Chapter 61: The Vixen Keeps a Dainty Husband at Home (9)

Su Tang did not dare to probe any further, fearing she might reopen Song Qing’s emotional wounds. After all, when she first found Song Qing, the severity of his injuries suggested that his identity was far from ordinary.

"Let's not dwell on such upsetting matters," Su Tang said, reaching out to gently ruffle Song Qing's hair. "What dishes are you planning to make tonight?"

"Is there anything you'd particularly like to eat?"

"Anything is fine! Whatever you make, I love! I adore every single dish you prepare!"

Su Tang truly loved Song Qing's cooking; it felt as if she had been eating it in a past life, and every bite carried a familiar, comforting magic.

Song Qing smiled faintly, his lips curving. "Go wait inside then. I'll be done in a moment."

Su Tang refused stubbornly, crossing her arms. "No way, I'm staying out here to help you."

Song Qing sighed in gentle resignation. "Alright then."

That evening, Su Tang devoured every single dish Song Qing had prepared, leaving the plates spotless. She slumped back in her chair and let out a soft burp.

Song Qing quickly handed her a cup of water. "Drink some water. Are you alright eating this much?"

He glanced down at Su Tang's slender waist, a flicker of worry in his eyes, wondering if she might burst from overeating.

"I'm totally fine, really," Su Tang waved a hand dismissively to assure him she was in peak condition. In truth, she could probably have managed a few more bites.

As Song Qing began clearing away the bowls and chopsticks, Su Tang sprang from her seat to help.

She gently herded him over to the edge of the bed and pushed him down. "You get some proper rest, I've got this."

Song Qing tried to stand back up, but Su Tang pressed him down again.

"Stay put and be a good listener!" she commanded playfully, wearing a fierce little expression.

True to her word, Song Qing stayed put.

Satisfied, Su Tang patted his head with a contented grin. "Goodness, I just adore obedient boys who listen."

After tidying up the table, Su Tang retrieved the storybooks she had purchased from beneath her bamboo basket and placed them on the bed. "Tomorrow when I head out, you can read these to pass the time."

Song Qing was busy laying out the pallet on the floor for her. Since she stubbornly insisted on sleeping on the floor, he had no choice and had taken it upon himself to prepare her bed every day. Hearing her words, he looked up and nodded. "Alright."

Over the next few days, Su Tang ventured deeper into the depths of the forest. The various apothecaries and herbal shops that had previously hesitated to purchase her high-quality medicinal herbs could no longer sit still.

Although their town was somewhat remote, its unique geographical advantages allowed vast quantities of precious herbs to thrive, forming the very backbone of the local economy.

While the ordinary farmers in the town appeared quite poor, the proprietors of the major apothecary shops had already lined their pockets with gold—it was no exaggeration to say they were rolling in wealth.

For the past couple of days, Su Tang had pushed a little further into the woods each morning, returning home only as dusk fell. Naturally, she had also successfully saved up one hundred taels of silver.

Though she wasn't entirely satisfied with just that amount, she decided to take a break for a couple of days before resuming her endeavors.

On this particular day, Su Tang was outside drying medicinal herbs intended for Song Qing when their household received a few uninvited guests.

"Pardon me..."

The sudden voice at the entrance caused both occupants of the courtyard to turn around. "Is Su Tang here?"

Su Tang exchanged glances with Song Qing before walking over to the doorway. "I am Su Tang. What business do you have with me?"

"Hello, hello! We are from the Shangjitang Apothecary. Our manager sent us to ask how much Miss Su Tang is charging for her herbs."

Su Tang swept her gaze over the two young men standing at the gate. They looked quite young, likely apprentices from the aforementioned Shangjitang.

"Oh? The amount of herbs I gather each day is limited. What price are you offering?" Su Tang crossed her arms and stared at the two junior apprentices.

The apprentices quoted a figure—the very same standard rate Su Tang usually received from Uncle Li and the others.

The two men looked at Su Tang somewhat nervously, confident that with the illustrious reputation of Shangjitang behind them, Su Tang would readily agree. To their surprise, Su Tang flatly rejected them.

Su Tang shook her head. "I'm not satisfied with this price. Raise it."

The two apprentices exchanged troubled glances before one of them stepped forward. "This is our standard rate for everyone; we cannot raise it any further."

"Is that so?" Su Tang remained completely unfazed. She raised a finger and pointed past the two men. "Then I suppose I'll listen to what the people behind you are offering before I make my decision. Besides, I'm only one person and I can only harvest so much each day."

The apprentices turned around and, sure enough, saw two other figures dressed in pristine white apprentice robes walking up the path.

Su Tang's home was somewhat secluded, being the only dwelling in this direction. It didn't take a genius to figure out that these newcomers were also here to inquire about the medicinal herbs.

True to expectation, the two men walked right up to Su Tang's gate and offered a polite bow. "Are you Miss Su Tang?"

Su Tang nodded, evidently quite pleased with their courtesy.

"We are from Qinzhengtang on the east side of town. We've come today to discuss a possible arrangement regarding your herbs."

Since more visitors had arrived, Su Tang couldn't very well keep them all blocked at the entrance. She stepped aside, clearing a path. "Come inside and we can talk."

After they stepped through the gate, Su Tang smiled briefly at Song Qing and followed them in.

Looking at the four individuals standing in her courtyard, Su Tang walked forward apologetically. "Forgive me, my home is rather humble. You'll just have to make do by sitting on the stone steps."

All four visitors were dressed in pure white apprentice robes. They hesitated slightly at the sight of the rough stone steps, but the two apprentices from Qinzhengtang readily and unceremoniously seated themselves.

Seeing this, the representatives from Shangjitang had no choice but to follow suit.

Su Tang turned to fetch some stools, sharing a quiet, secret smile with Song Qing.

Finally, Su Tang seated herself on a higher stool, looking down at the four individuals sitting two steps below her. With an air of casual indifference, she said, "State your prices now."

The two apprentices from Shangjitang exchanged glances in silence, clearly finding the situation difficult.

However, the apprentices from Qinzhengtang promptly stated their offer.

Su Tang did not rush to accept; instead, she turned her gaze to the other two. "And your offer?"

Gritting their teeth, the Shangjitang apprentices offered a price slightly higher than Qinzhengtang's.

Yet Su Tang still did not accept immediately, turning her attention back to the Qinzhengtang pair.

The two Qinzhengtang representatives immediately raised their bid to a quarter higher than what Uncle Li typically paid.

Meanwhile, although the Shangjitang apprentices kept pace with every counter-offer, they merely topped Qinzhengtang's bid by the slimmest of margins each time.

In truth, Su Tang had already made her choice, but she decided to play the game a little longer to drive the price up. Finally, when the bid reached one-third higher than Uncle Li's standard rate, she officially awarded the agreement to Qinzhengtang.

Su Tang clapped her hands together and stood up. "Very well. Qinzhengtang, remember to draw up a formal agreement and bring it over for me to sign."

The two Qinzhengtang representatives stood up with bright smiles. "Naturally."

In stark contrast to the beaming smiles of the Qinzhengtang pair, a palpable hostility radiated from the Shangjitang representatives.

Both men glared at Su Tang with unconcealed resentment, their eyes filled with a malice that did not escape Su Tang's notice.