Chapter 17: Justice Affairs
Xi Ma considered the possibility that this young miss was related to Minister Gao but did not clarify further to not show unfairness in this case.
"Miss Gao, you can call me Xi Ma." He introduced before continuing, "Regarding the claim, this is a very serious matter. How do you plan to prove this?"
As the one in charge of the businesses under Prince Wei Jiayi, Xi Ma was very knowledgeable and experienced in dealing with issues regarding false claims to slander a store.
Strategies and tactics to pull down a competitor were very normal.
He had read the agreement terms and felt that the demand was too much. 'What was Miss Gao's intention?'
If Miss Gao insisted on very unreasonable terms, there is a high possibility that Gao Lan Mei's action was conspired by Prince Wei's enemies.
If Gao Lan Mei knew what Xi Ma was thinking, she would find it hilarious.
She couldn't imagine that there were some people who would intentionally create false claims against Medical Pavilion. That mortal should have eaten the guts of a lion.
Gao Lan thought so because it would be a very stupid move for an enemy to attack in broad daylight and in front of a big crowd. This kind of strategy was not for her.
In Xi Ma's defense though, he never expected that poisonous walnuts existed in their stocks.
He still believed that shopkeeper Yu would never think of betraying the Medical Pavilion because of its background and severe punishments for traitors.
"As I had mentioned earlier, Shopkeeper Yu will eat a walnut. If it's poisonous the Medical Pavilion will agree with our demand for not believing us. The appropriate reward will also be given for preventing casualties." Gao Lan Mei answered indifferently.
Xi Ma frowned. Casualties can mean anyone who ate the possibly poisonous walnuts.
That anyone could be a child or a pregnant woman who might even have a powerful background. Walnuts were so common that anyone could get it.
Who knew that this common herb could be poisonous?
If this was true and was found out late it would be a disaster for the Medical Pavilion, especially for Prince Wei Jiayi who owned it.
"If that is true, we will definitely give a reward. You and the mute old beggar will also be considered our benefactors." Xi Ma confirmed. Everyone felt that this was a reasonable response.
He added, "However, your second request is not something we can agree on. We can give you free herbs in a limited quantity that are under class C and D as other people need these herbs as well."
Though they could also do their own investigation in the Medical Pavilion, it was best to finish this immediately as people would talk and words spread too fast.
"On the other hand, if proven not true, compensating is not enough. It is just right that we hand you all to the Justice Affairs!" Xi Ma declared threateningly.
"I agree." She answered without any delay surprising them.
'This Miss Gao is that confident?' Xi Ma thought to himself before sending a quick suspicious glance towards Shopkeeper Yu who he noticed was acting really strangely. 'I have a bad feeling about this…'
Gao Lan Mei thought that Xi Ma's offer sounded acceptable. She might not get all the herbs for free; the option to use them to earn money to buy the not-free herbs worked fine for her.
There were some medicines that could be too expensive for anyone to give for free.
Gao Chu and the old mute beggar became nervous as well. What if they failed? Their hearts hammered against their chest.
They looked pleadingly towards Gao Lan Mei to tell her to reconsider through their eyes. Justice Affairs were for traitors! It was known for giving punishments and tortures worse than death!