Huangfu Yue strolled through the street with a trace of curiosity, her attire quickly drawing a large crowd. She paid them no mind.
She thought to herself that this place was no longer within the five-hundred-mile radius of the blockaded capital, so she was temporarily safe. Being stared at didn't concern her; no one would ever imagine she was a disgraced member of the Prince of Dai's household.
"Silver thread candy for sale! Silver thread candy for sale!" a hawker's cry suddenly came from behind her.
Silver thread candy? She'd never heard of it. What could it be?
It must be some kind of candy! Huangfu Yue turned her head with a hint of curiosity and saw a vendor with finely spun candy calling out his wares.
Her bright eyes behind the veil sparkled with a flicker of joy.
It was Dragon's Whisker Candy!
This kind of candy, Dragon's Whisker Candy, was a specialty snack from her hometown. It was said to be a delicacy favored by ancient emperors.
Dragon's Whisker Candy was spun into countless fine threads, its layers distinct. It was crisp and sweet upon entering the mouth, melting away slowly with just a gentle press, leaving no residue, with a sweet aftertaste that wasn't cloying. It was exceptionally delicious.
She had loved eating it as a child.
She hadn't expected to encounter it here, where it was called Silver Thread Candy.
"How much are your Silver Thread Candies?" Huangfu Yue stepped forward and asked the vendor.
Seeing the Silver Thread Candy, she felt a surge of nostalgia and a desire to eat it.
"Ten coins for a clump," the vendor replied, surreptitiously sizing her up with curious eyes, seeming eager to know what she looked like.
"A clump? How big is a clump?" Huangfu Yue asked, ignoring the vendor's scrutiny and curiosity.
The vendor picked up a small, rolled-up clump and showed it to Huangfu Yue, "This big."
It was a bit small, about fifty grams, or an ounce. However, ten coins wasn't expensive.
She decided to buy it.
"Do you have paper bags to pack them? I want thirty clumps," Huangfu Yue said.
Ten clumps would be enough for her to eat. She wanted to take the rest back for her nephews and nieces.
Children all loved sweets. Her nephews and nieces would surely be delighted to see this candy.
"Yes, yes, I'll pack them for you right away." The vendor was clearly surprised that Huangfu Yue wanted to buy so much, his face beaming with joy as he nodded enthusiastically.
He quickly took out a brown paper bag and packed thirty clumps of Silver Thread Candy into it.
Huangfu Yue had her spatial dimension produce three hundred coins, which she handed to the vendor. The money she had taken out of her spatial dimension and kept on her person was all used up. However, her spatial dimension was more convenient than a wallet; she could have it produce as much money as she wanted at any time.
The vendor respectfully handed the paper bag filled with Silver Thread Candy to Huangfu Yue with both hands. Huangfu Yue took the bag and left. As soon as she turned away, she took out a clump of Silver Thread Candy and brought it to her red lips behind the veil, beginning to eat it.
It was delicious, almost the same as what she had eaten as a child, perhaps even a little better because it was crispier and softer.
She wondered if the Silver Thread Candy was made by the vendor himself. If so, his craftsmanship was truly impressive…
"Truly, 'to look fetching, wear white filial piety'! Look at that young lady in mourning clothes ahead. Her back is so alluring! I dare say she must be a great beauty!"
Just as Huangfu Yue finished the candy in her hand, she suddenly heard an excited male voice from behind. The voice was flippant and lewd, causing her physical discomfort.
Huangfu Yue immediately knew he was talking about her as the remark reached her ears. There seemed to be no one else on this street wearing mourning clothes but her.
Her exquisite brows furrowed. What kind of rake was this, saying such vulgar and disgusting things to a woman clearly in mourning? He must be itching for a beating.
Huangfu Yue turned around and saw, not far away, a young man dressed in wealth, with a pointed mouth and monkey-like cheeks, his face oozing lewdness. Yet, he held an ivory fan and fanned himself incessantly, seemingly trying to appear like a noble scholar.
The man was pointing at himself with his index finger, speaking to the two household guards beside him.
"Young master, she's turned around and is staring at you. She must have heard your words," said one of the guards.
The man dismissed it nonchalantly, "So what if she heard? What's the big deal?"
He fanned himself and walked towards Huangfu Yue. "Young lady, may I ask which elder in your family has passed away? If you are facing any difficulties and need assistance, feel free to tell this young master. I am most willing to help…
If you wish to sell yourself to arrange the burial for your departed family, this young master can buy you for fifty taels of silver."
What? He wanted to buy her?! Huangfu Yue was bewildered, seriously doubting if her ears were playing tricks on her.
What kind of idiot was this!
She had initially thought he was merely lecherous, but now she realized he was also brain-damaged.
"Young lady, why aren't you speaking? Do you find fifty taels too little? Fifty taels is not a small sum. The maid I bought to be my concubine a few days ago only cost thirty taels…
It's because I see your graceful posture and captivating demeanor, and I'm certain you're a great beauty, that I'm offering you fifty taels," the man called out loudly, clearly displeased by Huangfu Yue's lack of response.
Huangfu Yue could no longer stand it. She took out her whip from her spatial dimension and lashed out at the man. She put some force into it, sending the man flying with a single whip strike…
"Ah—" the man cried out in pain, flying several yards before crashing heavily to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of bright red blood.
The surrounding onlookers were stunned. The man's two servants, snapping back to reality, rushed towards him anxiously.
"Young master!" The two servants reached the man, who was still on the ground and unable to get up, and helped him up. They discovered he was severely injured and spat out another mouthful of blood, causing them to cry out in alarm.
"Bitch, how dare you hit me? Do you know who I am? I am the beloved son of the county magistrate of Fumin County…
You must have the guts of a bear to hit me! Do you know what your fate will be? I will beat you half to death and then sell you to the lowest-grade brothel, where you will be ridden by a thousand men and pressed by ten thousand, making you wish you were dead… My… Zhuo He Ya ah…"
The man, enduring the intense pain, glared at Huangfu Yue and cursed her, making fierce threats. However, before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Huangfu Yue's whip.
Huangfu Yue lashed him again, this time aiming specifically for his mouth, breaking his teeth and causing his mouth to bleed profusely. The pain made him wish he were dead.
"Young master, this is a terrifying shrew! We can't afford to provoke her. Let's run quickly. If we delay, she might beat you to death." One of the servants holding the man was sharp-witted. He immediately realized that Huangfu Yue was not someone they could afford to offend. Without any thought of avenging his master, he exchanged a glance with the other servant, and together they grabbed the man, stood him up, and fled.
The man, foolish as he was, knew this was not the time to play the hero. His life was more important; he had to escape quickly.
Watching the three flee in disarray, Huangfu Yue looked at them with disdain but did not give chase.
They had not injured anyone or taken any lives, so there was no need to take their lives. That would be too brutal!
The son of the Fumin County magistrate had been punished, and she had vented some of her anger. She would magnanimously let him off the hook.
However, the county magistrate of Fumin County having such a son, and not strictly disciplining him, allowing him to come out and harass respectable women, likely meant he was not a good person himself, and certainly not a good official.
Huangfu Yue shook her head, deciding not to dwell on it. She would continue her shopping.
She wouldn't let that scoundrel ruin her mood or spoil her shopping excursion.
With that thought, Huangfu Yue put away her whip and reached into the paper bag of candy, taking out another clump and putting it in her mouth.
Why did the second clump of candy taste even better than the first!
Huangfu Yue turned around, eating the candy as she resumed her stroll. Little did she know that she was soon to face great trouble…