Just as Chen Yi had expected.
After Linglan Pavilion opened, it took only three days to seize more than half the patients within three miles of the East Market.
Not only were its medicinal herbs cheap, but renowned physicians were also stationed there, drawing many who had long suffered from illness and frailty to seek treatment.
At the same time, Chen Yi met Linglan Pavilion's shopkeeper.
He was a middle-aged man with a fair, beardless face named Qian Kuan.
Contrary to his name, he was tall and thin, with a lean, wiry appearance.
Fortunately, he seemed full of spirit. Otherwise, whether viewed from afar or up close, he would inevitably give people the impression that his body had been drained dry.
Moreover, Qian Kuan was quite the smooth operator, adept in every direction.
He stood at Linglan Pavilion's entrance all day, smiling as he welcomed arrivals and saw off departures. No matter whom he encountered, he could always exchange a few words.
Compared to him, Jishi Pharmacy's three apprentices were like children who had only just learned to speak, led into a trap after only a few sentences.
Naturally, Chen Yi had spoken with him before, though it had mostly been empty courtesies.
Perhaps because of his status as the Xiao Family son-in-law, or perhaps because he possessed some talent and his calligraphy and lyrics had earned a bit of fame in Shuzhou.
Qian Kuan was always polite to him. Whenever he saw him, he would respectfully cup his hands in greeting.
He was no scholar and held no official title, yet he had learned the saluting etiquette thoroughly.
Chen Yi saw it all, but returned every greeting with a smile, showing not the slightest sign of being affected by the medicine hall's damaged business.
But while he was not