In the Qi Kingdom, within Guangde Town, the dust at the street entrance had slightly settled. On the bluestone slabs, puddles remained, reflecting the setting sun in mottled light and shadow. The waning sun poured down from the dilapidated eaves, making the bluestone street surface glow faintly. Pedestrians in the street mingled with the crisp sound of horse hooves and the thumping of footsteps, creating a cacophony of noise.
Carrying Xiang'er on his back, Lin Dalu hurried along with Liu Hai. The dust beneath their feet had not yet rested as they headed straight for the town's Guangde Cloth Shop. The two strode through the streets and alleys of Guangde Town. The cloth shop was located in the south of the town, the most prosperous area. The words "Guangde Cloth Shop"—written in black lacquer and gold—adorned the plaque, the ancient calligraphy hanging high above the lintel; though aged, it was wiped spotlessly clean. Two Vermilion-Lacquered Wooden Gates stood wide open at the entrance. Inside, various fabrics were neatly displayed, ranging from ordinary coarse hemp to top-tier cloud brocade. The faint sound of silk and bamboo instruments rose within the shop as several women were seen selecting fabrics and fingering silks and satins. Shop assistants bowed as they welcomed and saw off customers with smiling faces. Behind the counters, various silks and satins hung; azure satin shimmered like water, and plain gauze appeared like mist, reflecting soft light and exuding an air of wealth. Before even entering, the soft voices of women could be heard from inside, "This piece of 'Rain-Over-Sky-Blue' is quite good material, but the pattern is a bit vulgar..."
Lin Dalu's forehead was covered in sweat. Xiang'er leaned against his back, her forehead pressed against his shoulder, her skin slightly cool. Liu Hai panted, fanning his collar while grinning, "So hot... so hot... almost... almost there. Just ahead is the Guangde Cloth Shop." With that, the two quickened their pace and strode forward.
Upon reaching the entrance, several assistants were attending to customers. The "shasha" sound of rulers sliding across fabric was incessant. A sturdy man in an ochre short tunic stood with his back to the door, counting goods, the Abacus at his waist clinking with his movements.
As the two entered the cloth shop, they bumped into a burly man stepping out from the back hall. He appeared to be nearly forty, with a face like cast copper, a full beard, broad shoulders, and wide hands—the look of a rough man from the cloth trade.
"Uncle Lu Han!" Lin Dalu hurried forward.
Hearing his name, Lu Han turned and smiled, "Young Lin, the sun is already heading west; have you come to deliver cloth?" He was about to ask about the Dyed Cloth samples when he noticed Lin Dalu drenched in sweat, carrying a girl on his back. He was startled, "Young Lin, what is this..."
Lin Dalu nodded to Lu Han, his expression turning serious, "Uncle Lu Han, I am not here to deliver cloth; I truly have an urgent matter to ask of you."
As he spoke, Xiang'er leaned powerlessly against his shoulder, her pale cheeks pressed against his coarse cloth clothes, her fine eyelashes trembling slightly. Liu Hai assisted from the side, showing concern and quietly reaching out to support Xiang'er's hanging arm.
Lu Han moved closer and saw that the girl on Lin Dalu's back looked unwell and extremely weak. He was shocked, "This... what happened?"
Lin Dalu scrutinized Lu Han's face. Seeing the unfamiliar look in his eyes as he gazed at Xiang'er, showing he did not recognize her at all, Lin Dalu realized this matter had nothing to do with him. His mind raced, and after a brief pause, he sighed, "Before my parents left, they mentioned a distant relative would come to seek us out. Coincidentally, after you left yesterday, this distant cousin arrived... Perhaps it was the cold mountain air, but she suddenly had chest pains during the night; I fear she has contracted a chest ailment."
Lu Han heard this and asked, "Have you consulted a physician?" "We just came from Spring Harmony Hall; Old Master Fu has already seen her," Lin Dalu continued. "He administered acupuncture and wrote a prescription."
Hearing this, a look of relief appeared on Lu Han's rugged face, "This lady is truly blessed to be treated by Old Master Fu. Old Master Fu's medical skills are no ordinary thing! Did you see the plaque in the hall that reads—'Immortal Formulas Saving the World'?" "I did indeed see it," Lin Dalu replied. "But do you know how those words—'Immortal Formulas Saving the World'—came to be?" Lu Han asked again. "I heard Old Master Fu mention it briefly, but I don't know the details," Lin Dalu answered.
Lu Han stroked his beard, seemingly lost in thought, "It is said that ten years ago, Constable Li fell off a cliff and broke his ribs. He used only two silver needles and a bowl of 'Clear Dew Soup' to save him. The year before last, the Headmaster of Luoxi was gravely ill and lost his sight; after taking a dose of his 'Snow Bone Powder,' he actually regained his vision. Furthermore, during the plague in the mountains last year, the 'Plague-Clearing Soup' formulated by Old Master Fu saved countless lives..." At this point, Lu Han cupped his fists toward the direction of Spring Harmony Hall and continued, "Just last month, the only son of Master Wang in the east of town caught a strange illness; his whole body turned purple and his breath was faint. Many physicians were helpless. They had to send someone to invite Old Master Fu from Qingyang Town. With one dose of 'Return of Yang Powder,' the boy could walk within three days. For this, Master Wang specifically built a Memorial Shrine for Old Master Fu. Construction began two days ago, and Old Master Fu specifically rushed back for this. Spring Harmony Hall truly deserves the name 'Immortal Formulas Saving the World.' In my view, calling Old Master Fu a 'Half-Immortal Divine Hand' is by no means an exaggeration."
Lin Dalu nodded, "Old Master Fu's medical skills are certainly trustworthy. It's just... the prescription is missing one primary ingredient."
"Oh... what medicine?" Lu Han was slightly puzzled. "If you have Old Master Fu's prescription and only lack the material, that should be simple."
Lin Dalu didn't know how to explain for a moment. After a pause, he said softly, "Autumn Poria Mushroom."
Lu Han let out a surprised "Eh?" and scratched his head, "That's a coincidence; I just helped the shopkeeper procure a lot of it today."
Lin Dalu felt a surge of joy but immediately composed himself, asking respectfully, "That couldn't be better. When we entered, we didn't see Shopkeeper Tan. Do you know where he is? If Shopkeeper Tan is in the back hall, I must trouble you, Uncle Lu Han, to notify him that Lin Dalu from the Lin Family Dyehouse seeks an audience. I wish to borrow a small amount and will surely return it in full another day to show my gratitude."
Lu Han smiled bitterly and rubbed his hands, "Sigh, what a pity. You've come a bit late. Shopkeeper Tan is not at the cloth shop; he left just half an hour ago. The batch of Autumn Poria Mushroom procured today was all taken to Young Master Liu's manor."
"Young Master Liu?" Lin Dalu's brow twitched. "What does he want with that medicine?"
At this point, Lu Han's expression turned solemn, " Young Master Liu is a major client of the Guangde Cloth Shop. Every time he procures cloth, he requires this medicinal fragrance to be infused. He sent someone to urge us at noon today."
"But what does this medicinal fragrance have to do with Autumn Poria Mushroom?" Lin Dalu asked in confusion.
Lu Han sighed, his brow relaxing slightly, "Although Autumn Poria Mushroom is a precious medicinal material, it has a unique delicate fragrance that lingers for a long time and can settle the spirit and soul. If high-quality silk is smoked with it, the scent can last for three years. Although the Guangde Cloth Shop makes cloth, it also manufactures incense. It is said that Young Master Liu has two hundred bolts of cloth smoked every season; the whole courtyard can scent three streets."
As Lu Han finished speaking, he took out a small square cloth from under the counter. As soon as it was opened, a crisp scent with a hint of sweetness diffused, filling the hall with a wisp of delicate fragrance. This scent? That faint, sweet aroma... is actually somewhat similar to the faint body fragrance on Xiang'er... Lin Dalu was momentarily dazed, his mind flashing back to the moment he first saw Xiang'er yesterday.
Lu Han looked troubled, his sturdy fingers unconsciously rubbing together, "This Autumn Poria Mushroom is normally a staple item in the cloth shop. Even if Young Master Liu sends someone to collect it, there is usually enough time to prepare. But this time, for some reason, Young Master Liu's manor required a vast amount and was extremely hurried. The shopkeeper not only took all the finished incense in the shop but also all the unblended raw materials. Otherwise, on any normal day, even if the shopkeeper wasn't here, I could decide to give you some. It's just truly unfortunate today; the shopkeeper took everything, and not a trace is left in the shop..." He rubbed his hands guiltily. "If it's urgent, I'm afraid you'll have to go to Young Master Liu's manor to plead for it."
"Thank you for the guidance, Uncle Lu Han," Lin Dalu thanked him respectfully.
Changing the subject, Lu Han lowered his voice, "However... this Young Master Liu is stingy by nature and arrogant; he is very difficult to talk to... If you go to seek the medicine, you must be very careful not to offend him."
Lin Dalu and Liu Hai thanked Lu Han and left the cloth shop. Liu Hai curled his lip and sneered, "The Young Master Liu your Uncle Lu Han spoke of should be Liu Taifei; he is a distant uncle of mine. Because he is so stingy, we privately call him Liu Taifei. But for Lady Xiang'er, I'll throw my dignity away and beg him once today!"
Xiang'er slightly opened her eyes on Lin Dalu's back, her breath still weak, "I trouble... Young Master Liu..."
Lin Dalu looked back, his gaze gentle, "Xiang'er, set your heart at ease; we will surely get the medicine to treat you today."
Liu Hai grinned, "Don't worry, Brother Dalu; leave it to me! Even if this Liu Taifei loves money as much as life and refuses to help kin, if he says no... I'll make sure he gives us an explanation today."
"Even if he is unwilling, we will just offer more silver," Lin Dalu mused. "We only need two taels and three mace."
Xiang'er shifted slightly on her back, her expression weary, her voice weak, "I trouble the two Young masters..."
[Illustration ↓]
https://i.postimg.cc/90vBRy62/Q0005A.jpg
——(To be continued)