Chapter 444: Chapter 444

The Emperor Chu finally realized he had been taken for a fool.

Song Ci wanted to accumulate merits, and not only that, she made me sign a document as if afraid I wouldn’t acknowledge it later.

On this certain day, Madam Song contributed planting techniques, and should be credited.

This was how it was written on paper.

The Emperor Chu looked at his trusted minister, with an expression of "what is your mother up to?"

Song Zhiyuan feigned composure, but in reality, he was as baffled by Song Ci’s actions as anyone else, quite flustered indeed.

The old lady’s move was undoubtedly seeking reward through merits, as if she was walking down a path of self-destruction!

"Mother, what are you doing, you can’t joke with the Emperor ." Song Zhiyuan pretended to be helpless, reaching to snatch the paper.

But Song Ci dodged and said: "Can’t I save it?"

Song Zhiyuan furrowed his brows.

Song Ci, unhurried, folded the paper and sighed to herself: "Forget it, I thought of saving these merit documents so that when I die, my descendants could at least read them aloud in the mourning hall and memorialize me, proving that your old mother made some contribution to the Great Qing."

Her voice deliberately lowered, yet she glanced at Emperor Chu and the others from the corner of her eyes.

Speaking of acting skills, I can do it.

Sure enough, seeing both their expressions slightly change, it was evident they were somewhat wary of the word "death".

They also noticed under the lamp, Song Ci’s slightly bent head of silver hair, as she had aged, her back hunched.

Song Zhiyuan pressed his lips together and looked at Emperor Chu, his lips moving slightly.

Emperor Chu, smiling, took the paper from Song Ci and said: "Aunt, no need to mention any documents, I will remember your merits. Once this planting technique is proven, I will also let the people know it’s your credit. For now, shall I sign this document for you?"

He took the inkpad from the palace Nanny’s hand, pressed his thumb on it, and also stamped his jade ring, then handed it to Song Ci.

Song Ci took it and looked, smiling as she bowed to Emperor Chu, saying: "No need to proclaim to the people, I don’t want to flaunt this. I only want to set an example for my descendants, so they become capable people contributing to the Great Qing, and let them live proudly as Qing people all their lives."

Emperor Chu was touched again.

Song Ci carefully stored the document, and solemnly bowed: "Your Majesty, today I have used my age as leverage, please forgive me. I don’t have many good years left, so let this old woman be presumptuous just this once."

"Aunt, you will live a long life." Emperor Chu quickly signaled to Song Zhiyuan, your mother, resolve it quickly.

Song Zhiyuan said: "Mother, you’ve been up since returning from the banquet, you must be tired, you should go back to rest."

Song Ci was only too happy to oblige.

She held onto the palace Nanny’s hand and left quickly.

Emperor Chu watched as she left, then turned to Song Zhiyuan, frowning: "Your aunt has mentioned that word more than once, could there be something wrong with her health? Just hiding it from you?"

Song Zhiyuan was also alarmed, hesitating: "Mother has a female physician by her side, always helping with her regimen, logically it shouldn’t be."

Emperor Chu: "Still, better to be cautious. The elderly understand their health best, I’m just worried... Should Imperial Physician Fang from the Imperial Hospital visit every few days for a checkup?"

Though there is a female physician and a household doctor, this move from the Emperor was also a sign of grace, and Song Zhiyuan thanked him without a thought.

He also feared Song Ci might be aware of her own condition and believe her end was near, explaining her strange behavior. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ noᴠelfire.net

Unaware she was being secretly criticized, Song Ci returned to Chunhui Hall and looked over the document again before solemnly locking it into the secret compartment by her bedside.