Chapter 42 How Heavy Can a Blade of Grass Be?

Chapter 42 How Heavy Can a Blade of Grass Be?

Thinking that there would likely be quite a bit of stuff today, Wei Pozi had discussed with Old Xu beforehand. When he drove back to the village at noon, if they hadn't arrived yet, he would wait for them and take them back as well.

To earn more money, Old Xu readily agreed.

Wei Pozi held Xingxing's hand in one hand and Ju Geer's in the other as they headed into the county town.

"Let's sell the herbs first," Wei Pozi said to the two children. "After we sell the herbs, Grandma will buy you something delicious."

Xingxing nodded understandingly. Not wanting to fall behind, Ju Geer also nodded and asked Wei Pozi enthusiastically, "Grandma, are you tired? Should I help carry it?"

Wei Pozi laughed heartily, "How heavy can a blade of grass be?"

Xingxing also burst out laughing.

Ju Geer realized his mistake and turned bright red with embarrassment!

The three of them chatted and laughed as they made their way to Renhui Hall, where they had sold the Zhotxin herbs last time.

However, before they reached Renhui Hall, they heard a familiar voice coming from the pharmacy across the street.

Wei Pozi recognized the voice immediately; it was Liu Pozi, who had been on the same carriage earlier:

"Hey, hey, hey, my herbs are really good. Why are you only giving me so little money? Isn't this unfair?"

Curious, the three of them looked into the pharmacy and saw Liu Pozi arguing with the shopkeeper.

The basket she carried on her arm had its cloth covering lifted, revealing some dried herbs rather than the "needlework" she had mentioned.

The shopkeeper looked helpless. "Ma'am, your herbs have been over-dried, leaving very little medicinal value. Giving you fifty coins is already generous."

Unconvinced, Liu Pozi covered the basket again and said angrily, "If you don't want them, I'll go to Renhui Hall across the street!"

The shopkeeper shrugged and smiled, "Ma'am, I'm not saying this to be rude, but your herbs might not fetch a higher price at Renhui Hall."

Liu Pozi, initially trying to intimidate the shopkeeper, hesitated upon hearing this.

As she hesitated, she glanced outside and saw Wei Pozi and her grandchildren watching.

Caught in a difficult situation, Liu Pozi couldn't back down now.

She gritted her teeth, "I don't believe it!"

When Liu Pozi came out carrying her basket, Wei Pozi remembered what Liu Pozi had said about Xingxing earlier and remarked coldly, "Didn't you say you were going to sell needlework?"

Liu Pozi felt embarrassed and tried to explain, "I've already sold the needlework. These herbs can still fetch some money..."

Wei Pozi chuckled but didn't press further.

They had gotten off the carriage together, and while she was chatting with Su Rouer, Liu Pozi had rushed ahead. There was no time for her to sell any needlework.

Clearly, Liu Pozi had dug up some herbs somewhere and didn't want others to know, so she used needlework as an excuse.

Liu Pozi walked toward Renhui Hall, and Wei Pozi led Ju Geer and Xingxing in the same direction.

Liu Pozi paused, clutched her basket tightly, and looked at Wei Pozi suspiciously, "Why are you following me?"

Wei Pozi chuckled, "I happen to be going to Renhui Hall too. Is that a problem?"

Liu Pozi was speechless and quickened her pace, entering Renhui Hall and shouting, "Is the shopkeeper here? I have some precious herbs. Will you buy them?"

The shopkeeper emerged from behind the counter, smiling warmly. "Of course, we'll buy them. Where are the herbs? I need to see them first."

Confidently, Liu Pozi lifted the cloth covering the basket.

The shopkeeper leaned closer, and his initial hopeful expression turned to disappointment.

He was even taken aback. "Ma'am, these are the precious herbs you mentioned?"

"Yes."

The shopkeeper sighed, exasperated.

Seeing the shopkeeper's reaction, Liu Pozi felt uneasy.

Her son had told her these herbs could fetch at least a tael of silver, but why did neither of the largest pharmacies in the county seem interested?

The shopkeeper's explanation mirrored the previous one: the herbs were over-dried and had lost much of their medicinal value.

However, just as the other shopkeeper had predicted, the Renhui Hall shopkeeper offered only forty-five coins—five less than the previous offer.

Liu Pozi was stunned.

"But... these herbs grow on cliff faces, they're very rare..." Liu Pozi panicked. "If they're too dry, can't you just add some water?"

The Renhui Hall shopkeeper explained patiently, "The medicinal properties aren't something you can fix by adding water. Ma'am, please understand. Our best offer is forty-five coins."

Liu Pozi was speechless.

At this moment, the Renhui Hall shopkeeper noticed Wei Pozi standing behind Liu Pozi.

He found Wei Pozi familiar and then recognized Xingxing, remembering their previous encounter.

"Ah, it's you!" The Renhui Hall shopkeeper clapped his hands and smiled. "Last time, thanks to you, I made a deal with the Hu family."

Wei Pozi smiled and said, "Do you still remember, Shopkeeper? It's quite a coincidence—my granddaughter found another Zhotxin Grass for me these past few days. Do you still want to buy it?"

Upon hearing that there was another Zhotxin Grass, the shopkeeper of Renhui Hall's eyes lit up, nodding vigorously. "Yes, yes! Do you really have it, Elder Sister?"

Wei Pozi took out a handkerchief from her bosom, which contained the excellent specimen of Zhotxin Grass that Xingxing had found.

The shopkeeper of Renhui Hall received it with some excitement. Just by glancing at the leaf veins and the plant's shape, he knew it was top-notch!

The shopkeeper of Renhui Hall couldn't stop praising it. "Excellent, truly excellent! Such quality is quite rare even among Zhotxin Grass!"

He couldn't stop smiling and asked casually, "Where did you find such an exceptional Zhotxin Grass, Elder Sister?"

Wei Pozi said proudly, emphasizing, "It was my little granddaughter who found it. My Xingxing is very fortunate! While digging for wild vegetables, she saw this growing in a crevice beneath a cliff. She's clever and quickly picked it to bring to me."

The shopkeeper of Renhui Hall praised, "Oh, Elder Sister, your granddaughter is indeed very fortunate! You know, Zhotxin Grass is hard to come by these days; sometimes we don't receive even one for a whole month. A specimen like the one your granddaughter found is a rare treasure! With such quality as a medicinal ingredient, its efficacy is guaranteed!"