The next day, Su Li went out, accompanied by Si Qin and Zhi Shu.
Upon arriving at the Su Ji Garnt Shop, they indeed saw the shop opposite was also preparing to open. Its decorative style was identical to her own shop; at a glance, one might even mistake it for a branch of Su Ji.
“Miss, these people are truly shaless!” Zhi Shu exclaid indignantly. Their Su Ji shop’s layout was sothing Miss had painstakingly conceived over sleepless nights, and to have it imitated like this would make anyone feel uncomfortable.
Su Li smiled and shook her head, saying, “It’s alright. There are no laws in Tian Qi prohibiting such things. Besides, our garnts aren’t sothing they can easily imitate. In business, the most crucial thing is the quality of the goods; only then can it last.”
Her shop was called Su Ji Garnt Shop, and the one opposite was called Yu Ji Garnt Shop. There were a few small characters in the bottom right corner. Su Li drew closer to see clearly what was written: ‘Snow-Floating Down Jackets’. She had never heard the new term ‘down jacket’ before; it must have been another invention of Yu Banxia’s.
“Si Qin, when they open, go buy one.”
“Know yourself, know your enemy, and you’ll erge victorious from a hundred battles.”
“Yes, Miss.”
“Let’s go, to Apricot Grove Pharmacy.” Su Li re-entered her carriage.
The streets were crowded today, with red lanterns and red silk strears hanging everywhere, gradually creating a festive atmosphere for the upcoming new year.
Upon arriving at Apricot Grove Pharmacy, Su Li led her two maids inside.
“Owner, you’ve arrived?” the dicine boy, taking a mont, poked his head out to greet her.
Su Li smiled and nodded.
A commoner asked, “Is this masked woman your owner?”
“Your owner is actually a woman?”
The dicine boy replied enthusiastically, “Yes, she is. Here’s your dicine.” The dicine boy did not reveal Su Li’s identity, and Su Li was very pleased with his quick wit.
Just then, Doctor Changchun erged and led Su Li and her maids into the back hall.
“Owner, I was just about to head out to the Zhongyong Marquis Estate.”
Su Li nodded, “Mhm, just take the dicine according to the prescription I gave you.”
“Once word gets out that the Princess is the owner of Apricot Grove Hall, and with these few patients, I believe no one will dare to cause trouble for Apricot Grove Hall.”
Su Li took a sip of tea and said, “I ca today to discuss sothing with you. I heard you ntion yesterday that Apricot Grove Hall usually acquires dicinal herbs from individual sellers?”
“Yes, initially we had partner apothecaries who supplied us on ti, but due to pressure from the Chamber of Comrce, so apothecaries no longer dared to sell to us. Others started price gouging, raising prices by more than double.”
“Our Apricot Grove Hall originally only charged for the dicinal herbs themselves, barely making ends et. If we were to buy high-priced herbs, we wouldn’t be able to sustain ourselves at all. So, we’ve had to put in extra effort to purchase from individual sellers. However, individual sellers also have drawbacks: the quantity of herbs is unstable, and the quality can be inconsistent.”
Su Li saw his furrowed brows and smiled, “Doctor Changchun, there’s no need to worry. This situation of being constrained by others won’t last much longer. I plan to grow dicinal herbs on my estate in the imperial outskirts. We’ll cultivate common herbs and those needed in large quantities. As for special, difficult-to-grow ones, my estate already has quite a few planted.”
Doctor Changchun was startled: “The Princess also knows how to cultivate dicinal herbs?”
Su Li took out a piece of paper and said, “These are the dicinal herb seeds I need. Please help procure them. They are all very common. I’ve bought quite a lot of the others previously, which should be enough.”
Doctor Changchun took the list, glanced at it, and nodded, “These are no problem, the shop has them all now.”
Su Li nodded and said, “Good. Once you have these ready, leave the matter of the dicinal herbs to . You should go treat those noble patients according to the prescriptions I gave you, so that Apricot Grove Hall’s reputation spreads among these high-ranking officials and nobles. That way, our Apricot Grove Hall’s standing in the capital will be more secure, and the Chamber of Comrce naturally won’t dare to interfere.”
The Chamber of Comrce had complex connections, and its mbers had intricate ties with high-ranking officials and nobles. If Apricot Grove Hall had a few more powerful backers, its position would naturally be more stable.
“I understand,” Doctor Changchun nodded.
Su Li stood up to take her leave, “Since you also have matters to attend to, I won’t delay you any longer. Farewell.”
“I’ll escort the Princess out.”
Leaving the pharmacy, they saw it was still early.
“Let’s make a trip to the palace.”
Once in the carriage, Si Qin asked, “Miss, what are we going to the palace for?”
Su Li said, “The day before yesterday, when the palace attendant from Consort De’s palace ca to deliver sothing, she ntioned that Consort De has recently been going to bed only between 11 PM and 1 AM and waking up before 5 AM, leading to poor sleep and no appetite for als. I’m going into the palace to examine her.”
Consort De would send fresh Crystal Fruits or novelties to the Minister’s Estate every few days.
Si Qin smiled, “Miss is truly filial.”
Su Li wasn’t annoyed by her teasing. If others were good to her by one asure, she would repay them tenfold. In this world, there were few people she truly held dear, only a handful.
With her token, she entered Consort De’s palace without any hindrance.
“Greetings, Princess Changning. Just now, Consort De was ntioning how you haven’t entered the palace for several days, and coincidentally, here you are,” Sulan, a palace attendant, said, eagerly bowing as Su Li entered.
“Sulan, is it Li’er who has co?” Consort De’s voice drifted from within the hall.
Sulan smiled at Su Li, “See how happy Consort De is to hear the Princess has arrived.”
Su Li smiled and followed Sulan into the main hall.
“Consort De, the Princess has arrived,” Sulan replied with a smile.
Su Li stepped forward and bowed, “Greetings, Consort De.”
Consort De smiled and stepped forward to help her up, “You child, I’ve told you not to be so formal, yet you never listen.” As she spoke, she pulled Su Li further inside.
“Sulan, go get so fresh Crystal Fruits. Later, Li’er can take so back for her mother to taste.”
“Thank you, Consort De.”
Su Li saw Consort De’s dark circles under her eyes, indicating she indeed hadn’t been sleeping well. Her complexion was no longer as radiant as before; in fact, there was a subtle hint of decline.
“Consort De, allow to take your pulse and examine you,” Su Li said after helping her sit down.
Consort De chuckled, “I’m fine. It must be those gossiping palace attendants.” Despite her words, she still extended her hand for Su Li to take her pulse.
“They are just worried about you, hoping for your good health,” Su Li said with a smile. Placing her fingers on Consort De’s pulse, Su Li carefully took her reading. After a while, she couldn’t help but frown.
“Consort De, have your monthly cycles been irregular recently? And do you often experience abdominal pain?”
Seeing her frown, Consort De’s expression beca serious, “That’s right. Occasionally, I also feel chest tightness. Is it very serious? The imperial physicians all said I was fine.”
Su Li said, “This isn’t a major illness. Generally, won around fifty will experience these symptoms, and afterward, their aging process will accelerate. Logically, Consort De, you haven’t reached that stage yet, so you shouldn’t be experiencing such conditions.”
Consort De was surprised: “Could it be man-made? Has soone poisoned ?”
Su Li shook her head, saying, “This isn’t sothing dicine can control. Don’t worry, Li’er will write a prescription, and if you follow it, in less than seven days, your complexion will be even more radiant than before.”
No woman doesn’t love beauty, let alone a woman in the palace. Consort De happily patted Su Li’s hand and said, “It’s a good thing I have you.”
Su Li smiled, “Consort De, if you ever feel unwell again, please send for Imperial Physician Qiu. He is trustworthy.”
Consort De nodded, “I’ll listen to Li’er.”
Su Li wrote two prescriptions: one for regulating the body and another for preserving youth and beauty. After receiving the prescriptions, Consort De imdiately sent soone to fetch the dicinal ingredients.
Seeing that it was almost noon, Consort De asked Su Li to stay for a al. Afterward, Su Li helped Consort De stroll outside the hall to aid digestion.
“Recently, Ziyan [Crown Prince Jun Mo], I don’t know what he’s busy with. He used to co every few days, but now I don’t even see a shadow of him. It’s a good thing you co to keep company from ti to ti,” Consort De sighed.
“His Highness must be busy with the Emperor’s assassination attempt from a while ago. Once he finishes, he’ll definitely co to the palace to pay his respects to you.”
Consort De looked at the exquisitely blooming red plum blossoms and instructed Sulan to break off a few branches to put in a vase.
“Recently, the Sixth Prince has been coming to the palace frequently. I see the Emperor is growing increasingly fond of him. Why, just yesterday, he even sent clothes to all the palaces, claiming they were filled with poultry feathers and incredibly warm to wear.”
Su Li instantly understood; those must be the so-called down jackets.
Su Li smiled, “Then why doesn’t Consort De wear them?”
Commoners mostly wore padded jackets to ward off the cold, while palace nobles had padded jackets and cloaks made of animal fur.
“I didn’t take that thing,” Consort De said. Then she leaned closer to Su Li and whispered, “I’m afraid of falling into his trap, just like the Crown Prince did.” After saying that, she even playfully winked at Su Li.
Su Li couldn’t help but laugh; Jun Mo must have said sothing to Consort De to make her so cautious.
After strolling for a while and returning to the hall, and ensuring Consort De had taken her dicine, Su Li took her leave with her maids.
As they neared the palace gate, they happened to encounter Jun Hui, who was just about to enter the palace. Su Li bowed slightly and walked past him.
“Princess Changning.”
Su Li turned to look at him and said, “Does Sixth Prince have sothing to say?”
Jun Hui looked at Su Li, walked towards her, and stopped about a step away.
“This Prince is quite puzzled. I always feel that the Princess greatly dislikes . I wonder when this Prince might have offended the Princess?”
Su Li offered a faint smile and said, “Your Highness is overthinking. If there’s nothing else, I shall take my leave now.”
Jun Hui watched her retreating figure, his gaze profound.
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