A faint medicinal fragrance drifted through the backyard of Qingniu Medical Hall, though it was currently in an uproar, ruined by a sudden "commercial war." Huwa rushed in, half a garlic steamed bun still in his hand, and burst through the door in a panic. "Master! This is terrible! Lady Pei's silk and fabric convoy has been blocked at the East Market, and Sister Su's medicinal herbs have been impounded under the pretext that 'only time-honored Chang'an brands are permitted entry'!"
The Protagonist was feeding firewood to the medicine cauldron. Hearing this, his hand trembled, and he nearly tossed coptis root into the pot as if it were scallions. He narrowed his eyes at the bubbling broth inside the cauldron, then suddenly slapped his thigh. "So they're trying to trip us up, are they? Do they really think blocking our doors will cut off the Qingniu faction's lifeline?"
The news quickly spread through every street and alley. At the entrance of the East Market, Pei Hongxiu's silk convoy stretched in a long line, but the manager was blocked by several pot-bellied merchants. The leader, Shopkeeper Wang, shook a gold abacus and said sarcastically, "Lady Pei, it's not that we don't want to show respect, but the rules of the East Market have always been this way—foreign monks cannot chant Chang'an scriptures!" Pei Hongxiu's pretty eyebrows arched in anger, and just as she was about to argue, several bailiffs carried out a sign reading "Market Reorganization" and began driving the …
Chapter 543