the roadside from time to time, emitting a foul odor.
Suddenly, a thick plume of smoke rose up, and several officials were burning corpses by the roadside with torches.
Flames shot into the sky, thick smoke billowed, and the surrounding people were so frightened that they all avoided the area, but dared not speak out in anger.
"These officials are going too far! Even if they are refugees, they shouldn't be treated like this!"
Shen Minglan couldn't help but curse.
Shen Qingtang frowned and remained silent. The situation in this small town was worse than she had anticipated.
Just then, a commotion arose. A fat, richly dressed young man appeared.
Accompanied by several servants, they were abducting a young woman in the street. The woman struggled desperately, crying out, "Help! Let me go!"
The young master grinned lewdly and reached out to touch the girl's face: "Little beauty, come back to my manor with me, and I guarantee you'll live a life of luxury, much better than suffering here!"
The surrounding people began to whisper among themselves: "That's Wang Hu, the county magistrate's son! He's kidnapping people again!"
"This is terrible! This is the third one this month!"
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