Chapter 34 - Poison

As the wind blew, rustling the leaves, Shen Ziqiao glanced up to glare at the cold and composed Qi Zheng. In the end, she admitted defeat. She was unable to sit on him and crush him to death right now. Her imposing manner wasn’t as powerful as his, and she wasn’t as tall as him either. She definitely couldn't beat him in the fight, so never mind the thought.

Shen Ziqiao glanced to the side and asked, “Why are you here? Could you have been the one to invite the troupe outside?”

Qi Zheng pursed his thin lips and a flicker of unhappiness flashed by his eyes. He said, in a normal tone, “Mother said she wants me to come to the temple to pray.”

Pft. Shen Ziqiao almost couldn’t help it and burst into laughter. “As expected, only you would do something stupid like this. Pray for what? For you to get married soon? Who are you pretending to be stupid for? For your mother? Did she not treat you nicely at home?”

She talks too much! Qi Zheng gazed at her before turning around to leave.

Shen Ziqiao held in the urge to stop him and said unhappily, “What are you being arrogant for? Who cares about the matters in your home?”

Qi Zheng smiled when he heard Shen Ziqiao’s words. He then made his way towards the dining hall.

Shen Ziqiao didn’t expect to encounter Qi Zheng here and wasn’t in the mood to admire the scenery anymore. Noticing that the voices of the people performing had stopped, she planned on finding the two girls and returning home.

She just walked to the main hall when she saw Zhao Di and Yin Hua walking over with their hands linked.

“Third Miss, lunch is already prepared in the dining hall. Why don’t we leave after eating?” After watching the opera, Zhao Di was clearly less afraid of Shen Ziqiao, and she was able to talk more casually.

Seeing that Shen Ziqiao was hesitating, Yin Hua hurriedly said, “The food in the dining hall is delicious. The food outside isn’t even as good as the food here.”

Shen Ziqiao smiled as she looked at the girls’ ravenous expressions. She chuckled and said, “Ok, we’ll make our way down the mountain after we’re done eating.”

The master and servants happily arrived at the dining hall. Zhao Di and Yin Hua led Shen Ziqiao to a spot facing the window before they sat down. Not long later, the bowls and chopsticks were arranged in front of them.

A nun walked over with the food ready. There were seven dishes and a soup, and it appeared to be very delicious.

There were quite a few people in the dining hall. Most of them were villagers. After arriving at the temple, there were no talks about social statuses, and everyone sat at the same table together. Shen Ziqiao smiled as she observed everyone. Although there were differences, her table was different from the noisy and chattering villagers. At least, there was a nun serving food and pouring tea for them.

Oh, not just their table, but the table across seemed to receive special treatment as well.

Shen Ziqiao smiled splendidly as she looked at the people across, and then her smile immediately dropped. How come I encounter Qi Zheng everywhere?

Uncle Qun who was with Qi Zheng also noticed Shen Ziqiao. He glanced at her unhappily before standing up and blocking her line of sight, refusing to let her see Qi Zheng.

Shen Ziqiao was so mad that she almost choked on tofu.

Who does he think I am? He really thinks that I'm infatuated with this Young Master?

Qi Zheng slightly lifted his head and took in Shen Ziqiao’s regretful look. He was suddenly feeling better after he was deceived into coming to this temple.

“Young Master, try this tofu soup. It’s very fresh and sweet.” Uncle Qun smiled as he ladled a bowl of soup for Qi Zheng.

The latter took the bowl and was able to take a sip when, suddenly, he stopped and placed the bowl down. “I’m going to eat before tasting the soup.”

He picked up his chopsticks and looked through the dishes. He disliked them all and he said, “What are these dishes? Have someone cook the food again.”

Uncle Qun said, “Young Master, these are all vegetable dishes.”

Qi Zheng slammed his chopsticks down and said loudly, “I don’t want to eat this. The food isn’t made for humans!”

Shen Ziqiao didn’t expect for this man to be so childish. He was pretending to be stupid, not that he was actually stupid. How could he be so picky with the dishes in the temple in public? She couldn’t help but say, “It’s shameful to waste food!”

“Stop meddling in other people’s business!” Uncle Qun coldly glared at her.

Qi Zheng didn’t spare Shen Ziqiao another look as he slammed the table and said, “Change the dishes. I want roast duck and meat!”

Uncle Qun was clearly stunned by Qi Zheng’s tantrum and he wasn’t able to react for a moment.

Everyone in the dining hall was startled and they stared at Qi Zheng in shock. Seeing that he smashed the bowl of tofu soup on the ground, they revealed looks of displeasure.

Shen Ziqiao couldn’t hold it in anymore and pointed at Qi Zheng. “What are you making a fuss for? If you want to eat something, then go home and eat.”

Qi Zheng coldly glared at her.

“What’s bad about the food here? Could it be that you want delicious food and to drink liquor here? What’s disgusting about the soup? Where are you going to get a taste of such delicious tofu soup from outside?” Shen Ziqiao ladled a bowl of tofu soup for herself unhappily.

“Scram!” Qi Zheng smacked the tofu soup and there was anger in his eyes.

Shen Ziqiao was almost burned by the soup and she was furious. She slightly narrowed her eyes and said, “You bastard!”

“What? What happened?” The nun who had just served food for Qi Zheng came just in time.

“Drink the soup. It’s disgusting.” Qi Zheng pointed at her and wanted the nun to drink the tofu soup.

The nun laughed dryly. “The kitchen made this. If it doesn’t fit your taste, I’ll have them cook something else.”

Uncle Qun had watched Qi Zheng grow up, and his Young Master was never a person who made trouble without reason or even casually made things difficult for others. Something must’ve happened for him to act this way. He glanced at the vegetable dishes on the table. Could it be...

“You don’t need to have the kitchen cook. He’ll be full from inhaling air. You don’t want to eat right? There’s plenty of food for the others to eat.” Shen Ziqiao glared at him and called Zhao Di and Yin Hua over to pass the food for the others to eat.

Before Zhao Di and Yin Hua came over, Qi Zheng gave Uncle Qun a look.

Uncle Qun understood and poured all the dishes into the soup. “Since the Young Master doesn’t like it, then don’t eat it. This servant will accompany you to eat something else.”

“You…” Shen Ziqiao was so angry that she wanted to pick up the chair and throw it against these two stupid people.

The nun was about to cry.

Qi Zheng pulled on Shen Ziqiao’s hand and said stupidly, “Seeing that you helped me, I’ll take you down to eat something.”

“Who the heck cares about you…” Before Shen Ziqiao finished her words, she was pulled out by Qi Zheng.

She wasn’t as powerful as Qi Zheng and the latter had gripped her wrist hard. She was dragged to the door by him.

Zhao Di and Yin Hua were stunned for a while before chasing over, panting. “Third Miss.”

Qi Zheng faintly glanced at the angry Shen Ziqiao before letting her go. “Uncle Qun?”

Uncle Qun walked over and took out a silver needle and replied, “Young Master, there is really poison in the soup. This servant just tested and in order to prevent suspicion, I didn’t say anything before.”

Poison? Shen Ziqiao glanced at the silver needle turning black with widened eyes. Were they shooting a movie here?!

“Go find out who is behind this.” Qi Zheng said in a low voice.

Uncle Qun answered, but he looked towards Shen Ziqiao. He suddenly became nervous. Oh no. He and Young Master were too careless and now this woman knows that Young Master isn’t a real fool!

Qi Zheng turned around to look at Shen Ziqiao and he said, “I’ll go back with you.”

“What?” Go back with her to where?