Chapter 156: Young Lady, You’ve Finally Come

Chapter 156: Young Lady, You've Finally Come

Mo Jiuya couldn't read the simplified characters on the book. Seeing He Zhiran's serious expression for a long time, he asked with concern:

"Can't you find a way to counter the poison?"

"The antidote formula has been found, but one of the herbs is too rare. I'm afraid we won't be able to obtain it."

Mo Jiuya probed further, "What herb is it?"

"Is it Dantian Skin? Have you heard of it?"

"You're talking about Dantian Skin?"

From Mo Jiuya's tone, it seemed he was familiar with it.

"Do you know about Dantian Skin?" He Zhiran saw a glimmer of hope.

"Two years ago, I was entrusted with escorting the Fourth Princess to the Southern Frontier for an alliance marriage. Among her dowry was a herb called Dantian Skin."

Upon hearing that it was part of the Fourth Princess's dowry, He Zhiran immediately thought of the Empress. The Fourth Princess was the Empress's own legitimate daughter. It was understandable for her dowry to include medicinal ingredients. However, the Empress's willingness to give such a rare and singularly potent herb raised suspicions. Mo Jiuya suddenly came to the same realization. The two exchanged knowing glances without a word spoken between them. The Empress must have been concerned that the Mo family would discover the clue and find the antidote formula, rendering all her efforts futile. Hence, she had included the Skinning Herb in the Fourth Princess's dowry, ensuring that the Mo family's hopes would be utterly dashed by sending her to the Southern Frontier. This realization inflamed Mo Jiuya with rage, making him wish he could storm the palace and kill that wicked woman on the spot. Unbeknownst to himself, his desire for vengeance had reached an uncontrollable pitch. He Zhiran understood the value of the Skinning Herb. Since Mo Jiuya knew where to find the ingredients, her focus had to be on the Southern Frontier. Her sisters were not in immediate danger from the poison, so there was no rush to find an antidote. After settling in the Northwest, they would undoubtedly journey to the Southern Frontier in search of their elder brothers. Then, they could seize the opportunity to locate the Skinning Herb.

It had to be said that their thoughts were perfectly in sync, as Mo Jiuya was considering the same thing.

Thus, the matter of searching for the Hide of Birth was put on hold temporarily. A solution would be sought after they arrived in the Southern Frontier.

Of course, He Zhiran would keep an eye on Taobao Baby from time to time. If that special serum were to be widely used, it might appear for sale on the platform.

In any case, He Zhiran would keep both detoxification approaches in mind.

After all, it was broad daylight, and it wouldn't be appropriate for the two of them to linger in the space for too long. Thus, He Zhiran took Mo Jiuya along to leave.

She went to check on Sister Six's condition.

After taking the medicine, Sister Six had broken into a sweat and was now out of immediate danger.

Hearing that they had earned money from making dolls the day before, she felt well enough to resume her work on them.

However, He Zhiran discouraged this notion. It was understandable that she wanted to earn money, but her health should always come first.

Sister Six, resigned to her fate, could only continue lying in the tent to rest.

Three days passed by in the blink of an eye.

Instead of receiving any news about their release, more and more soldiers were dispatched to search for them within the city.

Armed officers patrolled every corner of the streets, inquiring everyone they encountered about the whereabouts of Prince Heng.

As a result, common folk seldom ventured out unless it was absolutely necessary, causing the businesses along both sides of the road to plummet.

Nonetheless, this situation did not affect the embroidery shop's trade.

On the contrary, the number of customers visiting the shop increased.

The sole reason behind this was the long-eared rabbit dolls.

When He Zhiran and Mo Jiuya returned with 131 dolls three days later, they found the shop bustling with people.

Everyone was urging the shopkeeper for information on when the next batch of long-eared rabbit dolls would arrive.

Unable to provide the dolls and unwilling to lose such lucrative business, the shopkeeper was doing his best to appease the eager customers.

Just as she was about to grab a drink of water due to her parched throat, she lifted her gaze and saw He Zhiran and Mo Jiuya entering with a large package in hand.

The shopkeeper's face lit up, and he hurriedly greeted them.

"Miss, you're finally here. If you hadn't come, my humble shop would have been torn apart!"

He Zhiran didn't have a high opinion of this shopkeeper. She handed over the long-eared rabbit doll for him to count, received the silver coins, and then left with Mo Jiuya.

As they stepped out of the embroidery room, they spotted Tang Mingrui standing across the road.

Due to the city being sealed off, Tang Mingrui hadn't left either.

Furthermore, he noticed that the troublemakers from the Yan Bang had vanished like they had evaporated from the face of the earth. Thus, he decided to venture out for some fresh air.

Unexpectedly, as he passed by the embroidery room, he detected something unusual.

Unlike other shops that were deserted, this one was bustling with people.

Out of curiosity, he stood there, intending to figure out what was going on.

To his surprise, he saw Mo Jiuya and He Zhiran emerging from within.

Tang Mingrui strode forward to greet them.

"Hero, are you two out shopping?"

Mo Jiuya didn't hide anything and explained the story of selling the long-eared rabbit dolls to the embroidery workshop.

Tang Mingrui seemed genuinely astonished.

"Hero, you're saying that those fluffy dolls that the wealthy young misses are holding on the streets were crafted by you two?"

Mo Jiuya looked at He Zhiran with a smile.

"It was my wife who noticed people's need for extra cash and came up with this idea to earn a bit of income."

When it came to making money, no one could be more intrigued than Tang Mingrui.

He pointed to a teahouse not far away, "Hero, encountering each other on the street like this is fate. How about we have some tea together and catch up?"

Mo Jiuya glanced at He Zhiran instinctively, and seeing her lack of objection, he agreed readily.

The trio arrived at the teahouse and found a window-side seat to settle down.

When the waiter brought the tea, Tang Mingrui personally poured it for them, making a polite gesture of invitation:

"Please enjoy your tea, Hero and Lady."

Mo Jiuya picked up his teacup and said politely, "Young Master Tang, there's no need to keep addressing me as 'Hero'; if you don't mind, just call me Brother Mo."

Upon hearing this, Tang Mingrui stood up solemnly and bowed to the couple, "In that case, I won't be too formal. Brother Mo, Sister-in-law Mo."

After some polite exchanges, Tang Mingrui finally broached the main topic.

"Do you know, Lady Mo, that the dolls you made are quite rare, especially the fabric. In my years of trading, I've never come across anything like it."

He Zhiran repeated her usual explanation.

"My husband and I were strolling nearby when we happened upon a foreigner selling this fabric. It sparked an idea to make dolls with it, and surprisingly, they became quite popular."

The Salt Lake region was a crucial waterway for Dahuan's transportation, so encountering the occasional foreigner was not unusual.

Moreover, these foreigners did possess intriguing novelties. If not for the language barrier making communication difficult, Tang Mingrui would have indeed been interested in conducting some trade with them.

At this moment, he admired both He Zhiran's foresight and her courage.

The materials used to make the dolls were clearly not inexpensive. Given their current status as convicts en route to exile in the northwest, where every silver coin mattered, it was bold of her to purchase so much fabric for doll-making.

Should she happen to suffer losses, it would be a significant blow to them, as exiles with limited resources.