After personally watching the woman sign and seal the agreement, Lin Zhiqing and Lu Nanyue returned to the inner room.
"Qing'er, using medicinal herbs to offset medical expenses is indeed a good method, but wouldn't it be too serious if it went to the authorities?" Lu Nanyue's face showed some concern.
Lin Zhiqing shook her head: "Did you make those who couldn't afford consultation fees before write IOUs?"
Seeing Lu Nanyue nod, she continued: "That's good, bring them all out and follow today's method, giving them only three months to repay, otherwise, report them to the authorities."
"Nanyue, the clinic is currently operating at a deficit, and the biggest problem lies here."
"I've observed that besides the ladies and madams who can openly come for treatment, the majority of your clinic's patients are common folk."
Lu Nanyue nodded, then let out a cold laugh: "Those young ladies would rather stay far away from me. After all, there are very few like Miss Hua who don't care about my 'neglect of proper duties.'"
"Let them be. Arguing with them is useless." Lin Zhiqing brought the conversation back: "Most of these common people are simple and kind, but with more people, there are inevitably some who try to take advantage."
"Like the woman just now, though sallow and emaciated, her hands were smooth, and her nails long, not like someone who frequently does farm work." Lin Zhiqing extended her own fingers:
"I have several calluses on my hands, but she has none."
Lu Nanyue saw Lin Zhiqing's emaciated hands and couldn't help but say, "Qing'er, I'll prescribe some tonic for you later. I don't know what kind of hearts the Lin family has; for a proper young lady like you to be so emaciated is truly too thin."
The original owner was indeed very thin, something Lin Zhiqing also knew.
Aunt Mu had told her that the monthly allowance they used to receive was limited, and they often didn't get enough to eat. The original owner would lead her in making and selling embroidery for money.
Besides that, chores like washing clothes were also done by the two of them personally.
A teenage girl, at the age of growing up, with all sorts of dirty and tiring work piled on, the original owner's body was truly not in good shape, and her hair was a bit yellow and withered.
Lin Zhiqing was already conditioning her body, but she also didn't refuse Lu Nanyue's kindness.
After Lu Nanyue had the maid go to prepare the medicine, Lin Zhiqing returned to the main topic: "Her hands show no marks, proving she isn't someone who typically does physical labor. If you keep indulging such a person, that money won't come back."
Lu Nanyue understood Lin Zhiqing's meaning. She reflected for a moment, then spoke: "Thinking about it that way, I've indeed been a bit muddled all these years. Those IOUs have grown thicker and thicker."
"Fortunately, you're here today. I'll have someone take the IOUs and notify those people later."
Seeing Lin Zhiqing nod, she stood up to leave: "We've been delayed for so long today, but if we go look at storefronts now, there's still time."
"No rush." Lin Zhiqing took out the purse from yesterday: "Nanyue, I just heard the maid say that this month's wages haven't been paid yet. Take this money back."
Lu Nanyue frowned: "It's only been delayed by three days, and they're already gossiping to you?"
"I asked them about it myself." Lin Zhiqing patted the stool: "They're not having an easy time either."
Lu Nanyue sat down impatiently: "You take this money. My clinic usually doesn't make much money; it's all Xiaohuai who pays the wages."
"Xiaohuai has been busy these past few days, which is why it was delayed. Counting the days, he should be back soon, and I can just get the silver from him directly."
Lin Zhiqing was only just learning about this and casually asked, "Has he been very busy recently?"
"He hasn't been seen since returning from the Spring Banquet. He might have an assignment from the Ministry of Revenue," Lu Nanyue replied, then somewhat annoyed, tapped the table:
"This money was given by me to you. What do you mean by returning it?"
Having reached this point in the conversation, Lin Zhiqing pulled Lu Nanyue's hand and slipped the purse into her grasp: "If I were in difficulty, I would certainly tell you, but right now, everyone else needs this money more than I do."
"Lu Huai hasn't returned yet, and perhaps the people below are waiting for the money. It's not good to keep dragging it on."
Lu Nanyue opened her mouth, but thinking of the people below, she didn't say anything more. She took back the purse and sighed:
"If your method works, the clinic's situation should slowly improve."
"It will definitely get better." Lin Zhiqing patted Lu Nanyue's hand.
Lu Nanyue was doing a conscientious thing, but she was too soft-hearted, easily spoiling some people's appetites.
Those who were genuinely struggling were one thing, but those who were opportunistic were clearly leeching off the clinic.
If those people were removed, the clinic's situation would undoubtedly improve to some extent.
Having resolved a major issue, the two immediately went to look at storefronts without delay.
As the saying goes, having connections in court makes things easier. Lu Nanyue had asked her father in advance, who then requested a list of available storefronts from the Ministry of Works, saving them a lot of trouble.
The first place they went was not far from the Lu Family Medical Clinic, just two streets away.
Looking at the grand and imposing building before them, Lin Zhiqing stroked her chin, thinking this place was indeed good.
Crucially, it was located in the center of the entire street, with convenient access in all directions, making it suitable for anything.
The only drawback was the crowds, making it too noisy.
However, this was a minor issue; overall, it was indeed good.
But... a quarter of an hour later, looking at the owner of the shop before them, Lin Zhiqing was somewhat displeased: "Why won't you rent?"
The shop owner slowly took a sip of tea: "Our temple is too small to accommodate a great Buddha like Miss Lin. I have matters to attend to and no time to play around with you. Please leave at your convenience."
Lin Zhiqing and Lu Nanyue exchanged glances, and neither of their expressions was pleasant.
After leaving that shop, Lu Nanyue cursed the owner a few times, then took Lin Zhiqing to another one.
Lin Zhiqing first assessed the environment and felt that while the location wasn't as good as the first, it was still suitable.
But when the owner arrived, before she could even speak, she was flatly rejected, without even a reason.
At the third shop, the owner didn't even show up directly.
After repeated incidents, even a fool would realize something was wrong.
"Qing'er, don't worry, come with me to ask my father. With him stepping in, finding a storefront shouldn't be a problem." Lu Nanyue pulled Lin Zhiqing to leave.
But Lin Zhiqing didn't move. These locations were already on a list that Lu Nanyue's father had gotten from the Ministry of Works after talking to them.
But given the current situation, the Ministry of Works had no dealings with Lin Zhiqing or the Lin family, so there was no reason for them to target her. This left only two possibilities.
Either Uncle Lu's reputation as a great scholar was not effective, and the Ministry of Works wasn't serious about this matter.
Or... there was someone even more influential than Uncle Lu who had intervened, deliberately targeting her.
The first possibility was quickly ruled out by Lin Zhiqing. Uncle Lu had students everywhere in Shengjing City, and he could more or less draw some connections.
Such a person would not usually be disrespected by ordinary people.
As for the second situation, there was only one person who would target her in such a way!
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