Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 96 The Wealthy (Part Two)

Physician Lu was over sixty years old, two years older than Old Master Shi. His hair and beard were half white, his face was full of wrinkles, and he spoke in a calm voice, much slower than the average person.

This was a habit developed from years of serving in the palace. They were extremely cautious, carefully considering their words before speaking, unwilling and unable to utter even a single wrong word.

Having served as a royal physician for over ten years without a single mistake, he retired unscathed. How could Physician Lu be an ordinary person?

Pei Qinghe dared not underestimate the leisurely Physician Lu, and said with a smile, "I have long heard of Physician Lu's great name. It is my great fortune to meet you today."

Physician Lu chuckled: "When I was working in the palace, I met your father and your uncle. They were both outstanding men. It's a real pity that they passed away later."

In just a few words, a clear and important message is conveyed.

When Physician Lu was serving in the palace, he frequently visited the Eastern Palace. He was also acquainted with the Pei brothers, who had died unjustly.

Pei Qinghe's eyes dimmed, and she sighed softly: "The Pei family was wiped out, and now only women, children and the elderly are left, barely managing to survive in Changping County."

Which family's women, children, and elderly could wipe out a bandit stronghold of hundreds of people with a single move?

Old Master Shi silently grumbled to himself.

Physician Lu looked on with pity: "It is indeed not easy for Miss Pei to lead hundreds of her clansmen to survive."

Pei Qinghe sighed again: "Many people were injured during this campaign to suppress the bandits in the mountains. There is only one young doctor in the village, whose medical skills are mediocre, and the medicine he concocts can only barely stop the bleeding."

"The Lu family's wound medicine is renowned throughout the land. I'd like to buy more. If Physician Lu agrees, I'm willing to pay 20% more than the market price."

Reminiscing is one thing, doing business is another. Physician Lu stroked his beard, pondered for a long time, and said with some difficulty, "It's not that I don't want to agree. It's just that the Lu family's wound medicine requires fifteen kinds of herbs, one of which is expensive and rare. Every year, the wound medicine produced is bought up by the armies of Youzhou. If Miss Pei wants it, I can barely keep a few bottles for myself."

20% isn't enough; we need to add more money.

Pei Qinghe said sincerely, "I cannot compete for what the Youzhou army needs. I would like to ask Physician Lu to prepare additional medicine for Pei's wounds. I am willing to pay 50% more, and I will take as much medicine as you have."

Physician Lu's tone changed as expected: "After I return home, I will discuss this matter with my nephews and nieces. Once we have made enough medicine for the wounds, we will send someone to Pei Family Village to deliver the message."

Pei Qinghe repeatedly bowed and thanked him.

After finishing their business, Physician Lu rose unsteadily and slowly had his junior help him to continue watching the opera.

Shi Yan then said in a low voice, "The Lu family is too greedy. They're not satisfied with just adding 20%, they want to add 50%."

Old Master Shi said calmly, "Because in the entire Youzhou, the medicine prescribed by Physician Lu is the most effective. In critical moments, it can save a life."

That's right. If the Zhan family refuses to sell salt, you can buy it from the Peng family; salt is the same from both.

The Lu family's wound medicine is exclusively produced by the Lu family. Such a unique product is bound to be expensive. Every year, the Lu family's wound medicine, however limited, is snapped up by the army. Ordinary people simply cannot buy it.

Of course, ordinary people don't need to buy large quantities of wound medicine. The Lu family's wound medicine was originally sold to wealthy families.

Pei Qinghe laughed and said, "It's no problem to spend more silver. I just seized a batch of gold and silver from White Tiger Stronghold, enough to last for a year or two. There are also Qingfeng Stronghold, Menglong Stronghold, and Xiongying Stronghold in Yanshan, which can support us for a few more years."

Old Master Shi: "..."

Shi Yan gazed at the composed and calm Miss Pei and smiled in agreement: "Miss Pei is right."

After a pause, she added, "The Shi family is holding a three-day birthday banquet. Sixth Miss might as well stay a few days. Perhaps you can even meet some useful people."

Pei Qinghe smiled and agreed, "That's exactly what I was thinking. Then I'm sorry to bother you."

……

The Shi family mansion had many empty rooms, which were used specifically to entertain distinguished guests.

Pei Qinghe and her group of over twenty people were settled in a clean and elegant courtyard. There were six empty rooms in the courtyard, enough for four people to share. The rooms were spotless, and the bedding and pillows were brand new. There were also unopened face creams and rouges on the dressing table.

Several osmanthus trees were planted in the yard, and it was the season when the osmanthus flowers were in bloom. The rich and sweet fragrance of osmanthus flowers wafted into the house from outside the window.

It made the women of the Pei family feel as if they had been transported back to the time before the Pei family was destroyed.

Mao Hongling broke the silence softly: "Young Master Shi is truly meticulous and thorough in his actions."

Pei Qinghe smiled and nodded.

The women exchanged knowing glances. Most of them were Pei's wives who had been married and had children. As experienced women, how could they not see the unspoken intentions of the young master?

The carefree Pei Yan, completely oblivious to the subtle tension, laughed loudly, "I haven't slept in such a clean room in a long time. The feast today is especially delicious."

"Today's performance was also excellent. Especially the martial arts scene, they did dozens of somersaults, it was very skillful. Let's stay a few more days, eat our fill and have fun before going back."

Pei Qinghe slapped Pei Yan on the back of the head without any politeness: "You might as well just stay at the Shi family."

Pei Yan scratched the back of her head, gasped, and grimaced: "That won't do. I'm the Pei family's number one warrior on the front lines. And you, cousin, can't be without me for even a moment."

Everyone laughed.

Several pretty maids brought over a late-night snack with smiles on their faces.

Four meat-filled glutinous rice balls, each the size of a child's fist, were piled in a white porcelain bowl; they sizzled with oil when bitten into.

Mao Hongling ate slowly, then suddenly said softly, "Back in the capital, I loved sweet and sticky red bean dumplings the most. But after coming to Youzhou, I think meat dumplings taste even better."

"It's only been a little over a year, but it feels like half a lifetime has passed."

She once thought she would be trapped in grief, unable to pull herself out. But in reality, she was so busy every day that she had no time to think of her deceased husband. In fact, even his face was quietly fading from her memory.

She felt somewhat bewildered and guilty.

Pei Qinghe seemed to understand the complex thoughts in her heart, and said with a smile, "People should always look forward and move forward. The past should have been let go long ago."

Looking at Pei Qinghe, Mao Hongling seemed to see the shadow of her deceased husband, Pei Erlang, through her eyes and brows. She murmured softly, "Can I really let go of everything from the past?"

“Of course you can.” Pei Qinghe held Mao Hongling’s hand: “You are so young, you will live for another eighty years. The best days are yet to come.”

Mao Hongling chuckled, all traces of unease vanishing.

Button, button, button!
There was a knock on the door.

Pei Yan darted to the door alertly: "Who's there?"

"Is Miss Pei here? My Miss Wang would like to invite Miss Pei to enjoy the moon and have a chat."

Pei Yan was taken aback and quickly turned her head.

Mao Hongling also looked over.

What's this? A love rival has come knocking on my door?

Pei Qinghe opened the door and said calmly to the maid outside, "I don't have time for moon-gazing and idle chatter. Go tell your young lady that women in Pei Family Village do not marry outside the village; they only take in husbands."

……

(End of this chapter)