Chapter 397 Imperial Decree
Song Yuntang lowered her head and looked at her waist. Her green dress today matched the jade very well.
The most important thing is that the jade pendant is not too big. When hung around the waist, it is covered by the belt and is not too noticeable.
I have to say that Xu Qingye has a really good vision.
"It's a nice-looking thing, but where did you get the money? Do you have any money on hand? If it's not enough, please tell me."
After coming to the county town, I haven't seen him buy anything for himself, at most he bought a few books.
I bought her snacks and jewelry without even blinking an eye.
Xu Qingye had a faint smile on his face.
"I never told you before that I have a share in the bookstore in town. It is enough to cover my study expenses. A few days ago, a classmate took my old calligraphy and paintings to the provincial capital and sold them for a good price, so I have some money left."
Song Yuntang had seen Xu Qingye's calligraphy.
His handwriting was definitely one of the best among anyone she had ever met.
I didn't expect his paintings to be so good.
There was a hint of surprise on his face.
“I didn’t even know you could paint.”
Seeing that the number of patients in the clinic was gradually decreasing, Xu Qingye pulled Song Yuntang out of the Xinglin Clinic and walked towards Liuqiao Street.
"During the years in the private school, I painted a lot when I had free time. After coming to the county, my studies became more demanding, so I didn't have that much free time."
The little hand that was held by the man and hidden in his sleeve suddenly curled up and gently scratched his palm.
"Don't you have to go to Tang Mansion this afternoon?"
There was a tingling sensation in the palm of his hand, and the man's eyes deepened. He nodded, "Let's go tomorrow."
The girl turned her head and looked at him.
"Then I want to see you paint."
He nodded. "Okay."
The two returned home happily, and Jiang was so happy to see them as a pair.
"Qingye and Tang'er are back. Mother has stewed rabbit meat for you at noon today. Hurry up and wash your hands and come to eat."
She said, and went to the kitchen.
The two of them responded, washed their hands, and went to the kitchen to get bowls and chopsticks to serve the rice and dishes to the table.
Song Yuntang stretched his neck to look at the two rooms in the house, and felt that it was very quiet today. "Mom, where are Dad and Wencheng?"
Jiang groaned, "The father and son can't sit still. Some of the cabbages and radishes they brought and stored in the cellar have gone bad, so they picked some and sold them, saying they won't be fresh any longer. They should be back soon."
The vegetables planted in the early spring of this year can be eaten one after another, so there is no need to store so many vegetables for emergency use.
Song Yuntang nodded.
"Then let's wait for them."
As soon as he finished speaking, the gate of the courtyard was pushed open and Xu Wencheng entered the yard first.
"No need to wait, we are back."
When Jiang saw the two of them, she hurriedly said, "Hurry up and wash your hands and come to eat."
Xu Wencheng responded, put down the basket, and went to the backyard to get some water to wash his hands. "Mom, there are not many vegetable sellers in the market today, and our cabbage and radishes are in short supply."
"During a lean period, it's normal to be in short supply." Jiang looked at the father and son, "Have you sold all the vegetables you brought out?"
“Sold out.”
The first thing Xu Yongwang did after putting down the basket was to turn his purse inside out and empty it.
"We didn't count how much we sold. A cabbage cost ten cents, and two radishes cost ten cents. You can count them and keep the money to supplement the family income."
In a good year, a cabbage would sell for two or three cents, and two or three radishes would sell for five cents. Now that everyone has raised their prices, they are happy to make a few more coppers.
If this had been sold earlier, it wouldn't have gone bad in the cellar.
Jiang smiled and put the copper coins into the basket first.
"Don't be in a hurry. Count after you finish eating, otherwise the food will get cold."
"Okay." Xu Yongwang washed his hands and sat down at the table, "Let's eat."
…
After dinner, Jiang went back to her room to do needlework.
When Song Yuntang returned to the room, he laid a piece of paper on Xu Qingye and ground some ink for him.
The man picked up the paintbrush with his slender hands, looked out the window and thought for a moment. A picture appeared in his mind. He pursed his lips and began to paint with his head down.
Song Yuntang sat beside him, supporting his face with one hand.
From time to time, I looked at him, and then turned to look at the paintings he was drawing.
I just felt that the scenery in the painting was somewhat familiar.
Looking sideways, isn’t it my own courtyard?
Under the osmanthus tree with branches full of blossoming osmanthus flowers stood a slender girl, smiling as she watched the falling osmanthus petals.
There was an old bed sheet on the floor, and he even described the pattern of the sheet.
The scene of collecting osmanthus flowers last year suddenly appeared in Song Yuntang's mind.
It turns out that this is the scene when looking out from this window.
"Mr. Xu is such a gentleman, but he also peeks at people sometimes." She said in a joking tone.
"I have never thought of calling myself a gentleman." Xu Qingye took a comprehensive look at the painting in front of him, then put down his pen with satisfaction and looked at her sideways, "What do you think, Tang'er?"
Song Yuntang picked up the painting and looked at it for a long time, then smiled and said, "The shades are well matched, and the painting is smooth and vivid. No wonder it can be sold at a good price in the provincial capital. Mr. Xu's paintings are well-deserved."
Painting requires not only hard practice of brushwork, but also some talent.
Both are indispensable.
Obviously, Xu Qingye possesses both of these.
If he had not pursued a career in politics, perhaps he would have been able to carve out a niche for himself through calligraphy and painting in the future.
In the Great Xia Dynasty, the status and influence of literati were also not low.
Xu Qingye lowered the painting in her hand.
"Compared to Mr. Xu, I still prefer Tang'er to call me husband."
…
In April, the apricot trees in the backyard of the clinic were full of small green leaves.
Thanks to the relief grain from the government, the people were temporarily settled down. After the weather warmed up, the number of patients coming to the clinic gradually decreased.
A team of soldiers stood at the entrance of Xinglin Clinic. In their hands, some were holding plaques, while others were holding trays covered with red cloth. A man in eunuch uniforms held a bright yellow imperial edict and followed a monk into the Xinglin Clinic.
This movement attracted many people to come and watch the fun.
"Excuse me, is Doctor Song here?"
Looking at this scene, everyone in the clinic did not dare to be careless and hurried to the backyard to call Song Yuntang.
Song Yuntang entered the front hall and looked puzzled when he saw Master Wu.
Why did the old monk come to her?
Without paying any attention to her, Song Yuntang bowed directly to the man dressed as a eunuch.
"I wonder what the father-in-law wants to see me about?"
The eunuch raised the imperial edict in his hand.
"Doctor Song accepted the order?"
After hearing this, everyone in the clinic knelt down.
The eunuch unfolded the imperial edict in his hand.
"The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims: Song Yuntang of Anyang County Xinglin Medical Clinic is a kind-hearted doctor who has cured all kinds of diseases. He reminded the Anyang County Magistrate to put the prevention and control of the plague first and to solve the Qingshi Town plague at the risk of his own life. I hereby grant him a plaque with my own handwriting of 'Save the dying and heal the wounded', and reward him with 100 taels of gold, a pair of jade ruyi, 50 bolts of silk and satin, and a box of jewelry. I decree this!"
After the reading was finished, the eunuch closed the imperial edict in his hand.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
