Song Anhao nodded vigorously, completely agreeing with her.
“That’s right, that’s right. I never expected The Qin Lady’s Tale to become so popular either. Even now, I still think it’s not as good as The Wronged Man’s Record. Watching women scheme against one another is honestly a little boring.”
“The things described in the book are nothing like our family at all. It makes my head feel a little strange.”
Song Jinzhao smiled calmly.
“There’s still a big difference between what men and women like. It’s perfectly normal that you can’t appreciate it.”
Besides, he was only eight years old and had no yearning for complicated romantic feelings between men and women.
Song Anhao reached out, picked up the banknotes on the table, and quickly counted out half of them before handing them to Song Jinzhao.
“The money spent by the bookstore before this was all provided by Eldest Sister. Consider these your share of the profits.”
Then he took away the top three notes and handed the remaining ten to Song Jinzhao.
“Eldest Sister, keep these one hundred thousand taels for me. I’m honestly a little scared carrying so many banknotes around.”
Song Jinzhao smiled and teased him, “Looks like my investment this time was quite successful.”
A return of twelve hundred percent, and in such a short time.
Song Anhao scratched his head shyly.
“If Eldest Sister hadn’t said The Qin Lady’s Tale would sell so well, I might not even have thought much of it. In truth, you deserve the most credit.”
Song Qiming, who had been left sitting to one side, couldn’t help feeling puzzled when he heard that the two of them had each earned one hundred and thirty thousand taels.
Which was higher—his salary or Shixue’s consultation fees?
Could he actually be the poorest person in the family?
He got his answer at the dinner table that evening.
Song Shixue held her chopsticks and said, “Including consultation fees and the cost of medicine, I make around twenty taels of silver a month.”
Her medical skills had already earned her some renown in Suining City. However, she kept her fees low so ordinary people could afford to see her, so her income was only average.
Hearing that she earned just twenty taels, Song Qiming couldn’t help letting out a relieved breath and nodding twice. He said aloud, “That’s not too bad.”
Song Anhao, a chicken wing stuffed in his mouth, glanced at Song Shixue before lowering his head, his eyes shifting thoughtfully.
Song Jinzhao noticed this and smiled faintly to herself, secretly shaking her head.
If they were really comparing private savings, Song Qiming might not necessarily have more than Shixue.
She hadn’t earned much in Suining City, but she had made quite a lot while she was in the capital.
Relying solely on his salary and refusing to touch any illicit income, Song Jinzhao was certain that Song Qiming had no more than a thousand taels on him.
After dinner, Song Anhao quietly slipped back into his room.
He took out the box hidden beneath his pillow, opened it, and tucked a ten-thousand-tael banknote into his clothes.
Then he walked out of the room as though nothing had happened. Just as he was about to head next door, he saw Song Qiming.
Song Qiming demanded sternly, “There’s a quiz at the academy tomorrow. Why aren’t you reviewing your lessons?”
“I’m going to see Second Sister first, and then I’ll go study.”
The door to Song Shixue’s room was open, so he went straight inside after speaking.
Heye heard the commotion. Just as she came out from the inner room, she saw Song Anhao close the door behind him.
She blinked in confusion.
Why close the door?
Outside, Yao Ying and Song Qiming exchanged a glance. They forced stiff smiles, then lowered their heads and looked away.
The Young Master seemed to be guarding against the Eldest Young Master.
Song Shixue was sitting before her dressing table, undoing her hair, when she turned and saw a banknote held out in front of her.
“What’s this for?”
Song Anhao smiled ingratiatingly as he stuffed the banknote into Song Shixue’s hand.
“Keep it as private spending money. You earn too little running your clinic—you can’t even buy yourself a decent piece of jewelry.”
Song Shixue stared at the banknote, both surprised and delighted, yet also unsure whether to laugh or cry.
She took Song Anhao’s hand and returned the banknote to him.
“What kind of jewelry costs so much that even twenty taels of silver wouldn’t be enough?”
“Your Second Sister has money. I don’t need you to give me any.”
Song Anhao refused to take it back. Pounding his chest, he said, “Pretty jewelry is expensive. I just want to give it to you.”
With that, he opened the door to the inner room and left, nearly colliding with Song Qiming, who was standing outside.
