Had it been because she had activated the pharmacy?
Just as she pondered this, the shopkeeper approached her.
"Miss Ye, what would you like to purchase?"
Ye Yining focused for a moment, then retrieved a box containing a hundred-year-old ginseng from her bag and handed it to the shopkeeper.
"This is a hundred-year-old ginseng. I heard you mention that your medicine shop doesn't have any, right? I'll offer it to you at a lower price! Give some to this lady here."
Upon hearing Ye Yining's words, the woman knelt before her.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, Young Miss…"
The shopkeeper was momentarily stunned before regaining his composure.
He opened the box and examined its contents, surprise flickering in his eyes.
This was indeed a top-grade hundred-year-old ginseng!
Furthermore, it was at least 150 years old.
He looked at Ye Yining incredulously.
"Miss Ye, are you really willing to sell this hundred-year-old ginseng to our medicine shop?"
Ye Yining nodded.
"This was a gift from Jun Jiuji. I originally intended to ask you to prepare ginseng slices, but I heard the shop was short on hundred-year-old ginseng. So, I'm giving it to you! You've been serving many patients, and there may be others who need it more than I do."
Hearing her words, the shopkeeper was ecstatic. He swiftly invited Ye Yining inside and personally brewed tea for her.
Subsequently, he promptly instructed his assistant to prepare medicine for the woman and intended to give it to Ye Yining.
Observing the shopkeeper's efficiency, Ye Yining spoke up,
"You don't need to pay me in silver. The shopkeeper has provided me with other herbs to offset the cost. In two days, I'll embark on a lengthy journey and will need someone to prepare various commonly used herbs for me. Shopkeeper, supply me with a variety of medicinal herbs. I don't require large quantities, just a comprehensive selection. If you're short on funds, I can make up the difference."
"Very well, I'll arrange for it to be delivered to the General Manor when it's ready."
"Thank you for your assistance, shopkeeper."
"No trouble at all."
After Ye Yining departed, the shopkeeper remained in a daze for a while.
He began to question whether he had misjudged her character in the past.
Beyond her occasional short temper and moments of assertiveness, this young lady from the Ye family seemed to possess a kind heart.
Outside, Ye Yining, who hadn't gone far, halted in her tracks, her eyes reflecting surprise.
Ling Gui informed her that she had just gained 300 merit points from the shopkeeper and the woman!
This was a truly unexpected windfall!
With this, she now possessed 1,022 merit points. She should be able to unlock the seal on the medicine furnace.
As she contemplated this, a long row of differently colored medicine furnaces appeared before her, like a visual exhibition.
They were categorized by their functions: medicinal powder, pills, elixirs, ointments, and more.
Each cauldron sported a massive sealing lock on top.
Ye Yining felt somewhat overwhelmed. There were so many locks to open.
After some consideration, she eventually activated a medicinal furnace designed for crafting pills.
Upon her return to the General's Manor, she received the medicinal herbs from the shopkeeper at the Three Medicines Store.
"Ye Yining, why did you buy so many herbs?" Madam Ye inquired, puzzled by her daughter's substantial purchase.
Ye Yining smiled and affectionately embraced her mother's arm.
"Mother, I want to learn how to identify medicinal herbs!"
Madam Ye playfully patted her daughter's hand.
"Weren't you disinterested in this before?"
"The past is the past. I want to learn now. After getting familiar with the properties of medicinal herbs, I'd like to delve into identifying poisons too! Mother, please ask Father to get me some medical books! I learned about many types of herbs at the medicine shop today!"
Madam Ye noticed that her daughter appeared serious and thought that yesterday's incident might have influenced her. She nodded.
"If you wish to read medical books, I'll speak to your father tonight."
"Thank you, Mother! By the way, Jun Jiuji has assigned two guards to protect me. They might frequently enter my courtyard in the future."
"Your father and I met those two this morning," Madam Ye responded with a slight nod.
"Considering you'll be accompanying Jun Jiuji to Cloud Border City, who knows how long you'll be away. I plan to visit Changling Temple tomorrow to request a safety talisman for you. Would you like to come along?"
"Alright! I'll accompany you to Changling Temple, Mother."
"In that case, pack up and join us for lunch later. I'll be visiting your uncle's place in the afternoon."
"Alright, I'll get ready quickly."
Ye Yining instructed someone to move the herbs into her room before closing the door. When she reopened it, she found that the herbs had been neatly arranged in the medicine cabinet in the pharmacy.
After taking a short break, she headed to the dining hall. However, on her way there, something suddenly came hurtling from the sky. Although she couldn't identify it, she instinctively dodged, narrowly avoiding being hit. The object landed some distance away.
Before Ye Yining could inspect it closely, Hoshino, who had been lurking in the shadows, swiftly appeared and stopped her.
"Princess Consort, please return inside."
Before Ye Yining could respond, she noticed a servant girl carrying a tray in the distance screaming.
"Ah…"
In the next moment, the tray crashed to the ground, and the servant girl collapsed unconscious.
The General Manor guards rushed over when they heard the commotion. When they discovered a severed human head on the ground, shock rippled through everyone.
Hoshino, fearing that Princess Consort might witness this gruesome scene, had been shielding her view. He couldn't help but feel furious. It was only his first day guarding the Princess Consort, and trouble had already arisen.
Ye Yining, observing that Hoshino wanted to shield her from the sight, didn't insist and returned to the Freezing Snow Pavilion.
Hoshino silently breathed a sigh of relief and quickly blew a whistle.
Back in the Freezing Snow Pavilion, Ye Yining strained to listen for any developments outside. She soon learned that the object thrown at her had been a human head, specifically that of Ye Yunjiao's maid.
Who could have committed such a gruesome act? The head had clearly been aimed at her.
Who was using this method to threaten her?
Before she could collect her thoughts, Jun Jiuji arrived at a remarkable speed.
"Are you alright?"
Jun Jiuji darted into the Freezing Snow Pavilion with lightning speed, cradling the young girl in his arms as he checked her condition.
Ye Yining blushed. She had been dazed a moment ago but was now startled by his sudden appearance.
"I... I'm fine. I didn't see anything."
Jun Jiuji pressed her head against his chest, suppressing the surging killing intent within him. He affectionately ruffled her hair and reassured her,
"I'll make them pay."
"Can you find the culprit?" Ye Yining inquired with some concern.
If she could identify the murderer, she wanted justice as well.
"Don't worry, we'll find them."
Ye Yining was about to say more when she heard her mother's voice from outside.
"Ye Yining…"
Only then did Ye Yining realize that Jun Jiuji had arrived even before her mother. Had he been nearby the entire time?
She cast a glance at him and gently held his hand.
"My mother is here."
Jun Jiuji reluctantly released her. He wasn't pleased with the General Manor's security.