Chapter 279: Chapter 261, Commendation_1
Daohua and Xiao Yeyang, one obtained a Medical Book and the other a Martial Arts Manual, were both in very high spirits, and upon returning to the Xing Courtyard, everyone could feel their joy.
Yan Wenkai looked at the two and laughed, saying, “Did you find money?”
Daohua and Xiao Yeyang exchanged a glance, smiled, and said nothing.
Yan Wenkai wanted to ask more, but Xiao Yeyang intercepted him, “You all tidy up a bit, we’ll be able to return to Zhongzhou in the next couple of days.”
Upon hearing this, everyone’s attention shifted.
Daohua took the opportunity to slip away, and Dong Yuanyao followed, grabbing her arm, “What are you and Little Prince being so secretive about? What exactly did you do?”
Daohua didn’t hide anything and laughed, “Do you remember the two old people I saved before?”
Dong Yuanyao nodded, “It would be hard not to remember those two, what happened to them?”
Daohua raised the Medical Book in her hand, “They gave Xiao Yeyang and me each a book.”
Dong Yuanyao quickly asked, “What kind of book?”>
Daohua laughed, “Mine is a Medical Book, as for Xiao Yeyang’s… if you want to know, you’ll have to ask him yourself.”
Upon hearing this, Dong Yuanyao didn’t press further but simply said, “There are still many grateful people in this day and age.” The two old people were like this, and so was the young man who helped by the river before.
Daohua nodded, “Isn’t that the truth!”
Dong Yuanyao tilted her head and looked at Daohua with a smile in her eyes.
Among the young ladies she knew, there were those who were flashy and arrogant, and those who were quiet and dignified, but none lived as vividly and spontaneously as Yan Yiyi.
This spontaneity wasn’t reckless; it stemmed from her own abilities.
Seeing Dong Yuanyao staring at her, Daohua asked in confusion, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Dong Yuanyao smiled, “I was reminded of something my mother once told me. She said, only those with abilities can live life according to their own wishes.” Pausing, she looked at Daohua, “I think you’re quite capable.”
Daohua owned her own farm and shops, and when giving out porridge, she managed to bring in more than ten boats’ worth of grain, all without consulting anyone; she could tame water, save people, and receive their gratitude and reciprocity.
Hearing this, Daohua immediately laughed, her eyes curving into crescents: “Are you praising me?” After speaking, she touched her face and lowered her head, giggling shyly, “You’re making me feel embarrassed.”
Seeing this, Dong Yuanyao’s lips twitched, “Don’t be coy, it’s really hard on the eyes.”
The smile on Daohua’s face disappeared instantly as she rolled her eyes, “Boring.”
Dong Yuanyao retorted, “I’m not a man, I can’t appreciate it.”
Daohua huffed, “Even if you were a man, you wouldn’t be able to see it.”
When Dong Yuanyao thought about Daohua’s attitude towards her brothers, she burst out laughing, then said with relief, “We can finally go home soon, just thinking about it makes me happy.”
“Right!”
“I’m telling you, this is the first time I’ve been away from home for so long.”
“I heard you sneaked out without telling your family. Aren’t you afraid you’ll be scolded when you return?”
“Yan Yiyi, at such a happy moment, do you have to dampen my spirits?”
“I didn’t mean to,” Yiyi replied, “I just wanted to remind you to think of a way now, so you won’t be locked up in the backyard unable to come out when you get back.”
Dong Yuanyao’s face fell, and she sighed, “There’s no way out of it, this trip must have driven my father and mother insane with worry, even my grandmother, upon learning that my brother and I were trapped in Xingyun Prefecture, rushed over from Beijing. After getting home, a beating is definitely inevitable for me.”
Daohua, although sympathetic, had a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth: “Luckily, when I left, I had informed the elders in the family.”
Dong Yuanyao was not having it: “Yan Yiyi, you’re reveling in someone else’s misfortune!” With that, she tried to grab Daohua.
Daohua wasn’t waiting to be caught and quickly ran towards the courtyard, shouting as she ran, “Dong Yuanyao, I hope you’re still this spirited after you get home.”
…
Two days later, Daohua and her companions finally boarded the ship bound for Zhongzhou.
On the ship, Dong Yuanxuan, Yan Wenxiu, Zhou Chengye, and others all wore expressions of relief, realizing that they had nearly been unable to make their return.
Watching Daohua and Dong Yuanyao on the deck, looking around with a telescope, Su Hongxin was the first to speak up: “This time, we truly have to thank Miss Yan. If it hadn’t been for her, I’m afraid… ”
The words that followed remained unspoken, but everyone knew them in their hearts.
Among those present, aside from Wentao, who had never been infected by the epidemic, the others had all had a brush with death, and Daohua was their lifesaver.
Xiao Yeyang looked at Daohua, a flicker in his eyes.
This person had saved him twice already.
They all said he was a nobleman, but he felt Daohua was his benefactor.
Not to mention saving his life, but the gathering of seed grains last time and submitting the remedy for treating the epidemic this time, each instance had resolved his urgent needs.
Compared to what she had done for him, he felt that he had done nothing.
Dong Yuanxuan also glanced at the two girls on the deck, then smiled at Yan Wenxiu and said, “After we return to Zhongzhou, please be sure to visit my house. You have always come to my place for food and drinks, this time let me play the host.”
Su Hongxin joined in, “And my house too, not to brag, but when it comes to culinary skills, Miss Yan is delicious and appetizing, but if we’re talking about finesse and appearance, my sister surpasses her by a notch.”
Yan Wenkai immediately retorted, “What’s the point of making food look so fancy, in the end it all goes into the stomach, isn’t that just a needless fuss?”
Su Hongxin didn’t like that at all. It was one thing to criticize him, but not his sister, “You brute, that’s called elegance. What do you know? If it weren’t for Miss Yan, Brother Yan, and Wentao, I wouldn’t care to invite you. You think about eating but wouldn’t have anything to eat.”
Yan Wenkai sneered, “As if I’m so eager to eat it. Let me tell you, I haven’t even finished the dishes my big sister made, where would I find the time to eat what your sister makes.”
Su Hongxin bristled, “Yan Wenkai, remember what you said, not to eat my sister’s cooking. If I find out you have, I will surely beat you until you are looking for your teeth on the ground.”
Yan Wenkai glared back, “Stop shouting, it’s not certain yet who would beat whom!”
Seeing the two starting to argue again, everyone shook their heads helplessly.
Yan Wenxiu smiled at Dong Yuanxuan, “If there’s a chance, we will certainly visit. However, this time, our grandmother at home must be very worried, so we need to go home and report our safety first.”
Dong Yuanxuan thought about it and realized it made sense, so he didn’t urge them further.
At the same time, in Xingzhou City, Yan Residence.
The Yan Family was in a state of excitement, astonishment, and disbelief, staring dumbfounded at the gold, silver, jewels, and silk fabrics personally bestowed by the Emperor.
Thousands of taels of gold, tens of thousands of taels of silver, and boxes of jewels and silks.
To the Yan family, the visual shock was somewhat overwhelming.
When Yan Zhigao returned from seeing off the eunuch who had come to announce the decree, he found his family still in a state of stupefaction.
Seeing this, Yan Zhigao didn’t say anything. At this moment, his heart was also incredibly excited. Compared to the rewards before him, he was more concerned about being able to go to Beijing next year to report on his duties.
After all, it was the oldest grandmother who first snapped back to reality, instructing Madam Li to put away the treasures, and then turned to Yan Zhigao to ask, “Daohua and Wenxiu must be returning, right?”
The fact that Daohua had offered the remedy for the epidemic under the name of the Yan Family was something her eldest son had mentioned to her, and to this day, she still found it somewhat unbelievable.
Her granddaughter had merely glanced at a few Medical Books, and she happened to find a remedy for the epidemic?
When she returned, she would have to inquire thoroughly about how the remedy came about.
Yan Zhigao stepped forward to support his mother, smiling, “Wenxiu mentioned in his letter that they should return in these next few days.”
The old Madam Yan finally felt relieved, “That’s good!”
Yan Zhiyuan hurriedly leaned forward, asking with a smile, “Big brother, out of the blue, why did the Emperor think to reward you?”
Yan Zhigao glanced at him, pondered for a moment, and didn’t hide the truth, “The high-yielding crops will be promoted nationwide by the Emperor’s decision; coupled with Daohua offering the remedy for the epidemic, hence, this reward.”
As he spoke, he smiled again.
“By the way, Wenxiu and the others earned some merit in Jiguang while providing disaster relief; I heard the Emperor even praised them personally.”
Old Madam Yan smiled, “Wenxiu, Wentao, and Wenkai, they are all good.”
Yan Zhigao nodded, leading his mother back to the courtyard; while Madam Li personally supervised the servants moving the Imperial gifts to the main courtyard, leaving the other members of the Yan family with varying expressions standing in the hall.
Among them, Yan Wenbin and Yan Yishuang were feeling the most complex emotions.
The two exchanged glances and saw the disappointment in each other’s eyes.
Aunt… it seems she really will be confined for three years this time.