Chapter 182: Lone Ghosts And Wild Spirits
Chu Xu then remembered, he said: “The border pass is at war, the military camp needs a lot of medicinal herbs, you can sell the medicinal herbs to the military camp.”
Shang Wan thought he was going to say something, upon hearing this she lightly smiled: “A Nian, the medicinal herbs in the military camp are procured by dedicated personnel, and there are fixed partners, they generally won’t change.”
Medicinal herbs involve the life and death of soldiers, those chosen for cooperation are all trustworthy medicinal herbs merchants, with a fixed cooperation model, as long as there are no major mistakes, they generally won’t change.
Chu Xu raised his little chin, full of confidence, “With me here, I can convince Father and Elder Brother.”
The child’s expression was serious, he really wanted to help.
Shang Wan smiled and reached out to ruffle his head, her voice gentle, “We saved you, the conditions for protecting you have already been settled, you don’t need to do these extra things.”
“No.” Chu Xu shook his head, “It’s not a condition.”
He did want to help, but he also wanted more wounded soldiers to survive.
That white-bearded doctor said good medicinal herbs are rare and hard to come by.
He tilted his little head and thought for a bit, then seriously said: “The military camp also needs good medicinal herbs. If you don’t sell medicinal herbs you can sell ointment. The ointment you used on me is especially good, if it can be sold to the military camp, it can save many many wounded soldiers.”
His back wound was so severe, but after applying the ointment it healed especially fast, much more effective than the golden wound medicine custom-made in the military camp.
If the wounded soldiers could all use such good ointment, their wounds would heal quickly without relapse, and many more would survive.
Sell ointment?
Shang Wan was stunned, she really hadn’t thought of selling ointment to the military camp.
The military camp does have a large demand for ointment, but upon pondering it a bit, she felt this method wouldn’t work.
She had priced the ointment not low in her heart, targeting wealthy customers.
At a price of ten taels of silver per box, the military camp couldn’t purchase in large quantities, and if only buying a small amount, it would be better to cooperate with the medical hall, with less risk.
If selling at a reduced price, same as ordinary ointment, not only would it disrupt the market, Shang Wan would also suffer a loss.
Getting injured on the battlefield is common, the needed ointment is only more not less, if procuring in large quantities at low price from Shang Wan, the spiritual spring water would be exhausted, herb planting would definitely be affected, completely not worth it.
If her family background were rich, she could squander it, she would have the capital, but she was still in the starting phase now, completely unable to afford squandering.
When prosperous, help the world; when poor, tend to oneself.
She really was poor now.
She could choose not to earn, but couldn’t afford to lose money.
Moreover, one can’t read another’s mind, Chu Xu this silly sweet child doesn’t mean his family are silly sweet, what if they use power to threaten her to hand over that so-called ancestral secret recipe?
Not to mention kindness, in the face of absolute interest, no friendship matters.
Considering all, selling ointment to the military camp lacked timing, geography, and harmony, no need, completely no need.
Having made up her mind, meeting the child’s expectant gaze, Shang Wan couldn’t bear to discourage him, reached out and ruffled his hair, “We’ll talk about this after the person coming to pick you up arrives.”
——Find a way to muddle through.
Chu Xu thought Shang Wan had agreed, a brilliant smile immediately lit up his little face.
The child who felt he had accomplished something big happily hugged Yuan Yuan and went under the tree to play on the swing.
Shang Wan sighed inwardly and gave Xiao Huan a look.
Xiao Huan understood, using the excuse of asking Shang Wan to help tidy the cloth and silk thread bought back, she linked arms with Shang Wan and returned to the room together.
The door creaked shut, the two sat down on the kang.
Xiao Huan picked up the little teapot on the kang table, poured a cup of herbal tea, and placed it by Shang Wan’s hand.
Shang Wan held the tea cup, waiting for Xiao Huan to speak.
Xiao Huan bit her lip, glancing at Shang Wan again and again, her gaze conflicted, her expression hesitant.
Shang Wan’s already limited patience gradually wore out, she tapped the table with her finger, urging: “Speak quickly, even if the sky falls there’s me to hold it up.”
Xiao Huan: “Sister, promise me first, no matter what I say you won’t leave.”
Shang Wan thought to herself, sounds pretty serious, could the visitor really be an enemy?
She said seriously: “You’re all here, where could I go? Don’t overthink, say what you know, worst case we’ll meet force with force and water with earth.”
Hearing this, Xiao Huan seemed to finally make up her mind, she adjusted her sitting posture to sit more upright, and slowly spoke, her tone cautious, “Sister, you… are you some wandering ghost from who knows where?”
Shang Wan: “!”
Good grief, her cover was blown just like that?
Because of excessive surprise she forgot expression management, a hint leaked in her demeanor.
Xiao Huan stared at Shang Wan without blinking, seeing this she hurriedly assured, “Sister don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone else, not even Brother-in-law. Are you…”
“Yes.” Shang Wan interrupted her, simply admitting it.
Anyway it had been guessed, after these days of interaction, she also knew Xiao Huan’s character well, no point in hiding.
Shang Wan admitted so straightforwardly that it instead scared Xiao Huan.
Even with mental preparation, she still surprisingly covered her mouth, worried she would cry out from being too agitated.
Shang Wan curiously stared at her: “How did you figure it out?”
Admittedly her disguise wasn’t heartfelt, but even Lu Chengjing that fox only guessed she had replaced the original Shang Wan by some method, never thinking towards ghost or spirit, how did Xiao Huan guess so accurately?
Xiao Huan steadied her mind, said softly: “After Young Madam hit her head, Shi Tou fetched the cart, when I helped move Young Madam onto the cart, I found Young Madam had no breath.”
Shang Wan: “…”
A person with no breath suddenly coming back to life was indeed very suspicious.
“And then?”
“Later you woke up, I thought I was wrong, but—”
Xiao Huan paused, looking at Shang Wan with indescribable feelings, “I’m Young Madam’s personal maid, I know Young Madam’s affairs best. Young Madam hated rough warriors the most, absolutely impossible for her to practice martial arts, let alone have such good skills.”
Shang Wan: “…What if I was pretending to hate warriors?”
“Impossible.” Xiao Huan firmly shook her head, “Your attitude towards Brother-in-law and Yuan Yuan is also different. The previous Young Madam was very afraid of Third Young Master, even said Third Young Master was a monster. If Third Young Master were imprisoned, the most likely thing Young Madam would do is abandon us and flee immediately, not find ways to rescue Third Young Master, and treat his wounds.”
“Also, you know many things Young Madam didn’t, your personality is worlds apart, not like the same person at all.”
Shang Wan: “…”
Well then, turns out she was exposed from the start.
She couldn’t help but look at Xiao Huan in a new light, this young lady surprisingly kept her composure well, if not for her pressing, Xiao Huan probably would keep it buried forever, never saying a word in her life.
Shang Wan teased her, “You’ve said I’m a wandering ghost, aren’t you afraid I’ll harm you all?”
“No.” Xiao Huan’s gaze was firm, even with a smile in her eyes, “Even if you’re a wandering ghost you’re a good ghost, without you, Brother-in-law would have been escorted to the capital city for beheading, Shi Tou and I with Yuan Yuan wouldn’t know how to get by, might have already starved to death, how could we have the good days now?”
