Chapter 50 Dirty Laundry (1/2)

10 February 1228 of the Ziyun era, noon.

In the courtyard, Zhou Donghuang and Lin Lan were eating, while Fu and Granny Lian stood behind them.

“Young Master, someone is here,” said Fu suddenly.

Hearing this, Zhou Donghuang looked towards the outside of the courtyard. A man was walking towards them quickly. When he got a clear look at the man, a murderous glint swept across Zhou Donghuang’s eyes.

The man was none other than the disciple Lin Hua who had let them in a few days ago only to backstab them.

“Lin Lan, Fourth Elder is back… Second Elder asked me to inform you to confront him in the back courtyard in an hour’s time.” Lin Hua laughed. “I can’t wait to see what proof you have to show later that Fourth Elder stole your formula.” With that, Lin Hua left.

“Donghuang, can you really prove that you came up with the formula for the blood staunching elixir?” With the confrontation with Fourth Elder Lin Tonghong nearing, Lin Lan was nervous.

“Mother, relax,” Zhou Donghuang said with a smile. “When I gave you the formula the last time, I memorized it… I even know what to add to it to increase its potency. Besides that, I also know what herbs to remove to lower its potency. Doesn’t the Lin family have an intermediate-level medicine master? Later, let him be the judge.” Zhou Donghuang was confident.

Only the person who had come up with the formula would know its potency, and which herbs to remove or add to alter its effect. This was common knowledge to not just an intermediate-level medicine master but to a basic-level master as well.

…

At the main door of the Lin family household.

A man in a Chinese outfit looked out towards the end of the road. He was decently built with defined facial features and had an air of majesty. His eyes looked expectant as if he was waiting for something.

Behind him, a bulky old man with white eyebrows smiled as he said, “Chief, the Lu family chief, Lu Qinghu really gave you respect. Not only did he say there’s no need for a banquet lunch, but he’s also even coming personally to look for you.”

The man was the Lin family chief, Lin Zhuoyue. The old man behind him was Head Elder Lin Tianzheng.

“Lu Qinghu is no small figure… Furthermore, this time, we are asking them for a favor. We must be courteous and respectful,” said Lin Zhuoyue. “Head Elder, you must not treat him like the lesser family chief that he used to be. Now, he is a level-four adept and chief of a preeminent family, equal in position to me. Today, we must obtain the resale rights of the Lu family Qi gathering elixir… once we obtain it, our profits will double.” Lin Zhuoyue’s eyes were expectant.

Even if the Lu family did not allow the families that had resale rights to sell the elixir in the capital, the Lin family had more than just their guilds in the towns. The Lin family could sell the elixir in the neighboring, inferior county. Even though there would be labor and shipping costs, there would still be substantial profits.

“Don’t worry Chief, I know how important this is,” Lin Tianzheng said with a nod.

“Here they are!”

After a moment, Lin Zhuoyue and Lin Tianzheng saw two sedans lifted by eight people each coming towards the Lin family household from the end of the road in the distance. Most importantly, on the curtain of these sedans was embroidered with a large “Lu” character. These were none other than the sedans from the old lesser family and present preeminent family, the Lu family.

Soon, the two sedans stopped at the main door of the Lin family household, and two figures walked out from the sedan. They were none other than the Lu family chief, Lu Qinghu, and the Lu second elder, Lu Bao.

“Welcome, Family Chief Lu and Second Elder Lu. It really is an honor. Please come on in,” Lin Zhuoyue welcomed them warmly, and Lin Tianzheng led the way personally. “Chief Lu, Second Elder Lu, this way please.”

“You are too courteous, Chief Lin,” Lu Qinghu smiled and nodded. They entered the Lin family household and into the hall, behind Lin Zhuoyue and Lin Tianzheng.

“Serve the tea!” Once the four of them were seated, Lin Tianzheng called the servant girls who were waiting at the door, and they served tea.