Chapter Seventy: Allergic Reactions

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“But who could have guessed, the very next day my younger daughter broke out in a rash all over her face, neck, and body…” The woman spoke as she wept.

What kind of misfortune was this? How had their family come to bear such a calamity? Her youngest daughter was scarcely five or six years old, and after consulting several physicians, each had only shaken their heads, unable to offer a cure.

“It’s terrible—there’s a family’s little girl who’s broken out in a rash, and now there’s an uproar at the door!”

Han Qing hurried outside. He took a quick look and soon understood the matter. It seemed the child was allergic to the scent of camphor; this was a detail he had overlooked. Clearly, he would need to provide advance warning in the future.

“Aunt Zhang, this is our fault, but I assure you, there’s nothing wrong with the mosquito coils themselves. Has your daughter ever had any contact with camphor trees before?” he asked gently.

The woman nodded. “We don’t have any such trees at home, so she’s never seen one.”

“If you trust me, I can help treat your daughter’s condition.”

The woman hesitated. But she remembered rumors that Han Qing’s remedies had once cured consumption. Perhaps it was worth a try?

“Please rest assured, we will take full responsibility,” Han Qing soothed her, then instructed his assistants to fetch the silver needles from behind the screen. He applied a few needles to the girl’s arms and the soles of her feet.

After half an hour, the red rash that had covered her face had faded considerably.

“The main cause is that your daughter cannot tolerate camphor; she’s likely allergic to the branches and leaves,” Han Qing explained slowly, apologizing profusely to the others gathered.

“Xiao Er, set up some signs outside the shop and bring out some powdered camphor for display.”

The others looked on, puzzled.

“When customers come, be sure to ask if they’re allergic to camphor. If they say they get rashes, advise them not to buy these mosquito coils.”

The customers at the door were dumbfounded at his words. They had feared it was some incurable ailment, but here Han Qing explained everything clearly.

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This helped everyone relax a little.

After this incident, business at the mosquito coil shop improved even more, with even more customers than before. Magistrate Lin could hardly contain his joy. He had hoped to earn a tidy sum, but he hadn’t expected business to multiply several times over in just a few short weeks. He had truly encountered a stroke of good fortune.

Meanwhile, Old Master Zhao watched as others’ businesses flourished and grew, and jealousy welled up in his heart.

“Zhao Chengzhang, weren’t you always on good terms with Han Qing? Why has there been so little contact these past months?” the old master asked, probing for information by sending people to sound out the situation.

“Grandfather, we’re merely acquaintances; there hasn’t been much contact. But he did save your life once—he is truly a benefactor to the Zhao family,” replied Zhao Chengzhang, who, to his credit, didn’t try to shift all the blame onto others after this incident.

“Indeed, but now half the profits from the clothing shop are in his hands; I suppose that repays our debt,” the old master said, circling around the subject.

Zhao Yuanwai was somewhat confused. “What exactly are you getting at?”

“I want the Zhao family to grow stronger, perhaps even to surpass the Bai family of old. But someone stands in our way.”

“Is there?” Zhao Chengzhang reflected carefully. “No one is working against us. The clothing we make is unique; no other establishment in town has it.”

He couldn’t understand why the old master was so stubborn.

“You should seek more advice from Han Qing. See how he’s managed to stand out among merchants,” the old master said, waving his hand dismissively, frustrated at his grandson’s obstinacy. Not a single word had pleased him.

But the eldest uncle of the Zhao family had grasped the old master’s intent and spoke up at once.

“Old Master, in a few days, Second Young Master Bai will be released. If we can put aside past grievances and cooperate with them, perhaps we can turn things around!”

He spoke with evident pride.

“Fool! We disgraced their family so thoroughly before, and now that the Bai family is in dire straits, why should we cooperate with them?” the old master retorted scornfully.

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Had the man taken leave of his senses? So old, and yet he still couldn’t distinguish right from wrong.

The eldest uncle of the Zhao family fell silent, resentment simmering in his heart. He muttered to himself, “You just look down on me, don’t you? Wait till I achieve something great—then you’ll see!”

He resolved to approach Second Young Master Bai himself. The Bai family, after all, was still a powerful force, even if they had lost a gambling house; their patriarch was still the county magistrate. As for the inspector, he would be reassigned to the capital in just over a month. There was little to worry about.

“Eldest Uncle Zhao, to have you visit me is truly an honor,” Second Young Master Bai said with surprise and delight, choosing not to dwell on past grievances.

“I must apologize. The Zhao family wronged you before, but I have regretted it deeply,” Eldest Uncle Zhao said, humbling himself, eager to forge a connection with the Bai family, even to the point of groveling.

“Think nothing of it. Our Bai family is not one to bear grudges. That’s all in the past, and given the circumstances then, we understand,” said the old Mr. Bai kindly, as though he truly wished to believe him. Yet behind the scenes, he missed no opportunity to scheme.

“You must know how popular the mosquito coil market has become among the common people, while other businesses have suffered accordingly,” Eldest Uncle Zhao blurted out, unable to contain himself, revealing his weakness before the other side even asked.

“That’s true, but there’s nothing we can do. They have the inspector’s support, while we have no one behind us,” Second Young Master Bai shrugged, feigning helplessness, as though the situation left them with no options.

“I have an idea. Would you be willing to hear it?” Eldest Uncle Zhao said mysteriously, having planned everything out and now just needing a partner.

Old Mr. Bai looked at him expressionlessly, then nodded, a glint of disdain in his eyes. The Zhao family had always been second best—what ability could they possibly possess?