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After several more attempts to persuade her, Madam Zhao, afraid she would falter in front of the manager tomorrow, finally agreed.

Meanwhile, after examining Xie Jin, the physician wrote a prescription for a decoction and left several tubes of medicine for his external injuries. The Zhao Residence paid for it all. At this point, one more debt hardly made a difference.

The physician had barely left when Madam Zhao and Mama Su entered the courtyard.

"Madam." Shen Lantang quickly set down what she was holding and went to greet her.

"What did the physician say?"

"Thanks to you, Madam, my husband's injuries are no longer serious. If he takes his medicine on time, he'll gradually recover."

"That's good."

Xie Jin had also risen inside the room. Madam Zhao exchanged a few pleasantries with him, then suddenly drew Shen Lantang aside.

"Sister, I have an awkward favor to ask. I hope you'll consider it."

Shen Lantang said, "Please, tell me. If I can help, I'll do everything I can."

"Well, you saw what happened today. Tomorrow I have to go to the cloth shop to inspect the accounts and ask how business is going. But I've never understood trade, and I'm timid by nature. I'm afraid I'll be questioned into silence again, just like this morning. Would you come to the shop with me tomorrow?"

Xie Jin did not know what had happened that morning. His gaze moved between the two women.

Shen Lantang pressed her lips together, thinking.

Madam Zhao's request surprised her, yet it was understandable. She wanted to help her, both as someone who had helped her and as another woman. But after what she had seen these past two days, she had a feeling tomorrow would be another hard fight. Her methods might be a little blunt,