Although the Shopkeeper was eager to dig out who was behind the little girl, he, being as smart as he is, didn't press further. Everyone has their destiny, and with someone guiding the little girl, they weren't in a hurry. As long as they're still collaborating, there would always be some clues.
The little girl who got called out was feeling guilty. It was too difficult, as she had to make Doctor Xue and Manager Huang believe she had someone backing her, while also convincing her father and elder brother that she learned everything here. Every sentence she spoke required careful consideration.
In the end, the Night Trumpet Flower they prepared was bought by Baishan Pharmacy at sixty copper coins per pound, with no limit on the quantity. They would purchase as much as was available.
The little girl, Yaoyao, shook her head, "Not that much. You know all my herbs are already processed, and processing takes time too."
"These are from our village, where people risk their lives to go into the mountains to pick them. There's no guarantee it'll be the same herbs every time," Cheng Xiaoxiao said solemnly.
Thus, she inquired about the purchasing prices of a few herbs like Dioscorea, Stone Acorus, Agastache, Golden Healing Grass, Dan Shen, some of which she had seen on Mang Mountain.
Manager Huang stated, "These herbs are needed in large quantities. As long as Xiao brings them, we'll ensure a fair price."
Cheng Xiaoxiao thought for a moment, "How about I supply you sixty pounds of herbs every month, with no limit on the types? I'll deliver them to you on each market day in three batches. How does that sound?"
"If more herbs are picked, then more will be delivered. There might even be some precious herbs," After all, it's still in the mountain, and they need to be picked.
Manager Huang had no objections and asked the attendant to bring a string of cash over, stating that the additional four hundred coins were considered a deposit.
Cheng Xiaoxiao, of course, understood that the reason Manager Huang was so generous was to find out who was backing her, to work for his pharmacy. However, he probably could never imagine that the expert was right in front of him.
Cheng Xiaoxiao didn't refuse. Once all those herbs were processed, they were worth far more than those copper coins.
"Then it's settled. Any good herbs should be sent directly to your Uncle Huang," Manager Huang automatically drew the relationship closer.
Seeing how well Manager Huang handled business, she was happy to make connections, "Rest assured! During our collaboration period, my herbs will only be sold to Baishan Pharmacy."
"Great, great!" Manager Huang saw the little girl was smart and respected her even more.
Having finalized everything, Cheng Xiaoxiao was in an exceptionally good mood. She finally had money and could buy new clothes, rice, flour, oil, and seasonings. It seemed like everything was lacking at home...yet money still wasn't enough! She needed to plan carefully.
Cheng Yeye and Cheng Ran, who had remained quite unnoticed throughout, both felt...well...initially, they were worried that Cheng Xiaoxiao, with her lack of experience, might be undercut or that others might not buy her herbs, receiving no copper coins and crying. They intended to back her up.
As it turned out, they were not needed at all. Cheng Xiaoxiao had already negotiated and secured a long-term collaboration.
The two were in a daze, following Cheng Xiaoxiao out the door, almost in disbelief as the string of cash seemed to still sway in their minds, not feeling real.
To know that most villagers earned only about ten taels per family a year, without any expenses, and saving two or three taels was already considered prosperous.
They had just sold herbs once and got six hundred coins, plus a four hundred coin advance. Such good fortune was too surprising that they only realized it when Cheng Xiaoxiao stuffed their arms full of things.
At this point, Cheng Xiaoxiao had already sprinted into the fabric store ahead.
The female shopkeeper was enthusiastic, "What would you like to select, little girl?"
"Boss, how much is your fine cotton cloth?" Cheng Xiaoxiao touched the soft materials, noting they all seemed nice!
"You've got a good eye! This batch just arrived this month and it's selling well, one hundred and twenty coins per bolt."
How much was an ancient foot again, was it 2 meters or 3 meters? Cheng Xiaoxiao admitted she couldn't remember.
"77, do you know?" Cheng Xiaoxiao searched for external help in her mind, but unfortunately, it too was unreliable.
Hmm, knowing approximately is enough, "Boss, do you have anything more affordable? You see, we're just farm folks, usually wearing coarse cloth and hemp clothes, but occasionally we need to make one or two decent outfits. Could you recommend something suitable?"
Seeing that the girl spoke so truthfully, the shopkeeper figured she might be nearing the age of marriage and wanted to make a couple of nice outfits to be presentable. She introduced the girl to last year's styles, slightly out of season but with good quality and at a cheaper price, seventy coins per bolt.
Seeing the fabric so nice, and the price nearly half off, Cheng Xiaoxiao was overjoyed, and also picked out two ready-made garments in the store.
Even though ready-made garments weren't cost-effective, what could she do, she wasn't good with needlework! It would take ages for something to be made for her to wear.
The little girl bought several bolts in one go, and the shopkeeper even gifted her some cloth scraps to make sachets or socks.
As for the shopkeeper recommending slow-selling items, she didn't mind. It didn't matter if they were trendy or not; as long as she felt comfortable wearing them, it was fine.
Father Cheng, upon seeing his daughter opting for dark fabrics, quickly said, "No need for me, Father still has clothes to wear, get a set for Brother Jia."
Seeing her buy so much, he was pained thinking of how much it all cost—though it was her hard-earned money, it could be saved for a dowry!
"It's fine, Father. When we earn more, we'll wear even better clothes." The way he fretted over so little, oh! Poverty limits one's imagination.
Cheng Xiaoxiao didn't care what the two behind her thought.
Turning into another bustling alley, bordered by old and simple moss-covered commoner's walls, the alley was chaotic, likely a vegetable market, with stalls for vegetables, meat, general goods, a grain shop, and a tea stall.
Cheng Xiaoxiao bought rice, fine flour, two pounds of meat, and some seasonings. Seeing her deflated purse, she thought it best to stop for now.
Exiting the alley, she heard the wonton stall owner ahead enthusiastically beckoning two hesitant passersby, "Delicious wontons, thin-skinned and stuffed full, would you like a bowl, sir?"
Cheng Xiaoxiao's stomach gurgled twice, responding eagerly.
Turning her head, "Father, Elder Brother, let's have wontons!" The aroma was just too tempting, awakening the greedy bug in her gut.
"Father has some dry food."
Cheng Rong also chimed in, "Yes, we all brought dry food, I think maybe just..."
Before they could finish, Cheng Xiaoxiao dragged them quickly to sit at the stall, "Boss, three bowls of wontons, please."
"Alright! Please have some water and rest your feet, the wontons will be ready shortly," he said, pouring three cups of plain water.
Cheng Rong leaned over to Cheng Xiaoxiao and whispered, "Xiaoxiao, maybe we should get just one bowl? One bowl of wontons costs eight coins; three bowls will be twenty-four coins. It's too costly."
Father Cheng also added, "Yes, we should be economical. You eat, that's enough, Father won't eat."