The shopkeeper sneered, "That carriage has been parked in front of our pharmacy for so long. By rights, you should pay for parking. This money isn't even enough."
Ziyuan stepped forward, her eyebrows furrowed.
"If the money is insufficient, it's not a big deal. Why get so angry?" A weak yet steady voice came from inside the carriage.
Ziyuan paused.
The shopkeeper waved his hands, dismissing the two men to the side. With a demeanor of coercion, he said, "Since it's not a big deal, then hand over the money."
It had been a long time since he'd encountered such a customer. Weren't the old, weak, sick, and disabled all at his mercy?
The old woman's cloudy eyes revealed a shrewd glint. She gave Cuiping a look.
Cuiping circled to the back of the carriage, took out a box, and retrieved a ten-thousand-tael silver note from it.
The shopkeeper's eyes turned green upon seeing the money.
The old woman said kindly to Su Yunmo, "Little girl, you're buying herbs? Take this money and get whatever you need."
Cuiping, playing along, raised the silver note in her hand. "Is this enough for the labor fee and the herbs?"
The shopkeeper bowed and scraped. "Enough, enough!"
He stepped forward, intending to take the silver note, but Cuiping sidestepped him. "What's the hurry? Let's talk after we get the herbs."
"That's right, that's right. We should get the herbs first." He gestured to the physician, who grumbled in dissatisfaction and walked into the room.
Su Yunmo's eyes flickered slightly as she turned to look at the old woman.
The old woman maintained her serene smile, but it somehow seemed rather profound.
Su Yunmo hopped off the carriage and followed them inside to select herbs.
Since someone was paying, Su Yunmo didn't dally. She gathered all the good herbs she fancied.
A whole large basket, worth at least nine thousand taels, if not ten thousand.
Ziyuan helped carry the basket out.
At the entrance of the pharmacy, more than a dozen people were standing.
Cuiping led the way. The ten-thousand-tael silver note in her hand was gone, replaced by three carts of loose silver behind her.
The combined weight of this silver was no less than 600 jin.
Su Yunmo glanced at it, her mind already made up.
The shopkeeper circled the three carts, his joy almost overflowing. "Take your herbs. The carts can be pulled to the backyard."
Although he didn't know why they insisted on exchanging silver notes for silver, this silver was tangible and made him even happier.
"We can't pull them anymore. You can pick them up," Cuiping said, flicking her hand.
The dozen people moved in unison, picking up the silver from the carts and hurling it into the pharmacy.
These people must have been martial artists they'd hired. Each one used their full strength. If such a large ingot of silver hit someone's head, it would create a gaping wound.
The medicine cabinets inside were smashed through, and the entire medicine room was overturned.
The shop assistants scrambled for cover.
The shopkeeper ran around, covering his head, unable to stop anyone. "Oh, my ancestors, stop throwing! Stop throwing! If you keep throwing, my business will be ruined!"
This was clearly intended to shut him down!
He had lost big this time. This was no longer just about ten thousand taels of silver!
The surrounding crowd gathered to watch the spectacle, finding it all very novel.
They had never seen anyone smash a pharmacy with silver. What was this all about?
Su Yunmo raised an eyebrow. "What is your old madam's surname?"
It would be good to befriend such wealthy people if possible.
Cuiping wiped the sweat from her brow and said proudly, "Her surname is Qian, if you must know."
...Hmm, a fitting surname, indeed.
More than 600 jin of silver was hurled into the pharmacy. The medicinal herbs were all overturned, and the windows and doors were smashed. Only the gleaming silver piled up halfway across the room, reflecting the light.
The entire scene was luxurious yet dilapidated.
The shopkeeper, his legs weak, knelt on the ground, wailing. He had no intention of calculating the accounts anymore.
The physician also had a bloody head, only able to moan while holding his head.
Old Madam Qian, looking at the miserable scene, couldn't bear to watch. "It's not easy to do business these days, and it's not easy to earn money."
But it's all because of you!
Su Yunmo secretly rolled her eyes.
She felt that this old lady had the potential to infuriate people to death. She wondered which ancient deity she was.
"This is the medicine for you. Take one dose every morning and evening until this bottle is finished." She walked to the carriage and handed over the medicine bottle.
Old Madam Qian took the bottle and chuckled happily.
"I haven't returned to the capital for many years. Last month, I heard that my grandson had a great-granddaughter. I rushed to the capital to see the child, but my old ailment flared up halfway. Fortunately, I had you."
Su Yunmo replied, "Granddaughters can be seen anytime, but illness cannot be delayed. You should rest for at least three days."
"Yes, yes, yes. I'll listen to you." Old Madam Qian moved aside slightly and beckoned her. "Are you going home? Come up, I'll give you a ride."
Su Yunmo shook her head. She didn't want her family to know about her medical skills yet. Perhaps her mother could accept it, but there was still a father who was watching her covetously.
Old Madam Qian saw her hesitation and didn't insist. She thanked her again and then had her carriage driven away.
Su Yunmo glanced at the gleaming pharmacy and sent Ziyuan to call for another carriage.
After returning to the mansion, they closed the door to their room. Su Yunmo eagerly took out the glazed lock, intending to plant all the herbs.
The previous batch of medicinal herbs inside the glazed lock had already matured. In just one month, they had grown as much as they would in ten years in the outside world.
Especially the nourishing medicines. Lingzhi mushrooms were already vigorous, but today they looked particularly promising.
Thinking carefully, it seemed that every time she came into contact with Ye Jingyu, the herbs in the glazed lock showed significant changes.
Su Yunmo opened her eyes and poked the glazed lock with a finger. "You really dote on that boy."
If she didn't know Ye Jingyu was a prince, she would have suspected he was her mother's illegitimate son.
All the herbs were planted and ready for harvest.
Su Yunmo held the glazed lock and calculated that she should spend more time with Ye Jingyu in the future to promote the growth of the herbs.
Coincidentally, the next day was Zhou Wanyou's birthday. The mansion had requested two days of leave for the four children.
Early in the morning, the four children were dug out of their beds and dressed grandly and elegantly. They stood in the main hall to congratulate Zhou Wanyou.
Starting with Su Sizhuo, they went one by one. When it was Su Yunmo's turn, she presented her carefully prepared gift to Zhou Wanyou.
It wasn't anything fancy, just a small flower basket she had woven herself.
The flower basket was filled with flowers. They weren't precious flowers, but they were arranged in lush foliage. Clustered together, they looked festive.
"Momo wishes Mother eternal youth like these flowers, and to always be beautiful."
This one sentence was enough to outshine the previous three children.
Zhou Wanyou affectionately rubbed her face. "Momo, your words are so sweet. Mother also wishes Momo to be forever happy and joyful."
"Then, since Momo is so good, does Mother have a reward for Momo?"
The little person tilted her head, her big eyes narrowed in a smile, and her two small hands, spread open, reached out to Zhou Wanyou.
"Of course, there is." Zhou Wanyou reached out, and Acai handed over a waist token.
Although Zhou Wanyou did not usually inquire about her children's studies, she was very strict in terms of their daily lives. The General's Mansion had a curfew, and if they were not back by a certain time, they would be scolded.
With this token, they could play outside for as long as they wished.
The three children standing on the side immediately cast envious and jealous glances.
"Thank you, Mother!" Su Yunmo quickly took the waist token and tucked it into her embrace.
She would go find Ye Jingyu later.