Chapter 76: Chapter 76: Narrow Escape, Playing Dumb
Early summer had yet to arrive, but inside the main house of Chunhui Hall, it felt like a scorching summer. Everyoneâs faces were flushed, feeling as if their faces were being steamed.
Lin Qing was a doctor, and after an awkward moment of shyness, asked, "Does what Madam said have any basis, and which medical book is it from?"
"Yes, mother, youâve never mentioned these secret techniques to us before. Why suddenly pass it on?" Madam Song and the others were perplexed, wondering why the elderly lady spoke with such apparent divine insight, yet hadnât mentioned it before.
Facing the doubtful gazes of the crowd, Song Ciâs heart skipped a beat.
It was over; she had gotten carried away and overacted.
Song Ci switched her expression in a second, as if she were stumped by the question, looking a bit flustered and dazed, muttering to herself, "Yes, how did I suddenly know this? Itâs like someone told me, but I canât remember, who was it?"
She looked blankly at Madam Song and the others: "I forgot."
Her expression was simply terrifying, frightening Madam Song to the point that the hair on her back stood on end. She quickly glanced at her two sister-in-laws, who were also a bit panicked.
The old lady, could it be that sheâs starting to forget things prematurely?
"Oh, mother, the salt youâve eaten is more than the roads weâve walked, for you to speak so thoroughly, it must have been well-researched. It certainly wouldnât be nonsense, especially since youâve birthed three sons." Jiang Shi said in a deliberately boisterous manner.
Madam Song also said, "Thatâs right, the Prime Minister once told me that back when the great ancestor conquered the lands, talented people were abundant. Mother must have encountered some Divine Doctor but just forgot about it."
Song Ci was secretly delighted; these two daughters-in-law were too good at playing along, saving her from being exposed. On her face, however, she still maintained a look of bewilderment and self-doubt: "Is that so?"
"Certainly." Madam Song said with a cheerful smile, "Mother, please write down the recipes you mentioned so we daughters-in-law can copy them. Itâs sure to be useful and might become a family secret for us to pass down."
"No problem, no problem." Song Ci became proud again, thought for a moment, and said, "What I said in this room mustnât be spread outside. At most, you can only teach your daughters-in-law, so that outsiders wonât think the old ladyâs gone senile and is talking nonsense, which wouldnât be good for the Prime Ministerâs Mansionâs reputation."
She wasnât really afraid of being called senile, but if this information spread and everyone then only wanted to have sons, the country would have a gender imbalance. She didnât want to be the cause of that.
Madam Song quickly said, "Of course." Then she glanced at the maids and servants in the room, sternly warning, "Keep your mouths shut. Anyone who dares to spread what was said in Madamâs room will be sold off."
Everyone hastily knelt down to pledge their loyalty.
"Youâre all dismissed. I want to take a stroll in the garden. Lin Qing, since youâre new here, do you want to join me and get familiar with the Prime Ministerâs Mansion?"
Lin Qing replied with a smile, "Madam invites, so Lin Qing will naturally accompany."
Song Ci was delighted, realizing Lin Qing was about the same age she had been back then, and since she didnât know the original owner well, there was no worry of being exposed while speaking. They could chat freely.
Madam Song and the others bowed and left.
"I didnât expect mother and Doctor Lin to hit it off so well, theyâre even calling each other by name." Jiang Shi was surprised by Song Ciâs attitude toward Lin Qing.
Madam Song said, "The bonds between people are quite mysterious, and perhaps because Doctor Lin has outstanding medical skills, mother is willing to trust her."
Jiang Shi hesitated for a moment, "Big sister-in-law, do you think motherâs words are credible?"
Lu Shi also looked over.
"Is the second sister-in-law willing to believe it?" Madam Song asked in return.