Ch 66: Planning A Pharmacy
Meng Tingyue placed the two deeds she had received from Meng Mansion today on the desk.
“Uncle, these are the shop deeds that Jiang Qingrou and her daughter purchased with two thousand taels of silver. I intend to convert them into a pharmacy.”
Xiao Huaifeng, upon hearing this, smiled lightly, then gently pushed the two deeds back to Meng Tingyue. “Those two storefronts, while not in prominent locations, could be converted into a pharmacy. However, in terms of profitability, they may not be able to compete with other storefronts.”
Meng Tingyue smiled slightly, full of confidence. “Uncle, rest assured, I have a plan.”
Seeing this, a trace of indulgence and understanding flashed in Xiao Huaifeng’s eyes. “Since you’ve made up your mind, then go ahead and do it.”
“It just so happens that your aunt went to Linchao City to purchase a batch of medicinal herbs. If you need any, this batch can be used first.”
Meng Tingyue pushed the deeds back to Xiao Huaifeng, analyzing systematically, “I plan to open these two shops under the name of the Xiao Family.”
“I bought these two shops from Jiang Qingrou and her daughter. My father certainly doesn’t know about their secret sale of the shops. I want to wait until Meng Qingjiao buys Gu Bao Zhai and reopens it with fanfare, to give her a good promotion.”
“To let my father know that they secretly sold the mansion’s property, and he will be dissatisfied with them.”
“When the day of exposure comes, Father will surely come to me, and after a heart-to-heart talk, he will inevitably mention the matter of reclaiming the storefronts.”
“At that time, he might try to make me submit in the name of filial piety. Rather than that, it’s better to give them to Uncle, to operate under Uncle’s name. As long as the shops are in Uncle’s hands, my father will be helpless.”
In fact, this was just Meng Tingyue’s excuse. That bit of insignificant family affection, to her, was long gone like a fleeting cloud. She didn’t care.
Her intention was to have the Xiao Family open a pharmacy in Jingdu for the upcoming Hengcheng epidemic.
However, in Jingdu, pharmacies are numerous, and competition is fierce. If the Xiao Family rashly enters the market, it is unlikely to stand out among the many established businesses, and the reputation of the Xiao Family Trading Firm will be difficult to establish.
She couldn’t directly tell her uncle about the upcoming heavy rain and epidemic in Hengcheng, so she could only use this method. If it succeeds, the Xiao Family Trading Firm would completely establish its reputation in Jingdu.
Meng Tingyue’s analysis was well-reasoned and logically sound, making it difficult for Xiao Huaifeng to find flaws in her argument. He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. His niece still cared about that bit of family affection and didn’t want to break with the Meng Family.
Xiao Huaifeng asked again, “This arrangement is fine, but what do you intend to sell in the other shop?”
Meng Tingyue paused slightly, then replied, “As for the other storefront, I plan to use it for storing medicinal herbs for now.”
Having said that, she keenly caught the slight disapproval in Xiao Huaifeng’s gaze.
She quickly added, “I recently obtained a kind of medicinal fragrance that can calm the mind and spirit, but its effects are not yet stable. After I fully master its method of preparation, the other shop can be used to sell this fragrance.”
Hearing her confident words, Xiao Huaifeng felt slightly reassured.
“But will His Highness the Crown Prince allow you to show your face all day and be involved in business?”
Hearing this, a light smile appeared on Meng Tingyue’s lips, and her tone was filled with unwavering confidence. “His Highness the Crown Prince has an extraordinary disposition and has no worldly prejudice against merchants.”
Hearing her say this, Xiao Huaifeng’s worries finally subsided, and he felt much more at ease.
Meng Tingyue mentioned casually, “I heard that there will be heavy rain in the Capital in two days. Uncle and Aunt, why don’t you delay your return and stay in the Capital for a few more days to enjoy the scenery?”
Hearing this, Xiao Huaifeng involuntarily looked at the clear blue sky outside the window. After a moment’s thought, he said, “In that case, we will follow your suggestion and stay in the Capital for a few more days.”
——
As Meng Tingyue had predicted, the Capital changed in two days.
Xiao Wuyou happened to rush into Jingdu just before the torrential rain.
As soon as she stepped inside Jinwei Restaurant, the sky turned as dark as ink, and the rain poured down.
Xiao Huaifeng stood by the window, his gaze piercing through the rain curtain, feeling somewhat surprised by the sudden downpour.
In an instant, he noticed Xiao Wuyou entering the room. She was completely dry, without a trace of rain on her, and he couldn’t help but ask with concern, “Was your trip to Linchao City smooth?”
Xiao Wuyou didn’t say much. She went straight to the tea table, picked up the teapot, poured herself a cup of green tea, and drank it down in one gulp.
“Very smooth,” she replied briefly, a satisfied smile on her lips.
“The quality of the medicinal herbs is excellent. I also unexpectedly harvested several rare ginseng plants, twenty to thirty years old, which I plan to store properly for future needs. Perhaps they will become a blessing for our Xiao Family descendants.”
Hearing her words, the worry lines on Xiao Huaifeng’s brow, tightened by the rain, gradually relaxed, and a smile appeared.
“You think far ahead.”
“Of course, when one lives, one must have a long-term vision and think more.”
“I don’t believe you’ll really keep that ginseng for your descendants. Maybe someday you won’t feel well, and you’ll stew it.” Xiao Huaifeng said with a teasing smile.
Hearing this, Xiao Wuyou chuckled, then sat down carelessly, “Then it only means my grandchildren have no fate with that ginseng. When I have the chance in the future, I’ll find another one, and it will be another family heirloom for them.”
Xiao Huaifeng shook his head slightly, seeming a little helpless. He changed the subject, “Tingyue came to see me a few times these past two days.”
The playful smile on Xiao Wuyou’s face faded, replaced by anticipation, “Tingyue came?”
“Jiang Qingrou and her daughter sold two shops…” Xiao Huaifeng slowly recounted the whole story to Xiao Wuyou.
“Humph, only two thousand taels, it was cheap for them.” Xiao Wuyou snorted coldly, but then her expression turned to worry, “But, are you really going to open a pharmacy for medicinal herbs? This business isn’t very popular in Jingdu.”
Xiao Huaifeng smiled calmly, with a hint of indulgence in his tone, “Tingyue likes it, so let her try. If those medicinal herbs really don’t sell, we can just sell them at a low price, as a lesson.”
After careful consideration, Xiao Wuyou also thought this was reasonable. The Xiao Family could afford to lose that amount of silver.
At this moment, Xiao Huaifeng’s gaze turned slowly to the window. The rain curtain was like a woven fabric, hitting the window frame obliquely. Only the sound of the light rain tapping could be heard, exceptionally quiet.
“This rain is too sudden. It’s pouring down, which doesn’t seem like a good sign.”
His words were filled with worry, a deep worry rising in his heart.
“With such heavy rain, after it stops, we may need to take a different road back. The original road may be buried by falling rocks.”
“Yes.” Xiao Wuyou nodded in agreement.
