Ji Lingchuan had finally laid one concern to rest, but what followed was a sharp, unbearable pain that left a blank in his mind for several breaths.
He was already injured. The pain from his wound would have been insufferable for others, but he had remarkable self - control. Not only did he endure it stoically, but he also tirelessly wrote for two nights and a day.
Unexpectedly, this action had aggravated the injury on his shoulder.
Supporting himself on the table with his other hand, Ji Lingchuan took a long time to gradually come to his senses from the pain.
"Fu Zhou."
He called out.
Fu Zhou entered the room in response. When he looked up and saw Ji Lingchuan's face, he was startled. Trembling, he said:
"M - My lord, what are your orders?"
Ji Lingchuan hadn't rested for two nights and a day. The frost between his eyebrows was more intense than ever, and his sharp eyes held a depth that others couldn't decipher.
Fu Zhou had only seen such an expression on the night before a victorious battle against the enemy. So, he subconsciously thought he might have done something to displease Ji Lingchuan.
Ji Lingchuan tapped gently on the table and said, "You should compile the manuscripts on the table into a book. After we attend the banquet at the Duke Jiang's Mansion, send the book to the bookstore and ask someone to print it."
Fu Zhou stepped forward in response and lowered his head to carefully organize the manuscripts on the table.
Picking up the cover page that read *Miscellaneous Notes of Yangshan*, Fu Zhou let out a soft "huh" and read aloud:
"Compiled by Mr. Lingji?"
Ji Lingchuan's expression was cold and calm. "What's the problem?"
Scratching his head, Fu Zhou asked, "I'm just curious, my lord. Why don't you put your own name on it? Instead, you use the name 'Mr. Lingji'. In this way, how will the world know that this book was written by you?"
Ji Lingchuan didn't care whether the world knew who had written the book. He only wanted to find his old acquaintance from years ago through this book.
That young friend had mentioned in a letter that she liked reading books, which meant that she was very likely to often visit bookstores.
If his book was worthy of re - printing, it would surely reach her hands one day. Once she knew that the book was written by him, she would surely find a way to locate him.
Ji Lingchuan said casually, "This book is written to benefit the common people, not to make people revere me. You just send the book to the bookstore and tell the owner that I won't take a single cent for it. Let him spread it as widely as possible. The more people who read it, the better."
"Remember, don't let others notice, especially the Princess and the Crown Princess."
Ji Lingchuan added an extra warning.
The matter of his correspondence with that young friend was extremely confidential. Perhaps apart from him, Ji Zihuan, and that young friend, no one else in the world knew about it.
If the Princess of Ning and Song Nanxin found out, it would surely cause unnecessary trouble.
Fu Zhou nodded repeatedly and took the book away.
Taking advantage of this moment, Ji Lingchuan returned to his room, lay down on the bed fully clothed, and closed his eyes to sleep.
He thought that after copying for two nights and a day without rest, he was so exhausted that he should be able to have a good sleep.
However, as soon as he closed his eyes, the dream came crashing in again.
In the extremely familiar garden of the Prince Ning's Mansion, tens of thousands of fireflies fluttered in the air, making one feel as if they were in the Milky Way. It was incredibly beautiful.
A very familiar figure in the distance held a light silk fan and was chasing the fireflies in the air, emitting bursts of cheerful laughter.
Under the illumination of the fireflies, he saw that she was wearing a gorgeous hibiscus - patterned dress. The belt perfectly outlined her slender waist. It was...
Exactly the same as the figure of his wife that he had seen several times in Yixiang Pavilion.
He involuntarily took steps towards her, one by one.
As if hearing his footsteps, the figure in the dream suddenly turned around, opened her palm towards him, and said with a smile:
"My lord, look, I've caught one."
Her voice was like the tinkling of spring water. Song Yihuan's clear deer - like eyes seemed to be filled with starlight. Her gorgeous and charming face was so vivid that he could hear his own heart pounding.
His eyes were blood - red. He grabbed her waist frantically and pressed her forcefully into his arms. She let out a surprised cry and fell limply onto him.
That cry was so charming that the delicate fragrance of early - blooming apricot flowers wafted into his nose...
Ji Lingchuan opened his eyes and sat up abruptly from the bed. He supported his forehead and gasped for breath.
Supporting his forehead, he recalled the dream just now.
His expression gradually turned solemn.
On the fourth day of the seventh lunar month.
The 70th birthday banquet for Old Madam Jiang was held during the day. Guests were received from the hour of Si (9 - 11 a.m.) until the hour of Shen (3 - 5 p.m.).
In Tinglan Courtyard, Song Yihuan sat in front of the dressing table since the hour of Chen (7 - 9 a.m.), allowing Chun Xing and Fu Ling to arrange her long, black, and smooth hair.
Song Yixuan sat on one side, his little feet dangling in the air and gently swaying. Looking at his sister, who was as beautiful as a fairy descending from the sky, Song Yixuan's eyes were full of admiration. Childishly, he said:
"Sister Yihuan is so beautiful. She's the most beautiful person I've ever seen."
Chun Xing looked at the person in the mirror and was so captivated by her beauty that she couldn't look away. She agreed, "I agree with what Young Master Wu said. I've never seen a girl more beautiful than Miss Si."
Although Fu Ling didn't say a word, she nodded silently.
If it weren't for the eldest miss overshadowing her, with Miss Si's beauty and talent, she would have stood out in the capital long ago.
Song Yihuan's eyes curved into a smile. "It's because you haven't seen our mother, Xuan'er. Mother is truly a rare beauty in the world, as if she stepped out of a painting."
Song Yixuan had gained some weight and no longer looked as frail as before. His little face was plumper than before, his cheeks were flushed with a healthy red, and his eyes were as bright as soaked grapes. He looked extremely cute.
Song Yihuan couldn't help but say, "They say that a son resembles his mother. Sister is really looking forward to seeing you when you grow up, Xuan'er. You'll surely be heroic and handsome, and will be pursued by countless girls in the capital."
Song Yixuan was shyly teased. Twisting and turning, he said innocently, "When I grow up, I must marry a girl as beautiful, smart, and kind - hearted as Sister Yihuan."
Fu Ling couldn't help but laugh and said, "Young Master Wu is directly praising our Miss Si."
The mistress and servants all laughed together. Chun Xing glanced at Fu Ling, and the hostility and targeting in her eyes had disappeared.
When it was time to change clothes, Song Yixuan was taken out by Chun Xing. Song Yihuan looked at the clothes and jewelry embroidered with large hibiscus flowers sent by Song Nanxin on the table. The smile on her face faded a bit.
These clothes and jewelry on the table were sent by Nanny Zhao on behalf of Song Nanxin yesterday.
The material of the dress was of the highest quality. It was obviously a style from the brocade workshop. However, the large hibiscus flowers on it looked too gaudy. According to Song Yihuan's preference, she would never wear such a dress on normal days.
Eldest sister had repeatedly told her that she must wear it today. If she used the excuse of spilling the medicine bowl and soiling the clothes to avoid this blatant scheme again, it would be too obvious.
Song Yihuan's fingers gently traced over the gorgeous hibiscus flowers, and a plan gradually took shape in her mind.
Since she couldn't avoid it, then... she would turn the tables on them.