Chapter 38: A Major Windfall

Chunlei responded immediately. Instead of entering the shop directly, he bought some clothes to disguise himself as the Eldest Young Mistress’s representative to the Jin residence, then entered through the back door.

He stayed out of sight at first, listening to what those people were there for.

"I say, old man, when will your master be here? Our master is very sincere about inviting the Divine Doctor to his mansion and is willing to pay a consultation fee of one thousand taels. One thousand taels, do you understand? That’s enough to keep you fed for a lifetime," a servant’s voice rang out.

"Uncle, our Old Madam’s illness really cannot wait. Our master is willing to pay two thousand taels of silver; please, beg the Divine Doctor to visit our house first," another man’s voice pleaded.

"None of you dare compete with our Princess's Mansion! Old man, if you don't tell us when your master is coming, believe it or not, I’ll smash this shop to pieces," a very arrogant voice threatened.

"Everyone, it is not that I, an old man, refuse to give you a straight answer; I truly do not know when my master will arrive. I was just bought by my master to watch the shop. Even if you kill me, I cannot give you a reply," Lin Houde said helplessly.

He sat straight down on the floor, starting to act like a rascal.

...

After listening for a while, Chunlei understood the situation.

The Eldest Young Mistress’s reputation as a Divine Doctor had spread. These people were all here to invite the doctor to their homes, and several of them were acting quite arrogantly.

Those who lacked respect were immediately disqualified.

Wearing a mask and projecting an inscrutable air, Chunlei walked from the back courtyard into the shop.

"What is going on here?" A majestic voice suddenly reached everyone's ears.

Everyone was so startled that they fell silent at once.

"Are you the Divine Doctor?" a servant asked haughtily.

Chunlei did not answer; he stepped forward and helped Lin Houde up from the floor.

"Master, these people are all here to request medical treatment," Lin Houde said, feeling emboldened now that his own people had arrived.

"Requesting medical treatment? Is this the attitude you take when seeking a doctor?" Chunlei’s cold gaze swept over them, causing everyone present to shiver, as if the air itself had frozen.

He was dressed in an ink-colored robe with a silver mask covering his face, though his eyes remained visible. His robes fluttered slightly, revealing an otherworldly aura, yet his obvious anger made it clear that he was not to be trifled with.

"This master has five conditions for not treating:
Those who are not sincere will not be treated.
Those whose lives are not in danger will not be treated.
Those who are not fated to meet will not be treated.
Those who do not keep their promises will not be treated.
Those who lack kindness in their hearts will not be treated."

Chunlei spoke clearly and forcefully, enunciating every word.

"And you people treat an old man like this?"

Every word hit like a heavy hammer on the hearts of those present, especially the arrogant one who had threatened them; he was now pale, with fine beads of sweat breaking out on his forehead.

"Old Lin, who was the most disrespectful?" Chunlei asked again.

Lin Houde honestly pointed to one of them.

Without a moment's hesitation, Chunlei stepped forward, grabbed the man by the back of his collar, and threw him straight out.

This move terrified the others. They had not expected the Divine Doctor to also be a martial artist. No one dared to be arrogant anymore, and they all stood obediently against the wall.

"Old Lin, here are ten bottles of medicinal pills I have prepared. Put them on display; one hundred taels of silver per bottle. No credit," Chunlei ordered coldly.

The Eldest Young Mistress had originally suggested selling them for ten taels a bottle, but he was angry now, so he raised the price tenfold. The Young Mistress and the two girls had spent many nights brewing these; how could they sell them for so little?

"Yes, Master." Lin Houde immediately took them and placed them on the counter.

In such a large shop, there were only ten tiny medicine bottles displayed. It was quite a unique way of doing business.

"I will arrange for two people to help you later. If anyone doesn't know their place, throw them out," Chunlei added, glancing at the remaining petitioners.

"My consultation fee starts at ten thousand taels. That covers the medicine, but not the outcome. I will only make house calls once every ten days, and I will not go just because someone asks." Chunlei laid out his conditions, his demeanor clearly saying, "I don't care if you hire me or not." He was not short of money.

He then turned and left. His inscrutable silhouette left a chill in the air.

As soon as Chunlei left, the people swarmed the counter, each grabbing a bottle of the newly displayed medicine. Upon opening them, they found a slip of paper inside. After reading it, everyone had a strange expression on their face. The Divine Doctor understood men's hearts too well.

These servants were all reputable employees of their respective households and were literate; naturally, they understood the efficacy of these pills at a glance. But at one hundred taels, they dared not make the purchase on their own. They left quickly to report to their masters.

That very day, all ten bottles of medicine were sold.

Chunlei left Zhui Feng and Zhui Yue to guard the shop to prevent any trouble. By evening, Yu Yuanzheng received the proceeds from the ten bottles.

Staring blankly at the ten banknotes of the same denomination in her hand, Yu Yuanzheng felt that money was simply too easy to make.

"Miss," the two maids also looked at their smiling mistress with joy.

"Ha ha..." Yu Yuanzheng laughed aloud.

Who did she have to fear now? Money could make the devil turn the millstones. So what if she had lost the position of the Prince’s heir’s wife? If she paved her way with money, she could live a good life in the Prince’s mansion.

Was a mansion not just made up of masters and servants? Wherever there are people, there is intrigue, and there is no one who does not love wealth.

"Ziyue, this one is for you. Jianghua, this one is for you. In the future, whenever you see someone suitable in the mansion, give them some benefits. Find out more about the past events and interpersonal relationships within the mansion," Yu Yuanzheng said generously, giving each of them a note.

"Miss, this is too much," Jianghua said, feeling embarrassed to accept. One hundred taels—their combined monthly allowances for years wouldn't amount to this much.

"With money in your hands, you won't be anxious. As I make money in the future, you will all have a share. If you can't spend it all, save it for your dowries."

"Thank you, Miss!" The two maids accepted happily. They had been making pills with their mistress for days, and they never expected such a bountiful harvest. They now admired their mistress to the point of worship.

Yu Yuanzheng gave another five notes to Chunlei, telling him to distribute them among the ten brothers. Chunlei accepted without any pretense. From then on, the first thing every guard said upon seeing Yu Yuanzheng was, "Thank you, Eldest Young Mistress." They had never had such good fortune when following the Prince. They all beamed, looking nothing like men born from the ranks of secret guards.

Having tasted success, Yu Yuanzheng began making other types of pills that same night. In just three days, five more types of pills with different functions were produced. The two maids had learned how to make all ten types. She then sent them to the small courtyard of her dowry to teach Liu Mingde and his wife.

The two maids went out to teach for three consecutive days until Liu Mingde and Madame Liu had learned the craft.

Because Chunlei had raised the consultation fee to ten thousand taels, Lin Houde had not received any more requests for house calls in the past few days. At such an exorbitant price, few families could afford it.

That morning, Yu Yuanzheng went to pay her respects to the Princess Consort and lingered for a meal in the main courtyard. Once again, there was no saffron in the food. This matter had become a mystery in Yu Yuanzheng's heart.

Yu Yuanzheng never went to pay her respects to the Second Old Madam or Lady Luo; she had even asked the Princess Consort if it mattered. The Princess Consort had simply excused her, stating that she only needed to pay respects to her.

Just as she finished breakfast, the various ladies of the Prince’s mansion arrived.