Chapter 121 - 120: Miss Xu’s Stroke of Luck

Chapter 121: Chapter 120: Miss Xu’s Stroke of Luck

Xu Jing was slightly taken aback, her heart skipping a beat subconsciously. However, considering Xiao Huai’an was still by her side, she maintained a facade of calmness and said, "Xianyun, keep an eye on Chang Xiao, I’ll go see what’s happened."

Having said that, she instructed Xianyun to take Chang Xiao away and hurriedly went out.

Chen Hu and Cheng Xianbai packed their things in the afternoon and went out to explore. Cheng Xianbai had been to the Western Capital once before and had some impression of its layout. Guessing and asking for directions intermittently, they soon found the Song Family, who had placed a medicine order with them.

Upon seeing the elegant and imposing residence with a plaque bearing the large characters "Song Mansion," Chen Hu stood agape for quite a while before remembering to close his mouth. Reflecting on the words of informed people they had asked directions from, he couldn’t help but swallow and say, "Oh my, what kind of luck have you stumbled upon? This... this is the home of the renowned Mr. Song, whom even the current Holy Emperor respectfully calls ’teacher’!"

Although Cheng Xianbai had already guessed Madam Song’s identity, upon confirmation, he couldn’t help but swallow as well and said, "You must ask Miss Xu about that luck, it’s certainly not Qingqing’s and mine, it’s Miss Xu’s stroke of luck."

Isn’t it just heaven’s given luck!

First Vice Minister Xiao, then Madam Song, to say Miss Xu isn’t blessed beyond measure, who would believe it!

They came this time just to explore, planning to formally visit tomorrow.

Cheng Xianbai nudged Chen Hu’s shoulder and gave him a knowing look, "Rare chance to be in the Western Capital, wanna go experience its charms?"

That look was imbued with meanings understood only by men.

Chen Hu immediately responded seriously, "My mother has taught me since childhood, if you have no skills, stay out of those money-squandering places, lest you get a bad reputation and ruin your prospects for marriage."

Seeing Chen Hu’s righteous demeanor, Cheng Xianbai was somewhat taken aback and ashamed, "Then..."

Chen Hu continued, "But just a look is no problem."

Cheng Xianbai raised an eyebrow, both teasing and excited, "Then what are we waiting for, let’s go!"

Just as the two were itching to sneak off, a voice filled with urgency and surprise called from not far away, "Da Bai! Da Hu! Coming here has indeed let me find you!"

Seeing before them someone who shouldn’t be there, both were bewildered.

After hearing what he said, they were not just bewildered, but almost exploded with surprise.

Therefore, Xu Jing hurriedly stepped out and saw, besides Chen Hu and Cheng Xianbai in the courtyard, there was also Wu Xiangui, who should have stayed in Anping County.

She was startled, her brows slightly furrowed, "Mr. Wu? What brings you here?"

Wu Xiangui immediately replied, "Miss Xu, I... I rode here overnight. There’s a significant problem in Anping County, and Lady Cheng couldn’t make a decision alone, so she entrusted me to come."

Before Xu Jing could inquire in detail, Cheng Xianbai gritted his teeth and said, "That Lin Family scoundrels! I knew after their last attempt to suppress us failed, they’d have more tricks up their sleeves! But I didn’t expect them to act so shamelessly this time! Xiangui’er said that the herbalists in Anping County suddenly refused to sell mint to us! Not just the herbalists but even regular pharmacies won’t do business with us. Qingqing tried offering a higher price to purchase mint, but to no avail! Yet those who previously ordered cooling oil from us are all waiting for their medicine!"

The batch of mint they previously purchased was almost exhausted when making medicine for the Song Family.

Before leaving Anping County, Xu Jing had arranged for Cheng Xianbai to order a new batch of mint from the herbalists they frequently collaborated with. The herbalists had agreed, promising delivery by the next day, which put them at ease.

But it’s likely another scheme by the Lin Family! They must have waited for Xu Jing, the one capable of making decisions, to leave Anping County, as well as Cheng Xianbai, who has a wide network, before setting their trap, openly bullying Cheng Qingqing and Chunyang Chunxiang who were left behind!

Xu Jing’s expression darkened immediately.

There were quite a few people who ordered cooling oil from them, nearly three hundred. Previously, they had prioritized making medicine for the Song Family, which was understood, so people were willing to wait a few days longer.

But now five days have passed, and the medicine for the Song Family had long been completed. Those paying attention to their Xinglin Hall’s patients surely also knew that she and Cheng Xianbai were away these past few days delivering medicine to the Song Family. If they were still left waiting for nothing, it would definitely raise doubts, severely impacting the reputation of Xinglin Hall.

Xu Jing immediately said, "We must purchase mint right away and have Qingqing and the others urgently produce this batch of cooling oil first."

Wu Xiangui hurriedly agreed, "Lady Cheng said the same. Patients who pre-ordered medicine knew you and Da Bai went to the Western Capital to deliver medicine, and we’ve already had inquiries about when their medicine will be ready.

However, after Lady Cheng discovered that the herbalists in Anping County wouldn’t sell mint to them, she even sent people to ask herbalists and pharmacies in surrounding counties, only to find... the same response, none would sell mint to Xinglin Hall in Anping County! They claimed they would suffer badly if caught!

Cheng Xianbai was so angry his whole body was trembling, "Guangming Hall of the Lin Family has branches throughout the Great Chu, and they have quite the say with herbalists in these places, especially around Anping County, which is their stronghold. If they exert pressure on those herbalists, how dare those herbalists not comply?

Simply... simply despicable!"

However, cursing the Lin Family now is useless, the priority is finding a solution.

Xu Jing only pondered for a moment before decisively stating, "Chen Hu, Mr. Cheng, please go out immediately and purchase all the mint you can find in the pharmacies of the Capital City and have Mr. Wu bring it back. We’ll focus on producing this batch of cooling oil first."

The Lin Family may extend their influence to the counties surrounding Anping County, but she refused to believe they could reach the Western Capital!

Medicinal herbs purchased from pharmacies are undoubtedly more expensive than buying directly from herbalists, but herbalists across regions are not easily found, and to find reliable ones, one must have a wide network.

Previously, the herbalists from Anping County were found due to the Cheng Family’s long-standing business in this area and Cheng Xianbai’s certain connections, allowing quick access.

Now, with time pressing, they could only sacrifice some profit and prioritize maintaining Xinglin Hall’s reputation.

Cheng Xianbai understood Xu Jing’s intention and nodded in agreement, although his brow remained tightly furrowed, "But even if we weather this crisis temporarily with this method, what about in the future? We can’t always run to the Western Capital or distant places from Anping County to stock up, right?

Moreover, if the damned Lin Family can prohibit herbalists and pharmacies from selling mint to us, they can also prevent them from selling other herbs to us. If they see this suppression works, they will only intensify in the future."

This was a matter Xu Jing was well aware of.

She rubbed her temples with a slight headache, "These problems can be addressed later. First, go and buy mint."

This is the downside of not being strong enough, you get easily bullied because of it.

Seeing Chen Hu and Cheng Xianbai turn and leave, Xu Jing’s gaze slightly lowered.

Her starting point was too low, acknowledging that she wasn’t strong enough yet.

Solving this downside is not entirely without means.

She had previously thought the opposition would approach proactively, but it seems she now has to make the first move.