Chapter 509 - 511: The Pill Discovered by Madam Li
In the Bai Family, the Knitting Hall had been open for a few days and business was decent. Fusa had learned some simple bookkeeping methods from Bai Ruozhu and presented her the accounted books and the silver collected these days.
Opening day was the best for business, as all the customers were regulars who purchased something. Yu Hongxiu even ordered a hand warmer. Bai Ruozhu intended to give her one for free, but she insisted that personal relationships and business were separate matters.
In the following days, some went to Hua Xiangrong to buy little hats for kids, and some placed orders. All the business was handled by Fusa and Wan Caiyue. Adding the down payment of ten taels that Wu Wanqing provided that day, they had already amassed as much as two hundred and sixty taels.
Hearing Bai Ruozhu report the finances, everyone was unable to contain their joy. With such income, would they still need to worry about settling down in Beiyu City?
Bai Ruozhu calculated carefully and said, "We’ve just started, and breaking even is already quite good. But we have covered this month’s rent, tax, and costs with surplus, which indicates a hopeful start. After all, not many people know about us yet, Hua Xiangrong."
Everyone nodded, but Fusa looked somewhat worried, "We gained the most profit on the opening day mainly due to our regular customers. However, we cannot always rely on these regulars, right?"
Bai Ruozhu laughed, "Therefore, I have a task for you all. Let’s create a batch of New Year gifts that showcase the style of Hua Xiangrong, and also create brand awareness. During New Year, people often exchange gifts. These gifts can both show our sincerity and also advertise for Hua Xiangrong."
Bai Zepei, who was reading on the side, asked casually upon hearing this, "What does advertising mean?"
"It means to broadcast and announce widely. I was too brief in my explanation." Bai Ruozhu secretly stuck out her tongue; she had unexpectedly let it slip.
"Broadcast and announce widely? That’s actually a good strategy." Bai Zepei continued reading after his comment.
Bai Ruozhu cast him a glance. Why couldn’t he just go back to his room to read? Why did he have to stay here?
"Also, during the New Year we might be invited to banquets. I will bring you with me then, Fusa, so you can meet more customers," Bai Ruozhu turned her head and told Fusa.
Fusa nodded quickly. She had learned a lot when she followed Bai Ruozhu to visit Madame Ding previously. She was determined to learn more from Ruozhu this time.
However, she was a bit nervous. Would she be able to handle these wealthy ladies’ banquets? She hoped not to embarrass Ruozhu.
"If we are invited to these events, should we also host a wine feast of our own?" Lin Ping’er asked after some thought.
"Mother, stock up on more ingredients when the time comes; we might need them depending on the situation," Bai Ruozhu told her.
"OK, I will stock up on ingredients in the next few days," Lin Ping’er nodded and replied.
The family was lively as they discussed what little trinkets they could make as gifts. They finally decided to make a batch of hand warmers, engraving the Hua Xiangrong emblem in the middle on them. The emblem wasn’t too complicated; it was a blooming Peony, a symbol of wealth and honor.
Everyone in the Bai Household was very action-oriented. They started discussing color schemes and the lining material that same night and started working on them immediately.
Seeing her family’s enthusiasm, Bai Ruozhu was very pleased. She didn’t join in the weaving of the hand warmers, but instead, she took a brush and started sketching.
She drew some simple designs, such as gloves that could be knitted, long scarves to wear around your neck, and even half-sleeve garment covers that can be worn outside clothes. Customers could choose different patterns or even have them adorned with pearls and jade according to their needs.
She planned to compile a catalog for customers to browse in the shop. She would also have sample pieces made for customers to refer to physical items.
While the Bai family was bustling with the preparations for the New Year, visitors came from Anyuan Town. They were Magistrate Li and his wife.
Magistrate Li had come directly to the mansion after inquiring for directions from Mr. Xie. Mrs. Li looked much better, although there was still a hint of depression in her eyes.
Bai Ruozhu took Mrs. Li’s pulse and then smiled, saying, "Most of the poison has been removed, which is faster than I anticipated. Here are some prescriptions for you. Please take them as advised for another two weeks."
Mrs. Li nodded, gratefully said to Bai Ruozhu, "Thank you so much. Otherwise, I might not have survived."
Magistrate Li also thanked Bai Ruozhu and then chatted with Bai Zepei. Meanwhile, Mrs. Li subtly signaled Bai Ruozhu, implying that she had something private to discuss with her.
Bai Ruozhu understood and led her to her own room.
"Miss Bai, can you help me identify what this is?" Mrs. Li covertly pulled out a small porcelain bottle from her bosom after the door was closed. Inside were five or six tiny black pills.
The moment Bai Ruozhu opened the bottle cap, she smelled something wrong. She immediately snatched the bottle stopper from Mrs. Li’s hand and closed the bottle.
"Where did you get this?" She asked Mrs. Li with a stern look.
Mrs. Li was startled, "Is there something wrong with it? I found it in my mother-in-law’s room."
"Don’t keep this. Women shouldn’t smell this; otherwise, they won’t be able to conceive. And definitely don’t ingest it," Bai Ruozhu said with a furrowed brow.
"What? Is the reason I haven’t been able to conceive for these years because of this?" Mrs. Li became nervous instantly and stretched her hand towards Bai Ruozhu, "Dr. Bai, please check me again. I want to know if I can still have children."
She was on the verge of tears as she said this. Ever since her daughter’s birth, she had not conceived again for several years.
Bai Ruozhu shook her head, "Do not overthink it. Other than being poisoned with the slow-acting poison, you have not ingested or inhaled this pill. When I took your pulse just now, I also checked for your situation. As for why you have not conceived these years, it could be a matter of fate."
Mrs. Li heaved a sigh of relief, "That’s a relief. I think I might have been overthinking." She looked a bit ashamed and said, "I have been cautious ever since the last incident, and planted a spy near my mother-in-law. I know it’s wrong, but I don’t want to endanger my life again, and more importantly, I don’t want my child to lose her mother at such a young age."
Bai Ruozhu nodded; she could understand Mrs. Li’s feelings. It was commendable that she hadn’t sought revenge against her mother-in-law.
"We had thoroughly searched our yard before, but we did not check my mother-in-law’s room too carefully. Later, one of the maids reported that there was a bottle of pills in her room, although she had never seen the old lady consume them. I was afraid, so a few days ago, I asked the maid to secretly take some of them. There were quite a few pills in the bottle, so I thought she wouldn’t notice."
"Have you shown these to other doctors?" Bai Ruozhu asked.
Mrs. Li shook her head quickly, "I dared not let others see. In case it really is something bad, it will be detrimental to my husband if the news spreads."