Song Zhiqing recalled the incident of changing clothes that day. For a mont, he felt a bit dazed. How did it happen that he just coincidentally wore that particular set, which was changed by Bai Shuilian herself?
But then again, thinking about it, all the clothes at You’ranyuan were paired by Bai Shuilian. It was normal for her to personally change him.
Bai Shuilian’s soft hum brought Song Zhiqing’s mind back. Seeing her pale and haggard face, he secretly blad himself for being overly suspicious.
"Don’t think too much. Though smallpox is frightening, once you get through it, everything will be fine. I went through the sa in my childhood," Song Zhiqing said, "At that ti, I felt like I was dying, but I just persevered, and it soon passed."
"Who took care of you back then?"
Song Zhiqing was montarily stunned, pursed his lips, and said, "It was the Grand Madam who took care of . My eldest brother had just beco the top scholar, got engaged, and the Song Family was on the rise, though not as wealthy as now. We didn’t have many servants, and back then, not many had smallpox, so..."
Bai Shuilian forced a slight smile and said, "I didn’t expect it, but the Grand Madam truly cared for you."
Song Zhiqing gave no comnt, awkwardly changing the topic.
After chatting with her for a while, Bai Shuilian was truly tired, so Song Zhiqing let her rest while he went to Wangzhou Tower.
However, Wangzhou Tower was even more tightly shut than You’ranyuan, with the doors not opened at all. As for Lu Shi, he didn’t et her; he just stood at the door for a while before leaving.
When Lu Shi heard Song Zhiqing had left, she let out a cold laugh. Her thin, unadorned face looked pale and haggard, making her appear a decade older.
"Mother, I feel awful, sob sob."
Lu Shi turned her head and saw Song Lingzhou lying on the bed, pitifully looking at her, wearing only a thin middle garnt.
His face, chin, and cheeks were covered with many pockmarks, red and glaring.
To prevent him from scratching, both hands were tied with cloth strips.
Lu Shi picked up a fan nearby and started fanning him, softly saying, "It’s okay, Zhou’er, we’ll endure it. Rember what Mother said, ’bitter hardships bear sweet fruit.’ Just bear it for a few more days, and you’ll be fine."
Song Lingzhou said, "Then, Mother, promise not to stop from playing with my models."
Lu Shi was taken aback, then laughed, "Alright, Mother promises you."
Only then did Song Lingzhou smile a bit but soon put on a bitter face again. He was truly uncomfortable, feeling as if ants were crawling all over him.
Suddenly, he heard a soft song. Turning his head, he saw it was his mother humming a tune.
Song Zhiqing, with his hands behind his back, returned to Moyun Hall.
Under the grape arbor in the courtyard, Aunt Shen was instructing Song Ruwei on etiquette. Upon seeing him, both were slightly surprised.
Song Zhiqing cleared his throat.
Both stepped forward to pay their respects.
Song Zhiqing saw the way his eldest daughter curtsied, her skirt edges unmoving, and couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction. "Wei’er is learning etiquette from your Aunt Shen? Very proper."
Song Ruwei lightly pursed her lips, nodded in agreent, and asked if he had visited her younger brother.
"Wangzhou Tower is locked, even I, your father, cannot enter. You shouldn’t go either, to avoid catching the disease. Your brother will be fully recovered in a few days."
Hearing this, Song Ruwei seed sowhat disappointed but said nothing, sensibly bidding farewell to the two.
Aunt Shen said, "Finish your evening lessons well. I will check them tomorrow."
Song Ruwei smiled and agreed.
Watching his eldest daughter leave, Song Zhiqing said, "Wei’er gets along well with you, unlike Bai Shi."
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