The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Just as Song Ci said, when someone in power makes a decision, those below scramble to comply. She wanted to establish a school, and having already initiated the process, as soon as the plans were outlined, the people got moving.

With the influence of the Prime Minister’s Mansion there, whatever Old Lord Song Ci wanted to accomplish, the people below would give it their all, striving to do their best to satisfy the elderly lady, instead of just making a show to amuse her. Because Song Ci had already laid down the harsh words beforehand, her intended Charitable School didn’t need extravagant materials; the most important thing was to be practical and withstand the test of time.

In short, she wanted the Charitable School to be simple and practical. No fancy but useless structures that would need repairs every other day were allowed, and there was to be no cutting corners. If such things were discovered, the whole family would be held accountable.

With these harsh words, who would dare not to take it seriously?

This person of noble status was esteemed by the Prime Minister and even favored by the nobles in the palace. Which servant would dare to deceive her?

Unless they were tired of living.

In this way, a lot of effort was expended, and due to the years of disaster, many refugees had flocked into the capital, so there was no shortage of craftsmen or workers. As long as they were fed, a crowd of people would be gathered to help the construction.

With silver and manpower, Song Ci even had someone draw up a rough sketch, and thus the construction of Song Ci’s Charitable School proceeded vigorously.

The hot July passed, and come August, good news from various places arrived as the disaster situation gradually stabilized. The only unfortunate issue was that the epidemic had not been completely resolved.

In the capital, Song Ci also learned from Princess Anping that someone named Akul had taken the Imperial List and entered Prince Min’s Mansion to resolve the poison for Princess Consort Ji and her son.

”...I heard he comes from the Southern Border, coincidentally, he’s the lifelong rival of that Gu Master who caused the Accompanying Poison. They’ve fought all their lives, even after that man’s death, the fight continues. Now that a solution has been found, he came to take on the challenge,” Princess Anping told Song Ci.

Song Ci asked, ”After so many years of the poison, does that person have confidence?”

Princess Anping shook her head, ”No.”

”What? He dares to come without having confidence?”

”That’s the peculiarity of Akul’s character. He has taken on the challenge, and though he claims to have a method, the process of removing the poison is said to be worse than death. If they cannot endure it, the poison might not be removed, and the person might not survive,” Princess Anping sighed. ”So he doesn’t care—if they want to take the chance, he’ll proceed; if not, he’ll leave.”

”Princess Consort Ji and her family are willing, right?”

Princess Anping smiled, ”You guessed right.”

Song Ci sighed lightly, ”They’re at a dead end. Now there’s not even any medicine to ease their situation monthly, only enduring bitterly. How many more months can they endure? They might as well give it their all, treating the dead horse as if it’s alive.”

”Indeed, when people reach their limits, they’ll try anything,” Princess Anping remarked, holding her tea. ”Previously, Princess Consort Ji was so glorious, especially when my father was alive—a truly favored concubine. Who would have thought of today’s plight?”

With some emotion, she said, ”You haven’t seen it. In just a few short months, she’s aged with her hair entirely white, looking older than my mother. Just two years ago when she returned, she was so young.”

”It’s all caused by the troubles of the world,” Song Ci remarked.

Princess Anping agreed, ”You are right. Her family does seem rather pitiful.”

Song Ci smiled faintly but did not engage further in the conversation.

Her eyes glanced over and saw Lin Qing and the Commandery Princess of Shou Yang, who was full of joy, coming out from inside. She couldn’t help but smile, ”How goes the pregnancy?”