―――Su State Sub-prefecture.
At 7:00, the main street was bustling and noisy, with shops standing in rows, all open for business. A man with a black veil and a bamboo conical hat stopped in front of a steaming bun shop.
The man looked travel-weary, and beside him was the best thousand-mile red-brown horse from the post station.
The bun shop owner hurriedly draped his table-wiping cloth over his shoulder and asked with a smile, "What can I get for you, sir?"
"Two meat buns, to go." The man's face was hidden by his bamboo hat, but his voice sounded very impatient.
The owner quickly opened the steamer, and the hot steam and enticing aroma hit him. The man's stomach growled uncontrollably since he had not eaten for quite some time.
Two plump white buns were placed in a paper bag and handed to the man, who immediately took a bite without concern for the heat.
He searched his pocket for coins but only found some broken silver pieces.
