Song Jinglan withdrew his hand and got up to open the door. As soon as the old wooden door was opened, he saw Tiandong holding an ice box outside as he asked strangely, “What is this? Why is this at our door?”
Song Jinglan glanced at it and knew that it was brought by the little girl. Hence, he reached out to take it and asked him, “Was today’s trip alright?”
Tiandong pouted, “I gave so many reasons and took such a long time to explain everything, but they just took a few pieces of residual ink sticks(2) for me.”
(T/N: A block of ink that is about the size of a chocolate bar. Ground it against an inkstone, add some water and you get ink. The residue here probably refers to the size of an eraser— very small compared to what it was)
He took out a handkerchief from the cuffs of his sleeves— it was covered in scraps and bits of ink. Song Jinglan glanced at them but he didn’t seem to mind, “It’s fine as long as we can use it.”
Lin Feilu also came over at this time. Tiandong saw her and said happily, “Oh, the Fifth Princess is here.”
Lin Feilu smiled and nodded. Then, she pointed and asked them, “What is that?”
Tiandong glanced at Song Jinglan. Ignoring Song Jinlang’s gaze that was full of warning, he quickly said, “His Highness was not allowed to attend the Imperial School for a while and the ink in the house has run out. I have asked the Imperial Household Department for a new block of ink several times. However, they just wouldn’t give in. I did manage to get some scraps of ink from them today, though.”
A scholar without ink was equivalent to a soldier without a gun!
Lin Feilu immediately shared the hatred that Tiandong felt, “How could they do such a thing!”
The Imperial Household Department was already cutting corners with the treatment they provided the Cuizhu Villa with for some time. Recently, the situation between the Great Lin Empire and Song Empire have been tense, so the mistreatment probably became even more dire. Forget about the scarce amount of food and clothes they were given on a daily basis— to not even provide him ink to write with was just too much.
What a tough life my Little Pretty Boy is going through!
Song Jinglan looked at the little girl’s angry expression as he smiled and tried to comfort her, “It’s okay, these are enough.”
You’re already in such a miserable state but your smile remains so beautiful. Sigh…
Lin Feilu pursed her lips. As she thought of a solution, her eyes lit up, “Don’t get the ink sticks from them in the future, you can get it from fourth brother!”
Song Jinglan said helplessly, “How can I do that?”
“Why not?” Lin Feilu said, “He would even personally offer a thanks.”
Song Jinglan, “…”
She took the ice box from his hands with a smile and clasped it with both hands across her chest. She shook her head and said goodbye to him, “I’m going back now because I’ll be going to Noble Consort Xi’s palace to practice this afternoon. I’ll come back tomorrow to treat Your Highness to ice popsicles again.”
Song Jinglan smiled and replied affirmatively.
When Lin Feilu left, Tiandong asked curiously, “Your Highness, what is a popsicle?”
Song Jinglan glanced at him lightly, “You talk a lot lately.”
Tiandong pursed his lips and shut up.
In the evening, there was a knock on Cuizhu Villa’s door again. Tiandong went to open the door and was surprised to find that the Fourth Prince’s eunuch, Kang-an, was standing outside their door.
Kang-an shoved the objects in his hands into his grasp as if he was a thief, “This is what the Fourth Prince asked me to send over. He also told me to relay a word of thanks to your Prince!”
With that being said, he ran away.
Tiandong, “…”