The heavy rain didn’t know what kind of official the Chongwen Pavilion editor was, but they understood the title of Imperial Hospital doctor.

Everyone was taken aback.

In their minds, only very, very skilled doctors could become Imperial Doctors; it was a place and people far beyond reach.

The expression on the Town Leader’s face slowly became gentle. Assistant General Nie was genuine, and so was Lord Zhuang; he had seen their official seals.

The soldiers might fake it, but Lord Zhuang’s demeanor and Assistant General Nie’s pride couldn’t be faked, so there was no need for them to deceive, making the little girl in front of them real as well.

The Town Leader’s expression gradually turned from gentle to enthusiastic. The originally cold gaze became soft, and his voice became exceedingly amiable. He bowed again to Zhou Man, "So you’re Lord Zhou, no wonder you’re so angry. The heavy rain selling medicine in front of the courtyard was truly overstepping. However, they acted with good intentions. I inquired, and their reasons for setting up a stand were partly to earn some pocket money and partly to prepare medicines for the long journey to the Western Regions, fearing a lack of medical supplies along the way. Therefore, they secretly took some medicines from the mansion’s storeroom to sell, not realizing that some were counterfeit."

Having said that, he turned his head to look at the heavy rain.

The ones who had set up a stall at the door in the morning stepped forward immediately to confess and apologize, claiming they never intended to compete with them and genuinely believed the medicines were authentic.

Upon mentioning this, the Town Leader received the box of medicine from the steward, his expression slightly sinking, "To be honest, Lord Zhou, these medicines were bought from passing traders, already labeled with various medicine names and effects when purchased. As an Imperial Doctor, you know how rare ready-made medicine is, so we treasured these few boxes and seldom used them. But since you say this isn’t Baoji Pill, I want to know what medicine this is?"

Manbao’s expression softened as she reached for the medicine box, "Let me see."

She opened the medicine box, took out a pill, smelled it, and tasted a piece.

Bai Shan and the others found it bitter just from the smell, but Manbao had tasted many medicines, especially during her time at Jishi Hall and the Imperial Hospital. They tasted every available medicine, not just to identify the ingredients but also to discern the medicinal properties after formulation.

In the past, when Zhou Liru assisted at the back of Jishi Hall, she mainly helped Shopkeeper Zheng prepare pills, often tasting each one. Initially, she couldn’t tell good from bad, passing the leftovers to Manbao, who would taste them and carefully teach her.

So at that time, just by the smell alone, she knew it wasn’t Baoji Pill, but without tasting it, she didn’t know what medicine it was.

Manbao spat the medicine into a bowl, accepted the tea Bai Shan handed her to rinse her mouth, and then said, "This is Agarwood Digestive Pill."

She furrowed her brows, "Baoji Pill is primarily for treating summer dampness and colds, presenting symptoms like fever, headache, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. If it’s due to summer heat, it can indeed be used for treatment. But Agarwood Digestive Pill is mainly for indigestion, bloating, and fullness, focusing on digestion. How could these two medicines be confused?"

The Town Leader’s facial muscles twitched, and the steward couldn’t help but ask, "Lord Zhou, what would happen if someone with water and soil incompatibility took this medicine?"

"What are the symptoms?"

"Slight fever, mainly diarrhea, persistent abdominal pain, and nausea with a desire to vomit."

Manbao replied, "The medicine isn’t suited to the symptoms, not only offering no relief but also potentially worsening the condition, leading to severe diarrhea transforming into dysentery."

Manbao looked at their expressions, closed the box, and asked, "You haven’t used this medicine under such conditions, have you?"

The Town Leader and the others remained silent.

Manbao then asked, "Where is the person? If treated promptly, there might still be hope."

The steward, somewhat dejected, said, "It’s too late; the person passed away two years ago."

Manbao was shocked, speechless.

Bai Shan and the others exchanged glances, silent.

However, the Town Leader quickly responded, saying, "That was in the past. Although we may seem rough, we aren’t easily fooled."

He snorted coldly, "If they continue to frequent this trade route, well..."

He didn’t finish his sentence, but the murderous intent was evident, leaving everyone silent.

After threatening, the Town Leader offered a smile to Manbao, "Lord Zhou, although we’ve all been deceived, today’s incident was indeed the young men’s folly. How about this? I’ll have the cook prepare several good dishes to invite everyone to the mansion as guests."

Manbao declined, "This isn’t a major issue. Since they were unintentional, naturally, we won’t hold it against them. I was angry before because fake medicines circulating outside could harm others as well as ourselves."

The Town Leader agreed with a sigh, "Exactly, my mansion’s storeroom contains many ready-made medicines bought from those traders, and now I can’t tell true from false. The town’s doctors manage external wounds well enough, but for other illnesses, they’re utterly clueless, especially when it comes to identifying medicines."

While speaking, he kept glancing at Zhou Man, "I also hope Lord Zhou can help by checking the storeroom when you come for the meal to sort out any counterfeit medicines, lest the young ones unwittingly exchange them for money when funds run low, leading to external consumption of fake medication."

Despite knowing he’s feigning pity, Manbao agreed.

Consequently, the Town Leader rose immediately, instructing one group to fish in the lake while sending another to invite Mr. Zhuang back from the lakeside. He laughed, "Last time, when drinking with Mr. Zhuang, I noticed he quite enjoyed fish, and coincidentally, I do too."

Manbao’s smile became more genuine, "Sir indeed loves fish. Fortunately, we made some tofu yesterday; let’s bring some over to stew with the fish. Even the soup is delicious."

In the small town, there’s no one who can make tofu, but the Town Leader had tasted it before and nodded repeatedly. He watched their guards go to the kitchen to fetch tofu, feeling a mix of emotions.

The Han People are truly meticulous, bringing various kinds of people along when traveling, even bringing a craftsman specifically for making tofu.

His gaze lingered on Bai Shan and the others, observing their attire and speculating that they were likely of noble lineage.

Only that sort of people pay such attention to detail.

The Town Leader had a storeroom dedicated to various herbs and ready-made medicines. Although the steward seemed quite capable, he might not understand pharmacology, so items inside were piled on shelves with almost no corresponding storage measures. Some herbs that shouldn’t be exposed to light were left exposed, catching the abundant sunlight during airing.

The steward was rather proud, introducing to Manbao and the others, "We know herbs need occasional sun exposure, so whenever there’s good sunlight, we open the windows to dry them. Sometimes, we even take them outside to sun."

Manbao casually picked up a root piece, sighed, "No wonder their medicinal properties are dissipated."

The Town Leader looked at the steward.

Steward: ...