Chapter 124: “Refusing the Wine but Taking the Punishment”

Cai Zhang Gui was quietly feeling relieved, thinking that this matter was almost over without much harm, but the servant who went to exchange the medicine came back empty-handed.

“What happened?”

Cai Zhang Gui’s face darkened.

The servant trembled as they reported, “Yong Le Hall said that the person needing the medicine must go to their store in person, or their doctor must visit before they can use the medicine. Everyone’s situation is different, and the medicine cannot be used casually. Just having the jar isn’t enough, the person themselves must go.”

“That’s it!”

Cai Zhang Gui collapsed in his chair with a loud thud.

How could he allow his patients to go to Yong Le Hall for diagnosis?

Wouldn’t that imply that Shun Yi Tang’s Yu Ru Ointment and Yong Le Hall’s Snow Face Ointment were the same?

And that Yong Le Hall could solve the problem while Shun Yi Tang could not? What would people think?

But if he didn’t allow them to go to Yong Le Hall, the purple bruises on their faces would only get worse.

He had heard that the governor’s concubine had already lodged a complaint with the governor.

What to do? What should he do?

Cai Zhang Gui frowned, and with a loud “crack,” the fan he was holding snapped.

After a long pause, he finally made up his mind.

When it came to money versus reputation, Shun Yi Tang’s reputation was more important.

If Shun Yi Tang’s reputation was damaged, the owner would never forgive him, especially since it was his idea in the first place.

Thankfully, Shun Yi Tang wasn’t short on money.

So, he would solve this with money.

This time, he had been careless and had fallen for Yong Le Hall’s trap. At worst, he would give up all the money he had earned recently and simply avoid dealing with Snow Face Ointment in the future!

“Get ready, prepare the carriage. I’m going to Yong Le Hall myself.”

The servant hurriedly went to prepare the carriage.

When they arrived in front of Yong Le Hall, they found the place bustling with activity.

People were still discussing the events from yesterday and speaking in defense of Yong Le Hall.

Many people in the city knew Cai Zhang Gui.

Seeing him arrive, they quickly made way for him and whispered among themselves.

“Isn’t this Cai Jie, the shopkeeper of Shun Yi Tang? Why is he at Yong Le Hall? Is this because of the Yu Ru Ointment issue? Are the two shops about to clash?”

“You should have fought it out earlier! When it was rumored that Yong Le Hall had stolen the formula, I thought things were about to get ugly, but then there was no movement later.”

“Didn’t you hear? Shun Yi Tang is in trouble too!” someone reminded.

“What happened?”

The person continued, “I heard from someone that the eldest daughter of the county magistrate used Shun Yi Tang’s ointment and ended up with purple bruises all over her face. Shun Yi Tang gave her detox medicine, but the medicine was so strong that the young lady couldn’t even get out of bed!”

“That’s serious?”

“It shouldn’t be, right?”

“Isn’t Shun Yi Tang supposed to be famous for its medical skills?”

“Who knows? And it’s not just the county magistrate’s daughter, there are many others with the same problem!”

“So, what’s Shopkeeper Cai doing here at Shun Yi Tang? Is he here to ask for their repair ointment recipe?”

“Don’t be too quick to dismiss that possibility!”

“If you’re saying that, then I’ll make a bold guess,” said a scholarly-looking man.

“A guess? What kind of guess?” The group of people were in the middle of their discussion, and others were listening with interest. Hearing this, everyone asked together.

“My guess is that the rumors about Yong Le Hall stealing Shun Yi Tang’s formula were false. It’s not Yong Le Hall that stole the formula, but rather Shun Yi Tang that stole Yong Le Hall’s formula!”

“What?”

“That can’t be! Shun Yi Tang is an old, reputable store, famous in the capital. How could they do such a thing?”

Someone immediately rejected this idea.

However, others supported it.

“I think there’s some truth to it. Didn’t everyone just assume Shun Yi Tang wouldn’t have any problems because they were so famous? But why does Yong Le Hall have a repair ointment and Shun Yi Tang doesn’t?

If Shun Yi Tang really stole Yong Le Hall’s formula, then everything happening now makes sense.”

Hearing this, everyone nodded.

“Could it be that the previous rumors were intentionally leaked by Shun Yi Tang? They stole someone else’s formula, sold it for a higher price, and now they’re trying to frame someone else. This is terrifying when you think about it deeply!”

The onlookers outside were gossiping and discussing, acting like detectives, analyzing the connections between the events.

Inside, the atmosphere had become tense.

“Shopkeeper Li, are you saying you absolutely won’t sell me the repair ointment?”

Cai Jie asked again, unwilling to give up.

Li Mo snorted, “Shopkeeper Cai, I’ve made myself very clear. The repair ointment in my shop cannot be given out casually, it must be distributed based on the patient’s condition!”

“That’s nonsense. Your excuse might work on others, but it won’t fool me! It’s clearly the same thing!”

Hearing his rude words, Li Mo decided not to pretend anymore.

“Yeah, I’m not giving it to you. What are you going to do about it?”

“You…”

Shopkeeper Cai was trembling with anger.

“You’ve poisoned the ointment, do you know that’s a crime?”

Li Mo was unafraid, “Whether it’s a crime or not, you know better than anyone. You slandered us by accusing us of stealing your formula, but it’s you who committed the crime!

And who told you that it’s poison? You can’t even tell if something is poisonous. How have you managed to survive in this business for so many years? Useless!”

Li Mo enjoyed scolding him.

After all these years, he finally held his head high in front of Shun Yi Tang.

Cai Jie knew there was no point in negotiating further with Li Mo. “Li Mo, think carefully. Right now, this ointment issue is a small matter. Even if you succeed, it won’t affect Shun Yi Tang’s position in the slightest.

But you’ve offended Shun Yi Tang, and your future days won’t be easy.”

Li Mo laughed at his threat, “There are so many medical halls in the world. Do you think Shun Yi Tang is the strongest? I’m curious to see how you’re going to make things hard for me!”

“Fine, wait and see!”

Cai Jie said his piece, then turned and left Shun Yi Tang.

The crowd of onlookers, watching his retreating figure, couldn’t help but guess what had happened inside.

“It seems like they couldn’t come to an agreement?”

“Could it be that he really came to ask for the repair ointment?”

Their guesses were soon confirmed by Li Mo.

After Cai Jie returned to Shun Yi Tang, he immediately called for the guards of the clinic.

“You said you have a brother in the Beggars’ Sect, right?”

The guard quickly cupped his hands and confirmed.

“Good, I’m giving you two hundred taels of silver. Find a few reliable brothers and tonight, go destroy Yong Le Hall.

Get the repair ointment, and burn everything else to the ground.

Make sure to clean up after yourselves, and don’t let anyone trace it back to us.”

Upon hearing this, the guard immediately responded, “Rest assured, Shopkeeper, I’ll handle this matter properly!”

Watching the guard leave, Cai Jie slammed his fist on the table.

“Hmph, a small Yong Le Hall wants to challenge Shun Yi Tang? They’re truly asking for trouble!

Since they won’t accept my invitation to drink, I’ll make them drink their punishment!”