"Is Emperor Yongye feeling unwell because he was struck by a love poison?"
Feng Bailing recalled Emperor Yongye’s reactions that night.
"After being struck by a love poison, one usually appears normal, only exhibiting severe emotional disturbances when the poison activates. Emperor Yongye does not seem to have been affected by a love poison. However, the purpose behind cultivating the Orchid in the Imperial Palace is unknown. Perhaps someone is breeding the poisonous insect."
Li Mubei openly admitted.
"Mr. Li, besides yourself, how many others are aware of the love poison?"
Feng Bailing asked again.
"Not many know about it. I came to Great Chu this time to investigate the theft of Orchid seeds. The Orchid was cultivated by my ancestors, who transformed them into love poisons, thus access to them has always been restricted within my family and never disclosed. There was an incident of seed theft about twenty years ago. This time, my family sent me to investigate the matter. If it’s confirmed that the seeds were stolen by someone from the Da Chu Royal Family, I will report back to my family, and someone will handle the situation."
Li Mubei was certain that the theft of the Orchid seeds was related to Great Chu.
However, he was yet unable to ascertain who in the Great Chu Imperial Palace was responsible.
"Mr. Li, may I take charge of this matter? I assure you, within a month, I can identify who stole the seeds. But during this month, you must keep it secret to avoid alerting the culprit."
According to the Dragon Queen, the other party wants the Dual-Colored Orchid. He (she) must utilize the Wooden Holy Seal to cultivate the rare Dual-Colored Orchid.
The Orchid in the palace is about to bloom; any action must be taken within these few days.
Feng Bailing sent Li Mubei away and slowly pondered his words.
There was still some time before Ouyang Chenchen returned. As she was thinking, she heard two patrons who were about to sit down suddenly stood up again.
"Did you hear? Chuyue Tower now sells milk tea as well, at the same price, and they even include a type of pastry."
"Then let’s go to Chuyue Tower."
The patrons, whose seats had not yet warmed, turned and headed to Chuyue Tower.
Ouyang Chenchen had just returned when she witnessed this scene.
"Bailing, Chuyue Tower is really shameless, now they copy us in selling milk tea too!"
Ouyang Chenchen said irritably.
"As expected. Last time, they also imitated our hair cream from Xinglin Village. Milk tea doesn’t involve any sophisticated technique; after all, our main business is still selling alcohol. Plus, those patrons were just looking for novelty, they will soon return."
Only she and Xinqi Village can cultivate hops; Nalan Yan’er cannot buy them.
Even if it’s milk tea, Nalan Yan’er will soon realize that she is merely imitating foolishly.
Sure enough, those who went to Chuyue Tower for tea returned obediently to Zuixian Inn the next day.
"What’s going on? Why did the patrons return to Zuixian Inn?"
In the private room, Nalan Yan’er was scolding the manager.
"Crown Princess Consort, those patrons said that our milk tea is not as good as Zuixian Inn’s. They also have a type of beer that we don’t, and the patrons love their stinky, furry tofu."
The manager looked troubled.
Without the milk and tea leaves from Xinqi Village, the milk tea we made was indeed far inferior.
But Nalan Yan’er was unaware of this.
"Patrons are just after novelty, why must you compete with Zuixian Inn in the first place?"
Hua Wushang furrowed his brows.
"There can only be one tavern on this street. I refuse to believe that I, the Crown Princess Consort, cannot defeat a dead fatso."
Nalan Yan’er sneered.
Nalan Yan’er said this and stood up, walking down the stairs to the entrance of Chuyue Tower, just as a fisherman in tattered clothes was about to enter.
Nalan Yin’er smelled the fishy odor on him and couldn’t help but cover her nose.
"How is it you again? Didn’t I say we won’t accept your stuff at our Zuixian Inn?"
The shop assistant pushed the man out.
The fisherman’s face showed helplessness.
Seeing another tavern ahead, the fisherman’s dim eyes suddenly sparked with hope, and he headed towards Zuixian Inn.
"Young man, please help me. My child is seriously ill, and I urgently need money. Fishing has been banned recently, making it impossible to fish, so I can only collect these shells by the shore. People in nearby villages don’t recognize them. They say the big taverns in Chu City know what this is, so I rushed here overnight."
The fisherman was drenched in sweat, his face sunburned to a dark red, his eyes filled with urgency.
As soon as he arrived in Chu City, he asked several taverns, but none were willing to take his shells.
One by one, he kept asking, hoping to find one that would kindly help him.
Feng Bailing took another look at him; Chu City was not far from the sea, and judging by the fisherman’s attire, he likely came from a small fishing village about fifty li away.
Fifty li today seems trivial, but in Great Chu, it required about a day or two of walking. Why would a fisherman selling fish come all this way here?
"Big brother, come here."
Ouyang Chenchen heard this and gestured for the shop assistant to bring the man over.
In the fish basket were some strangely shaped shells, unlike ordinary shells, they were triangular and slightly yellowish. Neither Ouyang Chenchen nor Lady Nan Shiu had seen this type of shell before.
"No wonder no tavern would take them; I haven’t eaten these either. We dare not take them, in case they are poisonous, it could cause trouble."
Ouyang Chenchen shook her head.
Feng Bailing also took a glance, and upon seeing them, her eyes lit up.