It was just past Shen Shi (3-5 PM).
Xiao Huzi came running in from the backyard with a notebook in his hand. "Auntie... I'm leaving!" he said, and dashed out of the shop.
"Ouch..." Xiao Huzi bumped into the person who came in. He covered his head and looked up to see Wu Shaoyang and Miao Shuihua standing side by side.
Xiao Huzi looked at the two suspiciously, his heart skipped a beat—oh no! Could these two have fallen for each other?
He immediately clutched the small pouch containing the coins, cautiously shifting to the side as he shouted, his eyes fixed on Wu Shaoyang, "Teaching complete, no refunds..."
After saying that, he suddenly turned around and darted into the rouge shop next door, "Third Grandfather... Third Grandfather..."
Shopkeeper Wang caught him, "Why are you running? You'll fall again..."
Xiao Huzi hid behind Shopkeeper Wang, poked his head out to look, and seeing that Wu Shaoyang hadn't caught up, he patted his chest and plopped down behind the counter.
Earning this little bit of money... I live in constant fear.
Wu Shaoyang led Miao Shuihua into the shop.
Jin Shanyao glanced up and thought to herself, "Oh ho!" This was Wu Shaoyang's blind date. The girl had a bright smile and sharp, unwavering eyes that seemed to see right through people.
Her overall demeanor was far from that of an ordinary young lady, especially with the ropes securing her wrists and sleeves, and her solid stance, which clearly indicated she was a martial artist.
" Shopkeeper Jin, I'm here to take my medicine," Wu Shaoyang said calmly, though a hint of unease crossed his face.
Jin Shanyao smiled and looked at the two of them, "You can go to the backyard. Qing He should have already brewed the medicine."
After the two left, Meng Anzhi leaned over and whispered, "Did Auntie take a liking to someone?"
Jin Shanyao lowered her voice and softly hummed in agreement, " The Little White has been targeted by the big bad wolf; it'll be hard for her to die now."
After saying that, the two looked at each other and burst out laughing.
A month passed, Wu Shaoyang came to drink the medicine every day. His complexion improved, and the dull, lifeless look in his eyes disappeared.
That day, after Wu Shaoyang finished his medicine, he sat at the table for Meng Anzhi's follow-up examination. After carefully taking his pulse, Meng Anzhi smiled and said, "You're recovering very well. Do you still want to die these next couple of days?"
Upon her question, Wu Shaoyang suddenly realized that he had been so focused on making money lately that he had completely forgotten about this.
Wu Shaoyang subconsciously looked at Jin Shanyao, " Shopkeeper Jin... am I cured?"
Jin Shanyao and said, "Right... Alright... Don't forget to send me an invitation when you get married."
Wu Shaoyang's cheeks flushed red, and he stammered, " Miss Miao and I aren't engaged yet... Um, I have to go now, I won't be coming to take my medicine tomorrow."
After saying that, he hurriedly left Anzhi Hall. Jin Shanyao watched his retreating figure and let out a long sigh of relief.
From now on, if a stranger asks her to leave, she'll refuse even if it kills her... Just as she finished thinking this, someone shouted, "Who's calling for the Jin Shanyao?"
Jin Shanyao up and saw four or five burly men walk in. They glanced around the room and walked straight to Qing Yang.
" The Jing'an Prefecture is handling the case; call out Jin Shanyao."
Seeing this, Meng Anzhi's heart skipped a beat, and her hand instinctively reached for the purse at her waist, but Jin Shanyao it down.
Jin Shanyao tapped on the table. "Hey... who are you?"
The leader turned around and looked her up and down. "You're Jin Shanyao?"
Who are you?
" Fang Rui, head constable of Jing'an Prefecture."
She didn't know him, he was a stranger... Wu Shaoyang's bloody lesson taught her not to talk to strangers, not to go with strangers. Jin Shanyao her head and turned away.
Fang Rui followed her gaze but saw nothing, wondering what she was looking at... So, impatiently, he strode forward and knocked on the table.
"A murder has occurred in Jing'an Prefecture; we need you to come with us."
Jin Shanyao glanced at him sideways, a sarcastic smile playing on her lips, and pointed at the shop door, saying to Fang Rui, "See that door? I haven't stepped out of there for a month."
"I'll return the dead bodies from Jing'an Prefecture... Bah, you liar... Let me tell you, I will not go with strangers."
Fang Rui had been a constable for over a decade and had handled cases before, but this was the first time someone had called him a fraud. " Jin Shanyao, don't try to be unreasonable. Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite..."
Seeing this, Meng Anzhi stepped forward to Jin Shanyao, "According to the Sheng Dynasty Laws, cross-prefecture investigations require a cooperation document issued by the local government, along with the official seals of both Underworld as proof."
Her expression was cold and her gaze was fixed on Fang Rui. "I wonder if the constable brought any documents signed by Lord Zhu of Qingzhou Prefecture on this trip?"
Without written authorization, I regret that I cannot comply.
The constables behind Fang Rui exchanged bewildered glances, never expecting that this small clinic and a young woman would be so familiar with the law. They had a warrant for assistance, but no official document bearing Lord Zhu's signature and seal.
As per Lord Zhou's instructions, the Jin Shanyao was to be taken back to Jing'an Prefecture first. If that didn't work, then they would go to the prefectural government office to find Zhu Huaizhang and go through the proper procedures. However, they encountered a tough opponent as soon as they entered the shop.
Seeing that they remained silent for a long time, Meng Anzhi knew something was amiss, so she shouted, " Qing Yang, go report to the authorities... say that someone is impersonating a constable from Jing'an Prefecture and has come to the Anzhi Hall to traffic people."
The constables waiting outside instinctively blocked the door, and in the blink of an eye, a figure in green disappeared into the backyard. The constables instinctively chased after him, but were stopped by Zhou Xiaosi.
He brandished the medicine mallet and shouted sternly, "What are you doing... trespassing?"
Seeing this, Fang Rui waved his hand at the group, saying that taking the Jin Shanyao away was the most important thing now. "I don't want to resort to violence, so if you know what's good for you, hurry up and come with me."
Jin Shanyao her head. "I'm not leaving... I got into big trouble a while ago because I went with strangers... Besides, you're of unknown origin. Who knows if you're going to sell me off?"
Upon hearing this, a fierce glint flashed in Fang Rui's eyes. He stepped aside, and four or five burly men walked straight forward, approaching Jin Shanyao step by step.
Meng Anzhi quickly untied the purse, and in the blink of an eye, powder scattered everywhere. Fang Rui and the others tried to cover their noses, but it was too late. They swayed a couple of times and then collapsed to the ground one after another, limp and powerless.
Meng Anzhi turned to Jin Shanyao, "Auntie... if we catch the human traffickers, will the government give us a reward?"
"Able..."
Jin Shanyao instructed Zhou Xiaosi to fetch rope and tie Fang Rui and the others up securely. "When Su Wenqian was around, a human trafficker cost five taels of silver, but here..."
She counted, "Six... thirty taels of silver. Your aunt will give you some more after you get the money. Go to the bank and deposit a large denomination banknote of one thousand taels."
"Okay..." Meng Anzhi said, stuffing a rag used for wiping dust into Fang Rui's mouth, "It has to be someone from out of town. Locals know Anzhi Hall's reputation; it's hard for them to make quick money..."
"That's right! There are fewer fake medicine sellers now," the two were saying when Constable Wang rushed in with his men. As soon as they entered the room, they saw people bound hand and foot sitting all over the floor.
" Shopkeeper Jin, are you alright?"
Fang Rui's eyes widened, and he mumbled something... thinking, "Are you blind? Can't you see who the victim is?"
Seeing him glaring at him fiercely, Constable Wang him. "Behave yourself... you'll have a chance to talk when you're in jail."
Jin Shanyao her head and said, "Take him back and examine him carefully... Judging from his appearance, he's a repeat offender; I wonder how many innocent women he's abducted."
"Don't worry..." Constable Wang his hand, "Take them to the dungeon first, and let Lord Zhu interrogate them personally after the drug wears off."
Fang Rui lay on the ground in a panic, cursing under his breath. "These bastards from Qingzhou Prefecture! How can they handle a case like this? They don't follow any procedures at all, and they just believe one person's words without any regard for the facts!"
However, before his tongue could harden, he had already been taken to prison.