Chapter 69 – The Tiger Bone Seems Real But It’S Actually Fake (1)
Zhou Xiaoxiao explored the city with Juanzi and they enjoyed their days there. They were watching an opera and then they tried out tea in the teahouse. In the morning, they bought combs and cosmetics and went shopping at noon.
Today, the two were carrying bags of all sizes, shopping at a gathering which was unbelievably packed. There were all sorts of vendor’s stalls packed next to each other, some selling food and others selling products. It was a boiling cauldron of noises and a deafening sound of gong surrounding the women.
One could see a person producing lotus from an empty pot of wine, instead of doing a somersault or a handstand as expected. Everyone paused and spectated this sight. There was a pair of daughter and father by the side who had glued a ring, playing a Chinese yo-yo in fancy ways. From time to time, they criss crossed their legs and spin back, or climb a tightrope upside down, or glance up at the moon while performing. This caused people to cheer at their skills.
Zhou Xiaoxiao enjoyed watching the performing artists show off their skills and when they were about to go, she was attracted by a wrestling site. She squeezed into the crowd to watch the show.
There were two sturdy men in the middle whose upper parts of their bodies were bare, dodging and ducking each other’s attacks.
At the corner of the site, while a scammer was trying to grab everyone’s attention, he taught his disciples some experiences.
“You have to pay close attention when you’re wrestling. See how your senior brother is great at his skills? He held his second senior brother’s waist and slammed him on the ground while the latter followed suit and imitated him. They’re pretty good in combat.”
As Zhou Xiaoxiao was drawn to the fight, she suddenly heard cymbals clanging and a cry. She looked over to see a man from Northeast China who had an ordinary appearance wearing a hunting outfit. He carried a bench over and a carpet was spread on the ground, displaying four furry tiger legs.
He stepped one foot on the bench and cupped his fists, hollering, “All the elders and fellow countrymen, I’ve recently hunted a tiger by the north mountain range and I will be selling it right now in order to subsidize my family. The tiger bone is beneficial and handy for many purposes. It is specifically used to heal all sorts of injuries, sores, and deficiencies. Even if you’re not ill, it can be used to make wine and strengthen bodies. I don’t sell things as expensive as the dishonest businessmen in pharmacies; it’s only two coins for 50 grams of tiger bones.”
Normally, pharmacies would sell 50 grams of tiger bones for about seven to eight coin; but, they only needed to pay two coins for this. Although it was exquisite and still expensive, numerous people gathered over.
That man immediately took out a saw and started to saw the tiger legs as he stepped on the bench, selling it right then.
Ingots of ingots of silver landed in the pocket of the man selling tiger bones.
Juanzi glanced at this from the side, looking at the sharp claws and sturdy muscles and bones. She couldn’t help but pull Zhou Xiaoxiao over in shock and say, “In the past, lady has hunted a tiger before, but it didn’t sell as good as this one.”
Gongs and drums sounded the air so one would have to raise their voice in order to be heard. Coincidentally, while Juanzi was talking, the noises became softer and her words stood out, catching everyone’s attention.
Everyone looked at Zhou Xiaoxiao who wore hairpins and a dress, like a little girl; they couldn’t help but laugh at her.
The man selling tiger bones coldly humphed and said, “Little lady, if you’re not buying tiger bones, don’t cause a disturbance here. A delicate young woman like you would’ve wet your dress at the sight of the fierce tiger, running to your parents sobbing.”
Everyone chuckled again.
Juanzi’s face was flushed from the anger, about to retort.
Zhou Xiaoxiao stopped her and smiled, saying in a clear voice, “My family are all hunters and don’t mention whether we’ve caught the tiger before or not, but we had seen them frequently. Your tiger bones appear to be real but it’s actual fake.”
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