In the courtyard, Madam Xu's grateful sobs could still be heard.
Ji Zizhao, however, had already turned towards the bed.
Seeing her young lady retiring for the night, Xinlan quickly blew out the candle outside and whispered, "Miss, Yong Mei is not feeling well. I will be on night watch tonight. Just call me if you need anything."
Lying on the bed, Ji Zizhao closed her eyes and smiled faintly.
The Fifth Prince was indeed quick to act.
Ji Zizhao did not believe for a moment that the Fifth Prince could truly give up on Yong Mei. It was likely a combination of threats and enticements, and deception all along...
Therefore, Yong Mei must now be completely devoted to the Fifth Prince.
This was for the best; the more thorough her betrayal, the less hesitant she would be when Ji Zizhao eventually cleaned house.
The next morning, Madam Xu truthfully reported Zi Qiao's betrayal to the Old Madam, omitting only her gratitude towards the eldest daughter. Everything else was conveyed word for word.
Having lived so long, how could the Old Madam not see through things?
She certainly knew that Yan Jie'er's collapse was not as simple as the Zhao family claimed. However, the Zhao family had elevated her so highly, and their actions had pleased her immensely, so she had turned a blind eye and maintained courteous relations with them.
Now, hearing from Madam Xu that Zizhao was the one who uncovered Zi Qiao's betrayal, the Old Madam understood that the most uncontrollable force in the Ji family was Ji Zizhao, who held the seal of authority.
To prevent further complications and unwilling to completely sever ties with the Zhao family, the Old Madam permitted Madam Xu to personally handle the matter with the Zhao family.
When Ji Zizhao learned that Madam Xu had already left, she understood it was with the Old Madam's approval.
However, it didn't matter.
With this combination of pressure and favor, of gentleness and firmness, she had no intention of snatching Madam Xu away from her grandmother.
As long as Madam Xu acknowledged this favor, it would be enough for her to subtly leak news from her grandmother's side in the future.
Today was the end of the month, the day the Four Great Medical Halls settled their accounts.
According to the usual practice, the shopkeepers of the Four Great Medical Halls would quietly deliver their account books to Qing Zhu, who would then submit them to Ji Zizhao for review.
After breakfast, Ji Zizhao devoted herself to processing the accounts.
The accounts of the Four Great Medical Halls had always been as clear as water. What she primarily reviewed were the letters submitted by the shopkeepers along with their books.
Just as she was now, the shopkeepers were complaining in their letters. The Jin family pharmacy had bought up all the Astragalus in the imperial city. If the Four Great Medical Halls wanted to purchase Astragalus from the Jin family pharmacy, they would have to buy it along with other expensive medicinal herbs.
Astragalus, though not particularly rare, was widely used.
This herb possessed the functions of replenishing qi and benefiting the middle jiao, as well as nourishing blood and tonifying qi. It could also effectively treat symptoms such as fatigue, qi deficiency, blood deficiency, and decline in qi, thereby promoting physical recovery.
Ji Zizhao's slender fingers tapped lightly on the ledger before her.
It was clear that the Jin family intended to bundle sales.
Ji Zizhao pondered for a moment, then picked up her brush and wrote a reply, instructing the Four Great Medical Halls to substitute American Ginseng for Astragalus in all preparations where it was used.
American Ginseng replenished qi and generated fluids, with a mild medicinal property that would not cause dryness or heat. It could completely replace Astragalus.
As for the price difference between the two herbs, Ji Zizhao instructed the Four Great Medical Halls to clearly inform patients when American Ginseng was added to their medications. Each dose would only require an additional tael of silver. For larger quantities, patients could receive two free doses for every five purchased, and five free doses for every ten purchased, and so on.
Although American Ginseng was more expensive than Astragalus, as long as they focused on volume sales, the Four Great Medical Halls would still be profitable.
The Sheng Imperial City was imitating Feng Sheng. Ji Zizhao also instructed the Four Great Medical Halls to release the news of substituting American Ginseng for Astragalus. This way, other medical halls would surely follow suit.
In this manner, Astragalus would be completely abandoned.
Once the Jin family's medical hall had accumulated unsold Astragalus, they would proactively come to them to sell it at a cheap price.
Ji Zizhao called Qing Zhu in and handed over her reply. Just then, Xinlan burst into the room.
"Miss, the Second and Third Masters of the Ji family are here. The Old Madam wants you to tidy yourself up and hasten to the main hall."
The Ji family was not a large clan.
The grandfather's generation had only three brothers.
Although they had established their own residences, they had maintained contact over the years and had a good relationship.
When the grandfather was alive, he was the one who dealt with these elder relatives. Ji Zizhao knew nothing about these two grand-uncles from the collateral branches. But now that the grandfather was gone, Ji Zizhao had to meet them personally.
Ji Zizhao, with Xinlan following, walked out of the courtyard and headed towards the main hall.
In the main hall, the two Masters of the Ji family were already seated on the side.
The Old Madam occupied the main seat, with the First Madam, Lin Wanyun, standing beside her.
As for the other daughters-in-law, they did not have the right to be present as they were not in charge of the household.
The Second Master of the Ji family first spoke a series of pleasantries, then introduced a young man standing behind him. "This is the eldest son of my third brother, named Ji Zixiu. Zixiu, quickly pay your respects to your grand-aunt."
Seeing this, the Third Master of the Ji family also brought forward his grandson and pushed him forward. "This is the third son of my eldest brother, named Ji Ziliang."
The Second and Third Masters of the Ji family were both polite and smiling.
In contrast, the two younger generation members stood before the Old Madam with apparent reluctance.
First Madam Lin Wanyun seemed to sense something and said politely, "Since the two children are unfamiliar faces, it's fine. However, the arrival of the two uncles is already a great comfort to our Ji family."
The Second Master of the Ji family was a courteous man. "My brother, along with all the men of our family, died on the battlefield. Regardless of what outsiders say, we believe my brother died with honor. Sister-in-law, please do not grieve too much. Your own health is most important. The Emperor is wise and mighty, and he will surely grant the Ji family justice."
The Third Master of the Ji family, however, said, "My second brother has said what I wished to say. As for the younger generation... they are unfamiliar now, but they will become familiar with time."
First Madam Lin Wanyun's hand, holding a handkerchief, tightened. She never expected the two uncles to be so shameless.
Not wanting to continue the topic, she quickly changed the subject. "Since the two uncles have come to visit, why don't you stay for a simple lunch? As for how the younger generation should interact, let them sort it out among themselves."
The Third Master of the Ji family gave First Madam Lin Wanyun a sideways glance and then looked at the Old Madam. "Sister-in-law, to be frank, my second brother and I have come because we want to help you and Eldest Brother out of your urgent predicament."
The Old Madam smiled faintly. "My three brothers speak in such a way that this old woman cannot understand."
The Third Master of the Ji family was impulsive and did not engage in wordplay. Truly believing his sister-in-law didn't understand, he plainly stated his intentions. "Eldest Brother took all the men and died outside. Where are the male heirs you have now? What good are the women left? To put it bluntly, they are worse than cast-off rags, and will marry out sooner or later. You..."
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Such direct and jarring words were unbearable even to the Second Master of the Ji family, who quickly interrupted. "Third brother is not good with words, but his heart is in the right place. My third brother and I discussed it privately, and we plan to have the two children adopted by Eldest Sister-in-law. This way, Eldest Sister-in-law will have heirs, and at least the lineage will continue."
First Madam Lin Wanyun was almost driven to laughter.
They spoke so high-mindedly, yet they were desperately trying to foist people onto this household!
From beginning to end, these two uncles had not expressed a single concern for her deceased husband, but had instead schemed in every way possible to extract benefits from this already dilapidated household into their own hands.
Bearing the same surname, sharing the same blood, how could they be so shameless!