Chapter 34 - 35: I’m Overthinking It

“Miss, this…”

“What ‘this’? Hurry up and go. If you dare to botch things up again this time, I definitely won’t spare you!” Luo Jiner said as she looked at the hesitating figure before her, raising her hand and pinching her arm fiercely.

Qiu Zhu almost cried out in pain and could only agree meekly.

To leave a deep impression on those coming for consultations, she had gone to the front and made a loud fuss, attempting to jump the queue to see the doctor.

Shao He lifted her eyelids slightly and said in a cold voice, “If you want to see the doctor, go and line up at the back.”

Qiu Zhu felt intimidated by her gaze and had no choice but to obediently line up at the back.

When it was Qiu Zhu’s turn for a consultation, she extended her hand.

After taking her pulse, Shao He said coldly, “It’s not a significant problem, you’re suffering from long-term sleep deprivation, which is causing blood deficiency and often results in dizziness, weakness, and headaches.”

“That’s right, Doctor, I do indeed have these discomforts.”

Qiu Zhu had just been bought and assigned to serve Luo Jiner, whose temper was not good. She rarely had time to rest, and even her nights of sleep were disrupted several times.

“It’s not a serious issue. I’ll prescribe you a few formulas. Go back and brew them several times; it should improve. But most importantly, you need to make sure you rest,” Shao He said as she picked up her brush to write the prescription and instructed her to get the medicine.

Just as Qiu Zhu was holding the prescription and about to stand up to leave, Shao He suddenly called out to stop her and took out a ceramic jar from the table to give to her.

“This is the frostbite ointment I developed. Apply it to the areas affected by frostbite, and it will heal quickly; it also has an itch-relieving effect.”

“I don’t have that kind of money,” Qiu Zhu said, a little flustered. She was just a maid; how could she afford to buy frostbite ointment?

Shao He explained to her, “You must have misunderstood, Miss. This box of ointment is free of charge. I hope that after you use it and it works, you could help spread the word.”

Qiu Zhu didn’t expect such good fortune, took the ointment with joy, and nodded in thanks.

Luo Jiner was peering out sneakily, waiting to see who would come out of the medical hall, and when she saw the familiar figure, she walked up to meet her. “How did it go?”

“This female doctor’s medical skills are indeed remarkable.”

When Luo Jiner heard her praise, a sneer flashed across her eyes, “How did the matter go?”

Qiu Zhu came to her senses and replied, “It’s been handled as you instructed, miss. Everyone present should remember that I was there.”

“Good.” Luo Jiner suddenly remembered something, her expression changing instantly as she stared at Qiu Zhu, “What did you just say?”

“I… I…” Qiu Zhu, seeing her mistress in such a state, didn’t know how to respond.

Luo Jiner pinched her arm fiercely and twisted it, then proceeded to beat and scold her.

“You worthless wench! Do you not know who feeds you? Such an ungrateful creature!”

Qiu Zhu endured the pain on her body, tears falling drop by drop. With a mistress like this, all she could do was bear it; there was no other choice.

The jar of frostbite ointment in her sleeve nearly fell out; she quickly caught it and stuffed it back.

“Wouldn’t the mistress punish her again if she saw the frostbite ointment?” Qiu Zhu decided to keep this a secret. After all, it was just a jar of special frostbite ointment. Even if she hid it, it wouldn’t affect the mistress’s plans in any way.

By the end of the day, Shao He had given away dozens of jars of frostbite ointment, a strategy to attract customers. As the saying goes, you can’t trap a wolf without a lure.@@novelbin@@

This way, many people could try the frostbite ointment first, and if they found it effective, they would undoubtedly return to purchase more. The samples given out were not as substantial as the actual frostbite ointment, which came in much larger jars.

That evening during dinner, Shao He mentioned this matter.

“I’ve given away dozens of jars of frostbite ointment for free. Deduct the money from my own funds.” Shao He did this to advertise for free; only with people using it would they know if it was effective.

Yun Qian refused, “No need. But your frostbite ointment is truly effective, and it is even better than what we have developed.”

He was very curious as to how Shao He could produce such an effective ointment at the lowest cost, but he knew some medical techniques should not be shared openly, so this curiosity remained buried in his heart.

At that moment, she suddenly recalled the batch of frostbite ointment ordered by the man in the mask, and mentioned casually, “That man’s frostbite ointment is already packed up, just waiting for him to collect it. Who is he, anyway, needing so much frostbite ointment?”

Shao He paused in her meal, “Perhaps it’s a gift.”

Yun Qian’s brow furrowed slightly, “But when he ordered, he said the frostbite ointment must be sealed even more tightly. If it is a gift, why does it need such careful sealing?”

He wasn’t one to pry, but felt it strange.

In her heart, Shao He also had a guess; the frostbite ointment was likely headed for the frontier, and the masked man could be a General.

Otherwise, how could he have such capability and frequently incur injuries, but she kept these speculations to herself.

“We don’t need to concern ourselves with these things. We sell, he buys, and as long as it is fair and reasonable, that is enough,” she said.

Yun Qian smiled and scratched his head, “You’re right; I’m overthinking it.”