The Fallen Medicine Woman: The Daily Life of Chun Nuan-Chapter 197 - 149

"Sister, what’s the situation with Tang Qinglin?"

Chun Ning was never aware that the Xiao family had any connection with a person named Tang Qinglin.

"Tang Qinglin is the only closed-door disciple of our grandfather," Chun Ning informed them. "However, he has a crooked mind and likes to take devious paths. Grandfather tried to persuade him many times to no avail, ultimately severing ties with him and forbidding him from referring to grandfather as his master in public."

"I see."

Zhao Minghua found himself in a dilemma.

"I’ve signed an agreement for this batch of goods with him, for one thousand bottles. If the delivery isn’t timely, the breach penalty isn’t small."

"Go ahead and deliver this batch. I’ll prepare one thousand bottles for you." Chun Nuan had a premonition that the frostbite ointment might get ruined with this thousand bottles.

Tang Qinglin is such a cunning fellow; the Xiao family had already returned to Shu City, and with a little inquiry, he would know that I’m also here.

Back then, when I was busy in the pharmacy, he watched frequently and asked me about many things.

Despite being twelve years older than me, his mind isn’t as sharp.

Moreover, he loves to take advantage, saying that based on seniority, I should call him Uncle Master.

Out of respect and teaching decorum, since he’s grandfather’s closed-door disciple, calling him Uncle Master isn’t wrong.

I respectfully called him Uncle Master and didn’t withhold any knowledge. I taught him what he didn’t understand, and he indeed learned quite a lot.

Later, after grandfather expelled him from the apprenticeship, Chun Nuan learned he privately concocted a medicine and sold it to the women in back courtyards.

It was a type of aphrodisiac, but because of his inadequate skills, the dosage was too high and nearly caused fatalities.

Grandfather cleaned up the mess and urged him to stop, yet he became more unscrupulous, using those pills for profiteering, leaving grandfather no choice but to expel him from the apprenticeship.

"Tang Qinglin’s grandfather and great-grandfather were old friends who went to the capital together. Both families are aristocratic; he’s the youngest grandson of the Tang family. Old Master Tang forcefully placed him under grandfather’s tutelage, not expecting his insidious nature to cause significant unpleasantness."

"Later I heard that Tang Qinglin returned to Shuzhou and opened a pharmacy named Longevity Hall."

"Does he dare call it Longevity Hall when selling such irresponsible medicine?" Chun Ning was surprised. "His guts are indeed large."

"Yes, grandfather saw that he repeatedly failed to change his conduct and decided based on his poor character. Afterwards, grandfather never accepted another disciple again."

The heartbreak was profound.

"Uncle, father, and third uncle didn’t study medicine either."

Chun Ning was puzzled why the legacy wasn’t passed down through generations.

"It was great-grandfather who forbade it."

After becoming an Imperial Physician himself, great-grandfather realized that serving the emperor was like serving a tiger. He endured harsh experiences, while his son, having learned from a young age, followed the same path. The grandchildren were not allowed to follow suit.

"Grandfather felt very regretful, often lamenting that he had no one to pass the mantle to."

The result of two generations’ efforts, with so many secret formulas, ultimately only to be taken to the grave, was a regret for him. One day, he discovered his little granddaughter liked to fiddle with herbs, loved to delve into the pharmacy and could quietly sit in the corner reading medical books. If she didn’t understand, she’d timidly ask, which delighted the old man immensely.

Furthermore, since she was his granddaughter, even if she was talented, she wouldn’t have to become an Imperial Physician in the palace, being able to avoid disputes. Thus, he strongly supported Chun Nuan in her studies.

Having just this one successor, what was there to hold back?

He taught everything he knew and was delighted to find his granddaughter had immense talent in this area.

At a young age, she could identify and understand medicinal herbs, process them, and even formulate pills. At that moment, the old man was extremely excited, openly stating that she would become a master pharmacist in the future.

Grandfather wouldn’t have imagined that one day, instead of becoming a master pharmacist, she would use her skills in processing medicinal materials and making medicine to earn some money.

Grandfather once said that to be a good doctor, one shouldn’t think about making money.

But Chun Nuan violated grandfather’s principle; there’s no choice, the Xiao family needs money!

Of course, she didn’t become a doctor; she just knows how to process medicinal materials and make some pills.

Chun Ning quickly dispatched the one thousand bottles of frostbite ointment, and Zhao Minghua promptly sent them to Longevity Hall in Shuzhou.

"Brother Zhao, Doctor Xiao from your family is quite impressive. If there are more goods in the future, send them my way. We can all earn money together, and prosper together."

"Sure, sure."

From Chun Nuan’s words, Zhao Minghua understood this was someone who didn’t play by the rules, which made him somewhat wary.

Sure enough, during a casual tea chat, Tang Qinglin constantly shifted the conversation to the Xiao family.

"I once studied under Doctor Xiao. The Xiao Imperial Physician’s ancestral home is in your city of Changzhou. Unfortunately, the fate between us as master and disciple was shallow. Respecting his elderly age, he couldn’t further impart his teachings to me, enabling me to graduate." Tang Qinglin said, "Later, upon hearing of the master’s troubles, I shed quite a few tears. Then I learned the master’s wife and family returned to Shu City. Brother Zhao, could you inquire about any news of my master’s family for me? I should pay a visit to see if there’s any help they might need."

"Is that so? Do you know where the Xiao Imperial Physician’s family resides?"

"I don’t know, only heard it’s Shu City in Changzhou, where Brother Zhao, you are from." Tang Qinglin said, "Brother Zhao, if you hear any news of my master’s family, please inform me. I will certainly find time to visit them and fulfill my duty as a disciple."

Zhao Minghua finally understood why some people sang better than they spoke.

Moreover, though he was expelled by the Xiao Imperial Physician, he embellished it as if he perfectly completed his apprenticeship.

By putting a shining gold halo on his head, he’s hoping people will believe in his prowess.

"Sure, I’ll help you inquire. However, my father warned me: the Xiao Imperial Physician was executed; the male descendants were exiled; the female household returned to Shu City. If encountered, one should stay clear of them to avoid getting into trouble, as they are currently shunned by the emperor." Zhao Minghua said, "It’s surprising that Shopkeeper Tang is so noble, knowing there’s trouble yet not avoiding it, and actively offering help. In these days, such people like Shopkeeper Tang are indeed rare. Rest assured, I will find out the Xiao family’s news and deliver it to you, or bring all the Xiao family members to Shuzhou for you to help watch over."

"No." Tang Qinglin’s brows twitched after hearing this. "They’ve been ordered by the emperor to return to their native place. Leaving Changzhou casually would be a great disrespect to the Holy Emperor. This must not happen. Just inquire for me; I shall visit them."

"Sure, I will not fail in my duty and will certainly find Tang Shopkeeper’s master’s wife and family."

Zhao Minghua almost swore an oath.

Upon hearing this, Tang Qinglin cursed him as a fool in his heart, wondering: did he take everything he said seriously?

How could such a simple mind dare to venture into business?

Zhao Minghua then discussed other pills with Tang Qinglin.

"Not to brag, but our Longevity Hall holds the unique know-how in pill-making, taught in entirety by my master. In this aspect, it’s unparalleled. Even your Changzhou’s Doctor Xiao definitely wouldn’t be able to match." Suddenly remembering something, Tang Qinglin swiftly asked, "The Doctor Xiao you mentioned, is it male or female, and what age?"