Chapter 362: Chapter 362: The Hundred-Poison Pill Appears Again
"In that case, I’ll call Shu Ci and tell him not to wait for me for dinner."
Seeing that no one was declining, Gu Jiaojiao felt it would be rude to leave by herself.
The Wang Family father and sons had been sitting on the sofa the whole time, watching Gu Jiaojiao chat and laugh so freely with the influential figures.
When they heard everyone was staying for dinner, Wang Heming and his two sons immediately stood up to set out the tables and chairs.
The Mu Family’s living room was huge, so setting up two tables was no problem. Mu Qingtong had just been very sheltered and was a little naive, but she wasn’t stupid.
She had the Wang family father and sons set up two tables while she went to the kitchen to order more food. The dishes prepared earlier had been made in large quantities, so there was still plenty even after dividing them.
Han Jingyi and Xiao Rui were also there, having driven their grandfathers over.
"Miss Jiaojiao, you didn’t go to school today? We looked all over for you but couldn’t find you."
"Oh, please. I went first thing in the morning. But my grandpa took me in through the back door, so I didn’t have to wait in line. Of course you couldn’t find me!"
Gu Jiaojiao said with a smug look, as if using her connections was something to be proud of.
"Haha... So Jiaojiao likes using the back door! From now on at school, this old man will have your back," Elder Xu immediately said with a laugh.
"Me too! But Elder Xu, haven’t you stopped teaching at the university for a long time?" Xia Qiuming asked, confused.
"Master Jiaojiao, I can have your back too!" Boss He declared loudly.
Wang Chengrong had already joined the workforce, and while Wang Chengyao was still in college, he hadn’t gotten into Imperial University. But that didn’t stop them from feeling envious.
"It’s true I haven’t taught a class in many years. But since Jiaojiao is going to be a student, I’ll go register to teach a course."
During the meal, Gu Jiaojiao took a bottle of liquor from her backpack. It was the best from her personal dimension—a nourishing spirit she had steeped herself using spiritual spring water and ginseng, making its effects and flavor truly one-of-a-kind.
Both of those ingredients were coveted treasures on their own, to say nothing of them being combined.
Most of the men present enjoyed a drink, and after just one sip, everyone from the old gentlemen to the young men was singing its praises.
"Jiaojiao, did you brew this liquor yourself? This old brother of yours felt completely refreshed after just one sip. Do you have a recipe for it?" Old Mu asked, looking a bit sheepish.
"I have the recipe, but you wouldn’t be able to find the ingredients. If my sworn brothers want some, then your little sister will send each of you a jar tomorrow.
Don’t drink too much in a day—two small mouthfuls per meal at most. If you drink it continuously for a month, the effects will be even better than the medicine pills I gave you."
"Then this old man must thank you, Jiaojiao," one said, and the other old gentlemen quickly chimed in with their thanks.
Xia Qiuming, quick on the uptake, asked for a jar on his grandfather’s behalf. His own father wasn’t in good health either, so he figured he could split it between them.
The dinner at the Mu residence was a very pleasant affair. The moment she put down her bowl, Gu Jiaojiao announced she was ready to go home.
Mu Ziquan personally escorted her out with two bodyguards. Everyone was happy to see how much more cheerful he had become.
They all assumed Mu Ziquan was simply grateful to Gu Jiaojiao for detoxifying him and freeing him from his suffering, and that he was escorting her out of sheer appreciation.
Han Jingyi and Xiao Rui drove the four members of the Wang Family home. The Mu Family had a professional chef and a housekeeper to wash the dishes.
The pair were servants who had been with Old Mu for decades, so there was no need for the guests to help with washing dishes.
Once Gu Jiaojiao was in the car and had driven off, Elder Xu asked eagerly, "Did Jiaojiao say she gave you medicine pills as well?"
The other old gentlemen knew their friend, Elder Xu, was a leading authority in the world of traditional Chinese medicine and would naturally be very interested in the pills.
So, they all took out the pills they were carrying. "Take a look at this," one said. "Jiaojiao gave it to me. She called it a Health Pill."
Elder Xu took the small porcelain bottle from Elder Xiao’s hand and poured a single pill into his palm to examine it. The moment he laid eyes on the pill, his expression changed dramatically.
"There’s no mistaking it. I saw this medicine twenty years ago when I attended an exhibition at the Chinese Medicine Association with my father.
It’s brownish-black, aromatic, and bitter to the taste. It can neutralize a hundred poisons. I only smelled it once, but it was unforgettable!"
"Jiaojiao said it was a Health Pill. Does that mean I have poison in my body?" Mr. Xiao’s hands were trembling.
He had taken one and felt immensely better, so he’d assumed it really was just a Health Pill. "Old Xu," he asked, "is this pill expensive to make?"
"Hah! Not only is the cost high, but the refinement process is incredibly difficult. There’s a saying: ’Even with ten thousand taels of gold worth of ingredients, you might not succeed in making a single pill.’"
"Really? Jiaojiao is so tactful, giving us something so precious without letting on.
When we were at her house the other day, we were just casually rolling pills. I thought they were made from ordinary herbs, which is why we accepted them without a second thought."
The old gentlemen said as much, but inwardly, they were deeply moved.
"It’s true. The ingredients alone cost well over ten million, and it’s nearly impossible to successfully refine. That’s why the formula has long been considered lost. Even the Chinese Medicine Association only has that single one left for its exhibition."
Elder Xu counted them. "One, two, three, four, five... Good heavens, Old Xiao, you have ten of them here! Can you spare just one? I’ll trade you ten of my own divine-grade pills—the culmination of my life’s work!"
Elder Xu clutched Elder Xiao’s porcelain bottle, refusing to let go.
"You should probably check the others’ pills first," Elder Xiao suggested.
Mr. Xu then examined Old Mu’s pills over and over, ultimately concluding that they too were divine-grade pills of a type he had never seen before.
"The effects of these pills are tailored specifically to each of your bodies. Their value is simply inestimable.
If you each take these ten pills, living for another twenty years won’t be a problem."
The old gentlemen were overjoyed. In these peaceful times, who wouldn’t want a long life? At the same time, they were utterly stunned.
"It’s enough that we know how precious these pills are. We must not show them off, or we’ll bring trouble to Jiaojiao’s doorstep."
"Of course. And Jiaojiao’s medicinal liquor is an even more incredible treasure. Looks like we’ll have to work harder to earn some money."
"That daughter of the Fu family was here earlier, pointing a finger in her face and cursing her out. Should we teach the Fu family and the Lin Family a lesson?" Mr. Mu asked his old friends.
"Let’s not. Jiaojiao is a magnanimous girl. No matter who she dislikes or detests, she never asks the people around her to share her feelings.
She always quotes the saying, ’Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.’ If the Lin Family and the Fu family don’t come looking for trouble with us, we should just turn a blind eye."
"Exactly. But if they go after Jiaojiao again, then we’re not to be trifled with. We’ll make them regret it."
Gu Jiaojiao had no idea that the medicine pills she had casually concocted with herbs and spiritual spring water from her dimension had received such high praise from Elder Xu.
Nor did she know that it had moved her sworn brothers beyond words, making them vow to protect her.
In the car, she discussed the key points of Mu Ziquan’s condition with Xia Qiuming, agreeing to decide on a date for the surgery after he underwent a full examination the next day.
They were still talking when they arrived at her doorstep. At that moment, Mu Ziquan felt that his house was surprisingly close to Gu Jiaojiao’s.
In reality, their homes were quite far apart. In this day and age, the drive took thirty-five minutes even without traffic. In a future era, it would surely be a three-hour journey.
He sat in the car, watching as Xia Qiuming got out and walked Gu Jiaojiao to her living room. The moment Su Shuochi saw her, he pulled her inside and shut the door on Xia Qiuming.
Through a crack in the door, Su Shuochi said, "Xia Qiuming, thanks for bringing Jiaojiao back."
Xia Qiuming: ...
