Although Xiao Song was a direct descendant of a noble family, Ran Yan had heard that not everyone in such families was exceedingly wealthy, with inexhaustible financial resources, especially for a gentleman like Xiao Song who could manage his own household independently. Besides the fixed monthly allowance from the public fund, other expenses generally had to be covered by himself.
The official salary of the Tang Dynasty typically included salary, official allowance, and assigned farmland, the latter of which could not be sold. The money obtained was included in the salary package, also covering monthly salary, food provisions, miscellaneous expenses, and positions may also include roles like Defense or various servants, etc. Thus, adding up, the monthly usable financial resources were not particularly substantial, certainly less than those of wealthy merchants like Ran Pingyu.
The medicinal materials in this room will probably be quite costly.
