Shen Rong’er nodded and quickened her pace.

This was her first day serving officially as a member of Longying, and she’d been excited the entire afternoon, throwing herself into her work with great enthusiasm.

“Jiu’er, is there something you need?”

Feng Jiu’er glanced around, waved a hand, and turned. “Let’s go talk in the side hall — there’s a matter to discuss.”

“All right!” Shen Rong’er nodded and followed along.

After giving a few instructions, Xiao Yingtao turned and followed as well.

Jian Yi didn’t follow into the side hall; he stood guard outside.

Also joining them was Qiao Mu, who had come after hearing the news.

The side hall door was closed, and the three women sat down around the round table — only Shen Rong’er remained standing.

“Jiu’er, should I go make some tea?”

“No need.” Feng Jiu’er waved a hand. “Sit down. I have something important to say.”

Ninth Imperial Uncle might not concern himself with the brothers’ personal matters — he didn’t have the time for it — but she couldn’t simply ignore it either.

At the very least, whenever time allowed, she’d look after it.

Shen Rong’er nodded, sat down, and said nothing more.

Xiao Yingtao looked at Feng Jiu’er, her small crescent brows knitting slightly. “Jiu’er, what exactly is going on? Just say it.”

“I want to recruit a batch of new people, mainly women,” Feng Jiu’er said.

“Is this for making rouge?” Xiao Yingtao asked.

“Mm.” Feng Jiu’er nodded. “I do intend to put down roots in this region, so I’ll just say it plainly.”

“My intention is to open Longying pharmacy branches all across the Black Pool Vein region, and to dominate the medicine market there.”

“Of course, this is only my intention — as for the pharmacies already established here, we will absolutely not use any forceful methods against them.”

“If they wish to continue operating, we can offer to buy them out, letting them survive that way.”

“If they’d rather keep selling independently, we won’t interfere either — we’ll simply focus on building our own market well.”

Shen Rong’er placed both hands on the table, her ten fingers clasped tightly together.

She couldn’t say she fully understood Feng Jiu’er’s words, but she still tried hard to listen.

“Rong’er.” Feng Jiu’er’s gaze settled on Shen Rong’er.

“Three days from now, once the first batch of antidote is ready, I’ll be leaving, and I plan to have you stay behind.”

“Of course, this is only temporary — once matters with the pharmacy are sorted out, you’ll be able to join us at the front lines. Is that a problem?”

“No.” Shen Rong’er nodded without even a moment’s hesitation.

“Think it over carefully before you answer,” Feng Jiu’er said, frowning.

“Jiu’er, I’ve thought it through. It’s fine, no problem at all,” Shen Rong’er said, waving her hands immediately.

“I don’t know if I can handle it, but I will absolutely give it everything I have.”

“That’s all I need to hear,” Feng Jiu’er said, patting Shen Rong’er’s shoulder. “Actually, the main reason I want you to stay is because you’re a local here.”

“You’ve always studied rouge and fragrances, so I plan to have you take charge of the rouge and fragrance side of the Longying pharmacy’s Yongshan City branch.”

“Jiu’er, do you mean just me, alone?” Shen Rong’er’s clasped fingers tightened further, her face turning slightly pale.

“No confidence?” Feng Jiu’er asked.

Shen Rong’er met Feng Jiu’er’s gaze, bit her lip, and nodded.

“Yes, it’s fine — Jiu’er, please, just tell me what to do.”

“Good!” Feng Jiu’er nodded solemnly. “I’ll leave people behind for the other matters — the rouge and fragrances will be yours to handle.”

“You’ll stay behind, and also help with recruiting brothers, especially with your local connections.”

“Rong’er, I want to say — I won’t leave you too many people. Our Longying pharmacy’s Yongshan City branch will openly recruit around a hundred women.”

“Jiu’er, why only women?” Xiao Yingtao asked, frowning.

“We’ve got too much yang energy around here!” Qiao Mu said, raising an eyebrow disdainfully.

Feng Jiu’er looked at Qiao Mu sitting across from her and gave her a thumbs up.

“Smart, Qiao Mu! Long live Qiao Mu!”

“Tch!” Qiao Mu glanced at her. “Just say what you need to say.”

Feng Jiu’er smiled faintly and continued, “Yongshan City isn’t that big — my plan is for three branches.”

“And not just Yongshan City — I’ll send word to the brothers in Yuecheng and Licheng too, having them keep expanding the Longying pharmacy, opening more branches, recruiting more people.”

“Qiao Mu’s right — we really do have too much yang energy right now. If possible, we should recruit more women to run the shops.”

“Rong’er, you’re a local — first handle the recruitment for this pharmacy, and I’ll arrange the rest.”

Shen Rong’er closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and said, “Jiu’er, I can help follow up on the recruitment for all three Yongshan City pharmacies.”

“My relatives are all in this city, scattered across several districts.”

Suddenly, she took hold of Feng Jiu’er’s hand.

“Jiu’er, trust me — I really want to show you results.”

“Three branches — is that too much pressure?” Feng Jiu’er said with a slight smile.

At this crucial time for recruiting people, she certainly hoped everyone would give their absolute best effort.

Feng Jiu’er could see Shen Rong’er’s ability — what she lacked was simply confidence.

Shen Rong’er let go of Feng Jiu’er’s hand, her smile now more composed than before.

“Saying there’s no pressure would be impossible, but I’m one of Longying’s people now — I’m Jiu’er’s person. I will definitely do better than before.”

“Jiu’er, I’m not afraid! Because I still have so many brothers of Longying beside me, don’t I?”

“Mm.” Feng Jiu’er nodded. “That’s true enough — our brothers of Longying are always united, always giving their all.”

“For now, we’re only recruiting workers on a paid basis — meaning, the people we recruit this way won’t actually be joining Longying itself.”

“They’ll simply be people we employ. They can come and go as they please, paid according to rank.”

“So, Longying’s internal affairs must never be revealed to outsiders.”

“The people we hire only need to understand one part of our medicine-making process — the key steps will still be handled personally by our own people.”

“Jiu’er, I understand what you mean.” Shen Rong’er nodded.

“For now, the recruitment is broad, but we can’t let Longying’s medicine-making process leak out.”

“Correct.” Feng Jiu’er nodded. “As for anyone who wants to actually join Longying, we’ll follow our usual selection standards.”

“The brothers will let you know how that’s done.”

Longying was an organization that had come from elsewhere, and growing to a large scale locally overnight wasn’t going to be easy.

Still, nothing was ever absolute — as long as they stayed grounded, practical, and took things one step at a time, nothing was truly impossible.

Xiao Yingtao, having sat for a while, stood up and stretched.

“It’s fine — don’t we still have three days before we leave? Should we start recruiting tomorrow?”

“When we recruit, I’ll be present often too — there’s a lot I’ll go over with Rong’er one by one.”

“So…” Qiao Mu waved a hand and stood up as well.

“Why’d you call me over here? I still have things to take care of.”

“Shouldn’t you be happy that I called you here?” Feng Jiu’er looked at Big Miss Qiao, who had suddenly grown much taller.

“You’re the eldest — no matter big or small, everything needs your approval, doesn’t it?”