Wine-scented Beauty

Chapter Eleven: Money-Making Tools

By the time Ji Meiqing returned, it was already dusk. The courtyard was eerily quiet. She went straight in and saw Lu Yu sitting at the table drinking.

He wasn't surprised to see her return. He quietly put away the wine and said softly, "You're back?"

Ji Meiqing put down what she was holding, looked around, and asked in confusion, "Where is Miss Xiao Cui?"

"Her parents came and took her away." When Lu Yu mentioned her parents, his brows furrowed slightly, as if he was a little unhappy. Ji Meiqing paused for a moment, then placed the silver in her hand on the table without asking any further questions.

“I sold quite a few today, consider this money as my rent.”

Lu Yu looked up in confusion and saw that her eyes were downcast, as if something was bothering her, so he couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong? What happened?"

“I was thinking that setting up a stall to sell medicinal wine like this is both troublesome and time-consuming. Why not find a partner first and see if we can sell it on stage?”

Lu Yu's eyes lit up: "You have a way?"

"Yes, I do have some, but I don't know how Brother Lu's medicinal wine preparation is going."

"I've prepared a few types. See how many you can bring tomorrow and take them with you."

Upon hearing this, Ji Meiqing immediately smiled, her eyes crinkling, "Thank you, Brother Lu."

The next morning, Ji Meiqing didn't dare to delay and immediately loaded the medicinal wine onto the oxcart, then went to the city with the villagers.

Steamed bun stalls were everywhere on the street, their aroma enticing. Ji Meiqing swallowed hard, then immediately looked away as the oxcart stopped in front of the clinic.

"Miss Ji, we've arrived at Defu Medical Clinic." The driver reminded her, and Ji Meiqing quickly jumped down from the carriage.

"Please wait a moment, it will only take the time it takes for an incense stick to burn." Ji Meiqing looked at him sincerely, "I will pay you for any overtime."

"No need, no need, you go ahead. You can wait a while if you're going to the market."

As he said this, Ji Meiqing didn't stand on ceremony and quickly carried a jar of medicinal wine into the clinic.

It was still morning, and there weren't many people coming for treatment. The apprentice and the doctor were organizing the medicine in the drawer. Ji Meiqing went in and stood there for a while. When she realized no one was paying attention to her, she called out, "Excuse me."

"Young lady, do you need to see a doctor or get medicine?" Seeing her carrying a large jar, the young apprentice couldn't help but come out from inside.

Her chubby, round face was quite endearing.

Ji Meiqing asked, "Are any doctors in your clinic available?"

"Dr. Li, someone needs a consultation." The young apprentice ran to the back and called out. After a while, an old doctor with a white beard came out and was somewhat surprised to see Ji Meiqing.

"Are you Miss Ji?" he asked tremblingly.

Ji Meiqing was also slightly surprised for a moment: "You recognize me?"

"Yes, I recognize you. Miss Ji, this way please."

When the two reached the back, Ji Meiqing placed the jar she was carrying on the stone table. "This is our own handmade brew. I believe Doctor Li saw it that day."

"Miss Ji, do you want to put this here for sale?" Doctor Li's question hit the nail on the head, making Ji Meiqing a little embarrassed.

"Can I have a look?"

"Please." She unwrapped the cloth, and a rich medicinal aroma mingled with the scent of strong liquor wafted out. Doctor Li sniffed carefully, and after a long while, he looked at Ji Meiqing in surprise.

"This...this...is indeed a good thing. I'll leave the medicinal wine here for now, and you can pay the rest when you come back tomorrow."

Dr. Li made a decision immediately, his eyes shining with excitement.

"Thank you." Ji Meiqing smiled and followed him to collect the money before leaving, not expecting to succeed on her first try.

We'll know how it goes tomorrow.

After seeing Ji Meiqing off, Doctor Li immediately moved the medicinal wine to the cabinet. The morning slowly passed, and patients gradually arrived at the door.

There weren't many patients that day, just a handful. The other newly opened clinics on the street had all their patients drawn there, so their business was also quite slow.

The patients who came had only minor injuries and ailments. Following Ji Meiqing's instructions, the medicated wine was applied to the patients' acupoints. Then, with gentle massage, the effects gradually became apparent after about an incense stick's time.

"If you use this medicinal wine again when you get home, the swelling on your body will gradually subside."

"Thank you, thank you," the patient said repeatedly, holding the medicinal wine, before leaving. Doctor Li glanced back at the wine jar on the cabinet, then cheerfully told the apprentice to go back and inform the young master.

Ji Meiqing had no idea that she was about to stumble upon a fortune. When she went to check on her the next day, Doctor Li led her to the back without saying a word.

"My master knows the power of your medicinal wine, so he came here specifically to seek cooperation with you."

"Cooperation?" She raised an eyebrow. "That's a good idea."

She was led to a room furnished with an elegant tea table and a screen. She went inside and saw a person standing by the window.

"Young Master, this is Miss Ji. Miss Ji, this is Liu Yu, the owner of our clinic."

After Dr. Li finished speaking, he slowly left, the door closed, and the room became extremely quiet.

"Miss Ji, please have a seat." The man finally turned around, his face expressionless, the kind of face that would be easily lost in a crowd on the street.

“I’ve already heard about it from Uncle Li, so today we’ll just talk about cooperation.”

“Alright.” Seeing his straightforwardness, Ji Meiqing also said loudly, “My medicinal wine is a unique homemade product, so I’m sorry I can’t provide the secret recipe.”

“I know, so I’ve decided we should cooperate. We’ll split the revenge 30/70. You get 70%, I get 30%. What do you think, Miss Ji?”

Ji Meiqing asked with some doubt, "Won't you be at a disadvantage doing this?"

"You have to suffer a loss now to enjoy a blessing later. After all, medicinal wine is just medicinal wine, not a panacea. I can't exaggerate how much it sells, so I've made a profit from this Panax notoginseng."

His analysis convinced Ji Meiqing, and the two amicably signed the contract. Ji Meiqing was responsible for providing the medicinal wine, while he was responsible for sales.

After receiving some of the money, Ji Meiqing left. She bought some meat on the street before returning home, where she told Lu Yu everything that had happened, and the two of them happily drank to celebrate.

By candlelight, her cheeks were flushed from drinking. This was the happiest she had been since she transmigrated. She couldn't help but drink a little more wine than usual, and the two of them raised their cups to savor the experience.

The medicinal wine was indeed selling well in the shop. Ji Meiqing counted the silver in her pocket, her smile almost reaching her ears. She had the money used to renovate the Lu family's house and improve their meals as well.

As usual, Ji Meiqing went to the clinic to check on things. Early in the morning, the entrance to Defu Clinic was already packed with people. She slowed her pace and approached cautiously.

"Quack doctor! What kind of bullshit medicinal wine is this? Give me back my mother!" A shrill voice rang out heart-wrenchingly at the entrance of Defu Medical Clinic. She went closer and saw a man dressed in mourning clothes kneeling on the ground, with a corpse in front of him.