Wine-scented Beauty

Chapter Fourteen: On the Brink of Crisis

Ji Meiqing stopped at different stalls with her vegetable basket in hand. Just as Brother Lu had said, the market for medicinal wine was being disrupted, and the medicinal wine they made couldn't be sold.

The storm is only temporary; it will pass and things will continue. The most important thing now is to dispel the rumors.

Feeling somewhat agitated, Ji Meiqing picked out a few vegetables and prepared to head back. Just then, the sky began to darken.

Before she had taken more than a few steps, large raindrops began to fall, so Ji Meiqing could only run to the eaves of a nearby house to take shelter from the rain.

The rain was getting heavier and heavier; even standing under the eaves, my skirt was being soaked. The linen skirt, though not see-through, became heavy and slender after getting wet.

A chill ran through her, and Ji Meiqing rubbed her arms, but she still couldn't warm up. The street in front of her was much emptier because of the rain.

A girl dressed as a woman was running through the rain carrying several boxes. The eaves on both sides were full of people, and there was nowhere to hide.

She hadn't run more than a few steps when she tripped and fell to the ground, dropping what she was carrying. Seeing this, Ji Meiqing quickly went out to help the woman up, picked up the box, and handed it to her.

"Excuse me, I think I twisted my ankle," the woman said, her wet hair plastered to her forehead and her makeup ruined. Ji Meiqing frowned and quickly led her to a teahouse to sit down.

After settling down, she carefully examined the injury on her foot. Her ankle was swollen quite a bit. Remembering that she had some samples of liniment on her, she quickly applied it to her foot and massaged it in.

"It might hurt a little, just bear with it." She said as she rubbed it on her, using just the right amount of pressure to skillfully spread the alcohol.

After a while, she released her grip and said seriously, "See if you feel any better. This is a medicinal wine I made myself. Apply it to your face every day and massage it in like this, and you'll be fine in a few days."

The man stood up and took a few steps before exclaiming in surprise, "Young lady, you truly have excellent skills. Although the swelling hasn't gone down yet, it doesn't hurt much anymore."

She gave away the small bottle of medicinal wine, and at the same time, a bold idea came to her mind.

There's still a lot of medicinal wine sitting at home. I wonder what would happen if there were a big promotion like in modern times.

Although she had lost some money, she couldn't just sit and wait for things to go wrong. As soon as the rain stopped, she rushed home.

After explaining his idea to Lu Yu, Ji Meiqing looked at him excitedly and said, "Although this will result in a loss, it is the best solution we can do right now."

"If that's the case, is there anything else I need to do?"

"So you agree?" Ji Meiqing was even more excited. "In that case, I'll go again tomorrow."

"Okay, I'll take you there tomorrow." Lu Yu smiled faintly, but his eyes showed more contemplation.

Without hesitation, Ji Meiqing loaded the wine into the oxcart early the next morning. The oxcart was borrowed from Aunt Zhu next door. Ji Meiqing paid some money to get it.

The road was muddy and slippery. Lu Yu sat in front driving the carriage, while Ji Meiqing sang songs he couldn't understand from behind. She seemed to be in a good mood, and the tune she sang had several different tones.

The two entered the city, and Ji Meiqing found an open space to set up the wine and put up a signboard. She directly used the modern advertising design.

Looking at the strange handwriting, Lu Yu felt somewhat helpless.

"I'll go to the clinic to see if anyone needs medicinal wine. I'll come find you later," Lu Yu instructed. "Don't wander off."

"Hmm...see you later!" Ji Meiqing looked at him with a smile.

Watching him leave, Ji Meiqing took out the simple megaphone she had prepared and started shouting.

"Come and take a look! Our latest medicinal wine is cheap and effective. Buy two get one free, buy three get two free. We offer a seven-day exchange policy for any spoiled products. If you're interested, come and have a look!"

Her voice wasn't loud, but with the megaphone, it completely silenced the people passing by. Whether it was the effect of the advertising or she was just too eye-catching, a considerable crowd gathered in front of her stall.

"It can be taken internally or used externally; it's simply an essential medicine for home and travel!"

She shouted again, and a man nearby came over to inquire about the types of medicinal wine. After explaining it to him, Ji Meiqing quoted the price, "Buy two get one free, buy three get two free! Young master, you absolutely shouldn't miss out!"

"Then bring me two jars."

The first transaction was completed just like that. Ji Meiqing happily carried it over for them, and at the same time, she helped some people set their bones with medicinal wine for free, and taught them how to use it.

In less than half a day, half of the medicinal wine had been sold, and her purse was full. She continued to shout.

Halfway through her business, someone suddenly burst in, brandishing a stick and smashing it against her medicinal wine. Ji Meiqing tried to stop them but was pushed aside.

"What kind of lousy medicinal wine is this? My mother bought it from you last time and died in less than an hour." One of them glared angrily and spat directly at her.

Those around were terrified upon hearing this, and some even fanned the flames, prompting those who were planning to buy or had already bought to immediately rush forward.

In no time, all the medicinal wines turned into dregs, and the air was filled with the smell of alcohol.

The people surrounding her were suddenly pushed aside, and Liu Yu came over with her servants. Seeing her on the ground, she quickly went over and helped her up. "Are you alright?"

"It's nothing." She shook her head and got up from the ground.

Liu Yu glanced at everyone and said in a low voice, "Let's go back first."

They helped her up and took her back to the Liu family's residence. Although Ji Meiqing wasn't seriously injured, her face was covered in bruises, making her look quite frightening.

The maid brought over the medicine, and Liu Yu wanted to apply it to her, but Ji Meiqing dodged it. To ease the awkwardness, Ji Meiqing took the medicine from his hand and applied it to herself.

"Thank you so much for today. If it weren't for you, I think I would have been hurt much worse." She smiled, the injury near her eye was quite severe, and it still hurt a little when she smiled.

She tidied herself up, then stood up. "I have to go. Brother Lu will probably be worried if he comes back and doesn't see me. I'll thank you another day."

"Let me see you off," Liu Yu said, standing up to see her off.

Ji Meiqing shook her head and refused, saying, "No need, I can manage on my own."

Seeing that she insisted, Liu Yu didn't argue with her and simply saw her to the door. As she was leaving, Liu Yu suddenly called her back.

"Wait a moment."

"Is there anything else, Young Master Liu?"

He took out a jade pendant from his pocket. "Here, take this. In the future, when you take the medicinal wine to the clinic with this jade pendant, they will know what to do."

She looked down at it; the jade pendant was shaped like a phoenix and looked quite expensive. Ji Meiqing could only shake her head and refuse.

"You'd better not give me something this valuable."

"It's ok."

Unable to resist his persistence, she had no choice but to accept his offer before leaving.

As they turned the corner, they ran into Lu Yu, who had come looking for them. He seemed to be in a bad mood, his face extremely gloomy.