As soon as I put it on, I met a sickly man

A new journey encounters obstacles, and small worries come quietly

"It was...it was robbed!" Shopkeeper Liu finally said, his face pale. "The carriage carrying the goods encountered robbers on the way, and the goods...part of the goods were stolen!"

Jiang Yue's heart sank, her brow furrowed. These goods were crucial to her future plans, and now that they were robbed, they had undoubtedly disrupted her plans. "How much was stolen?" She suppressed her uneasiness and asked calmly.

"Almost half!" Shopkeeper Liu's voice trembled. "Those robbers were so ferocious that the driver didn't dare to resist. He could only watch them carry away the goods..."

Jiang Yue and Qiu'er exchanged a glance, each seeing shock in the other's eyes. Half the cargo—this loss was truly enormous. "Have you reported it to the police?" Qiu'er couldn't help but ask.

Shopkeeper Liu shook his head bitterly. "I've reported it, and the government has sent people after him, but... but there's still no news." He paused, his tone growing heavier. "Miss Jiang, I don't have enough goods to give you right now."

Jiang Yue took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down. It had already happened, and no amount of worrying would help. The most important thing right now was to find a way to solve the problem. "What kind of goods were robbed?"

Shopkeeper Liu quickly pulled out a list from his pocket and handed it to Jiang Yue, "It's all here, Miss Jiang, please take a look."

Jiang Yue took the list and examined it carefully. It detailed the quantity and value of each item. The stolen goods were diverse, including some rare medicinal herbs. The more she looked, the deeper her frown deepened. These herbs were key ingredients in her special medicines, and without them, her plan would be impossible.

"Manager Liu," Jiang Yue put down the list and stared at him sharply, "Are you sure you were robbed?"

Shopkeeper Liu felt uneasy when he saw Jiang Yue's eyes, and he swore quickly: "Miss Jiang, everything I said is true! How dare I lie to you? I am also a victim!" He expressed his grievances with tears and snot, and it really did not look like he was lying.

Jiang Yue was conflicted, unsure whether to trust him. On the one hand, Shopkeeper Liu had always been honest and reliable; on the other hand, this shipment was too important to her, so she had to be cautious.

Just then, the sound of horse hooves approached from afar, shattering the silence in the courtyard. A steed galloped over and stopped at the inn's entrance. A man dressed in the uniform of the Imperial Guard dismounted. It was none other than Xuanyuan Che. He walked directly to Jiang Yue and saluted, "Miss Jiang, Master Ding asked me to come and see. I heard something's happened."

Before Jiang Yue could speak, Shopkeeper Liu spoke first, "Commander Xuanyuan, you're here! I was just about to tell Miss Jiang about this matter. The carriage transporting the goods..."

"I'm aware of this matter," Xuanyuan Che interrupted Manager Liu and turned his gaze to Jiang Yue. "Young Master Ding has already sent people to investigate the matter. I believe there will be results soon. Miss Jiang, don't worry."

Jiang Yue nodded, feeling a little more at ease. With Ding Chen and Xuanyuan Che's help, perhaps things could turn around.

Xuanyuan Che exchanged a few more words with Jiang Yue before taking his leave. He mounted his horse and was about to ride off when he suddenly stopped, turned back, and said to Jiang Yue, "Miss Jiang." He paused, his voice low, "Be careful of Shopkeeper Liu." Xuanyuan Che's warning was like a stone, rippling through the tranquil lake of Jiang Yue's heart. She observed Shopkeeper Liu calmly, trying to find a flaw in his subtle expression. Shopkeeper Liu, still with a mournful expression, recounted his losses, as if he were truly an innocent victim.

Jiang Yue thought to herself: Xuanyuan Che's warning wasn't groundless. He held a high position and was well-informed, so perhaps he'd already noticed something. But Shopkeeper Liu didn't show any obvious signs of lying. Was he being too suspicious?

Just then, Ding Chen approached with a bright smile, a ray of sunshine that dispelled the gloom in the courtyard. "Miss Jiang, don't worry. This will eventually resolve itself," he reassured her. He then turned to Shopkeeper Liu and said, "Shopkeeper Liu, since the goods have been robbed, let's report it to the authorities. I have a connection with the prefect and can help track them down."

When Shopkeeper Liu heard this, his smile froze, and his expression turned unnatural. He rubbed his hands, his eyes flickering, and he stammered, "Master Ding, this... this has already been reported to the police, but... there's still no news..."

Jiang Yue was delighted. Ding Chen's move was indeed brilliant. If Shopkeeper Liu was truly innocent, he would be overjoyed to hear someone was willing to help investigate. But his reaction at this moment seemed a little guilty.

Ding Chen seemed unaware of Shopkeeper Liu's annoyance and continued, "In that case, you should let me help. One more person means more strength. Shopkeeper Liu, don't worry, I will do my best to help you recover the goods."

Shopkeeper Liu's expression turned even uglier. He opened his mouth, as if about to say something, but swallowed it back. Finally, he could only manage a smile: "Then... then I'll trouble you, Master Ding."

Jiang Yue glanced at Ding Chen gratefully, and Ding Chen gave her a warm smile in return, his eyes full of encouragement and support. Qiu Er, watching their interaction, smiled secretly, feeling happy for the young lady.

"By the way, Shopkeeper Liu," Ding Chen suddenly asked, "where did you say the goods were robbed?"

Shopkeeper Liu was stunned for a moment, his eyes flickering, and he said vaguely: "It's... in the woods outside the city..."

"Oh? The woods outside the city?" Ding Chen's tone was meaningful. "I remember that woods have been quite uneasy lately, with robbers appearing frequently. Manager Liu, you'd better be careful next time."

"Yes... yes..." Shopkeeper Liu wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, his eyes wandering.

Jiang Yue silently observed Manager Liu's every move and had already formed a preliminary judgment in her mind. She believed that the truth of the matter would soon come to light.

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the inn. A waiter rushed in, his face pale, and stammered, "Boss...something bad has happened...the...the officials are here..."

Shopkeeper Liu's face changed drastically. He stood up suddenly, his lips trembling, unable to speak. He subconsciously looked at Jiang Yue, his eyes filled with fear and... pleading?

Jiang Yue met his gaze, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, revealing a meaningful smile: "Manager Liu, it seems that we need to have a good talk."

Officials filed in. The lead constable scanned the inn lobby with a sharp gaze, finally settling on Shopkeeper Liu. "Shopkeeper Liu, someone has reported you for falsely reporting goods were robbed in an attempt to defraud money. Come with us."

Shopkeeper Liu's face turned pale, his legs gave way, and he nearly collapsed to the ground. He was speechless, trying to defend himself, but found himself powerless to refute. He looked at Jiang Yue, pleading in his eyes. But Jiang Yue simply stared at him quietly, her eyes calm and composed, as if she were looking at a stranger.

Jiang Yue suddenly remembered a similar experience of being deceived in her past life. Back then, she was naive and easily trusted others, which resulted in her suffering a great loss. She secretly told herself to be more cautious this time. Now, she is no longer the easily deceived girl. In her new life, she has learned how to disguise herself, how to protect herself, and how to make those who deceived her pay the price.

Ding Chen stepped forward, standing in front of Jiang Yue, and said to the constable, "We also know a little about this Shopkeeper Liu. If you need our cooperation in the investigation, please let us know."

The constable nodded and said, "Then please come with us so that we can be witnesses."

Jiang Yue glanced at Ding Chen gratefully, and Ding Chen returned her with a warm smile, his eyes filled with encouragement and support. Qiu'er, watching their interaction, chuckled secretly, feeling happy for the young lady. This smile, however, only made Shopkeeper Liu even more desperate. He knew he was truly doomed this time.

Following the constable to the yamen, Shopkeeper Liu quickly confessed his crime. It turned out that he had never encountered robbers, and the goods were stored intact in the warehouse. He lied about the goods being robbed in order to defraud Jiang Yue of compensation.

"I...I was just possessed by a ghost..." Shopkeeper Liu cried, "Business has been bad lately, and I'm piled in debt. I really have no choice..."

Jiang Yue watched coldly, without any sympathy in her heart. She knew that many people in this world had a hard time, but that was no reason for them to deceive others.

"Manager Liu, do you think you can get away with this?" Jiang Yue's voice was cold and emotionless. "Who do you think I am?"

Shopkeeper Liu shuddered, not daring to look Jiang Yue in the eye. He saw something in Jiang Yue's eyes that frightened him: a kind of all-seeing wisdom and an unquestionable majesty.

At this moment, Shopkeeper Liu suddenly changed his attitude. He said that the goods were actually still available, but had been reserved by another major customer at a higher price. If Jiang Yue could offer a higher price, he would give the goods to Jiang Yue. This surprised Jiang Yue and the others.

Jiang Yue narrowed her eyes slightly, staring at Shopkeeper Liu, and said word by word, "Are you... sure?"

Shopkeeper Liu wiped the sweat from his forehead, his eyes flickering with a subtle cunning. "I... I'm forced to do this! This noble gentleman's offer is simply too high. I... I simply can't refuse!" He rubbed his hands together, a fawning smile plastered on his face. "However, if Miss Jiang is willing to add a little more, I will immediately offer you the goods! No hesitation!"

Jiang Yue chuckled. This Shopkeeper Liu really wasn't going to cry until he saw the coffin. He was playing a trick of "selling goods to two parties." She pretended to be lost in thought, her fingers tapping lightly on the table, making a crisp sound. Once, twice, three times... It was like she was tapping on Shopkeeper Liu's heart.

"Oh? Increase the price? How much?" Jiang Yue dragged out the last word, staring at Manager Liu sharply, as if he could see through all his lies.

Ding Chen, standing by, glanced at Jiang Yue with a hint of worry. He knew Jiang Yue knew her limits, but he couldn't help but remind her, "Miss Jiang, this Shopkeeper Liu is clearly playing dirty. We should find another source of supply."

Qiu'er also echoed, "Yes, Miss, let's not bother with him! These days, there are fewer and fewer honest businessmen, and we can't be cheated!" She glared at Manager Liu angrily, as if he was some unforgivable villain.

Shopkeeper Liu's eyes darted around, calculating how to squeeze the most money out of Jiang Yue. "Not much, not much. Just add another 20% to the original price, and I'll give you all the goods!" He held up two fingers, a false smile plastered on his face.

Jiang Yue's lips curled up slightly, revealing a meaningful smile. "Twenty percent? Shopkeeper Liu, you're really running a business like this conscientiously! Even better than Taobao's Singles' Day sale!" She deliberately emphasized the word "conscientiously," a hint of sarcasm flashing in her eyes.

Shopkeeper Liu didn't understand the "Taobao Double Eleven" joke and thought Jiang Yue was just praising him. He nodded and said hurriedly, "No, no, it's all for survival, for survival..."

"Survival? I think you're after wealth!" Jiang Yue's tone suddenly turned cold. "Do you think I don't know your little tricks? You lied about goods being robbed, but in reality you were hoarding goods and driving up prices! Do you really think the government is a pushover?"

Shopkeeper Liu's face changed, and he forced himself to remain calm and said, "Miss Jiang, please...please don't wrongly accuse a good person! I...I really had no choice but to do so..."

Jiang Yue was too lazy to talk nonsense with him. She stood up and dusted herself off. "Since Shopkeeper Liu doesn't want to do this business, then forget it. Let's go!"

She turned to leave, and Shopkeeper Liu, seeing this, became anxious. "No, no, no, Miss Jiang, let's talk it over. The price is negotiable, the price is negotiable!"

Jiang Yue stopped and turned to look at him with a half-smile. "Oh? Shopkeeper Liu has changed his mind?"

Shopkeeper Liu nodded repeatedly, like a chick pecking at rice. "It's changed, it's changed! Miss Jiang, please tell me, what price would you be satisfied with?"