Chapter 269: Chapter 251, Besties_1
Ever since confirming that the prescription could treat the plague, Imperial Physician Xu immediately went to the neighboring Governor’s Office, busily treating other patients in the city with other doctors.
As for Xing Courtyard, seeing that Xiao Yeyang, Yan Wenkai, and Dong Yuanxuan’s conditions were all improving, and at the same time, there were no new patients in the household, the Imperial Physician decisively left the rest to Daohua.
He had come to realize that this young lady from the Yan Family had some real ability. From the daily required use of medicinal sprays to decocting and distributing medicine, every step was done perfectly. He felt reassured entrusting the people of Xing Courtyard to her.
Thus, Daohua became unfortunate, busy every day like a spinning top.
However, the results were very gratifying. The condition of those infected with the plague was improving, and the situation had basically been controlled.
One day, Dong Yuanyao came to Daohua’s courtyard, rubbing her shoulders, “The medicine has already been distributed today. Is there anything else you need me to do?”
Her elder brother was getting better by the day, and now, with the support of servants, he could even walk on the ground. The weight in her heart had finally settled back into her stomach, and she had the energy to do other things.
Daohua was inventorying the remaining medicinal materials, calculating how long they would last. Hearing Dong Yuanyao’s words, she glanced toward the kitchen direction, “Sister Dong, if you are not busy, please take the porridge I’ve prepared to my fourth brother and the others.”
Dong Yuanyao nodded, turned around to head to the kitchen, but after a few steps, she stopped and looked back, “Yan Yiyi!”
Daohua looked up, puzzled, “Sister Dong, is there something else?”
Dong Yuanyao: “Yan Yiyi, don’t keep calling me ‘Sister Dong’. I’m not that much older than you; it sounds so distant. Just call me by my name.” With that, she lifted her head high and walked away.
Daohua was stunned for a second, then shook her head with a smile. Suddenly, she remembered something and called out loudly, “Dong Yuanyao, don’t forget to wash your hands and disinfect!”
Dong Yuanyao, who had reached the kitchen doorway, heard her and smiled, turning back with a response, “Don’t worry, I won’t forget.”
…
When Dong Yuanyao came with the porridge, Xiao Yeyang, Yan Wenkai, and Dong Yuanxuan were sitting in the courtyard, basking in the sun.
In Yan Wenkai’s words, they felt like they were getting moldy from lying in bed all this time.
Seeing the food box in Dong Yuanyao’s hands, Yan Wenkai’s eyes lit up. He hurried forward to take the box, “Sister Dong, how come it’s you bringing us food today?” While speaking, he quickly opened the lid, but seeing that it was just porridge again, his face fell.
Dong Yuanyao laughed, “Yiyi is busy, so she asked me to bring you the meal.”
Xiao Yeyang frowned, “Wasn’t it said that the condition of others in the household had stabilized? Why is she still so busy?”
A moment of thought crossed Dong Yuanyao’s face, “…I think she’s worried about whether the medicinal materials will be sufficient.”
Xiao Yeyang was surprised, “She used up all the medicinal materials she brought?”
Dong Yuanyao: “Originally, it would have been enough just for the people here at Xing Courtyard, but a couple of days ago, Imperial Physician Xu said there was a dire shortage of medicinal materials in the city, and Yiyi gave them a batch.”
Xiao Yeyang fell silent.
The prescription Daohua provided had been effective; most of the people in the city infected with the plague had stabilized after taking the medicine. However, there were many people in the city, which was why the medicinal materials had become scarce.
The petition had already been reported to Emperor Uncle. With a solution for the plague found, Emperor Uncle would surely muster medicinal supplies from various places to be sent over, although it might take some more time.
At this moment, Yan Wenkai interjected, “Sister Dong, stop calling her ‘Yiyi.’ Just call her Daohua, I’m not used to the other name.”
Dong Yuanyao gave him a glare, “To think you’re her brother. ‘Daohua’ is a milk name, it’s okay to call that at home, but how can you use it outside?”
How to put it, the name ‘Daohua’ seemed rather rustic. If it was used in front of young ladies from other official families, they might not say anything on the surface but would definitely laugh behind their backs.
Dong Yuanyao continued, “All of you take note from now on, don’t call Yiyi by her milk name anymore.”
Dong Yuanxuan looked surprised at his sister. What had happened in this period? It seemed like his sister and Miss Yan had gotten along quite well; she was even defending her.
Yan Wenkai looked at Xiao Yeyang and Dong Yuanxuan, and seeing they agreed, he wisely chose not to argue with Dong Yuanyao, only disdainfully gazing at the black rice porridge in the bowl, “Sister Dong, I want to eat meat.”
At that, Xiao Yeyang and Dong Yuanxuan also looked over expectantly.
These days, they’d been drinking so much medicine that it had dulled their taste for anything else, and they dreamt of having some meat to satiate their cravings.
Dong Yuanyao was unswayed, calmly stating, “If you want to eat, you can ask Yiyi about it. I’m just the one who delivers the food.”
Hearing this, all three of them bowed their heads in unison.
It’s better to forget about asking Daohua.
That fellow had said, as long as they weren’t fully recovered, they couldn’t touch any meat.
Yan Wenkai sighed and resignedly picked up the black rice porridge, “When will this ordeal end?”
Dong Yuanyao was displeased, “Fourth Brother Yan, don’t fail to recognize your good fortune. Jiguang has suffered a disaster, and many people can’t even find food to eat!”
At this, Yan Wenkai dared not speak anymore and shrank his neck, burying his head in his bowl of porridge.
Dong Yuanxuan glared at his sister but didn’t say anything.
Compared to others, they were indeed much more fortunate, having black millet porridge to drink now.
Xiao Yeyang fell silent for a while before asking, “I’ve almost fully recovered. When can I leave the courtyard?”
Dong Yuanyao shook her head, “I don’t know about that, I’ll ask Yiyi for you.”
…
Daohua had been busy until dark before finishing all the work.
Wang Manman brought in hot water for washing, smiling, “Miss Zhou has really helped you a lot this time. Just as we were about to run out of medicine, by some fortunate coincidence, she sent us a batch.”
Daohua smiled, then corrected her, “Jingwan isn’t helping me. She’s helping the people in the city.”
Wang Manman smiled and didn’t speak.
If it hadn’t been for their young lady’s mention, Miss Zhou might not have bothered collecting the medicinal herbs.
Daohua added, “Oh yes, the Zhou Family’s boat is leaving tomorrow. Go fetch the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone for me; I need to write a letter to report our safety at home.”
As she spoke, she paused.
“Also, tell my brothers to each write a letter back as well. With that, grandmother and the others should be completely at ease.”
Wang Manman cheerfully agreed, and after Daohua had finished washing up, she carried the basin out.
As soon as she stepped out of the room, she saw Dong Yuanyao and exclaimed in surprise, “Miss Dong, what are you doing here?”
Dong Yuanyao said, “I’ve come to sleep with Yiyi!”
Inside, when Daohua heard this, the tea she had just sipped sprayed right out.
When Dong Yuanyao entered the room, she saw Daohua spitting out the tea. She hurried over to pat Daohua’s back as she coughed.
“I’m fine, thank you!”
Daohua wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and asked with an awkward smile, “Yuanyao, what brings you here so late at night?”
Dong Yuanyao smiled, “It’s boring to sleep alone, so I thought about coming over and sleeping with you, toe-to-toe.”
“No, thank you!”
Daohua’s refusal was as sharp and decisive as it could be.
Dong Yuanyao looked at Daohua, and pressed her lips together, “Are you looking down on me?”
Daohua was tired, “I’m not looking down on you, it’s just… I have bad sleeping habits. I like to toss and turn, which will affect your rest.”
Dong Yuanyao looked skeptical.
Daohua quickly raised her hands, swearing, “I promise.” She had been really tired these days and needed to rest well at night; otherwise, she’d have no energy the next day.
If there was an extra person in the bed, she definitely wouldn’t be able to sleep well.
Dong Yuanyao fell silent for a while before saying, “Alright, I won’t share a bed with you, then. How about I move to your courtyard to live? That should be fine, right?”
Daohua nodded, “Of course, that’s fine. Do as you please!”
Seeing this, Dong Yuanyao finally smiled again and went off to move her belongings.
Lixia looked on in confusion and wondered, “Why on earth does Miss Dong want to move in and live with our young lady? Isn’t that tiring?”
Guyu pondered for a moment, “Maybe, Miss Dong feels that living with our young lady will bring their feelings closer. Miss Dong wants to sleep toe-to-toe with our young lady, treating her like an intimate friend.”
Hearing the two of them talking, Daohua held her head.
This intimate friendship really came unexpectedly!