Chapter 147 Where is everyone?
There aren't actually many places to visit in Xi County.
The market and shops here consist of only about two streets, and they are all concentrated in one place, which is completely different from the distribution in Nanhua.
Not to mention the goods displayed here, which are nowhere near comparable to those in Nanhua.
However, just as Fu Mingyi said, the people here are simple and honest, and the way they do business is less commercial and more relaxed compared to Nanhua.
Xiao Qing walked, looked around, and listened attentively, thoroughly enjoying the atmosphere.
Feeling hungry from walking around, Xiao Qing rubbed her stomach and looked at a roadside stall selling wontons, steamed buns, and other snacks with a drooling look in her eyes.
Fu Mingyi smiled. "Want some?"
Xiao Qing nodded honestly.
Fu Mingyi then led her to a seat, skillfully asked the owner to bring two bowls of wontons, and ordered a few side dishes.
Xiao Qing was somewhat surprised. She thought that someone as handsome, from a good family, and capable as the Grand Tutor wouldn't eat at a roadside stall. Even if he ate with her, he wouldn't be so familiar with serving her and even order her a bowl.
This doesn't feel like the first time.
Even more surprisingly, Fu Mingyi's accent at this time was not the usual one, but the authentic Xi County accent.
It wasn't mealtime, so there weren't many people at the stall.
The owner quickly served the wontons, then deftly brought over a plate of side dishes, smiling as he asked, "Young master, you're not from Xi County, are you? Are you here to visit relatives?"
this……
Although Xiao Qing liked to go out of the palace, she was usually surrounded by people and her whereabouts were restricted. This was the first time she had ever been asked such a direct question as if she were trying to find out information.
As Fu Mingyi set out the bowls, chopsticks, and side dishes, he moved the wontons in front of Xiao Qing and replied with a smile, "Boss, you've got a good eye. It's your younger brother who left home when he was young."
The shopkeeper smiled, not minding Xiao Qing's attitude. "Young master looks so gentle, as his older brother, I should dote on him more. You can eat first, and if you want anything else, just call me. I'm not bragging, but everyone on this street knows that our wontons are delicious, and our steamed buns are pretty good too. You're from Xi County, you should know that."
Fu Mingyi nodded, "I know this business has been around for so many years."
The boss was about to leave when he heard this, so he couldn't help but grab a chair from the side, plop down on it, and sigh.
"Ah, the young master's words have stirred up so many things in this old man's heart."
He pointed to the side and said, "Look at my stall. Three years ago, there would have been more than just this many people here."
He leaned forward, clearly having a lot of grievances to confide in Fu Mingyi.
Xiao Qing silently reached out and rummaged through the bowl of wontons, carefully holding chopsticks in one hand and a spoon in the other, deciding that she would eat hers and let them talk.
Fu Mingyi caught a glimpse of her movements out of the corner of his eye, and a strange image of a timid yet clever white rabbit sneaking out its two paws to snatch food when the hunter wasn't looking appeared in his mind.
He suddenly realized that it had been many years since he had seen Xiao Qing's true appearance.
Just as she said, over the past three years, even though she didn't like or agree with everything, she still cooperated with everything.
He watched as Xiao Qing began to eat the wontons in small bites, probably because she was really hungry, or perhaps because she found them delicious, because she sped up her pace for the next few bites.
He couldn't help but laugh inwardly.
"Do you know where he went?" the shopkeeper asked, engrossed in conversation. "There probably aren't many young masters like you left in Xi County these days."
Upon hearing this sentence, Xiao Qing suddenly recalled the places he had visited before, where there were very few young men.
But she thought it was because this group didn't like shopping.
When the boss mentioned it, she remembered that there were very few young men among those who set up stalls and opened shops.
"They went south."
The boss slapped his knee and gave a thumbs up.
"The eldest young master is sensible."
Just as the boss was about to continue speaking, two government officials walked over from the intersection.
"Old Wang, get me two bowls of wontons, a basket of big steamed buns, and some vegetables. I'm starving."
The boss straightened his expression, then greeted them with a smile, saying cheerfully, "Here you are, what brings you two gentlemen here today?" He then quickly went to serve the wontons.
“Why do you think we have time?” one of them asked, bending his legs and propping them up on the bench.
Several customers quickly finished their food and left, leaving their coins on the table before they went.
Another officer, with sharp eyes, noticed this, walked over, took the coins, counted them, and said with some dissatisfaction, "Only this much?"
The owner smiled ingratiatingly, "Sir, there aren't many customers today. I've only had less than ten tables of customers all day."
As he spoke, he quickly served the wontons, steamed buns, and side dishes, saying, "Please try them, is it still the same old taste?"
The two paused their conversation, ate a couple of bites, and then one of them said, "If it weren't for your honesty, Old Wang, would we have been able to take care of you for so long? But you're way behind this month; you haven't even made up for the previous ones yet."
"Oh, I know, I know, it's all thanks to the two older brothers for taking care of me..."
The boss's temples were already gray, while the two officers were quite young.
As Xiao Qing watched the owner humbly hunch over, smiling and constantly saying nice things, she suddenly felt that even the delicious wontons tasted a bit off.
Fu Mingyi ate his food calmly, and seeing her unhappy expression, he said, "Eat quickly."
Xiao Qing looked away and asked in a low voice, "Are they talking about taxes?"
Fu Mingyi nodded slightly. Seeing her stirring her food with her chopsticks, as if she was thinking about something, he said, "Let's just eat ours."
The two officials over there ate quickly, joking and laughing with the owner as they went. Before long, they had eaten more than half a bowl of food and almost finished the buns.
"Alright, Old Wang, we know your situation. We're here today to give you a heads-up. Make sure you're ready before the end of the month, or you can't put it off any longer. And your son, I'm telling you, young people should be less impulsive, or they'll suffer a great loss."
"Yes, Lord Guan is right. I have already disciplined him. That kid is stubborn and not very bright. Please don't take offense, gentlemen. I will definitely have it ready by the end of the month!"
"How much are these two bowls of wontons...?"
"Don't mention money, sirs, you're too kind. This is a gift from Old Wang to you two. You've always been very kind to me. Let alone two bowls of wontons, sirs, come anytime, and Old Wang will have it ready for you..."
The two were satisfied and walked out, burping contentedly.
Seeing their swaggering and uninhibited manner, Xiao Qing felt indignant.
"It's beneath one's dignity to eat without paying," Xiao Qing muttered under her breath.
As they were talking, one of the officers looked over.
He watched for a while, then patted the person in front of him on the shoulder and muttered something to himself.
Xiao Qing stared at their mouths for a while, and her expression grew even more unpleasant.
They've got ulterior motives targeting them!
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