Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 686 - 538 Civil Unrest_3

The middle-aged man also showed a look of panic, obviously not expecting that Pei Xingyuan still had this trick up his sleeve. However, he reacted quickly; before everyone could breathe a sigh of relief, he immediately said, "So what? The medicine is in your hands. What else do you have to argue about? It could simply be that you were on the road but sent people ahead to the city to collect these medicines. Who’s to say?"

The people around immediately nodded and said, "Makes sense."

Pei Xingyuan smiled and said, "This gentleman seems certain that it was me. Do you have any evidence?"

The middle-aged man sneered, "You having the medicine is the evidence!"

Pei Xingyuan chuckled, "I do have the medicine, but it wasn’t bought in Daxing City. I bought it near Luoyang. I even have the receipts and notes!"

With that, he turned his head.

The accountant, who was originally sitting behind the long table, responsible for keeping the ledger, immediately stepped forward and pulled a stack of papers from his bosom. They were indeed receipts and notes from purchasing herbs at several pharmacies!

Seeing this, the crowd was at a loss for words. They looked at each other, all frozen for a moment.

Shang Ruyi also breathed a long sigh of relief in her heart.

Previously, when she sent Tushere and Jiang Kesong to Tongguan to buy medicine, she specifically instructed them to keep the receipts and notes. Though she hadn’t thought they would be useful, given the significant transaction of silver and medicinal materials, she thought it would be prudent to have some record; and two days ago, when Shen Wuzheng discussed this matter with them, he instructed her to hand over all these receipts and notes to Pei Xingyuan.

At that time, Shen Wuzheng said, "Since the other side has medicines, and we also have medicines, this issue will definitely be brought up. Those receipts must be given to Xing Yuan, as they might save him at the right time."

At the time, Pei Xingyuan didn’t know how a stack of receipts and notes could possibly save him.

At this moment, seeing those who were rendered speechless by his presentation of the receipts and notes, their previously burning anger suddenly extinguished, the citizens also let out a sigh of relief in their hearts.

What a close call!

Even disregarding his own safety, since he was surrounded by so many people, had a real riot been incited, forget about Yu Wenye’s future status; they would all have been in deep trouble!

However, just half a breath’s relief later, he immediately tensed up again, still facing the crowd with smiling eyes like crescent moons, and said, "Now, isn’t the truth clear?"

"..."

"The real culprit who bought out those medicinal materials and plans to take advantage of the city’s sick is someone else."

"..."

"As for me, I just happened to encounter this epidemic, giving these medicines a purpose. If you want to settle accounts, you’d better wait until you’re all cured and then go find the one who truly manipulated you!"

At this, the people’s emotions changed.

Exactly, since Pei Xingyuan just happened to buy medicine near Luoyang, the one who really premeditatedly collected these medicines in Daxing City and tightened everyone’s neck during the epidemic must be someone else!

While the crowd was feeling a bit disgruntled, the middle-aged man also showed a hint of panic, evidently having not expected Pei Xingyuan to be so well-prepared, instantly persuading everyone and instead directing suspicion towards—

He thought for a moment, then grumbled in a voice that was not too loud nor too soft, just enough for those around to hear, "Even so, your medicine is too expensive..."

While talking, the person gradually backed away, retreating into the crowd.

Though those around heard this, feeling somewhat shy about it, after all, the money was theirs, and they couldn’t help but feel the pinch, so they all echoed the sentiment, yet no one noticed that the person was inconspicuously withdrawing and would soon disappear into the crowd.

However, Shang Ruyi’s gaze remained fixed on him.

Seeing that the person was about to leave, she instinctively wanted to follow but at that moment saw two figures approaching from afar, it was Su Qinglan and Wo Xue. Obviously, they had come over upon hearing the commotion. Seeing the chaotic scene, Su Qinglan’s refined eyes immediately showed a hint of panic.

Nevertheless, Shang Ruyi ignored everything else and merely signaled to Wo Xue with a glance.

Wo Xue was clever enough to follow Shang Ruyi’s gaze, immediately spotting the sneaky middle-aged man in the crowd, and hurriedly followed him.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Pei Xingyuan was still being "attacked" by the sick.

"Mr. Pei, even if what you say makes sense, one silver coin for a bowl of medicine is really too expensive."

"After we’re cured, we’ll be penniless and won’t be able to survive." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"Please show some mercy!"

Listening to these words, even though Shang Ruyi’s whole mind was focused on the middle-aged man and Wo Xue who were following him, she couldn’t help but feel heavy.

The previous words could all be argued, but one silver coin for a bowl of medicine is indeed expensive, and indeed "cutting leeks."

Those people have already been stirred up with feelings of injustice, so it’s not so easy to quell them. Watching Pei Xingyuan being questioned, almost being forced to the long table, Shang Ruyi’s heart tightened.

How would he respond?