maidservant

Or perhaps they inflate prices, forcing patients to buy ordinary medicinal herbs at high prices, causing the clinic's money to flow out like water. In the long run, how can the clinic survive?

Furthermore, the people of Kyoto have always trusted the guild. If the guild secretly causes trouble, spreading rumors about Xinglin Chuntang and defaming the clinic's reputation, would those unsuspecting patients still feel safe coming here for treatment?

The rumors spread by that family last time had a significant impact on the clinic; if the guilds were to join forces, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Thinking about the development of the clinic, Yunshan's eyes were full of worry. The guild held so many precious medical books and prescriptions. She had originally thought that by joining the guild, she could borrow and refer to them, improve her medical skills, and expand the range of diseases that the clinic could treat.

What troubled Yun Shan the most was that the local official. Yun Shan understood the implication in Zhan Qian's words: the guild and the government probably had some unclear and ambiguous relationship.

If they instigate the government to cause trouble, sending officials to inspect every now and then, deliberately finding fault and imposing fines, how can the clinic withstand such torment?
We can't keep dragging Zhan Qian to solve problems every time. If we rely on Lin Xiao's influence and people criticize us behind our backs, it would be unfair to him.

Thinking of this, Yun Shan sighed. It seemed that she would have to find a way to deal with this guild properly.

Dr. Feng noticed that something was wrong with her expression and asked her with concern.

Yunshan recounted the whole story. After listening, Doctor Feng stroked his beard and pondered, "The power of this guild is deeply entrenched. We cannot act rashly. We need to plan carefully."

After calming down, Yun Shan, driven by reason, carefully prepared a generous gift, including two boxes of rare medicinal herbs brought from the palace, all neatly packaged in exquisite brocade boxes.

At the same time, she wrote a heartfelt letter expressing her respect for the guild and her strong desire to join Xinglin Chuntang, and apologizing for her previous oversight.

Upon arriving at the guild, Yunshan handed the brocade box and letter to the gatekeeper.

Sure enough, a message came from inside, inviting Yunshan in. She bowed respectfully, saying, "Esteemed seniors, Xinglin Chuntang's success today is inseparable from the trust of the people of the capital, and even more so from the guidance of the guild. I was too busy with patients before and delayed joining the guild; please forgive me. These medicinal herbs were found for the guild as a small token of my appreciation."

At this moment, Zhao Kui snorted coldly, casually flipped through the gift list brought by Yun Shan, his face full of disdain, and slammed the gift list onto the table, causing the papers to fly everywhere.

"You think you can fool us with this stuff? Do you think our guild is some roadside pharmacy?" He glanced at Yun Shan with a mocking look in his eyes.

Another guild leader chimed in, "Hmph, you think an apology letter will suffice? Your previous disregard for the guild won't be so easily forgiven." The crowd's barrage of sarcastic remarks rained down on Yun Shan like arrows.

The bank manager quickly stepped in to smooth things over, smiling apologetically, "Gentlemen, this young lady is genuinely here to clear up the misunderstanding. Xinglin Chuntang's reputation in Kyoto is well-known; why not give her a chance..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Kui interrupted him: "President, there's no need to be so kind. This matter isn't that simple."

Yun Shan suppressed her anger and grievances, trying her best to remain calm and attempting to explain again. But every word she spoke was met with ruthless rebuttals from the guild members, giving her no chance to breathe.

Under the relentless harassment from everyone, Yun Shan gradually felt powerless to resist, and her face grew increasingly pale.

This trip not only failed to ease the tension, but she also felt that the conflict between them had deepened.

After returning to the Li residence, Xiaoyue waited for Yunshan to have dinner, but Yunshan said she wasn't feeling well and wouldn't eat.

Although Xiaoyue hadn't asked about the clinic, she was well aware of the intricacies involved.

"How about we have the young master find some time to make contact with the guild? Although this guild has been entrenched in the capital for decades, your brother-in-law should still give them face."

"No need to trouble brother-in-law." Yun Shan shook her head. "I haven't revealed my relationship with brother-in-law since I opened the business, and I only return to the mansion when I'm almost in meditation and no one is around. Although I know I can't hide it for long, judging from their attitude, they probably haven't investigated this aspect." "Then, has the imperial brush been hung up?" Xiao Yue wondered, how could those people dare to act so presumptuously under the imperial brush?

"The future of the clinic is still uncertain, and it has not yet been advertised. It would be a small matter if my signboard is destroyed, but it would be a great matter if the royal family is disgraced."

“I’ve never done this before. It’s a headache, but it’s not impossible yet. Let me try again, sister. I can’t just rely on you and brother-in-law like a parasite.”

Before Yunshan could come up with a proper solution, the clinic unexpectedly encountered some trouble.

One afternoon, the sunlight lazily spilled onto the eaves of Xinglin Chuntang Clinic. Inside, Doctor Feng sat at his consultation table, diligently examining and treating patients, while the pharmacist busied himself with practiced ease.

Just then, the door to the clinic was pushed open, and several men walked in. They were dressed plainly, but their expressions were somewhat unnatural. They neither went straight to the consultation desk nor seemed to be waiting for a number; instead, they wandered around the various corners of the clinic at will.

Yun Shan was helping to organize the medicine cabinet when she caught a glimpse of these people out of the corner of her eye. Her heart stirred slightly, but thinking that people come and go at the clinic, they were probably just curious passersby, so she didn't pay them any mind.

These people would sometimes approach the medical records posted on the wall, and sometimes chat with patients waiting for their turn. Most of the patients responded politely and did not feel that there was anything wrong with it.

A few days later, the streets and alleys of Kyoto were bustling with activity. In the lively teahouses, loud conversations rose and fell.

The suspicious-looking men were sitting in a prominent position. One of them slammed his hand on the table and shouted:
"Let me tell you, Dr. Feng from Xinglin Chuntang is simply a miracle worker! A few days ago, my old man, who had been ill for a long time, went to Xinglin Chuntang. Dr. Feng only prescribed three doses of medicine, and he recovered completely after taking them. Isn't he even better than Hua Tuo reborn?"

The surrounding tea drinkers cast surprised glances and began to whisper among themselves.

The same scene was playing out in the tavern. Another person was yelling at the top of his lungs:

"Don't compare other clinics to Xinglin Chuntang. The medicine I got from the clinic in Dongxiangzi last time was completely useless. It was a complete rip-off! Xinglin Chuntang is the real good clinic that treats us ordinary people!" These words spread like wildfire throughout the city.

Even worse, they went to the entrances of other clinics and deliberately shouted loudly:
"Your clinic is no good. Look at Xinglin Chuntang, and then look at yours, the difference is too great!"

Passersby turned their heads in disapproval, and the doctors in the clinic looked extremely displeased upon hearing these words.

Before long, the once harmonious medical practice was thrown into chaos. Several disgraced and idle medical clinics joined forces and came to Xinglin Chuntang with great force.

The head doctor, Dr. Wang, was furious. He pointed at Yun Shan and demanded, "Miss Yun, tell me what's going on? Lately, there's been a lot of talk praising your Xinglin Chuntang and putting us down. Those people are obviously people you hired!"

Yun Shan looked bewildered and quickly explained, "Dr. Wang, you've misunderstood. Xinglin Chuntang has never done such a thing!"

Another doctor, Li, sneered, "Hmph, who else could it be but you? Your Xinglin Chuntang business has been getting better and better lately, so you're trying to suppress us. That's so underhanded!"

Yun Shan tried her best to explain: "Seniors, it really wasn't us. We have always respected our colleagues. Xinglin Chuntang has achieved what it has today through genuine medical skills and dedication to patients. How could we do something so malicious and degrading?"

But the shopkeepers and doctors wouldn't listen. They kept arguing and criticizing, and the situation reached a stalemate. The entrance to the clinic was crowded with onlookers.

(End of this chapter)