Ping Zhao Lu

Chapter 109 Being fooled

West Street, Qixiang Pharmacy

The pharmacy was crowded with people coming to get medicine. The line was so long that it almost extended to the door.

Fortunately, the store is quite spacious. It not only has dedicated counters and shelves, but also has several tables and chairs for customers to take a break, so that they don't have to stand all the time and get their feet tired.

At this time, Zhuang Yan was sitting quietly in the corner, holding a cup of fragrant tea in his hand, but his expression seemed extremely tense.

I saw him narrowing his eyes slightly, and his gaze occasionally swept over the people who were queuing up to get medicine, as if he was searching for someone in the crowd.

After tireless interrogation by the court guards, they finally obtained an extremely important clue from Li Yaocheng, the head of the pharmacy.

It is said that at noon today, someone will come to this pharmacy to complete a huge transaction.

As long as we can catch this person, we can follow the clues and dig out from his mouth the mastermind who has been manipulating the sale of fake drugs.

More importantly, if the mastermind behind this can be found successfully, it means that the true identity of the culprit who monopolized the medicinal materials market, arbitrarily raised drug prices, and even attempted to cut off the supply of medicinal materials to the entire Zhaojing City can be completely exposed!

Faced with such an important and urgent arrest mission, Zhuang Yan did not dare to slack off at all. He paid close attention to every move around him and was extremely alert.

However, Shang Jiu, who was carrying out the mission with him and sitting next to him, looked calm and composed.

He leisurely picked up the teacup in front of him, took a sip of the tea, turned around, and said to Zhuang Yan in a soft and steady voice, "Relax."

"Huh?" Zhuang Yan was startled by this sudden reminder, as if waking from a dream, and looked at Shang Jiu with a blank face. His eyes were a little dull, as if he was still immersed in his previous thoughts and couldn't extricate himself.

After seeing Shang Jiu's relaxed and natural expression, he suddenly realized that he was too focused and nervous about this matter.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his inner turmoil. He put on a silly smile, scratched his head and said, "It's a professional habit."

Shang Jiu put down the teacup, raised his eyes, first casually glanced at the scenery outside the window, and then turned his gaze to the crowd in the hall who were queuing up to get medicine.

His eyes were sharp and observant, and he could take in everyone's appearance with just a glance.

Then, he frowned slightly and spoke coldly, "It's past noon. Quite a few fat, big-eared men in grey linen have arrived, but none of them have the square white bags Li Yaocheng mentioned... It seems we've been tricked."

"What!" Hearing this, Zhuang Yan's eyes widened and his emotions instantly became excited. He stood up from his seat with such force that he even accidentally knocked over the chair next to him.

This sudden action was like a thunderclap, exploding in the originally quiet and peaceful lobby.

Everyone in the hall was frightened, and each of them had a look of astonishment on their face. They all cast puzzled glances towards Zhuang Yan.

Shang Jiu shook his head helplessly, reaching a hand to his forehead. An indescribable expression crossed his face, as if he was completely speechless at Zhuang Yan's reckless behavior. He quickly turned his head away, as if he was annoyed to even look at Zhuang Yan any longer.

Realizing his loss of composure, Zhuang Yan gave an awkward smile and quickly explained to the people around him, "It's okay, it's okay. Don't panic, everyone. I'm truly sorry! I simply didn't expect so many people to come get their medicine today. I've been waiting for a full hour... Hehe, I'm sorry to have startled you all."

After hearing this, everyone looked away.

Zhuang Yan couldn't hold back any longer. He hurriedly leaned over to Shang Jiu's ear and whispered anxiously, "What should we do? Go back and pry the Medicine Minister's words out?"

"No need." Shang Jiu said calmly, "He can confuse people, but we can't?"

Shang Jiu's words flashed through Zhuang Yan's mind like a flash of inspiration, and he suddenly realized it.

His eyes, which had been filled with worry, suddenly lit up, and a delighted smile spread across his face. He then excitedly gave Shang Jiu a big thumbs-up and praised him generously, "Your Excellency is truly worthy of being called an Excellency!"

*

The ancient bluestone road is winding and the ancient and heavy stone slabs bear the traces of time. The sounds of horse hooves and wheels rolling on it echo over this quiet ancient road, appearing particularly clear and loud.

The atmosphere in the car was extremely warm and ambiguous.

Xu Zhouye knelt before the emperor, breathing lightly, "Your Majesty, why haven't you..."

Chu Yunxiao panted heavily, "It's almost there, Queen, please bear with it a little longer..."

……

After an unknown amount of time, Xu Zhouye collapsed to the ground.

Chu Yunxiao took a handkerchief to wipe Xu Zhouye clean, then picked him up from underneath, held him and sat him on his lap, then leaned forward and kissed the corner of his lips.

"Don't do this next time." Xu Zhouye scolded.

Chu Yunxiao hugged the person tightly in his arms, with a sly smile on his lips, and said: "Why? The Queen is proficient in playing the flute and reciting poems. I am so happy!" After saying that, he seemed to still feel it was not enough, and gently stroked Xu Zhouye's lips with his slender fingertips, as if he was savoring the wonderful taste just now.

Xu Zhouye rolled his eyes at him unhappily, not wanting to respond to such embarrassing words at all. He then turned his head and looked towards the window. He reached out and gently lifted the curtain and looked out.

At this time, the carriage was rolling forward and gradually approaching a water source.

The lake water is clear and sparkling, like a huge mirror embedded in the earth.

The maple leaves on both sides of the lake are as red as fire, lush and warm, like a burning sunset, which is beautiful beyond words.

Fresh air blew into the car with the breeze, instantly blowing away the chaotic smell that had originally permeated the car.

Xu Zhouye put down the curtain in his hand, broke free from Chu Yunxiao's arms, and muttered, "I can't even wear clothes now!"

However, Chu Yunxiao didn't care. Instead, he leaned over and took out two new sets of clothes from the secret compartment below.

Seeing this, Xu Zhouye couldn't help but turn his lips away and said with a wry smile, "Your Majesty, you really are... thoughtful about everything."

Upon hearing this, Chu Yunxiao showed a hint of pride on his face. He raised his eyebrows playfully and replied, "With a beauty in my arms, I naturally have to think more and be more thoughtful!"