Chapter 247: Tell the Truth
"As long as you like it, it won't be a waste." Zhuang Qingning scratched her little nose and laughed, "I used to make less money, but now I make more money, so I can still afford this flower. Not to mention one, buying a dozen a day is enough, so you can wear it with peace of mind."
"Then..." Zhuang Qingsui finally felt relieved: "Okay."
The stone in his heart fell to the ground, and Zhuang Qingsui regained his previous joy and began to watch the bustle of the county town with great interest again.
The two of them soon arrived at the Chengji Pharmacy they had inquired about.
It is a big pharmacy with a very high storefront and a bright facade. People often come in and out of the door, and it seems to be very busy.
Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Qingsui walked in.
Han Hu, who was about the same age as Zhuang Wencheng and looked like an apprentice, stopped pounding the medicine in his hand and greeted the guests with a smile: "You two, do you want to see a doctor or get medicine?"
"Neither, we are here..."
Before Zhuang Qingning uttered the word "looking for someone", he heard a commotion behind the curtain next to him.
"If you tell the truth this time, I will let this matter go. If you don't, I will punish you by making you grind herbs for a month!"
The voice was filled with deep anger and belonged to an elderly man. It was obviously the Doctor Ge whom Zhuang Wencheng had mentioned before.
"Master, I really didn't steal the herbs and make money from the shop." Zhuang Qingning could tell from the anxious voice that it was Zhuang Wencheng's.
What happened? Zhuang Qingning was stunned for a moment, forgetting to continue what he had just said, and just pricked up his ears to listen carefully to the movement behind the curtain.
"You didn't make money for the shop? Then tell me, where did the money under your pillow come from, and how come the herbs were so few? It's obvious that you took advantage of the time when you were dispensing medicine for customers to hide the good herbs and replace them with inferior ones, and then sold the good herbs to make money privately. Are you still trying to be stubborn now?"
"Master, I really told the truth. What I packed for the guests were top-quality herbs. As for these herbs, I really don't know how they were replaced. The silver under my pillow was the money I earned from the herbs I dug up from the riverside and the foot of the mountain when I was not on duty. Brother Huzi also knows about this..."
Zhuang Wencheng said, "I really didn't make any money from the shop, nor did I want to ruin the reputation of our medicine shop, let alone eat from the inside. If Master doesn't believe me, you can check the account book to see if the silver is right."
"But I still remember that you went to make a set of clothes a few days ago, but you didn't lose a penny. Where did you get the money for the clothes?"
"This money is the material my mother gave me when I went home. I never had time to make clothes. Now that the weather is getting hot, I can't change my clothes, so I went to measure my size and make a set of clothes. If you don't believe me, ask the clerk in the clothing store. I mentioned this to you at that time."
"Since you are making clothes, others will naturally speak for you when they make money. How can you listen to these words?"
"Master, I..."
"Come on, there's no need to say more. This time, the mistake was made. You've earned the money. After all, we've been master and apprentice for so many years. I'll also remember our relationship and not bother with you. Let it go this time. If I find out that you still have this intention next time, I'll send you back. Don't be an apprentice here anymore!"
"But, Master..."
Zhuang Wencheng obviously hadn't finished his words yet, because there was the rustling sound of flipping pages and impatient urging from inside: "Hurry up and get busy in the front. Oh, and put the mosquito repellent herbal bag on top. This is a formula I spent a lot of time and effort to find. Don't put it together with other herbs, or it will lose its medicinal properties."
"Yes." Zhuang Wencheng had a lot to say but couldn't utter them out. He hung his head and walked out weakly.
As soon as she lifted the curtain, she saw Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Qingsui standing there. She was startled at first, then delighted, and quickly came over: "Sister Ning, Sister Sui, why are you here?"
"You two know each other?" Han Hu was also stunned.
There was a commotion inside just now, and Han Hu was listening attentively, and forgot to greet the customers who came into the store for a moment. When the noise died down and he came to his senses, he was about to greet them again.
"Yes." Zhuang Qingning smiled and said, "I just said half of what I said. We are here to look for someone. We are looking for Brother Wencheng."
"My two sisters from my hometown probably came to see me for something, so I'll go and greet them." Zhuang Wencheng bowed to Han Hu and said, "Brother Hu, please take care of the counter first."
"You go ahead and do your thing. There aren't many people here right now. I can handle it." Han Hu said with a smile, "There's tea over there. I just made it."
"Thank you, Brother Huzi." Zhuang Wencheng thanked him, pulled Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Qingsui to sit aside, and brought tea over: "Sister Ning, Sister Sui, why did you come to the county town today?"
"I've never been to the county town, so I wanted to bring Qingsui here for a visit." Zhuang Qingning took out the white sugar cake that Chai Zhengzhen gave her: "The white sugar cake from Ruyi Pavilion in town tastes good to me. I'll bring it to Brother Wencheng to try."
"Thank you, Sister Ning."
Zhuang Wencheng saw Zhuang Qingning bringing him food and happily took it. "Is Sister Ning's tofu shop busy? How's business lately? I heard last time that Sister Ning built a new house at home. Is it finished now?"
"The tofu shop is doing well. I asked Aunt Cao and her daughter to look after the shop. I can still find some free time on weekdays, so it's not too busy. The new house is almost ready, so I asked the head of the village to help pick a date. We are waiting for the eighth day of next month to warm up the house."
Zhuang Qingning smiled and replied, "I came to the county town to play today. I thought Brother Wencheng was working in the medicine shop, so I came to see Brother Wencheng and see how you are doing."
"Okay, everything is fine here."
Seeing that Zhuang Qingning was quite concerned about him, Zhuang Wencheng's smile spread out layer by layer, and finally appeared on his face and in his eyes. He couldn't help but grin.
But when he thought of Zhuang Qingning in the lobby just now, hearing the scolding, the smile on his face suddenly faded, and he scratched his ear a little embarrassedly: "Just now..."
"It's actually okay, just a misunderstanding. It will be fine after a while. My master is not the kind of person who doesn't understand things."
Zhuang Qingning clenched the fingers in his sleeves.
She didn't know whether it was the truth or not, and she had never met Doctor Ge, but from what Doctor Ge said just now, she could tell that he was full of suspicion towards Zhuang Wencheng. It could even be said that he was almost certain that Zhuang Wencheng had done it.
This established impression will follow a person for a very long time, perhaps even for a lifetime. Once it is established, no matter what Zhuang Wencheng does, he will probably subconsciously think of this incident and will not recognize Zhuang Wencheng's various merits.
Thanks to "Book Friend 20190619225235944", "Xiaoxiang Reader 3****19", "Book Friend 161122064537733", "Book Friend 160229200304864", "Enamel", "Xiaoxiang Reader 13***74", and "E" for their monthly tickets. Thank you for your support~ (End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com