Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 683 - 537: Harvesting Leeks_2

The first in line was a middle-aged man who looked quite affluent. He casually handed over a piece of silver.

The person collecting payments immediately took the silver and asked, "Which market are you from, and what is your name?"

The man replied, "Fengle Square, Jia Wansheng."

The accountant selected a ledger from several, flipped through it, and promptly found the page for Fengle Square, also locating Jia Wansheng’s name. He marked a note behind the name, and someone handed Jia Wansheng a bowl of medicine. He gulped it down, wiped his mouth, and turned back to Changle Square.

Following him, the second person stepped forward, handed over the silver and said, "Liu Ying Village outside the city, Ding the Fourth."

The cashier picked up another ledger, turned to the Liu Ying Village page to record it. Then someone collected the silver and gave that person a bowl of medicine to drink.

Seeing this scenario, Shang Ruyi understood.

They were likely registering all the patients entering Changle Square, marking each bowl of medicine consumed to keep track of the dosage and prevent impersonation for extra medicine. Although the process was somewhat slow, it was orderly.

In a short time, dozens of people finished their medicine and returned to Changle Square.

At this point, Pei Xingyuan noticed Shang Ruyi standing to the side. He walked over, smiling brightly, "Ru—oh no, Young Madam, you’re here."

"Mr. Pei."

Seeing he still observed manners in public, Shang Ruyi smiled as well. Pei Xingyuan said, "Why did you come here? It’s not a good place to stay."

Shang Ruyi replied, "I heard they were short on hands here, so I was worried. I brought She’er and others to help."

Pei Xingyuan waved his hand dismissively, "What’s there to worry about? With me, Pei Xingyuan here, everyone can drink medicine to heal their sicknesses!"

Seeing him like this, Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but smile again.

But before she could say anything, Wu Huanzhi coldly said, "What Mr. Pei said is true; it indeed cures diseases."

"..."

"However, once cured, I fear these people will be financially drained."

Upon hearing this, Pei Xingyuan and Shang Ruyi were both stunned and turned to look at him.

Pei Xingyuan crossed his arms, his eyes still smiling, but no longer the pure joy that contagiously infected everyone around. Instead, they showed a hint of wariness: "What do you mean by that, Mr. Wu?"

Wu Huanzhi spoke softly, "Isn’t one piece of silver per bowl of medicine too expensive?"

"..."

"The Duke arranged to clear Changle Square for treating patients to save lives, not so Mr. Pei can profit—"

He ultimately didn’t say the last word.

Yet, even if he left it unsaid, everyone present understood what he meant to convey. Shang Ruyi, although prepared, couldn’t help but her face darkened at this moment.

Thankfully, the veil on her face hid her momentary distraction.

Meanwhile, Pei Xingyuan showed no sign of guilt. The eyes revealed from under his veil still curved in a smile, even deeper than before.

Just as he was about to say something to Wu Huanzhi, a middle-aged man at the forefront of the queue suddenly said, "Everyone, the medicine is too expensive! I’ve lived for over forty years, and never once have I drank a bowl of medicine worth a piece of silver!"

Upon hearing this, those busy around the long table paused.

These words struck a chord with the patients behind, and immediately someone voiced agreement: "That’s right, a piece of silver for a bowl of medicine, that’s too expensive!"

"Everywhere else gives out medicine for free. You guys are selling it instead, and at such a high price!"

"Where do we even have that much money!" 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"It was Duke Sheng who ordered you to come save us, how could you do this?"

Clearly, the crowd had been discontented with them selling medicine from the beginning. So at the first voice of dissent, it immediately stirred everyone into a clamor of complaints.

Wu Huanzhi sighed, looking up to Pei Xingyuan, "Mr. Pei, this time it’s not me who’s speaking."

After speaking he glanced at Shang Ruyi beside him.

He considered that a Young Madam like Yu Wen, who dared enter Changle Square despite its dangers, must be kind-hearted. Upon hearing these words, she might be moved and help persuade Mr. Pei; but to his surprise, when he turned to her, he faced a cold, stony face devoid of any mortification.

Shang Ruyi calmly watched her surroundings, showing no sign of guilt.

Wu Huanzhi was momentarily at a loss.

As the voices of the crowd grew louder, threatening to overturn the long table at the front, Pei Xingyuan suddenly stepped forward to the very front. He waved grandly, and the people around seemed aware of his identity, quieting down immediately.

For a moment, hundreds of eyes filled with various emotions converged on him, although Shang Ruyi hadn’t stood at the front, she felt a bit uneasy.

With so many people here, if turmoil erupts—

And just as she subconsciously held her breath, Pei Xingyuan already chuckled faintly, saying, "What are you all making such a fuss about?"

At this moment, the middle-aged man causing the commotion stepped forward, saying, "Mr. Pei, we’re just asking you for justice."

"..."

"With the pandemic rampant, everyone’s in danger. The Duke ordered Changle Square emptied to treat people, so we could recover and leave sooner. But you, how can you sell medicine here?"

"..."

"Aren’t you just treating us like chives to be harvested?"

Upon hearing these words, Pei Xingyuan blinked in puzzlement.

Not only was he puzzled, Shang Ruyi was also stunned, and even the patients who had previously agreed with the man were taken aback. Someone muttered, "Treating us like chives, what does that mean?"