Sold immediately after wearing it? I took my family and fled the famine.

The group then headed towards the east end of the street. Yongchun Hall was indeed easy to find; its storefront was brand new, the characters on the signboard were gilded, and a pair of red lanterns hung at the entrance, making it stand out among the row of drab shops.

The young apprentice at the door was a man in his early twenties, dressed in a clean long robe. He stood at the door with his hands in his pockets, his chin slightly raised, and his eyes glancing downwards when he looked at people.

As the families approached the door, the young apprentice's gaze swept over them. Their worn-out cotton-padded jackets, patched trousers, mud-splattered cloth shoes and straw sandals, and their old baskets and carrying poles were beyond repair. His brow furrowed, and his lips twitched downwards, as if he had seen something offensive.

Doctor Gu stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said in a polite tone, "Young man, I wonder if your shop accepts our goods? We are here to sell medicinal herbs. Could you please ask the shopkeeper to come out and take a look at our goods?"

The young apprentice didn't move, but lazily stretched out his hand: "What kind of medicinal herbs? Let me take a look."

Doctor Gu took out several pieces of processed rehmannia root from his cloth bag and handed them over. The apprentice took them, flipped through them a couple of times, and casually put them aside, saying in a nonchalant tone, "Rehmannia root? There's plenty of that stuff, it's not worth much. The quality of your herbs isn't very good either, they're quite damp. I'll only give you ten coins per pound at most."

"Ten coins?" Doctor Gu's expression immediately changed. He had practiced medicine for most of his life and knew the prices of medicinal herbs very well. Processed rehmannia root cost at least twenty coins per catty in a pharmacy, and better quality ones could cost even more. This shop assistant had cut the price in half right off the bat; he was clearly trying to drive down the price.

"Young man," Doctor Gu's voice turned serious, "I've practiced medicine for many years, and I know the prices of medicinal herbs well. This rehmannia was just processed last night. Although it's not completely dry, its medicinal properties are intact, and its appearance is neat. Its market price is at least twenty coins per catty. You're asking for half off right off the bat. Is this business or treating a beggar?"

The young apprentice's face darkened at his words. He pushed the rehmannia root aside and sneered, "Sell it or don't, it's up to you. Our shop has plenty of herbs. If you think the price is too low, go somewhere else."

Doctor Gu's face was ashen. He picked up the rehmannia root and put it back in his bag, straightened up, gave the shop assistant a cold look, and said in a low voice, with the inherent arrogance of a physician: "Fine, don't buy it then. Let's go."

Jiang Xing turned his gaze away, picked up the snake bag, and quickly followed Doctor Gu.

The group walked through the town and headed towards the west end of the street. The west end of the street was quieter than the east end, and the shops were older, but there were many more poor-looking pedestrians on the road.

The signboard of Renxintang wasn't large, black with gold lettering, the paint already somewhat faded, and the wood grain on the door panels had been worn smooth by time. There was a queue at the door, mostly elderly people in patched clothes, waiting quietly without urging anyone.

Several young apprentices were busy preparing medicine in the shop, jogging back and forth between the medicine cabinets and counters, their foreheads beaded with sweat.

The doctor in the clinic was an elderly man with gray hair and beard. He was taking the pulse of an old woman, asking her questions in a gentle voice as he did so. The old woman nodded repeatedly.

A young apprentice looked up and saw another group of people arriving at the door. He quickly came forward, carrying a stack of medicine packets in his hands, and said apologetically, "Are you all here to see a doctor? I'm so sorry, there are so many people today. Please have a seat and wait a moment while I go and tell my master."

Dr. Gu waved his hand, his tone much gentler than when he was at Yongchun Hall: "No rush, we'll wait."

The young apprentice brought out several long benches before jogging back to continue fetching medicine.

Several families sat on the bench waiting. Hu Shi, carrying a basket of straw sandals, looked around, glancing at the densely packed labels of medicines on the medicine cabinet and then at the people queuing to see a doctor. She leaned close to Chen Junsheng's ear and whispered, "This place has a much better attitude than the last one." Chen Junsheng nodded without saying anything.

After waiting for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the old doctor finally finished examining his patients, stood up from behind the examination table, straightened his robes, and walked towards them.

He was not tall, wore a faded blue cloth robe, had white hair and beard, a thin face, but very bright eyes that curved slightly when he looked at people, carrying a gentleness that had been accumulated over the years.

"Gentlemen, I apologize for keeping you waiting," the old doctor said with a cupped-fist salute, his tone kind. "I am Wang Qianyu, the doctor and owner of this pharmacy. Are you here for a medical consultation, or...?"