Even the usually calm Ling Wan was surprised. Since ancient times, no woman had ever opened a pharmacy.
"That's right, a pharmacy."
Feng Jin said resolutely. She had observed that women here were embarrassed to speak of their illnesses and would not seek medical treatment, simply because the doctors were men.
Because they avoided seeking treatment for their ailments, many women suffered their entire lives.
Her purpose in opening a pharmacy was twofold: to make money, and to provide these women with a place to get medical help.
"Sister-in-law, since ancient times, there has been no precedent for women opening pharmacies or practicing medicine. You are the young madam of the Ling residence, and also the Jia Ning County Princess personally enfeoffed by His Majesty. It is improper for you to be seen helping people and treating illnesses."
Ling Wan was faintly worried. The reason why there were no female doctors was fundamentally due to the strict separation of men and women. If a man suffered an external injury and had to have his chest exposed for treatment, the woman's reputation would be ruined if word got out.
"Yes, young madam, the second young lady's words are reasonable. What if a man comes? Will you treat him or not? Moreover, it is not proper for you to be out and about, and it would not sound good if word spread!"
Cai Qing advised on the side, "Otherwise, young madam, you could open a restaurant."
It was much better than opening a medical clinic.
"My mind is made up. I am determined to open this medical clinic. Illness knows no gender. I am doing something to cure the sick and save lives, so what is there to be ashamed of?"
What troubled Feng Jin the most was the pedantic thinking of ancient times. The phrase "men and women must not touch" confined women within a square world.
It completely stifled women's freedom, turning them into appendages of men.
"Young Madam..."
"If you speak one more word, you can return to the manor and stop following me."
Feng Jin's ears were ringing from Cai Qing's nagging, so she directly warned her.
Cai Qing hurriedly covered her mouth, her watery eyes blinking, looking harmless.
"I'll take you to eat hot pot tonight."
The weather was starting to turn cool, a good season for hot pot.
"Hot pot? What is that? A pot on fire?" Ling Wan had never heard of what Feng Jin called hot pot.
"It's a delicious food. It's just a pot with soup in it, and then you cook the food you want to eat in it, scoop it out, and dip it in sauce."
Her garden's vegetables were just about ready to be eaten. She had already had some picked and sent to Princess Qing Ping, and there were still many vegetables left in the garden. If they weren't eaten soon, they would spoil.
All she ate at the Ling residence was dried vegetables, she was lacking in vitamins.
She would take this opportunity to make something delicious.
"Young lady, you're back?" A middle-aged woman opened the door.
"Aunt Zhang, I've brought two friends. Please help me pick some fresh fruits and vegetables. We're having hot pot tonight."
"Okay, I'll go right now." Aunt Zhang said with a smile and bustled about.
Aunt Zhang had been severely beaten by her husband and was covered in bruises. Forced to despair, she attempted to drown herself. Feng Jin saved her, and after learning of her plight, took pity on her, helped her divorce her husband, and escape her suffering. She then took Aunt Zhang in to live at the manor.
Aunt Zhang usually helped her tend to the vegetable and fruit gardens.
This manor was purchased by Feng Jin with the consultation fees she earned from treating a wealthy family in the countryside before she married into the Ling residence.
It was used to grow various fruits and vegetables.
"Young lady, these are freshly picked peaches and grapes. They're very sweet, please try them!"
Aunt Zhang placed a basket of fruit on the table.
"Sister-in-law, you still have grapes here."
Grapes, a seasonal fruit, were only available for a few days around the Mid-Autumn Festival. Once the festival passed, they couldn't be found at all.
She never expected to be able to eat grapes today. Ling Wan picked one and put it in her mouth. It was truly sweet, the sweetest grape she had ever tasted.
"It's so sweet! Sister-in-law, how did you grow them?"
"The grapes you're eating were grown in a greenhouse. I'll take you to see it after dinner."
Aunt Zhang placed Feng Jin's specially made pot in the center of the table, surrounded by vegetables and sliced meat.
"Aunt Zhang, this is enough. Don't trouble yourself further. Please sit down and eat with us."
Feng Jin gestured for everyone to sit down. The aroma of the soup broth continuously stimulated her taste buds. Hot pot was her absolute favorite.
After preparing the dipping sauce, Feng Jin couldn't resist starting to eat.
As they were just beginning to eat, there was a series of urgent knocks at the door.
Feng Jin frowned. This manor was supposed to be unknown to anyone. Who would come at this hour?
"Perhaps someone is here to buy vegetables," Aunt Zhang said, getting up. She had been selling quite a lot of vegetables and fruits lately. Perhaps someone had found out about the address and had come to buy produce.
Aunt Zhang opened the main door and looked at the unfamiliar faces outside, asking doubtfully, "Young master, who are you looking for?"
The leading young man was elegant and graceful, exuding an air of nobility in every movement. He was clearly not from an ordinary family. The person accompanying him was dressed in a fitted suit and had a somewhat rough appearance; he looked more like a follower.
"Young master, this is a private residence, it's my young lady's house. You cannot trespass, or you will ruin my young lady's reputation."
Aunt Zhang was momentarily stunned. In her lapse of attention, she had let these two men sneak in. She followed behind them, trying to drive them out.
Feng Jin heard the commotion and hurried over. Upon seeing who it was, she froze on the spot.
"Ling Mo Han, why are you here?"
How had he found this place?
"Greetings, young madam," Lu Shi said respectfully from the side.
"Young General, you really have a good sense of humor, always liking to trespass into people's private residences. Do you know that trespassing into a dwelling can result in imprisonment?"
Feng Jin said angrily. She really suspected that Ling Mo Han had spies planted around her.
Ling Mo Han's expression turned extremely grim. This unappreciative woman! He had returned home from the training grounds and went to look for her, only to find no trace of her in the entire Ling residence.
He had asked a servant and learned that she had secretly run out with Ling Wan.
He had mobilized the entire imperial city's secret guards to track her down to this place.
As soon as they met, she was rude to him.
He didn't know what had gotten into him, searching the entire capital for her.
Ling Mo Han strode up to Feng Jin, suppressing the urge to break her legs.
His gaze swept past Feng Jin and landed on the food on the table. He couldn't help but scoff at himself. She was certainly enjoying herself.
"Brother," Ling Wan called out timidly, subtly stepping back. She had always been afraid of Ling Mo Han since childhood.
Ling Mo Han nodded in acknowledgment, sat down in Feng Jin's original seat, and without any hesitation, picked up the bowls and chopsticks Feng Jin had been using, eating with relish.
He had been searching for her all over the city, and she was here enjoying herself.
"What are you doing? Those are my bowls and chopsticks," Feng Jin's displeased voice rang out.
"Here you go." Ling Mo Han handed the bowls and chopsticks back to Feng Jin.
Feng Jin's mouth twitched slightly. "You use them yourself!"