CHAPTER 408: CHAPTER 408: THEN REPORT TO THE AUTHORITIES

As soon as these words were spoken, many people’s eyes turned to Pei Shu’er.

Pei Shu’er still wore a gentle smile, as if she were indulging a mischievous child.

"May I ask what has happened?"

This demeanor startled the woman in plain clothing for a moment, as it was nothing like the panic she had anticipated.

Instead, it disrupted the pace of the woman in plain clothing.

After two seconds of being stunned, the woman finally spoke what she intended to say.

"You vile merchant, my old man was poisoned after eating your confections and is now on the brink of death."

Pei Shu’er’s gaze turned to the man on the ground, writhing and howling in pain with his hand clutching his stomach; his face appeared pale, and even cold sweat had formed on his forehead.

This person’s condition did not seem fake; it appeared as though he was genuinely ill.

However, her confectionery has always been made with meticulous care and has never had leftovers, so there was no chance of causing such an upset stomach to this extent.

Moreover, if someone were to get sick from food, they would usually vomit and have diarrhea. Just clutching one’s stomach and complaining of pain like this seemed a bit suspicious.

If it was proven that Pei’s shop was responsible, the newly opened store would have to close down. As tasty as the food might be, the most crucial thing is still safety.

For a dining establishment, nothing is more important than food safety.

Therefore, this hurdle must be overcome, and it must be overcome clearly and cleanly.

Pei Shu’er smiled gently, "I understand some medical skills. Would you be willing to let me treat you?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the old man’s motion of rolling around clutching his stomach halted, and then he looked toward a certain place.

Following his gaze, Pei Shu’er saw a small woman standing there.

The small woman shook her head, and sure enough, the old man shook his head too.

Pei Shu’er smirked, having found the crux of it all. She leaned toward Tang Zan’s ear.

"Tang Zan, please help me investigate that small woman and see what her background is."

Tang Zan immediately arranged for someone to handle it.

Seeing Pei Shu’er and that dignified man whispering and then walking toward him, the old man felt alarm bells ringing in his head and quickly exclaimed, "I’ve already said no need for your treatment! Are you trying to kill me on purpose and not even give compensation?"

This shout was full of energy.

Pei Shu’er chuckled softly, "Old man, your vigorous appearance does not quite look like someone in distress from stomach pain. Shouldn’t there be vomiting and diarrhea if you ate something bad? Why don’t you show any symptoms at all?"

Upon hearing these words, the onlookers were immediately stunned, indeed wondering why he was just holding his stomach and moaning on the ground.

It does seem a bit suspicious.

The old man was momentarily stunned, seeing the expressions of those around him and realizing he had been exposed. He was racking his brain, trying to find a solution.

His stomach did genuinely hurt, having taken some medicine to cause abdominal pain for realism, and the lack of vomiting and diarrhea is because some stomach upsets result only in abdominal pain.

Pei Shu’er smiled at him.

"You look like you’ve taken abdominal pain pills, haven’t you?"

As soon as these words were spoken, both the woman in plain clothing and the old man were stunned, even the small woman widened her eyes.

The woman in plain clothing immediately cried, "You heartless merchant, my father has stomach pain from your confectionery, and you don’t address it but instead falsely accuse my father."

The old man was also crying out in pain, sounding incredibly miserable, while Pei Shu’er, conversely, appeared less pitiful, causing the onlookers’ sympathies to lean towards these two.

Pei Shu’er smiled, "No, I’ve already sent for a doctor."

The woman immediately said, "No, we dare not see a doctor sent by you for fear of collusion."

At this moment, an elderly doctor with white hair and beard approached.

"Let me take a look."

As soon as he spoke, the two looked at Doctor Zhang and then at Pei Shu’er.

Pei Shu’er chuckled, "There’s no need for me to introduce Doctor Zhang, the most renowned physician in Jingzhou City. He wouldn’t side with a newcomer like me to this city."

Other bystanders also said, "Yes, let Doctor Zhang take a look."

Doctor Zhang stroked his beard, "Let me have a look."

The old man dared not extend his hands, only saying, "No need to trouble Doctor Zhang. There’s no need to involve Doctor Zhang in Pei’s misdeeds."

Doctor Zhang frowned, "As a healer, saving lives is my duty. It is my responsibility to help you."

The woman in plain clothing hurriedly said, "Doctor Zhang was invited by Mrs. Pei, who knows if he’s been bribed?"

At this, Doctor Zhang’s face clearly showed anger.

"You insult my medical career. In all my years of practice, no one has ever said such things."

The crowd also said, "Indeed, this woman is quite unreasonable, putting into question Doctor Zhang’s willingness to find time to treat her father despite his busy schedule."

More people started criticizing the woman, but fortunately, no one mentioned treating the old man anymore.

Pei Shu’er nodded, "Then let’s report to the authorities."

At these words, the old man and the woman in plain clothing were stunned; they only intended to create a scene at Pei’s shop, hoping to tarnish its reputation.

They intended for it to become a big issue but not to the extent of involving the authorities at the government office.

The government officer soon arrived and arrested those involved.

Pei Shu’er suddenly pointed to the small woman.

"Lord, please arrest this woman too; perhaps we can glean more information from her later."

At these words, the woman and the other two were stunned; the old man’s face was already pale, while the woman continued to wipe her tears.

The small woman cried out in protest, "Lord, I didn’t do anything. Why arrest me without cause?"

Pei Shu’er clapped her hands and smiled.

"It’s not just about what you say you did or didn’t do; we need to see what others say as well."

Several people stepped out from the crowd, some wearing simple cloth garments, others in silk.

"This woman is Mrs. Liu Zhang. I previously saw her giving money to this old man and woman, and now I see them causing a scene here today."

"I just saw Mrs. Liu Zhang bring those two over, then she blended into the crowd."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Liu Zhang’s face immediately changed.

"No, Lord, they’re framing me."

In the courtroom, the prefect sat on the bench and struck the gavel.

"What brings you here today?"

After Pei Shu’er recounted the events, it was the turn for the two to speak.

"My lord, we took home a free piece of egg cake from Pei’s shop, which caused the issue, and the old man had unbearable stomach pain. We went to Pei’s to seek an explanation, only to be reported to the State Mansion."

Pei Shu’er replied, "My lord, I merely wanted them to get treated to determine what caused the problem, but they refused."

The prefect said, "Bring in Doctor Ma and Doctor Liu to separately diagnose the old man.