CHAPTER 57: CHAPTER 55: UTMOST SINCERITY

Chang An’s face suddenly changed, and the attendant beside him quickly apologized nervously, feeling it was a misunderstanding on his part and deserving of the scolding.

Chang An continued, "Does your shopkeeper want to see them?"

The attendant pursed his lips, "Maybe after the shopkeeper finishes his work, he will see them."

The conversation between Chang An and the attendant reached Song Xian’s ears, but he paid it no mind, continuing to the second floor and sitting down to watch the bustling crowd outside through the window.

Not far away, a few people seemed to be standing outside a restaurant, but the distance was too great to make out their faces clearly.

Song Xian’s gaze lingered on them for a moment, and Chang An understood immediately, "Chang Yue is nearby, I’ll go have someone ask around."

There was actually no need for such steps, as Chang Yue would definitely come over when he saw them arrive, but for some reason, Song Xian did not stop Chang An.

Perhaps he was still worried about Xie Liangchen.

Chang An soon returned with Chang Yue following behind him.

Chang Yue, as usual, was expressionless, "The Chen Family Village has collected a lot of herbs, but the pharmacies won’t accept them."

Chang An couldn’t help but ask, "Why?"

Chang Yue replied, "The city’s pharmacies have fixed suppliers, and it’s not the time for a medicine shortage now. The people from Chen Family Village asked around all the pharmacies in Zhenzhou, only selling a bit of Chaihu, while the herbs keep piling up, and they don’t have much silver coin left to buy more.

Miss Xie took some people to inquire at the restaurants, as they prepare herbal dishes and might need some herbs, although far less than pharmacies. Still, the herbs used in these dishes are usually expensive, so if sold, they could help alleviate the current plight of Chen Family Village."

Song Xian remained calm, showing no surprise. Having managed the Song Family’s pharmacies in the North before, along with a caravan, would he not know when to purchase herbs?

It was the season for harvesting herbs; how could there be no demand? The pharmacists must have colluded with the pharmacies to deter Chen Family Village.

Who was instigating this from behind the scenes?

Song Xian rubbed the cup in his hand.

Chang An and Chang Yue stood beside him, not daring to interrupt his thoughts.

If it were someone else, Song Xian might step in to investigate, but knowing Xie Liangchen, he believed she was more capable than that.

Chang An, being familiar with Song Xian, began calculating how to help Chen Family Village sell their herbs, even planning who to send to the pharmacies, but unexpectedly, a familiar voice interrupted.

"Got it, you may go!"

Chang An was taken aback, staring dumbfounded at Song Xian, while Chang Yue had already left.

After Chang Yue left, Song Xian didn’t speak again, quietly drinking his tea.

Finally, Chang An couldn’t hold back, "Sir, we’re not going to act?"

Song Xian lifted his eyelids, his cold eyes deep and inscrutable, "Are they working for me, or am I working for them?"

It took Chang An a moment to react; this seemed true. Could it be that he had overthought the matter?

As another cup of tea passed, everything remained the same.

Miss Xie continued to wait under the restaurant with her people.

An attendant brought in a food box, "These dishes are ready."

Chang An took the food box, ready to leave with Song Xian, when the shopkeeper of "Taihe Inn" hurried in to greet Song Xian.

Manager Ding apologized, "There were some matters at home, so I arrived late and couldn’t personally make dishes for the old lady. I hope you’ll forgive me, sir."

Song Xian, known for being taciturn, rarely replied, but Manager Ding was used to it. He continued, "The old lady still enjoys the pastries I make, so I’ll go prepare them now."

Song Xian glanced at the food box and thought about the time it would take Manager Ding to make the pastries. Without much hesitation, he said, "This is enough for Grandmother, no need to waste effort. Tend to your restaurant matters."

No need to waste effort? Manager Ding’s mind raced, tightening with tension. What important task did he have to attend to?

Usually, when the master came to the restaurant, he spoke only a few words, each akin to gold, but this time he unexpectedly spoke an entire sentence. If Manager Ding couldn’t grasp the master’s meaning, he might be unsettled for a long time.

Manager Ding was about to speak again when Song Xian stood up and strode out, clearly not wishing to see Manager Ding linger.

Watching Song Xian’s retreating figure, Manager Ding felt a mix of emotions. Was General Song happy or not today?

When Song Xian arrived, Xie Liangchen was teaching her brother calculations. By the time she realized it, Song Xian was already inside the restaurant, leaving her no chance to speak.

When Song Xian emerged, due to the crowd, Xie Liangchen brought her brother forward to pay respects with a bow, then her eyes fell on Manager Ding.

Compared to meeting Song Xian, at this moment, she was most keen to see Manager Ding.

Before Manager Ding could move, Xie Liangchen approached to start a conversation.

As Song Xian left the entrance of Taihe Inn, he intentionally turned back for a look, just in time to see Xie Liangchen and Chen Zigeng cornering Manager Ding.

That demeanor was far more sincere than the salute given to him earlier.

Didn’t they realize who had brought Manager Ding out of the restaurant?

...

Xie Liangchen opened the box in her arms and placed it before Manager Ding, "Shopkeeper, take a look at this Processed Rehmannia."

Processed Rehmannia was something Manager Ding usually purchased from pharmacies. How could these two, clearly farm children, be selling such a medicine?

"Manager Ding, we are from Chen Family Village," Xie Liangchen said, "I once offered a method to the Paper Workshop; the Yangtao Vine and Huang Shu Kui there are mostly collected and gathered by us."

Xie Liangchen was sincere, a hopeful smile on her face, "In Zhenzhou City, your herbal dishes are the best and know these herbs well. What do you think of this Processed Rehmannia?"

The quality of herbs affects the taste of herbal dishes, so Manager Ding always meticulously selected them.

This Rehmannia before him...

Was at least ten years old, wholly shiny black.

Manager Ding reached out to pick up a piece; no doubt it was Rehmannia, prepared via steaming and sun-drying, though different methods yield different results.

Knowing the processing of medicinal herbs is often a secret, Manager Ding only asked Xie Liangchen, "How did you know about these?"

Xie Liangchen replied, "Like the papermaking formulas, they were taught by elders, and this Rehmannia is dug up from the mountains by us and processed by my own hands. You can taste it for yourself."

Properly processed Rehmannia doesn’t retain its natural acrid taste. Choosing it often involves tasting. The wooden box contained small cut pieces for convenient sampling.

Manager Ding took a piece to taste; not only was it devoid of acridness, but it was also pleasantly soft and sweet.

Outwardly calm, Manager Ding was secretly astonished.

"Shopkeeper," Xie Liangchen said, "Our village also has the paper workshop business; we wouldn’t dare deceive anyone. This box of Rehmannia is for you to test; there’s no need for silver. If you find it good, send someone to Chen Family Village. I can bring herbs to the restaurant to prepare Rehmannia on the spot for you."

Leaving the herbs without receiving silver first, Manager Ding looked at the individuals before him; despite being farmers, they possessed broad minds.

Manager Ding glanced around, "Have you delivered herbs to other nearby restaurants?"

Xie Liangchen nodded.

Manager Ding continued to ask, "No silver coin either?"

Xie Liangchen nodded again, "No, we told them the same, if they find it good, they can go to Chen Family Village to purchase more."

Manager Ding questioned, "If nobody buys, won’t you suffer quite a loss?"

"Someone will surely buy," Xie Liangchen said with confidence, "I trust my herbal medicine."

Manager Ding agreed, "I’ll give it a try."

As soon as he spoke, Chen Zigeng, beside him, also took out a box from his arms, "Shopkeeper, do you accept toad oil?"

Recalling what his sister said about Processed Rehmannia, Chen Zigeng nervously took out a dried toad from the box, "Shopkeeper, have a look; we caught this ourselves."

Chen Zigeng’s heart pounded with unease, feeling as if the dried toad under his fingers might move.