Shuse Jinjia

Duan Chengyu was around twenty years old, the same age as Huo Beiyu. He wore a luxurious moon-white silk robe, which made Huo Beiyu look shabby compared to his cotton robe.

Duan Chengyu was born with a gentle and refined demeanor and handsome features, but his phoenix eyes and the nonchalant curve of his eyebrows when he looked at people gave him a touch of arrogance.

"Beiyu, could you wear a lighter-colored shirt next time we meet? And could you smile?"

Duan Chengyu, with a motherly exasperation, advised, "You're going to find a match, not to fight an enemy. Who can stand it if you act like a fierce demon towards a delicate young lady?"

"You're already tall and imposing, with that stern, murderous face. If you don't tone it down, no matter how many times we meet, it won't work out!"

Huo Beiyu pressed down on the chess piece and said casually, "This is just how I am. You can make me pretend for a while, but can I pretend forever?"

Duan Chengyu felt like vomiting blood. This blockhead, why couldn't he make sense of him!

"Who told you to pretend your whole life! Once you're married and familiar with each other, things will be harmonious, like a pair of lovebirds..."

Next, Xie Zhaotang said, "Chun'er, I don't want to be a concubine, and you certainly don't want to be sold around by your father anymore. So why don't we work together to find a way to survive?"

She quietly told Chun'er about her plan to marry into a wealthy family.

Chun'er was stunned, her voice rising slightly involuntarily: "Fourth Miss, how is it possible for a concubine's daughter like you to marry into a high-ranking family?"

Even Duan Chengyu, who was trying to persuade Huo Beiyu, heard these words, and his gaze followed Huo Beiyu as he looked down.

Xie Zhaotang had his back to the two people and didn't notice that there were two people spying on him from above the dense vines.

To persuade Chun'er, she did not hide her plan.

"It's all about human effort. Aren't the sons of high-ranking families also human? Humans have emotions and desires. If we cater to their interests, why can't we succeed?"

Although Duan Chengyu was a civil official, he had practiced martial arts with Huo Beiyu since childhood, and both of them had exceptional hearing.

Xie Zhaotang lowered his voice, but the two of them heard it clearly.

Duan Chengyu's lips curled into a mocking smile as he pointed his index finger downwards at Huo Beiyu.

"See that? These women in the capital are no simpletons. These illegitimate daughters and maids, for example, will do anything to rise in status!"

"Beiyu, you'd better stay away from them from now on, lest you fall into their trap and be forced to marry them..."

Huo Beiyu glanced disdainfully at Xie Zhaotang, and was about to move the chessboard back.

Xie Zhaotang turned around at this moment and glanced upstairs.

Apart from the dense branches and leaves of the ivy, she saw nothing, but she had a strange feeling of being spied on.

"Chun'er, we should go to the pharmacy!"

To avoid being overheard, Xie Zhaotang pulled Chun'er away.

Huo Beiyu turned around, picked up a chess piece, and placed it on the chessboard.

The girl had bright eyes and was more beautiful than the woman I met yesterday!

At such a young age, he's already so cunning...

……

As Xie Zhaotang walked, he tried to persuade Chun'er: "Chun'er, if you're willing to help me wholeheartedly, I'll give you a sum of money after I get married, and I'll help you set up your own household. Then you won't have to worry about being sold by your father anymore!"

Chun'er went through all of Xie Zhaotang's words in her mind, and she bitterly realized that everything Xie Zhaotang said made sense.

Her father only has eyes for her younger brother!

Before my younger brother was born, my mother had given birth to five daughters, and they were all disliked by my father and grandmother.

She was the third daughter, but her fourth sister was also sold by her father three years after she was sold into the Xie family. The fifth sister who was left behind was not because her father was reluctant to sell her, but because she was someone who did no work in the family after being sold!

Thinking of the patched clothes her fifth sister wore when her father sent her to ask for her monthly allowance, and then thinking of her mother who was submissive to her father, Chun'er felt even more heartbroken.

What good would going back to that home do? She'd just be sold off by her father again!

Starting their own business...

She suddenly looked intently at Xie Zhaotang.

"Fourth Miss...you...you really will help me set up my own household?"

Seeing Chun'er's expectant eyes, Xie Zhaotang raised two fingers.

"I swear, I will definitely help Chun'er establish her own business. If I break this oath, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death!"

When Chun'er saw Xie Zhaotang make such a solemn vow, tears streamed down her face.

She mimicked Xie Zhaotang by raising two fingers: "As long as Fourth Miss keeps her promise, I, Zhang Chun'er, will never betray Fourth Miss, and I am willing to live and die with Fourth Miss..."

Xie Zhaotang gambled on his future, and so did she. If she won, her life would have something to look forward to.

Once the two talked things out, they developed a tacit understanding.

Chun'er took Xie Zhaotang to Chunmantang first. The doctor Zhang who treated Aunt Shen last time was also a doctor from Chunmantang.

Xie Zhaotang knows medicine, and the swelling on his face has almost subsided. He only came out to see a doctor as an excuse.

However, to avoid accidentally giving herself away and to understand the pharmacies of the Great Zhou Dynasty, she also needs to visit Chunmantang.

Chunmantang was a large establishment with four shops connected together. One shop was for doctors, another for selling finished medicines, and there was a large courtyard in the back where they also helped prepare the medicines.

Xie Zhaotang didn't rush in to find Doctor Zhang. Instead, she went into the shop selling finished medicines first. She wanted to see what kind of medicines they sold and whether she could find any business opportunities.

She borrowed fifty taels from Aunt Shen, but since she needed to ask Madam Wu for help, she also had to give her a reward.

In addition, to get closer to the target, we also need to hire people to keep an eye on their movements. All of these are expenses, and we can't cut back, we can only increase revenue.

The pharmacy clerk greeted her with a smile: "Young lady, what kind of medicine would you like to buy?"

These waiters, having dealt with customers year-round, had developed a knack for reading people. Seeing that Xie Zhaotang's dress was made of ordinary fabric, they addressed her as "Miss."

The capital city is full of hidden talents. Even if someone is dressed plainly, they may be a concubine's daughter or a maid from a wealthy family. To avoid causing trouble for their master, these servants will not underestimate them.

"I just came in out of curiosity. Hey sir, what kind of finished medicines do you sell here? Could you tell me about them? I'd like to buy some if I need them!"

Unlike modern medicines that are readily available on shelves, the finished medicines at Chunmantang were not displayed in a way that Xie Zhaotang could easily examine like he would when shopping in a modern mall. This was the only way he could describe them.

"Young lady, we sell a lot of ready-made medicines here. Young ladies are prone to acne, so you can buy some Ruyi Ointment to keep on hand. If you get acne on your face, applying it will reduce the swelling!"

"If you're worried about leaving marks, you can buy a bottle of moisturizing cream to keep on hand..."

Seeing that Xie Zhaotang's face was still a little swollen, the shop assistant eagerly introduced the product to Xie Zhaotang.

Acne is just pimples! Brightening cream is a scar treatment!

Xie Zhaotang's mind flashed to Xie Linzhu's face; she was going through puberty and had a lot of acne on her face.

I usually cover it up with thick layers of powder when I go out, so you'll easily miss it if you're not paying attention...

Xie Zhaotang smiled as she thought about it.

She had originally planned to settle scores with Xie Linzhu after she had gained a firm foothold, but this opportunity had come knocking on her door, so how could she miss it?

"How much are these two ointments?"

Xie Zhaotang inquired.

Women all love beauty, and Xie Linzhu is no exception. Once she studies the formula for the Ruyi Ointment, she will give Xie Linzhu a big gift...