The Jiang family's merchant guild had suffered losses at the hands of the Four Great Medical Halls back then. Now, even though the Jiang family's shopkeepers were seething with anger, the mere thought of the Four Great Medical Halls' influence made them dare not act rashly.
Seeing her shopkeepers return defeated, the Jiang family matriarch decided to personally intervene the next day.
However, it would have been better if the Jiang family matriarch had not gone. The moment she stepped into the Four Great Medical Halls, Wang Can and Xin Bi's eyes gleamed with avarice.
"So you're the Jiang family matriarch, are you?"
"So you want our Master to be a concubine to your son?"
"So you're slandering and spreading rumors about our Master?"
Originally, Xin Bi and Wang Can had not planned to get involved after hearing about the trouble caused by the Jiang family. After all, their Master had not suffered any losses. But now that the Jiang family matriarch had come knocking on their door, there was no longer any need for them to hold back.
Of course, facing the Jiang family matriarch, a mere woman, Xin Bi and Wang Can could not resort to force. But not being able to use their hands did not mean they could not use their mouths.
The Jiang family matriarch had initially thought that by coming in person, the people of the Four Great Medical Halls would at least show her some respect. But little did she expect that from the moment she entered, no one from the Four Great Medical Halls paid her any mind. They went about their business and said what they had to say.
It was no wonder the Four Great Medical Halls were renowned for their superb medical skills. They could treat patients and simultaneously engage in veiled insults without missing a beat!
Most infuriatingly, all of the Jiang family matriarch's retorts fell on deaf ears. Xin Bi and Wang Can not only did not reply, but they didn't even acknowledge her, as if she were invisible.
The Jiang family matriarch, "..."
She finally realized that it wasn't that the Four Great Medical Halls didn't respect her, but that they utterly disregarded her existence!
The Jiang family matriarch left after only two hours, her anger burning. If she stayed any longer, not only would the business deal fail, but her very life would be in question.
Everyone in the Jiang family knew that the Four Great Medical Halls were clearly seeking revenge. But faced with a medical hall that could insult people while still treating patients, the Jiang family was utterly helpless. Even if they reported the matter to the imperial court, the Four Great Medical Halls could simply claim they were too busy with patients to discuss anything else.
Furthermore, the Four Great Medical Halls were highly regarded by the common people in the imperial city. The Emperor cared most about public opinion. If the matter were to drag on, the Jiang family would be the ones to bear the brunt of the blame.
As expected, a few days later, news spread throughout the imperial city that the Four Great Medical Halls were diligent and prioritized the well-being of the people, even above the Emperor's decree.
The reason the Four Great Medical Halls dared to openly seek revenge was because they were confident. The amount of medicinal herbs secretly sent to Tonglin by their shopkeeper was more than sufficient. Since it did not involve life-threatening matters, they had no reservations about dealing with the Jiang family.
The most brilliant move was that Chen Gang openly stated that the Emperor, who cherished his people, was being served by the Four Great Medical Halls in accordance with his wishes.
Emperor Xiaochang, who had unexpectedly gained public favor, could only turn a blind eye even if he knew about the Four Great Medical Halls' delay in sending the herbs. Otherwise, wouldn't he be undermining himself?
The Jiang family's shopkeepers could only gather at the Jiang residence, their despair so great that they almost coughed up blood.
"This situation is untenable. Sending medicinal herbs to Tonglin is the Emperor's decree. The Four Great Medical Halls can afford to delay, but we cannot. If Tonglin is temporarily not short of medicinal herbs, it's fine. But once there's a shortage, won't the Jiang family be held accountable?"
"That's easy for you to say. If you're so capable, why don't you go talk to the people at the Four Great Medical Halls?"
"Talk about what? As far as I can see, the Four Great Medical Halls have no intention of talking to us!"
As things had escalated to this point, the Jiang family's shopkeepers finally began to regret their past decision to antagonize the Four Great Medical Halls.
But what was the use of regret?
Jiang Guang Sheng looked at the dejected shopkeepers, his own heart heavy with worry, for he knew very well who was behind the Four Great Medical Halls.
Recalling the past events, Jiang Guang Sheng didn't know how to face Ji Zi Zhao. But with the Jiang family and the Four Great Medical Halls at such a stalemate, Jiang Guang Sheng had no choice but to grit his teeth and personally seek out Ji Zi Zhao.
The Jiang family matriarch, naturally aware of her son's capabilities, heard that he was going to the Four Great Medical Halls to negotiate. Knowing he would find a way to tackle this tough nut, she handed him the price list opened by the Jiang family, saying, "It's good that you're going. Help your mother to curb the arrogance of the Four Great Medical Halls!"
Jiang Guang Sheng gave a wry smile, but said nothing.
When Ji Zi Zhao received the Jiang family's invitation, it was already late into the night. Chen Gang handed it to Mo Hen, and the meeting was arranged at an inconspicuous teahouse in the imperial city.
"If you don't wish to go, my lady, I will refuse it," Mo Hen rarely interfered with Ji Zi Zhao's decisions. The fact that he spoke thus now clearly indicated his extreme dislike for the Jiang family.
Ji Zi Zhao, however, flicked the invitation in her hand. "I still must go."
Jiang Guang Sheng had deliberately chosen to send the invitation in the evening rather than showing up at their doorstep in a grand manner. This was clearly an act of kindness, helping her to conceal her identity.
Moreover, the Jiang family and the Four Great Medical Halls had been causing a stir in the imperial city for days. Ji Zi Zhao knew that the Four Great Medical Halls were acting on her behalf, so she had not stopped them from hurting the feelings of a few shopkeepers. However, the war in Tonglin was still ongoing. Just because they were not short of medicinal herbs now did not mean they wouldn't be in the future.
Matters concerning the lives and deaths of the soldiers could not tolerate any personal sentiments.
Ji Zi Zhao was never one to dither. Since she had decided to go, she would not deliberately delay. After a simple preparation, she boarded the carriage and headed to the teahouse mentioned in the invitation.
Jiang Guang Sheng, anxiously awaiting her in the private room, thought he was hearing things when he heard a knock on the door. He had expected that Ji Zi Zhao would at least honor the appointment, but he hadn't anticipated her arriving half an hour early.
"As expected of the Master of the Four Great Medical Halls. The efficiency of the Fourth Prince's Consort's actions is truly admirable," looking at Ji Zi Zhao standing at the door, Jiang Guang Sheng forced a wry smile, but his words were sincere. Given how hostile the relationship between the two families had become, Ji Zi Zhao's punctuality was a magnanimity that even most men lacked.
Ji Zi Zhao was not here for pleasantries. She walked in, sat down on a flower chair by the window, and stated directly, "Although the Emperor has ordered the Four Great Medical Halls and the Jiang family to cooperate in sending medicinal herbs to Tonglin, in terms of quantity, the Jiang family's medicinal herbs far exceed those of the Four Great Medical Halls. Since the Jiang family holds the larger share, you must have already had private discussions. It would be best to speak frankly."
Getting down to business, Jiang Guang Sheng did not delay. He quickly said, "Although the amount of medicinal herbs sent to the battlefield is not extremely large, it is still a substantial quantity. With the war in Tonglin on the verge, I fear that once these medicinal herbs are sent over, the military doctors in Tonglin will not have time for extensive preparation. Therefore, the Four Great Medical Halls will need to pre-process and sort the medicinal herbs."