Although he often came to the county, he didn’t stay long at the herbal shop. What if she wasn’t there when someone came?
Zhong Zhilang stroked his small mustache and smiled. “Yesterday, the shopkeeper discussed with me and said he wants you to stay at the herbal shop to attend the clinic. He knows you need to take care of the children, so you only need to come for half a day each visit. It won’t take too much of your time, and you can earn extra silver to help support your household.”
Pei Luo had wanted to refuse, but thinking of the merit points she needed to collect for the space, she hesitated. Staying to attend the clinic wasn’t really a problem.
“I can come to attend the clinic, but I’m used to a carefree life and dislike restrictions. I can come every two days for two hours each time. If there’s an emergency, I must be able to leave anytime. Also, I will charge ten percent of the consultation fee for any patient I see. If Shopkeeper Zhou agrees, I can start tomorrow.”
In her previous life, even top CEOs offering sky-high consultation fees didn’t faze her. Now, she was reduced to earning a modest ten percent in a small herbal shop. Truly miserable.
Although ten percent wasn’t negligible, Shopkeeper Zhou was forward-thinking. He wasn’t worried about her requests but feared she might refuse to come at all. Her skills were evident, and with her presence, wealthy ladies seeking treatment would surely increase, guaranteeing profits.
“Fine. Since you said it, how could I refuse?” Zhou said generously. Pei Luo nodded with a smile.
“I have no problem attending the clinic, but Shopkeeper Zhou, you must continue buying herbs. I rely on these to support my two children,” she said, lifting her basket of herbs.
Seeing the quantity and quality, Zhou was impressed. “You went to gather herbs again? The mountains are dangerous, especially for a young lady. What if you encounter a wild beast?”
Zhou’s concern was genuine, but after seeing the herbs’ quality, he nodded in approval. Pei Luo’s herbs were notably potent. Previously, she had sold wild ginseng to the shop, which was later purchased by a young master from the Zhu family to treat his grandfather. The old man’s vitality greatly improved, prompting the family to buy more valuable herbs from the shop.
“Don’t worry, Shopkeeper Zhou. I only gathered herbs in the outskirts, not deep in the mountains. Villagers don’t recognize herbs, so I got a bargain. Also, the special finished medicinal pills I mentioned earlier are ready. Due to time constraints, only two types are made: a special antipyretic pill for colds, headaches, fever, and sore throat—three pills a day for a cure—and the Coagulant Regeneration Pill, effective for external injuries, usable internally or crushed for topical application, reducing swelling, stopping pain, stopping bleeding, and promoting tissue regeneration. The antipyretic pills come in bottles of three, priced at 100 wen per bottle; the Coagulant Regeneration Pills, five per bottle, sell for one tael of silver. We split profits 30/70; you handle sales and take thirty percent.”
“Isn’t that price a bit high?” Zhou asked, eyeing the two large jars. Each pill was about the size of a soybean, with over a thousand per jar. Five pills cost one tael of silver—quite expensive compared to usual remedies costing a few dozen wen.
Pei Luo shook her head. “Not really. Once people experience the efficacy, they’ll see it’s reasonable. Dozens of precious herbs are used, so naturally it’s more expensive. Ordinary villagers usually take cheap remedies, but those who need these special pills won’t mind the cost.”
Zhou nodded, acknowledging her reasoning. The pricing was the lowest Pei Luo could accept. If not for the villagers’ poverty, she would have charged even more like a savvy merchant.
Zhou organized her herbs and paid her eighteen taels of silver. Pei Luo, needing more funds for stockpiling, requested an advance of one hundred taels, which Zhou readily lent her, moving her deeply.
Leaving the herbal shop, Pei Luo began shopping. After stocking oil and salt, she bought jars and containers to store future pills. Though house construction was delayed, she needed furniture. She purchased two large beds, bedding, and a wardrobe, totaling just over seven taels of silver. The shopkeeper generously delivered them to her home.
Since she couldn’t transport all items via her space, she had the shop deliver large pieces, while she used her uncle’s ox-cart for other supplies. On the way, she bought buns for the children. Surprisingly, prices had risen: three wen per bun a few days ago was now four, and previously one wen per steamed bun was now two. The sudden surge in grain prices drove up all market goods, signaling only the beginning.
Back home, the delivery crew helped move the new furniture inside. The children were overjoyed. Xiao Man, wearing a new dress, stood obediently beside her younger brother and helped bring down the bedding herself.