Mu Qing looked up and saw a simply dressed old woman running towards him with a smile on her face, holding a package wrapped in oil paper, which he guessed was food.

Mu Qing stopped and said, "Auntie, slow down, there's no rush."

Aunt Zhang ran up to Mu Qing, panting, and handed him the malt shortbread. She said somewhat apologetically, "It's homemade, nothing special, please don't mind it, young master."

Mu Qing reached out and took the silver ingot from his purse, handing it to Granny Zhang.

Aunt Zhang hurriedly refused, saying, "Young master, you mustn't, you mustn't. You are a benefactor to our family, I can't accept your money." She sounded somewhat anxious as she spoke.

Mu Qing: "Auntie, take this and buy some food for Huai En to help him recover."

Hearing that Mu Qing still remembered her son, Aunt Zhang was even more moved and happily said, "En'er is all better now, thanks to my benefactor. These pancakes were made by me; they're a token of my appreciation..."

Aunt Zhang said, "My benefactor, you're busy, I have to go home now." Then she hurriedly ran off. She truly came and went in a flash.

Mu Qing knew she was afraid he would insist on giving her money. She didn't press the matter and turned to return home.

When Mu Qing returned to the mansion, it was already dark. She took the malt shortbread to the kitchen and shared it with Old Master Bai and the others that evening.

The next day, the letter that Old Master Bai wrote to Mu's father and the gifts that Mu Qing bought were packed up, along with some additional items from Old Master Bai himself, mainly local specialties from Jiangnan. They were all handed over to the steward to arrange for them to be sent over with the cargo ship from Jiangnan to the capital.

Bai Mansion

Grandpa Bai, Mu Qing, and Bai Feng were in the study reviewing the year's profits. The results showed that Fangcao Pavilion's profits were much higher than everyone had expected. The Bai family's profits this year were not lower than in previous years, even with the significant investment in building Fangcao Pavilion.

Bai Feng said excitedly, "I originally thought that it would take several years to recoup the investment in Fangcao Pavilion, and that this year's profits would be much less than last year's. I didn't expect that this year's revenue would be the same as last year's."

After saying that, he turned around and patted Mu Qing on the shoulder, saying, "Well done, Qing."

With a proud look on his face, Old Master Bai laughed heartily, "Hahaha, you two are both excellent. Heroes emerge from among the young! I'm getting old, but I trust you two with the Bai family business. You two are far more capable than I am."

Bai Feng: "Uncle, you are too modest. I still need your guidance."

Mu Qing: "Grandpa isn't old at all."

Fangcao Pavilion's business was thriving. The financial resources and benefits provided by Fangcao Pavilions in various locations had, to varying degrees, improved the local living conditions. This, in turn, boosted the sales of other goods, especially rice and grains. The Bai family's rice and grain shops offered affordable prices, attracting even more customers. This, in turn, increased the Bai family's revenue.

The profits were secondary; since the establishment of Fangcao Pavilion, the Bai family's reputation among the people had risen even higher.

Especially for ordinary people, they no longer have to suffer from illness. They can buy and use herbs they grow at home for one-tenth of the price, which is just a symbolic charge for the seeds.

When Bai Feng was inspecting the businesses, he was always deeply moved by the sincerity of the people who recognized him. Thinking of those faces—faces filled with admiration, gratitude, and worship—Bai Feng felt a surge of energy, as if he had inexhaustible strength, a feeling he had never experienced before. This year was the most fulfilling and happiest year of his business career.

"This is the life I want." He was still lost in thought when Mu Qing's voice rang out beside him, interrupting his reverie.