On her wedding night, she went into exile with her pharmacy arsenal

Chapter 2266 Victory in the first battle

"My God! What kind of monster is this?!"

A timid woman screamed in fright, turned her face away abruptly, and covered her eyes tightly with her hands, not daring to look again.

"It's terrifying... How could someone's face look like that?" Someone's voice trembled as they took several steps back until they were hidden behind the crowd before daring to peek out a little.

Although Cui Chong had long expected that the face under the mask wouldn't be Zhou Zhenghang's, his heart still skipped a beat when he saw the strange face with his own eyes, and a strange feeling welled up in his heart.

He quickly composed himself, a cold smile playing on his lips. He slightly raised the hand holding the mask and said in a deep voice, "I didn't know that Manager Zhou of Baixing Teahouse looks like you."

The color drained from the fake Zhou Zhenghang's face instantly, leaving only a deathly pale complexion.

The truth had been completely exposed, and he knew that he would not have a good end if he fell into Cui Chong's hands. A fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and with a determined look, he suddenly raised his head, as if he wanted to do something.

Upon seeing this, Cui Chong's eyes sharpened; he had already seen through his intentions.

Before the fake Zhou Zhenghang could make a move, Cui Chong reached out and, with lightning speed, grabbed his chin and twisted it slightly.

With a soft "click," the fake Zhou Zhenghang's jaw was forcibly dislocated. He made a "woo-woo" sound, but could no longer close his mouth.

Cui Chong quickly reached his other hand to his mouth, and his finger probed inside his mouth, finding a tiny venom sac hidden in his molar.

He squeezed hard with his fingertips, took out the poison sac, threw it on the ground, and crushed it to dust with his foot.

"Want to die? Not so easy." Cui Chong's voice was icy cold, his eyes devoid of any pity. "Take him away and keep him under strict guard. No mistakes are allowed!"

"Yes!" Two officers immediately stepped forward and grabbed the immobilized fake Zhou Zhenghang from the left and right.

The fake Zhou Zhenghang stared wide-eyed, his eyes filled with resentment and unwillingness, but he could only be dragged by the officials, staggering towards the yamen, making "woo-woo" sounds all the while.

After dealing with the fake Zhou Zhenghang, Cui Chong turned around and bowed to the onlookers.

His voice was loud and clear enough for everyone to hear: "Fellow villagers, as you all saw just now, this person is not Zhou Zhenghang from Baixing Teahouse at all, but a villain whose identity is unknown!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and continued, "This villain is vicious. He first assassinated the real Manager Zhou, then disguised himself as him, trying to infiltrate the teahouse. He even deliberately implied that the Prince of Zhennan's mansion was related to the acute illness in the city. This is pure fabrication and slander!"

“Yes! We knew the prince and princess weren’t like that!” someone immediately chimed in, and the doubts they had had before, misled by the fake Zhou Zhenghang, vanished instantly.

"No wonder he tried to smear the prince earlier; it was all premeditated!" someone said indignantly, their eyes filled with disgust as they looked in the direction the fake Zhou Zhenghang had left.

Cui Chong nodded and said, "Everyone should keep their eyes open. Since this thief dared to do such a thing, he must have accomplices behind him."

"From now on, if anyone discovers any suspicious persons or events, please come to the Prefectural Governor's Office to find me. If you can provide any useful clues, the office will reward you handsomely!"

"Alright! Don't worry, Officer Cui!" Everyone nodded in agreement, discussing what had just happened, and gradually dispersed.

Cui Chong turned and walked into Baixing Teahouse.

The waiters in the teahouse were still reeling from the shock of what had just happened. Their faces were pale, their eyes glazed over, and they looked at each other with blankness and fear on their faces.

Who would have thought that the shopkeeper who had been meeting with them and giving them orders all day was actually an imposter?

The real manager is long dead!

"Officer Cui..." Xiao Shun stammered as he stepped forward, his voice still trembling, "We really didn't know...we didn't notice anything at all..."

Another worker quickly chimed in, his face full of pleading: "We only know how to work every day, we really haven't participated in anything, please be aware of this!"

Looking at their terrified expressions, Cui Chong said calmly, "I know you are unaware of the situation, and I will not make things difficult for you."

However, Baixing Teahouse is involved in this case and needs to be temporarily sealed off. You employees also need to go with the officials and follow their arrangements for relocation.

The men didn't dare utter a single complaint and nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, we'll all follow Officer Cui's arrangements."

They were terrified and only wanted to prove their innocence as soon as possible; they dared not ask for anything else.

Cui Chong instructed his officers to inventory the items in the teahouse and make a record. Then, he and a few waiters temporarily went to the courtyard next door to wait for their accommodation.

After everything was arranged, he told the other officials to take the people back to the governor's office, while he turned and walked towards the green-canopied carriage by the roadside.

The guards beside the carriage nodded slightly when they saw Cui rushing over.

Cui Chong walked to the car window: "Your Highness, Your Highness, everything is taken care of."

Yan Ruyu lifted the curtain, nodded slightly to Cui Chong, and said approvingly, "Officer Cui, you've worked hard."

Huo Changhe sat down next to Yan Ruyu and said, "The person who was just taken back should be kept in solitary confinement and strictly guarded. No one is allowed to contact him."

I will send someone to the government office later to make the handover discreetly; you only need to give the orders to cooperate.

"Yes, I understand," Cui Chong replied respectfully.

Yan Ruyu took out a small porcelain bottle from her sleeve, poured out a black pill, and handed it to Cui Chong: "After you go back, give this pill to Zhou Zhenghang, who is pretending to be dead."

He will wake up in less than half an hour.

Cui Chong reached out and took the pills, carefully put them away, and bowed again, replying, "Yes, Your subordinate obeys."

Cui Chong left, and Bee Whistle quickly came over.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, the maid has been captured and taken back to the palace."

Huo Changhe frowned slightly: "Take her to the treatment center."

Bee Whistle paused, then subconsciously looked at Yan Ruyu.

Yan Ruyu glanced at Huo Changhe, her lips curving slightly before she suppressed her smile.

"As Your Highness said, prepare a few more medicinal dishes so that she can drink some when she wakes up."

Bee Whistle grinned wickedly: "Yes, Your Excellency obeys!"

The whistle turned and quickly walked away.

Yan Ruyu tapped on the carriage wall, and the carriage slowly drove away.

Yan Ruyu asked, "What is it? Does Your Highness have any complaints?"

Huo Changhe snorted lightly: "It's not that I'm dissatisfied, it's that I don't want that kind of person to come to our home."

Yan Ruyu gently held his hand: "Your Highness has worked hard these past few days. Please get some rest tonight. How about I let you go to your space?"

Huo Changhe's eyes lit up: "Okay."

Yan Ruyu chuckled to herself. Others said that the Prince of Zhennan was a deep and cunning man, and it was hard to tell whether he was happy or angry. But at times, he was as innocent as a boy and could be easily coaxed.

This time, we've managed to dismantle the three's forces, which is a small victory. Now we need to discuss our next steps.