Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 685 - 538 Civil Unrest_2

But upon hearing Pei Xingyuan’s words, the crowd was at a loss for how to respond.

If it weren’t for him, not a single person here would be able to buy a bowl of life-saving medicine with a tael of silver, let alone a mere piece of silver. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Just as everyone was left speechless by Pei Xingyuan’s words, a middle-aged man rolled his eyes and immediately said, "Yes, we are also curious as to why there is no medicine in the city."

"..."

"Moreover, none of the medical halls or pharmacies have medicine, so how come Mr. Pei, you have medicine here?"

"..."

"Could it be that someone deliberately bought up the medicine in advance, waiting for this epidemic to appear, so they could sell it at a high price, forcing people to hand over their entire fortune to you just to save their lives?"

Upon hearing this, everyone exploded with outrage!

It’s one thing for someone to sell medicine at high prices, which is vile enough, but due to circumstances, they couldn’t say much about it; but if someone hoarded these medicines early on to sell them at high prices once the epidemic hit, it’s like tightening a noose around everyone’s necks. How could people stand this?

Some were immediately furious, angrily cursing, "What a black heart!"

"I never thought you were such people."

"We can’t let ourselves be slaughtered like this!"

As they spoke, they became even more agitated, charging forward, some even already beginning to scuffle with the guards and Pei Family’s servants!

Seeing this situation, Shang Ruyi was also a bit flustered.

Indeed, someone had been hoarding medicine in the city, but this happened a long time ago. Unexpectedly, it was used by someone with an agenda to accuse Pei Xingyuan, claiming the medicine in his possession was suspicious.

If people truly believed Pei Xingyuan orchestrated all this, once the public’s anger surged, it would surely lead to a riot today!

But despite the urgency of the situation, she instead became calmer.

She glanced at the furrowed-browed Pei Xingyuan ahead, and Shang Ruyi suddenly cleared her throat lightly, then signaled to the doctors who were stepping forward to hold back the patients.

Following her gaze, Pei Xingyuan paused, and after thinking for a moment, quickly regained his composure.

He took a step forward, nearly rushing to the angry patients on the verge of losing control, and shouted, "Calm down and listen to me!"

At his words, the crowd instinctively ceased their arguments and actions.

But the next moment, someone shouted, "What’s there to say!?"

Pei Xingyuan sneered, "You say the medicine can’t be found in the city because I pre-purchased it. Very well, let me clarify—"

With that, he pointed to several doctors, "Aren’t you doctors from the various pharmacies in West City?"

They were unsure why Pei Xingyuan brought them out at this moment, but despite some confusion, they nodded immediately. One of them said, "I’m from Changsheng Pharmacy at Yankang Square."

Another said, "I’m the shopkeeper from Yongda Square’s Ren’an Medical Hall."

The others also stated their affiliations, indeed all were doctors Yu Wenye had found from various major medical halls and pharmacies in West City. Some patients even recognized them as those who had treated them, immediately verifying their identity. Pei Xingyuan smiled and asked, "Have your medical halls and shops long been out of stocks of magnolia bark, talcum, and atractylodes?"

The doctors nodded repeatedly.

Pei Xingyuan smiled again and asked, "When exactly did they run out?"

The doctors exchanged glances, and one recalled, "If I remember correctly, it should have been mid-August when everything was bought up in one go, not leaving a single piece."

Another added, "Yes, I remember it was during the days of the Dharma assembly at Dayan Temple."

An older doctor sighed, "I only found out after returning from the assembly that our shop’s assistant sold all our stock. Had I been there, I would never have sold it all, no matter what, I would have kept some in reserve. We wouldn’t be in such a shortage now."

Listening to their sighs, the patients showed expressions of annoyance.

It indeed seemed that someone was deliberately doing this.

So, a few young and strong-looking lads pointed at Pei Xingyuan and shouted, "What else do you have to say!"

Pei Xingyuan smiled faintly and said, "Why wouldn’t I?"

"..."

"Surely you are aware of the Pei Family’s plight. We were exiled to Lingnan, only pardoned and allowed to return because the new emperor ascended the throne recently and granted amnesty."

"..."

"Back in mid-August, I wasn’t even through Tongguan yet!"

"What!?"

The crowd was stunned.