Chapter Thirty-Four: The Test

  The wedding has been settled, and Mrs. Lu tactfully explained that the Lu family had many things to attend to, and Lu Qi was newly appointed as the Protector of the County and was busy with official duties every day, so they could only wait until everything was stable before formally welcoming Xin Yuer. For now, although Xin Yuer hadn't moved in yet, she was already considered a daughter-in-law of the Lu family. Later, she would first live in the rear house of the pharmacy in Wangjiangbao and manage the pharmacy as the Young Madam.

  Xin Niang heard that Lu Qi was a protector of the county, and her expression showed great surprise. She asked very carefully, and Lu's mother gave a detailed explanation. After explaining, she asked Xin Niang not to spread it around, lest there be changes in the future that would lead to ridicule from others.

  Aunt Xin glanced at Lu Qi strangely and agreed, then sincerely told Madam Lu that she would let Xin Yuner leave the Zhou residence to marry separately. The aunt and niece felt deeply sorry for Miss Yan'er, and from now on, Xin Yuner would often go visit Miss Yan'er. If in the future Miss Yan'er was willing to marry into the Lu family, Xin Yuner would yield her position as first wife to Miss Yan'er and willingly become a concubine.

  Lu's mother just smiled and didn't respond to what Xin Niang said, then changed the subject and asked about Zhou Yue'er's servant girl, because she was introduced by Xin Niang.

  Aunt Xīn said that today she would take Zhōu Yuè to go see the widow, who was the concubine of the Lú family's fifth son in the west residential area of Wàngjiāngbǎo. The deceased husband had died suddenly at home without illness, and the Lú family had invited a Taoist priest to perform a ritual. The Taoist priest said that it was the concubine's fate to be killed by the evil spirit, so the Lú family was in a hurry to sell.

  Xin Niang explained that the fifth son of Lu's family was lustful and greedy for wine, and his sudden death was caused by his indulgence in sex and alcohol. The Taoist priest he invited was just a swindler. She knew that her late husband's concubine came from a declining official family, with both literary talent and good looks, knowing etiquette and being gentle. As Lu Er Gongzi was a scholar, it was natural for him to buy a concubine who was not an illiterate and coarse woman.

  Mrs. Lu hesitated for a while after hearing this, then instructed Zhou Yue'er to go with Xin Niang to take a look, and told Zhou Yue'er that if she agreed, they would finalize the arrangement at noon today, and after picking up the person at the Lu's house, they would directly go to the pharmacy to hold the entrance ceremony, because the pharmacy belonged to the Lu family, going straight to the city might miss the noon hour, Mrs. Lu's thinking was quite superstitious.

  After Xin Niang and Zhou Yue'er left, Lu Mu, her son, daughter-in-law, and Ning'er went to the pharmacy together. When they arrived at the pharmacy, they saw that it was neat and tidy, showing that Xiao Yun and Dong Qing were managing it with great care.

  When Lu Mu and Lu Qi arrived, the two little girls hurried out of the counter to kneel down and see them. Lu Mu let them get up and praised them for a few words, introducing Xin Yuner to them, making it clear that from now on they would be Xin Yuner's maidservants, and in the future, Xin Yuner would be in charge of the pharmacy affairs.

  Two little girls looked surprised, Lu Qi had said that the medicine shop would let them be in charge of management, but it had only been a few days and they had changed. After being stunned for a moment, they hurriedly knelt down to see Xin Yuer, calling her "master mother". Xin Yuer gently and softly helped them up.

  The two little girls just got up, and Lu Qi suddenly said: "Xiao Yun, the young lady is mainly in charge of managing accounts, operating Chinese medicinal materials and checking them. It will still be managed by you, and the young lady will cooperate with you."

  He said that, and the three young women were stunned. Xin Yun'er's face turned red as she glanced at Lu Qi, and she spoke seriously to Xiao Yun: "Xiao Yun, Master's orders are correct. I know you understand the business of buying medicine materials. From now on, I'll listen to your advice on managing the business. I'll be responsible for daily income and expenses, as well as purchasing goods. You need to tell me in time what goods we need to purchase, and I will try my best to solve it."

  "Yes, Young Mistress, I understand." Xiaoyun replied happily. She found that the Young Mistress was a reasonable and tolerant mistress, without any arrogance. Normally, mistresses would pretend to be profound and dignified in order to show their nobility.

  Lu Mu smiled and glanced at her son, Lu Qi's face slightly embarrassed as he turned his head away. This first test, Xin Yun'er passed with flying colors, entering the door smoothly. Xin Yun'er didn't know what Lu Qi was thinking in his heart, her words and actions were sincere, as a daughter-in-law of the Lu family, she naturally had to think for the benefit of the Lu family. She knew that in business, not understanding the situation was taboo, in her mind, making money and being a good wife were two different things.

  The first encounter was peaceful, Xiao Yun handed over the prepared medicine and account book to Xin Yuer, who blushed as she took a rough look, after all, she was still a maiden, how could she not blush when thinking that she was someone else's wife?

  Lu Qi stole a glance, and Xinyuner's shy daughter-like demeanor made him feel strange, but in front of her mother and Ning'er, he was calm and collected. After hesitating for a moment, he walked over, took the list of missing medicines from the cabinet, and examined it carefully. Seeing that Xiaoyun had written very detailed notes, with prices for each medicine marked for both last year and this year, they would have a reference price when purchasing the medicines, making it less likely to be cheated.

  "Xiao Yun, this list is well-prepared. Do you know where to buy these medicines at the best price?" Lu Qi asked.

  "Master, previously the Zhao family used to purchase medicine from Wanshengtang in San Yuanyuan County. Wanshengtang mainly deals with wholesale and provides discounts for long-term customers such as pharmacies and clinics." Xiangyun replied softly.

  Lu Qi nodded, San Yuan County and Shi Diao County were separated by Tai Ping County, the distance was nearly two hundred miles, a round trip would take at least two days. Currently, he served as the protector of the county, going to distant states to sell medicine for too long is not suitable, going to San Yuan County to sell medicine can quickly open the shop in the city.

  "Xiao Yun, in a few days you'll follow me to San Yuan County to purchase medicinal herbs and then return." Lu Qi's voice was firm with the plan.

  "Yes, young master." Xiaoyun replied in a soft and cheerful voice, her eyes sparkling with clarity. Xinyuner couldn't help but glance at her intentionally or unintentionally.

  Next, Madam Lu took Xinyu to the back house, and Ning'er and Dongqing followed. Lu Qi stayed in the shop with Xiaoyun to watch the shop and chat. Xiaoyun praised Xinyu for being beautiful and elegant, a kind-hearted good wife. It was Lu Qi's good fortune to have married such a wonderful woman. Lu Qi felt delighted upon hearing this, thinking that not only had his career made some progress after returning home, but also that a beauty had taken a liking to him, truly a joyful thing in life.

  After about half an hour, Zhou Yue'er and Xin Niang also arrived at the pharmacy. Seeing the calm and slightly happy expressions of the two women, Lu Qi estimated that the matter of looking for a concubine was going smoothly. He truly supported Zhou Yue'er in buying a concubine for his brother. If a couple were old and childless, it would be a very painful psychological torment. Hopefully, buying a concubine could bring good fortune to his brother and alleviate his worries.

  Zhou Yu'er and Xin Niang went to the back house not long ago, Dong Qing hurriedly took a shopping list and called out Xiao Yun because Xiao Yun could read characters, while Dong Qing could hardly recognize any.

  Two little girls went out, and Ning Er also came to the shop from the back house, passing on Lu Mu's words, telling him not to speak recklessly at noon and to be prepared to cooperate with the ceremony at any time. Lu Qi shook his head helplessly, in this chaotic world where evil spirits were rampant, his mother and most of the common people deeply believed in and were infatuated with all sorts of heresies, and now that they had bought a concubine, they would have to go through another ordeal.

  "Ning Er, do you think Xin Yue Er is a good woman?" Lu Qi asked.

  Ning'er was taken aback and said softly: "I am a concubine, I shouldn't privately comment on my master, don't ask me like this again."

  Lu Qi was stunned, and softly said: "Ning Er, I won't ask you anymore, but I'll tell you this - if she treats you badly, I won't tolerate it."

  Ning's delicate face changed, she stretched out her jade hand and grasped Lu Qi's sleeve, saying in a low and urgent tone: "Little Seven, Xin Zhu Mu is your wife, scolding and beating the concubines is very normal, you quickly agree with sister, don't let sister and Xin Zhu Mu conflict in the future, sister doesn't want to cause trouble for the Lu family, that way the madam will also be heartbroken."

  Lu Qi shook his head firmly and said: "A wife has the right to scold a concubine, but Ning Er you are different, in the Lu family I absolutely do not allow anyone to bully you."

  Ning'er's beautiful eyes had tears in them, and she said in a choked voice: "Xiao Qi, you're good to me, sister's heart is warm and happy, but don't make things difficult for sister. Sister is a concubine, and it's normal for Master Xin's wife to scold and order her around. As long as sister behaves herself and obeys, it's just a small matter that will be forgotten in an instant. But if you get angry and blame Master Xin's wife, she'll think you're making a big deal out of nothing and have prejudices against her, which will lead to intentional rejection and hatred towards sister. At that time, the entire Lu family won't be at peace. Xiao Qi, you've grown up now, you need to learn to control your personal likes and dislikes. If you overindulge sister, it will only provoke the resentment of other wives and concubines. If conflicts arise, Madam will definitely make sister leave you and go serve in her quarters, which is what sister fears most. Sister would rather suffer some humiliation than leave you. Xiao Qi, for sister's sake, you must endure and that's the true way to be good to sister."

  Lu Qi listened and was deeply moved, Ning Er's words were sharp and hurtful, he stretched out his arms to hug Ning Er tightly, whispering in her ear: "Ning Er, I promise you that I will try my best to endure it, as long as it's not too excessive, I will try my best to endure it."

  "With your goodness, sister is content." Ning Er said softly, two strings of clear tears quietly fell, wetting Lu Qi's collar.