On her wedding night, she went into exile with her pharmacy arsenal

Chapter 2235 Show off your power

Sunlight streamed through the carved window frames of the courtyard, casting dappled shadows that fell on the stone table.

A bowl of warm medicinal soup sits on the table, steaming gently. The aroma of the herbs and the rich flavor of the chicken broth blend together, filling the courtyard.

Zhou Zhenghang leaned against the stone bench, holding a jade bowl in his hand, slowly drinking the medicinal food, looking languid, as if he didn't care about the current situation at all.

Sitting opposite him was Manager Qi, dressed in a dark blue long robe with the cuffs slightly rolled up, his face showing a hint of anxiety that was barely perceptible.

Seeing Zhou Zhenghang's nonchalant demeanor, he finally couldn't hold back any longer. He leaned forward and said in a very low voice, "Manager Zhou, you manage Baixing Teahouse. You should each be in charge of your own business. Why are you interfering in my medicinal cuisine shop? Aren't you afraid that the people from the Prince of Zhennan's Mansion will notice something amiss?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhenghang casually raised his eyes, glanced at him indifferently, and said with a hint of impatience, "I don't manage medicinal cuisine shops."

If something really goes wrong, do you think you have the ability to handle it?

Manager Qi chuckled, picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and tried to hide his dissatisfaction: "Look at what you're saying, what problem could there be?"

Everything is going according to plan; the Prince of Zhennan's mansion won't be able to trace us to anything for the time being.

"Plan?" Zhou Zhenghang scoffed, then scooped up another spoonful of medicinal food and put it in his mouth. "Don't you know the saying that plans can't keep up with changes?"

Putting everything else aside, just look at the fresh produce shop situation. It's gotten to this point; can you handle it?"

When the topic of the fresh produce shop came up, Manager Qi's smile faded, and his voice lowered so that only the two of them could hear him.

"I don't think your approach was necessarily a good idea either."

Now that everyone is dead, the fresh produce shop is empty. What should be done? Who will take over?

"It can't remain vacant forever, but if someone new takes over, it will raise even more suspicion."

The languid look on Zhou Zhenghang's face vanished instantly, replaced by displeasure.

He put down the jade bowl, tapping the rim lightly with his fingertips, and said in a deep voice, "Who killed him? Me?"

If he hadn't been so hasty and reckless, and hadn't been so careless in his actions, would this have happened?

Now that things have gone wrong, I'm cleaning up the mess, and not only do I get no credit, but you're also blaming me?

He sneered, a hint of mockery in his eyes: "If I hadn't intervened in time last night, you might be somewhere very well now."

Manager Qi was not convinced. He moved his lips and muttered under his breath, "What does the death of that guard have to do with me? It's not like I made him die."

"None of your business?" Zhou Zhenghang suddenly raised his voice, then quickly lowered it again. "The fresh produce shop and your medicinal cuisine shop are inextricably linked."

If the investigation leads back to him, and the trail continues, won't you be next? Do you think you can escape responsibility then?

Manager Qi was speechless after being asked that question. He opened his mouth but couldn't find a rebuttal and could only silently hold his teacup.

Just then, a refreshing breeze wafted by, carrying a faint scent of orchids. The clear, tinkling sound of jade pendants reached my ears, melodious yet carrying a hint of pressure.

Zhou Zhenghang and Manager Qi were both taken aback and quickly turned to look up.

A woman walked gracefully through the moon gate, wearing a pale yellow dress with delicate orchid patterns embroidered on the hem. The dress swayed gently with her steps, making her look like a fairy under the moon, ethereal and otherworldly.

The woman wore a thin white veil that covered most of her face, but one could still vaguely glimpse the exquisite beauty in her eyes and brows. Her eyes were clear and cold like stars, exuding an aloofness that kept strangers at bay.

Upon seeing this, the two quickly stood up, bowed respectfully, and said with a hint of awe, "Greetings, Miss Miaoqin."

Miaoqin didn't answer, but walked straight up to Zhou Zhenghang. She stopped and, before Zhou Zhenghang could react, slapped him with her backhand.

A sharp "snap" rang out, particularly jarring in the quiet courtyard.

Zhou Zhenghang covered his face, his eyes filled with astonishment, and a clear handprint instantly appeared on his cheek.

He looked at Miaoqin, his lips moved, but he dared not utter a single word of complaint; only his eyes held a hint of grievance and confusion.

Miaoqin's voice was as cold as ice, devoid of any warmth: "Who gave you permission to act on your own?"

Zhou Zhenghang quickly lowered his hand, bowed, and explained, "My lady, you are wise. That guard must die!"

He's an imposter, Manager Zhou. If we don't kill him, all our previous plans will be in vain, and we'll likely lose everything!

"Given the methods and meticulousness of Prince Huo Changhe of Zhennan, it's only a matter of time before he finds out about the fresh produce shop."

If we follow the trail of the guards, we'll soon find the medicinal cuisine shop, and then…

Before he could finish speaking, Miaoqin raised her hand to interrupt him, her tone still icy: "He deserves to die, but you can kill him, why draw an X on his forehead?"

Do you know what this means?

Zhou Zhenghang sneered inwardly; he knew perfectly well what this meant.

These forked scars are a provocation, a demonstration, meant to let the Prince of Zhennan's Mansion know that they are not pushovers to be manipulated.

But he dared not voice his thoughts, and only forced a flattering smile, saying, "Miss, we came to Youcheng on the orders of our master, just to stir up trouble here and cause trouble for the Zhennan Prince's Mansion, right?"

If that's the case, what are we afraid of?

They should know that we are not to be trifled with.

"Sir, you have capable men under your command. We are not even afraid of death for your great cause, so why would we be afraid of confronting the Prince of Zhennan's mansion head-on?"

"Fool!" Upon hearing this, Miaoqin slapped him again with her backhand. This slap was even heavier than the previous one, and Zhou Zhenghang's other cheek instantly swelled up.

Zhou Zhenghang covered his face and staggered, but still dared not refute. He just lowered his head, a hint of resentment flashing in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by awe.

Miaoqin looked at him with disappointment and coldness in her eyes: "Do you think this is the time to show off and be competitive?"

Drawing that cross was certainly a provocation, but it also told them that the murderer had come prepared and was deliberately targeting them.

Prince Zhennan and Yan Ruyu are both meticulous people. Your actions will only make them more vigilant and accelerate their investigation.

What we want is to muddy the waters, making it impossible for them to take action, not to get themselves burned!

She paused, her tone becoming increasingly stern: "The master's plan is meticulously crafted, with each step interconnected, allowing no room for error."

Your presumptuous actions could very well disrupt the master's entire plan. If this leads to serious consequences, can you bear the responsibility?

Zhou Zhenghang's face turned pale, and he quickly bowed and admitted his mistake: "It was my fault for being foolish and acting impulsively, which almost ruined your important matter, sir."

Please punish me, young lady; I will never dare to do it again.