After flipping through a few pages, Gu Beichen's expression instantly changed. "You charge three taels of silver for a bowl of tea. Is the tea made of gold? Why don't you just rob someone?"
"Your tea is top-grade Snow Mountain Maojian, naturally precious. One liang of tea costs ten liang of gold. Charging you three taels of silver is already considered cheap."
"This is clearly fabricated by you. As the heir, I have the right to suspect you of defamation." Gu Beichen refused to admit anything and snatched the ledger, intending to tear it up. If the ledger was gone, how would Feng Jin blame him for anything?
"Tear it up if you want. I have other ledgers, and I've recorded everything you've used."
While Gu Beichen was stunned, Feng Jin snatched the ledger and handed it to Cai Qing. "Let's go."
Gu Beichen was left alone, furious, and turned his anger towards Ling Mo Han, shouting, "Aren't you going to do anything about it!"
Ling Mo Han put on a helpless expression. "Everything I eat and use now is provided by Feng Jin."
He who eats from another's hand and speaks from another's mouth can do nothing.
"You leech!" Gu Beichen pointed at Ling Mo Han.
Ling Muzhu tried to minimize his presence. He initially thought Feng Jin was harsh on him, but compared to Gu Beichen, she was quite benevolent. At least she didn't make him pay for anything, which was a good thing.
He should focus on eating first and not worry about other matters.
"All you know is how to eat. You don't even know when you're being sold!"
Gu Beichen, unable to contain his anger, hit Ling Muzhu on the head and said impatiently.
"You need money to eat, and I don't have to pay. Don't take your anger out on me!"
Ling Muzhu grumbled, feeling wronged. It was truly bullying. No wonder Feng Jin didn't like him; he deserved it.
At this moment, Ling Muzhu had already forgotten that he himself was once disliked.
"Hmph, you little brat, you've grown bold now, daring to talk back to me. Did Feng Jin teach you this!"
Gu Beichen grabbed Ling Muzhu's ear and began to lecture him.
"No wonder your sister-in-law doesn't like you. It's all your fault, you deserve it." Ling Muzhu broke free from Gu Beichen's grasp, rubbing his sore ear. It was all deserved.
"You little rascal!" Gu Beichen feigned a lunge, and Ling Muzhu was gone in a flash.
...
Ling Wan held a hairpin and moved it back and forth near Yun Niang's temples, finding a suitable spot to place it.
"Yun Niang, do you think it looks good like this?"
Yun Niang looked at herself in the mirror, a joyful smile blooming on her lips. "It's beautiful."
"It truly is. Yun Niang, your temperament is serene, and wearing the lotus hairpin gives you an ethereal and refined feeling."
Feng Jin walked into the room and checked Yun Niang's condition. "Your recovery is good. After applying the ointment for another two days, the scars will be completely gone."
"This is all thanks to the efficacy of Madam's medicine. Thanks to Madam, Yun Niang has been given a new life."
"What are you saying? Haven't I also contributed to your care every day?" Ling Wan said with a hint of jealousy.
Yun Niang smiled softly and held Ling Wan's hand. "Of course, you've contributed too. If Miss Ling hadn't diligently cared for me all these days, my face wouldn't have recovered so quickly."
"That's right. You must remember that I also contributed."
"Alright, stop arguing. You contributed the most," Feng Jin interrupted them.
"The clinic opens tomorrow, and I will be relying entirely on you, Yun Niang, as our main attraction. Ling Wan, you must help Yun Niang dress up beautifully tomorrow. Make her as stunning as possible."
Only with a greater contrast would the sensation be more significant.
Once her reputation was established, her clinic would surely thrive.
"Yes, sister-in-law. You can leave Yun Niang entirely to me."
"Madam has shown Yun Niang great kindness. Yun Niang has no way to repay it, and only wishes to stay by your side to serve you and repay your kindness."
Yun Niang had thought about this matter for a long time before making her decision.
"Yun Niang, I don't need anyone to take care of me. You are still so young and have a bright future ahead of you. It would be much better for you to go home, find someone to marry, rather than staying by my side to serve me."
Feng Jin reached out and helped Yun Niang up. She had treated Yun Niang's face without expecting any reward.
Feng Jin found it hard to accept someone staying to serve her. She felt it was somewhat unethical.
"Madam, please let me stay. Yun Niang has endured the scorn and bullying of the world, and is alone. Only Madam has treated me with true kindness. Please give me a place to stay."
"This..." Feng Jin was immediately put in a difficult position, unsure of how to proceed.
Ling Wan stepped forward and pulled Feng Jin aside, whispering, "Sister-in-law, Yun Niang's parents passed away early, and she only lived with her grandmother. Her grandmother also passed away not long ago, leaving her all alone. Why don't you let Yun Niang stay?"
Feng Jin couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion, not knowing Yun Niang had such a pitiable background.
Life was full of hardships. To live in this world was to suffer.
"Yun Niang, please get up first," Feng Jin said after a pause. "Your family background is clean, and it would be inappropriate for you to stay in the mansion to serve. Since the clinic is opening, why don't you work at the clinic? I will pay you three taels of silver per month, with room and board included. What do you think?"
This was the only solution that Feng Jin could think of that satisfied both parties.
"I am willing. Thank you, Madam, for taking me in."
"It's good that you agree. You should rest well first, and go to the clinic tomorrow."
After giving a few instructions, Feng Jin left.
...
The next day, Feng Jin woke up early, dressed herself up, and changed into a simple outfit.
"Are you going out?" Ling Mo Han mumbled groggily from his sleep.
"The clinic opens today, and there will surely be many patients. We'll go and attend to them." Feng Jin packed the acupuncture needles into a box and handed it to Cai Qing.
Before leaving, Feng Jin glanced at herself in the mirror. Satisfied with her makeup, she got up and went out. As she reached the door, Ling Mo Han said in a deep voice, "I'll come to the clinic to see you after I'm done with my work."
"Alright..." Feng Jin replied without looking back and walked straight ahead.
News of the clinic's opening today had already spread.
With three days of free consultations and half-price medicine, the entrance of the clinic was already crowded with people.
Feng Jin and her entourage entered through the back door.
"Young Madam, there are so many people outside." Cai Qing had never seen such a crowd for a clinic opening.
"The initial publicity was strong, so it's no wonder there are so many people today. Arrange all these Qingfeng Yulu Gao properly; they will be in high demand shortly."
Feng Jin directed the others to start working.
"Ling Muzhu, you'll distribute these flyers in a moment." Feng Jin handed a large stack of papers with promotional slogans to Ling Muzhu. She had paid people to print them in advance.
"How am I supposed to distribute these?" Ling Muzhu looked troubled. Was he really supposed to go onto the streets and shout? He couldn't bring himself to do it.
"Use your hands. Give one to everyone you see and explain what it's for."