Having promised her mother to prepare the New Year's gifts, Su Li set out early in the morning with the butler and her maids.
The butler had initially suggested handling everything himself, but Mother Su believed that with her daughter soon reaching adulthood, it was best for her to experience these matters firsthand.
Inside the carriage, Su Li reviewed last year's gift list and added a few more items.
The streets were bustling with people. With the New Year approaching, even on a snowy day, vendors had set up their stalls. The aroma of various snacks from both sides wafted directly into the carriage.
Zhishu lifted the curtain and exclaimed happily, "Miss, it's so lively!"
Mohua, who often frequented the streets, was accustomed to the lively atmosphere outside. Mohua chuckled, "Zhishu, I bring you snacks back to the manor every day. Why are you still so greedy?"
Zhishu, her eyes fixed on the outside, replied without turning her head, "How can that be the same? Of course, freshly made food tastes much better!"
Su Li smiled, "Then let the coachman stop the carriage. We're not far from the East Market. Let's get down and walk around, we can stroll there."
Zhishu cheered, "Yay!"
Siqin and Mohua also had smiles in their eyes. After alighting from the carriage, they carefully helped Su Li down.
Children chased and played by the roadside, and the scolding voices of adults drifted over. The children giggled as they sang a nursery rhyme:
"Twenty-six, buy the meat.
Twenty-seven, buy the roast chicken.
Twenty-eight, buy a duck.
Twenty-nine, guard the door.
On New Year's Eve, stay up all night.
On the first day, stroll the street."
The shouts of street vendors were endless, mixed with the haggling of common folk with merchants, and the rumble of carriages... forming a vibrant picture of bustling life. These sounds made even the snowy day feel less cold.
The heavens favored them today; although snow was still falling, a faint warm sun already graced the horizon. The long-awaited sunshine lifted everyone's spirits considerably.
Noticing her maids eagerly eyeing the snacks on both sides, Su Li smiled, "Go buy whatever you want to eat. Just get the money from the butler."
Siqin told Zhishu and Mohua, "You two go. I'll stay with Miss."
Zhishu nodded, "Then I'll go buy for all of you. Miss, what would you like to eat?"
Su Li replied, "Don't worry about me. It's inconvenient for me with a veil."
Zhishu quickly returned with a pile of snacks. The maids shared some, then put the rest in the carriage.
The butler reviewed the list Su Li had compiled. It was highly detailed, filling an entire page with items such as: Lari Medicines, new calendars, various sizes of Door Gods, Peach Talismans, Zhong Kui images, Spring Couplets, Heavenly Travel Charms, and more.
The butler led the group, recommending shops according to the list Su Li had provided.
"Miss, we always buy our Lari Medicines at Apricot Grove Hall. They have a complete stock of herbs there."
Su Li nodded, "Very well, let's go to Apricot Grove Hall."
The group arrived in full force at Apricot Grove Hall. There were countless people buying Lari Medicines, and several pharmacy apprentices behind the counter were bustling about, hardly touching the ground.
One of the pharmacy apprentices called out loudly, "Don't rush, everyone! There are plenty of herbs. They were all prepared on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, perfect for brewing Tusuk Wine!"
The butler explained, "Because the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month is the Buddha's Enlightenment Day, this day is called 'Lari Day.' It's said that herbs and food prepared on this day are resistant to insects and can be stored for a long time. That's why many people prepare Lari Medicines, brew Lari wine, smoke Lari meat, and pickle Lari fish, among other things, on this day in preparation for the New Year festival."
Su Li nodded, smiling, "I never knew preparing for the New Year festival was such a profound art."
The butler chuckled, "Indeed, Miss. You can ask anything you wish to know."
Su Li took out a prescription and handed it to the butler, saying, "This is the Lari Medicine prescription I've written. Uncle Xu, do you think it's viable?"
The butler laughed, "That I wouldn't know. Miss understands pharmacology far better. However, a prescription written by Miss is naturally the best."
With that, he took the prescription to buy the herbs.
As soon as a pharmacy apprentice at Apricot Grove Hall saw the prescription, he said, "Elder, your Lari Medicine prescription is different from everyone else's. What if someone has a problem after taking it? You won't blame our Apricot Grove Hall, will you?"
Butler Xu said, "No, no, absolutely not. Just get the herbs according to what's written."
There was a reason why Apricot Grove Hall was the largest pharmacy in the Capital. The pharmacy apprentices were responsible and cautious.
"How about this? Please wait a moment, Elder. I'll take this prescription to Doctor Changchun to review. If there are no issues, I'll get the herbs for you."
Butler Xu glanced at Su Li, and Su Li nodded. Only then did Butler Xu say, "Alright."
The pharmacy apprentice took the prescription into an inner room and soon came out again. He was followed by an elderly man. The pharmacy apprentice pointed at Butler Xu and said, "Doctor Changchun, this is the person."
Butler Xu looked at the two, puzzled.
Doctor Changchun cupped his hands in a respectful bow towards Butler Xu and asked, "May I ask where this prescription came from?"
Butler Xu asked, "Is there anything improper about the prescription?"
Doctor Changchun shook his head, "Not at all. On the contrary, the person who wrote this prescription must possess exceptional medical skills. I would like to meet this person, please inform me."
Su Li stepped forward and said, "I wrote the prescription."
Doctor Changchun looked over. He saw a young lady wearing a veil, whose imposing aura was impossible to ignore.
Doctor Changchun was startled. There couldn't be a second young lady in the entire Capital with such excellent medical skills. Could it be...?
"Are you Princess Changning?" Doctor Changchun asked softly.
Su Li nodded.
Doctor Changchun was about to perform a grand salute, but Su Li stopped him.
"Doctor Changchun, there's no need for such formality."
Doctor Changchun looked at her and understood her meaning. Rumors in the Capital said the Princess was as beautiful as a celestial being, almost deified. Wherever she went, she was bound to cause a commotion.
"Princess, please come inside for tea. This old man has something to discuss with you."
Su Li nodded and, with her maids, followed him inside. Once inside Apricot Grove Hall, a different world unfolded. Passing through the front pharmacy, they found a courtyard beyond, a tranquil and secluded space faintly permeated with the scent of herbs.
Upon reaching the main hall, Doctor Changchun smiled, "Princess, please be seated."
Once Su Li was seated, a maid served tea.
"What did you wish to discuss with me?" Su Li asked.
Doctor Changchun took out the prescription from earlier and said, "Princess, I wonder if you would be willing to sell this prescription to me?"
Su Li looked at him, puzzled.
Doctor Changchun continued, "Princess, please don't misunderstand. This old man has no selfish intentions in buying this prescription. In the past, those who came to buy Lari Medicines used the prescription I provided. But today, seeing your prescription, I realize mine wasn't very good at all. Therefore, I wish to purchase your prescription so that in the future, the common people's Lari Medicines can all be prepared according to it."
Su Li smiled, "Everyone says that Doctor Changchun of Apricot Grove Hall has the heart of a benevolent physician, and seeing you today, it's clear the reputation is well-deserved. You want this prescription to benefit the common people; how could I accept money from you? If you wish to use it, please take it and use it."
Apricot Grove Hall's prescriptions were always free; they only charged for the cost of the herbs, and their herbs were cheaper than other establishments. Therefore, Apricot Grove Hall had always enjoyed an excellent reputation among the common people.
Doctor Changchun smiled, "It is you, Princess, who truly has the heart of a benevolent physician. Rest assured, Princess, I will publicly state that this prescription is yours."
His original Lari Medicine prescription included Rhubarb, Siler, Aconite, Licorice, Honeysuckle, Platycodon, and others. Yet, the Princess's prescription, with just the addition of Atractylodes and Japanese Knotweed, elevated the medicinal properties of the formula. It was simply marvelous.
Su Li felt a genuine admiration for Doctor Changchun. He appeared to be nearing sixty, yet if someone from a remote mountain village requested his services, he would still make house calls.
"Doctor Changchun, you are truly worthy of being called a physician. This junior ought to learn from you."
Doctor Changchun waved his hand, saying, "I am ashamed, truly ashamed. This old man has always wished to practice medicine for the benefit of the world and bring good fortune to this region, but my abilities are truly limited. I have no children, and though I am devoted to medical arts, I still cannot compare to the Princess..."
Su Li interrupted him, saying, "The Apricot Grove Hall that you, Elder, operate offers the lowest medicine prices among your peers, yet your herbs are the best. In this regard alone, you surpass me."
"Alas," he sighed, "don't let Apricot Grove Hall's outward splendor deceive you. In truth... I don't know how much longer it can stay open."
Su Li asked in surprise, "How could that be?"
"This old man has always wanted to ensure that even the poorest common folk could afford to see a doctor and buy medicine, so I kept suppressing prices, time and again. Over time, this angered my competitors, and even members of the Capital's Merchant Guild came forward to warn me. The herb merchants have also threatened to stop supplying herbs. At my advanced age, am I expected to climb mountains to dig for herbs myself?" He finished with a deep sigh.
Su Li asked, astonished, "You didn't offend anyone by selling medicine at low prices, and even that's not allowed?"
Doctor Changchun shook his head. "Let's not dwell on these matters. This old man thanks the Princess on behalf of the common people for generously providing the prescription. Who knows how many more days Apricot Grove Hall can continue to benefit the people."
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