Chapter 5

Cao Ning'er lifted the curtain of the carriage, her delicate brows slightly furrowed. She was not as calm as she appeared on the surface. She knew that Cao Xin was the second manager of the pharmacy, a man known for his steadiness. For him to be so flustered now, it must mean that the situation at the pharmacy was extremely serious.

"Head to the pharmacy first," Cao Ning'er decisively ordered. The driver responded and turned south at the next intersection. Seeing Cao Xin following quickly but remaining silent, his face ashen, Cao Ning'er became even more alarmed. She asked through the window, "What exactly happened?"

Cao Xin glanced around and lowered his voice, "Miss... you, you'll see when you get there." Hearing Cao Ning'er's cold snort, Cao Xin, seeing her displeasure, finally spoke, "The Cao family pharmacy has been... sold."

Cao Ning'er almost fainted. After a moment, she scolded, "Are you out of your mind? Without my or Father's permission, who would dare sell the pharmacy?"

She found it hard to believe. In recent years, the world had been in chaos, but since Emperor Xian of Han moved to Xuchang and after the Battle of Guandu, Xuchang had become the most peaceful and prosperous place in the land. The Cao family was a prominent clan, and Cao Hong, who was often away on military campaigns, was quite shrewd. He had established many businesses in Xuchang, which Cao Ning'er managed with great efficiency.

Selling the pharmacy was a major decision, and Cao Ning'er could hardly believe that such a thing could happen without her approval.

"Who sold it?" Cao Ning'er asked again. Seeing Cao Xin's hesitant expression, she was shocked, "Was it Cao Fu?"

Cao Xin remained silent, clearly admitting it.

Cao Ning'er was both shocked and angry. Cao Fu was her elder brother, but he had none of the qualities of an elder brother. He was skilled in eating, drinking, and debauchery, but his mind was dull. He relied on the Cao family's name to swagger around Xuchang, causing no end of trouble for the family. She despised him from the bottom of her heart and always called him by his name without any respect. Now, hearing that Cao Fu had sold the pharmacy, she was almost furious.

The carriage moved quickly, and soon they arrived at the Cao family pharmacy. Cao Ning'er gracefully descended from the carriage and saw that the pharmacy was in chaos, with no semblance of order. An elderly man with gray temples stood in the hall, pulling at a young man's sleeve, pleading, "Jiyuan, I beg you, this matter cannot be rushed. Think it over, wait for the young miss to arrive before making a decision, alright?"

The young man, who looked a few years older than Cao Ning'er, had a fiery temper. He broke free from the old man's grip and shouted, "Don't take my kindness for weakness. Who is the eldest son in the Cao family? Bring me the deed quickly."

As he spoke, a servant hurried over, holding a box and exclaiming, "Young master, we found the deed."

The old man, seeing this, shouted, "Ma Qiang, how can you...?" He clutched his chest and slowly fell to the ground. The young man cheered and snatched the box, not even glancing at the old man, and turned to leave the hall, but suddenly stopped.

Standing at the entrance was Cao Ning'er, her eyes wide with anger.

"Second sister, you're here too," the young man said, seemingly arrogant but somewhat fearful of Cao Ning'er. He hid the box behind his back and tried to act calm, "The head manager suddenly fell ill. You should go check on him." He tried to squeeze past Cao Ning'er.

"Cao Fu, stop right there," Cao Ning'er shouted.

If I listen to you, I'll be your grandson.

Cao Fu, finding a way to escape, was about to rush out the door when he saw a servant standing in front of it, blocking his path. He cursed, "Blind servant, get out of my way."

Seeing this, Shan Fei immediately stepped back, and in his panic, he let go of the package, which fell to the ground.

Cao Fu was startled. He knew the package contained an incense burner that Cao Ning'er always carried with her. If it fell on the ground, it would leave a dent, let alone if it hit someone's foot.

He took a step back, but felt a sharp pain in his ear as Cao Ning'er grabbed him.

"Easy," Cao Fu winced, "Sister, be gentle."

Before he could finish speaking, he felt his legs give way and fell heavily to the ground, clutching his red, sore ear. "Cao Ning'er, what are you doing?"

Cao Ning'er's face was cold as ice. She stepped forward and glared at Cao Fu, "Cao Fu, do you have the nerve to ask me what I'm doing? Are you even human? Uncle Fu has served the Cao family for so long, and you let him faint from anger and then just leave him there. Have you no conscience?"

Cao Fu turned back and saw Uncle Fu still lying on the ground. Cao Xin had already rushed over to help him, calling out, but Uncle Fu showed no response.

Feeling a bit guilty, Cao Fu hugged the box tighter and said, "Who said I left him? I was going to get a doctor for Uncle Fu."

He struggled to stand but before he could take a step, he felt his hand lighten. His face changed, "Cao Ning'er, give me the box."

Cao Ning'er snatched the box and said coldly, "Fine, I believe you're going to get a doctor. I hope Uncle Fu is alright. But if anything happens to him, I'll tell Father everything you've done these past few days!"

Cao Fu's face changed, staring at the deed in Cao Ning'er's hand. He wanted to grab it but didn't dare. He forced a smile, "It's just the pharmacy. Why do we need a doctor? I think Uncle Fu..."

He was focused on getting the deed and leaving, but seeing Cao Xin already laying Uncle Fu down and trying to revive him, he couldn't continue.

Is Uncle Fu dead from anger?

Cao Ning'er was also alarmed and quickly walked over, "Cao Xin, how is Uncle Fu?"

"Miss, Uncle Fu... Uncle Fu doesn't seem to be doing well," Cao Xin, feeling Uncle Fu's pulse, which was barely detectable, panicked.

"Think of something," Cao Ning'er urged.

"I have a prescription, but it will take a few hours to prepare," Cao Xin, sweating, said.

Cao Ning'er, seeing Uncle Fu's breath becoming weaker, said anxiously, "I don't think Uncle Fu can last that long. Is there another way?"

She knew that if Cao Xin had a solution, he would have acted already, but seeing the situation, she was anxious. She called out to Uncle Fu a few times, but he showed no response. She immediately turned and said, "Cui'er, go get a doctor from the palace. Cao Xin, prepare the medicine."

Before Cui'er and Cao Xin could respond, someone said, "Miss, this can't wait. Let me try."

Everyone was stunned and turned to see Shan Fei, surprised.

Seeing Shan Fei holding the incense burner and walking over, Cao Ning'er couldn't believe her ears. After a moment, she asked, "You can treat him?"

She was genuinely surprised. Her uncle had said that Shan Fei was knowledgeable about antiques, but she was skeptical. A servant had few opportunities to read, and it was hard to imagine that he could surpass her in knowledge, let alone recognize the age of seven items.

Maybe Shan Fei was just guessing.

Her uncle didn't say anything more after that, but he fell into deep thought. Cao Ning'er became more convinced of her idea. That's why, as soon as it was light, she brought Shan Fei to the pawn shop, partly to handle business and partly to test his abilities.

She didn't expect to arrive at the pharmacy first, and in this helpless situation, Shan Fei claimed he could treat Uncle Fu. Where did this young man get such skills?

"A little," Shan Fei said.

He walked to Cao Ning'er's side and, seeing her still staring at him, smiled slightly. "Miss, could you please step aside?"

Cao Ning'er's face turned red, realizing that this servant was standing so close to her, but clearly for medical reasons, not to be disrespectful. She nodded and stepped back.

Shan Fei then approached Uncle Fu, sighing inwardly. From his perspective, Uncle Fu had clearly fainted due to a sudden heart attack. In his time, a quick-acting heart pill would be an effective treatment, but that was useless now. Before he could figure out the formula for the pill, Uncle Fu might already be buried.

Fortunately, besides his expertise in archaeology and cultural heritage, he had some other skills. He extended his hand, and his right hand was already on Uncle Fu's pulse...

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If you like this, please give me more recommendations. If the recommendations are strong, I'll post another chapter tonight. Friends reading elsewhere, welcome to register and recommend at Qidian.

Also—Shan Fei is a good name, so elegant, but you guys... hahaha! How could I, a pure person, think of so many things. Mobile users, please visit http://m.piaotia.net

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