The Discussion Isn't Over

Unlike what Xiao Chen said, they didn't go to any Ease Teahouse, instead when it was time to come off the carriage the only building before their eyes was the very familiar herbal house.

"Here" Xiao Qi passed her a veiled hat, she took it and put it on.

"Xiao Chen?" She called out curiously. She remembered the Crown Prince promised to take her to see the poison master after the banquet, she didn't know he would do so, so quickly. Why was he rushing?

"Grand Tutor, please." Xiao Chen led the way.

Zhao Xing followed him along with Xiao Qi, they were taken by the elderly lady in the shop to the courtyard at the back.

There Zhang Zhengyang sat on a wooden stool, opposite him was Old Man Su, they seemed to be deep in discussion, both having smiles on their faces, even so, it didn't seem like they were having fun at all.

Zhao Xing saw no use of continuing to wear the hat, she removed it and walked up to the two men. "Old Man Su, long time no see."

It seemed it was only then, that they knew of her presence.

The Crown Prince eyes shifted towards her, and his hands stretched forth to beacon her to come closer. But the later ruthlessly ignored him, instead turning to speak to Old Man Su.

Zhang Zhengyang could only smile wryly. Was she mad because of what happened at the banquet?

He wasn't wrong to think so. Zhao Xing indeed held a grudge against him. Even if it was all part of his plan she almost drowned to her death ok? Drowning was listed in her lists of 'Worst ways to die'!

"Eh? Xiao Zhao? It's you again?" He said as his smile seemed to have become more genuine.

Zhao Xing gave him a big smile as if to provoke Zhang Zhengyang. "I wonder how Old Man Su has been coping all these days?"

Old Man Su laughed out. "Don't mind that, the best thing was that I was able to bargain myself a deal with this young master, thought it hadn't been easy, he still let me visit Xi Xi once in a while."

He realized she was not alone and his eyes shifted to the other person with her.

"Ha, Sister Qi! Who would have thought I would be fortunate enough to be graced by your presence today?"

Xiao Qi scratched the back of her head. 'How the hell did this old man recognize me?'

"Don't be surprised, I would be able to recognize you even if you transformed into a pig right now."

Zhao Xing knew there had been some heated discussion going on before she came so she went ahead and asked the reason for her being invited there.

"Hey, why did you send me here all a sudden?" She said rudely, not giving the Crown Prince face at all.

Zhang Zhengyang knew her temper and didn't mind her usage of language, his expression was gentle as he explained. "Isn't it so that you can get treated? It's almost the end of the three months, don't tell me you forgot."

Of course she didn't forget. Who would forget the deadline that was set for them to die? She turned to the poison master with a big smile. "Old Man Su has seen Xi Xi, how is she doing? She must be doing fine right?"

Old Man Su saw that the atmosphere between the two wasn't so good, which was interesting to watch, so when Zhao Xing turned to talk with him, he enthusiastically answered. "Of course, she's now a little plumb, she eats well, plays well, sleeps well. I thought she'd at least miss her grandfather no? But she didn't, who would have thought someone knew how to bribe kids?"

Zhang Zhengyang smiled and responded, "I was only fulfilling what I had promised. Thankfully, Old Man Su has also realized his part of the bargain."

Zhao Xing's eyes widened. "Eh? The poison is done?"

Zhang Zhengyang smiled at her, "Um."

Zhao Xing could now guess what they were discussing before she got there. Was it because the poison hadn't been handed over yet?

"Wow, Old Man Su is really worthy of his title of Poison Master, just within a few months, you managed to concoct this rare poison." She praised.

Old Man Su pushed forth his chest with pride, "And it wasn't easy." He said. "I had to travel to a few places just to get these herbs, that couldn't be found in the capital." He turned to the Crown Prince. "At first this young man was worried that this Old Man would cheat on him. Ha! I didn't want others to go so they won't mistake the herbs. If they did, won't it be a waste of time?"

Zhao Xing nodded at his every word.

Zhang Zhengyang found the way she acted very funny. Who could tell on whose side she was?

"Old Man Su, like we have agreed, let Zhao Xing take the medicine first, there's no need to be so stubborn, she had just met with an accident, I'm afraid her body would only get weaker from now on, your job is done. After this we'll exchange the poison with your granddaughter, both of you would be given compensation, and escorted back to Little Merchant Valley."

"Humph, I don't believe it, hand over Xi Xi and the compensation, then I'll hand you the antidote as well as the poison." The Old Man answered, unmoved.

'This old man was really shameless, he still had the face to bravely ask for compensation.' This was the thought of both Xiao Chen and Xiao Qi.

But what about it? The Old Man had worked so hard. Before people even went as far as paying in gold just to get his poison, if it was so easy to do this job, they might as well do it themselves. Those who work should eat from the fruit of it.

Besides he knew the compensation would be a generous one, it was from the Crown Prince after all. With enough money, he could insure Xi Xi's dowry, in the future he wanted to see which dog man would dare bully her!