Shuse Jinjia

"The Ruyi Cream is one tael of silver per bottle, and the Yingji Cream is ten taels of silver per bottle... Please don't think it's expensive, young lady. Our Yingji Cream contains many precious medicinal herbs, such as pearls and ginseng..."

The shop assistant gave a long and eloquent introduction.

Xie Zhaotang originally intended to buy them all to study the recipes and see if any were better than the recipes he knew.

Upon hearing that it would cost ten taels of silver, she temporarily gave up. Her funds were limited, and she needed to spend them wisely.

"Give me a bottle of Ruyi Ointment, I'll try it first, and if it works well, I'll buy something else!"

She gave the shop assistant a small amount of silver, and he wrapped it up for her.

Seeing that she had made a purchase, the shop assistant started introducing Xie Zhaotang to other fever reducers, burn ointments, and so on.

Xie Zhaotang bought a few more finished medicines that he could afford and that would be useful for his research before he and Chun'er went to see Doctor Zhang.

Dr. Zhang examined the swelling on her face and said it was nothing serious and she didn't need any medicine.

Xie Zhaotang then asked him to prescribe a tonic suitable for Aunt Shen.

Dr. Zhang was in his fifties and had a kind heart. He often visited the Xie family's concubines and illegitimate daughters to treat their illnesses and knew their hardships.

Seeing Xie Zhaotang's filial piety, they tacitly prescribed medicine.

After getting the medicine, Xie Zhaotang watched the shopkeeper calculate the bill and silently noted down the market prices of the medicinal herbs.

After leaving Chunmantang, she and Chun'er headed to Xiuchunfang.

Xiuchunfang is sandwiched between two shops, but it was closed today, with a large sign on the door saying "For Sale".

Xie Zhaotang was taken aback. Why was Xiuchunfang going to be sold?

"Chun'er, what's going on? Is business bad at Xiuchunfang?"

Chun'er was also taken aback for a moment before frowning and saying, "Fourth Miss doesn't know, the Wu family only has two wives. The eldest wife of the Wu family is married out, and the youngest wife of the Wu family is a live-in son-in-law. But she was unlucky; her husband died of illness after giving birth to only two daughters!"

"She's good at embroidery, but not at business. As a result, her business is declining day by day. And her youngest daughter was born weak and is always sick. Most of the money she earns goes to paying for doctors and medicine for her..."

"When I came last time, Madam Wu happened to be there too. I advised her to sell the shop so that she could make a living if she saved money. It seems she listened to Madam Wu's advice!"

Thinking of Madam Wu's matchmaking efforts, Xie Zhaotang asked curiously, "Matchmaking can be profitable, right? Didn't Madam Wu help out Miss Wu?"

Madam Wu associates with high-ranking officials and nobles. If she manages to arrange a marriage, she must receive a considerable reward!

If she wouldn't even help her own sister when she was in trouble, how could Xie Zhaotang expect her to risk offending the Xie family to help him?

Chun'er smiled bitterly: "Fourth Miss has misunderstood Madam Wu! Their parents passed away long ago. Madam Wu is almost ten years older than the young lady, and she raised the young lady as her own daughter. Madam Wu was the one who helped with the marriage arrangement!"

"After the young lady's husband died, Madam Wu also helped out... but Madam Wu had elderly parents and young children to support, and life wasn't easy for her; she couldn't keep subsidizing them forever!"

Xie Zhaotang seemed to be deep in thought. It seemed that Madam Wu was also kind and righteous. She felt sorry for her sister, but she was willing to help her but could not do so.

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime!

If she can find a way to help Miss Wu, then she can ask Madam Wu for help. Madam Wu will do her best to help her out of consideration for their past relationship!

"Let's go knock on the door."

Xie Zhaotang led Chun'er forward, and Chun'er went to knock on the door.

After waiting for a while, the side door opened, and someone poked their head out...

Chun'er had visited Xiuchunfang many times, and upon seeing the person, she would greet them, "Huihui, is your mother home?"

Xie Zhaotang looked over and saw a girl about the same age as Chun'er with half her body exposed.

This is Wu Xiaoniangzi's eldest daughter, Wu Huihui, who is pretty and delicate.

She wore her hair in two buns, her hair a little messy, and she wore an indigo dress with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, as if she were busy.

Wu Huihui recognized Chun'er and said guiltily, "Sister Chun'er, are you here to sell embroidery? I'm sorry, my embroidery shop is going up for sale and we're not buying embroidery anymore. You should try asking at other embroidery shops!"

Xie Zhaotang stepped forward and smiled, "Huihui, your family's embroidery workshop hasn't been sold yet, has it? I'd like to see your mother and talk to her about the workshop!"

Wu Huihui looked at Xie Zhaotang with a puzzled expression.

Chun'er already knew that Xie Zhaotang was looking for Wu Xiaoniangzi because he hoped she could introduce her to Wu Danniangzi, so she cooperated and said, "Huihui, this is my fourth young lady, Shen Yiniang's daughter."

Wu Huihui recognized Aunt Shen and greeted her, "Fourth Miss, please come in!"

Xie Zhaotang followed Wu Huihui inside.

Behind the shop is a small courtyard piled with miscellaneous items, presumably because the shop is for sale, and the Wu family is tidying it up.

"Mother, Aunt Shen's daughter, Fourth Miss, is looking for you!"

Wu Huihui called out.

A woman in her thirties came out of the house.

Xie Zhaotang observed that she appeared gentle and quiet, with fair skin, her hair styled in a round bun, and she was dressed in an indigo-colored cotton dress.

She looked at Xie Zhaotang, somewhat apologetically, and said, "Fourth Miss, my embroidery shop is for sale, and we're no longer buying embroidery! If you're struggling to find a way to sell it, I can introduce you to other embroidery shops!"

Xie Zhaotang vaguely heard noises coming from the room she came out of, but he didn't know if it was made by her other daughter.

Chun'er said that her daughter had been ill for many years, but Xie Zhaotang did not want to reveal his medical skills for the time being, so as not to cause any unforeseen complications.

She stepped forward with a smile and said, "Aunt Wu, I saw that your embroidery shop has a sign for sale. I wonder how much your embroidery costs?"

Wu Xiaoniangzi was stunned for a moment, and subconsciously turned her head to look into the inner room.

Xie Zhaotang then saw a woman in her forties lift the curtain and stride out.

The woman was a head taller than Wu Xiaoniangzi. She had a round face and thick, bushy eyebrows.

She wore a maroon satin jacket, which, although slightly faded, was clean and spotless.

This must be Madam Wu!

Xie Zhaotang was pleasantly surprised, not expecting to be so lucky as to meet the person in charge as soon as he arrived.

"Fourth Miss, you want to buy this embroidery shop?"

Madam Wu, who made a living as a matchmaker, had a cheerful personality. She pushed her sister aside and began to enthusiastically introduce the merits of the shop.

Worried that she might go on and on, Xie Zhaotang interrupted her and asked, "Aunt Wu, just tell me how much this shop costs?"

Madam Wu wasn't angry at being interrupted. She smiled and said, "This shop is on Gulou Street. You can see how bustling it is. I won't mince words with Fourth Miss. I've seen your aunt sending embroidery to my sister's family. Four hundred taels is the lowest price!"

Xie Zhaotang looked at Chun'er, who nodded, confirming that the price quoted by Madam Wu was normal.

Xie Zhaotang smiled and said, "Aunt Wu, can we sit down and talk?"

Wu Huihui quickly brought Xie Zhaotang a chair, and the two sisters, Wu Da Niangzi and Xie Zhaotang, exchanged a glance and sat down as well.

"Aunt Wu, I heard from Chun'er that Aunt Wu sold this embroidery shop because her family was struggling to make ends meet..."

Before Xie Zhaotang could finish speaking, Madam Wu's smile vanished...