Chapter 219 - 217: Is This Healing or Harming? (Part 2)

Chapter 219: Chapter 217: Is This Healing or Harming? (Part 2)

On this day, Xu Jing prepared early in the morning to set off for Xuanwu Street. Ever since the reward from the Holy Emperor came down, she had moved into the residence bestowed upon her by him.

Just as she was about to leave, Zhao Shao Hua arrived. Seeing Xu Jing, she cheerfully said, "Jing, I’m here today specifically to support you and Mr. Zhou. My aunt and my mother have recently mobilized many of the ladies around them, telling them that if they want to buy your Purple Gromwell Ointment, they can do so on the grand opening day of the Western Capital branch of Tianyi Hall."

After Xu Jing moved to her new home, Zhao Shao Hua was the most frequent visitor. Thanks to her and Madam Cen’s support, no one dared to cause trouble for her even after her identity was revealed.

As for other unpleasant rumors and gossip, Xu Jing automatically filtered them out.

Thus, Xu Jing and Zhao Shao Hua traveled to the new store in the same carriage. Zhao Shao Hua, smiling, said, "Jing, you’re busy these days with both preparing for your remarriage and the medical hall. Can you manage it all?"

Xu Jing felt slightly guilty as she replied, "It’s alright, thankfully Madam Cen sent Nanny Wen to help."

Honestly, she was entirely focused on the medical hall and the training of doctors. The remarriage preparations were left to Nanny Wen, Chunyang, and Chunxiang. The most she did was try on clothes and select fabrics with them.

The assistants Xiao Yi had previously assigned to her—Shen and Qiushui, Chuju—had temporarily returned, as she and Xiao Yi were not yet officially married. It was not appropriate for them to stay with her.

Luckily, Nanny Wen was capable, doing the work of three people by herself.

Zhao Shao Hua laughed, "Don’t think I don’t know. You’re more concerned about the medical hall than the wedding. Nanny Wen complained to me for half a day, saying she couldn’t find you when she wanted to choose a dress fabric with you. If I didn’t know you were a workaholic, I’d think you weren’t genuine about remarrying Yanci."

Xu Jing coughed for a long time, covering her mouth.

Was her attitude that obvious? It seemed she couldn’t let herself be too careless.

Finally catching her breath, Xu Jing quickly changed the subject, "Is Duke Liang alright? I heard that recently, both Duke Xing and Marquis Xuanping were also attacked, and it was all done by their household servants."

Zhao Shao Hua’s face darkened immediately as she said, "Uncle isn’t in any serious trouble. If it weren’t for Aunt stopping him, he would have already rushed back to the barracks. The situations with Duke Xing and Marquis Xuanping aren’t particularly severe either. Yanci had previously sent people to warn all the important generals, so they were prepared in advance. Otherwise, those villains might have succeeded.

Honestly, if not for Yanci, more generals would have been ambushed. Who knew the mastermind had planted so many people in various households, and now every house is thoroughly investigating their servants."

After all, it was a conspiracy planned twelve years ago, infiltrated by insignificant figures, making them hard to detect.

Now, the heads of the Zhao Family and the Jiang Family were among those ambushed. It’s terrifying to imagine the upheaval Great Chu would endure if the mastermind succeeded.

Zhao Shao Hua couldn’t help but sigh, "So much has happened recently, and everyone seems on edge. Initially, my mother-in-law said she wanted to support you and Mr. Zhou, but several students recently died at the Imperial College, and my father-in-law is overwhelmed, torn between handling the college’s affairs and assisting the Ministry of Justice in the investigation. My mother-in-law is worried sick, having lost interest in everything."

Several students have died at the Imperial College?

Xu Jing, somewhat surprised, glanced at Zhao Shao Hua.

Whenever she got busy, she often ignored external events, so it was the first time she heard about this incident.

Seeing her reaction, Zhao Shao Hua said, "The first student at the Imperial College died over three months ago. Back then, no one thought it would become so serious. Speaking of which, Xiao Liu he..."

Before Zhao Shao Hua could finish, the carriage suddenly stopped, and the driver called out, "Miss Xu, Young Madam Zhao, we’ve arrived at Tianyi Hall."

Zhao Shao Hua had to pause her words and said, "Let’s discuss this later. Let’s get off first."

Today was the official opening day of Tianyi Hall, but it had been in trial operation for several days already. Zhou Qi had previously distributed free packages of medicine to prevent colds and heavily promoted discounts for the grand opening, captivating everyone’s interest. Early this morning, they even invited a troupe to perform dragon and lion dances at the entrance, making it very lively.

As a result, the front of Tianyi Hall was already surrounded by many people, forming layers upon layers, so Xu Jing and her companions had to stop their carriage at a distance.

As Zhao Shao Hua alighted from the carriage, she couldn’t help but exclaim, "Heavens, there are so many people! No wonder you specifically told Aunt that some important guests could come earlier to Tianyi Hall to buy medicine. Who knows how long they’ll have to queue up today!"

The trial operations of Tianyi Hall in the previous days were specifically arranged for those noble guests, fearing that on the official opening day, there would be too many people to cater to.

Xu Jing had informed Madam Cen and Madam Song earlier that they could let the ladies they were close to come during the trial period.

Today, the people they mobilized were either not so close or not from influential families, simply filling the scene for Xu Jing and the others.

Xu Jing smiled, "Don’t worry, Mr. Zhou knows how to handle things. If the noble ladies from noble families come today, there will still be a special VIP passageway for them."

But it definitely wouldn’t be as quiet as during the trial period.

Seeing that it was almost time for the ribbon-cutting, Xu Jing led Zhao Shao Hua through the side door to the front pharmacy.

Zhou Qi obviously took the Western Capital branch very seriously, lavishly leasing three adjacent shops. The front was the pharmacy, and the back was for consultations and treatments.

Although the store was crowded, since there was always someone guiding the way, it wasn’t chaotic. People queued in an orderly manner, waiting for consultations and prescriptions.

Zhou Qi, with several managers, was discussing matters in the front pharmacy. Upon seeing Xu Jing and Zhao Shao Hua, he quickly approached them with bright eyes and a warm smile, "Miss Xu, and Young Madam Zhao. It’s such a pleasure to have you here today, gracing us with your presence. You should have informed me earlier so I could have welcomed you personally."

Xu Jing raised an eyebrow, "Mr. Zhou is busy today. There’s no need to mind us. Shao Hua is my guest, and I’ll take good care of her. Where are Zhou Xian and Wanwan?"

Zhou Qi laughed, "Wanwan hasn’t arrived yet. With the crowd today, having her come too early would just add to the chaos, so I told her to come in time for the ribbon-cutting. As for Xian’er, I’ve sent him to work with Manager Li, who will be in charge of this Western Capital branch in the future.

Xian’er... although he’s been much more restrained lately, he never properly studied medicine before. It’s too late for him to start now, so I’m planning to focus his training on management."

Such a choice is wise.

Some opportunities are lost forever once wasted.

Xu Jing nodded, "Didn’t you say your mom would be here today?"

Zhou Qi smiled wryly, "Mom really wanted to come, but something came up in Anping County, and the earliest she can get here is this afternoon..."

While they were talking, a commotion suddenly arose outside.

They instinctively turned to look, and saw a tall, dark-skinned man supporting a middle-aged woman, aggressively pushing through the crowd, shouting, "Who’s in charge here? Come out now! What kind of harmful stuff are you selling? My wife used that something-something ointment she bought here, and her skin immediately became red and swollen, itchy and painful, worse than death! Are you here to cure or to harm?"