Chapter 69: Chapter 69 Hesitation
Song Ci was sweating profusely from the pain, her body trembling, but she gritted her teeth and endured it, her pursed lips letting out some faint groans.
Hong You took a clean cotton handkerchief to wipe her sweat, looked at Lin Qing with the needle, and said, "Doctor Lin, isnât there a gentler needling method? Madam seems to be in too much pain."
"As the saying goes, âpain means obstruction.â Most of Madamâs meridians are blocked, so the sudden needle insertion naturally hurts. As it gradually clears, it will become easier," Lin Qing looked at Song Ci and said softly, "Madam, you donât need to hold it in. If itâs really painful, you can shout."
Song Ci weakly said, "Shout at what? Shout at the heavens for playing with me? Shouting wonât help, the pain will still be there, so I might as well save my breath. Ouch, it hurts, Doctor Lin, please have mercy."
Lin Qing almost laughed, glanced at the hourglass, and said, "If thatâs the case, bear with it a little longer, in another thirty breaths the needles can be removed."
Nanny entered from outside and said, "Madam, the Prime Minister has come to see how you are."
"Why is he coming so late? Tell him to go back; Iâve got needles in me and donât have the energy to talk to him," Song Ci didnât want to bother dealing with her eldest son, the fighter among people savvy in the ways of the world.
"The Prime Minister is also devoted to you, he needs to see you well to be at ease," Nanny said.
Song Ci sighed, one can never really avoid people.
...
Song Zhiyuan slowly sipped his tea, still thinking about Master Jinghuiâs words, after all, is Song Familyâs benefactor right here in this room?
Thinking of this, he couldnât help but recall how a year ago, Jinghui foretold that Song Family faced a calamity of destruction and exile, and the turning point lay in whether they would encounter their benefactor this year. It had shocked him to cold sweat, and he tightly kept the secret prophecy to himself, not telling anyone.
Destruction and exile, what great disaster would cause this for the Song Family, unless it was major events like treason or involvement in the struggle for the throne, but there were none.
He was wholeheartedly loyal to Emperor Chu, being the most loyalist of the imperialists. As for competing for the throne, although this dynasty hadnât named a Crown Prince, Emperor Chu was in his prime, with several princes under him, the eldest being no more than eighteen, and the youngest just a month old. Although there were voices in court requesting the establishment of a Crown Prince, they were ultimately just empty thunder.
He just didnât understand where things had gone wrong.
While pondering, someone emerged from behind the screen, and Song Zhiyuan looked up and stood up.
"Mother." He stepped forward to help Song Ci, though his gaze briefly passed over the face of an unfamiliar woman.
Song Ci was weak and sat on the Arhat bed, saying, "Youâre busy, thereâs no need for you to come here to greet me. Your wife found Doctor Lin for me, she attends to me, you can be at ease and focus on your political career, donât worry about me."
What on earth is this political stuff?
Song Zhiyuan found it quite bewildering and smiled slightly: "No matter how busy I am, I must come to greet you. Is this Doctor Lin?"
Lin Qing raised her head, bent her knees, and curtseyed towards Song Zhiyuan: "Lin Qing greets the Prime Minister."
"Is my motherâs health improving?"
Lin Qing smiled softly, saying, "Madam is not in any serious condition, as long as properly treated, she will be fine."
A very official response.
Song Zhiyuan knew the dubiousness in those words. Without a solid guarantee, even someone as significant as the head of Lu Courtyard wouldnât claim no worries.
He looked over, seeing Lin Qingâs humble and unyielding attitude, for a moment he couldnât ascertain whether she was the benefactor Master Jinghui had spoken of.
Regardless of whether she was, she came at an opportune time and must be kept around.
"I entrust my motherâs well-being to Doctor Linâs care."
Hearing this, Lin Qing was slightly surprised. She looked up at Song Zhiyuan and nodded slightly: "I will certainly do my utmost."