CHAPTER 386: CHAPTER 0368: UNDELIVERABLE LETTER (2)

The County Magistrate remained as amiable as ever, telling Li Yuzhu and Li Xing’an not to feel constrained, to act just as if they were at home, and he mentioned that the County Magistrate’s Wife was not at the mansion, so if they needed anything, they should find him, as he would arrange their accommodations.

Li Yuzhu and Li Xing’an were frequent visitors of the County Magistrate Mansion, so naturally, they were not reserved, especially since Li Lixing was there; if anything was lacking or needed, Li Lixing would consult with the steward to help them get everything done.

After breakfast, Li Yuzhu inquired with Li Lixing about the sales situation of the consigned books.

"Earlier, they sold quickly, but now sales have slowed; only three to five books are sold daily, sometimes just one or two, leaving eighty books unsold," Li Lixing said, handing a list to Li Yuzhu.

Last time, they brought books to sell because they encountered Guoguo’s birthday party and went back to the countryside before the books were sold out.

Li Yuzhu entrusted the remaining books to Xiao Chengzi from the Qianwen Book Society for consignment sales.

Xiao Chengzi’s father had been engraving for years, and now he continued his father’s craft and clientele.

The father and son knew many places in the county town where books were sold.

Xiao Chengzi placed the books in three different places for consignment sales.

Li Lixing said, "Xiao Chengzi said that those people all owed him kindness, so no wage was needed for consignment sales. Xiao Chengzi also doesn’t want us to thank him; he said if it weren’t for Yu Zhu helping treat his eyes, he would be looked down upon and lose his job."

Li Xing’an laughed, "He’s someone who knows how to be grateful."

Li Yuzhu said, "If there are only eighty books left, let’s take them back; these days we’ll sell them on our own."

Li Lixing said, "I’ll go to the Sang family to ask if they still want books, and then visit a few old playmates."

Li Xing’an patted his shoulder, "Not bad, not bad, Brother Lixing, I have faith in you."

Li Lixing was elated by the compliment, "Rest assured, I will sell out these eighty books."

Li Yuzhu laughed, "If they are sold out, we can print more based on the feedback."

This time when visiting the county town, Li Yuzhu did not take the family’s carriage; Li Lixing sent Qin Hu to drive the carriage for Li Yuzhu and her brother.

Li Yuzhu did not go to the Zhao family right away; she first visited the shop where she consigned her pharmaceuticals.

Manager Cai, seeing her arrival, smiled and said, "Miss Li, you came just in time; everything was sold out yesterday. Here are the accounts for you to check."

There were ten types of consigned pharmaceuticals, including one type of mosquito repellent.

The prices varied, and a batch had been settled before; this was the remainder of the settlement.

After verifying the amount, Li Yuzhu collected her share of the money.

Since the shopkeeper helped Li Yuzhu sell medicine pills, it stimulated other business; people came to buy her pills, and they would also have the shopkeeper first check their ailments, for which he charged a ten-coin consultation fee.

This money was easily made, benefiting the shopkeeper.

He smiled and said, "Miss Li, the previous batch of medicine pills is sold out; are there new ones available?"

Li Yuzhu smiled and said, "Of course, this time I brought even more."

"Great, great," the shopkeeper beamed, continuing, "By the way, make more of the pills for women’s illnesses; those who bought them praised their effectiveness."

The shopkeeper was referring to the pills for blood circulation issues.

During unfriendly periods, it was quite unbearable.

She chose a premium grade of pills made in Medicine Village, first trying them with the Great Princess and Second Princess, both of whom praised their efficacy.

"Yes, I brought a hundred bottles this time," Li Yuzhu said with a smile.

Qin Hu hauled a vine-strapped box from the carriage, placing it on the table; Li Yuzhu opened it to reveal piles of medicine bottles.

These mini-sized porcelain bottles were from her special space and didn’t need custom making.

However, when asked, she would say they were custom-ordered from a dishware business in the market.

Some of the drier medicine powders were wrapped in medicine paper.

Whether on the bottles or the powder packets, the names and targeted symptoms of each medicine were written clearly.

This time, she brought fifteen types of medicine, with a detailed list of each selling price and her costs.

As before, they also agreed to a profit-sharing arrangement.

The shopkeeper, knowing she was a relative of the county magistrate’s family, wouldn’t dare to deceive her.

There was also a tall government official standing behind her.

"Miss Li, as per usual, we’ll settle accounts once a month," the shopkeeper said.

"Agreed," Li Yuzhu collected the shopkeeper’s twenty taels deposit, agreed on a settlement date, then left the pharmacy heading towards the Zhao family.

Qin Hu mentioned there was a shorter route to the Zhao family, though noisier because of a vegetable market.

Li Yuzhu lifted the curtain to look outside, "It’s already mid-morning; the vegetable shoppers have mostly dispersed, so it shouldn’t be too noisy. Let’s take that road."

"Sure, then I’ll change routes," Qin Hu said, steering the carriage down another path.

As they passed through the market, it was indeed quite empty, hardly noisy at all.

The path was wide, allowing Qin Hu to speed up the carriage.

But as they passed by the mouth of an alley, unexpectedly, someone emerged from within.

The person wore a Daoist hat and carried a peach wood sword on his shoulder.

Beside him was a little Taoist.

The carriage brushed past them, causing the two to fall to the ground in fright.

"Master, master, are you okay?" The little Taoist shouted at the old Daoist.

"Oh, my old bones."

"Stop, Brother Qin." In the carriage, Li Yuzhu shouted.

Qin Hu was driving the carriage and almost hit someone, feeling embarrassed, "I wasn’t going very fast, how did I almost hit someone? Blame these two Daoists, can’t they walk slower?"

Li Yuzhu got off the carriage, "Are you alright?" It turned out to be the old Daoist and little Taoist from the small Daoist temple they visited last night.

Wasn’t the old Daoist supposed to head to the Capital this morning? It was already past noon, how come they’re still in this county?

She also noticed the little Taoist holding some incense and paper items, appearing as though they were off to perform a funeral ritual at someone’s place.

"Oh? It’s you guys?" Li Xing’an, who followed, also recognized them.

The little Taoist stared at them dazedly, "Your carriage almost hit us."

"Alright, we’ll apologize on behalf of the driver." Li Xing’an bowed his hand respectfully towards the old Daoist.

Li Yuzhu looked at the Daoist, "Daoist priest, what a coincidence, yesterday we visited your temple to offer incense, and today we run into you."

The old Daoist flicked his sleeve, "Remembered now, it’s you two. I didn’t get hurt, have urgent matters, so I’ll take my leave first."

He saw Qin Hu approaching in a government official uniform, frightened, dare not say another word. Besides, he wasn’t injured; better to leave quickly. Government officials could be troublesome to deal with.

But Qin Hu stopped him, "Hey, Daoist priest, don’t leave, I haven’t apologized yet."

Old Daoist, "..."

Li Yuzhu eyed his outfit, "Daoist priest, in a hurry to leave, are you going somewhere to perform a ritual?"

"An old master in a household has passed away, invited us to perform rituals for a few days. So I’m eager to depart." The old Daoist bowed to Li Yuzhu, "Farewell, benefactors."

Li Yuzhu looked at him, "Last night, you promised Old Mrs. Zhao to deliver a letter to the Capital, why haven’t you departed yet when it’s almost noon? Taking money but not doing the deed?"

The old Daoist exclaimed, "Wronged, lady benefactor, I haven’t taken even a single coin."

Li Yuzhu squinted slightly, "Not even a coin? Charitable act? Running all the way to the Capital must cost at least ten taels, right?"

The old Daoist forced a smile, "I’ll be honest, the letter from Old Mrs. Zhao can’t be delivered, but she’s adamant about sending it, so I just superficially agreed."

Li Yuzhu asked curiously, "Is the address incorrect?"

"The address is correct; it’s... it’s the person who’s no longer around, where else can I deliver to?" The old Daoist forced a bitter smile.

"This person... no longer around, what does that mean?" Li Xing’an asked curiously.

"She wants me to deliver the letter to Old Master Zhao working in the Capital, but Old Master Zhao has passed away many years ago." The old Daoist shook his head in bitter amusement, "Old Mrs. Zhao is a bit muddled, how can I bear to tell her? So I just went along with her words. She told me when to send it, I did as she said; she asked me when to receive a reply, I made up a date."

Li Yuzhu was enlightened, "So that’s how it is... Even an outsider knows to care for Old Mrs. Zhao, but the Zhao family, why are they so impatient?"

Old Master Zhao passed away early, Old Mrs. Zhao brought up several children, reaching old age only to be neglected?

Apparently, the lie about fifty thousand taels of silver still needs embellishing.

It’s best to let Old Mrs. Zhao bring it to the grave!

"Daoist priest, you are a good person." Li Yuzhu bowed to him.

The old Daoist waved his hand, "An ascetic has received quite a bit of lamp oil money from Old Mrs. Zhao, saying a lie for her is no big deal."

He chanted to the Heavenly Venerate to Li Yuzhu and Li Xing’an, then left with the little Taoist.

Li Yuzhu watched their backs, saying, "Let’s go to the Zhao family."

The carriage continued forward to the Zhao family.

In front of the Zhao family’s home, there was already a carriage parked, it belonged to Sister-in-law Chai.

Sister-in-law Chai and two children were just alighting from the carriage.

She saw Li Yuzhu, waved cheerfully, "I calculated the time, guessing you would arrive now, didn’t expect to run into you, my timing was spot on."

Li Yuzhu smiled, "Why did you bring them along, Sister-in-law?" Not knowing if Old Mrs. Zhao would cause trouble today.

"Old Mrs. Zhao likes children, I purposely brought them." Sister-in-law Chai laughed.

The two children saw Li Yuzhu and Li Xing’an, excitedly shouting to them.

"Once inside, don’t be too mischievous, Old Mrs. Zhao’s health is poor." Li Yuzhu instructed them.

"Got it." The two children replied in unison.