The oxcart swayed and rattled along the road, a very bumpy ride, but when a person's heart is filled with joy, all discomfort is overcome.
"Third son's wife, how many gifts are you planning to buy?"
There was no one else on the oxcart, and the driver, Wu Jiahu, wasn't a blabbermouth, so Old Zhou asked in a low voice.
“Mom, I’ve already talked to Aunt Qin about the eight essential items. Four of those are from this pork. Let’s pick out two more pieces of cloth, some brown sugar, and a basket of eggs, and that will make up the eight essential items.”
Jiang Yue made it sound simple, but in reality, these eight items would cost at least two taels of silver.
Although Old Mrs. Zhou was reluctant to spend the money, it was a joyous occasion for her eldest grandson, so she kept quiet.
Wu Daniu was deeply grateful to his mother. He thought to himself, "My mother has spent a lot of money on my marriage again. I will remember this and work hard to earn money to pay her back in the future."
Wu Ergou stretched and thought to himself, "My brother's wife is settled, but where is his wife?"
It was June, and the sun was blazing. Before long, Jiang Yue was covered in sweat.
If only we had ice cubes, ice cream, popsicles, or ice cream right now!
Sigh, it's just wishful thinking. Jiang Yue isn't that bold as to actually make saltpeter!
This kind of thing hasn't even appeared in this dynasty yet, and she doesn't want to be arrested by the government!
Sigh, I guess I'll just stick to selling medicine.
"Mother, we've arrived in town. Your son will accompany you to Huichuntang first. Grandma and Second Brother, please go to the cloth shop and wait for us."
Wu Daniu and his mother had been to the town many times. He knew the town like the back of his hand and was well aware of his mother's purpose in bringing the kudzu root powder.
Jiang Yue looked at Da Niu with a "you're teachable" expression. After all, Wu Jiahu was an outsider, so it was best not to let him know about the kudzu root powder.
"Okay, third brother's wife, hurry back!"
Old Mrs. Zhou knew what was going on, so she readily agreed.
Jiang Yue, realizing something, quickly reminded him:
"Yes, Mother, when you go to the cloth shop, go to the first floor and find a thin waitress. The girl with dimples when she smiles is the right one."
I forgot to ask the little girl's name last time, otherwise I could have just asked her directly this time.
"Okay, I got it. Hurry up and get it done."
Old Mrs. Zhou nodded, indicating that she had taken his advice to heart.
Jiang Yue gestured for Da Niu, who was carrying a sack, to follow her. The mother and son continued walking without stopping, entering Huichuntang...
Surprisingly, Manager Zhao didn't recognize kudzu root powder.
This makes it impossible to price the product, and even more impossible to verify whether kudzu root powder can be used to sober up, coagulate into a colloid when mixed with water, and whether it can regulate endocrine function, beautify the skin, prevent cancer, and protect the heart.
However, Jiang Yue was not discouraged. Instead of showing disappointment, she confidently proposed a solution.
"I brought some kudzu root powder with me today. Here, I'll weigh out three catties and put them in Huichuntang for medicinal use. If any of Manager Zhao's patients are suitable for using kudzu root powder, they can take as much as they want. If it's effective, we can meet at the end of the month and discuss the price."
Why at the end of the month?
Because the medicinal herbs in the clan's land will be harvested by the end of the month, processed, and then sent to Huichuntang!
"That's excellent."
Manager Zhao readily agreed. He had been practicing medicine for decades and had never seen kudzu root powder before.
The thing doctors fear most is misdiagnosing medication and causing someone to die!
Although he trusted Madam Jiang, he dared not gamble with human lives!
The method that Madam Jiang mentioned is worth a try.
"However, Manager Zhao, my kudzu root powder, besides its medicinal uses, can also be used for beauty and cooking. So, I'll try my luck at other pastry shops and restaurants."
Jiang Yue is short of money, so she won't give up any way to make money.
Let's be upfront about the unpleasant things to avoid embarrassment later.
"That's natural."
Manager Zhao expressed his understanding; even if his Huichuntang could not use it, it would not prevent Madam Jiang from selling it to others.
After discussing the medicinal herbs for a few more minutes, Jiang Yue left Huichuntang, citing other important matters.
On the way to the cloth shop, Da Niu was a little dejected. He thought to himself, "I didn't sell any kudzu root powder, my mother didn't earn any money, and now she has to spend so much money on my betrothal. I'm such a useless son!"
Jiang Yue was thinking that the pastry shop probably kept the purchase price very low.
She has a lot of kudzu root powder. If she sells it cheaply, it would be unfair to her uncles and their family for all the hard work they've put in!
What other methods are there to sell the kudzu root powder as quickly as possible?
When the mother and son arrived at the cloth shop, Wu Jiahu was stroking his own cow.
Seeing the mother and son return dejectedly, and noticing the sack remained unchanged, he assumed the mission had failed and immediately offered words of comfort:
"Young lady, things will work themselves out. There's always a solution to everything. Don't worry, go inside and help pick out some fabric."
"Yes, thank you, Brother Jiahu."
Jiang Yue nodded, indicating that Da Niu should wait outside for a while, and she would be right back.
Wu Daniu knew Uncle Jiahu had misunderstood, but he didn't clarify. He put down the sack of kudzu root powder and squatted behind the oxcart, lost in thought...
The first floor of the fabric shop wasn't exactly bustling; there were only a few scattered customers looking at fabrics.
Jiang Yue went inside and looked around. In a corner, she saw her mother-in-law talking to someone with Er Gou.
Upon closer inspection, it became clear that the waitress opposite was indeed the same young girl from last time.
"Mother, I'm here."
"Third brother's wife, you've finally arrived. Look, I've picked out five bolts of cloth, and I'm struggling to decide which two to choose."
When Old Zhou saw Jiang coming, she felt reassured and quickly pointed it out to her.
"It's you, ma'am! No wonder the fabric on this lady's clothes looked familiar; it's the one you bought last time!"
The little girl has a sweet tongue and shallow dimples when she smiles, making her very endearing.
"It's no wonder she's so likable," Jiang Yue thought to herself, but then she inadvertently caught Er Gou's eyes shining as he stared intently at the young girl...
"Last time, the old lady left in a hurry and didn't have time to ask your name."
Jiang Yue changed the subject, getting the idea to trick people into revealing information.
"Auntie, my name is Wang Fangfang, you can just call me Fangfang."
Wang Fangfang responded with a smile, realizing that the old woman in front of her was a filial daughter-in-law; otherwise, why would she be so generous as to buy cloth for her parents-in-law?
"Fangfang, how old are you this year? Are you engaged?"
These words were not spoken by Jiang Yue, but by Old Zhou.
To be honest, Old Zhou thought the young girl was very proper from beginning to end.
Unlike the older waiters, who had their eyes rolling to the sky, she ignored him for a long time after she came in.
Later, when the young girl had some free time, she finally picked out the fabric she liked.
"Sigh~ I'm fifteen this year, but my family is poor, and they haven't found me a partner yet."
Wang Fangfang coughed lightly, her face showing no embarrassment, but rather a touch of girlish charm and awkwardness.
Her family was poor, with two younger sisters and a bedridden mother. Her immediate priority was to earn money to support her family.
In truth, she knew in her heart that, given her circumstances, what good family would be interested in her family background?
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