Madam Chen had truly not prepared anything else. Her heart had been in her throat the moment the Village Chief invited the officers to stay for a meal, as she had nothing at home but common, everyday fare.
She worried that failing to provide a spread of fine meat and fish to entertain such esteemed guests would be seen as a lack of respect. She dared not even imagine the consequences of offending the officers, yet with so many people present, she could not explain the situation to the Village Chief directly and could only stand in the back, fretting in silence.
Only when she finally heard the officers say they would not be eating and were preparing to leave did her heart, which had been hanging by a thread, finally settle. She had truly been frightened nearly to death just moments ago.
Chapter 258