Lin Qing handed a cup of medicinal tea to Song Ci.
Song Ci held it with both hands, the faint herbal aroma mixed with the fresh scent of tea was quite pleasant, so she said, "It smells nice. I see the sachets you wear usually have a light medicinal scent as well."
Lin Qing lifted her sachet and said, "They are filled with herbs and flowers to repel mosquitoes. Now that summer has arrived, there are more mosquitoes, so I’ve changed some of the herbs."
"Then make me a couple to wear as well, with some mint leaves added—a refreshing and pleasant smell that also repels mosquitoes," Song Ci requested unreservedly.
"Madam, you even know mint repels mosquitoes?" Lin Qing was intrigued, as each conversation with this Madam brought her new insights and broadened her perspective.
Song Ci: "Is that so secret? Mint can also be made into oil, and applying a bit after a mosquito bite helps relieve itching. If someone faints, mint oil can help them wake up quickly."
"For those who don’t understand pharmacology, naturally, they wouldn’t know. Madam, you are quite impressive," Lin Qing sincerely praised.
Song Ci laughed and explained, "Wasn’t I a farm woman in the past, going up the mountains and hearing other doctors talk about it?"
Telling lies, just telling lies, anyway, no one knows if it’s true or false.
Lin Qing smiled and then brought up Song Zhiyu’s marriage, saying, "So many young ladies came for the Madam’s birthday, and you didn’t take a liking to any of them?"
"You know, for families like ours, neither too high nor too low, and that boy has his own opinions, making it difficult to choose." Song Ci sipped her medicinal tea; alas, her head started to ache as soon as the topic was brought up again.
See, it troubles her so much.
Lin Qing then said, "As per a parent’s mandate, just show him and he might like one. But merely looking at the roster doesn’t reveal much; you have to attend gatherings to better select someone."
There’s no better way to see more young ladies than attending gatherings.
Song Ci said, "I agree with that idea. Lin Qing, will you accompany me in the future?"
Lin Qing replied with mixed emotions, "With my status, how could I accompany you to the gatherings?"
"What’s wrong with that? You’re simply my friend." In Song Ci’s mind, Lin Qing was considered her friend, after all, they were of the ’same age.’
But remembering Lin Qing’s identity, Song Ci added, "Forget it, better not, lest they find out you’re a doctor, then they’d all come to you, and finding excuses would be troublesome."
Lin Qing felt very warm inside and said, "I can avoid going to other households, but if you’re going to a temple fair or incense offering, I’ll accompany you."
"Then it’s settled," Song Ci’s eyes lit up, "we’ll go shopping together too."
Madam really knows how to go with the flow.
Song Ci suddenly sneezed twice.
The nanny standing by grew anxious and quickly walked over to the window, closing it.
With so many bamboo plants in the wooden-beaded cottage, it stayed cool, but she worried Madam’s body couldn’t handle it.
Even Lin Qing grew anxious, asking Sang’er to fetch a medicine pillow, intending to check Song Ci’s pulse.
Song Ci felt a mix of amusement and exasperation: "No need to check my pulse, I just felt my nose itch and my ears warm. Someone must be talking about me behind my back."
Lin Qing reproached, "Better safe than sorry, it doesn’t hurt to check."
Her fingers were already on the wrist, so Song Ci stopped talking, instead touching her nose, wondering who could be talking about her, feeling a sudden chill as if an ominous feeling was creeping over her.