Chapter 188: Chapter 188: Worry

Translator: 549690339

If Mrs. Bai really had the talent of summoning ghosts, then Zhuang Qingning’s easy elimination of this ghost indicated that she was even more capable.

If instead, Mrs. Bai and Feng Ershu were merely making up stories and putting on a performance to ruin the reputation of the tofu shop, and if Zhuang Qingning was actually able to turn the tables, put on a show of catching the ghost, force Feng Ershu to reveal himself and then admit his deeds, she was even more impressive.

For a while, everyone who had come to catch the excitement looked at Zhuang Qingning with great admiration.

After this hoo-ha was over, anyone who had enjoyed tofu and bean sprouts from Zhuang’s Tofu Shop could now shop without any worries, choosing their favourite food once again.

Zhuang’s Tofu Shop quickly buzzed with activity.

Mrs. Cao and Zhang Qiuying and the others, having moved the tables to the backyard, quickly began to serve customers.

“Zhuang’s girl, you really pulled it off.” Zhang Yongchang watched the lively scene with relish and gave Zhuang Qingning a thumbs up: “Initially, I was worried that you might not be able to handle this, but it appears I was overthinking it. You truly are quick-witted, handling it all perfectly.”

“Right? So from now on, Uncle Zhang, you must believe what I say.” Zhuang Qingning pulled a face, laughing, “At least this time around, the two wicked fellows got their lesson and our shop’s reputation is restored. From nowon, no one will dare to pull such a stunt.”

“Isn’t that the truth.” Zhang Yongchang nodded, but then frowned, “But I reckon you’re going to have more troubles ahead.”

“What?” Zhuang Qingning was momentarily puzzled.

“Today you showed off your skills, and from now on, there will likely be people asking you to perform Feng Shui rituals, to ward off evil spirits.” Zhang Yongchang spoke worriedly.

Many people believe in ghosts and gods. Even if the smarter set could see that Zhuang Qingning had turned the tables, and even if every person knew her strategy, the fact that the doll had fog emanating from it, that it trembled when poked with a needle, and bled when cut by the peach wood sword, was enough for many to deem that Zhuang Qingning was a very powerful individual.

“When that time comes, I’ll just reject them.” said Zhuang Qingning: “It’s not really a big deal, just a bit of talking, and anyway, it’s better than being bullied by people who pretend to be ghosts.”

“That’s true.” Zhang Yongchang nodded in agreement.

Everything always has its ups and downs, you can’t have your cake and eat it too. Although it might take some time to explain everything to people, once Zhuang Qingning had achieved some fame, others wouldn’t dare mess with her.

If asked to choose one from the two situations, one would certainly choose the latter.

“It’s nearly noon, Uncle Zhang, the kitchen must be getting busy. Better get back to it. My shop is bustling too, I need to go help them.” Zhuang Qingning laughed.

These days, Zhuang Qingning always felt like Feng Yongkang of Fushun Tower was giving her a strange look.

Zhuang Qingning didn’t think that she had inadvertently offended Feng Yongkang. The only thing she could think of was that his good relationship with Zhang Yongchang probably made Feng Yongkang think that his chef was assisting an outsider?

Zhuang Qingning initially didn’t pay much attention to this, but since Zhang Yongchang worked at Fushun Tower and they had an employer-employee relationship, Zhuang Qingning didn’t want any misunderstandings between the two because of her, making it difficult for Zhang Yongchang.

So, she persuaded Zhang Yongchang to get back early and to pay more attention to the kitchen.

“Alright, I’ll go first. Call me if you need anything.”

Zhang Yongchang, who hadn’t overthought things, assumed Zhuang Qingning was busy with the shop and knew it was getting late, so he returned to Fushun Tower.

Zhuang Qingning then busied herself around the shop.

The disturbance in the town started quietly and then ended completely. The whole town felt normal again, with constant coming and going of people, and the busy market filled with various hawkers’ cries.

Opposite Zhuang’s Tofu Shop, there was a tea house named Qingfeng Pavilion.

Sitting near the window on the second floor, Chu Jinnian lifted the cup of tea that had cooled down in front of him to his lips. He took a small sip, only to find that he couldn’t stomach it, and put it back down.

“This is the best tea we have in this tea house. It’s my negligence if it couldn’t satisfy you, master. I forgot to bring the tea leaves you usually drink,” the guard Jing Zhao apologized.

“It was a whim of mine to go out today. No harm’s done.”

Chu Jinnian had a small smile at the corner of his mouth, “Moreover, I think this town is not too bad. The scenery is more interesting than drinking tea.” “Are you talking about the tofu shop earlier?”

Seeing that Chu Jinnian did not answer, Jing Zhao knew he had gotten it right, and he laughed, “In this marketplace, there are indeed always some events occurring. They could be considered features of local customs. Since you master don’t often see them, you might find them interesting.”

“However, it is strange that the young girl seemed to turn the tables around using a trap to expose her enemy. But the means she used to make the doll emit smoke was truly intriguing.”

“Could it be that this girl really possesses some special skills and she really captured that monster and killed it with a sword?”

But, in this world, there shouldn’t be any monsters. So what happened in front of them was even more inexplicable.

Jing Zhao was full of doubts.

“It’s very easy if you want to create smoke.”

Chu Jinnian knocked lightly on the table in front of him with his slender fingers, saying, “Just place two packs of oil paper inside that doll. One is filled with water, the other with lye. When the needle pierces the doll, it punctures both oil paper packets, water and lye blend together, naturally emitting heat that is like smoke.”

“But did that peachwood sword really kill a monster, and even draw blood?” Jing Zhao was most curious about this.

“On that peachwood sword, there must have been alkali water soaked. I once heard, while I was traveling Shuzhong, people who were good at drug-making said that they could make a special drug. This drug is colorless and tasteless, but it can turn into a blood-like color when mixed with alkali water. The drug was originally made only to scare people, but those who knew of it began to use it in their tricks to exorcise demons. It’s merely an illusion,” Chu Jinnian explained.

“I see.” Jing Zhao nodded like a pecking chicken, “Today, I’ve truly learned something. But since this trick is known by few, this young lady, at such a young age, is not only aware of this trick but also applies it effectively, really is not simple.”

“Indeed, she is not simple.”

Chu Jinnian lowered his eyes, glanced at the bustling tofu shop, and lifted the corner of his mouth slightly.

Just like the time she could cleverly argue with the kidnapper, it was also unexpected this time, truly not simple.

In this world, there are indeed clever women.

Good, good.

Chu Jinnian closed the folding fan set aside, pointed down, and said, “Go buy some tofu. Jinzhou really likes tofu balls soup. I’ll ask the kitchen to make it when we get home in the afternoon.”

“Yes.” Jing Zhao complied, quickly running downstairs, feeling deeply impressed.

Because of a note from a sweetheart, I’ll explain this.

Chu Jinnian is a crown prince, living in luxury since he was young. Thus, he’s quite particular about diet, which fits his status and identity. Don’t dislike him for this, because it will be discussed later. It’s a little foreshadowing.

Love you all-