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 did you

think you can understand that I'm not at

come in here..."

can't do so if your head's detached

dare you.

shoulders."

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

one of pure hatred though sweat seemed to

he stammered, his voice barely a

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

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

Or did you give her

you accuse me," he hissed, his voice barely a

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 the shop. The apothecary's

he

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is most certainly a poison... Now, why would you need to sell Lady Mei a poison?"

"Guard-"

"Okay!"

and contempt. "It doesn't matter," 1 replied, my voice barely a whisper. "What matters is that I know what you're up

of fear and determination. He knew he was

barely a whisper. "I'll tell you everything you want

know,"

you decided to

speak, I couldn't help but feel a bit irritated. According to the apothecary, there were five concubines involved in Elia's plot. They were Lady Mei, Lady Anya, Lady Kaya, Lady Rin, and Lady Mai. But he

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

"What about Lady Maro?"

never comes