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"Is Madam referring to that matter?"
"Yes, that's exactly what I'm asking about!" Yun Zhu stared directly into Xing Ruyi's eyes. "My situation is well known to the Shopkeeper, and I believe the Shopkeeper understands why I seek medicine. What I desire in this life is nothing more than to obtain my Husband's true heart. Since the Shopkeeper can provide this miraculous Ointment to help me change my appearance, surely there must be a remedy to heal my Husband's heartache?"
A hint of feverish intensity appeared in Yun Zhu's eyes as she fixed her gaze on Xing Ruyi, asking once more, "Isn't that right?"
Xing Ruyi tapped her fingers on the table but did not respond. The fervor in Yun Zhu's eyes gradually faded, replaced by a layer of coldness.
"Could it be that Shopkeeper Xing was merely deceiving me that day? This Ointment is already the limit of the Shopkeeper's abilities, and any talk of temporary fixes is just for show. After all, the Shopkeeper is in the business of selling Rouge and Face Powder; ultimately, healing and saving lives is not something one can truly accomplish?"
"The Fox Demon has yet to speak, yet Madam is so certain that the Fox Demon was deceiving her before?"
Xing Ruyi's hand that had been tapping on the table came to a halt.
"Oh?" A glimmer of joy appeared in Yun Zhu's eyes. "So, it seems that Shopkeeper Xing indeed has a remedy?"
"I do not have ready-made medicine, but I do have a Prescription; I just wonder if Madam can help me find the necessary medicinal ingredients."
"Mediating ingredients? What kind of ingredients?" Yun Zhu paused. "Are they expensive or hard to find?"
"They are neither very expensive nor particularly difficult to find; they are simply rare." Xing Ruyi pointed at Yun Zhu. "As the saying goes, heart ailments require Heart Medicine. My fundamental Prescription consists of a medicinal dish called Couple's Lung Slices!"
"Couple's Lung Slices?" Yun Zhu frowned. "I have never heard of it!"
"That's not surprising, as this dish does not exist in the Golden Tang Dynasty yet." Xing Ruyi stood up and walked to the door, looking at the bustling crowd outside. "Madam, please observe the vendors selling their wares on the streets; among them are many couples who have no choice but to work together for their livelihood. They may not live in grand houses or wear fine silks and satins, and even in this still chilly early spring, they toil from dawn till dusk without a warm meal to eat. Yet it is precisely these impoverished couples who rely on each other that share a deep bond, evoking envy in others."
"How are these vendors related to the medicinal dishes mentioned by the Shopkeeper?"
Yun Zhu's mood was clearly not as good as Xing Ruyi's. She couldn't be bothered to even glance at those vendors outside. In her eyes, the reason these vendors were struggling was due to their own misfortune, and also because their parents and grandparents had not worked hard enough.
In comparison, she herself had a relatively better situation. Although she was not favored in the Yun Family, she was still born into a well-off family, at least having enough to eat and wear. As for the latter, her cousin's marriage into the Luo Family was a prime example. Yunxi's father-in-law had originally been like these vendors, relying on his two legs and a mouth to make a living. Yet within just a few decades, he had managed to elevate his status to one of the notable families at the Yun Family Gathering.
Thus, these seemingly struggling individuals were hardly deserving of sympathy. As for their relationships, perhaps they were as good as Xing Ruyi suggested, but good relationships only highlighted their poverty. Because they were poor, those men had no opportunity to indulge in entertainment or meet someone special; even if they did meet someone, that person might not even notice them. This flower may not have the fragrance of wildflowers, but if they didn't even have the chance to pick wildflowers, how could they properly care for their own flowers? If one were to carelessly let it wither away, it wouldn't just be the flower that suffered; they might not even have a single leaf left.
Yun Zhu's thoughts were not shared with Xing Ruyi, but Xing Ruyi could tell that her previous words had not registered with Yun Zhu at all, let alone prompt her to think seriously about them.
"This Couple's Lung Slices is a dish created by a couple. It uses beef tripe, beef heart, beef tongue, beef stomach, and beef as main ingredients, which are then braised and sliced. It is served with chili oil and Sichuan peppercorns for flavoring. The dish is bright red in color, tender and flavorful, spicy and fragrant; it can be considered one of life's great delicacies."
After Shopkeeper Xing finished explaining, Yun Zhu still did not understand how this dish related to medicinal cuisine. If this Couple's Lung Slices was indeed what Shopkeeper Xing referred to as medicinal dishes, Yun Zhu found it even more puzzling. Beef was readily available; the household could procure as much as needed. As for ingredients like beef tripe, heart, tongue, and stomach, the household indeed did not have any because until now, Yun Zhu had no idea these items were edible. However, if they wanted them, they could simply instruct the chefs to buy a new cow to slaughter. Did Shopkeeper Xing think these items were rare?
"If it's just about teaching you how to prepare a delicious meal, that's simple enough. The Fox Demon introduced this Couple's Lung Slices to you simply so you can understand what it is and what materials are required. The ordinary Couple's Lung Slices only satisfy one's appetite; however, the medicinal Couple's Lung Slices improved by the Fox Demon can cure your heartache and treat Master’s infidelity."
Yun Zhu was generally good-natured but lacked patience. It was getting late now; she urged Shopkeeper Xing not to beat around the bush any longer: "What exactly is this medicinal dish you mentioned? What do you need? Just list them out; I will ensure everything is prepared within three days and sent over."
"How rare it is for you to be so straightforward!" Xing Ruyi clapped her hands lightly: "I don't need to list anything because I only require a few items. As long as you agree, I can take care of it myself."
Yun Zhu shot an impatient glance at Xing Ruyi: "What are those few items?"
"One piece of your scalp, an ounce of your heart meat, one piece of your tongue muscle along with a section of your intestines!" As Xing Ruyi spoke, she raised her fingers and after listing those four items, she shook her right hand: "Just these four items; can you bear to part with them?"
Yun Zhu's expression changed, and it became exceptionally grim.
"Shopkeeper Xing, are you laughing? Yun Zhu is usually fine, but her patience is a bit lacking. I hope Shopkeeper Xing won't joke around anymore because what you just said is not funny."
"I'm sorry! Fox Demon was not joking with you, Madam." Xing Ruyi brought her fingers together and looked seriously at Yun Zhu. "Fox Demon mentioned earlier that the ingredients for making medicinal dishes are neither very precious nor hard to find; they are just rare. Therefore, when you visited last time, I had a prescription for you, but it required careful consideration. Today, Fox Demon did not intend to inform you of this prescription, but since you asked, I cannot refuse. If Fox Demon says it, then you should naturally believe it."
Yun Zhu's face turned pale as she stared at Xing Ruyi, realizing she was not joking or trying to make things difficult for her. After hesitating for a moment, she asked, "Is there nothing else that can be used as a substitute?"
"Then Fox Demon would like to ask you this: since it is so difficult to earn your husband's true heart, would you be willing to give up? I have heard Yunxi mention before that as long as you remain indifferent and allow that young lady to enter the household, your husband will certainly not divorce you considering the Yun Family and your understanding nature."
Xing Ruyi's words made Yun Zhu's expression even more unpleasant.
"As a loyal customer of the Shopkeeper, Yun Zhu will certainly consider the prescription given by the Shopkeeper carefully. For now, I will take this box of Ointment back with me. As for the medicinal dish you mentioned earlier, please allow me a couple of days to think it over."
"There's no rush. However, Fox Demon has heard that the day that young lady enters the household is very close to my wedding day. It seems there isn't much time left for you to consider. It's not just because of that young lady entering; it's also because my husband hopes that I can quietly prepare for marriage and not worry about matters in the shop. Furthermore, although I am half a Female Doctor, during such a joyous occasion, I do not wish to have blood on my hands. I hope you can understand this."
Yun Zhu glanced at Xing Ruyi. "Don't worry; I'll give you an answer in two days."
With heavy thoughts, Yun Zhu left Ruyi Cosmetic Shop while Xing Ruyi stretched lazily. Breathing in the familiar and comforting scent, she leaned back without thinking and fell into a warm embrace.
"Did you hear everything?"
"I heard everything!"
"Do you think Yun Zhu will come looking for me again?"
"I hope she won't, but deep down I know she will."
"Why?" Xing Ruyi turned around and looked into the fox's eyes. "Those four things I just mentioned, anyone with a normal mind wouldn't give them away. Mo Yun Zhu is just a woman, and even the ruthless fiends in the martial world wouldn't easily let someone take those away. People are ultimately afraid of death."
"You too, only those with a normal mind wouldn't give them away. Yun Zhu has already fallen into her own Heart Demon. I'm sure she will come back to Ruyi Rouge!"
"I actually hope she doesn't come! Although I really dislike Yun Zhu's personality, her husband has no place for her in his heart. Even if she manages to hold onto his heart by force, what difference does it make? She won't truly be happy; she'll only suffer more."
"But Yun Zhu won't think that way." The fox gently rubbed Xing Ruyi's head. "Are you tired? If you're tired, lean on me and rest for a while. I estimate that Deer Lady and Yin Yuan will be back soon."
"Estimate... huh?"
The fox smiled indulgently. "I was wrong! It's Deer Lady and Yin Yuan who will be back soon! Also, Li Mao has sent a letter; he will return before you and I get married."
"Have you found out about the hair situation?" Xing Ruyi asked the fox, her eyes revealing an unspoken tension.
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