The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 127

CH127 Morgan

Lady Mei entered the apothecary shop. My first thought was poison, but given everything that had happened, it seemed a little ridiculous for her to try poisoning anyone again. I slipped into the shop behind her, watching her from a row or two over, her eyes scanning the shelves. I motionled to the guard, signaling for him to stay back.

I watched as Lady Mei approached the apothecary, Her voice was low and urgent. She whispered something to the apothecary, her eyes darting nervously from side to side. The apothecary, nodded. He reached into a hidden compartment behind the counter, pulling out a small vial. Lady Mei took the vial and tucked it into her robes, then turned, hurrying past me without even looking up. I slipped my hand into her robes, plucking the vial from her inner pocket as she left the shop.

Too easy. Who knew all that practice back home would come in handy? The next time I saw my father, I'd have to tell him tThat that pickpocketing practice was really useful.

Follow her. And send in another guard in here to watch the doors. Front and back. Report back

when you know where she's going."

He nodded and left. I waited a few moments, allowing Lady Mei to get a safe distance away until I saw the guard enter the front door and remain in the doorway. Then, I approached the apothecary, my eyes fixed on him. He jumped, clearly startled by my appearance.

"When did you get in here?"

"What was that about?" I asked.

The apothecary hesitated, his eyes darting nervously from side to side. "It's none of your business," he replied, his voice barely a whisper." And if you're not here for business, please leave."

I ignored him.

"I'll be clear and tell you that you're on thin ice. If you don't answer my questions, I'm going to report you for treason."

"But you can't do that. I haven't done anything."

"You refuse me to answer the Crown Princess's questions about matters dealing with the royal

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CH127

house. You've done plenty."

He paled.

What did you give

I'm not at liberty to discuss private matters

come in here..."

so

dare you. You're

shoulders."

throat. "Don't test me. I know enough to know that you are a traitor. If you'd like to keep your head and perhaps your practice and maybe earn yourself some measure of leniency,

narrowed, his expression one of pure hatred though sweat seemed to trickle down his

prove anything, he stammered, his

Mei has submitted from your shop. I wonder how long it'll take to look through your books and find that she's ordered absolutely nothing. Laundering. Aiding and abetting a criminal. You'll be lucky to

have nothing to say," he replied, his

you a message for Elia. Or did you give her a message

accuse me," he hissed, his

you poison? The same poison that was used to poison. me and would have been used to poison the Crown Prince? And this is a vial of that poison, isn't it? Perhaps something worse? A special blend?" I pulled out the vial that Lady Mei had taken from

get that?" he gasped,

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CH127

Now, why would you need to sell Lady Mei a poison?"

"Guard-"

"Okay!"

with a mixture of amusement and contempt. "It doesn't matter," 1 replied, my voice barely a whisper. "What matters is that I know what

fear and determination.

said, his voice barely a whisper. "I'll

know,"

you decided

the apothecary, there were five concubines involved in Elia's plot. They were Lady Mei, Lady Anya, Lady Kaya, Lady

that she never actually meant met the apothecary, which was good. It meant she wasn't a liar. It was ridiculous. Wasn't that most of his ham, if not all of it? I could only guess that Haruka had been keeping them at bay all this time, and it seemed like none of them

"What about Lady Maro?"

never comes in