CHAPTER 336: CHAPTER 336: HUNDRED HERBS HALL IN LE’AN TOO

It was probably due to the excessive pain. Now, upon hearing Bai Su say that eating it would stop the pain, those people nodded like chickens pecking at rice.

They didn’t pay any attention to the aftereffects Bai Su mentioned.

Niu Ruosu, however, noticed, so she asked Bai Su, "Why would there be aftereffects?"

Bai Su said leisurely, "Because the antidote they took is another type of poison."

She initially wanted to say it involved poisonous insects, but thought that this was her trump card and shouldn’t be revealed so casually.

"What?!" Niu Ruosu was shocked.

Bai Su nodded earnestly, "Isn’t it quite clear? It only flares up if you cause trouble; if you don’t, there’s no real impact."

Causing trouble in front of her would definitely not end well.

As for being away from her, well, she didn’t have that ability to know if someone was up to no good when they’re not in her presence. She could only control the poisonous insects!

Niu Ruosu opened her mouth, glanced at Meng Yao, and ultimately said nothing.

"Niu, now that the issue is resolved, are you taking your people and leaving?" Meng Yao asked.

"I was hoping the County Princess would do us the honor of joining us for a meal," Niu Ruosu said.

"Traveling has been tiring; perhaps another day," Meng Yao responded.

"Then let’s follow the County Princess’s wishes."

Niu Ruosu led a mighty entourage away.

Originally, the Government Officials were also planning to leave. Meng Yao spoke calmly, "Master Feng, isn’t this the time for duty? How should it be handled when officials leave their posts without permission, according to the law?"

"For minor offenses, deduct three months’ salary; for major ones, dismissal," Feng Zhiyuan said.

Those who were about to leave stopped in their tracks.

Usually, they wouldn’t heed Feng Zhiyuan’s words.

But now things were different; Feng Zhiyuan had people around him!

Moreover, they had just suffered a major setback.

To not follow orders now might not end well.

However, they were usually quite unruly and had no real reverence for Feng Zhiyuan, so they each behaved lazily, lacking discipline.

"Master Feng, according to regulations, how many officials should be stationed at the Government Office?" Meng Yao asked Feng Zhiyuan.

"Twenty-five," Feng Zhiyuan replied.

"And how many are currently there?" Meng Yao continued.

"Sixty."

That’s over double the amount!

"Where does the salary come from?"

"Taxes."

"Does the County Princess have the authority to ask Master Feng to streamline the numbers?"

If they were genuinely good officials working for the people, Meng Yao might not mind the larger number.

But as for these individuals, the people were fortunate if they didn’t oppress them; why should she waste tax money feeding these parasites?

Feng Zhiyuan hesitated and said, "The County Princess naturally has the right."

The territory was hers; she was effectively the City Lord.

"Then Master Feng, why not handle this matter now?" Meng Yao suggested.

The officials looked at each other, their expressions changing, uncertain whether Meng Yao was serious.

Though most were people from wealthy families, not all were wealthy or lived well. Many among them were quite poor!

They relied on their salary as officials and used this status to grasp silver for daily living.

If they lost their status as officials, they would lose much.

"We have contributed quite a bit to maintaining peace in Le’an and put in effort, if not achieving merit but enduring hardships. County Princess, you’re new here; would you erase our efforts just like that?" Zhu Fu said indignantly.

"Chief Zhu, that comment is laughable; the peace in Le’an is hardly praiseworthy," Meng Yao said coldly.

Zhu Fu’s face froze. Indeed, this County Princess made such a fuss all because Erhei harassed that young lady Bai.

Just that fact could erase all his claims of maintaining peace.

"Besides, it’s not like I’m deliberately making things difficult; I’m merely following the law," Meng Yao said.

"Isn’t the County Princess afraid of provoking public anger?" Zhu Fu gritted his teeth.

"Public anger? What, do you intend to cause trouble?"

Trouble? Would they dare?

They probably wouldn’t dare.

After experiencing such severe punishment, he absolutely did not want to experience it again.

"This matter will be entrusted to you, Master Feng." Meng Yao ignored Zhu Fu, "Bai Su, assist Master Feng."

Bai Su crisply responded, "Sister Meng, don’t worry, I’ve got it."

Feng Zhiyuan was delighted; he had originally been concerned about controlling these people. With the help of young lady Bai, he no longer had to worry.

"Zhao Yun, escort the County Princess and General Zhao to the residence next to mine for accommodation," Feng Zhiyuan said.

Zhao Yun was the one who had just led Meng Yao and Zhao Ting.

Zhao Yun’s demeanor became increasingly respectful; the County Princess was not ordinary, and the most formidable woman of the Niu family achieved nothing in the hands of the County Princess.

Having made the right choice first, does this imply he will have a promising future?

"Your humble servant obeys!" Zhao Yun said loudly.

"Zhao Yun, lead the way to the clinic."

She had to fetch some medicine for Zong Cheng’s leg.

"There are three clinics in the city; two belong to the Zhu family and the Niu family." Zhao Yun said, "The other is owned by an outsider, but as you know, it’s heavily suppressed, not many dare to go openly. But even so, the clinic hasn’t gone under. This shows a certain degree of capability."

"Let’s go to this one," Meng Yao said.

She was not keen to interact with the Zhu and Niu families.

Zhao Yun took Meng Yao and Zhao Ting to the heavily suppressed clinic. The two exchanged glances and smiled. They should have realized sooner that with Hundred Herbs Hall’s centuries of spread across Zhou Country, Le’an surely couldn’t be without one.

The clinic’s apprentice was dozing off behind the counter; it wasn’t that he was lazy, but more due to the lack of customers making it hard to stay awake.

"Apprentice!" Zhao Yun called out.

The apprentice was startled, almost hitting his face on the counter, but quickly recovered and threw a smile on his face. "Would you like to fetch medicine or see a doctor? If you want to see the doctor, I’ll go to the backyard and fetch the doctor right away."

"Fetch medicine," Meng Yao said.

"Alright, please take a look," the apprentice swiftly pushed a paper raft to Meng Yao. The contents were familiar to Meng Yao because it was her suggestion to Lu Luoxing.

Anyone fetching medicine needs to sign a medicine agreement.

To prevent being wronged later.

Meng Yao signed her name on the paper raft.

Only then did the apprentice accept the prescription and begin fetching the medicine.

Though he had been dozing off earlier, he was efficient and accurate in his work, quick with his eyes and hands.

"Madam, the medicine is ready, a total of three taels and five coins. These are the precautions for brewing the medicine," the apprentice said with a smile all over his face.

It had been days since they had any business at Hundred Herbs Hall, having a customer now was truly rare!

"Put it on the tab," Meng Yao said.

The apprentice’s smile froze, "Madam, what did you say?"

He didn’t hear wrong, did he?

This lady actually said to put it on the tab!

If she were a regular customer, he could offer some leniency.

But she looked like a stranger, yet wanted to put it on the tab.

Whoever heard of eating without paying—grabbing medicine without paying was unheard of!

Is it because she sees Hundred Herbs Hall as dwindling, thus not worth regard?