Chapter 652: Chapter 652: Catch Him
Doctor Wu shook his head, admitting he was impressed by Gu Jinli, and then mentioned another matter: "Chushen Pharmacy is also developing Convenient Medicine."
Chushen Pharmacy, established by the Prince Consort of the Founding Princess of Great Chu, is the youngest among the top three big pharmacies of Great Chu, yet due to its backing by the royal family, it has become the preeminent one.
Gu Jinli had long anticipated that Chushen Pharmacy would develop Convenient Medicine, and asked, "What about the people from Boss Min’s side? Are they arranged properly? Have they confronted Shen Family’s guests?"
Doctor Wu smiled and nodded: "They have confronted them. That group of people has individually befriended five confidants among Shen Family’s guests, who have all advised the head of Shen Family that making Convenient Medicine for flu and cough isn’t profitable. They suggested focusing on expensive pills for heart diseases and maintaining health and beauty, targeting the homes of nobles and official families in Great Chu, even selling them to the palace. Now, Chushen Pharmacy is desperately developing these expensive types of Convenient Medicine."
Gu Family’s daughter is full of cunning ideas; knowing that Chushen Pharmacy would certainly covet Convenient Medicine, she had already devised a strategy and arranged it over two years, finally seeing its effects.
Gu Jinli’s strategy was successful not only because Yuanzi Pharmacy had sufficient manpower to set up the scheme, but also because the Shen Family themselves played a crucial role.
As the Shen Family enjoyed decades of wealth and prestige through their marriage with the Founding Princess, they nurtured people somewhat removed from worldly concerns. Now, influenced by their trusted guests, the family head has decided against making Convenient Medicine for flu and summer heat, opting instead for lucrative options, aiming to earn money from noble and wealthy official families.
Gu Jinli laughed: "Let them research as they wish; we’ll see if they can actually produce anything."
The most crucial step in making Convenient Medicine is condensing the herbal soup into pills, which involves adding a key ingredient - quite common, akin to adding vinegar water to soy milk. However, without anyone telling you, it’s like being blindfolded; you could rack your brains and still not figure it out.
But...
"You better remind Boss Min to be cautious, lest the Shen Family, desperate like a cornered dog, starts causing him trouble."
Doctor Wu only laughed: "Don’t worry about that. Your Aunt Wu has been a servant for many years, not for nothing. The Founding Princess has passed away, and today’s Shen Family is not very close to the royal family, and besides, Kid Min..."
Touching upon Boss Min’s background, Doctor Wu did not continue, only assuring Gu Jinli: "It won’t implicate your family, nor will it affect your earnings."
Gu Jinli responded: "That’s good. I love Silver most, and hate trouble the most."
She would devise strategies for Boss Min mainly to avoid any trouble from the Shen Family.
Doctor Wu shook his head again and brought up someone Gu Jinli knew long ago: "Miss Ran is pregnant; if she can secure a son in one go, she’ll be able to establish her position in the palace."
After Miss Ran’s limp was cured, she kept a low profile for a year, until her stepmother, Ms. Shen, acted against her again, leading to the catching of both perpetrator and evidence, even seizing control over the son of Ms. Shen.
Old Madam Ran dearly loved this grandson and, for his sake, dared not help Ms. Shen evade punishment, having no choice but to compromise, agreeing to Miss Ran’s demand to send Ms. Shen to the family temple.
However, once Miss Ran took action, she proved to be much more ruthless than what Old Madam Ran had anticipated.
Miss Ran, along with Ran Family Clan elders and Chu Family People, laid out the evidence of how Ms. Shen had harmed her over the years, and also exposed that Ms. Shen’s daughter had secretly pledged herself and had a miscarriage.
One after another, the evidence was indisputable, and Old Madam Ran couldn’t protect her even if she wanted to.
The Ran Family Clan unanimously decided to dispose of Ms. Shen and her daughter, while for the son born to Ms. Shen, Lord Ran gave him a way out: get married, have a son, and after the son was born, his mission would be completed.
Lord Ran would personally mentor his grandson.
This incident greatly impacted Old Madam Ran to the point of being bedridden, but Lord Ran didn’t let her die, as both Lord Ran and Chu Family People believed it was time for Miss Ran to enter the palace, keeping Old Madam Ran’s life hanging by a thread.
Miss Ran knew the importance of a reputation for filial piety; while Old Madam Ran was bedridden, she took care of her ceaselessly until Old Madam Ran recovered.
When Miss Ran’s benevolent reputation spread throughout the Capital, Lord Ran and the Chu Family made arrangements, sending Miss Ran to the palace.
After entering the palace, Miss Ran did not make a prominent appearance but continued to keep a low profile, dutifully serving the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and various concubines, winning the favor of many and securing a stable position within the palace.
It was not until this year’s Dragon Boat Festival that under the arrangement of the Empress Dowager, she received imperial favor, fortunate enough to become pregnant right away, which greatly delighted Emperor Chu. Now, nearly six months into her pregnancy, Miss Ran needed only to give birth to the child to be conferred the title of concubine.
Gu Jinli raised an eyebrow: "That’s her fate, it has nothing to do with me."
She had little interest in entangling with the powerful and influential; she was just a farmer who did not want to know too much.
Doctor Wu laughed: "Miss Ran is very grateful to you."
Gu Jinli politely declined: "No, please don’t thank me, just forget about me. She’s involved in palace intrigues, which could be deadly, and I would like to live a few more years."
Doctor Wu laughed upon hearing this: "You truly are carefree. I’m not going back today, I’ll stay here and make some Convenient Medicine, feeling quite eager."
"Sure, the room is all prepared for you, stay if you wish," Gu Jinli said, then gleefully ran home with a box filled with silver notes.
Ha ha, so many silver notes, just looking at them makes me happy.
She locked her door and hid at home counting the silver notes, only coming out to eat when she grew tired of counting. That night, she slept soundly, and the next day got up early to prepare for gathering Mingya Grass.
"Brother Cheng, come back early from school today, we need to gather Mingya Grass," Gu Jinli shouted to Brother Cheng who was about to leave for school.
"Got it," Brother Cheng responded, complaining, "Second Sister always bossing me around, never pays me for the work."
Gu Jinli retorted, "I’m your sister, and you’re begrudging work done for your own sister, don’t you have a conscience? I’ve wasted my affection on you!"
Brother Cheng said nothing and took his leave.
Brother Cheng, scared of his sister’s sharp tongue, quickly made his escape.
Gu Jinxiu, amused, asked Gu Jinli, "Shall I come and help? I’m almost done with my embroidery of the harvesting of Mingya Grass."
Gu Jinxiu often embroidered scenes of farming and harvesting; this time it was a scene of villagers harvesting Mingya Grass.
Her embroideries, vivid and full of rural life, were much liked by wealthy noble women. The title of Mr. Fu’an given to her had already gained some fame in the Jianghuai and Jiangnan regions.
Gu Jinli shook her head: "No need, today outsiders are coming to buy Mingya Grass, eldest sister should just stay at home. Finish your embroidery and rest well afterward; don’t worry about me getting tired."
Gu Jinxiu knew her age and good looks could bring trouble if seen by outsiders, so she nodded, "Alright, big sister won’t go. I’ll make something delicious after I finish the embroidery."
But Gu Jinxiu didn’t expect that even staying inside could bring trouble.
Zhan Er was a bizarre thinker, acting impulsively without consistency. He had initially agreed to buy rice fields as a thank-you gift for He Dayuan’s family and then let Brother Cheng deliver the land deed to He Dayuan’s house. But a few days later, he changed his mind. Curious about dried Mingya Grass which he had not seen before, he brought two servants along for another visit.
This time he was familiar with the route and even took a detour through the village, strolling around keenly until the villagers spotted him: "Madman, there’s a madman at the village entrance, catch him quickly!"