The waiter noticed the three women and greeted them with a smile, "What medicine would you like, young lady?"
Jin Shanyao withdrew her gaze and smiled, "How much are the processed Schisandra chinensis?"
The waiter led her to the counter, and the apprentice handling the medicine said, "Let this young lady take a look at the Schisandra chinensis."
The apprentice quickly scooped out half a gourdful of Schisandra chinensis from the drawer.
Meng Anzhi was just the right height to see the medicinal herbs clearly, while Meng Anci to stand on tiptoe was futile; he couldn't see anything at all.
This Schisandra chinensis isn't even of the highest quality; it's not as good as the one prepared by Meng Anzhi.
She asked curiously, "Young man, how much are these Schisandra chinensis berries?"
Thirty coins.
What about Poria cocos?
"Forty-five articles."
Meng Anzhi wanted to ask more questions, but then she saw the apprentice pick up a ladle and pour the Schisandra chinensis into the drawer.
Ignore them and continue with your work.
The medicinal herbs processed in the prefectural city were several times more expensive than those in the county town, something Jin Shanyao hadn't expected.
With Jin Shanyao, she asked, "Young man, how much is a ten-year-old ginseng?"
The apprentice glanced past her, quickly packed the medicinal herbs, and then asked, "What's the price, fellow travelers?"
He pulled out another piece of paper and laid it on the counter. "No need to ask around. My family has the best and cheapest medicinal herbs in the whole city. Don't even think about competing with me on price."
Jin Shanyao and said, "We're from out of town. Seeing that your shop is so big, we wanted to ask if you buy medicinal herbs?"
Seeing that she was a young woman, the apprentice softened his tone, "We have a source of goods, and we can't ruin our years-long relationship. You can try looking at other shops, or even go further afield; I've heard the prices are higher in the capital."
A cough interrupted the apprentice's words. Jin Shanyao in the direction of the sound and saw the shopkeeper scrutinizing her with a probing gaze.
Jin Shanyao awkwardly and led the two children out of the clinic.
Meng Anzhi, "Auntie, their medicinal herbs aren't as good as ours, but they're more expensive."
Thinking of the medicinal herbs she had sent out before the New Year, her heart ached.
Meng Anzhi slapped her pig brain.
That's so inconsiderate! That wasn't delivering medicine, it was delivering money! Luckily, they started charging this year.
After wandering around for half a day, it was already dusk when I returned to my lodgings.
The waiter at the restaurant greeted them warmly when they returned.
"Sir, did you have a good time? Have you had dinner yet? Shall I prepare some for you?"
What are your unique characteristics?
"Oh, sir, you've come to the right person..."
The waiter rattled off the words without pausing for a moment, leaving the two little ones completely bewildered.
How can you say someone lives in a big city? They're really good with words.
Only after the dishes were placed on the table did the two little ones realize something was wrong.
In the prefectural city, a steamed bun costs five coins, so this crystal goose must cost at least fifty taels.
Meng Anci his head to look at the menu on the wall, gasped, and hurriedly pulled the Jin Shanyao his clothes.
He whispered, "Auntie, how much money did we bring?"
Jin Shanyao was serving food to the two of them when she casually said, "Eat up, I'll earn more when I get back."
So, you've taken all your belongings with you.
The two little ones ate with a heavy heart, every bite tasting like money.
"This sea bass sashimi isn't as good as the one at Top Scholar Tower, and it's too expensive."
Meng Anzhi looked at Jin Shanyao, "Auntie, do you think prices in the capital are higher than in the prefectural city?"
"If Anci goes to the capital in the future, how much money will we need to save to buy a house?"
Jin Shanyao never thought money was important before, but since coming to the prefectural city, she has realized what it means to have rice as precious as pearls and firewood as precious as cassia.
"Medicine prices in the prefectural city are higher than in the county town, and the apprentice said they are even higher in the capital."
"Let's gather more medicinal herbs these next few years for future use, so we can take them directly to the capital to sell when Anci goes to take the imperial examination."
Meng Anzhi thought to herself, "That's the only way."
The three of them enjoyed a delicious meal and then went back to their room to rest.
Leaning against the soft blankets, I could see the street scene outside.
Meng Anzhi pointed to the opposite side and exclaimed with delight, "Auntie, look! Someone's playing the pipa over there!"
A single sentence drew all eyes to the scene, and sure enough, across the street stood a beautifully dressed woman playing the pipa.
Jin Shanyao sat up curiously. The building across the street had been closed all day, but unexpectedly, it was open at night.
" Hidden Fragrance Tower, could it be a cosmetics shop?"
"If you don't understand, why don't you go and see for yourself?" she said with a wave of her hand.
"Come on, let's go see what they sell."
No sooner said than done, the group of one adult and two children stood at the entrance of the Hidden Fragrance Tower, looking radiant and lively.
The doors were wide open and the lights were on.
Meng Anzhi, "Auntie, this looks like a theatrical troupe."
Jin Shanyao could also see that there was singing and dancing inside, making it a lively scene, much more impressive than the paltry spectacle in the county town.
This trip was... worth it!
They're no wonder they're nouveau riche; they dare to go anywhere.
By the time the three of them swaggered into the house, it was too late.
Red ribbons wrapped around the pillars, colorful flags fluttering in the wind.
Groups of men and women chatted and laughed, their eyes meeting amidst the clinking of glasses...
Uh... it seems they've come to the wrong place.
This place doesn't look like a theatrical troupe; it looks more like a brothel from a storybook.
Meng Anzhi and Meng Anci also realized what was happening, and they tightly held onto the Jin Shanyao and the hem of her dress.
Meng Anzhi said awkwardly, "This... is completely different from what we have in our county."
The brothels in Willow and Poplar County were not on the same level as those in the prefectural city; they couldn't play the pipa, dance, or compose poetry.
All he does is lean against the doorframe and shout, "Come on... come on... come on!"
Just as the three were about to turn and flee, a drunken man blocked Jin Shanyao's path.
"Young lady, uh, you're looking for your husband with your child... uh... forget about him, your brother will give you something better."
Jin Shanyao was being teased for the first time, and the stench of alcohol hit her face.
Meng Anci immediately changed, and she shoved the man away angrily, saying, "Stay away from my aunt."
Hearing the commotion, everyone in the hall looked over, while the girls who were serving drinks were already used to it.
"Tsk, see that? Another one looking for Daddy."
A red-clad songstress leaned against the table, whispering to her companion.
"She's quite beautiful, what a pity... she married a man who frequents brothels."
"He was dressed plainly; he must be desperate to make ends meet, which is why he had to bite the bullet and barge in to look for someone."
Unlike the whispers around him, the man exuded a menacing aura.
"I think you're tired of living," he said, and was about to hit Meng Anci when the madam arrived and stopped him.
"Oh, Young Master Zhao, what are you doing here? Xiao Taohong has been looking for you everywhere. Come with me quickly."
She pulled the person away and handed him over to the pimp, then her expression changed as she turned around, Jin Shanyao a once-over.
"Have someone wait outside. Don't cause trouble here, or else..." Her eyes suddenly turned sharp.
Jin Shanyao, having mistakenly wandered into a brothel, was embarrassed and remained silent, then took the two children and walked out.
At the same time, a burst of Spiritual Power struck the drunk man precisely.
The man cried out and bumped into the stair railing, his mouth immediately filled with blood. He covered his mouth and groaned, completely sobering up.
Jin Shanyao and her child had walked less than a hundred meters when they were drawn to another scene.
The Jade Terrace House... was brightly lit, just like the Hidden Fragrance Pavilion, except this time it wasn't a woman playing the pipa upstairs.
Instead, a young nobleman stood on the second floor playing the flute. He was dressed in white, his hair was as black as ink, and the translucent blue jade flute produced a melodious sound from his lips.
Jin Shanyao watched the people coming and going at the entrance, and subconsciously looked towards the Hidden Fragrance Pavilion.
Female, male?
Looking back at the Jade Terrace House, male, male???
Her straightforward mind suddenly went blank...