Chapter 49 : Conditions

Fang Xuhui tucked her hands into her sleeves and answered truthfully, “Our dynasty is about to go to war with Xiyue, and countless lives will be lost. Civilians will be affected as well. I know that Boss Fang has a large supply of medicinal herbs, so I’d like to purchase them and send them to Wucheng, to do what I can for both the soldiers and the people.”

Song Ying thought for a moment. “What herbs does the Second Shopkeeper want?”

Fang Xuhui nodded to the accountant beside her, who handed a list to Song Ying.

Song Ying examined it carefully. “Some of these medicinal materials have already been donated by others, haven’t they?”

Fang Xuhui replied, “Their donations aren’t nearly enough. We don’t know how long this war will last, and I hope to provide more support to the people and the troops.”

“Besides, this is the first time I’ve met you, Boss Fang, so I’d rather purchase the herbs directly from you. I’ll take as much as you’re willing to sell.”

Song Ying said, “I have all the herbs on this list, but as for the price…”

Fang Xuhui was very direct. “You can name your price, as long as I can afford it.”

Song Ying smiled slightly. “Before that, may I ask, who will be escorting the supplies this time?”

Fang Xuhui answered, “The delivery will be led by Juya Pavilion. In addition to the Chamber of Commerce’s own guards, the imperial court will also send troops for protection.”

Song Ying nodded. “Will these supplies be sent directly to the military garrison in Wucheng?”

Fang Xuhui replied, “We’ll divide them ahead of time. Some will go to the Wucheng government office, and some directly to the army.”

Song Ying responded with a simple “Oh” and said nothing more.

Fang Xuhui watched her expression and sensed that she wasn’t especially moved.

She probed gently, “Boss Fang, do you have any concerns? Feel free to speak.”

Song Ying said, “I can sell you everything you need, but as you must understand, I have to reserve some herbs for my own use as well…”

Fang Xuhui nodded. “Of course, I understand. Boss Fang, please just sell as much as you can.”

Song Ying nodded. “Although this is a business deal, the Second Shopkeeper is doing all of this for the people of Wucheng and the soldiers who defend the nation. I’ll give you a 20% discount on the original price but I have one condition.”

Fang Xuhui said, “Please go ahead.”

Song Ying said, “Please allow me to go with the delivery team to Wucheng.”

Fang Xuhui was surprised. “Boss Fang, you…”

Song Ying said, “If the Second Shopkeeper agrees, I’ll go back and make arrangements immediately.”

Fang Xuhui said, “This journey is long, and there’s no telling what dangers we may encounter along the way. Please think it through carefully.”

Song Ying replied, “I’ve already thought it through.”

Fang Xuhui glanced at the accountant beside her, then nodded. “Alright, as you wish.”

Song Ying said, “Thank you very much. I’ll begin sending the herbs to the Chamber of Commerce in batches over the next few days.”

Fang Xuhui stood up and bowed. “It is I who should thank you, Boss Fang, for your support.”

Song Ying replied, “Alright, no need for formalities. I’ll take my leave.”

Fang Xuhui said, “I’ll walk you out.”

After escorting Song Ying to the door and watching her get into her carriage and leave, Fang Xuhui turned back and returned to the inner courtyard.

She circled the main building and followed a path to a secluded bamboo courtyard.

A middle-aged man stood in the yard, he seemed to have been waiting for a while.

Fang Xuhui stepped forward and addressed him. “Big Brother.”

This man was Fang Tian, the chief manager of Juya Pavilion.

Fang Tian asked, “What happened?”

Fang Xuhui answered, “She agreed, but with one condition she wants to go with the convoy.”

Fang Tian nodded. “I understand. It’ll be tough for a while.”

Fang Xuhui said, “It’s what I should do. I won’t disturb you further.”

After she left, Fang Tian pushed open the door and entered the study. He picked up a brush, wrote a letter, rolled it up, and placed it inside a slender tube, which he then tied to a carrier pigeon’s leg.

Coos twice.

The pigeon flapped its wings and soared westward, eventually landing on the branch of a plum tree in the backyard of the Regent’s Palace study.

Yu Liang caught the bird, removed the message from its leg, and respectfully handed it to Yue Shaozhi.

After reading the contents of the message, Yue Shaozhi burned it and instructed Yu Liang, “Place a few secret guards in the escort team. I don’t want anything unexpected to happen along the way.”

“Yes.” Yu Liang had sharp hearing. He caught the sound of soft footsteps and turned to walk out of the study. Seeing that it was Yunchun, he asked, “What is it?”

Yunchun lowered her head and said, “The princess asked me to invite Your Highness to dinner.”

Yue Shaozhi stepped out and said, “Let’s go.”

Song Ruoer was standing under the corridor. When she saw Yue Shaozhi from a distance, she ran over, ignoring the servants who tried to stop her.

Yue Shaozhi rushed forward and caught her in his arms, gently scolding, “Be careful. What if you fall?”

Song Ruoer said, “I’m not that fragile. Today I sent someone to Juya Pavilion and brought back the jade fish you like. Come and try it.”

Yue Shaozhi let her lead him away. “Don’t you usually get nauseous from the smell of fish?”

Song Ruoer replied, “Thanks to Master Yu’s prescription, I’m much better now.”

The two sat down, and the servants came forward to wash their hands, rinse their mouths, and serve the food.

Yunchun brought over a bowl of medicine, and Song Ruoer pulled a bitter face. “I really don’t want to drink this.”

Yue Shaozhi said, “You have to. If you drink it, you and the baby will suffer less.”

Song Ruoer stared at the dark liquid in the bowl and murmured, “It would be nice if all medicine tasted sweet.”

Yue Shaozhi laughed at her innocence. “There’s no such thing as sweet medicine.”

“There is!” she said, and when he looked doubtful, she told him about her childhood. “When I was little, the doctor prescribed me some medicine that was terribly bitter and stinky. No matter how much my mother coaxed me, I refused to take it. Then my sister added a single leaf to it, and magically, it became sweet.”

Yue Shaozhi: “Really?”

Song Ruoer: “If you don’t believe me, ask Yunchun.”

Yunchun confirmed, “Your Highness, it’s true. And it didn’t affect the medicine’s efficacy at all.”

Yue Shaozhi’s smile faded slightly, but just to please her, he said, “Alright, I believe you. Now drink it, it’s getting cold.”

Though it wasn’t the reaction she had hoped for, Song Ruoer smiled, lifted the bowl, and downed the medicine in one gulp.

The medicine was bitter and so was her heart.

That day, when she visited the injured Song Shihe, he told her that Yue Shaozhi still had feelings for Song Ying.

Song Ruoer had laughed at him. “You were injured in the butt, so why is your brain affected too?”

Song Shihe, lying on the bed, snorted. “Sister, I’m being serious. Think about it. If you want something even if you don’t really mean it just say the word, and he’ll give it to you without question. But when I asked him to give you Song Ying’s shop, guess what he said? ‘No.’”

“It’s just a herbal medicine shop. He’s the Regent. And Song Ying is just a woman, what is there to fear offending? He definitely has feelings for her!”

The smile faded from Song Ruoer’s face. “Don’t talk nonsense. Shaozhi loves me…”

Song Shihe replied, “Love? If he truly loved you and your baby he would make Song Ying suffer just to make you happy. But I think he tells you to your face that he loves you, while thinking of Song Ying behind your back.”

Holding her hand, Song Shihe said with concern, “Sister, I’m doing this for your own good. If you don’t believe me, test him. If he’s willing to cut ties with Song Ying for your sake, then I’ll apologize and admit I was wrong. But if he dodges or avoids the topic…”

The smile on Song Ruoer’s face had completely disappeared.