NFBE Chapter 298
Chapter 298
What did you do before?
"I used to make a living by copying books, but in recent years that business has been bad and I really couldn't support myself, so I came to the inn as a waiter."
She spoke frankly, without any hint of guilt.
Copying books was mostly a means of making a living for scholars. Many scholars from poor families did not have the strength to do manual labor, and many felt that it was shameful for scholars to do hard labor and could not take off their long gowns. So they would choose to copy books for bookstores in exchange for payment. It was a way to earn money and look respectable, although it took a long time. Therefore, many scholars chose to copy books.
There were just too many people, and the industry was gradually becoming saturated. Competition was fierce, and many people were trying to lower prices. If a shopkeeper asked for ten coins for a book, someone would immediately jump out and say that they could do it for eight coins. They tried to get jobs by lowering prices. But if someone offered eight coins, someone else would offer six coins. As a result, prices kept getting lower and lower.
Copying books alone was no longer enough to support themselves, so those scholars had to find other ways to make a living.
However, there are few people who put down their writing tools to do manual labor.
Nalan Jingwen examined her hands carefully and indeed found thick calluses on the pads of her index, middle, and ring fingers, indicating that she had frequently used a pen before.
"Since you're here to work as a waiter at an inn, why did you choose this inn in the first place?"
This inn is not only in the middle of nowhere, but the people who come here are all sorts of people, making it difficult to deal with them. Moreover, most of them don't have much money. Wouldn't it be better for her to go to those big inns in the city?
Nalan Jingwen stared intently at her, trying to discern something from her face.
She looked up directly at Nalan Jingwen without any fear.
“You know that the big inns are better than this one, but as everyone knows, a good job naturally attracts many people to compete for it. I’m not very strong and have never done this kind of work before, so naturally I can’t compete with them. Only the owner here is willing to hire me and give me a meal.”
Xiao Congyu, standing beside her, was slightly taken aback. She hadn't expected this reason. Having spent so much time in the court, she hadn't really experienced how ordinary people made money. She was also puzzled by the question Nalan Jingwen had just raised: why leave such a nice inn and come to this desolate inn in the middle of nowhere?
This reason sounds reasonable. Good jobs will definitely attract many people, and those who are strong and capable will be given priority. It's normal that scholars like them can't compete with them.
She looked at Nalan Jingwen and said, "Miss, I don't think she's lying."
The waiter smiled and said, "To be honest, it's quite embarrassing. Please forgive me, esteemed guests."
Xiao Congyu waved his hand, "Earning money with your own hands is not shameful."
At least it's all honest and straightforward, without resorting to theft or robbery, so what's shameful about it?
Nalan Jingwen remained silent, listening to their polite exchanges for a long while before slowly saying, "You may leave."
"okay!"
After everyone left, Xiao Congyu saw that Nalan Jingwen didn't react, so he fed the medicine in his hand to Anian.
The bowl of dark medicine was quickly emptied, but Ah Nian seemed oblivious to the bitterness, not even flinching.
Even Xiao Congyu was impressed. "Is it bitter, Your Highness? Would you like some pastries to ease your palate?"
Ah Nian shook her head gently, now she even had the strength to laugh, "It's not bitter, Auntie, I'm used to it."
He's been drinking this since he was a child. Some of the medicines are so bitter they've almost ruined his teeth, but he can still drink them. He's gotten used to it after drinking it so much.
These words left Xiao Congyu feeling uneasy. She opened her mouth, hesitated, and finally sighed softly.
"Your Highness, once we return to Baiji, I will certainly find the best doctor in the world to treat you."
Upon hearing this, Ah Nian simply pursed her lips and gave a sweet smile.
"Thank you, aunt."
In fact, everyone knows that there is no possibility of curing his disease. Saying this is not sure if we are deceiving him or ourselves.
Nalan Jingwen stood to the side watching, and only when he saw Anian looking over did he speak up, "How are you? Are you feeling any better?"
Ah Nian reached out her hand, and Xiao Congyu immediately got up and left, carrying a bowl of medicine towards the door.
"Miss, I'll go downstairs to see if the porridge for His Highness is ready. Please look after His Highness for a while."
Nalan Jingwen ignored her, but she wasn't annoyed. She ran away in a flash, leaving only Nalan Jingwen and her companion in the room.
She walked to the bedside, sat down, and took his hand in her palm.
"Where else does it hurt?"
Ah Nian shook her head, looking down at the hand held in Nalan Jingwen's palm, a glimmer of light shining in her beautiful, bright eyes.
He said, "Thank you, sister."
"Thank you for what?"
"Thank you for being with me, sister."
Throughout the journey, he repeatedly said "thank you" and "sorry," always feeling guilty for being a burden to them.
Nalan Jingwen smiled and the corners of her lips curved into a smile.
"No need to say thank you."
Ah Nian shook his head and moved closer to her. Nalan Jing, seeing this, took the initiative to move closer.
"What to do?"
Ah Nian remained silent, instead finding a comfortable position and gently resting his head on her shoulder, his eyes bright, his voice soft and obedient.
"You should thank me."
"My sister is the best person to me besides my mother and father."
"My sister always protects me, feeds me delicious food, gives me gifts, lets me lean on her shoulder, and watches over me while I sleep."
Nalan Jingwen smiled and said, "If Lord Xiao heard this, he would probably cry."
Ah Nian paused for a moment, then said, "Auntie is very well, Auntie and Sister are both very well."
He pursed his lips and gently rubbed his cheek against Nalan Jingwen's shoulder.
"I've already troubled you a lot, so I want to say thank you."
Nalan Jingwen stroked his wrist, which had prominent knuckles. "It's not a problem."
Since she accepted this task, she should take responsibility for it; Ah Nian's life and death are also closely related to her.
Can……
Is that really the case?
"Don't overthink it, you've never been a problem for us."
Ah Nian smiled gently and raised one finger.
It was bright white and exceptionally slender.
Tell your sister quietly.
He sat up and leaned close to Nalan Jingwen's ear, his expression unexpectedly playful, revealing the innocence and liveliness of a young man. "Actually, many times, as long as I see my sister, the pain in my body doesn't feel so bad."
"That's why I really like my older sister!"
After saying that, his body went limp again. Nalan Jingwen caught his thin, bony body quickly and gently placed him on the bed.
She let him hold her hand and stroke his head.
"I like Anian too."
Ah Nian turned her head away and buried it in the pillow, making a muffled sound.
"Different."
He could sense that Nalan Jingwen was taking care of him as if he were a little child, a younger brother, but he was no longer a child.
But he can't say that.
Nalan Jingwen didn't hear clearly, and fearing that someone would cover it, he pulled the person out from under the pillow.
Ah Nian simply stopped holding her hand and didn't move. Actually, he didn't have much strength and could have easily pulled it away, but Nalan Jingwen still obediently let him hold her without moving at all.