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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house. You've done plenty."

He paled.

what was it? What did you

not at liberty to discuss private matters with

come in here..."

can't do so

dare you. You're

shoulders."

yourself some measure of leniency, you'll tell me what you gave her, what she said, and where she's going." I smiled, a

one of pure hatred though sweat seemed to trickle down his

stammered,

you want to test that? I wonder how many invoices Lady 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 keep

apothecary hesitated. "I have nothing to say," he replied, his voice barely

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

you accuse me," he hissed, his voice barely

Crown Prince? And this is a vial of that poison, isn't it? Perhaps something worse? A special blend?" I pulled out

that?" he gasped, his voice barely

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CH127

label. "This is most certainly a poison... Now, why would you need to sell

"Guard-"

"Okay!"

mixture of amusement and contempt. "It doesn't matter," 1 replied, my voice barely

hesitated, his eyes filled with a mixture of fear and determination. He knew

voice barely a

know,"

you decided

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

on the list which meant 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

"What about Lady Maro?"

comes