Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 564 - 562

Chapter 564: 562

The weather was getting increasingly hot, and it would soon be the hottest period of summer.

It had rained heavily the night before, but today was sunny. Xiao’er and Jingrui decided to take advantage of the cooler weather to check the accounts of their shops in the Imperial City.

They first arrived at the pharmacy to find more people than usual waiting to fill their prescriptions.

The shopkeeper hastened to greet them as they walked in together.

"Shopkeeper, please take the account books from the last two months to the accounting room. It’s busy; everyone is waiting to get their medicine quickly," Xiao’er instructed.

"Yes, Miss. The recent rain has led to more people catching colds and fevers, so we’ve had many more customers in the pharmacy," the shopkeeper explained as he walked them to the accounting room.

"The fluctuating weather can indeed cause those with weaker constitutions to fall sick," Xiao’er echoed.

"Especially those with asthma, any carelessness can trigger an attack."

Hearing this, Xiao’er was reminded of a popular modern-day treatment method used during the hottest period of summer to treat winter illnesses.

Apparently, this method was effective for preventing and treating illnesses like asthma.

Even after so many years in this time, Xiao’er had not heard of this approach.

Now that the hottest period of summer was almost here, it might be worth introducing the heat therapy in the pharmacy.

They soon reached the accounting room. The shopkeeper brought out the account books from the previous two months and then went to help serve customers at the counter.

Even with all ten pharmacy staff working together, they were unable to cope with the increased demand.

Since Xiao’er wanted to implement the treatment for winter illnesses in the pharmacy, she left Jingrui to go through accounts while she made a trip to the restroom. There, she entered her space to check on the research regarding treating winter illnesses and topical remedies and to examine diagrams of acupoints.

After finishing, Xiao’er returned to the accounting room and took notes on the information she gathered, even drawing acupoint diagrams. She planned to discuss the feasibility with Doctor Luo.

They both were quietly engrossed with their tasks in the accounting room.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside. Jingrui frowned at the noise, put down his pen, and stood up, "I’m going to see what’s happening."

Without looking up, Xiao’er nodded in acknowledgment. She was in the middle of drawing an acupoint diagram and wanted to finish it.

Incidents like this were common in businesses as busy as a pharmacy. She trusted the experienced shopkeeper to handle the situation.

Jingrui walked outside to find Du Yijin arguing with a woman.

"You heartless woman! Have you no sympathy? I told you my husband’s fever hasn’t broken, and I urgently need medicine. Yet, you won’t let me collect it first!"

"I’ve told you already; my little brother is also waiting for his medicine! I’ve been in line since this morning!" Du Yijin responded indignantly.

"Spit! Isn’t everyone here in line to get medicines urgently? My son has a high fever too, and I’ve been waiting patiently. If you want to get your medicine without waiting, join the queue early next time!" A woman in the queue couldn’t help but speak up.

The shopkeeper attempted to intervene, "Madam, it’s customary to queue for medicines in every shop. Please don’t cause a commotion and prevent others from getting their prescriptions."

"Spit! If I don’t queue, will there be any discounted high-quality medicinal herbs left when it’s my turn? Unless you reserve some for me, I’ll join the queue!"

The shopkeeper was at a loss for words. Reserve discounted high-quality herbs for her? Would that still be considered waiting in line? What was the difference between that and cutting the line?

"What happened?" Jingrui asked as he approached.

Du Yijin didn’t know that this pharmacy was also owned by Xiao’er. Seeing Jingrui walk out from within, she was a little surprised.

"This woman wanted to skip in line, and everyone disagreed. She then started a fight," explained a nearby customer.

Worried that Jingrui might think she was intentionally causing a ruckus, Du Yijin quickly clarified, "My little brother is having an asthma attack, and I’ve been in line for half a day to get his medicine. This woman wanted to cut in front of me, and when I refused, she started causing a scene." Du Yijin gestured to the woman on the ground.

Jingrui respected Du Yijin for shouldering the responsibilities of her entire family, so he offered, "Miss Du, my sister is in the accounting room. I recall her mentioning a few days ago that she had something to discuss with you. Why don’t you go and meet her? We’ll notify you once your medicine is ready. Shopkeeper, lead Miss Du to the accounting room."

"Yes, Young Master, this way please, Miss Du."

"Alright." Assenting, Du Yijin followed the shopkeeper inside, assuming Xiao’er wanted to talk about the hot springs.

"Now that she’s not in line, I’ll take her spot!" The woman struggling on the ground suddenly stood up, trying to push her way to the front of the queue.

Jingrui put a hand out to stop her, "Queueing is our shop’s rule. Only those with a critical illness certificate issued by a doctor can be served out of turn. Do you have one, madam?"

"What certificate? How could a doctor issue such a thing? I’m telling you, it’s the truth!"

Jingrui chose to ignore her; there was no point reasoning with an unreasonable woman.

"The queue will move quickly if everyone waits their turn. If you don’t wish to, that’s up to you!" Jingrui retorted before returning to the pharmacy.

"Go to the back of the line if you don’t have a certificate!"

"Yes, don’t block the business of others."

"Spit! What’s so great about this place? It’s not like this is the only medicine shop!" The woman spat out, moving to the back of the queue.

Others in line looked down on her: "What a person!"

Upon arriving at the accounting room, Du Yijin asked, "Miss Rui’an, did you need something?"

Xiao’er was confused: "Need something from you?"

"Young Master Shen said you had something to discuss with me and asked me to come to the accounting room."

Jingrui asked her to come and find her? Xiao’er mulled it over and then asked, "Miss Du, are you here to get medicine for your little brother?"

She nodded in response.

It must be her brother’s intention to offer Du Yijin’s brother some pills, making her come to see her.

It was the first time she saw Jingrui taking the initiative to help a girl. Was it possible that she was wrong about him being indifferent towards Du Yijin?

If there was indeed something between them, she would naturally extend her help to her future sister-in-law.

"No offense, Miss Du, but could you tell me about your brother’s condition? Maybe, I can help you out?" She didn’t have to tell her anything for Xiao’er to help, but doing so would make things a bit easier.

There was no reason to keep it a secret, so Du Yijin explained her brother’s situation.

Xiao’er then got up, walked to a drawers at the back, and extracted a bottle of pills.

"Miss Du, take these pills and give them to your brother. Give him one three times a day. Once he has finished the entire bottle, he should be fine," Xiao’er offered.

When you say ’fine’, you mean like normal people? Du Yijin was somewhat skeptic.

Xiao’er nodded, "Give it a try. These pills are not sold in the pharmacy, I’m giving them to you solely out of respect for my elder brother."

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.