CHAPTER 31: CHAPTER 31: NUMBER ONE IN SELF-PRAISE

"Good, good, very good."

At Hundred Herbs Hall in Changzhou, Mr. Zhao praised the newly prepared medicinal materials before him: "Our Chinese medicine emphasizes family tradition. Look, there are no weak soldiers under a strong general. The medicinal materials prepared by Doctor Xiao’s direct granddaughter are the best I’ve seen in my life."

"Grandfather, isn’t your grandson amazing?"

Zhao Minghua quickly leaned in, clearly seeking praise.

Zhao Mingqing simply couldn’t look: This third brother of his has always been someone who seizes any opportunity to climb up.

"The medicinal materials were prepared by Miss Xiao, what greatness did you contribute?" The old man chuckled in exasperation: "If you’re so great, why don’t you prepare some yourself? Let me ask you, what are the methods of preparing medicinal materials?"

"Grandfather, please don’t test me."

Was the old man planning to kill the conversation abruptly!

He recognized these medicinal materials only because of the preparation requirements and remembered them when they were sent from Hundred Herbs Hall to the Xiao family. Normally, he could never remember the medicinal materials.

The old man wanting to test him, wasn’t this setting himself up for frustration?

"You’re seventeen years old now, reaching the age of manhood, establishing a family and career. Look at you, what will you have by then?"

"Grandfather, there’s still three years until I’m twenty. The saying goes, ’after three days, one should look at another with fresh eyes.’ Just imagine after three years. Wait and see, three years later, I will surely make a grand success and rise above others..."

Zhao Minghua, the jack of no trades, master of boasting, was undoubtedly number one in self-praise.

Yes, indeed, he was that confident, believing he could accomplish anything!

"You." The old man thought for a moment: "I wanted you to study medicine, but you said you couldn’t remember so much. Why not seek apprenticeship with Miss Xiao to learn preparation skills? Then, your elder brother can focus on diagnosis and treatment, while you handle the preparation of medicinal materials..."

"Grandfather, you must be joking. How could I become an apprentice to a girl?"

"Child, haven’t you always been quite intelligent? Why then do you think a girl can’t be your teacher?" Mr. Zhao said: "Remember, among three people, there is always something to learn. Moreover, Miss Xiao’s skills in preparing medicinal materials surpass mine by several folds."

"Ah? No way?"

His own grandfather hadn’t treated patients for years, deeply engrossed in the research and preparation of medicinal materials, focusing only on precious ones.

In Zhao Minghua’s eyes, the old man was always very skilled.

He never expected his prowess to be overshadowed by a girl.

"It’s true. While I am confident, I am not arrogant. What is good is good, and what is bad is bad. The medicinal materials prepared by Miss Xiao are top-notch in terms of color, purity, and efficacy."

Zhao Minghua’s eyes widened.

"Then I must be quite a talent."

What did he mean by this?

The old man and Zhao Mingqing both stared in surprise again.

"You see, I’m quite incredible. When the Xiao family moved to Shuikou Village in the eastern part of town, no one knew their girl could prepare medicinal materials, except for me, Zhao Minghua. I recognized the talent with a discerning eye and made an agreement with her to prepare our medicinal materials. This must save a lot of silver, right, grandfather?"

Mr. Zhao... I really can’t argue with that.

Zhao Mingqing laughed in exasperation.

"When will you ever do something serious?"

Taking others’ skills as his own bragging rights, having a brother like this really was a little embarrassing.

"Elder brother, don’t underestimate me, this is exactly a serious business." Zhao Mingqing retorted: "Think about it, if these medicinal materials were not prepared by Miss Xiao, how much more would you spend buying prepared ones?"

"Moreover, grandfather already said these medicinal materials are prepared exceptionally well and are top-grade. If you bought them from the largest and best medicinal dealer in Great Xia, at the Qianjin Hall, how much would that cost?"

The Qianjin Hall was the largest and best medicinal dealer in Great Xia; everyone knew to go there for quality medicine.

"I asked Miss Xiao to prepare them for such a low effort fee. The difference is profit, and I can create value for Hundred Herbs Hall. Is that not considered a real job?"

He opposed this statement, firmly opposed it.

"Grandfather, you be the judge."

If necessary, he would tell grandfather.

The eldest son and youngest grandson were both the old man’s heart and soul.

"Yes, yes, yes, our Minghua can accomplish great things too."

"That’s right."

Zhao Minghua, a baby with high demands, felt immensely pleased upon receiving his grandfather’s praise.

Nobody knew that at this moment, a good money-making idea popped into his mind.

"Minghua."

The old man suddenly looked at him seriously.

"Grandfather, what’s the matter?"

"The matter of Miss Xiao preparing medicinal materials must never be leaked."

"Grandfather, why?" Zhao Minghua was puzzled: "Miss Xiao also said it shouldn’t be mentioned to anyone outside our family. Why can’t it be said?"

The Xiao family was living so miserably, and preparing medicinal materials was a skill to survive, an honorable way to earn a living. Why couldn’t it be shared with others?

He never figured out the key issue.

"You." Zhao Mingqing shook his head: "You always speak without using your brain."

"Wrong, sometimes I have to use my hands." Zhao Minghua admitted he wasn’t fond of using his brain, it took effort: "Elder brother, tell me, why shouldn’t it be known to outsiders?"

"Why did the Xiao family return to Shu City?"

"It was because of Doctor Xiao..." Zhao Minghua slapped his thigh, followed by a cry of "ouch". Then he seemed to understand abruptly: "The Xiao family must keep a low profile, survive quietly, am I right?"

"That’s one reason." Zhao Mingqing said: "The Xiao family is now at a precarious position where any disturbance might lead them to an inescapable abyss; another reason, if people know of Miss Xiao’s skill, it will attract schemers, and the Xiao family is too weak now to protect her."

"And let me guess, there should be a third reason." At this point, Zhao Minghua’s mind seemed to open up: "If people knew she could prepare medicinal materials, it might compete with our Hundred Herbs Hall, like that Qianjin Hall family?"

"Glad you know." Zhao Mingqing said: "The more dangerous the time, the more she needs to be protected. If possible, they could be moved to the town."

"That’s definitely not possible." Zhao Minghua said: "You don’t know how stubborn the Xiao family is. If I send them some food, they immediately send something back as a sign of reciprocity."

"With their current income, they absolutely cannot afford to live in town." Even renting would cost at least one or two silver a month, how could they bear that?"

"Couldn’t you think of another way?"

Zhao Mingqing felt his brother was too rigid.

"What way?"