CHAPTER 89: CHAPTER 87: LIMELIGHT

A surge of anger rose in Madam Su’s heart.

How is the Su Family the same? The Su Family has been running a medicine shop for years, with their own shopkeeper and staff, naturally not needing her as the matriarch to personally prepare the medicines.

What does the Chen Family Village understand? Only Xie Liangchen knows some about the medicines.

Thinking of this, Madam Su slightly raised her chin, not intending to argue with Xie Liangchen further; she would not indulge in a momentary war of words like Xie Liangchen.

Xie Liangchen’s recent words had already revealed the Chen Family Village’s secret.

Xie Liangchen only prepared about a dozen kinds of medicines; the rest were made by others.

"Aunt," Miss Lin said softly, "it seems the rumors are true."

Madam Su certainly understood what Miss Lin meant, that someone was supporting Chen Family Village from behind.

Miss Lin wanted to say more, but Madam Su looked at her meaningfully, and Miss Lin quickly closed her mouth.

Madam Su hadn’t forgotten Second Master Xie’s case, even though Second Master Xie was imprisoned because of it, Chen Family Village won the case before Mr. Li, nonetheless, everyone knows that even if things appear in the open, they might not be true.

Song Xian is likely deceiving the court, hence the current situation.

Thus, this time the selection of medicines by the Official Medicine Bureau is also under Song Xian’s control, it was expected that Chen Family Village’s medicines would be selected.

Madam Su didn’t look pleased, while Miss Lin advised from the side, "Aunt, don’t worry; today’s merely a collection of medicines, it’s still a few days before the Official Medicine Bureau decides whose medicines to use, we can let Father think of a way."

Listening to Miss Lin’s words, Madam Su’s mind kept calculating, and when she came to her senses, she realized Xie Liangchen was gone.

Xie Liangchen, along with Chen Zigeng, carefully examined the medicines sent by various shops.

The shopkeeper from Huang Family Pharmacy came forward and said, "What are you looking at?"

Xie Liangchen looked up, her face full of smiles, "Shopkeeper, this ’Vinegar Fried Gansui’ from your shop seems to have the best timing."

The shopkeeper of Huang Family Pharmacy couldn’t help but smile upon hearing this, "Of course, our old staff has been doing this for decades; they could prepare it even with their eyes closed."

"Could you sell us some?" Xie Liangchen asked.

The shopkeeper of Huang Family Pharmacy was surprised to hear people from Chen Family Village wanted to buy prepared medicines from them.

Xie Liangchen said, "I know that your pharmacy employs a doctor good at treating coughs, have a look at our ’Honey Fried Hundred Parts’. If you find the price suitable, you can buy our ’Hundred Parts’, and I’ll buy your pharmacy’s ’Gansui’."

As Xie Liangchen spoke, Chen Zigeng opened the rough paper package in his hands, revealing the honey-fried Hundred Parts.

"Have a taste," Xie Liangchen’s eyes were bright, "If you find it unsatisfactory, no need to buy it."

Facing the two children, the shopkeeper of Huang Family Pharmacy found it hard to refuse; he also wanted to know the quality of medicines prepared by Chen Family Village.

Taking a piece into his mouth, the shopkeeper of Huang Family Pharmacy tasted it carefully and found the medicine indeed well-prepared.

Looking at Xie Liangchen, the shopkeeper of Huang Family Pharmacy asked, "Aren’t you delivering your medicines to the Official Medicine Bureau today? Why do you want to buy medicines?"

Xie Liangchen smiled and said, "The Official Medicine Bureau may not necessarily want our medicines, we’re basically here to see the world; after today we should at least know which medicine each shop is skilled at preparing.

With over a hundred kinds of medicines needing preparation, no shop can do them all perfectly; wouldn’t it be great if we exchange information based on needs?

The Official Medicine Bureau is the only one in Zhenzhou; pharmacies will still need to sell medicines. As we heard from the trading team, many places in the South are lacking prepared medicines."

The shopkeeper of Huang Family Pharmacy felt stirred hearing this, "The trading team brought back news?" He had a vague suspicion that Miss Xie was just speaking offhand.

Xie Liangchen took the letter written for her by Mr. Tian from her sleeve, "For this matter, Mr. Tian hasn’t returned to Zhenzhou yet and is inquiring everywhere, have a look at this letter from Mr. Tian about the need for prepared medicines by Southern pharmacies; your Gansui sells best in Jiangning Prefecture."

The shopkeeper of Huang Family Pharmacy was suddenly interested; a small pharmacy like theirs didn’t hear much news, they had only sold medicines as far as Xingzhou, let alone Jiangning Prefecture, which was so far away.

As Xie Liangchen was talking with the shopkeeper of Huang Family Pharmacy, the surrounding people couldn’t help but come closer and ask, "The Tian Family Trading Team went to Jiangning Prefecture?"

Xie Liangchen replied, "Mr. Tian went specifically to Jiangning Prefecture to inquire for help; when I offered money for travel and horse expenses, he refused; Mr. Tian said the North finally settled down, he hopes to travel more to gather news, and also to help sell everyone’s goods, next he plans to go to Xiangzhou and return to Zhenzhou Prefecture before the New Year."

People started gathering around Xie Liangchen, listening attentively to her about news from the Tian Family Trading Team.

As Vice Envoy Jia Si arrived at the Official Medicine Bureau, he saw a crowd gathered discussing something.

"Vice Envoy Jia has arrived."

Upon hearing the servant’s voice, the crowd dispersed and turned to salute Jia Si.

Jia Si’s eyes fell on two people surrounded by the crowd, one was a girl around fourteen or fifteen, the other a young child of seven or eight.

"What are you discussing?" Jia Si asked.

The crowd looked towards Xie Liangchen.

Xie Liangchen stepped forward fearlessly and said, "Sir, we were discussing whether, with the establishment of the Official Medicine Bureau, it could verify the preparation of medicines by pharmacies and issue certification?

Medicines like Aconite, if improperly prepared, can poison consumers; the market’s preparations of Aconite vary greatly, but if sold with certification from the Official Medicine Bureau, larger pharmacies would certainly be willing to buy such prepared goods."

With the Official Medicine Bureau being just established, Jia Si wasn’t sure whether such a thing could be done, he hesitated.

"Why not?" A voice with calm authority was heard.

Everyone looked up and saw Song Xian and the Zhenzhou County Magistrate approaching; it was Song Xian who spoke.

"The court’s document is clear, the Official Medicine Bureau is established for the people; anything beneficial to the people can be done." Song Xian’s expression was solemn, seemingly aloof, yet his words conveyed an inexplicable sense of amiability.

Song Xian looked at Jia Si, "Mr. Jia, can the medical worker from the Official Medicine Bureau undertake this?"

Jia Si bowed, "The medical worker must learn to discern medicines, Mr. Song’s words are correct, the Official Medicine Bureau should oversee these matters, it can be categorized as first, second, third grade."

With the Official Medicine Bureau proving the quality of medicines, they would surely sell better.

The shopkeepers suddenly understood; prepared medicines could not only be sold to the Official Medicine Bureau, perhaps relying on this they could venture into other business.

In this way, it truly depends on one’s skills; whichever shop prepares the best medicine could sell it at a higher price.

Madam Su was stunned; the selection of medicines this time didn’t seem to align with her calculations, watching Xie Liangchen being surrounded by so many people, this girl had quickly won over many; it seemed as if she could lead everyone to earn silver coins.