Spending her time mostly studying the manuals and memorizing them, the feeling of being watched slowly began to grow less and less until ultimately, the watchful eyes were only felt occasionally. A disturbance in the force was detected mainly when she was in the still in the mansion. Otherwise, she only noticed anomalies once or twice when in one of her continued outings.
Of course, over time, the worst of the winter had ended. The pristine snows would soon start to melt away, and the weather had begun to warm. During that time, she managed to sneak some training while enduring the harsh code. Furthermore, thanks to her unexpected poison resistance, Ame discovered that she can convert the poisons in her body to support her cultivation, but she obviously didn’t dare to push her luck. She quickly identified how she was being poisoned while making sure to not insist on visiting Ehuang and Nuo too much.
Amazingly enough, it seemed that the Poison Qi only appeared after mixing certain food and drinks together. It was quite clear that several unique chemicals must be added to several things among the meal, which allows a poison to be produced after consumption. It was quite clever and roundabout in a way, but the poison was thankfully not that strong. All this just meant that Ame was a bit more prepared to prepared with the world of Sen, and seeing as she was no longer under surveillance as much, Ame did one of two things.
After the poisoning incident, her truly precarious situation had been revealed. At all costs, Ame focus on gathering enough funds for her 12th year, but more importantly, she must find some grace in the household. Otherwise, she feared she would be tossed out before she was ready or maybe worse. She doesn't have to be on part of a perfect family but should at least take advantage of what her options to ensure a proper future.
Of the many possible routes, she knows that she needs to find ways to earn her living while she can. Therefore the reason why she is interested in the merchant trades. She has also researched about a few other professions, discovering and confirming many jobs in this world, and one particular job already caught her interest.
From what she understood, even the classical alchemist exists on Sen. Not only that, it seems to be a very lucrative profession high in demand and with several tiers. It was a high-end job garnered respect nearly everywhere you go.
Such a job would be perfect for her. Even if their alchemy specialized in the medical direction, that would just save her the trouble, and even if she can't accept Sen's medical standards, she just has to reform them. Ame was sure that all the rules of medical science were not negligible. In fact, she can't wait to see what the new rules/laws were established from the new interactions between particles and Qi.
Her first major goal would naturally be the most important: She will confirm the existence of the Periodic Table. Her other experiments will naturally follow afterwards. After all, regardless of whether she becomes a super herbalist or something, chemistry is a branch of science related to almost all other sciences.
Thus, along with learning how to discern authenticity and gaining a better knowledge of various items, Ame hopes to consolidate better foundations by learning alchemy. Without a proper teacher, she could certainly make progress and mix some concoctions together, but she will have to start off small and work her way up. Even then, she will be going blind without any proper guidance again.
As such, she will definitely make mistakes and encounter higher rate of danger. It was much like baking a soufflé. Without knowing that sound causes it to deflate or how quickly, you will get a much higher chance of having a failed soufflé.
Having come to these conclusions, Ame decided already started her preparations. During her visits into town, she would visit some stores and stalls affiliated with her household and managed to gather the seeds for herbs along with other materials. She had then talked with Sada and passed an order to set up a new garden. Of course, she will still help or direct others during the project.
Additionally, during the construction of the garden, Ame coordinated the planting of some interesting plants she found upon visiting some street vendors in the poorer sections of Chiseong. She had to admit that having luck spirits do make things convenient sometimes. Well, regardless of whether it was due to luck or inevitability, one plant she spots happened to be a bundle of beautiful, glowing flowers when returning home in the evening.
Dara had explained that some of the luminous plants were called the “Midnight Bluebells” and the “Serene Moonlight Flower” along with other varieties. They each glowed in their own lights but were beautiful nonetheless. The flowers would make for good alternative light sources, and the bigger some plants grew, the more light they would give off. A few flowers would be sufficient enough light up a room.
However, for the poorer members of society, these flowers would be a bit too expensive to casually collect. The Moonlight Serene Flower was especially so. Although able to release a gentle glow at night, the flower had the properties for calming the mind and collecting yin energy to assist recovery and Qi stabilization. The flowers will thus have a couple of uses which increases their price.
After hearing about all this, it had created a greater interest towards learning alchemy and testing the various flora on Sen. Ame wanted to test the medical properties of the various plants that she found. She wanted to use them to help her during her training and possible future cultivation, and most of all, she wanted to make her residence more hospitable while stacking up at least one more card up her sleeves.
Like this, sometime continued to pass. Ame had initially planted flowers meant for winter and was already planning for spring and summer plants. With some of the herbs and flowers ready to be harvested, she carefully cut down or uprooted the flora per the written instruction from the books and her past experience. She was able to successfully grow most of her plants by using her unique sight and luck spirits. At the same time, Ame was able to secretly use the flowers to test her ability in channeling her unique Qi into ground and plants.
As a result, the planted herbs and other flora were prospering with great potency and vitality. It was like they had been given a bit of steroids or was placed in premium soil. The flora grew a bit faster and more vigorous as long as she was careful, though not all the plants followed this result.
Thus, her new gardening project continued over the next several weeks. Ame continued using her acupoints to channel her unique Qi and, despite the strain and exhaustion, managed to improve her control.
'...Again? Oh well, Rome wasn't built in a day.’ After sighing, Ame picked up the herbs and flowers scattered around her. The table in front of her carried various papers and several containers along with several pastes and solutions seemingly created by using the plants. Some we're burnt, some were sweet or sour smelling, and others seemed unfinished.
However, she still cleaned up everything and opened the wooden windows. With care, she then bundled them together and stored them in the basket before going in search of Dara. Upon finding him at his regular location, she innocently approached him.
“Good morning, little mistress, how may be of service on this fine morning?” Dara warmly asked.
“Dara, some of my plants are ready to be sold. I properly harvested them. See,” Ame proudly said as she held up a covered basket.
Dara smiles kindly and says, “Park Yoo is a shrewd merchant, but he is always fair.” Dara pauses and grumbles under his breath, “When he wants to be.”
“Thank you, Dara,” Ame happily said before being following Dara to the stables. With a pale face, Ame gulps and climbs the carriage as the experienced Dara makes room for Ame to take the window seat. The carriage ride passes in its usual fashion with her watching the farmers plowing the fields and raising their straw hats to get a glimpse of her carriage. Some of the peasant kids playing were even painting and exclaiming at her carriage before the adults or older children quickly took them away.
The carriage makes its way through the roads with ease and past the city gate without being stopped. After all, despite living outside of the city and even being closer to one of its villages, no one would normally dare to offend the Min Household by mistake. Ame was thus able to cut the queue without repercussion.
With a loud groan, the carriage rolls to a stop in front of a large shop. The familiar figure of Ame rushes out of the carriage and heads for the alley. With an expressionless face and practiced movements, Dara humbly waits with basket in hand for Ame to finish.
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Seemingly accustomed to this occurrence, the three guards also showed no surprise. As for Ame herself, she simply reaches into her pocket and grabs a handkerchief and canteen. She washes her mouth out and cleans herself up. “I may need to prepare barf bags at this rate.” She sighed.
Ready, Ame leaves the alley and quickly follows Dara into a flower shop. The current attendant was the shop owner, Chen Chen, who is a middle-aged woman with short brown hair and a motherly atmosphere. She is the owner of this small “Blooming Sunshine Flower Shop” that happened to be affiliated with the Min Household.
Ame wasn’t quite sure on what job the husband had, but she did know that both the daughter often helped the mother run the shop. The Blooming Sunshine also happened to be fairly popular and prosperous for a small flower shop……. Although the flowers and herbs were of good quality as well as having some good practical and aesthetic uses, Ame can’t help but to think that the homely charm of the mother and daughter certainly played a role in the shop’s success.
Nonetheless, best of all was how many housewives of the neighbor would visit the shop, allowing Ame to get a hold of the occasional gossip. Ame had thus chose this place to sell her flowers and make a small profit from her garden. It seems that her herbs and flowers were even causing the shop’s sales to increase, benefiting the profit of both parties.
“Welcome… Oh, Young Miss, it is a pleasure to meet you again.” Chen Chen bowed upon seeing Ame enter.
“Good Morning.” Ame bowed back. “I am here to make another see,” She said with a beautiful smile. They then proceeded to evaluating and selling/purchasing the flora.
After finishing their business there, Ame then left in carriage and went to visit the Sky Lapis Auction House. Upon entering, Dara immediately called out to an employee and demanded for them to be taken to Park Soo. The personnel seemed to be familiar with Dara and only allowed the two of them to pass through to the inner offices. The guards obviously waited outside.
Sometime later, they reached the same office as last time. Dara opens the door immediately, causing Ame to raise her brow, but she quickly switched her attention forward to find the familiar sly-eyed figure beaming at them.
Park Yoo, seemingly having been informed of their arrival, was already sitting and waiting. “It’s a pleasure to meet you again, Lady Ame. I certainly didn’t expect for you to arrive so soon. Hahaha, I guess you are really interested in running your own business.”
Park Yoo calmly gestured towards an assortment of items on his desks. “I can only assume that you have prepared something to show me. I wonder if it is what you have chosen to sell.”
Ame started with Park Yoo with an expressionless or calm face. Although seemingly polite and calm, his words and gestures were implying that she shouldn’t waste his time with every day or nonsensical items. He was practically saying that he didn’t expect much of her but still wanted her to give something that had some basic value.
She couldn’t exactly blame him for this though. After all, she is the black sheep of her family and was nothing but a street urchin for about half of her (current) life. Normally speaking, in her circumstances, she should just be worried about catching up on her studies and finding a marriage partner. However, she can’t consent to such a life so simply.
Dara seemed to also read between the lines. However, he just shakes his head and sighs at Park Yoo….. or maybe at this whole situation. Either way, he moves forward and gingerly places the basket onto the desk.
With some interest, Park Yoo raises his brows at Dara’s actions and receives the basket from him. The merchant felt something amiss and opens the basket before being slightly surprised. However, a sharp expression soon join the mix onto his face, and he gently picks up each herb and flower before examining each one with care and great detail.
Gradually, he took out the roots, leaves, and other flora neatly compartmentalized into the single basket. Paying extra attention to the three yellow rings on the roots of a daisy-like flower with red petal tips and a blue thorn with a calming fragrance, his fox-like eyes even slightly opened for the first time since meeting Ame.
“Fragrant Faith Flower? No….Motherly Faith Flowers….even a few Soothing Rain vines…checked” Both Dara and Ame could hear parts of a soft whisper occasionally slipped from Park Yoo’s lips. Although no one in the room were official alchemists, Park Yoo did have some basic/superficial knowledge, so he would likely have much greater knowledge in the trade as compared to Dara and Ame.
However, Ame did read some beginner books on herbs and alchemy from the Min Family library. Combining her luck and her unique eyesight, she was also able to notice that some plants were more potent or unique after a while and that some new plants would occasionally mutate and sprout from the garden. Upon noticing these things, she tried to cultivate these plants and even crossbred them.
She wasn’t always successful, but she did notice that channeling her Qi managed to give some effect. Regardless, she knew her herbs definitely had some value and managed to identify that one or two were even among the ingredients for tier 3 medicines.
The minutes slowly trickle, causing Dara to worriedly fidget, while Ame eyes the items in the room for their worth. Several times, Ame’s eyes occasionally widen with delight and repeatedly squint in scrutiny at finding rare or expensive items that looked like simple decorations. Even if they seemed simple, their Qi movements were still obvious in her eyes.
Park Yoo notices the change in expressions but doesn’t comment as he finishes examining the herbs. Park Yoo gently returns the herbs and says, “I am willing to purchase all of the herbs for one silver coins.”
Ame smiles faintly, causing Park Yoo to smilingly gaze at her in return. “Really? Do take me for a fool? One stalk of green tiger leaves is worth 1 gold coins, and although barely audible, I know that you yourself recognize the Soothing Rain Roots and Mother Faith Flowers which are roughly worth 50 gold each,” Ame calmly countered the offer.
Park Yoo presses the tips of his fingers together as he leans forward. “Hahahaha, I didn’t know that you had such sharp senses…. But that doesn’t mean you will gain the asked prices, especially without confirming the herbs or having any connections.” Park Yoo swiftly countered back.
Ame thinks on the offer. ‘He’s right, but even if I could gain more, I cannot afford to offend him.’
She let a sigh of regret and agrees to the offer. “Truly an exemplary merchant. Very well, so be it.”
Park Yoo smiles charmingly and says, “It is a pleasure doing business with you.” He reaches for a small bell on his desk and rings it. An attendant instantly appears, and Park Yoo carefully hands the basket over. The experienced attendant swiftly disappears with the basket to store the herbs and preserve them.
Dara glares at Park Yoo but doesn’t dare say anything despite knowing that Ame was still being blatantly robbed. “You’re doing very well and have some talent for herbology. Although not a true alchemist, may I suggest becoming an herbalist and growing some herbs for alchemists?” Park Yoo softly said in understanding of the young misses’ position.
Dara warningly glances at Park Yoo before starting to release a building pressure and killing intent. However, before he can say anything, Ame already pulled his sleeve to turn his attention back to her and shakes her head. Seeing Dara holding himself back, Ame sighs.
It is not like she can’t understand both sides. Dara truly sees that comment as an insult to her who is child of noble descend and who should normally be capable of a good marriage regardless of her aptitude. However, what Park Yoo said was not meant as an insult, but instead, it seemed to be his sincere concern in essence. He said this in consideration after seemingly realizing Ame’s intent in making a living for herself.
“No, I only have a bit of talent.” Ame smiled lightly and politely rejected.
Park Yoo nods sagaciously and seats himself back down. “In that case, your first sell was bought by me. Now that you are aware of the value from now on, you are permitted to sell your wares on the first floor. Whether you get their worth is up to you from now on,” Park Yoo said with a smile and handed over a pouch of gold coins.
Ame carefully counts the coins and frowns at only finding 45 cold coins. Although she had some faint hope after seeing the gold coins, she couldn’t help but feel a bit discontent and glances up to see Park Yoo smiling gleefully at her.
“I took off the 5 gold coins for the lesson,” Park Yoo innocently said. This also implied that he was teasingly ready to give her 50 gold coins.
Feeling her eye twitched a bit, Ame narrowed her eyes. He was definitely provoking or make fun of her. However, although she said nothing in response, Dara growled, “There wasn’t a lesson.”
“Of course, there was. First, never be careless with your most precious items. Second, be sure that you are wary of those without good reputation. Although auction houses will never try to hoodwink our customers due to our reputation and various other reasons, you can’t say the same thing regarding those low-class businesses or customers on the streets. They repeatedly try to take advantage of you.” Park Yoo warmly replied.
“Always protect your merchandise, and be greatly wary of allowing others to hold your products before they present their money.” He continued.
“Hmph.” Ame snorts but bitterly accepts the truth. She curses herself for the small mistake but also reminds herself to not make it again. Still, the feeling of being cheated right from the beginning of her lessons didn’t feel good. Dara opens his mouth to retort, but a glance from Ame causes him to close his mouth.
Bowing to Park Yoo, Ame says, “Thank you for your teachings, Merchant Park Yoo, I shall strive to remember and embed them into my heart.”
A smile then appeared on her face, but unlike earlier, it was a business smile and was instead one with a feeling of slight mischief mixed in. “I am sure that our business will continue prospering in the future.”
Park Yoo just smiles and nods, and as though his earlier malicious actions never happened, he accompanies them to the carriage. Ame could now see how Dara could be infuriated at times too. However, she at least secured a private tutor in business.
Dara helps Ame into the carriage before eyeing Park Yoo darkly and promising to even the odds. ‘If he thinks growing some herbs is my final goal, he is sorely mistaken. Rather, everything is just beginning.’ She thought. After all, she would have no need for The Blooming Sunshine if she was only after quick cash.
As she contemplates about this, she sees how Park Yoo smiles winsomely and winks at Dara. causing his face to darken even further. With a growl, he slams the door shut and the carriage sets off immediately in a cloud of dust. With a twinkle in his eyes, Park Yoo happily returns to his shop to extort-, to sell fair priced items to his clients.