Chapter 62: A Man Must Be Beaten to Be Good, A Bell Must Be Struck to Sound

When Xiang Xiang Junzheng, having received the Emperor's reward, returned to the manor in high spirits, he learned that the Wu family had arrived and was waiting in the hall.

The silver had originally been gathered by the Wu family patriarch, Wu Chi, to save his son Wu De, but the Metropolitan Governor refused to budge. The Wu patriarch then pleaded at the Prime Minister's residence, but Lady Gao wouldn't even let him in. With his son still not rescued, he received news that his eldest daughter's position as mistress of the Jun household was in jeopardy and was begged to return the money to the Jun manor. Wu Chi weighed his options and decided to use the silver to help his daughter first; once she secured her position as mistress, the Wu family would naturally benefit. While entrusting someone to inquire about a good scar-removing medicine, he personally delivered the silver to the Jun manor.

Seeing that the Wu family patriarch had come in person, Xiang Xiang Junzheng was not overly warm, merely staring blankly at the 1.5 million taels of silver the Wu family had brought. Wu Chi, knowing he was in the wrong, dared not argue much with his son-in-law, who held the rank of Minister.

The Jun family's current situation indeed desperately needed this silver. After deducting the portion for the second young lady, 1 million taels remained. He wanted it badly, but the Wu family had a condition: the silver could be taken, but the position of Mistress Wu and the status of Jun Jun Yiyi as a legitimate daughter must be preserved. Xiang Xiang Junzheng had originally stripped Mistress Wu of her position and had no immediate plans to appoint a new mistress, but considering the ancestral sacrifices were approaching, it was improper for the manor to lack a mistress. Thus, he accepted the silver and agreed.

Seeing Xiang Xiang Junzheng accept the silver, Wu Chi breathed a sigh of relief. He knew the deal was done; his daughter's position was temporarily secure, and the Wu family would not lose its support.

"My Lord Jun, then this old man is reassured. Regarding today's matter, I hope My Lord Jun will not go back on his word," Wu Chi said.

Xiang Xiang Junzheng nodded slightly. "Since I have agreed, I will not go back on my word. However, the Wu family must also remember not to cause further trouble, or do not blame me for turning ruthless."

Wu Chi repeatedly agreed, then took his leave.

Mistress Wu had been demoted to concubine and confined to her quarters, bringing peace to the manor finally. Early the next morning, Jun Jun Zijin took Han Xiao to Daotongantang. Daotongantang was a pharmacy that was part of Fang Fang Mengru's dowry; originally two connected shops, they had been merged into one. Having just been reclaimed from Wu De's hands, it was managed by Nanny Dong. Jun Jun Zijin did not distrust Nanny Dong, but a pharmacy was unlike other shops; while others merely made money, a pharmacy, being so special, could endanger health or even life if mishandled. Previously in Wu De's hands, one never knew what chaos might have arisen.

Just as they reached the entrance, they saw a ragged old man holding half a tree root, crying out at the counter. The newly hired Shopkeeper stood nearby, listening, looking utterly at a loss.

Jun Jun Zijin stepped forward and asked:

"Shopkeeper Tang, what is going on here?"

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, Shopkeeper Tang seemed to see a savior and hurriedly said:

"Young Lady, this old uncle says his wife has been ill for a long time and is on the verge of death. The Physician said she needed ginseng to boost her qi, so he sold everything in his home to gather 20 taels of silver to buy a ginseng root at Daotongantang. But yesterday, after giving it to his wife, it did nothing at all. When a Physician came to examine it, it turned out not to be ginseng at all, but merely a piece of tree root. This old uncle has come to the shop."

Jun Jun Zijin's gaze darkened. She took the so-called "ginseng" to inspect it and found it was indeed a common tree root disguised, with some rough processing marks on it. She felt secret anger. Damn Wu De, how dare he be so audacious, using fake medicine to swindle the common people. It seemed he had been punished too lightly; truly, a man must be beaten to be good, and a bell must be struck to sound.

Seeing that someone who seemed to be in charge had arrived, the old man hurriedly said:

"Miss, I heard from this Shopkeeper that you are the new owners of the pharmacy, having only taken over today, but my silver is gone! My wife's condition has been delayed, and she has only a breath left. What shall we do?" the old man cried anxiously.

Jun Jun Zijin turned to comfort the old man:

"Old uncle, do not worry. Although the shop has changed owners, we will certainly give you justice."

"Shopkeeper Tang, wrap a ginseng root for the elder; saving a life is urgent," Jun Jun Zijin instructed Nanny Dong:

"From now on, whenever this old uncle comes for ordinary medicinal herbs, give them to him for free. For more precious items, charge him only the cost."

After packing up her medicine box, Jun Jun Zijin took the ginseng wrapped by Shopkeeper Tang and said to the old man:

"Old uncle, I am a Physician, and I am also the owner of this pharmacy from now on. Take this ginseng. Lead me to your home; I will examine your wife."

The old man thanked her profusely and led Jun Jun Zijin through winding paths. Along the way, the old man told Jun Jun Zijin that his wife had once been a midwife, but was struck down by a sudden severe illness and had been bedridden ever since. All the family's silver had been spent on treating her, but the Physicians were helpless. Her condition had worsened day by day, and no one knew how many days she could last.

Jun Jun Zijin listened quietly. About two quarters of an hour later, they arrived before a dilapidated thatched cottage. Inside, a stench of decay hung in the air, and the old woman lay dying on the bed.

After examining her carefully, Jun Jun Zijin frowned slightly. She first sliced the ginseng and fed it to the old woman, then took out golden needles to perform acupuncture. Moments later, the old woman slowly opened her eyes.

Jun Jun Zijin stood up and said:

"The old woman's condition is no longer critical, but she has suffered too long. She needs one more acupuncture session, followed by herbal treatment, and she will be able to rise soon."

Jun Jun Zijin wrote a prescription for the old man, telling him to get the medicine at Daotongantang, and then instructed Han Xiao to take out 20 taels of silver to give to the old man.

The old man, however, refused to accept the silver no matter what, saying only:

"Benefactor! I have no way to repay Young Lady's great kindness; how can I take your silver!"

As the old man spoke, he began to kneel before Jun Jun Zijin.

Jun Jun Zijin caught him and held him up:

"Old uncle, there is no need for this. Healing the sick and saving lives is the duty of a Physician. You just take good care of the old woman. Take the silver to buy some nutritious food to strengthen her. I have other matters; I will return in a few days to perform acupuncture on the old woman again." Jun Jun Zijin stuffed the silver into the old man's arms, then turned and left.

Returning to Daotongantang, Jun Jun Zijin instructed Shopkeeper Tang to count the remaining medicinal herbs in the shop to ensure no fake medicine remained. She told Shopkeeper Tang to handle and register any similar situations in the future; all such silver would be reclaimed from the Wu family.

When Jun Jun Zijin returned to the manor with Han Xiao, it was nearly evening. Nanny Zhou was waiting for her to serve the evening meal. Now that Nanny Dong managed the patent medicine workshop and the three shops from Fang Fang Mengru's dowry, and Xiao He managed the other three shops, there were not enough hands in Aoxue Courtyard. Jun Jun Zijin instructed Nanny Zhou to buy a few more maids. Although she was somewhat tired today, she made sure to settle all matters that needed instruction before returning to her sleeping quarters, where she washed simply and rested.