"It's difficult to find the formula to cure the incense poison. Even if you do find the formula, the incense materials are not cheap. You can figure it out on your own. I won't sell you the incense materials I have at a low price. Don't try to take advantage of me."
Zheng Qianqin chatted with Wen Zhuojin for a few words and wanted to say something else when she saw Wen Zhuojin lowering her head and looking at the prescription carefully. She was more than half a head taller than her, and her face was much less childish, with her eyes clear and bright.
The timid little seedling has grown up. It is full of vitality and courage, unlike an ordinary girl in the boudoir.
But, after all, she is a woman.
Since she was born in a marquis's mansion, she would eventually get married and would be bound by rules. She could not be as unrestrained as she was in her youth.
She didn't need to say more about whether to save people or not. By then, she would not be able to save them even if she wanted to, because she would not have the money.
"Okay, I brought some commonly used medicinal herbs to leave some for you. There's no rush for other things. Go to the pharmacy when it's daybreak. I'm leaving now. I'm too old to endure it anymore." Zheng Qianqin said, but still left some medicinal herbs for Wen Zhuojin and didn't charge the consultation fee.
Wen Zhuojin quickly put down the prescription and hurried over to help Zheng Qianqin pack her things.
"Aunt Zheng agreed to double the consultation fee. It's so late today, thank you for the trouble." Wen Zhuojin paid the consultation fee for Zheng Qianqin and helped her out.
"The Qingshen incense you had before was very useful. Make some for me when you run out. I'll use it as your consultation fee." Zheng Qianqin said as she pushed the purse given by Wen Zhuojin.
"Aunt Zheng, you are really good at planning. My incense costs dozens of taels of silver per piece in the official store." Wen Zhuojin said with a smile. Knowing that Zheng Qianqin had a sharp tongue but a soft heart, she did not force her to give it to her.
When Zheng Qianqin came, she was carried in a sedan chair by people sent by Jin Rui, and when she left, she was also carried in a sedan chair, so that the old lady would not suffer from the cold.
Watching Zheng Qianqin leave, Wen Zhuojin went back to prepare the medicine according to the prescription for treating colds, and asked Jin Rui to boil the medicine first. She returned to the room where Yan Qinglan was.
Wen Zhuojin first lit a milder calming incense, and then continued to clean Yan Qinglan's wounds.
Wen Zhuojin felt even worse when she learned that the person in front of her was exhausted and had been poisoned.
With her eyes closed in the candlelight, the woman looked soft and harmless, without any aggressiveness.
Anyone can easily hurt her.
But what kind of heartless and vicious person could have the heart to hurt her!
Wen Zhuojin even wondered if she had redeemed her when she first met her, would her pain have been less...
It's just that such an assumption doesn't exist, which is a bit ridiculous.
After all, Wen Zhuojin didn't have that much money at that time.
After cleaning, applying medicine and bandaging the wounds on her arms and feet, Wen Zhuojin hesitated whether to continue cleaning.
Thinking of the woman's previous cautious look, Wen Zhuojin decided to wait until the person woke up and get her consent.
After all, she's not really a cat.
Wen Zhuojin took off all the other clothes for Yan Qinglan, leaving only her underwear on.
The heat from the floor dragon made it necessary to cover herself with a thin blanket. Even so, when the blanket was put on, Yan Qinglan, who had fallen into a deep sleep under the influence of the incense, still groaned softly, and it hurt when the wound was touched.
Wen Zhuojin patted Yan Qinglan gently. Her frowning brows remained unchanged, and she still exuded a faint cool fragrance.
An indescribable feeling spread in Wen Zhuojin's heart.
Who would have thought that if you wanted to keep someone who was bought in exchange for one incense pill, it would probably be difficult even if you had to exchange hundreds of incense pills.
What's more, my uncle is still in trouble.
If Wu Yuanheng needs more money tomorrow, how will she get the money to buy medicine for her?
"Miss, the medicine is ready." Jin Rui's voice came from outside, and Wen Zhuojin came back to her senses.
"Miss, let me feed her. You can take a rest. The hot water is ready and you can take a bath at any time." Jin Rui brought in the medicine and said to Wen Zhuojin.
"...Okay." Wen Zhuojin paused and nodded.
Normally, it doesn't matter who feeds her, and Jin Rui is more skilled. However, Wen Zhuojin felt a little suffocated when she saw Jin Rui touching Yan Qinglan.
This seems very strange.
Although Yan Qinglan was sleeping, she was still able to swallow. Jin Rui helped her up and put the medicine to her mouth with a spoon. She swallowed it instinctively.
Or maybe she's thirsty.
Dry lips.
She swallowed the medicine, but vomited it out soon after.
Accompanied by a low hum.
Then, Wen Zhuojin saw tears welling up in Yan Qinglan's eyes.
Is she afraid of suffering?
It's so painful that she's crying!
Wen Zhuojin asked Jin Rui to wait, then turned around and went out to ask someone to get some brown sugar.
Jin Rui fed her medicine and Wen Zhuojin fed her sugar. It took a while for them to finish the bowl of medicine.
"Miss, this lady is so beautiful. Who is she from and what should I call her?" While cleaning up, Jin Rui saw Wen Zhuojin wiping Yan Qinglan carefully with a handkerchief and asked carefully.
Jin Rui had never seen Yan Qinglan before and was a little curious.
As Jin Rui asked the question, Wen Zhuojin paused.
She doesn't know either.
It's getting more and more ridiculous.
She thought so much just by looking at the other person's face.
Don't even know each other's names.
She hasn't looked at the indenture carefully yet.
"Bring some hot water and wash her hair." Wen Zhuojin couldn't think of how to make up an identity, so she changed the subject.
Seeing this, Jin Rui didn't ask any more questions.
When washing her hair, Jin Rui didn't ask Wen Zhuojin for help.
Wen Zhuojin had something on her mind. She touched the bond given to her by Luan Niang and wanted to take a look at it, but she was a little hesitant.
Wen Zhuojin let out a breath, turned and went outside, calmed down, and then took out the indenture.
Liu Suniang, a lowly woman, was twenty-five years old and the wife of Chu Haoting, a former lecturer in the Hanlin Academy. She was implicated in the case of Prince Xuanrui's rebellion...
After seeing the above information, Wen Zhuojin almost crumpled the contract in her hand into a ball.
Just as Luanniang said, the woman was reduced to a slave during this turmoil.
But she is not alone, she has a family.
She thought so much, and was still thinking about how to get silver and how to treat her.
Even if she gets the money and cures her, then what?
If she wants to find her husband, if she wants to leave, can she be forced to stay?
She's not a real cat, she has a will of her own.
A corner of Wen Zhuojin's inner secrets was forced to be revealed.
She had delusions about her.
She likes the way she looks.
What a nice color.
Otherwise, there are so many poor people out there, why would she only redeem her?
She has never been a purely kind person.
But she didn't dare to think any deeper.
Now there is another huge obstacle standing in front of her.
Wen Zhuojin let out a long breath.
All thoughts were crushed.
Wait until the person wakes up before asking.
I don't know where her family is now, or whether they can protect themselves. We need to find out all this.
When her injuries get better, I'll find a way to help her get rid of her citizenship and send her back to her family.
Wen Zhuojin thought about it and her mood dropped.
The night watchman passed by outside and it was already three o'clock in the morning.
Wen Zhuojin went back to the room and took a look. Jin Rui had already washed Yan Qinglan's hair and was drying it with a dry towel.
Yan Qinglan's hair was of very good quality. Even after being abused for so many days, her jet-black hair was still as silky as ever.
Obviously, she used to live a life of luxury and was well-fed.
"Jin Rui, thank you for your hard work tonight. I will come back tomorrow and leave this to you." Wen Zhuojin moved her eyes away from Yan Qinglan's hair and said to Jin Rui.
"Miss, there are night patrols if there is a curfew. You'd better stay. Zirong has already told Madam Jiang about it. Miss, don't worry." Jin Rui said hurriedly.
"...It's okay, I have other things to do tomorrow morning." Wen Zhuojin said, and decided to go back to the Marquis' Mansion.
Yan Qinglan will not wake up in a short time.
Wen Zhuojin didn't want to face her for the time being, so she decided to go back to the Marquis' Mansion and sleep.
Jin Rui couldn't be persuaded, so she followed Wen Zhuojin out and brought her a cloak and hand warmer.
This small courtyard is not far from the Marquis' Mansion. Although there are night patrols, they are not very frequent, so you can just avoid them.
Wen Zhuojin had never done such a thing before, walking alone in the dark night and avoiding the night patrolmen with knives. It was her first time, but she was not afraid.
There were noisy sounds in her ears, and the smell of blood and iron weapons in her nose.
Wen Zhuojin didn't know how many people were on night patrol on normal days, but she felt that something was unusual at this time.
While Wen Zhuojin was waiting in the corner for those people to leave, she heard some noises.
"You said you were looking for someone, but you didn't even give us a portrait. You only said you were looking for a suspicious person. How can we find her? It's been several days, and there's no sign of her." A mumbling voice was heard.
Wen Zhuojin thought of the person she had been looking for with great fanfare in Tianxuan Palace.
There have been quite a few officers and soldiers on the streets these days.
In addition, there was already unrest everywhere, so Wen Zhuojin didn't care.
Judging from what these people said, I'm afraid the officers and soldiers were also looking for someone during the day.
Wen Zhuojin was already very dissatisfied with the court and the eldest princess, but when she knew that the person she was looking for had not been found yet, she felt a little better.
After the officers and soldiers left, Wen Zhuojin continued to return to the Marquis' Mansion.
In the Marquis' Mansion, Nanny Jiang was still awake, worried about Wen Zhuojin. She was shocked and scared when she saw Wen Zhuojin come back.
Hot food was quickly prepared for Wen Zhuojin, and Wen Zhuojin ate first.
"Girl, how can you be so brave? Didn't you say you wouldn't come back? Why did you come back? How did you come back? How did you..."
With Nanny Jiang around, there was a nagging sound in her ears, which diverted Wen Zhuojin's attention.
Wen Zhuojin finished eating the hot dishes prepared by Nanny Jiang and went to the bathroom to take a shower.
When her hair was dry, she flipped through the book of fragrance and poison notes given to her by Zheng Qianqin in the candlelight.
After reading the Materia Medica and learning about the functions and various properties of many aromatic and medicinal materials, Wen Zhuojin read the notes on aromatic and poisonous materials very quickly.
Fragrant poison also belongs to the art of incense. After reading only a few pages, Wen Zhuojin became interested and focused her attention without distraction.
When it was Yinshi, Wen Zhuojin slept for a while, and got up again at Chenshi.
She needs to go and ask her uncle how things are going. I don't know how much silver she still needs. I'll send her the money she earned from selling incense yesterday.
She also has to go to the house to see how the woman is doing, go to the pharmacy to get medicine for her, and go to the blacksmith shop to ask how to remove the iron ring on her foot.
Having just read the Notes on Incense and Poison yesterday, combined with the smell she had smelled when she went to burn incense and pray for blessings before, Wen Zhuojin wanted to go to the incense shop to have a look. She wondered how much incense she could buy with the remaining silver.
She also needs to continue making incense and find other sales channels...
Early in the morning, Wen Zhuojin was so full of things on her mind that she was still yawning as she climbed over the wall.
Zi Rong, who was following Wen Zhuojin, was afraid that she would accidentally fall down and fall asleep, so she kept reaching out to support her.
"Azhuo, you don't need to ask for the silver. They have agreed to use official position and title to atone for the crime. As for the reduction, father will probably be demoted and sent to Zhaozhou as the governor. We can pick him up tomorrow." When Wen Zhuojin went to meet Wu Yuanheng at the shop as agreed, Wu Yuanheng excitedly told Wen Zhuojin the news.
Hearing Wu Yuanheng say this, Wen Zhuojin breathed a sigh of relief.
However, Zhaozhou is a cold and bitter place. Being demoted there is also suffering. Except that it does not reduce you to a lowly status, it is almost the same as exile.
"Is my uncle going alone, or are my aunt and cousin all going?" Wen Zhuojin asked.
"Mother will go with father. My two younger brothers are still young and will stay with me in Yunjing City to study. I will also take part in the Spring Examination this year." Wu Yuanheng said.
"We need to prepare winter clothes, a carriage, food, etc... By the way, let me know when you receive news from my uncle. I want to go see my uncle and aunt. Also..." Wen Zhuojin told Wu Yuanheng about this matter. This matter made Wen Zhuojin feel a little relieved.
The two of them exchanged a few words and then stopped talking. Wu Yuanheng had other things to do, and Wen Zhuojin also had to go to the pharmacy and blacksmith shop.
"By the way, do you know Chu Haoting from the Hanlin Academy?" Wen Zhuojin asked before leaving.
"He used to be a lecturer in the Hanlin Academy, a fourth-rank official. He was implicated in the rebellion of Prince Xuanrui and was exiled to southern Fujian. The women in his family were sent to the Jiaofangsi. Why do you ask him?" Wu Yuanheng said.
"I heard his name on the street. Many people have suffered recently. Is Chu Haoting also a good person like my uncle?" Wen Zhuojin cleared her throat to hide her guilt and asked again.
"Lord Chu is a disciple of the Prime Minister. He is a famous talent and was once the third place in the imperial examination. I have met him several times and he is truly a gentleman. This case is completely fabricated." Wu Yuanheng said with a somewhat annoyed look on his face.
"Oh, yes. You said that the women in his family were sent to the Jiaofangsi. Were they his wives and concubines? They were so pitiful." Wen Zhuojin asked again.
"Lord Chu's mother has passed away. The only female member in his family, apart from the maids and old women, is his wife. I heard that he and his wife are deeply in love. They have not had any children for many years and have not taken any concubines." Wu Yuanheng said.
"Does this wife have any family? Have they also been affected by the exile?" Wen Zhuojin asked again.
"Alas, his wife only has one brother in her family, and after the incident, they cut off all ties with her for fear of being implicated. There are many such cases nowadays," said Wu Yuanheng.
Wen Zhuojin stopped asking and felt uncomfortable.
Those who can become Tanhualang must be talented and handsome.
He was also described by Wu Yuanheng as a gentleman, so his character must be good.
Not to mention not having children after marriage, even if there are children, many people will take concubines.
This Chu Haoting sounds like a nice person.
"Don't be afraid, we will be fine." Wu Yuanheng saw Wen Zhuojin lowering her head, thinking that she was asking these questions because she was afraid, and comforted her.
"Yeah." Wen Zhuojin responded.
Wen Zhuojin was still in a mess when she left.
But she didn't miss a single thing to do.
She went to the pharmacy to get three days' supply of medicine, which cost her more than three hundred taels of silver. It also contained ginseng for nourishment, which was very expensive.
She also bought some incense materials and tried to make some blended incense to see if it could suppress or alleviate the toxicity, which cost her more than two hundred taels.
She went to the blacksmith shop and saw something called a vise. It looked like it could be used to remove the iron ring, but it required a lot of strength.
Wen Zhuojin spent some money to buy a pair of pliers and went back to the house with Zirong.