CHAPTER 337: CHAPTER 337: THE MADAM DOESN’T SEEM LIKE SOMEONE WHO CAN’T AFFORD SILVER

Meng Yao calmly took out the waist tag given to her by Lu Luoxing and handed it to the young clerk.

"What’s this?" The clerk was puzzled, "Not giving silver, but handing over this piece of scrap wood? Madam, you don’t look like someone who can’t afford silver."

Meng Yao was amused, "Is your shopkeeper around?"

"Our shopkeeper went to a nearby village today to see a patient." The clerk replied.

"This waist tag, let your shopkeeper see it when he returns. Here, this is silver." Meng Yao handed over the silver, fearing that if she spoke more, the clerk would become more curious.

The clerk accepted the silver, grinning widely, "Madam, here is your medicine. Take care, come back if you need anything!"

"Young man, you gather medicine quickly and accurately; you will surely be a skilled doctor in the future." Meng Yao said warmly and earnestly.

The clerk chuckled, "Madam, you really have an eye for talent."

Currently, he was indeed studying medicine under the doctors at the clinic, though he just started, he was ambitious and aspired to become a renowned doctor.

"We’ll be leaving now, young man, keep busy." Meng Yao said with a smile.

"I’ll see the madam out."

The clerk deliberately came out from behind the counter to see Meng Yao and her companions off.

Zhao Yun first settled Meng Yao and Zhao Ting next to Feng Zhiyuan, and then busied himself with preparing medicine for Zong Cheng.

Meng Yao noticed his proficiency and said nothing more, instead she and Zhao Ting began to understand the cases accumulated by the Le’an County Government from Zong Cheng.

Zong Cheng was talented, though he hadn’t had the chance to make a significant impact, he had studied all the cases from small to large in Le’an over the years, and organized the records in the government office.

He even categorized and prioritized them according to urgency and importance.

"The people here have gotten used to being oppressed. If the County Princess can stand up for them, at first they may be skeptical, but as long as you, County Princess, persist, surely the people will see your sincerity." said Zong Cheng.

To govern Le’an well, the support of the people is crucial.

"As the County Princess, I am not skilled in these matters; I must rely on Master Feng and Master Zong, Master Zong you must quickly mend your leg to aid Master Feng." Meng Yao said.

"After putting the leg back together, how long will it take to heal?" Zong Cheng asked.

"To walk, it will take at least a month, and you cannot bear weight." Meng Yao replied.

"Will it take that long?"

"Unless you want it to grow crooked again."

Zong Cheng sighed.

"No need to rush, Zhao Yun, from today onward, you stay by Master Zong’s side to care for him, are you willing?" Meng Yao asked Zhao Yun.

"Willing, willing, very willing!" Zhao Yun nodded excitedly.

The County Princess treating Master Zong’s leg signifies her intention to heavily rely on Master Zong.

If he takes care of Master Zong’s daily needs, once Master Zong recovers, this relationship will be unmatched by others.

By then, he will naturally follow and stay by Master Zong’s side.

As long as Master Zong doesn’t make mistakes, he will certainly prosper by following him.

Meng Yao was not very interested in these cases, whereas Zhao Ting listened and offered his opinions, while Master Zong diligently recorded them.

Meng Yao chose not to disturb them, quietly leaving to explore and understand the customs of Le’an.

——

On the other hand, after Niu Ruosu returned, he did not delay and invited the heads of the Zhu family and Yang family to the Niu residence for discussions.

Though each of the three families harbored thoughts of surpassing the other two, they knew to temporarily set aside rivalries and unite against external threats.

"Master Zhu, you already know about your family’s Er Hei, what’s your view on this?" Niu Ruosu asked Zhu Daqiang.

"Who cares about the County Princess, Le’an is our turf." Zhu Daqiang’s opening was undeniably rough and unrefined, "Coming to Le’an, they must adhere to our rules. With just three people, they can choke us?"

Indeed, that would make them a joke.

"Not true, not true." Yang Zhuge, head of the Yang family, swayed his head in disagreement, "The County Princess is personally appointed by His Majesty! And she is the granddaughter of the Duke Qi Mansion! Plus, Zhao Ting, a favored General of His Majesty! These identities can’t be trifled with casually!"

Originally, Yang Zhuge did not have this name.

Following his belief that he could rival the legendary strategist Zhuge Liang, he changed his name.

Indeed, he was very shrewd.

Though the Yang family had fewer numbers compared to the other two families in these years, due to Yang Zhuge’s quick thinking, they managed not to suffer losses in their struggles.

"Old Yang, you always worry about everything." Zhu Daqiang dismissed Yang Zhuge’s words, "Those identities are formidable, but can they really exceed our grasp? This is Le’an! Just three people!"

"There seem to be only three openly, but who dares say there are not others lurking? That Zhao Ting is a General, surely he has people at his service?" Yang Zhuge commented coldly.

A brute, truly a brute!

"In my opinion, let’s just watch and see what the County Princess is planning before we decide." Niu Ruosu said, "Though in these mountainous regions, emperors are far away, we should show proper respect to the emperor."

If not, should the emperor truly come to punish them, their reliance wouldn’t assure a clean escape.

"Ruosu, you are a woman, just like the County Princess, seize the opportunity to investigate more." Yang Zhuge advised, "Know your enemy, and you can win every battle."

"Alright, leave it to me." Niu Ruosu said.

"In short, upon returning, rein in your families. Until we fully understand what that woman plans to do, keep low-key, or she might seize our weaknesses!" Yang Zhuge added.

Zhu Daqiang said nothing, while Niu Ruosu nodded.

"Old Zhu, I know you dislike listening to my words, but don’t forget our ancestors’ rules, no matter our quarrels we must unite against foreign threats." Yang Zhuge spoke sternly.

"Did I say not to unite?" Zhu Daqiang was impatient, "I just can’t stand your lecturing tone. Fine. I’m leaving! I must check on our family’s Er Hei!"

Zhu Daqiang was very displeased, his family bore the worst injuries.

Moreover, Zhu Fu hadn’t returned yet.

——

The moment the shopkeeper of the Hundred Herbs Hall entered, the clerk swiftly stepped forward to take his medicine box, joyously, "Shopkeeper, shopkeeper, today our clinic opened its doors and welcomed a madam for medicine. You see, not everyone fears the Zhu family and Niu family!"

"Oh? Truly?"

"Of course it’s true. Look, here’s the silver! And here’s the prescription I copied from the madam, I just consulted the books, this prescription has remarkable effects on promoting circulation and easing bruises, and two of the ingredients are highly beneficial for bone growth." the clerk explained, "This prescription is truly ingenious!"

The shopkeeper took the prescription, glanced at it, and became somewhat excited, as while this prescription wasn’t exactly like those in his medicinal records, the basic medicinal ingredients were indeed the same!