Chapter 19: Quiet Inquiries

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Zou Hongping probably hadn’t expected Tong Chuxue to be on the same carriage as them. She snorted coldly and turned her back, completely unwilling to engage. Tong Yuer, on the other hand, cast Tong Chuxue a slightly provocative glance.

To be honest, Tong Chuxue felt utterly bewildered. Recently, there had been no real interaction between her and the Tong family, so why were these two so hostile toward her?

In contrast, Luo Huifeng bounced over cheerfully and enthusiastically greeted her and Xu Jinniang, “Auntie, sister!”

Xu Jinniang had a natural fondness for children, and she smiled warmly in return. “Did your brother bring you to town to play?”

Luo Huifeng’s little head turned around as he looked at the bustling crowd. Noticing no familiar faces, he tugged at Xu Jinniang’s sleeve and whispered into her ear, “Today I’m going with brother to sell the herbs we gathered on the mountain with sister yesterday. Auntie, you must keep it a secret, or else others will find out and we won’t be able to dig them up anymore.”

Xu Jinniang was aware of their trip to the mountains yesterday and, seeing Luo Huifeng so anxious, couldn’t help but ruffle his hair. “Alright, Auntie will definitely keep it a secret.”

Tong Chuxue and Luo Hui’an exchanged a glance, both noticing the baskets in each other’s hands, silently understanding the situation.

The journey from the village to the town took about an hour and a half. When the group arrived, the sun was blazing down. Everyone on the carriage dispersed, each with their own purpose. Luo Hui’an looked at Tong Chuxue and suggested, “I know the owner of Ren Shan Clinic in town; he’s a good man and offers fair prices for herbs. I’ll take you there.”

Tong Chuxue had been fretting over how to sell her herbs, so she gratefully accepted Luo Hui’an’s offer.

Ren Shan Clinic was a long-established medical shop in town and a frequent stop for Luo Hui’an. Upon seeing him, the owner greeted him as warmly as if he were family. “Long time no see. Have you been unwell lately?”

“Thank you for your concern, Boss Cheng. I’ve been feeling quite well recently,” Luo Hui’an replied politely. “I’m here today because I have some herbs. Would you be interested?”

Boss Cheng stroked his beard and laughed heartily. “I’m glad to hear you’re healthy. As for the herbs, let’s discuss inside.”

He led them to the back room to sit down. Luo Hui’an showed him the herbs he and Tong Chuxue had collected, and after examining them, Boss Cheng concluded, “These are good quality. I’ll have the shopkeeper calculate the price for you.”

According to market rates, Tong Chuxue’s share was worth eight hundred wen, and Luo Hui’an’s was about one tael of silver, since Luo’s family had gathered more.

Tong Chuxue wanted to inquire about Dendrobium officinale but felt it was awkward to ask with Luo Hui’an present, planning to explore the town first and ask later.

However, Luo Hui’an seemed to read her mind like a book and said, “Since we’re here, why don’t Auntie and Xiao Feng also get their pulses checked?”

Xu Jinniang wanted to refuse, but Boss Cheng added, “Yes, those who work hard often neglect small ailments, which can become serious. Don’t worry, no consultation fee—we’ll just have a quick look; it won’t take much time.”

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With their joint persuasion, the three went out to have their pulses taken.

At that moment, Tong Chuxue suddenly realized that both Boss Cheng and Luo Hui’an knew she had questions and admired, “The boss really has sharp eyes!”

“You flatter me, young lady. You’re just young, so your thoughts are all written plainly on your face,” Boss Cheng smiled. “May I ask if there’s something you wish to speak to me about privately?”

Dendrobium officinale was exceptionally precious, but Tong Chuxue was unsure if anyone in this world recognized it. What if no one appreciated its value? That would be a disappointment.

“Have you ever heard of Dendrobium officinale, Boss Cheng?” Tong Chuxue asked tentatively.

The moment Boss Cheng heard those words, his eyes lit up with enthusiasm and anticipation. “Young lady, do you happen to have this herb?”

Of course, she had some, but she intended to establish a long-term supply rather than just sell a small amount for a quick profit. Although Luo Hui’an had introduced this boss, she wasn’t ready to fully trust him on their first meeting.

“Sorry to disappoint, Boss Cheng. I’ve only heard that our area can produce Dendrobium officinale and wanted to inquire about the price,” Tong Chuxue explained.

It turned out she didn’t have any yet, and Boss Cheng was a bit disappointed. He had been too eager, not expecting such a rustic girl to possess such a valuable herb.

“This Dendrobium officinale is a great tonic. Almost no one in our small town can afford it, but higher up the chain, it’s a different story. As you said, our region does produce it. Every year merchants from the capital come to buy it, and the price can reach hundreds of taels.”

“However, it usually grows deep in the mountains and is scarce. Few have the skill to collect it. Because of its rarity, the price remains high all year round. If you’re lucky enough to gather some on the mountain, I, old Cheng, will give you a price you’ll be satisfied with.”

Boss Cheng’s thinking was simple: whether or not Tong Chuxue could really find the herb, he wasn’t going to miss even a slight chance, given its value.

Tong Chuxue understood. Judging by the current market, this herb attracted too much attention. Selling too much at once would be risky. She needed to think carefully about her options.

After settling matters at the clinic, Tong Chuxue and Xu Jinniang still needed to buy some household necessities. The two families parted ways in front of the clinic.

Moving into a new home meant starting fresh. Tong Chuxue thought that now, having money, they should buy what they needed, especially since they had Dendrobium officinale—this golden treasure meant they would never lack funds.

Xu Jinniang, however, had been frugal her whole life and felt faint watching Tong Chuxue spend so boldly.

They had just gotten eight hundred wen, and in the blink of an eye, five hundred had already been spent. No matter how much Xu Jinniang persuaded, Tong Chuxue insisted on buying, nearly driving her mother to despair.

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Throughout the day, Xu Jinniang wore a stern expression.

Tong Chuxue, carrying a heap of items behind her, smiled wryly. It seemed she would need to have a serious talk with Xu Jinniang once they returned home.

Moreover, there was one thing she hadn’t bought yet—a book.

One of her main reasons for coming to town was to purchase a book. She wanted to learn to read; she could no longer endure being illiterate.

While Xu Jinniang was still sulking, Tong Chuxue suddenly twisted her ankle and instinctively stepped into a shop called “Ink Treasure Studio.”

Strangely, why was Chuxue heading there?

As soon as she entered, a clerk approached and said, “Young lady, you can leave your things by the counter. We’ll keep them safe for you.”

The service here was quite attentive. Tong Chuxue set down her belongings and asked, “Do you have any beginner books for children?”

The clerk eagerly pointed out, “Yes, yes, we have the Three Character Classic, Hundred Family Surnames, Thousand Character Classic—all of them.”

Tong Chuxue was intrigued. How curious that the primers here were the same as those back home; surely the content must be similar...

“I can’t quite remember, but I think there’s a book that goes something like, ‘At the beginning of man, nature is good...’” Tong Chuxue said.

“I know! That’s the Three Character Classic!”

Suddenly, she heard a familiar voice. Luo Huifeng then dashed in front of her, his face full of expectant pride.

“Xiao Feng, you can’t rush around like that,” Luo Hui’an scolded from behind.

“Sister, sister, are you going to buy the Three Character Classic?” Luo Huifeng asked curiously.