Chapter 12: What if I can’t?

How would Gao Lan Mei not know what Yu's was thinking? But that was not her problem.

The old mute beggar chose to give the paper to her, so she would have the beggar decide on what to do with it as a courtesy.

Shopkeeper Yu looked at the beggar, but the beggar scowled and shook his head indicating his refusal to give the paper to him.

Seeing that the old mute beggar was not willing to cooperate, Shopkeeper Yu's face turned white. His forehead and back started to sweat heavily.

He could also feel a cold pair of eyes from the upper part of the medical pavilion. "Miss, why are you trying to slander our medical pavilion? Give me the paper, so that I can confirm what is really written on it!"

The claim about the walnuts being poisonous was very bad news which would create a bad reputation of the Medical Pavilion.

Aside from walnuts being a common medicine for minor ailments, it could also be eaten anytime as a snack. Even kids could eat it anytime!

If this was proven, it would be a disaster for him as the medical pavilion was supposed to have special areas where the medicines were planted.

Shopkeeper Yu gulped nervously. His throat became dry and he badly wanted to drink water. It's better if he could just escape.

This was because he sometimes bought herbs from cheaper sources and secretly mixed them with the original herbs cultivated from the medical pavilion farm to earn money. The walnuts were just mixed last night. How unlucky!

'But wait! No one could prove that it was the medical pavilion's herb from the farm as the cheaper ones were mixed!' On the other hand, it was also possible that the poisonous ones were from the farm. Thinking this he felt much better.

"If you do not believe me, you can just eat a walnut given by the old mute beggar to prove this." For Gao Lan Mei, whatever was written on the paper did not matter. Proving this instead would save her time.

"What?!" She wanted him to eat a possible poisonous walnut?! Shopkeeper Yu was getting dizzy.

Where did his luck go today? The owner was here and this woman was making it impossible for him to make a good impression!

"Not confident?" She asked before looking at her maid, "Gao Chu from now on, whoever you see, tell them that the Medical Pavilion is selling poison."

"Yes, young miss!" Spreading gossip was one of Gao Chu's talents.

If Gao Chu's talent was matched with Feng Ji, who was good at collecting information, it would be a disaster for anyone who would be the subject of their skills. Since if they got a hold of one dirty secret, it would surely spread throughout the whole empire.

"Hold on! I agree! But if you are wrong, you need to compensate!" Shopkeeper Yu didn't have any other choice but to agree.

Hearing about the compensation, the old mute beggar became worried. Though his intention was good, he did not want to drag anyone down. This young miss had already helped by giving him a chance to express himself.

If people heard what happened on this day, they would be more careful. Proven or not, for him it was already enough.

He might have been a beggar now, but his heart to save lives just like a doctor would always be there. He might not have the gift of voice but his senses were still sharp just like before. Sharper even.

If this young miss had refused to agree with Shopkeeper Yu, he would understand. It was already enough that she tried to help him.

"Alright." Gao Lan Mei agreed with an indifferent tone. "You can find the walnuts with poison right?" Then she asked the beggar.

The old mute beggar was dazed but still nodded to Gao Lan Mei. 'Why did she agree first before asking me if I can find the poisonous walnut? What if I can't? What will she do?', such thoughts clouded the beggar's mind.