The servant longed to weep, but all he could do was get down on all fours, pick up the sandwiches, and begin eating.
The fallen sandwiches were already cold, and as they entered the servant’s mouth, he could feel the grit and sand mixed in them. Ever since he’d started serving Chen Gong, he’d been eating better than most well-off families did—never had there been food like this, that even the manor’s dogs would refuse. He was on the verge of tears from the very first bite. But Shen Qiao was still watching him, so he had to swallow it, mouthful by mouthful. He looked like he was being force-fed poison.
When he noticed his fellows were just staring at him blankly, he roared, “Hurry up and help me eat!”
The very fiber of their being screamed in reluctance, but their master valued the servant greatly, so all they could do was crouch down alongside him and start eating as well.
Ever since he’d become the emperor’s new favorite, the Duke of Pengcheng County had been the talk of the town—even the monastery’s abbot had heard of him. When he saw Shen Qiao treat these people with such complete and utter lack of courtesy he gaped, astonished.
One of the boy priests pulled on the corner of his master’s robe. “Shifu,” he whispered, “won’t we get dragged into the middle of things if the Duke of Whatever County returns to settle scores?”
The abbot twisted around to look at him and dropped his voice low. “Shut up! Don’t you see how amazing our visitor’s martial arts are?!”
Shen Qiao heard him but pretended not to. After each man had finished about a dozen sandwiches, they cried miserably that they truly couldn’t eat anymore, begging Shen Qiao to let them go.
However, there were at least a few dozen sandwiches still on the ground. Shen Qiao shook his head. “If I let you bring them back with you, I’m sure you’ll throw them out along the way. So you must finish them all here, or you can forget about leaving.”
The servant was trembling in terror. “Sir, this lowly one’s master is still awaiting his report!”
“If you don’t get back in time, he’ll just dispatch more people here. Wouldn’t that give you more mouths to help you eat?”
The servant dared not make another a sound. Agonized, he lowered his head and went back to eating.
All the way from evening until nightfall, the dozen or so men ate and ate, gobbling and gulping down the food. It wasn’t until their stomachs were stretched round and taut, their faces ashen, that Shen Qiao finally let them stop.
It was like they’d been granted great amnesty—they could barely stand up straight and had to support each other as they respectfully came before Shen Qiao, begging for forgiveness.
“Go back and tell your master that I’m only passing through and won’t be staying for long. I’ll leave tomorrow, so there’s no need to come here and harass the abbot.”
The servant forced a smile. “Surely Shen-gongzi jests! How could we dare?”
In truth, Shen Qiao had seen right through him. That was exactly what his plan had been.
Shen Qiao didn’t say anything more and let them leave.
Once the fiends had walked some distance away, the abbot finally came up to Shen Qiao and sighed. “Sir, you’ve brought quite a bit of trouble to our monastery. We’ve always lived as recluses and never caused any problems. And yet today, misfortune has befallen us. Just what did we do to deserve this?”
“You need not worry,” said Shen Qiao apologetically. “This has nothing to do with you. Tomorrow, I’ll find the person in question and clear things up. Then they won’t come looking for you anymore.”
The abbot was still somewhat displeased. “That’d be for the best!”
Shen Qiao fished several copper coins from his sleeve and handed them to him. “I’ve caused you a lot of trouble. I don’t have much on me, but please accept my token of sincerity—take it as money for incense. I hope it’s enough?”
The abbot’s expression finally lightened a little. He glanced at his two disciples, both of whom were looking back at him. With a cough, he gathered his sleeves and tucked the coins into his hand. “Just barely. It’s late and the cold winds are harsh. Please come inside and rest.”
Shen Qiao smiled and went inside with them.
Those two boy priests had thought that there’d be donkey-meat sandwiches to enjoy. Instead, they’d been put through a mess—no sandwiches, but at least they’d gotten a good show out of it. While the abbot worried that they’d offended someone, the boy priests were bubbling over with excitement. Especially the one who’d earlier received Shen Qiao so listlessly—his attitude had completely changed, and he was practically glowing as he gazed at Shen Qiao.
“Shen-langjun, do you know who’s behind him? He’s the Duke of Pengcheng County, the emperor’s new favorite official. I heard that for him, the emperor was even willing to…”
The rest of his sentence disappeared, cut off by the pain of the abbot’s slap on the back of his head.
“What are you saying at your age!” the abbot scolded.
The boy cradled his head, feeling wounded and sulky. “But, Shifu, you’re the one who told us!”
The abbot rolled his eyes. “Hurry up and cook already, your shifu’s about to starve to death!”
“Didn’t your esteemed self say not to eat after noon?”
“That’s on a normal day, when we’re living our peaceful, reclusive lives! Of course two meals are enough then. But today we got thrown into hot water, and for what! I’m practically starving from anger! If you don’t want to eat, then at least think about your shifu!”
“I’ve only heard of anger making you full, not hungry…” the boy mumbled. The abbot raised his hand again, and he quickly darted away. “I’m going to go cook!”
“Wretched disciple!” Though displeased, the abbot patted the other boy’s head. “Chuyi’s always running amok. Shiwu is still the best behaved.”
Shiwu smiled shyly, then raised his head to ask Shen Qiao, “Shen-langjun, our monastery doesn’t have many ingredients, so we can only make simple things. Please forgive us. Would your honored self like to eat noodles or rice?”
The abbot was aghast. “You! Child of bad luck! I just praised you and you’re already strutting about! That flour is for New Year’s!”
Just as the words left him, the abbot knew he’d said too much. He quickly glanced at Shen Qiao, then awkwardly shut his mouth.