Chapter 385: Fatal Mistake with Medicine

Chapter 385: Fatal Mistake with Medicine

"I don't care what medicine that maid or servant girl gave to their master! You made a mistake and caused my mother's death with the wrong medicine. You must compensate us!"

"No! I want you to pay with your life! How could you be so cruel as to give my elderly mother aphrodisiacs? You must pay for her life!"

Auntie Zhao and her daughter-in-law cried and shouted, demanding the Herbal Apprentice to compensate them with money or their lives.

Among the crowd, a man who looked like a scholar watched the scene and shrank back. When he met Zhiran's gaze, he felt even more embarrassed and quickly turned away.

Seeing his retreating figure, Zhiran was no longer interested in the commotion outside. "Let's go."

"Alright."

On the way, Xia Mei couldn't help but ask, "Sister-in-law, who do you think purchased the aphrodisiacs? From what they said, it seems to be a maid from a wealthy household?"

"How would I know? But you heard it yourself, it's that sort of unsavory medicine. Wealthy families often buy such things, but they usually do it discreetly at trusted pharmacies to avoid being recognized. That's why they came to the western part of the city!" Zhiran said with a knowing look.

Having worked outside for many years, she had seen it all.

Just like her general store in the western part of the city, some noble people would come to buy good items, and those people were mostly secret lovers or temporary companions.

In the western part of the city, such occurrences were frequent!

Xia Mei nodded in understanding.

Soon, they returned to the shop.

Dong Sheng had already picked out the finest items from the backyard warehouse for Cheng Hui to choose from.

Seeing an array of exquisite porcelain jars, bowls, and plates, Cheng Hui picked out many, and Dong Sheng made arrangements to have them all delivered to the General's Mansion.

As for the payment.

"I've asked our young mistress about these items, and she said they are for family, so there's no need for payment."

Dong Sheng was prompt in his actions. When he saw it was Cheng Hui making the purchase, he went to the Marquis's residence to ask Lu Lingyun.

Upon hearing that Cheng Hui was buying for the General's Mansion, Lu Lingyun gestured dismissively and instructed to gift them.

After all, Cheng Qi had previously helped by transporting the Lord Marquis's remains to Guangji Temple and providing cover for them in the emperor's presence. She owed him a favor. Moreover, Cheng Qi shared the same surname, making him part of the family. In the future, they might need Cheng Qi's help again. So, for such small expenses like these jars and pots, Lu Lingyun nonchalantly offered them.

Hearing this, Cheng Hui said, "Sister-in-law is too kind. I must tell my brother and personally thank her."

"Miss Hui Hui, you're too kind," Dong Sheng and Zhiran said with a smile.

After that, Cheng Hui took Xia Mei back to the General's Mansion.

Not long after she returned, all the items were delivered, and Cheng Hui instructed the servants to set them up.

When everything was almost set up, Cheng Qi returned.

"Brother!"

Cheng Qi appeared pale and visibly fatigued. "Hui Hui."

"What's wrong with you?" Cheng Hui asked, seeing his condition. "Are you feeling unwell?"

"It's nothing serious, just stomach upset, just diarrhea," Cheng Qi replied.

He never expected that his visit to the east courtyard to see Qin Shaojing today would lead to nearly a whole day of diarrhea!

By the time he rode back, his calves were weak and aching.

Just the thought of it made him feel embarrassed.

Cheng Hui, not dwelling on it, tugged Cheng Qi into the house, "Come and see, do you like the things I picked out today?"

Cheng Qi saw the previously empty rooms and courtyard now adorned with various screens and porcelain, instantly looking much better, "Hmm, not bad at all."

"These were all chosen from sister-in-law's shop, and she didn't charge us, saying they were gifts," Cheng Hui said.

Hearing this, Cheng Qi responded, "This really isn't needed."

"I said the same thing, let's go to the Marquis's Mansion tomorrow to thank sister-in-law."

"Alright."

Cheng Qi nodded.

And that's how it went.

The next day, at Ningyang Marquis's Mansion.

Lu Lingyun was in her courtyard, meticulously organizing the affairs of the Marquis's Mansion, getting it back on track.

The priority wasn't the farmlands, shops, or the trivial matters of the mansion, but maintaining the mansion's network of relationships.

The internal chores and even the household management could be delegated to the servants; those were all minor matters. Social interactions and maintaining the relationship network were the core tasks that the head of the household had to attend to.

With Cheng Yunshuo having left for monastic life and Lu Lingyun taking charge, the essence seemed unchanged, but it was as if the Marquis's Mansion had a new ruler. Now, both openly and behind the scenes, Lu Lingyun was in charge, and she had to personally re-establish and connect the mansion's network of relationships.

She needed to make sure everyone recognized her, as from now on, all dealings with the Ningyang Marquis's Mansion would be through Lu Lingyun.

Lu Lingyun was now the true head of the Marquis's Mansion.

While she was handling the mansion's social affairs, the maids came to report that Cheng Hui and Cheng Qi had arrived.

Hearing this, Lu Lingyun put these matters aside.

Indeed, in terms of social affairs, the Cheng Qi family was already a significant part of the Marquis's Mansion's network.

"Uncle, Hui Hui, you're here," Lu Lingyun smiled as she looked at them.

"Sister-in-law," Cheng Hui cheerfully ran to her side, very affectionate, "Where is Sù Yīng?"

"Sù Yīng is in her grandmother's courtyard; she's been staying with her these days."

"Sù Yīng is so devoted," Cheng Hui naturally sat close to Lu Lingyun, turning to her brother, "Brother, sit down."

Seeing this, Cheng Qi first greeted Lu Lingyun, "Sister-in-law, you've been working so hard these days."

Lu Lingyun smiled warmly, "Uncle, what are you talking about, please sit."

"Sister-in-law, the things you sent us yesterday were way too generous!" Cheng Hui said.

"Speaking so formally again," Lu Lingyun tapped her forehead, "We're all family."

Seeing how close the two were, Cheng Qi realized that during his absence, Lu Lingyun had truly been good to his sister, "Sister-in-law, Hui Hui has been under your care for so many years, Cheng Qi is truly grateful. What you've done for us siblings, Cheng Qi can never repay you."

Upon hearing this, Lu Lingyun smiled even wider, "Uncle, you’re being too distant. We're family, and there's no need for such words. Given the current state of the Marquis's Mansion, we may need your help in the future."

"Of course," Cheng Qi replied without hesitation.

Lu Lingyun had been so kind to him; what more could he say?

If he didn't help when needed, he wouldn't be human!

Seeing this, Cheng Hui was all smiles, completely relaxed. She chatted casually with Lu Lingyun and her brother, and as they talked, the conversation turned to the events of the previous day. "Speaking of which, something strange happened yesterday."

"What strange thing?"

"While I was picking out items at your shop, sister-in-law, I witnessed a tragic incident. The pharmacy on that street messed up the prescription, and an old woman died from it! Can you believe what they gave her?"

"What medicine?" Cheng Qi asked.

Cheng Hui looked at them both and whispered, "Viagra!"