maidservant

Upon learning that Yunshan had joined a guild, Xiaoyue specially instructed her servants to prepare a table of food and wine to welcome Yunshan back to the mansion.

During dinner, Yun Shan gazed at the darkening sky outside the window, sighed softly, and slowly spoke:
"Sister, do you think I really deserve this recognition? Although joining the guild is a good thing, I still feel uneasy."

Xiaoyue walked to her side, gently patted her shoulder, and said firmly, "Don't overthink it, this is your own ability."

Yun Shan turned around, her brows still furrowed: "That's true, but I always feel like I took a shortcut. So many seniors in the guild worked hard, exploring step by step, to gain a foothold in the pharmacy."

“I was accepted immediately just because of the prescriptions and experience from the palace, which is unfair to them.”

Xiaoyue looked intently into her eyes:

"How could you think like that? Those prescriptions and experience were learned and accumulated by you in the palace. They didn't come out of thin air. Experience and information are also skills."

“When you were making the ‘Plague-Avoiding Pills,’ you stayed by their side day and night, strictly controlling every step of the process. Isn’t that a sacrifice? Besides, you’ve saved so many lives with these pills. That’s no exaggeration.”

Yun Shan bit her lip, a hint of hesitation still lingering in her eyes:
“I know I tried my best and saved people, but I just can’t get over this mental hurdle. I’m always worried that if others find out, they will think I’m not worthy of the title and say that I’m opportunistic.”

Xiaoyue gently touched Yunshan's hair and said with a smile, "You have to believe that everyone's eyes are discerning. Everyone has seen your contributions to the fight against the epidemic. In the future, communicate and share more in the guild, turn your experience into everyone's wealth, and prove yourself with your strength. Don't keep dwelling on the past, look forward."

Yun Shan nodded thoughtfully, took a deep breath, and said, "Sister is right. I was being too stubborn. Now that I'm in the guild, I'll do my job well and not let everyone down."

Xiaoyue smiled with relief: "That's right, I believe my sister can definitely do it!"

After Yunshan shared the prescription with the guild, the entire medical industry seemed to be injected with a powerful stimulant and quickly sprang into action. The guild acted swiftly and decisively, immediately coordinating all the major medical clinics and pharmacies to fully commit to the large-scale research and development of the "Plague-Avoiding Pill."

Each batch of freshly made pills was solemnly presented to the Special Envoy. The Special Envoy's meticulous inspection and verification, leaving no stone unturned, was so rigorous that it inspired awe.

Yun Shan felt a sense of relief as the burden was lifted, and the pressure on her shoulders suddenly disappeared.

She redeployed the workforce, assigning Cui'er and Afu to focus on making the pills.

Cui'er was quick and efficient, with a meticulous mind; Afu was hardworking and conscientious, and the two worked together seamlessly. The other employees also returned to their original jobs.

Sweeping the hall, observing medical consultations, purchasing assistants, and porters.

The warm sun shone on every corner of Jishetang, and a gentle breeze caused the banners at the entrance to flutter softly.

Inside the pharmacy, the clerk skillfully weighed the medicinal herbs, the rhythmic sound of pounding them filling the air. Yun Shan sat behind the counter, carefully organizing the patients' medical records.

At this moment, Doctor Feng came out from the inner room. He was wearing a gray robe, holding a paper fan in his hand, and had a kind smile on his face. He walked to Yun Shan's side, looked at the busy but orderly clinic, and nodded with satisfaction.

Doctor Feng smiled and said, "Yunshan, look at this clinic. It's become more and more lively since you joined the guild."

Yun Shan raised her head and smiled brightly: "Yes, Dr. Feng, but it's all thanks to everyone that more and more people are coming to our clinic for treatment, which is a good thing. However, lately, the two female doctors and I have been so busy that we haven't had a moment to breathe."

Doctor Feng gently fanned himself, seemingly lost in thought: "I was just about to bring this up. Now that you've gained fame, you'll likely have even more patients, and you'll probably be even busier in the future. I was thinking, why don't you take on a couple of female apprentices to learn from you?" A hint of surprise flashed in Yun Shan's eyes, followed by some worry: "Take on apprentices? That sounds like a good idea, but I'm worried that we don't have the experience to teach them properly."

Doctor Feng waved his hand and comforted her, "Don't worry, you have solid medical skills and are patient and meticulous. How could you not teach well?"

"If you're really worried, why don't you recruit two young female medical apprentices to assist the three of you first? Give them a few years to hone their skills."

"Let them follow you and learn from the most basic pharmacology and pulse diagnosis. In time, they will definitely be able to stand on their own and help you share the burden."

Yun Shan nodded slightly. "That's a good idea! I'll think about it carefully when I have time."

"Haha, no rush, no rush!"

That day, after returning from a family's house, the female doctor Duan Niang pulled Yun Shan aside and whispered, "Shopkeeper, this family was acting strangely today."

Yunshan stopped what she was doing and pulled her aside. "What's wrong?"

Duan Niang's expression was solemn, and she said in a low voice, "The girl I went to see was ill strangely. She had been having nightmares and couldn't wake up. She kept muttering 'It's my mother, not my sister.'"

“There was a swaddled baby by the bed. Her mother said that the baby was her younger brother, who was still breastfeeding. But when I examined her, I found that the girl’s body clearly looked like she had given birth.”

Then, she lowered her voice and said, "In my opinion, she was breastfeeding her son, but she lied to others and said it was her younger brother."

Yun Shan's expression changed, and she hurriedly said, "This is a private matter, we shouldn't pry into it."

The female doctor, however, did not stop talking. Instead, she took a step closer and said, "I know the rules, but the woman mentioned 'General Lin' in her dream."

Yun Shan was startled. How could Lin Xiao be involved in the secret affairs of this secluded mansion?
She couldn't help but ask, "Did you hear that clearly?"

The female doctor nodded: "Absolutely true, I was startled too. Shopkeeper, do you think there's some big secret hidden behind this?"

Yun Shan pondered for a moment and said, "This matter is too bizarre. Let's not make a fuss about it for now. Think about it, is there anything else unusual about that family?"

The female doctor recalled, "Although the family was polite to me, their eyes were wary, especially the girl's mother. Whenever I looked at the child or asked the girl a few more questions, she would become extremely nervous."

"Also, the girl's room was decorated in an extremely simple and elegant style, but in the corner there was an exquisite sword with a very special and delicate pattern on the hilt."

Yun Shan's heart stirred: "A sword? It's rare for a woman to keep a sword in her boudoir. If there really is a family crest, we might be able to find some clues from it."

As the two were talking, the door of the clinic was suddenly kicked open, and a servant-like man rushed in, looking flustered.

"Ladies, my mistress requests your presence. It's the same clinic you visited today; my young lady's condition has suddenly worsened." (End of Chapter)