Chapter 51: Caught in a Lawsuit

Mo Junyan exuded overwhelming aura; Zhao Xifeng's legs went limp before he could even speak.

"The master asks you a question; just answer truthfully."

Zhao Xifeng wiped the sweat from his forehead, bent over and lowered his head, daring not to look directly at the masked face before him, let alone its eyes.

"It's the daughter of a farmer from the village; her surname is Chi, name Chi Nan Yi." Zhao Xifeng recited everything he knew, fearing to miss a word: "It's said she was mistakenly taken and later returned; we assume she's worldly, so her account should be reliable, therefore…"

Mo Junyan's eyes flashed with a barely perceptible smile; he waved his hand, Yun Shui handed Zhao Xifeng a sack of reward money, instructed him not to spread today's matter, and then dismissed him.

"Master, the Chi woman he mentioned—could she be Lord Meng's daughter?"

Mo Junyan nodded: "Yes, that's her."

"Never expected Lord Meng would… teach her this."

"It wasn't taught by Lord Meng."

"Hmm?" Yun Shui was startled by his words. Not taught by Lord Meng? Then how did the former legitimate daughter of the Meng family know it?

"That's not right!"

"How does the master know it wasn't taught by Lord Meng?"

Mo Junyan lowered his gaze, his eyes resting on the graceful silhouette, a faint smile curling his lips; Yun Shui followed his stare and raised an eyebrow.

"Meng Xiao… no, it should be Miss Chi now."

"The master's gaze at Miss Chi… seems a bit odd."

"Master, the Dark Guard sent a letter; the young master has already arrived in the Northern Desert."

"Mm." Mo Junyan kept his gaze, gave a perfunctory reply; Yun Shui's mouth twitched—he didn't care at all about the young master's life or death! The Northern Desert is a dead‑cold, harsh land; it's said the young master fell ill as soon as he arrived.

"The Duke Zhen Guo sent someone to express gratitude, thanking you for saving the entire Duke Zhen Guo household."

Mo Junyan finally looked away: "What did you just say?"

Yun Shui: "…"

He kept talking for ages, yet the master didn't absorb a single word.

Now he comes to ask himself…

His peripheral glance fell on the street; Miss Chi's trace had already vanished.

At that moment, a cold stare landed on him; Yun Shui snapped back: "I just said the Duke Zhen Guo sent someone to thank you."

"Tell Duke Zhen Guo, if he wishes to thank This Prince, he should earn more merits!"

Upon hearing this, Yun Shui's complexion shifted: "Prince, didn't you just say the Duke Zhen Guo's achievements eclipse the lord…"

"So what? Apart from Duke Zhen Guo, are there any other useful generals in the court?"

Yun Shui shook his head.

"Since he's irreplaceable, even if his achievements truly eclipse the lord, the one on the Dragon Throne can only endure," Mo Junyan sneered, adding that his father‑emperor should taste a sleepless night.

He glanced again toward the street, then turned and left.

At this moment, inside Bai cao tang, Chi Nan Yi and Chi Huai Qian were waiting in the shop.

The shop boy stepped forward, brow furrowed: "Miss Chi, I'm truly sorry, but today we can't purchase your herbs."

"Why is that?" Chi Huai Qian asked anxiously; today we have not only cinnabar root but also ginseng!

"To be frank, a few days ago, Zhao the merchant came to our shop for herbs. By rule we follow the prescription, so no mistake should happen, but the young master's illness worsened. The physician said his formula is fine; it's our herbs that are off. So early this morning the shopkeeper was taken to Zhao's manor and hasn't returned yet! Miss Chi, your cinnabar root is always personally appraised by the shopkeeper; I, a mere shop boy, can't decide—"

"Zhao the merchant… another Zhao."

"I'm now at odds with a Zhao."

"Ah, Zhao the merchant is a prominent figure in our town; offend him and our shopkeeper this time might be in serious trouble!"

"Where is Zhao the merchant's residence?"

The shop boy, hearing that, was startled: "Miss Chi, why are you asking that?"

"I know some medicine; perhaps I can help. Li the shopkeeper took my herbs, which is a favor to our Chi family. If he's in trouble, I must rescue him."

The shop boy, hearing this, hesitated: "Miss Chi, it's not that I distrust you; Zhao the merchant has a bad temper. If you offend him, you might also suffer the consequences!"

"All right." Chi Nan Yi turned to Chi Huai Qian and said, "Third brother, stay here and wait for me."

"Impossible!" Chi Huai Qian couldn't possibly let her go alone to Zhao's manor.

"Third brother, go with you; if anything happens, there'll be someone to look after you." Chi Huai Qian patted his chest: "Third brother has no special talent, just a lot of strength; he'll definitely keep you safe."

"Third brother, trust me, I won't be in danger. Since the town's prominent figures wouldn't trouble a little girl like me, and I'm only going to treat his son—not to risk my life—he has no reason to harm me." She patted Chi Huai Qian's shoulder softly and whispered, "Zhao's son is ill; perhaps our ginseng could still be useful and fetch a good price."

"But…"

"Don't say 'but'. Mother told me before I left that you must obey me."

Hearing her say that, Chi Huai Qian could say nothing more.

"Fine then, Third brother will stay here until you return."

"Alright."

The shop boy hitched a carriage and took her to the gate of Zhao's manor.

"Miss Chi, this is it."

Chi Nan Yi stared at the imposing gate, where a pair of drum stones stood beside it.

Drum stones are placed only by families of high‑ranking generals.

Chi Nan Yi narrowed her eyes, realizing Zhao's family had some serious background.

"Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing?" the shop boy at the gate asked coldly. "Do you know what kind of place this is?"

He didn't wait for Chi Nan Yi to speak; the boy who had brought her forward smiled and said, "I'm from Bai cao tang, just wanted to ask about our shopkeeper…"

"Bai cao tang? Hmph! You still dare come! You almost caused our young master to lose his life; your shopkeeper has already been sent to the authorities. If you want to find someone, go tell the magistrate!" With that, the Zhao household's boy drove them out: "Get out, get out, if you don't leave now, watch out, our lord will skin you!"

The Bai cao tang shop boy, hearing that, staggered and fell hard onto the ground.

"It's over—the shopkeeper has been taken to the authorities; our shop is finished, isn't it?"

Chi Nan Yi thought for a moment, then stepped forward and said, "May I ask, young man, has your young master's illness been cured?"

"What good is good?" When this matter was brought up, the servant's tone grew even more agitated: "After taking Bai cao tang's medicine, can it still get better?"

Chi Nan Yi frowned tightly; this person kept emphasizing those three words, Bai cao tang—could it be that someone is scheming behind the scenes?

"Hurry up and leave, seeing that you're a young lady—don't make us chase you away; if you get hurt somewhere, we won't take responsibility."