The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Time slipped by in a blink. By the time it entered the fifth month, the weather in Shangjing had already begun to grow hot. Early summer had arrived, the rainfall gradually increased, and people walking on the streets had all changed into summer clothes.

On these days when a hundred flowers were in full bloom, Song Ci had Song Zhiyuan find a Court Painter to come and paint her portrait.

Song Ci, rarely, put on an opulent purple summer clothes, and did not wear a headband. She pinned a few luxurious jade-inlaid golden hairpins into her hair, and also wore two imperial-gifted peacock step-shakes with spread wings and jewel-inlaid kingfisher work. She personally applied makeup to her face.

After this round of dressing up, her whole person appeared full of vigor, as if she were ten years younger.

”Who would have thought the Grand Madam could even do her own hair and makeup, and do it better than us maids. The balance between light and heavy is just right—truly beautiful.” Chun Fen and a few maids smiled as they chimed in from the side.

Song Ci smoothed her temples in the copper mirror and said with a smile, ”You girls, your tongues are too sweet, each one of you seems to have smeared honey on your lips.”

”This maid is only speaking the plain truth. If you don’t believe me, ask Nanny.”

Nanny nodded. ”The pairing of clothes and makeup is indeed very good—dignified and splendid, energetic and spirited, exceedingly noble.”

Song Ci lifted her chin slightly. ”Heavy makeup doesn’t suit people our age. Makeup should be just a light sweep over the brows; rouge and powder mustn’t be laid on thick, otherwise you’ll look like a monkey’s backside—what’s pretty about that?”

”Grand Madam is quite right.”

Song Ci chuckled softly, thinking to herself that back when ’big sister’ wasn’t popular yet, she was always trailing behind the makeup artist, secretly learning how to do her own face. This little skill was hardly worth mentioning.

Chun Fen walked in from outside and reported with a smile, ”Grand Madam, Doctor Lin is outside to pay her respects to you. She says that after paying her respects she will be heading to Prince Min Mansion.”

Song Ci paused for a moment and looked toward Nanny. What was she going to Prince Min Mansion for?

Nanny’s heart tightened slightly, but her face remained smiling as she said, ”Tomorrow is the fifteenth. Prince Min’s old illness may flare up. Starting last month, he’s been asking Ah Qing to come to the Prince Manor to help relieve it with acupuncture.”

Song Ci let out an ”aiya.” ”Look at me, I’ve gone and forgotten again.” She turned to Chun Fen and said, ”Hurry and let her in.”

Chun Fen left with a smile, and before long, she returned leading Lin Qing inside.

Seeing Lin Qing, Song Ci’s face broke into a broad smile. ”You’re off to treat the sick and save people; there’s no need to come over to pay respects and report to me.”

Lin Qing smiled and took her hand, placing two fingers on her wrist. ”I’ll have to stay over there tonight to keep watch. Naturally, I must feel your pulse before I go.”

Everyone, seeing her taking the pulse, did not dare make a sound, for fear of disturbing her and making the reading inaccurate.

After a while, Lin Qing released her hand and said, ”Now that summer has come, your pulse is indeed somewhat stronger and better. But precisely because summer is here, you absolutely must not overindulge in cold or sweet foods.”

Song Ci said in mock annoyance, ”You’re here watching me every day, and Nanny is too—she practically wants to follow me even to the privy. When would I ever get a chance to be willful?”

”Then that’s for the best.”

”Enough talking, hurry on your way.”

Lin Qing nodded, and Nanny said, ”This old servant will see you out.”

Once they stepped outside, Nanny’s smile disappeared. Frowning, she said, ”Though Grand Madam’s pulse is still acceptable, if nothing urgent happens at the Prince Mansion, Ah Qing, you should return to the residence as early as you can.”

”Why?”

Nanny sighed. ”She forgot why you were going to Prince Min Mansion in the first place. Since the year turned, her memory hasn’t been as good as last year’s. I’m not at ease, and I’m afraid that if something suddenly happens, she might not be able to keep up.”

Lin Qing’s expression grew solemn. After a moment, she nodded. ”I understand.”