"What if I told you that I could heal your throat completely?"
Gu Ruoyun smiled and her clear, bright eyes shone with confidence.
Hearing this, Elder Yu burst out laughing, "Even I am incapable of healing my wound. If such a young lady like you truly have such an ability, you deserve my respect!"
Even an idiot could hear the sarcasm in Elder Yu’s voice.
I intended on taking it easy on her in this wager, but it seems that this little girl is arrogant and conceited, he thought. If I don’t teach her a lesson, it would be detrimental to her personal growth in the future.
Gu Ruoyun thought nothing of it, only smiled and said, "If you don’t believe me, I can administer your medication. I only need a specific type of medication, and you’ll be cured in half an hour. Of course, if I’m able to successfully heal a wound that you yourself could not cure, it shows that you’ve lost and the Hundred Herb Hall shall belong to me."
"Alright!" Elder Yu laughed mockingly, "Since you want to gamble, then I’ll entertain you. Take whatever herbs you need from the Hundred Herb Hall. I don’t believe that any medicine could possibly work within a day. This simply defies common sense."
Gu Ruoyun said nothing, only smiled. She took a piece of paper and listed down over ten types of herbs, and handed the paper to Shopkeeper Zhao, "Please take these herbs, boil them in a pot and serve the mixture to Elder Yu. I guarantee that within half an hour, he’ll be free of his affliction."
In her past life, it was true that Gu Ruoyun had no experience in pill refinement, but she sought tutelage in medicine from a famous doctor. That doctor was well-known throughout the East Peak Mainland, even far more superior than those of the West Spirit Mainland.
And she was his favorite disciple. So naturally, he taught her everything he knew.
Shopkeeper Zhao held the list of ingredients in his hand, and glanced at Elder Yu. Upon seeing his nod of approval, Shopkeeper Zhao promptly scurried off to collect the herbs.
"Young lady," Elder Yu frowned, paused in silence, then spoke, "Even though I’m not particularly fond of your conceited attitude, there is something I must warn you about."
"What is it?"
"Beware of the Gu Family!"
At this moment, a never-before-seen wave of seriousness took over Elder Yu’s face, making Gu Ruoyun feel very uncomfortable.
"Why would you say that?"
"The Gu Family is not as simple as you think it is," Elder Yu raised his head towards Gu Ruoyun, "If the rumors about you are true, perhaps I would not say this to you. But from what I can tell, you are not a weak or useless good-for-nothing! You may be a bit egotistical, but you are also smart! Your father’s death may have had something to do with the Gu Family…"
Gu Ruoyun’s heart trembled, slowly clenching her hand into a fist. She then took a deep breath and relaxed.
"Elder Yu, did you know my father?"
"No," Elder Yu shook his head, "I never knew your father, I only admired him. He was a real man who was willing to protect the woman he loved at any cost! Unfortunately, the heavens were envious of such great talent, and geniuses will always suffer the wrath of the envious. That is all I can tell you, little girl. Whether you want to believe me or not, that is entirely up to you."
Actually, Elder Yu dearly wished to reveal her true identity to her. But he knew that it was not his place to do so.
The Dongfang Family is indeed powerful, and geniuses in the family were as many as the number of hairs on a cow. Not just anyone had the rights to enter the family. Years ago, Gu Tian approval from the Dongfang Family was simply because his innate talent far surpassed the rest.
Unless Gu Ruoyun was just as talented as her father, the Dongfang Family would never accept her…
"Elder Yu, regardless of your relationship with my father, I just want to say, thank you for your warning. But in some matters… I have a pretty good grasp on what’s going on."
The Gu Family were a snobbish bunch of people. That was why they placed great value towards their family member’s abilities.
If what Elder Yu says is true, then why would the Gu Family do such a thing? She wondered, If he was trying to deceive me, what are his motives?
Just as she was deep in thought, Shopkeeper Zhao entered the room, holding a bowl of medicine in his hands. Elder Yu felt a twinge of hesitation as he stared at the dark black liquid. But in the end, he raised his head and poured it into his mouth.
A cooling sensation slowing flowed down his throat, giving him an indescribably comfortable feeling. As if his mouth was completely filled with the fragrance of chrysanthemums, gently lubricating his throat...
The minutes and seconds rolled on…
Elder Yu could feel his throat making a gradual yet obvious recovery. He could already feel the moisture in the walls of his throat — a sensation he never had since his injury…
"Little girl, this medicine is too miraculous. This old man admits his defeat!" Elder Yu smacked his lips and praised glowingly, "May I ask, who taught you such great medical skills?"
"My master prefers to live in anonymity, I cannot reveal his name so casually."
Because even if I told you his name, you would not have recognized it. She thought, "That old man is not even from the West Spirit Mainland. But I wonder what suffering my Master had to endure, upon receiving news of my death..."
"Oh," Elder Yu sighed, "Little girl, I concede my defeat in our wager. The Hundred Herb Hall now belongs to you. And I, am your humble slave!"
This time, he sincerely accepted his defeat without any complaints.
"Alright. However, I do not wish to enslave you. I only ask that you help take care of the Hundred Herb Hall in my stead, Elder Yu. For now, I will not reveal myself to the world. I'll leave it to you to manage the everyday matters. There is also no need for anyone to know of my status as the Master of the Hundred Herb Hall. A tall tree attracts the wind. I do not wish to attract attention so soon."
Gu Ruoyun nodded with satisfaction. She did not expect to collect such a huge windfall after stepping out of the house. With a large business like the Hundred Herb hall in the palms of her hands, she would never need to worry about medicinal herbs anymore. Her road to greatness will be a lot smoother from now on.
At the time, Gu Ruoyun did not know this but the Hundred Herb Hall would play a significant role in her path to greatness. It would also be with her every step of the way from her time as a weak little girl, to a strong and powerful woman as she slowly entered the pinnacle of greatness on the mainland…
In the great hall of the Ling Family residence, Ling Yi was in a dreadful rage. He glared resentfully at the luxuriously-dressed woman before him.
"Ling Yu, you've really done it this time! Sigh!"
Ling Yu's mouth twitched, and replied nonchalantly, "Isn't it just a small medicinal store? What's the big deal? My aunt is the imperial concubine. Grandfather, you must dispatch your men and have them trample over that Hundred Herb Hall at once. Honestly, the Crown Prince's birthday celebration is only a few days away. I need to meet the Crown Prince, and I still have this ugly scar!"
"Just a small medicinal store?"
Peng!
Ling Yi crumpled onto his chair, with a bitter and impatient smile on his face, "The Hundred Herb Hall may be a medicinal store, but even the Emperor Himself wouldn't dare lay a hand on it. Yet you dare spout such words? Tomorrow, you shall come with me to the Hundred Herb Hall and apologize. Otherwise, not even your imperial concubine aunt can save you!"
Ling Yu was speechless, It's only an ordinary merchant's store. Why should grandfather feel so afraid? Even my Imperial Uncle, the Emperor does not dare lay a hand on the Hundred Herb hall? How could this be?
But Ling Yu knew that her grandfather was still fuming with rage, so she did not dare say another word. After all, in the entire Ling household, the only person she feared most was the head of the family — her grandfather…
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