Jiang Gu’an felt a surge of panic within him. To him, those three medicinal formulas were of utmost importance.
He had studied at the village school since childhood, where the teacher’s abilities were mediocre. No matter how diligent he was, his potential was limited, and expanding his horizons was simply impossible.
Especially after arriving in the capital, he realized that the children of noble families began their education at the age of three or five. They had too many choices, and through constant exposure, even without rigorous study, their foundations were far better than his!
They had renowned tutors at home and attended academies outside mainly for networking.
At a young age, each of them had excellent handwriting, casually copying masterpieces, and even obtaining authentic works was not uncommon.
Many great scholars he once considered unreachable were not even regarded as exceptional in their eyes.
What did he have? Only the ability to work harder and more diligently than others.
But in terms of intelligence, geniuses were everywhere. Even among the scholars from humble backgrounds in the capital’s academies, some possessed photographic memories.
Fortunately, Songyin had helped him recuperate. Over the past two years, his health had improved significantly. Unlike those pampered young masters who ate delicately and couldn’t withstand the slightest hardship, with those medicines, he could squeeze out more time each day. No matter how he used that time, it allowed him to stand out from the crowd.
More importantly, among the three formulas, the Vitality Pill was the most effective.
After taking it, it calmed the mind, focused the spirit, and sharpened the senses.
He had sold a portion at several times the price, and those who obtained the pills treated him with great respect. He could also leverage those connections to gain things he had never been able to before.
But now…
Jiang Gu’an was furious.
Furious at Xie Jiyan’s shamelessness, and also angry at Songyin’s foolishness for being so easily deceived by the Xie family, even handing over something so important!
Xie Jiyan, seeing Jiang Gu’an’s expression, felt much more satisfied. Noticing the growing crowd around them, he boldly shouted, “Jiang Erlang’s secret formula! Anyone in need, come to me to copy it, then take it to the pharmacy to have it made! The Vitality Pill uses expensive ingredients, but it’s definitely much cheaper than what Jiang Erlang charges!”
As soon as he said this, Xie Jiyan was surrounded.
Jiang Erlang’s items were so rare—previously, they were impossible to obtain no matter how much one sought them.
Someone pushed Jiang Gu’an aside.
One of Jiang Gu’an’s classmates looked at him sympathetically and said, “Brother Gu’an, you’ve helped me a lot before, and I’m truly grateful. But… your medicine is too expensive, and I could only buy a little each time. I really had no choice, so… before coming here, I also copied the formula…”
“…” Jiang Gu’an no longer wanted to speak.
“And… Brother Wang already consulted a physician about the value of the formula. The physician said… although it uses many rare and precious herbs, the quantities aren’t large. If made now, it would cost about five taels of silver, enough for a month’s supply… But now that everyone knows about this medicine, the price of the ingredients is bound to rise. If you still want to use it, you should stock up in advance…”
After saying this, the classmate glanced at Jiang Gu’an, hesitated for a moment, then turned and left.
Previously, a wealthy classmate had spent a hundred taels just to buy one bottle of the medicine.
Jiang Gu’an had set the price far too high.
Not only that, Jiang Gu’an had clearly made a huge profit, yet he always pretended to be reluctantly parting with something precious, making all those who spent money on the medicine feel both guilty and grateful, believing Jiang Gu’an to be a generous and selfless person…
But now, looking at it…
This pricing is outrageously greedy.
Therefore, it was impossible for his fellow students not to harbor resentment.
Although the medicine had some effect, it was not a miraculous substance and naturally could not make someone suddenly become exceptionally intelligent. However, for scholars, it could help them endure the monotony of tedious study and keep their eyes wide open, attentively listening during lectures.
Yet Jiang Gu’an had previously sold the medicine at a high price and exaggerated its effects considerably.
This led to an uproar throughout the academy once the prescription was exposed.
The words of his fellow student also reminded Jiang Gu’an, instantly pulling him out of his anger and replacing it with a chilling realization.
Now everyone knew he had sold the medicine at exorbitant prices? That would inevitably damage the connections he had built over these days. It would no longer be as easy as before!
In an instant, Jiang Gu’an felt drenched in cold sweat.
The next moment, he lifted his heavy steps and, without even bothering to request leave, directly left the academy!
No matter what, he had to see Songyin!
[Ding! Obtained deviation from plot points: 10 points. Source: Loving Elder Brother. Cumulative points: 25, redeemable points: 20.] Songyin was at home when the system’s voice suddenly rang out.
Hearing this, Songyin immediately guessed that Xie Jiyan must have performed well at the academy.
The so-called “Loving Elder Brother” referred to Jiang Tan’er.
Just like “Xie Clan Cannon Fodder” and “Low-Level Loyal Dog.”
As Jiang Tan’er’s second elder brother, Jiang Gu’an had studied since childhood, and the Jiang family held high hopes for him. Before Jiang Tan’er’s transmigration, although Jiang Gu’an had passed the imperial examination at the county level, he was in poor health, pale and weak, and did not seem like someone destined for great achievements.
But later, as the Jiang family grew wealthy and with her help in restoring his health, Jiang Gu’an underwent a complete transformation.
After entering the capital, he thrived even more, enjoying excellent relationships. His friends were either talented scholars or the legitimate sons of noble families, unknowingly adding a layer of prestige to him.
With his good reputation, handsome appearance, and a name for diligence and hard work, he received guidance from a great scholar. In the second year after passing the provincial examination, he successively passed the imperial examination, allowing the Jiang family to rise in social status. Especially since he later married County Princess Zhaokang.
With talent and support from influential figures, Jiang Gu’an steadily climbed the ranks. By the time she died, he had already entered the Ministry of Personnel.
In the future, he would become the youngest chief minister of the dynasty.
A very bright future.
“Call the accountant over,” Songyin instructed Lanhua.
The accountant arrived quite quickly, carrying account books as if assuming Songyin wanted to check the sales of those prescriptions. He was well-prepared, but Songyin was in no hurry to see him, only asking him to wait outside, leaving everyone wondering what she intended to do.
After more than an hour, a commotion broke out outside the marquis’s residence.
Jiang Gu’an pounded on the main gate, and as soon as the servant opened it, he tried to force his way in, only to be immediately restrained.
However, Jiang Gu’an was dressed in a scholar’s robe, appearing as a proper and upright scholar, so the gatekeepers dared not act recklessly. They could only inquire about the situation before reporting it to the lady of the house.
“I am Songyin’s future husband! She’s been at your Xie family for days without returning—where have you hidden her?!” Jiang Gu’an’s words startled many.
Who is Songyin? The newly arrived young lady.
Upon hearing this, Madam Meng’s hands trembled slightly: “First, go inform the young lady and see what she thinks…”
Songyin had been close to the Jiang family in the past… In Madam Meng’s opinion, there likely had been such a marriage arrangement.
But now, whether Songyin would acknowledge it or not, she truly couldn’t be sure. She even suspected that Songyin might have had a conflict with this Jiang Gu’an, which was why she had eagerly come to their Xie family. If that were the case, how serious was the conflict? If it was so severe that it could never be forgiven, that would be ideal.
However, one shouldn’t only think of the best outcome.
Women are soft-hearted and easily fall into the trap of sweet words. What if Jiang Gu’an managed to win her over…
Madam Meng didn’t know whether Songyin would still stand by the Xie family if that happened.