Upon hearing this, Yun Jinnian pondered for a moment before replying, "That’s hard to say, it depends on one’s constitution, and one shouldn’t be too stressed, open one’s heart, maintain a joyful mood, and the child will come naturally. Besides, sister Ruan, you’re still young; even resting for a year or two would be fine!"
"That’s easy to say, but I..." Ruan Wanrong spoke, and then sighed, "Let’s not talk about this anymore. No matter what, everything is in the past now!"
When returning, it was Duan Qimeng himself who personally escorted Yun Jinnian back to the Han Residence.
They say a starving camel is still bigger than a horse, and the Duan Family gave diagnostic fees this time in pearls and jades, two large boxes of them.
"Actually, there was no need for all this!"
Duan Qimeng smiled, "With these items, the Princess can sell them to buy more medicinal materials, helping even more people in need!"
Yun Jinnian thought of the many in the Outer City who couldn’t afford medical treatment and gladly accepted them.
"Thanks, brother-in-law!"
"No need for formalities, Princess. If there’s anything you need in the future, just give the word!"
"Speaking of which, I do have a matter I’d like to consult with my brother-in-law about," said Yun Jinnian.
"The Duan Family has been trading for many years, do you know any reliable medicinal material merchants? I need some medicinal herbs and seedlings, not the expensive ones, just some that ordinary people can use and afford when they have a headache or fever!"
"You’re thinking of growing them yourself?" asked Duan Qimeng.
"Yes, the two residences rewarded by the Commandery Princess and the Princess Residence are adjacent to each other, and I can’t live in all of them, so I’m thinking of tearing some down to plant medicinal herbs!"
The few houses definitely could not be sold, but leaving them empty would need manpower and resources to maintain; it would be better to plant medicinal herbs, which could be sold for a profit or used to save the common people—either way, a good deed benefitting the nation and the people!
"I wonder if the Princess needs someone to manage them!"
"Does brother-in-law have anyone to recommend?"
"What does the Princess think of me?" asked Duan Qimeng.
Yun Jinnian couldn’t help but laugh, "Brother-in-law, you are really joking. It’s said a wife is honored by her husband, and you think of joining me as a butler when you have a perfectly good official position? You may be taking it easy, but have you thought of sister Ruan? If you are tired of Capital City, why not wait until your poison is cured, find a post in another place, and lead a simple life with sister Ruan for a few years!"
Duan Qimeng fell silent.
"I seem to have thought too much!"
Whatever he did, Wanrong would support him, but as Yun Jinnian had said, if he truly gave up everything to become a butler for her, how could Wanrong bear it.
"It’s good that brother-in-law has thought it through," said Yun Jinnian.
"Thank you for the reminder, Princess. All you need to do is prepare the land, and I will take care of the seedlings!"
"Then I must thank brother-in-law greatly!"
"Brother-in-law, travel safely!"
After seeing off Duan Qimeng, Yun Jinnian called over Butler Cheng.
"Butler Cheng, take these jades and sell them. After they’re sold, go buy several shops in the Outer City, or residences on the street will do too. If they’re shops, make sure they’re connected; if they’re residences, make sure the roads are wide. You can buy several, and after you’ve bought the residences, then purchase some maids, young male servants, and matrons as well!"
Butler Cheng paused, "Miss, are you planning to open a pharmacy in the Outer City?"
"Yes, open a pharmacy, to give those who can’t afford medical treatment or medicine another chance at life!"
"So, does the Miss plan to provide this for free, or...?"
"There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world, so naturally, it won’t be free. But if a family really can’t come up with the silver, I can give treatment first and let them work off the debt in the pharmacy!"