Su Li felt a pang in her heart. She possessed medical skills, and initially, she had only thought of keeping those around her safe. Yet, this Doctor Changchun, embodying true benevolent medical ethics, had trespassed on the interests of merchants and was now facing closure.
"Doctor Changchun, have you ever considered dealing in high-end medicinal herbs for the wealthy or the influential?"
Doctor Changchun looked at her, puzzled, "Princess, what do you mean by that?"
Su Li replied, "The reason you are in a passive position is that your clientele is mostly common folk, who lack power. You can only endure being excluded. However, if your patients were influential figures, those people would have to think twice."
Doctor Changchun said, "The truly influential have Imperial Physicians to treat them. Why would they need me?"
Su Li shook her head, "Elder, your words are not entirely correct. Your medical skills might not be inferior to those of Imperial Physicians. I have a method that can help Doctor Changchun avoid commercial disputes, continue to practice medicine for the benefit of the world, and also earn a substantial amount of silver to subsidize those who genuinely cannot afford medicine."
"Please enlighten me, Princess!"
Su Li smiled, "I wouldn't dare enlighten you; I merely wish to borrow some paper and a brush."
Doctor Changchun immediately had someone fetch paper and a brush. Su Li rose, picked up the brush, and quickly wrote on the paper.
"Doctor Changchun, please take a look at these few prescriptions." Su Li handed the finished prescriptions to Doctor Changchun.
Doctor Changchun took them and looked, then turned a puzzled gaze to Su Li: "These are?"
Su Li explained, "Minister Lin's wife, from the Ministry of Justice, has suffered from a cough for many years with no cure. The first prescription is for her cough."
"Marquis Zhongyong suffers from chronic headaches, and even Imperial Physicians are at a loss. The second prescription is to treat his old ailment."
"The Left Prime Minister's youngest daughter has a weak and often numb left hand. The third prescription is for her, and I've also written down the subsequent treatment methods."
"The last prescription is for strengthening the body and maintaining health; it can be used even without illness."
Doctor Changchun's eyes widened in astonishment. These few flimsy prescriptions in his hand were worth a thousand gold! If he truly followed them, he would gain not only wealth but also power and renown!
Doctor Changchun placed the prescriptions on the table, saying, "I cannot accept these!"
Su Li looked at him in confusion, "Why? If you cure these individuals, there will be no obstacles for you to continue practicing medicine in the Capital."
Doctor Changchun refused, "But these are not mine; I cannot take them."
Su Li sighed. Very well, he had his convictions. Seeing him single-handedly sustaining this vast pharmacy, one could tell his unwavering resolve. Su Li rose and said, "Since you insist, I won't press you further. Doctor Changchun, please take the Lari Medicine prescription. I still have other things to buy, so I will take my leave now."
Su Li stood up, about to leave.
"Princess."
Su Li turned back, asking in confusion, "Doctor Changchun, is there anything else?"
"Princess, would you be willing to take over this pharmacy?" Doctor Changchun asked, as if having made a momentous decision.
"What?"
Doctor Changchun looked at Su Li, his eyes burning with hope. "This old man believes the Princess's medical skills far surpass mine. If this pharmacy were in your hands, it would surely flourish, and with your status as a Princess, you would not fear the Merchant Guild."
Su Li looked at him in surprise, saying, "What virtue or ability do I possess? This Apricot Grove Hall is your life's work, how could I possibly..."
Doctor Changchun interrupted her, "If the Princess does not accept, this pharmacy might have to close its doors in a few days!"
"Besides, this old man has no children and no one to take over the pharmacy."
Seeing Su Li frowning, as if deep in thought, Doctor Changchun took two steps forward, about to kneel. Su Li quickly went forward to support him, "What are you doing!"
Doctor Changchun said in a deep voice, "I beg the Princess to agree! I know a person of your noble status is busy with important matters, but if you agree, you would only need to come a few times a month. As the owner, I could then legitimately use these prescriptions."
Su Li said, "Are you trying to use my name to fend off the Merchant Guild?"
Doctor Changchun nodded in acknowledgement, "Yes! But the Princess will certainly not lose out. This pharmacy, from now on, will bear the Su name, as long as you allow me to continue treating the common people at Apricot Grove Hall."
Su Li saw that he was doing all this purely for the sake of the common people. "Alright, I agree. You can publicly announce that I am the behind-the-scenes owner."
"Thank you, Owner!"
Doctor Changchun immediately changed his address.
Siqin and the other maids were stunned. The Princess went out for an errand and unexpectedly gained a medical hall for free!
Su Li left the pharmacy, and the butler then led the group to buy various New Year goods. The last item they bought was "Baishiji."
In previous years, Baishiji was represented by a knot made of silk fabric embroidered with cypress branches, persimmons, and mandarin oranges. On New Year's Eve, the whole family would untie this knot together and then hang it on the roof beam, to symbolize the auspicious meaning of "all things auspicious" (Baishiji, a homophone for "cypress, persimmon, and mandarin orange" – bai shi ju).
This year, due to the freezing cold, the fruits were less likely to spoil, so they bought actual fruits. This was an indispensable New Year custom: placing persimmons, mandarin oranges, and cypress branches on the same plate. First, the cypress branch is broken, then the persimmon and mandarin orange are broken open one by one. This is "cypress, persimmon, mandarin orange" (bai shi ju), symbolizing "all things auspicious" (bai shi ji).
In her previous life, Su Li didn't believe in such things, but since her rebirth, she had come to believe in the existence of deities.
By the end, one carriage was completely packed. It was nearly noon when the group finally returned to the manor.
"I'm so tired. I never thought preparing for the festival would be so troublesome," Mohua said, kneading her legs.
Siqin carefully draped Su Li's cloak, asking, "Are you tired, Miss? Shall I massage your legs?" She began to massage Su Li's legs, while Mohua poured Su Li tea, and Zhishu conveniently entered with pastries.
Su Li ate a piece, rested for a while, then stood up, "It's time to have a meal with Mother. Let's go."
She would have to go out again in the afternoon. Now that she was the owner of Apricot Grove Hall, she couldn't just bear the title without doing anything; she had to do some work.
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