Shocking! The entire court was drooling with envy because of me.

Everyone knew Shen Qing's rules, so they began to line up voluntarily.

Everyone looked on with anticipation, craning their necks to see Shen Qing as soon as possible.

At the very front was a ragged, white-bearded man who looked like a beggar at first glance.

But if you get close, you can smell a faint medicinal fragrance on him.

This person was none other than the famous Ghost Doctor Xue Buhuo, the old beggar who stole the crystal steamed buns before.

Ever since he ate those crystal soup dumplings, he couldn't forget the taste, and other foods tasted bland to him.

He had been starving all day; all he could think about were crystal soup dumplings, and he couldn't eat anything else.

"My stomach's been empty all day, I'm definitely going to have a good meal later!"

Xue Buhuo rubbed his rumbling stomach and muttered to himself.

He still has no money on him today, but that doesn't matter; he can buy on credit.

Anyway, he'll be treating someone in a couple of days, and then he'll have the money, which he'll repay tenfold to that Madam Shen.

The queues grew longer and longer, and it got later and later.

But Shen Qing was nowhere to be seen.

"What's going on? Why hasn't Madam Shen come yet today?"

"Yeah, we'd usually be out and about by this time. What's going on today?"

"When will we finally get to eat Lady Shen's crystal soup dumplings?"

"..."

People visibly grew anxious, after all, many of them had come hungry and wanted to save their stomachs to enjoy the crystal soup dumplings.

Grandma Sun next door frowned slightly and kept looking into the distance.

A thought that she dared not even consider arose in her mind.

No way? Shen Qing isn't going to refuse to sell again, is she?

The Xie couple in the group also had this guess.

"What's going on? Why hasn't Madam Shen come today? Could something have happened to her?" Wang Yueshu asked anxiously.

She's already lost crispy fried chicken, she can't afford to lose crystal soup dumplings too.

Xie Bantou's brows were furrowed so tightly they could practically trap a fly.

"Could it be Shen Chengzong again...?"

"You released Shen Chengzong??"

"I've been locked up for several days already, there's really no reason to keep me locked up any longer, and someone has already reported this to the county magistrate, so there's nothing I can do."

To be fair, Shen Chengzong didn't really commit any major crimes; at most, he just gave Li Bao some silver.

Inheriting the restaurant and the Shen family business is in accordance with the regulations of this dynasty.

Even if outsiders feel it's unfair, there's nothing that can be done about it.

Therefore, beating Shen Chengzong and locking him up for a few days was already the maximum punishment.

Upon hearing this, Wang Yueshu said with considerable resentment, "It must be that Shen Chengzong's doing again. Otherwise, why would Madam Shen's business, which was doing so well, suddenly stop coming?"

"Perhaps Madam Shen was held up by something..."

"Do you believe that? Madam Shen is always punctual when she sets up her stall. I think there's a good chance we really won't be getting any crystal soup dumplings today!"

When people are hungry, they are more likely to lose control of their temper when they are angry.

This is how Wang Yueshu is now.

The thought of losing those delicious crystal soup dumplings made her feel incredibly sad.

Although she had a vague feeling that Shen Qing wouldn't come, she still held onto a sliver of hope.

Soon, another half hour passed.

The hungry and anxious crowd let out sighs.

Zhao Cheng and Zhao Wan, a brother and sister, came together. Their parents had asked them to bring back several baskets of steamed buns.

I thought buying a spot would be enough, but after waiting for ages, I still couldn't find the stall owner, Shen Qing.

"Brother, could it be that Song Wenqian went to cause trouble for Madam Shen?"

Zhao Wan's small face was full of worry.

In truth, it was thanks to Madam Shen that she was able to see Song Wenqian's true colors.

Song Wenqian was kicked out of the house and given a good beating, so he must be resentful and might actually go and take revenge on Madam Shen.

Zhao Cheng snorted coldly: "He dares?"

"If he really goes looking for trouble with Madam Shen, I'll make him regret it!"

After so many years of eating, drinking and having fun, this was the first time he had ever encountered such a delicious crystal soup dumpling.

He'll never forgive anyone who gets in the way of him eating crystal soup dumplings!

"It's already this late. I think it's really unlikely that Madam Shen will be coming today." Zhao Wan's tone carried a hint of regret and pity.

Then she changed the subject: "Brother, you can't let Song Wenqian off so easily. I think it's most likely that Song Wenqian is behind this. Otherwise, Madam Shen would definitely have come to set up a stall."

......

Another incense stick's worth of time passed.

After looking around, Aunt Sun was certain that Shen Qing wouldn't come.

This scene seems familiar; it was the same last time.

Out of kindness, she stepped forward and advised, "It's already this late, Madam Shen probably won't be coming. Let's not wait in vain."

Before the other diners could say anything, Ghost Doctor Xue Buhuo jumped up and down.

"What? You're not coming?" His eyes widened. "I haven't eaten all day, I'm just waiting for these crystal soup dumplings, how can you just say you're not coming?"

"Yeah, we've been queuing for ages, how can they just suddenly not come!"

"What's wrong with Madam Shen? Even if the crystal soup dumplings are delicious, you can't do business like this."

"..."

Those around them chimed in, after all, no one could bear to have their expectations dashed, especially when they were hungry.

"Madam Shen must be in trouble!" Two female voices rang out simultaneously, speaking in unison.

It was Wang Yueshu and Zhao Wan.

The two exchanged a glance, their expressions revealing a mutual appreciation between kindred spirits.

Aunt Sun then said, "Shen girl must have something on her mind. Why don't you all go and check out other stalls, or come back another day?"

"Fine, fine, just give me a bowl of plain noodles!"

"I want a bowl of plain noodles too!"

"Never mind, I'll go eat a meat pie."

"I'll have to come back tomorrow..."

Despite their objections, there was nothing they could do, so they dispersed to other stalls, and many others simply left the ghost market.

The one who suffered the most was the Ghost Doctor Xue Buhuo.

Heaven knows, someone had invited him to dinner today, with a table full of fine food and wine, but he deliberately didn't eat, saving room for steamed buns tonight.

I never expected it to end like this.

Now that he has no money, where is he going to get something to eat?

He couldn't very well ask them to prepare another table of food, could he? What would become of the Ghost Doctor's reputation then?

Xue Buhuo looked bitter and was almost in tears.

......

County Magistrate Zhang Yan finished his official duties after dark.

After hesitating for a long time, I finally succumbed to my cravings and decided to go to the ghost market.