Jinxiu carried the fungus over to Granny Tian and held it out with both hands.
“Grandma, I found these growing on a dead tree.”
“They’re white wood ears.”
“It’s my first time seeing anything like them.”
Granny Tian’s chest rose and fell.
Her nostrils flared with excitement.
After a long moment, she finally managed to speak.
“My goodness…”
“These are snow fungus!”
“So they’re called snow fungus?”
Jinxiu pretended not to know.
“Grandma… are they valuable?”
The original Li Jinxiu had grown up in poverty.
She shouldn’t have recognized snow fungus (white fungus).
Jinxiu had even prepared another plan.
If Granny Tian hadn’t recognized it either, she’d suggest taking it to an apothecary first.
Fortunately…
That wouldn’t be necessary.
“They’re worth a fortune…”
Realizing she’d spoken too loudly, Granny Tian immediately lowered her voice.
“Two years ago, Physician Ma went deep into the mountains to gather herbs.”
“He happened to find a few snow fungus.”
“I heard he sold them for more than ten taels of silver.”
Everyone in the village said Physician Ma had incredible luck.
After all…
Most villagers only visited a doctor when they truly had no other choice.
Treating patients alone couldn’t make him rich.
Yet after selling those snow fungus…
He managed to marry off his son within a month.
Jinxiu’s eyes lit up.
“Grandma!”
“Let’s sell these at the apothecary in town.”
“With that money…”
“Father can continue treating his leg.”
“And Mother can finally receive proper care.”
Granny Tian nodded with a warm smile.
“That’s exactly what I was thinking.”
But…
These snow fungus had been discovered by Jinxiu.
She hadn’t wanted to pressure the girl.
Now she realized…
This child truly understood the family’s hardships.
“Grandma.”
“The sooner the better.”
“Let’s go.”
“First we’ll pack them properly.”
Jinxiu spread a cloth across the bottom of her basket.
She carefully laid the four snow fungus inside.
Granny Tian picked several broad leaves to cover them.
Then the two women continued toward town.
More than half an hour later…
They finally reached Mafang Town.
Jinxiu looked up.
A huge wooden archway stood at the entrance.
Across it were three large characters:
Mafang Town
Beside the gate sat a small tea stall where several travelers rested on low stools, sipping tea.
After entering town…
Granny Tian led the way straight toward the largest and busiest apothecary.
Walking along South Market Street…
They soon spotted the wooden sign.
Jishi Hall
It truly deserved its reputation.
The entire establishment occupied a large wooden building.
Everything inside was spotless.
A faint medicinal fragrance drifted through the air.
Since today wasn’t market day…
There were only a handful of customers.
Judging by their clothing…
All appeared fairly wealthy.
Which wasn’t surprising.
Most ordinary families couldn’t even afford enough food these days.
Medicine cost even more.
Common folk usually endured illness as long as possible…
Or visited barefoot herbal healers instead.
A grand pharmacy like this naturally catered mostly to the rich.
Granny Tian hesitated.
“Maybe…”
“We should wait until all the patients leave before going in.”
They usually visited a smaller apothecary called Tongji Hall whenever Xie Changsheng needed treatment or Li Xiuhong required medicine.
It had been Jinxiu who insisted on trying the biggest pharmacy instead.
Perhaps they could get a better price.
Jinxiu understood the old woman’s concerns.
Compared to the elegant surroundings…
Their patched clothes looked painfully shabby.
At best…
People might laugh at them.
At worst…
They could be thrown out.
Smiling reassuringly, she said,
“Grandma.”
“We’re here to sell something.”
“Not seek treatment.”
“It’ll be fine.”
With that…
She confidently walked inside.
A young shop assistant immediately greeted them with a polite smile.
“Welcome.”
“Are you here to see a physician…”
“Or purchase medicine?”
Jinxiu glanced back at Granny Tian with a playful look.
See?
They’re perfectly polite.
Then she turned back.
“Young sir…”
“I’m here to sell something.”
“Do you buy…”
“…snow fungus?”
She deliberately lowered her voice for the last words.
The assistant looked surprised for only a brief moment.
“We do.”
“But that’s beyond my authority.”
“Please wait a moment.”
He hurried toward the rear courtyard.
A short while later…
He returned.
“The shopkeeper invites you inside.”
Granny Tian frowned.
“Why do we have to go inside?”
“Can’t we discuss it here?”
The assistant chuckled.
“Madam…”
“Our shopkeeper simply wishes to avoid unnecessary attention.”
“Our owner also happens to be here today.”
“It would be better to discuss everything privately.”
After all…
A pharmacy of this size had no need to cheat anyone.
They certainly weren’t thieves.
Granny Tian looked toward Jinxiu.
Receiving a reassuring nod…
The two women followed the assistant into a reception room in the rear courtyard.
Inside sat three people.
A middle-aged man in a blue robe…
Clearly the shopkeeper.
He stood respectfully beside two young gentlemen.
The first wore brilliant red robes.
He had handsome features and playful eyes.
The second was tall and imposing.
His face was handsome but stern.
His posture remained perfectly straight.
Without speaking…
He radiated natural authority.
The man in red smiled casually.
“So…”
“You must be the ladies selling snow fungus.”
“May I take a look first?”
Granny Tian jumped slightly.
Recovering from her surprise, she stammered,
“Y-Yes…”
One glance was enough to tell…
These two men were people of extraordinary status.
They carried the unmistakable bearing of those accustomed to power.
Jinxiu, however, remained completely composed.
“Of course.”
She set down her basket.
Taking out one snow fungus…
She handed it to the shopkeeper.
He respectfully passed it to the young man in red.
After only one glance…
The red-robed gentleman smiled and turned toward his companion.
“Excellent quality.”
“Changqing…”
“Weren’t you wondering what to prepare for your teacher’s birthday?”
“Madam Gu is allergic to bird’s nest.”
“But she can eat snow fungus.”
“It nourishes the lungs and replenishes yin just as well.”
The tall young man nodded.
Then he looked toward Jinxiu.
“Young Madam…”
“How many do you have?”
“Four.”
“All about this size.”
He continued calmly.
“How much do you wish to sell them for?”
Jinxiu thought for a moment.
“I’m only a country woman.”
“I don’t know the market price.”
“Why don’t you make an offer first?”
The shopkeeper stepped closer and quietly whispered into the young man’s ear.
“They’ll need drying before storage.”
“These four together weigh just over four liang.”
“Once dried…”
“They’ll become roughly two liang.”
“Two liang of dried snow fungus…”
“Eight taels would already be a fair price.”
The young man considered this briefly.
Looking at the two women…
The elderly one clearly bore the marks of years of hardship.
The younger woman was thin and undernourished.
Obviously…
They were poor villagers who had simply been fortunate enough to discover something precious.
Finally, he spoke.
“Young Madam.”
“Grandmother.”
“I sincerely wish to purchase these.”
“I’ll offer…”
“Twelve taels of silver.”
“For all four.”
“What do you think?”
Jinxiu’s eyes sparkled.
She had overheard the shopkeeper’s estimate.
Eight taels would already have been reasonable.
Yet this man offered twelve without hesitation.
A wealthy proprietor indeed.
She grinned brightly.
“Deal!”
“Many thanks, Sir.”
She even clasped her hands respectfully while smiling from ear to ear.
The young man in red couldn’t help laughing.
“What an interesting woman.”
“Most country folk become terrified the moment they see us.”
“She’s quite different.”
The tall gentleman turned toward the shopkeeper.
The latter immediately understood.
“Young Madam…”
“This way, please.”
“I’ll fetch your silver.”
“All right.”
As the three walked back toward the pharmacy…
Granny Tian felt as though she were floating.
Nothing seemed real anymore.
She tugged on Jinxiu’s sleeve.
“Quick…”
“Pinch me.”
“I can’t still be dreaming, can I?”
Twelve taels.
Their family probably couldn’t save that much even after three years.
Moments later…
The shopkeeper returned carrying the payment.
Jinxiu immediately placed every piece of silver into Granny Tian’s hands.
Still unable to believe it…
The old woman picked up one of the five-tael silver ingots…
Brought it to her mouth…
And bit down hard.
“Ouch…”
“It’s real!”