After leaving Fuxi Hall, Su Hua once again departed the residence, heading straight for Jisheng Herb Shop.
As for the scheming of Zhu and her allies behind the scenes, Su Hua didn’t give it a second thought.
If they wanted to play tricks, she would make sure it backfired—let’s see who really gets played!
The carriage stopped outside the herb shop, and Su Hua stepped down. Yun Shuang followed closely, still trying to calm herself after all that had happened. She whispered with concern, “Miss, will they really give us the 200,000 taels?”
Su Hua glanced at her and smiled. “Even if Zhu doesn’t want to give it, she must. Besides, it’s ours in the first place.”
Yun Shuang hesitated, “Just now, it seemed like Old Madam and Father were unhappy.”
“Don’t worry,” Su Hua said calmly, patting Yun Shuang’s shoulder. “I’ve said before, we’re going to live freely and happily from now on. They’ve had many days making us unhappy. Today, they only suffered a little; in the future, they’ll have far more reasons to feel uncomfortable because of us.”
Yun Shuang simply nodded. Whatever her Miss said, was law to her.
Seeing Yun Shuang’s innocent, trusting expression, Su Hua let out a faint smile. This little girl’s purity was endearing.
Inside Jisheng Herb Shop, Master Song and the other staff had been worried about Su Hua’s safety. Seeing her return, their anxiety finally eased.
Su Hua noticed their concern and offered a few words of reassurance, then immediately set about organizing the shop. Thankfully, these were all old staff who had been loyal for years.
She appointed Master Song, the most senior and respected among them, to replace Zhu as the new manager. The rest required no changes, and the transition went smoothly with minimal effort.
Once everything was in order, the staff dispersed to their duties, leaving only Master Song.
Su Hua said to him, “Master Song, from now on, Jisheng Herb Shop will require your utmost attention.”
Master Song bowed respectfully. “Eldest Young Lady, you are too polite. Since you trust this old man, I will do everything in my power to serve faithfully.”
Su Hua continued, “The staff who came with my mother’s dowry—the shops, estates, and forests—do you know where they are now? Can you find them?”
Master Song’s eyes lit up. “Eldest Young Lady, you want them all back?”
Su Hua nodded. “If they are willing, I would be delighted. But they’ve been scattered for so many years. If they have concerns…”
Before she could finish, Master Song spoke: “Their departure back then wasn’t by choice. Now that you’ve taken over Madam’s dowry, a single word from you and they would return without question. But these shops, estates, and forests are still under Zhu’s control.”
Su Hua: “No matter. Master Song, just go contact them. Leave the rest to me.”
Master Song looked at the confident poise of his young mistress. “As long as you are the guiding heart of this house, we will always support you faithfully, without ever turning against you.”
Su Hua could read his sincerity and said, “Don’t worry, Master Song. With me here, no one will dare bully you. If you’re willing, you can work under me for as long as you like.”
Master Song’s face lit up. “With your words, Eldest Young Lady, I have no concern. I will begin contacting them immediately. Within three days, they will all be gathered.”
“Wait. There’s no need to rush,” Su Hua said. “First, take me to get some herbs, then to the shop’s preparation room.”
Master Song did not hesitate, guiding her as requested. “What herbs do you need, Eldest Young Lady? This old man can help gather them.”
“No need,” Su Hua said calmly, walking to the clearly labeled shelves and collecting the herbs herself.
The other pharmacists watched her closely, standing behind Master Song. Though they did not know the purpose of her selections, her skillful handling of the herbs—even the veterans felt outdone—left them visibly astonished.
So, their Eldest Young Lady was a master of pharmacology?
Su Hua had already gathered the main ingredients, and twelve auxiliary herbs were ready. Only the final preparation remained.
Master Song stepped forward quietly. “Eldest Young Lady, are you well-versed in medicine?”
Su Hua replied casually, “You’ve surely heard of my near-drowning incident. If I told you that I was on the brink of death, saved only by a celestial being in a dream who taught me medicine… would you believe it, Master Song?”
Master Song’s gaze was unwavering. “If the Eldest Young Lady says so, I will believe it.”
Su Hua smiled and did not elaborate. “Master Song, take me to the preparation room.”
Once inside, Master Song asked, “Eldest Young Lady, do you need my assistance?”
Su Hua placed the gathered herbs on the preparation table. “Master Song, please grind these into powder with the pestle.”
Yun Shuang also said, “Miss, I’ll help too.”
Together, the three worked, and all twelve herbs were ground into fine powder.
Master Song looked puzzled. “Eldest Young Lady, I can see that these herbs complement each other perfectly, yet I cannot discern why. Please instruct me.”
Su Hua trusted him; she had judged him well. “It’s because they are missing a main herb.”
She pulled a long wooden box from her sleeve.
Master Song stared. Seeing the herb inside, he froze. “Eldest Young Lady, this is Seven-Leaf Hehuan!”
Su Hua nodded. “Correct.”
Master Song’s eyes widened. “This quality of Seven-Leaf Hehuan is top-tier, rare on the market. Its effects…” He combined the twelve previous herbs with this one and suddenly understood. “Eldest Young Lady, you…”
“This concoction I call ‘Wangyou Xiaohun.’ Just a tiny bit burned as incense will make one swoon, forget worries, be utterly captivated—addictive to the core,” Su Hua said with a faint, cold smile.
Master Song saw her smile and shivered despite the summer heat. She was no longer the naïve young lady of the past—impossible to read.
Ignoring his reaction, Su Hua blended the powders and added the Seven-Leaf Hehuan, then sealed the mixture in a white porcelain jar.
She stepped toward Master Song, her voice cold: “Master Song, this is not a conventional remedy. Know this: I am preparing it for a certain concubine in this house, but ultimately, it will affect my father. Are you afraid?”
Master Song knelt and bowed. “Whatever the Eldest Young Lady intends, it must have purpose. I came with Madam’s dowry from the Shen family. With Madam gone, I serve only the Eldest Young Lady.”
Su Hua gestured to Yun Shuang to help him up. “I dislike formalities. There’s no need for such bows among us.”
Master Song rose. “Yes, Eldest Young Lady.”