Chapter 40, Chapter 40, all wrapped up.
"You...how do you recognize me?" Li Jing's throat bobbed slightly, and he stammered.
He was certain that he had never officially met her before.
Meng Yutong smiled slightly, her expression gentle: "Your Highness, your bearing is as majestic as a dragon and as elegant as a phoenix, and your name is renowned throughout Lin'an. I imagine there are quite a few people who recognize your esteemed presence."
Upon hearing this, Li Jing subconsciously straightened his slightly wrinkled collar, a smug smile just about to appear on his lips: "That's quite something..."
"The name of the heir apparent," Meng Yutong's tone suddenly changed, her smile deepening, but there was no warmth in her eyes, "not only do we admire him, but even the market broker Sun Sheng, the guild leaders, and even Granny Sun across the street are all very familiar with him."
She took a half step forward, looking directly into Li Jing's eyes, "Today, by a fortunate coincidence, I wonder if I could bother Your Highness for a moment? I dare to guess that there may be some misunderstanding between us."
The two were locked in a stalemate at the threshold when a neighbor who had received a sachet of mugwort was about to leave and thanked Meng Yutong warmly: "Thank you so much, Manager Meng!"
Upon glancing at Li Jing beside her, who was dressed in fine clothes but had an unfriendly expression, she immediately became wary, looked him up and down a few times, and then quickly left.
"Take care, neighbors." Meng Yutong nodded calmly, then turned to Li Jing and gestured for him to leave, her demeanor composed.
Li Jing felt a surge of anger at the man's wary gaze, but also felt that blocking his way here would damage his "wise" image, so he could only snort coldly and stride into the consultation room with his head held high.
Even if you lose the fight, you can't lose your spirit!
Meng Yutong gestured for Bai Zhi to take a seat.
Li Jing sat down with an air of superiority, impatiently dusting off his sleeves: "Speak quickly if you have something to say! My time is precious, I don't have time to waste with your nonsense!"
He knew perfectly well that Meng Yutong's words had already revealed his plan to send Zheng Hui to cause trouble.
But would he admit his mistake? The blame always falls on others! As for Aunt Sun's foolish act that escalated into a major incident, that was all Zheng Hui's own doing!
"I have never had any grudge against the young master. I wonder why he has targeted me repeatedly?" Meng Yutong asked bluntly.
This bluntness surprised Li Jing for a moment.
He immediately reacted as if his tail had been stepped on, slamming his hand on the table and standing up abruptly, his eyes wide with anger: "You dare to turn the tables on me?! Don't think that just because you're a woman, I won't dare to touch you!"
“You dare say you don’t know that group of itinerant merchants from Qinzhou? My men clearly told me that they borrowed my Bazhen Pavilion’s prime location to sell jewelry, agreeing to pay rent according to a percentage of the profits. And what happened?”
"How dare you collude with outsiders to steal back the contract and then abscond with the money overnight! You dare say this has nothing to do with you? If I don't teach you a lesson, do you really think I'm some kind of clay idol?!"
Bai Zhi immediately stepped in front of Meng Yutong, her eyebrows raised sharply: "In broad daylight, under the clear sky! What do you want to do?"
Meng Yutong suddenly felt enlightened.
In her past life, she had only met Li Jing a few times and firmly believed in his reputation as a dissolute and dissolute young man. Only Ji Yun once said that although this young man was young and impetuous, he was not entirely unreasonable.
Regarding the incident at the Eight Treasures Pavilion, she had always believed that Li Jing had abused his power. Now it seems that someone was probably behind it all, using him as a tool to do their dirty work and taking advantage of his arrogance.
She gently pulled Bai Zhi aside and whispered, "Go and invite Brother Cui and Brother Mei over."
Bai Zhi understood and immediately slipped away.
Seeing this, Li Jing scoffed and arrogantly raised his chin: "Hmph! Don't worry, I don't hit women!"
He cursed inwardly: Calling for accomplices? They're clearly just guilty!
“Young Master Li,” Meng Yutong said calmly, looking at him indifferently, “what you just said was only the one-sided account of your subordinates?”
"So what if it is?" Li Jing retorted, sticking out his neck.
“Your Highness is wise,” Meng Yutong said in a gentle and calm voice, yet with a persuasive power. “People in this world are driven by self-interest and avoid harm, and their words and actions are mostly attempts to exonerate themselves. In such a serious matter, shouldn’t Your Highness listen to multiple perspectives? Is the truth really as unbearable as your subordinates claim?”
Before the words were even finished, Cui Dacheng and Mei San had already strode into the clinic with Bai Zhi.
The two had seen Li Jing from afar outside the Eight Treasures Pavilion before, and recognized him at a glance as their "creditor".
Upon seeing Li Jing, Cui Dacheng was overwhelmed by the humiliation of being deceived and the hardships of being forced to wander. A surge of old and new resentment welled up within him, and he roared, "Well, you heartless swindler, you actually dare to come here?!"
Mei San quickly grabbed his arm and whispered, "Master Cui! Don't be impulsive!"
Mei San managed to persuade Cui Da to stop, and Meng Yutong gestured for the two to sit down. She then turned to Li Jing, whose face was ashen, and said, "Your Highness, these two are the two Qinzhou merchants you mentioned who absconded with the money, Cui Dacheng and Mei San. Why not listen to what they have to say for themselves?"
Li Jing was furious when Cui Dacheng pointed his finger at him and called him a "liar," and he wanted nothing more than to slap him right then and there.
But seeing Cui Dacheng's angry eyes like copper bells and his bulging muscles, and remembering his embarrassing near-fall earlier, he ultimately didn't dare to make a move. He just sat back down in his chair, looking annoyed, and said, "Speak! I'm listening! If there's a single lie, hmph!"
He was already planning how to get someone to put those two brutes in sacks and beat them up to vent his anger.
Mei San quickly realized Meng Yutong's intention.
He steadied himself and succinctly recounted how Zheng Hui had tricked him into signing the Yin-Yang contract at the Eight Treasures Pavilion that day, and how he had been forced to devise a plan to retrieve the contract and leave overnight.
Finally, seeing the fascinating mix of red and white on Li Jing's face, he added, "If Your Highness doesn't believe me, you can go to the Eight Treasures Pavilion right now and confront that shopkeeper, A-Chang!"
"Hmph! He can't even control his subordinates, what kind of prince is he? I think he's more like a blockhead!" Cui Dacheng turned his head and muttered in a gruff voice.
"You! You're asking for it!" Li Jing was already filled with shame and indignation at being deceived by Zheng Hui, and now, being ridiculed in public by Cui Dacheng, his anger instantly overwhelmed his reason! He suddenly stood up, grabbed Cui Dacheng by the collar, and was about to punch him.
Cui Dacheng's large hand, though delayed, reached out first, gripping Li Jing's luxurious brocade robe like an iron clamp. His arm muscles bulged and bulged, and he actually lifted this pampered young master up like a chick!
The voices all changed tone.
Meng Yutong looked at Cui Dacheng and said helplessly, "Brother Cui, put down Prince Li. The prince is a reasonable person and will go to find Achang to ask for an explanation and give you justice."
She paused, then turned her gaze to Li Jing, who was struggling in mid-air, and smiled slightly: "Don't you agree, Prince Li?"
"Yes, yes, yes! Put me down! Put me down quickly!" Li Jing didn't care about saving face at this moment and begged for mercy repeatedly.
Cui Dacheng then snorted coldly and threw Li Jing to the ground like a broken sack.
As soon as Li Jing landed, he staggered a few steps before regaining his balance. He hurriedly smoothed out his torn and deformed clothes, his face turning pale and then red.
He glared fiercely at everyone in the room, his words a mix of bravado and cowardice: "Fine! Very well! I'm going to the Eight Treasures Pavilion right now! If I find out you've uttered even a single lie... Hmph! Your lousy clinic can just wait to close down!"
After uttering those harsh words, he turned to leave, but Cui Dacheng deliberately stepped forward, pretending to stop him.
Li Jing turned pale with fright and dared not linger any longer. He rushed out of the clinic, his hurried figure even more disheveled than that of Granny Sun.
After Li Jing left, the consultation room fell silent for a moment.
Mei San looked at the empty doorway, stroked his short beard, and pondered, "Judging from this situation, this Prince Li seems to be kept in the dark and has been used as a pawn by Zheng Hui."
Cui Dacheng frowned, looked at Mei San and Meng Yutong, and said in a deep voice, "But that waiter Achang from Bazhen Pavilion looks like a spineless coward. He treats Zheng Hui's farts as imperial edicts. What if Li Jing goes and the two of them collude to continue distorting the truth? Wouldn't we be in a situation where we can't clear our names no matter what we do?"
Meng Yutong remained calm and gently comforted the two: "This is not the first time Zheng Hui has acted so hypocritically and deceived his superiors. Li Jing is a bit impatient and easily swayed, but he is by no means stupid. As long as he puts in a little effort to investigate, the truth will not be hard to find."
She paused, then added, "Besides, the young master is about to return. When that happens, you can place that forged contract in front of him, and no matter how eloquent Zheng Hui is, he will have no way to deny it."
Liu Sijun was supposed to arrive in Lin'an yesterday, just in time for the opening of Zhaoyutang, but it seems he had other business to attend to on the way, and said he would be delayed for another day, so he probably won't make it today.
“That makes perfect sense!” Mei San’s eyes lit up. He reached out and hooked his arm around Cui Dacheng’s shoulder, gesturing towards the bustling clinic next door. “Alright, Brother Cui, there are still quite a few neighbors getting their deworming medicine kits. Let’s go and lend a hand so that Granny Gui and the others don’t get overwhelmed.”
As they talked, the two turned and went back to the front hall to continue their work.
Bai Zhi, who was standing to the side, had overheard the gist of the conversation and suddenly realized what was going on. Her little face puffed up with anger: "I was wondering why you've encountered one unpleasant thing after another ever since you started planning to open this clinic. It turns out that it was all those scoundrels who were secretly causing trouble. They're so shameless, relying on their powerful connections to bully people like this!"
Meng Yutong gently patted Bai Zhi's hand, a reassuring smile playing on her lips. Her gaze remained clear and firm, like the clear spring water in the mountains, capable of washing away the worries in others' hearts. She said gently, "The most important thing right now is to establish our 'Zhaoyutang' brand."
"Only by spreading the word and attracting more and more patients can one gain a foothold in the medical community of Lin'an and have a greater chance of being nominated for official appointments to fulfill one's wish to help the world."
She pointed to the counter, "Quickly take out the calming sachets we've been rushing to make these past few days and place them in the most conspicuous spot."
"Yes!" Bai Zhi responded crisply, deftly pulling out a large bamboo basket from under the counter, inside which were neatly arranged hundreds of colorful sachets.
She carefully picked up a stack and meticulously piled it on the counter. Before long, a "little incense tower" exuding a delicate herbal fragrance stood up, its bright colors attracting attention.
The sachets they made came in two types: one was brightly colored and more intricately crafted, each one hand-embroidered by Bai Zhi. The herbs and spices inside were of superior quality, and this type was more expensive, costing three hundred coins each.
Meng Yutong had told everyone that Qingfeng Tea House was frequented by many refined and elegant people, and those who loved tea were generally cultured and naturally appreciated such exquisite and practical sachets. He Haochuan had been wearing the sachets given to him by Zhaoyutang these past few days, which should attract some customers who valued quality but weren't concerned about price. This batch of sachets was prepared for this group of people.
Meanwhile, Meng Yutong also had Bai Zhi prepare some more affordable sachets. Although their appearance and spices were not as good as the three-hundred-wen ones, they still had a calming effect and were priced at fifty wen each. These sachets were more affordable for ordinary people.
No patients had arrived yet, so Meng Yutong helped Bai Zhi arrange the sachets and joined in distributing the medicine packets. After an hour of work, all the prepared insect repellent packets had been distributed.
Occasionally, neighbors picking up medicine would be attracted by the colorful incense pagodas and stop to inquire, but upon hearing the price of "fifty coins each," most would gasp and shake their heads, and in the end, only three were sold. As for the ones that cost three hundred coins each, no one was interested at all.
As the sun began to set, the hustle and bustle subsided. Without the crowds gathering medicine packets and watching the spectacle, the area in front of Zhaoyutang Hall suddenly became deserted, almost empty. Forget buying sachets, very few people even came in to rest and ask for directions.
Bai Zhi leaned against the door frame listlessly, craning her neck to look outside.
Cui Dacheng and Mei San were already exhausted; one was slumped over the square table, snoring softly, while the other was dozing off, propped up on his elbow.
In the corner, Granny Gui was grinding spices with undivided attention, the stone pestle and mortar making a monotonous and regular soft sound.
Only Wu Ming was restless, leaning against the counter, watching Meng Yutong still sorting the medicinal herbs unhurriedly and methodically. Her tranquil and focused profile only made him feel more anxious.
"Master..." Wu Ming finally couldn't help but speak, his voice filled with obvious urgency, "Do you think the price of these sachets is a bit too high? It's enough to cover the cost of a meal for many people."
"How about... we lower the price? It's been a whole day, and we've only sold three. They're just sitting on the counter, not making any money!"
He recalled his earlier fantasies of making a fortune every day, but looking at the desolate scene before him, he felt that his beautiful dream was just a bubble.
Upon hearing this, Meng Yutong did not immediately look up.
She picked up a dried mimosa flower between her fingers, gently twirled it between her fingertips, and then looked up at Wu Ming.
His gaze was calm and serene, carrying a strange, soothing power, like a ray of bright sunlight entering the morning mist in the mountains, easily calming any anxiety.
She smiled slightly and said in a gentle voice, "Brother Wu Ming, this sachet is not an ordinary boudoir plaything. It is a calming and sleep aid. The medicinal materials used are all of high quality. How can it be priced the same as a common sachet in the market?"
"For those who suffer from sleepless nights, what is the price of fifty coins for a peaceful night's sleep?" She paused, gently placing the mimosa flower in her hand into the medicine cabinet before continuing, "Everything is difficult at the beginning. Today is only the first day of opening, so there is no need to be impatient. Let's wait a few more days and see. You should know that nothing in this world can be accomplished overnight."
After saying that, she opened the counter drawer, took out a book with a blue cloth cover, and handed it to Wu Ming: "If you have some free time now, you might as well write down today's expenses."
The cover of the book was inscribed with the words "Zhaoyutang Income and Expenditure Book" in neat small characters.
Wu Ming took the ledger, smiled wryly, and weighed it in his hand: "With just this little bit of income today, there's no need to keep a special record. I truly admire the head of the household's composure."
Although he joked like that, he was inwardly full of admiration for Meng Yutong's performance today.
Recalling the farce that happened with Granny Sun that morning, even though he had been working at Jufu Inn for many years and had seen all sorts of people, he still found it extremely troublesome.
The girl in front of them, who was only seventeen years old and should have been raised in seclusion, was the most composed and steadfast leader among them.
That calm and composed demeanor, that unraveling wisdom, that composure under pressure, dispelled the last trace of doubt in his heart.
He had a vague feeling that with Meng Yutong around, Zhaoyutang was like a stabilizing pillar, very secure.
He picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and meticulously wrote down the few entries of the day's income in the ledger as instructed. The inexplicable sense of trust in his heart was even stronger than his worries.
Wu Ming was focused on writing when Bai Zhi, who was leaning against the door, suddenly stood up straight, her voice filled with surprise: "Miss! Look, someone's here!"
Everyone inside was instantly awakened.
Cui Dacheng suddenly looked up, Mei San rubbed her sleepy eyes, Granny Gui stopped using the stone pestle, and Wu Ming also put down his pen. They all followed Bai Zhi's gaze and looked outside.
A blue-curtained, flat-topped carriage had quietly stopped in front of the clinic.
The carriage body is made of sturdy elm wood with a subdued paint color. Only the shaft is carved with simple bamboo patterns, exuding an understated elegance.
A small pine sign hung in front of the cart, with a neatly engraved character "纪" (Ji). The driver deftly placed the footstool.
As soon as the carriage curtain was lifted, a boy of about seven or eight years old, wearing a brown silk robe, jumped down first, his big, dark eyes curiously examining the brand-new medical clinic plaque in front of him.
Immediately afterwards, a woman dressed in a sandalwood-colored lotus-patterned jacket, with her hair neatly combed, stepped out of the carriage, her face gentle and refined.
She reached out and took the boy's small hand, then walked calmly toward the clinic's entrance.
Behind the two was a tall, upright young guard dressed in indigo attire, who was none other than Yun Zhou.
The woman's gentle gaze fell on Bai Zhi, who had come to greet her, and her voice was clear and elegant: "May I ask, is Doctor Meng in the clinic?"
Bai Zhi's eyes darted around quickly, and upon recognizing the person in front of her, a warm smile immediately bloomed on her face. She hurriedly stepped aside to lead the way, saying, "Yes, yes! Madam Ji, young master Ji, please come in! The young lady is inside!"
As soon as Ji Ming entered Zhaoyutang, he was like a freed colt, grabbing his mother Li Wan's hand and rushing briskly towards Meng Yutong behind the counter.
When Meng Yutong saw the person who came, a hint of surprise flashed across her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure and nodded slightly to Li Wan in greeting: "Greetings, Madam Ji."
His attitude was gentle and polite, neither deliberately distant nor overly enthusiastic.
Li Wan smiled and returned the greeting, but her gaze subtly wandered around the clinic.
From the neatly arranged medicine cabinets and the clean floor to the faint aroma of medicine in the air, a genuine appreciation was evident in her eyes.
"Dr. Meng's clinic is tidy and elegant, which is quite rare. I came here today not because I was unwell, but because I heard that you had opened a clinic and wanted to bring you here tomorrow to have a look. I hope I haven't bothered you?"
"Madam, you flatter me. There is no need for such an intrusion," Meng Yutong replied with a light smile, gesturing for Wu Ming to serve tea.
At this moment, Ji Ming had already nimbly slipped inside the counter, tilted his little head back, and looked at Meng Yutong with bright, dark eyes. He pulled something out of his pocket like a treasure: "Sister Meng, congratulations on your new store opening! I carved this myself!"
It was a slightly clumsy, yet thoughtfully crafted wooden carving of a jade rabbit pounding medicine, its endearing appearance charming.
Meng Yutong first looked at Li Wan, and seeing Li Wan nod with a smile, showing no discomfort in her eyes, she reached out and took the wooden carving that still held the warmth of a child's body. Her fingertips ran over the slightly rough carvings, and she said gently, "Thank you, young master. This little rabbit is very cute. Look at the sachets on this counter, do you have any you like? I'll give you one."
Wu Ming stood to the side holding the income and expenditure record, his brows furrowed deeply. They hadn't sold many, but had given away a whole basketful. The sachets Meng Yutong had shown Ji Ming were priced at three hundred each.
I wonder when I'll break even!
Upon hearing this, Ji Ming immediately stood on tiptoe, his gaze fixed on the colorful "sachet tower" on the counter.
The colorful brocade sachets, embroidered with exquisite flowers, plants, insects, and fish, are all adorned with the elegant characters "Zhaoyu" at the bottom, making them quite beautiful.
He looked left and right; the pink lotus was elegant, the orange pomegranate was festive, and the yellow apricot was cute… He was overwhelmed with choices, his little face full of confusion: “Sister Meng, they’re all so pretty! Can you help me pick one?”
Meng Yutong smiled, gently raised her hand, and pulled out an indigo-blue sachet from the "tower." Several round, adorable candied hawthorns were embroidered on it with gold thread. She handed it to him and asked, "Do you like this?"
"I love it! Thank you, Sister Meng!" Ji Ming happily accepted it, touching the tempting candied hawthorn with obvious delight. He then ran around the counter to his mother, Li Wan, and proudly held it up like a treasure: "Mother, look, isn't it pretty?"
For some reason, there was a hint of ingratiation and caution in his tone, which was completely different from his lively and natural demeanor in front of Meng Yutong just now.
Li Wan's gaze softened as she looked at her son's face, and she nodded gently: "Yes, he looks good."
Overjoyed at his mother's approval, Ji Ming turned to Cui Dacheng, who was sitting upright and trying to keep his eyes open to fight off sleep, and ran over with the sachet in hand, smiling sweetly: "Big brother, could you please help me tie this?"
Cui Dacheng jolted awake, most of his sleepiness vanished, and he pointed blankly at his nose: "Me?"
He couldn't understand why this aristocratic young master was looking for him. They didn't even know each other.
Ji Ming nodded vigorously, his eyes full of expectation.
Cui Dacheng scratched his head, not understanding why, but looking at the child's innocent smile, he still replied with a simple "Okay!" and clumsily but carefully tied the sachet around Ji Ming's waist.
Mei San, suppressing a laugh, teased, "Master Cui, be careful, don't tie it backwards!"
On the other side, Li Wan accepted the teacup respectfully offered by Wu Ming, feeling the warmth emanating from the cup with her fingertips.
She did not sit down, but instead, holding her teacup, she slowly walked to the counter, her gaze falling on the colorful "sachet tower," and asked softly, "Were these exquisite items all handmade by Doctor Meng and the shop staff?"
Meng Yutong nodded: "Exactly. If you are interested, Madam, you may take a closer look. If you find anything to your liking, it will be our pleasure."
Wu Ming, with his keen observation skills, immediately stepped forward, a warm yet measured smile plastered on his face, about to explain how the sachet could calm the mind, promote sleep, and cultivate inner peace...
But then Li Wan gently raised her hand and pointed at the mountain of sachets, saying, "No need to look closely, just wrap these up for me."
"Wrap them all up?!" Wu Ming thought he had misheard, his voice rising several decibels, his eyes wide with surprise.
Meng Yutong was also slightly taken aback, then gently reminded her, "Madam Ji, there are still fifty sachets here. If you are using them yourself, two or three will suffice. Such a quantity..."
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