The attic connects the past and present; I became a tycoon and got rich overnight!

Chapter 53 We cannot let them down.

good stuff?
Zhu Zhe's eyes lit up: "Is it a cake?"

Zhu Ling rolled her eyes upon hearing this: "All you ever think about is food."

Song Youan covered her mouth and chuckled, then handed the medicated oil to Zhu Ling: "Miss, please apply it for the young master."

Men and women are not supposed to touch each other. This is Da Zhao, and she cannot touch men.

Zhu Ling took it and, imitating Song You'an's technique, dripped two drops onto her fingers. Zhu Zhe frowned at the bright green liquid and subconsciously moved back a little: "What is this?"

"Of course it's good stuff, something that will give you boundless energy." Zhu Ling held up two fingers and raised her chin. "Come closer, would I ever harm you?"

Song Youan also said, "Young Marquis, don't be afraid. It's just a topical medicine, it won't harm your body."

Zhu Zhe knew his younger sister was unreliable, but Miss Song seemed like a steady person. Thinking this, Zhu Zhe moved closer.

"Head!" Zhu Ling said.

Zhu Zhe poked his head out of the window like a giraffe. Zhu Ling gently raised her hand to touch his temple, and a cold glint, like the tip of a needle, suddenly entered her brain.

"Ouch!" Zhu Zhe was startled and instinctively straightened up, his head hitting the window frame with a 'thud,' causing him to gasp in pain: "Damn it..."

However, with the cooling sensation brought by the medicated oil, the pain in his head seemed to have lessened considerably. Zhu Zhe gently shook his head and felt his entire head lighten up. The dullness he had felt while looking down at his book was swept away, and he felt much more energetic.

"Why……?!"

Zhu Zhe blinked in surprise, then looked at his sister who had a bright smile on her face.

That's really... amazing.

"How was it?" Zhu Ling raised an eyebrow smugly. "Pretty good, right?"

After regaining his senses, Zhu Zhe gradually became excited and leaned closer to ask, "What is this thing? It has such miraculous effects! This is much more effective than hanging one's head from the rafters or pricking one's thigh with an awl!"

"This is a study aid that Miss Song and I specially obtained for you. With it, you can concentrate on your studies anytime, anywhere, without having to stay up all night," Zhu Ling said.

Before Zhu Zhe could say anything, Song You'an added, "Young Marquis, you read day and night, perhaps because you find it easier to concentrate when it's quiet at night. However, the flickering candlelight at night is very harmful to your eyes. If you develop an eye disease over time, it will be a great loss."

Upon hearing Song Youan's words, Zhu Zhe couldn't help but say, "To be honest, Miss Song, my eyes often feel dry, and if I don't rub them from time to time, they will keep tearing up."

Dry eye syndrome?
It's not a big problem.

Song Youan nodded calmly: "So, young marquis, you should pay more attention to protecting your eyes. You should read during the day from now on. If you feel sleepy in the afternoon, use this medicated oil to refresh yourself."

Zhu Ling handed the bottle of medicated oil to Zhu Zhe: "Here, remember to only use two drops each time, and the cool sensation will rush into your head."

The small bottle felt cool to the touch in his hand. Zhu Zhe looked up and smiled as he watched Song Youan and her sister leave together.

Upon reaching the garden, Zhu Ling stopped and looked at Song You'an, asking, "Miss Song, how much was this bottle of medicated oil?"

“That bottle was one I used, so I’m giving it to you, Miss,” Song Youan said.

Zhu Ling stared at her for a moment, then gave Cui Zhu a wink, and then said to Song You'an, "If Miss has nothing else to say, please have Cui Zhu escort you out."

After saying this, Zhu Ling turned around and walked straight to her own courtyard.

While Song You'an was still wondering, Cuizhu handed over a fifty-tael silver note: "Miss Song, is this enough?"

Song You'an was taken aback and said, "No need for money, I'll give it to Miss." Cuizhu shook her head helplessly, "Miss Song is a smart person, can't you see that?"

Song Youan frowned slightly, her eyes showing confusion.

"Miss is angry with Miss Song. She gave you a vase, but you refused to accept it. If you ever try to give my young lady anything in the future, she will not accept it either."

After saying that, Cuizhu stuffed the silver note into Song Youan's hand: "I'll see you out, Miss."

Song Youan then realized that although she had never thought about whether they were friends due to her class status, it didn't mean that the other party hadn't thought about it.

She genuinely wanted to be friends with him, but he rejected her kindness to her face.

He had long realized that although Zhu Ling was of noble status, she was very simple-minded. Her attitude towards him changed subtly with each meeting, and all of this was purely because she wanted to be his friend.

"Wait a moment."

Song Youan shoved the silver note back into Cuizhu's hand and, amidst Cuizhu's surprised expression, chased after Zhu Ling.

"Please wait, Miss."

Zhu Ling stopped and turned to look at Song You'an, who was hurrying after her: "Is there anything else, Miss Song?"

Song You'an stopped in front of Zhu Ling, pursed her lips slightly, and then said, "I really like that vase, Miss... could you give it to me?"

Zhu Ling, who had been aloof, visibly brightened up when she heard these words, and then her smile gradually widened, making her bloom like a flower in the sunlight.

"Cuizhu, quickly go and fetch that white jade vase from the Fuguang kiln and give it to Miss Song."

Cui Zhu arrived late, but she understood what had happened. She smiled, agreed, and quickly left.

Song Youan smiled too. She had never intended to touch Zhu Ling's true feelings, but at this moment she felt that she could not let him down.

Holding the white jade vase as she left the Marquis of Fuyang's residence, Song You'an felt great.

On the way back to Youanju, Song Youan passed by the Prime Minister's Mansion. She did not go in, but sent a message to Lin Sangqian, telling her that she did not need to make a wasted trip to Youanju today, because she had already been to the Marquis of Fuyang's Mansion.

Chang'an Street was still bustling and lively, with the aroma of food wafting from the street stalls. Song You'an's stomach growled twice, and she realized that she hadn't eaten breakfast yet.

She sat down at a roadside steamed bun shop near the corner of Fuhua Alley.

"Young lady, what would you like to eat?"

Looking at the menu hanging on the wall, Song Youan said, "I want a basket of meat buns and a bowl of tofu pudding."

"Okay, just a moment."

Perhaps it was past breakfast time, as she was the only one at the stall. Song You'an sat on the wooden bench, idly watching the people on the street. Turning into this intersection would lead to Fuhua Alley, but she had never paid close attention to this intersection before.

On the right side of the intersection is this steamed bun shop, and on the left opposite is a butcher shop. Across the intersection are a cloth shop and a pawn shop. Unlike the other shops that are open for business, the pawn shop's main entrance is closed, and several little beggars are sitting in the shade under one side of the eaves.

beggar?

Song Youan had never noticed beggars on the streets of Kyoto before, but now she couldn't help but take a second look out of curiosity.

(End of this chapter)