Chapter 34 If you don't open the door, I'll smash the shop!
Cheng Fang placed the noodles on the counter. The rich broth coated the golden noodles, emitting an irresistible aroma that was sure to whet anyone's appetite.
Cheng Fang said regretfully, "What a pity, there's only this one pack left. I should have left a few more for His Highness to take back."
At first, I thought Miss Jiang had given too much, but she finished it all in just three days!
Qin Zhao put down the scroll in his hand and turned to look at Jiang Yi.
"It's been three days, and Miss Jiang's shop is still not open?"
Jiang Yi bowed and replied, "The person I sent to guard the gate just sent back a message by carrier pigeon, saying that the gate is still closed and there is no movement at all."
He sighed inwardly. He was about to set off for the capital today, and if Miss Jiang didn't open the door, even if he had money, he wouldn't be able to buy a tinderbox or a lamp!
"Miss Jiang has been of great help. It is truly impolite of me not to thank her before leaving."
Cheng Fang said, "When Jingxing and I went there that day, Miss Jiang didn't look well. She was probably sick. I guess she's been resting for the past few days."
Qin Zhao paused, his hand holding the noodles still, and asked Zhao Jingxing, "Is there any surplus medicine in the army? Should we send a military doctor over to check?"
Zhao Jingxing replied, "We still have plenty of antipyretics and wound medicine left, but we're almost out of gauze and disinfectant. However, these medicines were originally sent by Miss Jiang, so she must have her own ways to get them if she needs them. Besides, the shop is closed now, so it would be useless for the military doctor to go."
Qin Zhao sighed, "Have you packed all your luggage for the trip back to the capital?"
Jiang Yi replied, "Everything is ready."
"Zhao Jingxing, please take stock of the medicine that Miss Jiang sent. Set aside some for the remaining patients, and I will take the rest back to the capital. Although the epidemic has subsided, the capital region still needs to be on guard, and these medicines may come in handy."
"yes."
Jishui Village.
After lunch, the villagers lay down in the courtyard for a short rest.
Zhao Sheng watched his grandson playing in the yard.
As the child grows older, he/she no longer has enough clothes to wear.
This summer was hot, but there was plenty of rain. We should be able to harvest more grain this autumn.
When the time comes, we'll sell the cloth, buy two bolts, and make a new outfit for each of our two grandsons.
However, we can't spend money recklessly. Both children are grown up, and we need to save some money to send them to school.
The Zhao family had been scholars for generations, and Zhao Sheng was literate. He had even worked as a shopkeeper in town before marrying Old Madam Zhao.
But business was bad in those years, and his shops in the city went out of business, so he had no choice but to go back to the village to farm.
He had long planned that the lives of the scholars in his Zhao family could not be lost in his own hands. His son was too old to go to school, but he would definitely send his grandsons to study!
Even if you don't have the money, you should at least give one!
Now, looking at Zhao Da and Zhao Xiao Er playing in the yard, he is worried about which one to send to.
Zhao Da is the eldest brother, but Zhao Xiao Er is the eldest grandson of the first branch of the family...
The cicadas chirped incessantly in the summer, and the intense sunlight made one want to escape.
A temporary pavilion has been erected outside the Jixiang General Store.
Sitting under the pavilion was a young man in fine clothes, who was none other than Cheng Jiaojiao dressed as a man.
"Three days! A full three days! Could that courtesan be playing a trick on me? Go ask the villagers again if that general store is still open!"
Cheng Zhian, standing behind him, said, "I've inquired, and the shop is indeed open. But the owner is lazy, often only working sporadically. He only opens the shop when he feels like it, and you rarely see him."
"As a merchant, can't she have any sense of responsibility? Making customers wait for her for so many days! So lazy, what kind of shop is she running, what kind of business is she doing!"
The scorching sun melted away Cheng Jiaojiao's last bit of patience: "If you don't open the door, you can go and smash this shop to pieces!"
Cheng Zhi'an said helplessly, "Miss, we're here to buy things, not to rob you..."
"I've chosen what I wanted, and I'll leave him some money..."
Jiang Ling was shot without warning while she was asleep!
What can I do? Don't I need to sleep?
On the main road leading to the capital.
A small, elite team was advancing at a leisurely pace.
We suddenly stopped at the fork in the road.
Three other people, accompanied by five armed guards and eight horses, walked down the path.
The rest of the people remained where they were and waited for orders.
However, looking at the still closed entrance of the grocery store, the three leaders sighed silently.
"It seems we'll never meet again! Who knows when we'll meet again?"
The crown prince's status is extremely noble, but it also means many restrictions and a lack of control over his own life.
As the crown prince of a country, he naturally cannot go anywhere he wants.
This trip to Ping'an County was originally scheduled for only five days, but it has been delayed until now due to various unforeseen circumstances.
Who knows when I'll be able to leave Beijing again!
As the Crown Prince's personal bodyguard, Jiang Yi's actions largely mirrored those of the Crown Prince.
The only time he had free time was when His Highness the Crown Prince entered the palace, during which he could stroll around the capital for a while.
His opportunity to travel alone also requires the Crown Prince's approval.
If the Crown Prince does not set foot in Ping'an County again, the chances of him appearing are extremely slim.
Cheng Fang, on the other hand, seemed much more relaxed.
Once he returns to Beijing to report on his work, his mission will be complete.
Unless something special happens, he is a free man.
You can stroll around the capital or travel through the mountains and rivers. It only takes two hours to get to Ping'an County by fast horse.
Therefore, he has plenty of opportunities to meet Miss Jiang.
Cheng Fang was looking around when he suddenly caught sight of several lewd figures under a tree to the southwest!
After carefully discerning his figure, he immediately shouted:
"You stand right there!"
Cheng Jiaojiao stood up upon hearing the sound!
Damn it! You dead leg, why don't you run faster!
She shouldn't have been curious about who those people were!
They even went closer to take a look!
Otherwise, they would have run away under that tree long ago! They wouldn't have been caught!
Upon hearing the sound, Jiang Yi paused and immediately drew his sword!
They stood protectively in front of His Highness the Crown Prince! Their eyes were alert!
The other five guards drew their swords in unison and surrounded His Highness the Crown Prince.
Seeing that there was no way to avoid it, Cheng Jiaojiao had no choice but to bite the bullet, put on a smile, and turn around:
"Long time no see, brother! Jiaojiao missed you so much!"
When Jiang Yi saw that the person who came was Cheng Jiaojiao, his tense nerves relaxed. He flipped his wrist and neatly put the knife back into its sheath.
Cheng Zhi'an, accompanied by two guards, hurriedly stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and bowed: "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince! Greetings, Young Master!"
Cheng Fang walked towards her, frowning as he said:
"What are you doing here? When did you arrive?"
Cheng Jiaojiao pouted: "If you can come, why can't I?"
"We're here on business. What are you doing here?"
What business do you have in front of a rural general store?
Cheng Fang's face darkened. "Hmm?"
Cheng Jiaojiao realized she had asked too many questions, and immediately said, "This is a general store, so naturally I'm here to buy things!"
Knowing he couldn't do anything about her, Cheng Fang turned to Cheng Zhi'an and asked, "How long have you been in Ping'an County?"
"Your Highness, we arrived in Ping'an County four days ago."
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