Thoughts

Shuanghua's pupils widened slightly, and the fingertips pointing on the paper trembled slightly.

He actually came.

Was it because of my invitation? Or was it related to Dong Lan...?

Realizing the absurdity of her thoughts, Shuanghua concealed the absurd emotions that suddenly emerged in her eyes and returned the booklet in her hand to the steward.

"Just follow the list above. There must be no mistakes tomorrow."

The steward quickly replied, "Yes, yes, Princess. I will make sure to follow the list carefully and ensure everything goes smoothly tomorrow."

Although the response she had been waiting for for several years finally came, Shuanghua did not feel happy.

Thinking of the three words in the booklet, she felt inexplicably heavy in her heart.

It was as if she had a premonition that something hidden was about to happen and was heading straight towards her, or was slowly approaching the entire Huan Dynasty.

The steward was still standing aside waiting for Shuanghua's instructions when he saw that the princess, who had just looked a little happy, had become less cheerful and waved gently at him.

"You can leave now."

After getting Xu's promise, the steward no longer stayed in front of her, but bowed and retreated respectfully to the side.

The maid outside the main hall saw the steward walking out of the main hall quickly. She was just hesitating whether to go in, and then the princess's figure appeared in the gate.

Shuanghua turned around and saw the maid standing beside her, and the depression in her heart had not yet dissipated.

Thinking of the people she was about to meet tomorrow, she shifted her gaze slightly and sighed, "Please prepare the dress I will wear tomorrow."

Didn’t the princess try on the dress yesterday?

The maid didn't understand Shuanghua's thoughts. She was always calm and collected, good at suppressing her emotions, and rarely showed any persistence. The only person who could let others see the slightest hint of her worries was Duke Xiao.

But since the princess had given the order, she agreed and took Shuanghua's words to heart.

The other maids around were still following her in small steps. Shuanghua took a few steps forward, the breeze blew past, but her thoughts became even more complicated.

She could see figures following her on both sides, and Shuanghua felt a heaviness in her chest.

She wanted to be alone, so she ordered the maid to leave and returned to the hibiscus pond where she had just stood.

The water in the pool was as clear and calm as ever, and the traces of the ripples had stained the stone wall nearby with a black ink mark.

As time passed, the sky gradually darkened, and the dark pool water made her pupils appear even darker.

Pingzhou

Liang capital

The sales of Huangqi Ruisheng on the first day were like the first shot fired by Liangdu Pharmacy, which had been in economic depression for the past two years. When Xu Bo added up the prices sold throughout the day, it was far beyond his expectations.

The skyrocketing profits in the account book brought a smile to his usually calm expression. He kept pointing at the final results and praised, "This is simply a miracle!"

Today's marketing approach is based on Jiang Nianlai, which is different from previous marketing methods and has taken a different path from others.

Those who were attracted to the drugstore by the free insect repellent were attracted by the salesperson's explanation and bought other products.

At the same time, people outside were curious about the scene of so many buyers in the drugstore, and some told others about it, so more people came to see it.

Some people just went there to join in the fun, and when they came out they had more daily medical supplies in their hands.

As others bought medical supplies, those who came later couldn't help but want to pay.

Therefore, just one day after it went on sale, the news that the new insect repellent at Liangdu Pharmacy was selling like hotcakes reached the owner of Xu's Pharmacy.

Looking at the account book in his hand, which recorded the recent lukewarm income and expenditure of the drugstore, Manager Xu was filled with anger. He slammed the account book on the counter and turned around to call the waiter over.

"Where did that guy go? Where's Sun Dun?"

"Help me call him over."

How come the Liangdu Pharmacy, which had been suppressed by his anthelmintic prescription for a year or two, suddenly recovered?

Feeling depressed, Manager Xu's tone of voice was naturally not good.

He waved irritably at the waiter, then leaned back in his chair and waved the fan in his hand faster, hoping that the cool breeze would calm his unhappiness.

The order to call someone was given, but the waiter just stood there motionless.

He scratched his head, thinking about what Sun had told him before he left, and he felt hesitant. He chose some words that would not make the shopkeeper angry.

"Sun Dun said a few days ago that he had just returned to his hometown and wanted to do something for you, the boss."

"Homecoming"

Shopkeeper Xu paused as he fanned himself.

"What is he going to do when he returns home?..."

The scene he had just described to Sun Dun flashed through his mind, and he stopped talking abruptly, and his fanning movements slowed down.

"I see. Did he say when he would be back?"

The waiter shook his head and denied it:

"To reply to the boss, Sun Dun didn't say when he would return to the city."

Passersby on the street outside Xu's pharmacy were still talking about the Astragalus Ruisheng they bought from Liangdu pharmacy.

Scattered conversations drifted into Xu's pharmacy. Upon hearing this name, which sounded familiar even though he hadn't seen it today, Shopkeeper Xu felt annoyed from the bottom of his heart. Even the waiter who was standing beside him with great respect began to look at him with some displeasure.

"Forget it, forget it. Go down now. Let me know when you see him coming."

This Sun Dun is really weird. Why did he go to the countryside without saying a word?

He was not informed before doing anything.

Thinking of the suggestion Sun Dun had given him before, Manager Xu was secretly shocked and raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

After his impulse subsided, he felt a little weak when he thought of Sun Dun's previous method.

If that method didn't work, or if someone died, who would he turn to for help? Where would he run?

When the investigation comes, it will be traced back to him.

Shopkeeper Xu felt more and more that this matter was not handled in a reasonable manner.

Layers of thin clouds covered most of the moonlight, and it was almost midnight when I set out from Liangdu Pharmacy to return home.

On the way back home, Guizhi kept talking all the way, and her excitement about the novel marketing methods used today had not yet subsided.

"Miss, do you know?"

"Just now, Fuling and I calculated the sales of the two sets of meals today, and found that everyone prefers the second set."

The second type is to sell stockpiled goods plus two new bottles of insect repellent as gifts.

After a busy day, Jiang Nian's face showed no sign of fatigue, and he did not have too much emotional reaction to today's unusually popular marketing. He seemed to have expected it and was so calm and indifferent.

The excited voices beside her reached her ears, and her sight shifted from the carriage window. Guizhi's joyful smile came into her sight. Jiang Nian gently curled her eyes and explained to Guizhi's unspoken question:

"Because it's priced cheaper than the other package and seems to have more gifts, some people who hadn't planned on buying it will be tempted by the salesperson and will naturally buy what they think is the best deal first."

Guizhi nodded in understanding.

"Is this what the young lady hoped for? She wants the stockpiled goods in the pharmacy to be sold faster."

Jiang Nian smiled without saying anything. Seeing this, Fuling spoke out what her young lady was thinking.

"Then when these buyers go back and try the free gift, they find that the free gift is more effective in repelling insects and buy the new repellent instead."

"By now, a lot of the stockpiled goods should have been cleared out."

"Right, miss?"

Seeing Fuling's confident gaze and thinking that she was the little assistant he had personally trained, Jiang Nian smiled with satisfaction.

"Well, that's it for the short term."

The road back home was flat, with lanterns illuminating the roadside. The carriage turned a corner and immediately arrived at the gate of Jiang's house.

Jiang's mother did not go to bed early today and was still waiting for Jiang Nian's return in the hall.

When they saw Jiang's mother when they entered the room, the two maids were very surprised. Seeing that Jiang's mother had something to say to Jiang Nian, they simply bowed and left.

You're still waiting for her so late, are you asking about today's sales schedule?

Thinking of Jiang's mother's attempt to test whether she was the real one, Jiang Nian hesitated in her heart, but she did not show it on her face. She walked straight to Jiang's mother and called her "Mother" obediently.

Jiang Nian in front of her was as gentle and quiet as before. Mother Jiang stared at Jiang Nian for a moment, then reached out and gently patted the table beside her.

"Did you encounter any difficulties in the pharmacy today?"

When he approached Jiang Mu, the bitter smell of traditional Chinese medicine lingering around her instantly filled his nostrils. Considering that Jiang Mu's health was important, Jiang Nian only replied briefly.

"Mother, my daughter's business at the pharmacy is going well today, and the account books are all profitable."

Mother Jiang nodded slightly, then turned and asked, "What about Mr. Li from the Governor's family? You've suddenly become more reserved recently and haven't been associating with him. I'm a little suspicious."

Jiang Nian paused.

I originally thought that my mother might doubt her identity, but now it seems that my mother is not doubting her identity, but her feelings for him have changed drastically. She suddenly doesn't like Master Li, so as a mother, it is natural for her to have some doubts.

Thinking of this, Jiang Nian gently held Jiang Mu's hand and replied softly:

"The family business has been going from bad to worse lately, and my daughter is worried. She's thinking that family matters should be prioritized over romantic relationships, so she's calmed down."

The people around her didn't respond in time and were still thinking about what she said.

There was silence in the hall for a while, and then Mother Jiang asked again:

"Will you continue to interact with Master Li?"

Jiang Nian had quarreled with her many times before because of this Mr. Li.

Now she suddenly stopped associating with Master Li, which surprised her.

Jiang Nian blinked slowly, his mind in a state of confusion.

It seems that my mother doesn't like Mr. Li very much.

Suddenly, the words that Guizhi said to her when she first came here flashed through her mind:

"Before, the master always disliked the young lady being with Master Li, but now that the young lady has changed her mind, the master will definitely be happy!"

Neither the couple likes Master Li. Is it possible that Jiang's father once wanted the original owner to take over the family business, but the original owner rejected Jiang's father's proposal because of Master Li, and even had a conflict with Jiang's mother because of this?

Judging from recent developments, although Jiang Mu is in poor health, she is still very concerned about the business situation of the pharmacy.

The thoughts in his mind stopped, Jiang Nian raised his eyes and shook his head slightly at Jiang's mother, making a promise.

"Don't worry, mother. I'm only concerned about the affairs of the family pharmacy."

Mother Jiang nodded, and then asked the question that had been on her mind.

"Mother knows that Nannan previously worked with Duke Xiao, and I heard that the Duke..."

Jiang Nian immediately knew what Jiang's mother wanted to say, so he simply reassured her.

"Duke Xiao has terrifying rumors, but he's actually a good person. He's even helped me several times. Mother, don't worry."

“…”

Jiang Mu Sujuan's face suddenly looked as if she wanted to say something but hesitated. She remembered Guizhi's earlier description of Duke Xiao, who sounded much better than Master Li.

But Jiang Nian had already been completely bewitched by someone like Master Li, so with the arrival of Duke Xiao, could it be that...

Thinking about it further was too horrifying. Mother Jiang gently grasped Jiang Nian's hand and whispered:

"Nannan, remember to be moderate in your words and actions when dealing with Duke Xiao, and don't have any improper thoughts."

“…”

Jiang Nian lowered his eyes and looked at the hand held by his mother. His gaze froze for a moment, and he suddenly sighed as if he had lost his smile.

My mother waited so late tonight because she was afraid that I would fall in love with Xiao Yingzhu?

That's really overthinking it.

Her expression showed no signs of emotion as she slowly tightened her grip on Jiang Mu's hand.

"Don't worry, my daughter is now able to discern people carefully and will not make the same mistake again."

Seeing that Jiang Nian's face was calm and without any extra emotions, Jiang's mother looked at him carefully and her worries were temporarily relieved.

"That's good. It's late. Go to bed early, Nannan."

After saying this, Jiang's mother paused for a moment as she stood up, then turned to give her a gentle reminder.

"I heard from the servants that Nannan has been staying up late for the pharmacy recently. Overwork is not good. Health is the most important thing."

Jiang Nian nodded and replied meekly, "My daughter understands, and so does my mother. Please go to bed early."

After saying goodbye to Jiang Mu and returning to the side room, I closed the door. Suddenly, there was silence all around, with only the rustling sound of the burning candle.

Sitting at the table and spreading out the paper, Jiang Nian wrote a small line of summary about today's marketing situation. Xiao Yingzhu's face suddenly appeared in his mind again.

The inexplicable confusion she had felt when she faced Xiao Yingzhu in the blacksmith shop a few days ago came back to her mind. Her eyes were slightly stunned, and the tip of the pen in her hand smudged the ink on the paper.

After a moment, she came back to her senses and her eyes fell on the small line of words she had just written on the paper. Jiang Nian suppressed the emotions in her eyes and calmed her mind.

Xiao Yingzhu had previously said that he wanted to see the results of this operation.

But the capital is so far away from Pingzhou, and by the time he came back, the five days of business would have already passed.

So how does he view the marketing situation in recent days?

Ledger?

Jiang Nian felt that Xiao Yingzhu believed more in what he could see directly than in the results written on paper.

The faint cicada sounds outside the house suddenly died down, and she looked up at the dark sky outside.

Someone like Xiao Yingzhu, who is controlling and suspicious, would never leave the development of events to others, let alone a win-win situation like this.

Maybe someone came to watch.