Chapter 884: Chapter 884: Talking About Money Hurts Feelings
Slumped on the Arhat bed by the south window, Song Ci sighed openly, feeling utterly drained. She took a sip of the cool tea handed to her by Nanny and then leaned over on the pillow again.
"Nanny, I really feel Iāve aged, this has worn me out for quite some time, I feel like my bones are about to fall apart, and my heart is still exhausted," Song Ci said half-closing her eyes.
Nanny replied, "So donāt trouble yourself with these trifles, just wait for the outcome."
Song Ci opened her eyes and asked, "What do you think of this matter, is it man-made?"
"Hard to say, the pox is quite contagious, donāt know which young master contracted it first and then transferred it to another," Nanny said. "And it seems to target the two young masters of the third household, whether itās internal strife or external enemy is hard to say."
"But what if itās not just the two young masters? Letās not mention Xiao Wu, Zhouāer has always been friendly with his several cousins and attends clan school, he roams everywhere, so there can be more than one he could pass it to," Song Ci frowned. "Let Jiang gather more hands, every place in the residence should be sprinkled with vinegar, especially each masterās courtyard. Also, Jieāerās courtyard needs more thorough cleaning."
"Hmm, I heard the third young master entered the palace today, luckily he didnāt visit the fourth young master."
Song Ci sighed, "Yes. Now just hoping to get through this quickly, this hot weather with the pox outbreak makes it even harder to endure, adults struggle to bear it, let alone children? If they scratch and scar their faces, then..."
In ancient times, thereās no micro cosmetic surgery, leaving a scar would truly be for a lifetime.
...
Song Lingzhao sneezed twice, touched his nose, and said to his younger brother: "A thousand-mile send-off still ends in farewell, letās stop here."
Song Lingjie expressionlessly took out a brocade bag from his chest and handed it over.
"What is this?" Song Lingzhao took it, opened it, and pulled out a hollow bell on a red string.
"This necklace is specially made by me. Inside is a life-saving pill wrapped in oil paper, made from millennia ginseng, snow lotus, and others. Only in the direst emergency, meaning when you are about to die, and your life is extremely critical, then squeeze this bell, break the wax and eat this pill. It can keep you hanging on, whether you can wait for the military doctor to save you, thatās up to fate."
Song Lingzhao looked at the small thing wrapped in oil paper inside the bell that had been rolled in tung oil, somewhat surprised, "When did you prepare this?"
"Since you insisted on leaving," Song Lingjie took the necklace and hung it on his neck, saying, "Promise me to wear it always, and donāt tell anyone what it is."
Song Lingzhao grinned and nodded, "Donāt worry, if anyone asks, Iāll say itās a peace charm made by my little brother."
"Donāt eat it unless absolutely necessary because this thing is expensive and thereās only one, not candies." He spent all his monthly salary and borrowed a large sum from the royal household.
Song Lingzhao: "..."
Talking about money hurts feelings!
"Remember what I said before, if you die in battle, all the family inheritance shall belong to me, so you need to keep your life and come back," Song Lingjie added.
Song Lingzhao laughed, punched his shoulder, and said, "Donāt worry, your brotherās destined to be the Great General, wonāt die easily."
Song Lingjie snorted coldly, "To be the Great General, you need not only martial arts but also courage and wisdom, or youāll just be a brute. So, no matter what, keep reading, especially military books, try to fathom human hearts, use your brain. Most importantly, brother, do not trust anyone fully, never expose your back to others, always keep a part for yourself, understand?"