Even though I ran a pharmacy, it was impossible to stock every kind of medicine. When needed, I would obtain ingredients through other suppliers. Each store had its specialties, so multiple visits were often required.
I had arranged to bill the expenses to my family, but I worried about getting scolded by Ileina when she saw the hefty amount. It was already done, though, and I thought I could repay it once I received my title and land.
I lastly visited Jerome’s shop for Playrina roots. Jerome, known for his slick manner of speaking that often gave off a con artist vibe, was actually quite sociable and popular in the neighborhood.
His store always had many regular customers. Today was no exception, and I had to wait in line. When it was my turn, I requested Playrina roots.
“Playrina roots, eh? It’s rare for someone to ask for such an uncommon ingredient,” Jerome muttered as he searched for the roots.
He rummaged around in a corner for a while before quickly packing the roots into a paper bag. Despite his swift actions, I could tell the roots’ color was off.
‘Am I being taken advantage of?’
Thinking about it, I was the perfect target: a young noblewoman with money, seeking an unusual ingredient like Playrina roots. It seemed he intended to offload some spoiled stock on me.
‘How dare he think of me as an easy mark…’
“78 blue coins, but since a pretty lady like you is buying, I’ll give you a discount. Let’s call it 70 blue coins,” he said.
Hearing the price confirmed my suspicions. Jerome was trying to swindle me. I raised my hand to stop him.
“Hold on.”
I opened the paper bag to inspect the roots. No detailed examination was needed – it was evident at first glance that the roots were in poor condition.
“Exactly as I thought…”
Jerome looked around nervously, aware of his wrongdoing.
I took out the roots and placed them prominently on the counter. He looked around anxiously, aware of the other customers watching.
Loud enough for everyone to hear, I pointed out, “Playrina roots are known for their bright white color. These being so blackened indicates they’ve been stored in a damp, poorly ventilated place.”
Jerome stammered in response, “That’s… that’s not true. The high-quality Playrina roots are naturally like this!”
“Naturally like this? Who do you think I am? A fool? I thought the Pharmacists Guild cared about managing their herbs. This won’t do. Isn’t the store next door run by Michael, the head of the Guild?”
At this, Jerome’s eyes widened in panic.
The pharmacists had formed a guild five years ago, inspired by the perfumers. They focused on the rights of pharmacists and quality control of their products. If it was revealed that Jerome was selling spoiled goods, especially at an inflated price, he’d face significant repercussions.
Especially since Jerome was ambitiously eyeing the Guild Chair position. His chances would evaporate if this came to light.
Jerome hastily apologized, “No, don’t! I mean, my mistake. Old age has dimmed my eyesight, and I made an error.”
“What a mistake… How could you store the roots until they’re this spoiled? Oh, look, there’s even blue mold at the end of the root. Does expensive root breed mold flowers?”
As I sarcastically commented, Jerome’s face turned a mix of red and pale with embarrassment. Other customers, curious about the commotion, peered over my shoulder. Jerome, feeling sorry for himself but still guilty of trying to sell spoiled medicine, covered the spoiled roots with his body and addressed the customers.
“It’s nothing serious. Just a small mistake. You all must be busy; please continue with your errands.”
Despite feeling a bit sorry for him, I continued, annoyed that he tried to sell spoiled goods.
“And why would you charge 70 blue coins for a bunch of Playrina roots? 38 blue coins would already be generous. Isn’t there a pricing guideline in the Guild?”
“That’s…,” he stuttered.
“Leaving spoiled goods can affect other medicines. Shouldn’t you have disposed of this earlier rather than waiting to find a fool to sell it to?”
“Really, it was a mistake. My apologies. Please forgive me this once.”
Jerome quickly cleared the spoiled Playrina roots off the counter. Then he rummaged behind the counter and brought out several items.
“I’m truly sorry. Playrina roots aren’t in high demand and are tricky to store… I’ve searched the entire storage, and this is the only good bunch I have.”
Well, he wasn’t entirely wrong. Playrina roots are indeed tricky to store and not commonly used. It’s not a lucrative herb, so not many stores handle it.
This root is also rarely used in medicine, so not many suppliers sell it. Honestly, I was grateful he sold it at all.
I was angry at being seen as an easy target but knew he wasn’t entirely bad. I attempted to pay, but he refused to accept the money.
“It’s on me. A gesture of apology. I included various items, not sure what you needed. These are popular among perfumers these days. Even if you don’t use them, you could sell them for a good price in the perfume district.”
“You didn’t have to go to this extent…”
He shook his head with a heavy expression.
“It was a moment of greed. I don’t usually do this. I didn’t even realize that the storage was mishandled.”
I nodded, understanding his position. Despite my resentment, I understood his plight. Storing expensive raw materials without ensuring enough profit margin can lead to losses, especially if they spoil.
Jerome wasn’t a bad person from my past experiences, so I reluctantly accepted the heavily packed bags he handed me.
“Just make sure not to rip off customers who seem like easy targets in the future. The Guild might send inspectors occasionally.”
Whether the pharmacists’ guild did this or not, I had heard of other guilds employing such tactics.
Jerome narrowed his eyes at me.
“You’re not suggesting that you’re one of them, are you?”
“I’m not, but just make sure to store your herbs properly. It’s worse for business to store them poorly than not to sell them at all.”
“I know, but Playrina root storage is particularly challenging.”
“If so, wrap each bunch in paper and insert charcoal between them. It helps to store moisture-sensitive herbs.”
At my advice, Jerome scratched the back of his head, murmuring with an embarrassed look.
“Considering you look like a young lady from a noble family, it’s surprising how well you know about these matters…”
I gave him a wistful smile in response to his remark.
‘I used to be the best at managing herbal ingredients on 17th Street…’
I left the shop with Jerome’s farewell. The coachman, who had been waiting for me, hurried over and took the paper bags from my arms.
“If you had so much to carry, you should have called me… Is this the last herbalist? Shall we head back to the mansion?”
I hesitated to answer immediately, gazing down the alley for a long while.
The pharmacy where I used to live was at the very end of 17th Street. It was now a thing of the past. The thought of visiting the pharmacy crossed my mind since I was already out, but I lacked the courage. I couldn’t bear to face the place that had been burnt to ashes, leaving only traces behind. It had burnt so severely that not even my body was found. It seemed unlikely that anything recognizable would have remained.
‘I need time to prepare the medicine for Ian… I’ll visit it later, once more time has passed.’
I nodded to the coachman.
“I’ve bought everything I need. Let’s go back to the mansion.”
As I got into the carriage with the coachman’s help, I muttered to myself while looking at the medicinal herbs I had bought.
“I hope there won’t be a need to use this emergency medicine…”
Back at the mansion, I asked Eleina if she could provide me with a space suitable for my work.
She wondered why I needed such a space, and I explained that I had developed an interest in making perfumes myself.
It seemed odd to say it was for preparing medicine. Of course, the idea of a noble lady making her own perfume didn’t quite fit either.
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
