Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 702 - 548: Hunter and Prey

"Mr. Pei!"

The voice abruptly interrupted him, coldly saying, "We agreed from the start, you don’t ask, I don’t answer. If you insist on pursuing this, then I won’t do this deal."

"..."

"After all, a thousand taels of silver aren’t more important than my life."

Upon hearing this, Pei Xingyuan immediately said, "Fine, I won’t ask."

The other party’s tone finally softened a bit, "So, do you agree to the thousand taels of silver?"

"..."

At this moment, Pei Xingyuan also furrowed his brows slightly.

Although he had long prepared for this and knew the purpose of doing it, whether it was Yu Wenye or Shen Wuzheng, for this plan, both were committed wholeheartedly. If they don’t uncover the person who remains hidden behind the scenes, never revealing themselves but controlling their lifelines everywhere, not only is Yu Wenye’s life in jeopardy, the future of those visibly tied to Yu Wenye will be even tougher.

After all, everyone knows that the cure for the plague this time concerns the nation’s future foundation.

It implicates the lives and fortunes of everyone in the court.

Only, a thousand taels of silver...

This indeed isn’t a small sum. Even for these few noble family members, it’s not something they can produce casually, and the deadline is today. If he agrees now, there will only be half a day left to gather the funds when he returns.

However—

If their previous interactions in the city still held some mutual caution, this time the other party’s exorbitant demand confirms his intent to profit from this opportunity.

This is precisely the rare chance they have been hoping for!

Thinking of this, Pei Xingyuan took a deep breath and said, "Fine, I agree with you!"

As soon as the words fell, the second floor of the tavern became quiet again, only the atmosphere was no longer oppressive, rather, there was a sense of relief as if a long-cherished wish was fulfilled. But Pei Xingyuan quickly felt an invisible heavy burden pressing down on him. The next moment, he heard the voice from the private room behind say, "Then, tonight at midnight, come alone to the North Gate of the East Market."

After speaking, Pei Xingyuan then heard the sound of a chair being scrapped behind, it was the person preparing to leave.

He immediately said, "Wait, I have one more condition."

The other party stopped, "What condition?"

Pei Xingyuan said, "I want to follow you to your warehouse where the medicine is stored."

"..."

The other party instantly fell silent, after a long pause, spoke in a peculiar tone, "You want to go to Yu — our warehouse? What do you intend to do?"

Pei Xingyuan said, "You want me to go alone, are you worried I might rob you?"

"..."

"I just want to make sure I get the real medicine."

"..."

"If you randomly gather some dead leaves to give me, once I take it back but it’s useless, won’t I get torn apart by those mobs just like today?"

"..."

"I want to go to your warehouse, randomly choose from it, make sure the quantity matches, that’s all. That way you won’t suffer a loss, and I’ll have peace of mind, how about it?"

The other party again fell silent for a while.

Although Pei Xingyuan’s request was reasonable, it was somewhat excessive. However, the air didn’t carry any smell of conflict or agitation, instead, it seemed like the other party let out a long breath.

Pei Xingyuan was puzzled by this, when he heard the other party say, "Fine, I agree with you."

"..."

"Tonight, I’ll take you to — our warehouse."

Pei Xingyuan was thrilled, "Deal!"

As soon as the words were said, the sound of the bead curtain rustling behind the private room was heard, Pei Xingyuan paused for a moment, then walked out to see, just managing to catch sight of Jin Daji’s thin as a monkey figure swiftly disappearing at the staircase, below, the sound of the waiter rang out, "Honored guest, take care!"

The footsteps had already receded.

Pei Xingyuan’s gaze slightly darkened, as he saw the waiter hurriedly coming up to the second floor, carrying a plate of food, smiling broadly as he placed it in front of him, "Young Master, you seem impatient, the kitchen is already preparing, the remaining dishes will be served immediately."

As he spoke, he placed the dishes on the table.

But Pei Xingyuan didn’t sit down to eat, instead, he put down a silver ingot, "I won’t be eating the food — the money is here, do as you please."

After saying that, he turned to leave.

"Hey?"

The waiter was startled, hurriedly followed, "Young Master, what’s the matter, did our humble shop not serve you well?"

Pei Xingyuan said, while walking towards the staircase, "I have an urgent matter."

After saying that, he stopped, looked at the eager waiter, habitually drawn another silver ingot from his sleeve as a reward, but just about to give it, suddenly hesitated, thought for a moment, reluctantly put the silver back, and fetched a few coins as reward for the waiter, "This is for you."

After saying that, hurriedly went downstairs.

Watching his departing figure, then glanced down at the reward and the money for the drinks and dishes on the table, the waiter although somewhat puzzled, still chuckled. These days without making a profit, today however only getting a few coins is also good, only felt this person strange, clearly ordered drinks and dishes while urging the kitchen, yet when served, didn’t touch a single bite. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

This, probably is the eccentricity of these rich people.

Actually, stranger still was the guest in the private room next to that gentleman just now, seemingly just an ordinary person in casual attire, usually only able to eat cheap drinks and dishes downstairs in the hall, yet today ascended the upper floor, opened a private room, and from start to finish, kept a smiling face.

That smile was like—

It’s like—

It’s like a hunter watching the clueless prey walk into his trap.

The waiter inexplicably shivered.

He immediately shook his head and muttered to himself, "It has nothing to do with me, why should I care? I should quickly go and have the kitchen take away the dishes, at least I can save some money on firewood and oil."

After saying that, he pocketed the silver on the table and went downstairs.

|

"What exactly are you all planning to do?"

The medicine pot on the stove was already starting to boil, and the escaping steam filled the sight between the two people.

Su Qinglan repeated the question again, although her tone was not harsh, the milky steam even made her eyes seem gentler, yet within that gentleness, there were hints of urgency.

"..."

Shang Ruyi looked at her, silent and speechless.

Su Qinglan glanced down at the bundle she had brought with her and said, "Although I took out all the savings from home, I’ve calculated it clearly. Those medicines won’t last for the patients here for even a few days."

"..."

"But today, it’s already the eighth day, and there’s still medicine in my bundle."

"..."

"I’ve also speculated that perhaps someone else is secretly giving me medicine. For example, on the side of Yanzuo Square, I’ve heard they dispense medicine without charge, they must have enough herbs."

"..."

"But their people can’t enter Changle Square; besides, I haven’t left here these days, only taking a short nap at night, which might have given someone an opportunity."

"..."

"So, the ones sending medicine into my bundle must be people from Changle Square."

"..."

"And in Changle Square, the only one with medicine is just one person—"

At this point, Su Qinglan’s eyes grew even more urgent. She softly said, "Young Madam, you are not doing this for money, correct?"

"..."

"You, Mr. Pei, possibly even the Great General, what exactly are you all trying to do?"

Shang Ruyi still didn’t say a word, merely looking at her quietly.

At that moment, outside suddenly came Tushere’s somewhat flustered shouting voice: "Hey, you, what’s wrong?"

Both of them started, and Su Qinglan didn’t have time to ask further and hurriedly stood up to run outside. Shang Ruyi followed, and they saw Tushere squatting by a stable, supporting someone, while slapping the person’s back and anxiously shouting, "Are you alright? Feeling any better?"

As they came closer, it turned out to be Jiang Yu.

His complexion was pale, his eyes bloodshot, and he opened his mouth to say something, but his throat seemed blocked, only able to make hoarse sounds, and his chest was stiff as iron, unable to even move slightly.

Seeing him like this, Shang Ruyi also got a fright: "What’s the matter?"

Tushere said anxiously: "I just let him drink some medicine, but after only half of it, he suddenly became like this. I don’t know either."

Su Qinglan immediately stepped forward, squatting down and saying, "It’s phlegm obstructing the heart aperture."

"Ah?"

Tushere was stunned, not yet reacting, and Su Qinglan had already crouched down, one hand rubbing from his lower back upwards while the other hand moved to his chest, pressing firmly on a few acupoints, and then suddenly clapped the back forcefully.

A gurgling sound was heard, and Jiang Yu immediately spat out a mouthful of thick phlegm, and then started coughing violently.

Tushere quickly approached and said, "Sir, are you feeling better now?"

Jiang Yu coughed for a long time, his face turning red from the effort, but he seemed more relaxed now, merely shaking his hand before weakly saying, "I’m, I’m alright now..."

Then, he chuckled and said, "Old age, I’m no longer useful."

Shang Ruyi then relaxed.

She turned to look at Su Qinglan, who was looking serious and said, "The severely ill patients here are mostly elderly folks, who have various old ailments. When they catch the plague, their hearts, lungs, and spleens get damaged, bringing out old illnesses; even if the plague is cured, these symptoms could drag them down."

As she spoke, she looked at Jiang Yu and said, "Elderly, you indulge in alcohol and meat, don’t you? That’s why your condition is the worst."

Jiang Yu had just barely escaped the Ghost Gate, and upon hearing this, his face turned red again, laughing, "I can’t give up meat and wine."

Hearing this, Shang Ruyi couldn’t help but smile a bit.

Su Qinglan said, "In any case, you must eat less."

"..."

"In short, your condition is rather severe now. I still need to prepare some other medicines for you to take together to alleviate your current symptoms."

Jiang Yu immediately said, "I, I actually have medicine at home."

He said then somewhat dejectedly, "Unfortunately, my son went out on business and hasn’t returned; otherwise, he could have brought it."

Just as he finished speaking, a commotion erupted behind them.

Someone yelled loudly, "Who’s there? No unauthorized persons are allowed in Changle Square!"