Chapter 545 There's something wrong with the medicine!
Today is the eighth day, which is—
In fact, she had already planned this out countless times in her mind and knew what would happen at this moment, but when it really came down to it, Shang Ruyi still couldn't help but take a deep breath and her expression became solemn.
So, this day has finally come.
She sighed inwardly, but her expression calmed down.
These past few days of busyness have taught her a valuable lesson: the higher one's position, the more one holds the power over the fate and lives of others, the less one can afford to show their emotions. Even the slightest hint of sadness can create unease and anxiety among those who depend on her for survival. Once this unease and anxiety begins to spread, it can be even harder to control than a plague, and more likely to trigger widespread chaos.
So, Shang Ruyi gave a faint smile: "He probably overslept."
He looked around and then smiled, “Everyone has worked very hard since the closure of Chang Le Fang. As for him—I know he’s usually a lazy person, but he’s been sending medicine here for eight days in a row. He must be tired, so he’s a little late today.”
Her explanation was quite reasonable.
However, Wu Huanzhi showed no sign of letting go. Instead, his expression became even more serious than before, and a hint of anger was even faintly revealed between his tightly furrowed brows.
He looked at Shang Ruyi and said in a deep voice, "Being late is not a big deal."
"..."
"But if there's something wrong with the medicine he sent, that would be a serious matter. Madam, you—"
Before he could finish speaking, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from behind him.
Looking back, I saw Pei Xingyuan.
He was dressed in a jade-colored robe, and he nimbly leaped down from the carriage. He was still as handsome and elegant as ever, but he seemed somewhat out of place in the gray and gloomy market. Moreover, after getting off the carriage, he did not immediately get back on, but turned around and looked at the other side of the long street.
Inside the equally smoky Yanzuofang, one could faintly hear voices making noise.
Inside, it must be Jin Daji and his group administering the medicine.
Moreover, they arrived later than usual today. Judging from this time, the patients in Yanzuofang should have almost finished their daily dose of herbal medicine.
so--
A glint flashed in Pei Xingyuan's eyes, which always held a hint of a smile. The next moment, he turned his head and greeted the guards of Chang Le Fang with a smile: "Good morning, everyone."
Although the guards were loyal to their duties and rarely smiled, they had become familiar with him over the past few days, and they all nodded in agreement.
Pei Xingyuan smiled and waved his hand again, and the people behind him immediately stepped forward.
These people, familiar with the place, set up a long table in front of the market entrance, placed empty bowls on it, and had several servants waiting with medicine pots. Several accountants also sat behind the long table and laid out their account books.
Everything was the same as the previous few days.
The only difference is that there are more people here today than usual, and most of them are guards.
However, the patients in Chang Le Fang didn't care about that. As soon as they saw the medicine being delivered, they all beamed with joy and immediately stood up and rushed forward.
Pei Xingyuan laughed and said, "Queue up, queue up, don't push, there's enough for everyone!"
So, the patients readily agreed and lined up in several long queues.
These people were already much better than before, so their complexions weren't so gloomy, and they even walked with more energy. Looking at the medicine being poured from the medicine pot in front of them, they were all as excited as if they had been walking in the dark for a long time and finally saw the light ahead.
Seeing the joy on these people's faces, Wu Huanzhi's tense expression did not ease at all.
His brows furrowed even more as he stared intently at the medicine being poured from the pot.
Meanwhile, after the people at the front of the line had their names and addresses recorded, they all picked up the medicine bowls on the table. However, when they looked down, they all frowned immediately.
The people behind them were just waiting for their turn, and seeing that they weren't moving, they all started urging them on.
"Why haven't you taken your medicine yet?"
"Get out of the way after you've taken your medicine, don't hold us up."
"Exactly, why are you dragging your feet?"
One of the patients, holding a bowl of medicine, frowned and said, "Why does today's medicine seem... a little weak?"
As soon as he spoke, another person who had been hesitant immediately chimed in, "Yes, the previous herbal soups were so thick you couldn't see the bottom of the bowl, but today's are all translucent."
As soon as they said that, the people at the back of the line crowded forward.
Upon closer inspection, sure enough, the medicine bowls in those people's hands contained a clear, pale liquid, which was noticeably lighter than the murky, thick medicine of the earlier days.
Someone immediately remarked, "It's definitely gone bland; I noticed it yesterday."
"That's right, the herbal medicine these past two days tastes different from before; it's much weaker."
"Isn't this just cheating us out of our money!"
As they talked, the doubts in everyone's hearts gradually turned into anger. Although they had made a fuss about the high price of the medicine before, which was suppressed by Pei Xingyuan's few words, they were still somewhat dissatisfied. However, since their condition had improved in the past few days, they had stopped saying anything. But if there was a problem with the medicine, who could feel at ease?
Several people holding medicine bowls immediately turned to Pei Xingyuan and said, "Second Young Master Pei, what do you mean by this?!"
Before the other party could respond, the people at the back of the line rushed forward, pointing at Pei Xingyuan and saying all at once, "You sell such expensive medicine, yet you cut corners! Don't you have any conscience?!"
"Exactly, they're utterly heartless!"
Seeing this, Pei Xingyuan took a few steps back without making a sound.
The patients didn't care about anything else and started pointing at him and cursing. While those in front were arguing heatedly, those behind them didn't know what was going on. They just kept craning their necks to look ahead and curiously asked, "What's going on up there? Why are they arguing?"
Some people, only partially understanding, said with doubt, "It seems so, the medicine is not quite right."
"What?!"
Upon hearing this, the patients immediately widened their eyes in surprise: "What's wrong with the medicine?"
"Is there something wrong with the medicine?"
"What's wrong with the medicine? Could it be—?"
Several of the more timid ones exclaimed in terror, "No, could it be poison?"
Upon hearing this, the people around were even more shocked and angry. It was already infuriating to spend money on expensive medicine every day, but in order to survive, everyone had to swallow their anger. But if even the expensive medicine could not cure the disease, or even have problems, then who could tolerate it?
Those at the back of the line, confused about the situation, amplified their fear and anger by hearing only a few words. They were immediately enraged, and several of the younger, stronger ones, whose conditions were not so serious, said angrily, "Damn it, how dare he harm us! Let's fight him!"
As he spoke, he was about to rush forward.
As they charged, the other patients also started cursing loudly as they rushed forward.
"Don't let him get away!"
"This person is going to get us killed!"
"Now that he's made enough money, he's going to murder him for it!"
In an instant, the previously neatly arranged queues became chaotic. Some people were furious, some echoed the crowd, and some who were too timid to cause trouble were swept along by the crowd. Soon, the entrance to Chang Le Fang was packed with people, and the angry patients even rushed directly towards Pei Xingyuan!
As these people rushed closer and closer, the guards who were already standing guard immediately stepped forward and blocked Pei Xingyuan's path.
Pei Xingyuan also took two steps back.
However, despite the agitated crowd in front of him, he showed no fear or panic. Instead, he turned and glanced across the street.
Perhaps because the commotion at Chang Le Fang was too intense, the noise at Yan Zuo Fang actually subsided.
Seeing his somewhat nonchalant demeanor, Wu Huanzhi, who was already extremely dissatisfied with him, revealed even more anger. He said to Shang Ruyi in a deep voice, "Young Madam, things have come to this, and you still don't care?"
"..."
“Selling a dose of medicine for one qian of silver is tantamount to robbing the people when they are in dire need, and exploiting them to the bone.”
"..."
"Now, they don't even bother to properly brew the medicine anymore."
"..."
"If this continues—"
As he said this, he gritted his teeth, as if a few words were about to burst out from between his teeth, but he hesitated because of something and didn't say them.
But even if he didn't say it, Shang Ruyi knew which words it was—
The people's hearts have been completely lost.
If things continue like this, even if they save the people here, she and Yuwen Ye will have already lost the hearts of the people in this plague.
but--
Shang Ruyi gritted her teeth and remained silent. Seeing that she seemed determined to fight alongside Pei Xingyuan and the patients and people here to the bitter end, Wu Huanzhi was completely speechless. He sighed and turned to leave.
At this time, the news that the medicine was "problematic" and "poisonous" had spread throughout most of Chang Le Fang. The patients were furious and rushed towards Pei Xingyuan and his men, almost ready to fight. Seeing that the patients were about to rush out of the market, the guards dared not let them go and stepped forward to stop them, blocking the market entrance together with the guards brought by Pei Xingyuan.
However, with the crowds colliding on both sides, there was no way to stop them.
Just as the patients in the ward were about to rush out, one of the guards was kicked and punched by the crowd. He was furious and instinctively reached for the knife at his waist.
At this moment, everyone around was on tenterhooks.
Under these circumstances, brandishing swords might scare away some people, but it will certainly enrage many more. After all, having been ill for many days and forced to buy expensive medicine, they have accumulated a lot of resentment in their hearts. Once swords are drawn, it will completely ignite a riot here!
Even Shang Ruyi was startled and broke out in a cold sweat!
Just at this critical moment, several people suddenly walked out of Yanzuofang across the street.
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