On her wedding night, she went into exile with her pharmacy arsenal

Chapter 2228 Private meeting

Su Shengsheng rubbed his wrist, which was being held, but still had a bright smile on his face.

She shook her head and said, "It's nothing, it doesn't hurt. I saw you standing here listening intently and wanted to say hello, but I didn't expect you to grab me instead."

She paused for a moment, then said, "I was originally planning to go to the treatment center to help out and see if there was anything I could do to lend a hand, and I just happened to see you here."

Yan Ruyu felt a warmth rise in her heart as she looked at the sincerity in her eyes.

Since arriving in Youcheng, she has been busy dealing with the epidemic and investigating the mastermind behind it all, and has indeed not spent much time with Su Shengsheng.

Instead of taking this opportunity, I'd rather accompany her around.

"Speaking of which, I've been busy with all sorts of things since I came to Youcheng, and I haven't had a chance to properly show you around," Yan Ruyu said with a smile. "It's still early, so why don't I invite you for tea as an apology?"

"Great!" Su Shengsheng's eyes lit up, and he nodded quickly, his face full of anticipation. "I've heard that the Qian Family Teahouse in Youcheng is very famous. Their Biluochun tea is especially delicious, and they also have all kinds of exquisite snacks."

"That's perfect, let's go to Qian's Teahouse."

As the two entered the teahouse, the waiter immediately greeted them warmly: "Your Highness, please come in. A private room is ready upstairs."

Although Yan Ruyu doesn't come often, there's always a private room available.

She led Su Shengsheng into the room, pushed open the wooden window, and a breath of fresh air rushed in.

Outside the window was a bustling street scene, with people coming and going. Coincidentally, from this vantage point, one could also see the fresh produce shop.

The waiter withdrew and soon brought over a pot of steaming Biluochun tea, along with several plates of delicate pastries, such as osmanthus cake, almond shortbread, and mung bean cake, filling the table.

"Try it, this Biluochun tea is really fragrant." Su Shengsheng picked up a teacup, poured himself a cup, and poured another cup for Yan Ruyu, his face full of joy.

Yan Ruyu picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and found the tea to be fragrant, mellow, and sweet – truly a fine tea.

Her gaze kept drifting towards the fresh produce shop outside the window, as she secretly observed it.

Just then, she saw the door of the fresh produce shop be pushed open, and a familiar figure walked out—it was Manager Zhou.

He walked hurriedly, without any assistants by his side, and left the shop alone.

Yan Ruyu watched without showing any emotion.

Meanwhile, at Baixing Teahouse, not far from the end of the street, the lounge on the second floor was quiet.

The owner, Zhou Zhenghang, was sitting behind his desk, looking through the account books.

Suddenly, a soft knock sounded on the door.

He didn't even look up, his voice indifferent: "Come in."

The door was gently pushed open, and a figure strode in—it was Manager Zhou, who had just come from the fresh produce shop.

He slammed the door shut behind him, his expression growing even more grave.

Zhou Zhenghang slowly raised his head, and when he saw that the person who came was Manager Zhou, a clear look of surprise flashed in his eyes. He put down the book in his hand, raised an eyebrow and said, "What are you doing here?"

Shopkeeper Zhou walked to the desk, stopped, his expression urgent and tinged with a secret unease. He lowered his voice and said, "Something terrible has happened. I had no choice but to come see you."

Zhou Zhenghang picked up the teacup on the table, gently blew away the foam, and said in a calm tone: "Manager Zhou, what's the matter that you're in such a hurry?"

Today isn't settlement day, is it?

“I didn’t want to either, but things are really troublesome.” Manager Zhou rubbed his hands, his face full of anxiety. “That woman, Princess Zhennan, is really difficult to deal with. She has saved many people in the treatment center, and I think she might suspect me.”

I'm worried they might find some clues in this.

Zhou Zhenghang paused slightly, looked up at Manager Zhou, and his gaze deepened: "What do you suspect me of?"

Shopkeeper Zhou sighed: "Of course they suspect we're connected to the illness in the city. Aren't you worried at all?"

Zhou Zhenghang looked puzzled, put down his teacup, and stared at him without saying a word.

Manager Zhou was bewildered and anxious: "Why are you looking at me like that? Give me some advice!"

After a moment, Zhou Zhenghang slowly spoke, his voice still calm: "Manager Zhou, I really don't understand what you're saying."

"We both share the surname Zhou, but we are not related by blood or kinship; we are simply business partners."

"My family's medicinal cuisine uses your ingredients, that's all. Your sudden appearance, talking about some illness and the princess's suspicions, has made me uneasy."

Manager Zhou looked at him, his mind filled with doubts.

Is it...

Manager Zhou looked bewildered: "You... how could you say that? Don't you know what's going on with your medicinal cuisine shop?"

A cold glint flashed in Zhou Zhenghang's eyes, and a faint smile appeared on his lips, but it carried a hint of chill: "The ingredients in my shop are clean and taste good. I strictly inspect them."

I really don't understand what you mean, since there has never been a single mistake.

Could it be that there's something wrong with the goods in your shop? If so, then we don't need to cooperate anymore!

Manager Zhou stared at him intently, his gaze turning cold: "Heh, so you're thinking of pushing everything onto me?"

Zhou Zhenghang pinched the bridge of his nose: "I don't understand what you're saying."

"If you have nothing else to do, you can leave now."

Before Manager Zhou could say anything more, Zhou Zhenghang got up and opened the door.

The intention to expel them was extremely clear.

Manager Zhou's tone was helpless, and he could only leave in a huff.

Zhou Zhenghang stared at his retreating figure, his gaze deep, the smile on his lips growing increasingly cold.

As Manager Zhou left the medicinal cuisine shop, he glanced back but didn't notice anyone following him.

His doubts resurfaced, and he turned left and right, eventually entering an alley.

A short while later, a guard appeared.

"How's it going?"

Manager Zhou shook his head and said in a low voice, "I went to see Zhou Zhenghang, but he seemed not to know Manager Zhou well and said that it was just a simple business relationship."

"I tried to get information out of him for a long time, but he wouldn't listen at all."

Shopkeeper Zhou gritted his teeth: "However, I will not give up. I will think of another way. Go back and report to the Prince and Princess. I will do my best to help."

"it is good."

After the guards left, Manager Zhou touched his disguised face, exhaled, and walked forward, leaving the alley.

He returned to the fresh produce shop and searched the place thoroughly, looking for anything related to Zhou Zhenghang. If he found anything, Zhou Zhenghang wouldn't be able to deny it.

But after searching high and low, they found nothing.

Yan Ruyu took Su Shengsheng for a walk around the clinic before returning to the treatment center.

Just as I had finished examining the critically ill patient with Doctor Cao, the guard came to report.

"Your Highness, news has come from the fresh produce shop that the meeting with Zhou Zhenghang did not go smoothly."

"Oh?" Yan Ruyu was a little surprised. "What do you mean?"

The guard explained everything that Manager Zhou had told him to Yan Ruyu in detail.

Yan Ruyu couldn't help but wonder, could it be that the medicinal cuisine shop really had no problem and it was just a coincidence?

No, she never believed in coincidences.