Upon hearing Lady Zhang’s words, Lian Manman was left speechless for a long while.

Lady Zhang’s words could be said to represent the thoughts of many people from this era. They believed in deities, in these Immortal Pills and Elixirs, and in praying for blessings through rituals. However, these things were not always effective, an unavoidable fact that everyone saw. They believed that deities definitely exist and that the true Immortal Elixirs are definitely effective, but there were those who, in the name of deities, had only half-baked skills.

But no matter what, people like Yan Daopo were at most mediocre, deceiving some Silver Coin with fancy words. The pills they provided might not cure diseases, but consuming them wouldn’t cause any harm. After all, if there was no effect, there were plenty of excuses they could make, but if something happened after consuming them, those people would have to take responsibility.

Incense ash, flour, plus some common herbs or spices that won’t harm people but also won’t kill them; perhaps that’s the true nature of those so-called miraculous pills and potions.

Many people spend this money simply to buy peace of mind.

That’s why Lady Zhang would say such things. To put it bluntly, it’s self-deception. In Lian Manman’s view, the psychological healing effects of those so-called miraculous medicines far outweigh their actual medicinal effects.

Additionally, there’s always a sliver of hope, "What if it does work?"

With such a mindset, it’s no wonder that rituals and seeking miraculous medicines have always been in demand.

"Mother, where’s the medicine you bought?" After pondering for a moment, Lian Manman asked Lady Zhang again.

Lady Zhang originally wanted to give an evasive answer, but, being an honest person, especially in front of her daughter, she felt reluctant yet ultimately took out the medicine packet.

Though she took it out, she held onto it tightly, not handing it to Lian Manman.

"What if it works? Yan Daopo has been thriving in Prefecture City for so many years; if she had no skills at all, she wouldn’t be so successful. Haven’t many people found it effective after taking her remedies?" Lady Zhang tried to persuade Lian Manman, "Anyway, it can’t be harmful. At worst, it doesn’t work, and that’s just a few coins wasted.... Your third aunt has had a tough time... Over the years, besides those decoctions, she hasn’t skimped on these things..."

After acquiring some money, Lady Zhao also sought various folk remedies and secret medicines, many similar in origin.

"We can’t see if it did any harm, but we’ve certainly seen it hasn’t been effective." Lian Manman said, "Mother, don’t give those uncertain things to my third aunt. If something goes wrong, it will be a great burden. If my third aunt has any problems, the whole family will be in distress. Mother, this medicine shouldn’t be given to my third aunt, and don’t take it haphazardly either."

"I won’t take it, it’s for your third aunt." Lady Zhang hurriedly said, "Why would I take it? I’ve long since come to terms. With you all, I have enough. In a couple of years, I’ll be a grandmother."

Lady Zhang meant that she had already given up on having more children.

However, she still wanted Lady Zhao to take the medicine she sought from Yan Daopo.

"Your third aunt privately asked me too, with such a connection, how could I not try my best?" Lady Zhang continued to tell Lian Manman.

"Mother, do you really trust Yan Daopo that much?" Lian Manman secretly held her forehead, but still had to patiently persuade Lady Zhang, "Mother, you’ve watched plenty of plays and read a few books. Everything in them is true, right?" 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"Of course," Lady Zhang nodded, "those are stories passed down from ancient times, written by learned people, sung from generation to generation. If there were mistakes, wouldn’t they have been corrected long ago?"

"Mother, think about it. Actual masters and celestial beings, don’t they hide in deep mountains and whatnot, not go around the streets, gossiping like Yaya’s mother about this family and that?" Lian Manman continued, "Yan Daopo, like that, isn’t she just selling fake medicines?"

"Don’t say that." Lady Zhang pondered for a while, finding Lian Manman’s words undeniable, yet still unwilling to hear Yan Daopo called a seller of fake medicines. "Whether she’s any kind of master or not, she allegedly has a master who is a true adept, doesn’t she?"

"Sure, she’s collecting Silver Coin, but she has some skill at least. Out of ten, maybe one is real, just spending more money. She doesn’t dare to harm people. If there were some efficacy, could so many people in Prefecture City have been fooled by her? After all, I haven’t heard anyone say that taking her medicine caused any harm."