Fake Zhibao Pill

Countdown: Two days.

Ming Yi had exhausted all efforts and finally managed to obtain a Zhibao Pill from Baoyuantang. He placed the small pill on the table.

Wei Lan took one look and gasped in disbelief. This tiny pill cost twenty taels of silver. She picked up the pill and examined it closely. The pill’s surface was smooth, releasing a faint medicinal fragrance. She gently pinched the pill, feeling its texture in her palm.

Wei Lan furrowed her brows, filled with confusion. How could no one see through this obvious scam? She shook her head in disbelief, placed the pill back on the table, and couldn’t help but ask, “What kind of miraculous medicine is this? Why is it so expensive and so in demand? Doesn’t anyone realize this is a waste of money?”

Ming Yi, seeing her expression, couldn’t help but smile. “This Zhibao Pill is a wonderful remedy first recorded in the Song Dynasty by Shen Kuo in Lingyuan Fang. Its effects are extraordinary. It can treat sudden strokes, prevent paralysis, detoxify various poisons, relieve the pain caused by wind or toxins, and even cure heat-related epidemics, poisons from mountains, swamp toxins, and more.”

“It is indeed a good emergency remedy, and many have praised it for saving lives in dire situations. However, I have my doubts.”

He paused, his gaze becoming solemn. “I’ve never seen rhino horn, and it’s the key ingredient in this Zhibao Pill. Without it, can we still call it a true Zhibao Pill? It’s possible someone is scamming the people, exaggerating the benefits.”

Wei Lan frowned when she heard this and asked, puzzled, “You’ve never seen rhino horn? Are there no rhinos here?” She thought to herself, could Chinese rhinos have already been extremely rare, even nearing extinction, during the Ming Dynasty?

Ming Yi shook his head slightly, looking helpless. “Rhinos are indeed rare. They can only be found in remote parts of Yunnan. Normally, we would never see them.”

Wei Lan’s frown deepened as she seemed more anxious. “If that’s the case, then this Zhibao Pill must not contain rhino horn.” A flicker of concern passed through her eyes, as she now questioned the authenticity of the medicine even more.

Ming Yi nodded gravely. “It’s very likely that water buffalo horn has been substituted. While water buffalo horn has some efficacy, it’s far inferior to rhino horn. If that’s the case, the effectiveness of this Zhibao Pill is severely diminished.”

Wei Lan grew more and more furious, saying, “If Baoyuantang is selling fake Zhibao Pills as real ones, scamming people for their hard-earned money, what crime is that? Is no one going to stop them?” She was filled with resentment, deeply disgusted by Baoyuantang’s actions.

Ming Yi saw her anger and hurried to comfort her. “This behavior would be classified as ‘fraudulent misrepresentation.’ According to the Da Ming Law, if a merchant exaggerates or falsely advertises the effects of their product, misleading customers, they could face corporal punishment and the seizure of their illegal profits.”

“If it causes serious social impact or harms many people, the crime is even more serious and may involve fraud, punishable by flogging, exile, or even imprisonment. The government would certainly punish them severely, they won’t escape.”

Although Wei Lan felt slightly calmed by Ming Yi’s reassurance, she was still furious. “Baoyuantang pretends to save lives and help the injured, but behind the scenes, they’re doing such heartless deeds. It’s despicable! Ming Yi, let’s report them, so they know that the people of the Ming Dynasty are not so easy to deceive!”

Ming Yi sighed and shook his head. “In this world, how many people are blinded by greed and desire? Baoyuantang is just one of them. But right now, we don’t have any solid proof. If we go to the authorities rashly, we might end up being accused of making trouble and spreading rumors. We’d have no way to defend ourselves.”

He paused before continuing. “I think we should find a real Zhibao Pill, compare it with the fake one, and once the truth is clear, we can go to the authorities. Then they’ll have nothing to say and will receive the punishment they deserve.”

Wei Lan thought about what Ming Yi said and felt that it made sense. She nodded. “Alright, we’ll do it your way. But you said rhinos are only found in Yunnan—who could have a real Zhibao Pill?”

Ming Yi smiled slightly. “Though the Zhibao Pill is precious, it’s not impossible to find. Miss Tang Er has been frail and sickly since childhood, and the Tang family has sought many types of miraculous medicines for her. As far as I know, they have a Zhibao Pill.”

Wei Lan’s eyes lit up when she heard this. She quickly said, “Then we should go find Miss Tang Er now!”

Wei Lan arrived at the old Tang restaurant alone and made her way to the second floor, where she found Tang Xue already waiting for her, a smile on her face.

However, Tang Xue’s heart was actually filled with helplessness and grievance. Recently, her mother had sent guards to watch her closely, trying to prevent her from meeting Ming Yi, under the pretense of “keeping her safe,” though it was really a form of house arrest.

She found it difficult to even go out, let alone see Wei Lan and Ming Yi. The old Tang restaurant had become her only escape, as she could at least look out the window and occasionally see Ming Yi and Wei Lan walking past. This brought her a little comfort. So when Wei Lan appeared, her joy was hard to put into words.

Wei Lan’s heart warmed, and she quickly walked over to take Tang Xue’s hand. Tang Xue’s face radiated with the joy of a long-awaited reunion. “Sister, it’s been so long! I’ve missed you terribly.”

As she spoke, her gaze unconsciously shifted past Wei Lan, seemingly searching for someone, but her expression quickly dimmed. She hurriedly lowered her head, concealing her disappointment. With a sigh, she lifted her head again and forced a smile, pulling Wei Lan into the room.

“Cui Liu went to the kitchen to get the old Tang roast chicken. You haven’t been here for a while, so I’m sure you’re craving it. You used to love it. Don’t tell me you don’t like it now?”

Wei Lan quickly waved her hand in explanation. “No, no, the roast chicken is still as delicious as ever! But… the clinic is quite busy these days, and the expenses are high. One of your roast chickens costs a tael of silver, which is a bit too expensive. It’s actually cheaper to buy a live chicken. Plus, Sister Honghua at the clinic is a great cook, and after eating her food, I’m not really craving anything else.”

Tang Xue smiled lightly, covering her mouth. “I see. Well, you must eat well today. Don’t neglect yourself.”

Seeing Tang Xue’s enthusiasm, Wei Lan’s heart stirred, and she seized the opportunity to speak. “Miss, I came today to ask for a favor. There’s something important I hope you can help with.”

Tang Xue looked momentarily stunned, then smiled. “Oh? What is it? If I can help, I’ll certainly do my best.”

Wei Lan told Tang Xue everything about the Zhibao Pill and continued, “Ming Yi asked me to ask if the Tang family has a real Zhibao Pill. We can use it to compare and see if the one from Baoyuantang is real or fake.”

Tang Xue immediately responded, “This is something we need to check carefully. Baoyuantang’s reputation is well known. If they’re really selling fake medicine, it’s a great betrayal!” She called out, “Huang Li, bring the Zhibao Pill from my room.”

Huang Li replied and quickly went to fetch it.

At this moment, Cui Liu had gone to the kitchen, and Huang Li had left to retrieve the Zhibao Pill, leaving only Tang Xue and Wei Lan in the private room.

Tang Xue, who had always liked Wei Lan, and especially since she was Ming Yi’s sister, said, “Wei Lan, people like you are rare in this world. You appear in public so naturally, without a hint of awkwardness, as if it’s just the way things should be. I really envy you.”

After saying this, she sighed slightly, her eyes filled with a trace of loneliness.

Wei Lan, seeing this, quickly reached out to hold her hand. Though it was spring, with the sun shining brightly, Tang Xue’s hand was as cold as water. Wei Lan’s heart sank, thinking to herself: People all have their worries, just like the city walls. Those inside wish to go out, but those outside wish to come in.

She knew that Tang Xue must have her own troubles, so she gently spoke, “Sister, do you have something on your mind? Why not tell me? Maybe I can offer some advice or suggestions.”

Tang Xue seemed slightly taken aback, her eyes showing a hint of melancholy. She sighed softly and said, “I feel like a bird in a cage, with my wings clipped, only able to wander in this confined space. My dream is just like yours—to do what I want to do, to search for the world’s best food, and to open the old Tang restaurant all over the Ming Dynasty. But now, I’m stuck with this small restaurant, unable to spread my wings.”

Wei Lan’s eyes showed a trace of determination, and she gripped Tang Xue’s hand tightly, speaking softly, “Sister, that’s not true. Even if a bird is caged, it can still break free one day. With your talent and ambition, how can you be confined to this small restaurant? If you truly wish to achieve this, I will help you with all my might.”

Tang Xue felt her heart warm slightly from Wei Lan’s words, but there was still a sense of helplessness. She looked at Wei Lan, her eyes filled with complexity. After a few seconds, she quickly turned her gaze away, seemingly unwilling to let Wei Lan see the sorrow in her eyes.

She forced a smile and said in a lighter tone, “Thank you for your words, but some things are probably destined by fate, beyond our control. Let’s not talk about these depressing things.”

She continued, “By the way, Ming Yi has already turned twenty. He’s broken off two engagements before, both claiming that their birthdates didn’t match. I always feel like there’s something strange about this. Do you know the real reason why your brother broke off his engagements?”

Wei Lan was shocked, her mouth hanging open in surprise. “Ah?! I’ve never heard of this before!”

She thought to herself: What does this ‘birthdate match’ really mean? How can it be so important, even determining the success or failure of a marriage? When I asked Liu Yao about it, she said the same thing, that it was because the ‘birthdates didn’t match,’ and I thought it was just a formality, but now it seems to be real.

She had never heard of a broken engagement because of this before.