Chapter 28: Let the Facts Speak for Themselves

These young people didn’t have any serious illnesses to begin with, but most of them suffered from insomnia. After all, life moves fast in modern society, and the pressures are immense. So, when they started wearing the sachets that Xie Qingtang prepared for them, their sleeplessness was greatly alleviated—some even found their insomnia completely cured.

This made them realize they had wronged Xie Qingtang online, so they came to the entrance of Cunzhan Hall to apologize. Many residents in the neighborhood witnessed this scene.

Unbeknownst to Xie Qingtang, before she even clarified matters online, these patients had already stepped forward to refute the lies, shattering the slander spread by hired trolls against Cunzhan Hall.

“Have you ever tried the sachets from Cunzhan Hall? You call them a scam, but the sachets Dr. Xie prescribes not only smell wonderful, they cured my insomnia.”

“Exactly! And Dr. Xie doesn’t just randomly mix sachets—she carefully asks about each person’s symptoms before preparing one. Even my mother’s dizziness improved a great deal after wearing her sachet.”

For a while, the tide of online opinion shifted overwhelmingly in their favor. Most users who purchased Xie Qingtang’s sachets left glowing reviews, and previous false claims were overturned by those who had actually bought them.

“Our sachets are genuine and priced fairly; we rely on quality, not afraid of petty people smearing us.” Although Zhou Jinfan didn’t excel in Chinese medicine, he was well versed in the online world. He promptly set up a Cunzhan Hall Weibo account and posted this message.

Praise flooded in, and Cunzhan Hall’s name once again became a sensation.

“Everyone, please wait. First, head over there for a pulse check, then come here for your sachet. After all, each person’s symptoms are different.” Seeing the hall crowded, Zhou Jinfan, with a smile, maintained order while speaking.

Whenever Xie Qingtang finished seeing a patient and judged them to be in good health, she wouldn’t let them take a sachet. After all, medicine contains some toxicity, and the body has its own mechanisms for self-regulation.

By day’s end, Zhou Jinfan discovered they had sold over five hundred sachets. His face lit up with joy as he said to Xie Qingtang, “Boss, if you hadn’t persuaded so many patients away, we could’ve sold even more sachets.”

“I’ve said before, the mission of Chinese medicine is to heal the world, not to make money. Those who aren’t ill are just here for the excitement; a simple consultation fee is enough, there’s no need to buy a sachet.” Xie Qingtang seized the opportunity to sternly rebuke Zhou Jinfan.

Zhou Jinfan stuck out his tongue, not daring to argue further. After all, he only wanted the best for Cunzhan Hall—who doesn’t need money?

“Boss, I have something I’d like to discuss with you.” As Xie Qingtang arranged her medicinal herbs, Zhou Jinfan approached hesitantly, his face wearing a sheepish smile.

Xie Qingtang sniffed the herb in her hand, placed it back in the cabinet, and replied casually, “Just say whatever it is.”

“Well, boss, I think we should strike while the iron is hot, before this wave of popularity fades. I want to open a Weibo and an online store for Cunzhan Hall. In the store, we can sell teas that strengthen the body and sachets that regulate sleep—it’ll definitely be a huge hit.”

Zhou Jinfan grew more excited as he spoke, his cheeks flushed, as if he could already see Cunzhan Hall thriving beyond imagination.

He expected Xie Qingtang to refuse, but to his surprise, she simply nodded and said, “I’m not familiar with online affairs, but if it’s good for Cunzhan Hall, go ahead. However, sachets can be sold, but don’t exaggerate their effects. We must be honest and never deceive patients.”

“Don’t worry, boss, leave it to me. Also, what do you take me for? Sure, I used to sell fake pills, but I never harmed anyone. I promised only to sell sachets for sleep regulation—no exaggeration.” With her approval, Zhou Jinfan was instantly motivated and set about applying for the online store.

He also launched Cunzhan Hall’s Weibo account under Xie Qingtang’s name, sharing health tips regularly.

Zhou Jinfan used the account for promotion, and customers from other cities, frustrated by their inability to buy Cunzhan Hall’s sachets, were astonished one day to discover the online store had opened.

There, they found the sachets they needed, and suddenly, orders poured into Cunzhan Hall like snowflakes. Even Xie Qingtang became curious about the world of the internet, and the herbs needed for sachets were quickly depleted.

To test Zhou Jinfan’s progress in reading medical books, this time, when Xie Qingtang needed more herbs, she handed him the money and didn’t accompany him.

“Boss, you trust me so much—I won’t let you down. I’ll definitely procure the finest herbs.” Zhou Jinfan declared with ambition, took the bank card, and set off to buy supplies.

Meanwhile, Xie Qingtang sat in Cunzhan Hall, sipping tea as she prepared the herbs needed for Gu Xiuqin. After some hesitation, she drew out a sheet of paper and wrote a note, slipping it into the medicine package.

A while later, Li Zhao, as usual, came to collect the medicine and brought it to the Gu family villa. This time, however, something was different—Gu Xiuqin received a slip of paper from Li Zhao.

A hint of puzzlement flickered in his eyes. “This is from Xie Qingtang?”

“It should be. When I picked up the medicine, the note was attached to the package,” Li Zhao replied respectfully. Gu Xiuqin nodded, opened the note, and after reading it, his expression turned strange.

The note contained just one simple sentence: “This medicine strengthens vitality and replenishes energy, but the energy must not be dissipated.”

In other words, the medicine would restore Gu Xiuqin’s energy and had the added effect of enhancing virility, which might cause physical discomfort, but even so, he must not do anything to expend that energy.

“Go and prepare the medicine.” Gu Xiuqin clenched the note in his hand. Li Zhao was full of questions, but said nothing and went off to decoct the herbs.

In the backyard, Xie Qingtang imagined Gu Xiuqin’s reaction after drinking the medicine, and couldn’t help but smile quietly.