Chapter 55 Rising to Fame, the Dark Horse Dun Dun
The rice shop's reputation collapsed, and business plummeted. Even when prices were reduced to their lowest point, the shop was deserted, with few customers.
When the shopkeeper opened for business, he would often find rotten vegetable leaves and stones thrown outside the shop, and even people throwing feces.
Business has been terrible every day.
When the matter was reported to the authorities, they refused to accept it. Now, Boss Mi was truly like a rat crossing the street, hated by everyone.
Rice, once a highly sought-after commodity, is now piling up in warehouses and becoming an unsaleable product.
One day, several government officials suddenly stormed into the rice shop, quickly sealed it off, and arrested the shop's employees.
Upon receiving the news, Boss Mi didn't even have time to gather his wealth. He hastily changed into servant's clothes and fled with his son and Xiao Si.
Her face was grim. She squinted and took one last look in the direction of the official residence. She pressed her tongue against the roof of her mouth and pressed it hard, then turned away with a flick of her sleeve.
......
Today, Magistrate Song is hosting a banquet for talented individuals, inviting many prominent figures from within the county.
The official led the way for the guests, who walked along a cobblestone path and through an elegant corridor to the dignified and refined flower hall. In the center of the hall hung a gilded plaque that read "A Gathering of Talented Individuals," and several Ru kiln vases adorned the table.
Several maids came forward and led the guests to their seats.
After all the guests were seated, Magistrate Song arrived, but everyone noticed that there was also a young woman of unknown appearance standing beside her.
Everyone rose to greet Magistrate Song, who smiled kindly and invited them to sit down: "You are all renowned figures in this county. This banquet is to discuss matters concerning the county's development. I hope you will all speak freely."
The people at the table gave weak smiles. Who didn't know Magistrate Song's character? They looked at each other, realizing that if Magistrate Song hadn't sent a minor official to invite them, they would probably have declined, citing illness.
Magistrate Song's purpose in hosting this banquet was not actually to discuss the county's development, but rather to salvage his reputation and completely sever ties with Boss Mi. He even specially invited prominent figures from the county to witness the event.
She smiled and pointed to the person beside her, introducing him to the guests: "Do you all know who this is?"
Zhang Ting knelt upright below Magistrate Song, his expression gentle, and nodded slightly to the crowd.
The guests looked at each other in bewilderment. "Please, sir, introduce us."
Magistrate Song, beaming, walked over and helped Zhang Ting to her feet. Facing the crowd, he said, "Her name is Zhang Ting. Don't underestimate her just because she's young. Recently, grain prices in the county have been disrupted by rice swindlers. I was heartbroken and helpless. It was only thanks to her suggestion that prices were stabilized, restoring peace and stability to the people!"
"Now that the evidence is conclusive, I have ordered the arrest of the rice traitors and the purging of the rice market."
The guests sitting below praised Magistrate Song for her integrity and ability to punish evil, but in their hearts they wondered if Magistrate Song had changed her ways. Could it be that this man-made disaster really had nothing to do with her?
Among the visiting dignitaries was one who was on good terms with Manager Duan. He rose to recount the details to the others and excitedly toasted Zhang Ting, saying, "Your Excellency is virtuous, kind, and indifferent to fame and fortune; you are truly a remarkable talent of this county!"
The other scholars at the banquet nodded frequently, admiring Zhang Ting's character and appreciating her talent. They were very fond of this young woman and, upon hearing that she was studying diligently at home and preparing for the provincial examination, were even tempted to take her as their student.
After the banquet, Magistrate Song ordered people to compile the events of the banquet into a book of poems and to spread it far and wide. Zhang Ting's fame in Tongzhou Prefecture became very famous as a result.
Five days later, Zhang Ting opened the newly printed book of poems, marveling at Magistrate Song's swift actions. Ignoring the numerous sections praising Magistrate Song, she found a few lines recording her own words and deeds. Satisfied, she smiled and closed the book.
Money and silk were not enough to sway her heart, because she was after much greater gains.
Sparrows chirped incessantly outside the window. Zhang Ting yawned wearily; she hadn't had a nap all day due to her busy schedule. After catching her breath, she picked up her pen to reply to a few letters from her sisters in the capital before continuing her studies.
The sparrow tilted its head, its big, beady eyes watching her curiously. Then it hopped onto the other windowsill, and suddenly heard a sound getting closer and closer before it spread its wings and flew away.
A moment later, the study door was pushed open, and Zong Suyi walked in with a cup of tea.
Zhang Ting didn't even look up, continuing to write on the paper, before asking, "Why are you here?"
Zong Suyi didn't speak, silently placing the teacup on the table. But before the cup could even touch the table, it was taken by a pair of hands, warm fingertips brushing against the palm.
His heart skipped a beat, and he slowly lowered his hand, looking at Zhang Ting with his palm slightly curled.
Zhang Ting picked up the teacup, took a sip, met Zong Suyi's gaze, and smiled gently. "I'm feeling sleepy, so I'll drink this to perk myself up."
Zong Suyi's ears burned, and she hurriedly looked away, biting her lip. She glanced at the letter in the woman's hand and asked softly, "Who are you replying to?"
"You've met them before, they were the two who came to see me off the other day," Zhang Ting said gently, putting down his teacup.
"Oh, oh." His eyes suddenly darted to the inkstone beside him, and he suggested, "Then I'll grind the ink for you."
Zhang Ting wanted to say that he had finished writing the letter, but then she saw him slowly circling the ink stick on the Duan inkstone. His fingers were fair and slender, and a little ink had gotten on them at some point. The combination of black and white had a breathtaking beauty.
Zhang Ting suddenly frowned, took Zong Suyi's hand, and the other was startled by her action, holding the ink stick in his hand at a loss: "W-what's wrong?"
His hands were as white as jade and as smooth as silk, but for some reason there were several red dots on his fingertips. Zhang Ting could smell the faint scent of ink from them even when he was very close.
She picked up the handkerchief beside her and gently wiped the ink stain away. The unsightly ink stain disappeared instantly, and Zhang Ting's brows relaxed. Satisfied, she put his hand down.
That feels good.
Zhang Ting then said to him, "You had some ink on your hands just now, but I've wiped it off for you."
Zong Suyi recalled the warm touch on her hand just now, and felt her ear tips burning and swelling. "Oh, okay, okay."
He stood beside her, his fingertips digging into his palm and then releasing them. After taking a deep breath, he bit his lower lip, pulled out a handkerchief he had prepared from his sleeve, and handed it to her.
"This is a handkerchief I recently embroidered; please use it."
The better Zhang Ting treated him, the more he craved to possess her. He embroidered a pair of swallows on it, symbolizing inseparable love, hoping that Zhang Ting could forget the green bamboo handkerchief from before, forget the man named Xiao Lü, and give him all the good things.
Zhang Ting picked up the handkerchief and looked at it. It was square and neat, with two plump chickens embroidered on it, their wings outstretched. Although the stitching was rough, it was much better than the pair of socks she had received a few days ago. She was very pleased.
She pointed vaguely to the embroidery on the handkerchief and asked teasingly, "Xiaoyi, do you want to eat roast chicken?"
Zong Suyi's expression changed. What roast chicken? He clearly embroidered a pair of swallows!
He snatched the handkerchief from Zhang Ting's hand, glared at her resentfully, pursed his thin lips, and left in a fit of anger and embarrassment.
"Hey!" Seeing his anger, Zhang Ting was puzzled. Could it be that the embroidery wasn't of a fat chicken?
She slapped her forehead, sighed, and learned her lesson. Next time, she wouldn't mention his appearance, but would only praise his embroidery skills.
After sitting and thinking for a while, Zhang Ting tidied up the table. She would go to the horse market first today.
Following the horse-raising expert Li Ruilian, they arrived at a horse shop. The shop owner was very familiar with Li Ruilian and took the initiative to greet her.
"Hey! Master Li's here to look at the horses again."
Li Ruilian cleared her throat, secretly glanced at her employer beside her, and replied somewhat awkwardly, "I'm here with my employer to choose horses today."
Upon hearing that there was business to be done, the shop owner hurriedly came forward and introduced Zhang Ting to the business.
Zhang Ting, however, stared at the black horse standing quietly in the corner. The white horse next to it didn't get angry when it nudged it, showing that it had a very good temper. He asked Li Ruilian, "Master Li, what do you think of this one?"
Li Ruilian stepped forward and took a look, and couldn't help but exclaim, "Master, you have a sharp eye! This horse is completely black, with its own shimmering light; it's a rare Akhal-Teke horse!" She had only been away from the horse market for a few days, how come there were already Akhal-Teke horses there?
Zhang Ting nodded slightly; she had spotted it at a glance among the herd of horses.
This horse has a slender head, a long neck like a swan, a lean body with smooth muscle lines, a short and powerful back, and a smooth, black coat that shimmers like silk in the sunlight.
The stable owner hesitated for a moment: "You've taken a liking to it?"
"That's it." Zhang Ting then asked, "Has someone already reserved it?"
The stable owner shook his head directly: "No, no. If Your Majesty likes it, please take it with you."
When the bill came, the price was only three times that of a regular horse. Zhang Ting looked at the stable owner suspiciously: "Is this horse sick?"
The horse shop owner repeatedly assured her, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. I have been running a horse shop for decades and I would never sell inferior horses and ruin my reputation."
Seeing this, Zhang Ting finally felt relieved.
With Li Ruilian by her side, Zhang Ting felt relieved and went to lead the horse if it resisted. She was confident that she could subdue the black horse.
However, the horse was indeed docile, allowing Zhang Ting to lead it without the slightest resistance or dissatisfaction.
Even Li Ruilian nodded repeatedly, "It's rare to see someone with such a good temperament."
"What a fine horse." Zhang Ting smiled and patted the black horse's neck, and it affectionately nuzzled her neck.
The journey was smooth sailing. Before entering the inner courtyard, Zhang Ting watched as the black horse was led into the stable. He instructed Li Ruilian to give it the best hay and feed so that it could get used to the environment. He also specifically told her not to let it be bullied by the other horses.
She returned to her study with a heart full of study, thinking that she would give the black horse to Zong Suyi the next day.
Everything was so beautiful.
After Zhang Ting finished her dinner, she went for a walk in the courtyard as usual to digest her food.
As she reached the corner, she suddenly saw the flower bushes swaying. She went over to take a look and was unexpectedly confronted with a dark, horse-like face.
Zhang Ting was utterly astonished. Wasn't it tied up in the stable?
She stepped forward, took the reins, and led the horse out to find Li Ruilian. Fortunately, the black horse was very docile, its ears twitching slightly as it quietly followed behind her.
Suddenly, Zhang Ting felt a pulling force on her hair. She turned around in confusion and saw the black horse nibbling at the ends of her hair, which startled her. She quickly pulled her hair out.
Seeing Zhang Ting's panic, the black horse quickly retreated a few steps, emitting a short "neighing" sound, its head held high as if mocking her, and frolicking around the yard on its hooves.
Li Ruilian rushed in, saying, "Master, I found the stable fence wide open, and the black horse you just bought today is missing..." Before she could finish speaking, she glanced at the horse jumping around in the yard, paused, and then said, "I found it."
Zhang Ting glanced at the overly lively black horse, speechless as she looked up at the sky. Thinking of its superb acting skills along the way, the hesitant expression of the horse shop owner, and the price far below the normal range, she wondered to herself: Could this horse be so cheap because it has been repeatedly returned by customers?
Zong Suyi came out when she heard the noise and asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"
Upon hearing the unfamiliar voice, the black horse suddenly fell silent. Its dark ears twitched from side to side as it obediently followed the sound. Its eyes were round and bright, and it gently wagged its tail and lowered its head to lick his hand.
Zong Suyi's palms itched from being licked, and she couldn't help but laugh out loud, her eyes curving into crescents as she stroked its smooth fur.
Seeing that Zong Suyi liked it, Zhang Ting sighed, glanced at the unruly black horse, and finally gave up the idea of returning it. He bent down to pick up the reins and said to him gently, "I have heard that Zong Yushu is extremely skilled in riding and archery. I have specially bought a fine horse to present to you."
Feeling her robes being suddenly pulled from behind, Zhang Ting smiled faintly and slapped him across the face.
Zong Suyi covered her lips and smiled as she watched the joyful scene of the man and the horse.
His eyes, like stars dipped in honey, gazed at Zhang Ting, then turned his gaze to the black horse, gently patting its forehead, his thin lips curving into a smile: "I hope you are honest and kind, from now on I will call you Dun Dun."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
