Chapter 1389: Alarmist Talk?
Chapter 1389: Chapter 1389: Alarmist Talk?
"Do you mean to say, Nanny, that you don’t care about the true purpose of these poetry gatherings and tea parties?" Madam Wei chuckled, looking at Song Ci.
Song Ci waved her hand: "What’s there to care about? Little sister, you know my background. There’s no way I have any airs of nobility, right? I’m really quite common!"
Princess Anping smiled: "You’re just being modest. True sophistication often comes from true simplicity, and your simplicity reaches elegance."
"With compliments like that from the Princess, my old face is turning red," Song Ci laughed heartily and returned to the main topic, "When I say I don’t care, I truly don’t care. As long as we raise funds that can genuinely help the disaster victims, I don’t care if they’re doing it for fame or to gain favor. As long as the silver is in place, that’s what matters."
"Similarly, the common people don’t care either. They care about whether they have a house that doesn’t leak, enough food to eat, and the ability to sleep peacefully—all of which are based on having silver."
Everyone fell silent.
"Now there’s extreme drought in some places, and extreme flooding in others. The people are suffering and, no matter how difficult it is, they’re going to places where they can sustain their families. Why is that? Naturally, it’s for survival," Song Ci sighed. "So, you ask what I care about? I only care about one thing—can they raise the funds needed for disaster relief through these events?"
Madam Guan laughed and said: "Madam Wei, you are truly kind-hearted."
Song Ci waved her hand again: "I’m old, and I can’t bear to see the suffering of separated families. Unfortunately, I’m just a little old woman. No matter how much I want to help, it’s impossible for me to assist countless disaster victims all by myself. Now, it’s a great thing that the princesses have the heart to help. An individual’s strength is limited, but when a thousand here and a thousand there from this large group of people are added up, it’s considerable."
"You’re right."
Song Ci took a sip of tea from her cup and sighed again: "Actually, we haven’t reached the most difficult time yet. The greatest fear is that there will be severe drought after severe flooding, and then a plague. Not worried about anything else, just afraid of an epidemic breaking out—that’s truly the difficult part."
Everyone shivered, goosebumps appearing.
An epidemic can be passed from person to person. Although the capital won’t be affected, if an epidemic does break out, it will be troublesome.
Princess Anping frowned: "Madam Wei, is the possibility of an epidemic high?"
"It’s hard to say, the court officials surely know better than this old lady. One look at historical records would tell you. It actually depends on the ability of the local officials. Prevention is key. If the local magistrates are vigilant, they’ll certainly prepare in advance, handling the carcasses of animals and possibly people that died after the floods and droughts. Burying isn’t enough; burning is best."
"Burning? Animals can be dealt with easily, but people..." Song Zi’s face went pale, just imagining the scene makes her feel nauseous.
People usually prefer to be buried intact, few would want their bodies to remain unpreserved and burned after death.
Song Ci chuckled: "That’s why it depends on the officials’ methods and determination. If they handle it well, the epidemic won’t spread widely. But if not, alas, everyone knows well the horror and bleakness of past epidemics."
With these words, the listeners exchanged glances, fear in their eyes.
"Look at my big mouth, spouting such alarmist talk! Let’s not discuss this further. Nanny, check if it’s an auspicious time, and wake up Dan-ge’er," Song Ci observed the uneasy expressions and tactfully changed the topic.