Chapter 112: Lady Calico’s Business
A few more days passed in Changjing. The shop sign seemed to have some effect, as there were a few visitors these days, but not many deals were made.
Some people saw that Song You was young and assumed he was like those fortune-telling charlatans who recently appeared on the streets, taking advantage of the situation to deceive people.
After all, there were always students who suddenly felt dazed and mentally confused due to various reasons, and believed they were possessed by spirits or haunted by ghosts. The recent unrest in Changjing had also provided an opportunity for such tricks to thrive.
A few did invite Song You over.
However, Song You only took on jobs of exorcizing evil spirits and demons. Many people believed they were possessed by evil, haunted by ghosts, or thought they were being harmed by demons, but in reality, it was either their own minds playing tricks on them or other people stirring up trouble.
Other folk fortune tellers might put on a show and still get paid, but Song You refused to do so. He spoke only the truth. To deal with psychological issues, he would suggest to the family members to find ways to calm the patient’s mind. For physical ailments, he would advise them to see a doctor. For cases where someone was causing trouble, he would hint at it subtly.
Sometimes he earned a bit of money, sometimes he didn't. Still, there was a modest income coming in.
Meanwhile, the weather gradually warmed up. They spent every day basking in the sun or going for walks, so they didn’t notice the change in weather. By the time he noticed, it was already warm enough to wear just a single layer of clothing at home without feeling cold.
This weather was perfect for listening to storytelling. There was a teahouse across the street that had storytelling sessions every afternoon.