Transmigration: Becoming the Wicked Stepmother of Four Children

Chapter 16 Baohetang Sells Lingzhi

Lu Qingqing asked:

"Shopkeeper, you might as well tell me frankly, what price can I sell these herbs for?"

Manager Hu looked at Lu Qingqing with a gentle gaze and said:

"Madam, it must be very difficult for you, a woman, to go up the mountain to gather herbs."

Moreover, the herbs had already been prepared.

I'll give you this Bupleurum root for one tael and six copper coins.

Motherwort, one ounce, four copper coins; Dendrobium officinale, one ounce, ten copper coins.

This price is fair.

Upon hearing this, Lu Qingqing was overjoyed.

I feel that Manager Hu is indeed a very honest person.

This price is twice as high as what Wanchuntang previously offered.

She couldn't help but feel more grateful to Manager Hu.

"Shopkeeper, just give me what you say," Lu Qingqing said, placing the herbs on the counter.

Shopkeeper Hu nodded and began weighing and calculating.

"Madam, there are two catties of Bupleurum in total."

The price I'm offering you is one tael and six copper coins. Two catties is 32 taels, which is one hundred and ninety-two copper coins.

There are three catties of motherwort in total. Three catties is 48 liang. One liang is four wen, which is one hundred and ninety-two wen.

There are two catties of Dendrobium officinale in total. Two catties is 32 liang. One liang costs ten wen, so that's three hundred and twenty wen.

"Madam, these three herbs together cost seven hundred and four coins."

Shopkeeper Hu's abacus beads clicked loudly.

After calculating, he counted out 705 coins from the counter and handed them to Lu Qingqing.

"Madam's herbs are indeed prepared very cleanly."

This is 705 coins, please accept it, madam.

As he handed Lu Qingqing a copper coin, Manager Hu praised her.

Lu Qingqing smiled and accepted the coin, then seemed to remember something.

She took another package out of the basket and slowly opened it.

That's the finest-looking Ganoderma lucidum lying there.

Manager Hu's previously calm eyes instantly lit up.

He exclaimed in surprise, "Madam, you even have Ganoderma lucidum here!"

Lu Qingqing nodded and said:

"I obtained this Ganoderma lucidum by chance; could you please take a look, shopkeeper?"

Manager Hu stood up excitedly.

He leaned closer to examine the Ganoderma lucidum closely, praising it highly.

"This Ganoderma lucidum has a rich color and clear texture. It is over a hundred years old and is of superior quality!"

"Madam, this Ganoderma lucidum of yours is a real treasure."

Lu Qingqing looked at Manager Hu expectantly and asked:

"Shopkeeper, what price can you offer for this Ganoderma lucidum?"

Manager Hu pondered for a moment and said:

"Madam, this Ganoderma lucidum is extremely precious."

I'll offer fifty taels of silver for this plant. What do you think?

Lu Qingqing felt a surge of joy, but she tried her best to remain calm.

He said, "Shopkeeper, can the price be raised a little higher?"

Manager Hu looked troubled and said:

"Madam, this Ganoderma lucidum is indeed a fine product."

If sold in our town, it would fetch at most fifty taels.

However, if you go to the branch store in Ancheng to sell it, you can get it for seventy taels there.

"Madam, this is the highest price I can offer."

As you know, Ganoderma lucidum is precious.

But we also have to consider market conditions and the operating costs of my pharmacy.

Lu Qingqing hesitated for a moment,

Considering that the prices Manager Hu had previously offered for the herbs were reasonable,

Moreover, this person seemed honest, so he finally nodded and said:

"Alright, then we'll do as you say, shopkeeper. Please accept the Ganoderma lucidum."

Manager Hu said happily, "Madam, you're so kind! I'll have someone get the money for you right away."

Manager Hu arranged for tea and pastries to be served, and warmly invited Lu Qingqing and Shi Tou to enjoy them.

Lu Qingqing took a small sip of tea.

Stone stared curiously at the delicate pastries, but wisely dared not touch them.

Just then, a handsome young man entered the pharmacy.

He wore a jade crown and a brocade robe embroidered with cloud patterns.

Holding a folding fan painted with landscapes,

As soon as I entered, I took a liking to that Ganoderma lucidum.

"Wow, this Ganoderma lucidum is truly a rare find!"

The young master, his face beaming with delight, strode over.

"Shopkeeper, how much is this Ganoderma lucidum?"

Manager Hu immediately looked embarrassed, rubbed his hands together, and said, "This...this..."

Lu Qingqing noticed Manager Hu's predicament and said with a smile:

"Shopkeeper, the Ganoderma lucidum is now yours."

Who you sell to and how much you sell to is entirely up to you, the shopkeeper.

Upon hearing this, Manager Hu couldn't help but look at Lu Qingqing with higher regard.

He secretly admired the lady for being so open-minded and reasonable.

After a moment's thought, Manager Hu said to the young master:

"Young master, you have excellent taste."

This Ganoderma lucidum is indeed of superior quality, at least a hundred years old.

If you like this Ganoderma lucidum, I'll sell it to you for eighty taels.

It would be perfect as a birthday gift for you.

Upon hearing this, the young master didn't waste any more words.

He pulled out a stack of silver notes from his pocket, counted out eighty taels, and handed them to Manager Hu.

"Shopkeeper, here is eighty taels. Please keep it."

Shopkeeper Hu beamed with joy and quickly had the Ganoderma lucidum carefully wrapped up and handed to the young master.

The young master took the lingzhi mushroom and said with satisfaction:

"Thank you very much, shopkeeper. I've finally found a treasure today."

After saying that, he turned and left the pharmacy.

Manager Hu, holding the eighty taels of silver, turned to Lu Qingqing and said:

"Madam, you are such a generous person. The good price these Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms fetched is all thanks to you,"

Lu Qingqing said, "Shopkeeper, you're too kind."

I only need the fifty taels of silver we agreed on before.

As for who you sell it to later, or how much you sell it for, that's up to you, the shopkeeper, to decide.

Shopkeeper Hu widened his eyes in surprise and hurriedly asked:

"May I ask how you are addressed, Madam?"

Lu Qingqing smiled and replied, "Shopkeeper, my surname is Lu and my given name is Qingqing."

Manager Hu cupped his hands and said:

"Madam Lu, it is truly rare to see someone as generous and righteous as you."

"I would feel really bad if you didn't accept the extra thirty taels of silver."

Lu Qingqing waved her hand gently and said:

"Shopkeeper, although I, Lu Qingqing, am just a country woman..."

But I also know that one should be honest and trustworthy; we agreed on a price beforehand, and that's what we'll do.

"Just do as agreed. Could you please exchange ten taels of silver for me, shopkeeper? I need to buy something later."

Shopkeeper Hu, his face beaming with joy and admiration, said:

"Madam Lu, you are truly a straightforward person. I, Hu, really admire you."

Very well, since Madam Lu has put it that way, I, Hu, will not refuse any longer.

How about this: if you ever need any good medicinal herbs in the future, you must come to my Baohetang first.

"As long as the medicinal herbs are of good quality, we will buy as much as you have."

As he spoke, Manager Hu took out four ten-tael silver ingots.

He also handed ten one-tael silver coins to Lu Qingqing.

Lu Qingqing nodded in agreement:

"Thank you very much, shopkeeper. I will definitely sell you medicinal herbs first in the future."

After speaking, Lu Qingqing took Shitou's hand and left Baohetang.

Stone was somewhat puzzled and asked:

"Why didn't you take the money the shopkeeper offered you?"

Lu Qingqing patted the stone's head and patiently said:

"Stone, you must remember that you must be content and not be greedy."

The shopkeeper had already given us very reasonable prices for the herbs.

Moreover, the fact that the Ganoderma lucidum could fetch such a high price is due to Manager Hu's skill.

Since it was an agreed-upon matter,

We must not let profit cloud our judgment and break the rules.

Stone frowned, still not quite understanding:

"But those are clearly our Ganoderma lucidum, why don't we accept the extra money?"

Lu Qingqing smiled, squatted down, looked into the stone's eyes, and said:

"My child, money is important, but integrity and loyalty are even more precious."

If we take that extra money,

The shopkeeper will think we're dishonest and might not want to do business with us anymore.

Moreover, we feel at ease doing things with a clear conscience.

Only then can we walk a more stable and longer road ahead.

Stone blinked, thought for a moment, and said:

"Oh, I think I understand. Just like when I play with my friends, I have to keep my promises and not cheat."

Lu Qingqing patted the stone's head with satisfaction:

"The stone is really smart, that's the point."

Let's go buy some things we need for the family.

After saying that, Lu Qingqing took Shi Tou's hand and walked towards the bustling part of the market.