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Chapter 21: Worshiping the Master
Liu Ningxue had been studying herbs for many years and had long heard of Zhou Zhanyuan’s name. She also knew he had a son and a daughter. The eldest son Zhou Liangyu took the path of the Imperial Scholar and was not prepared to take over the herbal store, and the youngest daughter Zhou was already married. And a married woman would concentrate on her husband’s family, and she couldn’t inherit the family’s craft.
Most of those who were skilled in herbal blending had a keen sense of smell. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to distinguish the types of herbs, and the modulation of herbs carried a peculiar aroma.
As soon as the Zhou family’s father and daughter approached, Liu Ningxue’s nose smelled a refreshing aroma, like bamboo, clouds, and fog. Just a hint of the aftertaste made her drowsy mind suddenly clear, like a mountain stream murmuring through. Without the slightest dullness, even an ordinary person who didn’t know about fragrances could also discern that this remarkable fragrance must be of top-grade quality. How could Liu Ningxue not tell?
The woman’s cheeks were flushed with excitement. The eagerness was completely different from her previous frigid look. Liu Ningxue thought: I wonder what kind of materials are needed to match this kind of fragrance? Or do you also have to use the method of Water Extraction?
The more she thought about it, the itchier she became, but she had a hint of arrogance in her bones, unwilling to beg others in a low voice. Pondering for a moment, she tentatively said, “My name is Liu Ningxue, the owner of the Herbal Pavilion across the street, dare to ask if Mr. Zhou still accepts disciples? I would like to learn the art of herbal blending under your tutelage.”
Hearing these words, Zhou Qing’s face suddenly turned black as the bottom of a pot, her lips pursued into a line, coldly questioning, “If I remember correctly, Wang Lu is in the Herbal Pavilion at this moment, that is a dog that eats inside and outside. How is Miss Liu going to deal with it?”
Even if she didn’t like Zhou Qing, to get the method for Water Extraction and its herbal recipe, Liu Ningxue patiently explained, “Miss Zhou, please don’t take it personally. Wang Lu came to the Herbal Pavilion because I was rash and only saw him working meticulously and didn’t know the evil things he had done. As long as Mr. Zhou is willing to accept me as his disciple, I will readily drive Wang Lu out of the Herbal Pavilion immediately. “
The business of Shen Xiang Pavilion was not bad, but because it was a newly opened store, it had not made a name for itself in the capital. Even with the support of Liu Zhaoqu behind it, it still couldn’t compare with the old stores that have been operating for decades.
Liu Ningxue had been following Liu Zhaoqu’s business since she was young, her mind was very active, and she knew what choice was most beneficial to her, so she came to the Zhou family’s herbal store.
Living for two lifetimes, Zhou Qing saw through the woman’s thoughts at a glance. She slowly spoke, “Miss Liu, if I recall correctly, Wang Lu was driven out of the herbal store because he promised your father to get the Xuande furnace from the Zhou family. Now that the Xuande furnace is no longer at hand, they are eager to unload the mill. It is a little too unkind.”
Yu Fu was holding a rag in his hand, apparently wiping the counter. When in reality, his ears were perked to eavesdrop. Now, he could not help but swallow his saliva; his thin monkey-like face showed a trace of shock. He didn’t expect such a beautiful and immortal beauty would be so ruthless, driving someone out of the Herbal Pavilion. This was to force Wang Lu to the road to death ah!
But Wang Lu had done numerous loathsome deeds and did not deserve sympathy. Just thinking of his fate, people couldn’t help but sigh.
Liu Ningxue did not expect her lies to be exposed. She looked like she was slapped twice, her cheeks steeply turned into a color of pig liver, and her nails fiercely gouged the palm. She forcibly calmed herself and said, “Xuande furnace? That is the greatest treasure of the former dynasty. Could it be it’s in the Zhou family?”
Seeing this, how could Zhou Qing not see that Liu Ningxue was playing dumb? She laughed lightly, “The Xuande furnace has long been sent to the Commander’s residence. After all, that is our Zhou family’s heirloom. It is better to dedicate it to the Court Officials than to be missed by others. What does Miss Liu think?”
Staring fixedly at Zhou Qing, Liu Ningxue – in any case – did not expect that the woman in front of her, who had a delicate appearance, was born sharp-tongued. She was simply a shrew!
Forcing a smile, Liu Ningxue replied, “Miss Zhou’s words are reasonable, but the Xuande furnace is an outstanding herbal ware. To send it to someone who does not comprehend herbal blending is a bit of a pity.”
Zhou Qing did not answer, only gazing at her with contempt.
Sensing the deep resentment of the Zhou family’s father and daughter, Liu Ningxue was aware that her trip was in vain. Her pretty face became frosty; gritting her teeth, she felt overwhelming disgust in her heart for Zhou Qing.
Father Zhou frowned slightly, “Miss Liu, ordinary people look at the skills of herbal blending, but when they have honed to a certain degree, the state of mind is more important. You are known as a genius, so you don’t have to worship me as a teacher. It’s best if you study on your own. This way your understanding in herbal blending will be more profound.”
The words were sincere, but Liu Ningxue did not appreciate them. She only took it as a pretext for Father Zhou to reject her. She sneered and left the herbal store with the maid without looking back.
Staring a the woman’s back, Zhou Qing breathed out in distaste. In the end, she didn’t care whether Liu Ningxue was good or bad or whether she had talent in herbal blending. In her heart. she was filled with an intense hatred for the culprit of her family’s devastation in her previous life, and that could never be erased.
Father Zhou shook his head and sighed, “The Liu daughter’s talent is excellent, but her heart is not. If she doesn’t understand, I’m afraid there will be no progress.”
At that, Zhou Qing lowered her eyes. Liu Ningxue was good at blending herbs, but it didn’t mean that her mind was pure. Otherwise, in her previous life, she would not have used the Xuande furnace, stained with the blood of the Zhou family, to blend herbs, taking the opportunity to win the Empress’s heart.
“Father, why are you thinking so much about it? Each person has their fate. We can’t control it.”
Father Zhou also felt that his daughter’s words were somewhat reasonable. He shook his head to put the irrelevant trivialities behind him, went back to the herbal room, and continued to study the newly acquired herbal recipe.
Zhou Qing wanted to join her father, but before stepping over the threshold, she heard a woman’s pretentious voice ringing out behind her, “Auntie, if you feel bored, Ru’er can come to the herbal store often to keep you company……”
A trace of iciness appeared on her gorgeous face. Zhou Qing looked back and saw Jiao Ru, dressed in a plain dress, holding Mother Xi’s arm as they walked together to the backyard.
Seeing Zhou Qing, Jiao Ru’s face stiffened. Inwardly cursing a few times, she forced out a smile, “Cousin Qing’er is also here. It’s really a coincidence.”
“It’s quite a coincidence. Obviously, cousin lives some feet away from the herbal store. I didn’t expect you to meet my mother.”
When she met the woman’s sharp eyes, Jiao Ru only felt that her mind had been read by Zhou Qing. Her parents had died, she was living in the capital, and she would be almost twenty after three years of mourning.
Jiao Ru thought that if she were to marry Zhou Liangyu and become an official wife, she would be able to enjoy all the glory and wealth in the future. Wasn’t it much better than now?