Zhenfubao waved his hand and the warehouse was full of grain, and the whole family regretted it

Naitang's brothers were very efficient and caught more than twenty crickets in a short time.

All the crickets in the cage were frightened and huddled together, trembling all over, except for one.

The cricket raised its head high, and stared at Bai Wanwan with its round eyes, full of curiosity.

Bai Wanwan immediately liked it and said, "This one's good. Let's catch a few more powerful ones as backup."

The group searched for another hour and finally caught a few decent-sized crickets.

There was a cricket whose back was golden with some red streaks.

The other tooth is purple, and it looks like it's not something you can mess with.

There is also a green one with translucent wings, long and strong legs, and its voice is particularly loud when it calls.

Early the next morning, before it was fully light, Bai Wanwan rushed into the house and pulled Shen Tao out of bed.

Shen Tao's hair was messy, and there were grass leaves on his face. He asked dazedly, "What are you doing?"

Bai Wanwan shook the cricket cage in her hand and said, "Didn't we agree to go cricket fighting?"

Shen Tao saw that it was pitch black outside and lay down again: "It's not even daybreak yet! What are you fighting about? I need to sleep."

Shen Tao was in a daze when he suddenly heard a series of "ho ho ho" sounds.

He suddenly woke up and asked loudly, "What's that sound? Why are the crickets chirping so beautifully?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw the bamboo cage in Bai Wanwan's hand.

The cage was made of thin bamboo strips. Through the gaps, you could see a few crickets inside flapping their wings.

There was a jet-black cricket standing in the middle of the cage, its two antennae swaying.

The one next to it had a golden glow on its back, and from time to time it showed its big purple teeth, as if it was demonstrating to people.

There is fresh grass under the cage, which looks clean and comfortable.

Bai Wanwan shook the cage, and the crickets inside chirped even more happily: "Did you hear that? These are all the new generals I caught last night. We'll rely on them for the cricket fight later!"

Shen Tao rubbed his eyes vigorously, staring at the sleek cricket in the cage in amazement:

"Wow! Look at this bug! It's as big as a small fist, and its teeth look so formidable.

It will definitely beat the crickets from other houses into a pulp! Let’s go, let’s go now!”

Bai Wanwan glanced at the thick night outside and said unhappily, "It's not even daylight yet, why are you so anxious?"

Shen Tao slapped his forehead and suddenly became alert:

"Got it! Let's go have breakfast first!

I know a restaurant in Bianjing that makes amazing shrimp dumplings. I guarantee you’ll never forget them!

Bai Wanwan's eyes lit up, and she nodded in agreement. The two of them carried the cricket cage and walked along the cobblestone road towards the east of the city.

From a distance, you can see the three large gold-plated characters on the "Yue Lai Ju" sign, and the lanterns swaying gently in the morning breeze.

This restaurant is well-known in Bian Jing. The two-story carved pavilion is magnificent and bright. The windows are covered with snow-white cotton paper and let in warm yellow light.

As soon as I arrived at the door, I was greeted by the smell of hot steam from the steamer, mixed with the aroma of shrimp oil, glutinous rice, and the bitter taste of tea.

The shop was already full of customers. The waiters were walking around with trays in their hands, calling out, "Fresh shrimp rice rolls are here... Three servings of water chestnut cakes..."

They arrived at the private room. Bai Wanwan casually sat down at the eight-person table and waved to the waiter, "Bring all your signature dishes! Shrimp dumplings, steamed buns, rice rolls, and osmanthus cakes. Don't leave out any of them!"

The waiter looked at the two women's frail bodies and said with a forced smile, "Girls, how can you two finish all this? Why don't you order a few dishes to try first?"

Bai Wanwan raised her chin and said, "If I tell you to go ahead, then go ahead..."

Her four little maids haven't eaten yet! Not to mention the first and second days of the new year...

After a while, the waiter came jogging over with a tray.

Zhiwei skillfully poured tea for the young lady. Bai Wanwan said, "Don't be polite. The prince is treating us today. Eat as much as you can. Consider it a treat."

"Bai Wanwan, are you here at the Princess's residence just to eat and drink for free?"

Bai Wanwan looked at him and said, "What else? Coming to the Princess's Mansion means I don't need to spend my own money. I'm actually quite happy."

He was so angry that he almost laughed. He didn't expect that he would be tricked by this little girl.

Shen Tao glanced at Chuyi and Chuer standing behind Bai Wanwan with their hands hanging down, and suddenly grinned:

"Don't you two feel wronged by following that stingy master?

Come to my house and be a guard. You'll get one hundred taels of silver a month. I guarantee you'll live a better life than you do now!"

Chuyi said lightly:

"I appreciate your kindness, sir.

For us, money is enough as long as it is enough for us to spend.”

Shen Tao was so anxious that he kept rubbing his hands together, his neck stretched out. "How much does she pay you every month? If you agree, I'll pay you ten times the price!"

"Fifty taels, but we are not selling ourselves. If you want to leave, the young master will never stop you." Chuyi said lightly.

Chu Er also sneered and said, "Yes, we won't go anywhere else, just follow the lady."

Shen Tao's face flushed red as he grabbed a crab roe bun and took a big bite.

"Like master, like servant. They are all so arrogant!

I really don’t understand what’s so great about it!”

"Squeak..." Chu Er suddenly took a half step forward, and the soft sword at his waist rang lightly with his movement: "Mr. Shen, be careful with your words."

A chill ran up his spine and up to his head, and Shen Tao shuddered in fear: "Eat, eat breakfast! You two are welcome, eat more!"

After breakfast, the sun was already high in the sky.

Shen Tao and Bai Wanwan carried the cricket cage and took Chuyi and Chuer to the west of the city.

As soon as I entered Hongxiuzhao, I heard Wang Jingheng's voice:

"Is that little girl scared? Why hasn't she come yet?

My Black Overlord is already thirsty and hungry."

A circle of young men gathered around the field, all stretching their necks, vying to show off their crickets.

The prince in red robes lifted up the cage, and the cricket inside bared its large purple-black teeth:

"See? This is the Purple-Faced Overlord I brought from Shandong. I spent five hundred taels of silver!

I just defeated the Insect King from Mr. Li’s family in the south of the city last month!"

"You dare to show off with five hundred taels?" Young Master Zhao sneered and shook open the gold cage cloth.

"I've specially hired a Suzhou insect master to nurse this golden-winged tiger for half a year!

You can’t get it without two thousand taels of silver!”

Suddenly a fat young man squeezed into the crowd, panting and slamming the cage onto the table:

"What are you talking about? I, General Iron Head, am a foreign species sent as tribute from the Western Regions!

Its teeth are sharper than iron hooks. My father specially sent eight people to bring it back on horseback for half a month!

The cricket in the cage seemed to understand what its owner said, chirping even more happily, and its wings almost flapped out shadows.

As Bai Wanwan and Shen Tao entered the venue, the originally noisy laughter suddenly stopped.

Shen Tao crossed his arms and glanced around with a raised eyebrow. "Why, are you all waiting for us? Have you brought all the crickets?"

As soon as he finished speaking, six cricket cages inlaid with gold and jade were placed on the table. The insects in the cages flapped their wings, and the chirping sounds were like the beating of war drums.