Chapter 251: Best Friends

 Chapter 251: Best Friends

Since confirming that the prescription could treat the plague, Physician Xu immediately went to the nearby Prefectural office, where he worked with other physicians to treat more patients in the city.

As for Xingyuan, seeing that Xiao Yeyang, Yan Wenkai, and Dong Yuanxuan were all improving, and that no new patients had been added to the household, the elder physician decided to hand things over to Daohua.

He had realized that the young lady from the Yan family was quite capable. From the daily medicine she sprinkled to preparing and distributing the medicine, every step was done efficiently. He was confident leaving the people in Xingyuan’s care.

Thus, Daohua became extremely busy, working tirelessly every day like a spinning top.

But the results were encouraging. Those infected with the plague were showing signs of recovery, and the situation had mostly been brought under control.

One day, Dong Yuanyao walked into Daohua's courtyard, rubbing her shoulders. "The medicine has all been distributed for today. Is there anything else you need me to do?"

Her big brother was improving day by day. Now, with the help of servants, he could walk again. The weight that had been on her heart was finally lifted, and she had the energy to do other things.

Daohua was counting the remaining medicinal herbs, calculating how much longer they would last. Hearing Dong Yuanyao’s question, she glanced in the direction of the kitchen. "Sister Dong, if you’re free, can you take the porridge I made to Fourth Brother and the others?"

Dong Yuanyao nodded, turned to go to the kitchen, but after taking a few steps, she stopped and turned around. "Yan Yi!"

Daohua looked up in confusion. "Sister Dong, is there something else?"

Dong Yuanyao replied, "Yan Yi, don’t keep calling me ‘Sister Dong.’ We’re not that different in age, it sounds a little distant. Just call me by my name." After finishing, she tilted her head and walked off.

Daohua stood stunned for a moment, then shook her head and smiled. She suddenly thought of something and shouted, "Dong Yuanyao, don’t forget to wash your hands and disinfect!"

Dong Yuanyao, who had reached the kitchen door, heard her and immediately smiled back, replying, "Don’t worry, I won’t forget."

When Dong Yuanyao arrived with the porridge, Xiao Yeyang, Yan Wenkai, and Dong Yuanxuan were sitting outside enjoying the sunshine.

As Yan Wenkai put it, they had been lying in bed for so long that they were starting to mold.

Upon seeing the food container in Dong Yuanyao’s hand, Yan Wenkai's eyes lit up, and he quickly went over to take it from her. "Sister Dong, why are you the one bringing us food today?" He opened the lid quickly, only to see it was just porridge. His expression instantly fell.

Dong Yuanyao smiled. "Yi'er is busy, so she asked me to bring it to you."

Xiao Yeyang frowned. "Didn’t you say the other people in the household were stable? Why is she still so busy?"

Dong Yuanyao thought for a moment. "From the look of things, it seems she’s worried about whether we have enough medicinal herbs."

Xiao Yeyang was surprised. "Has she already used up all the herbs she brought?"

Dong Yuanyao explained, "Originally, the amount was enough for those in Xingyuan, but a few days ago, Physician Xu said the city was in urgent need of herbs, so she distributed some to them."

Xiao Yeyang fell silent.

The prescription Daohua gave was already showing results. Now, most of the infected in the city had stabilized after taking the medicine, but with so many people, the medicinal herbs were running out.

The memorial had already been sent to the emperor’s uncle. With a solution in hand, the emperor’s uncle would undoubtedly gather and send more medicinal herbs from various places, though it might take a while.

At this point, Yan Wenkai interjected, "Sister Dong, don’t keep calling her Yi, just call her Daohua. I can’t get used to it."

Dong Yuanyao rolled her eyes. "You’re supposed to be Yi’s brother, and yet you’re calling her by her nickname. It’s fine at home, but it’s not appropriate to call her that outside."

The name Daohua was a bit rustic. If addressed like that in front of daughters from other official families, they might not say anything publicly, but privately they would certainly laugh about it.

Dong Yuanyao continued, "In the future, be more careful. Don’t keep calling her by her nickname."

Dong Yuanxuan glanced at his sister in surprise. What happened recently? It seemed like his sister had gotten much closer to Yan Yi, even protecting her now.

Yan Wenkai looked at Xiao Yeyang and Dong Yuanxuan, seeing their agreement, wisely didn’t argue with Dong Yuanyao. He just looked at the black rice porridge in his bowl with disdain. "Sister Dong, I want to eat meat."

As soon as he said this, Xiao Yeyang and Dong Yuanxuan also looked expectantly at her.

After drinking medicine for so many days, they were all craving some meat.

Dong Yuanyao remained unfazed. "You can eat meat if you want, but you’ll have to ask Yi. I’m just the one delivering the food."

Upon hearing this, the three of them lowered their heads in unison.

Asking Daohua? Forget it!

That person had clearly said that they couldn’t eat anything non-vegetarian until they were fully recovered.

Yan Wenkai sighed and resigned himself to drinking the porridge. "When will this end?"

Dong Yuanyao was displeased. "Fourth Brother Yan, you should be grateful. Jiguang has suffered a disaster, and many people don’t even have enough food to eat!"

Hearing this, Yan Wenkai didn’t dare say anything more. He lowered his head and quietly drank his porridge.

Dong Yuanxuan shot his sister a glare but didn’t say anything.

Compared to others, they were indeed much better off. At least they still had black rice porridge to drink.

Xiao Yeyang remained silent for a while before asking, "I’m almost fully recovered. When can I leave the courtyard?"

Dong Yuanyao shook her head. "I’m not sure. I’ll ask Yi for you."

Daohua remained busy until dark before finishing everything on her to-do list.

Wang Man’er came in with hot water for washing up and smiled. "Miss Zhou really helped you a lot this time. Just as we were running low on medicinal herbs, she happened to send a new batch over."

Daohua smiled and then corrected her. "Jingwan isn’t helping me. She’s helping the people in the city."

Wang Man’er smiled but didn’t say anything.

If her young lady hadn’t mentioned it, Miss Zhou probably wouldn’t have gone out of her way to gather medicinal herbs.

Daohua added, "By the way, the Zhou family’s boat is leaving tomorrow. Please bring me some paper and ink; I’m going to write a letter home to report everything’s fine."

"Also, let’s inform Big Brother and the others, and have each of them write a letter home. This way, Grandmother and the others should be completely at ease."

Wang Man'er smiled and agreed, then waited until Daohua had finished washing up before taking the basin and leaving.

As soon as she stepped out of the room, she saw Dong Yuanyao and was immediately surprised. "Miss Dong, what are you doing here?"

Dong Yuanyao replied, "I’m here to sleep with Yi."

Inside, Daohua, who had just taken a sip of tea, immediately spat it out when she heard this.

When Dong Yuanyao entered the room, she saw Daohua coughing and quickly went over to pat her on the back.

"I’m fine, thank you!"

Daohua wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, then awkwardly smiled and asked, "Yuanyao, why are you looking for me so late?"

Dong Yuanyao smiled and said, "I’m bored sleeping alone, so I thought I’d come and sleep with you."

"No!"

Daohua’s refusal was quick and decisive.

Dong Yuanyao looked at her, pursing her lips. "Are you rejecting me?"

Daohua sighed in exhaustion. "I’m not rejecting you, it’s just that I’m a bad sleeper. I toss and turn all night and might disturb your rest."

Dong Yuanyao looked doubtful.

Daohua quickly raised her hand and swore, "I swear." She was really tired these days and needed a good rest at night, or else she wouldn’t have the energy the next day.

If there was another person in the bed, she knew she wouldn’t sleep well.

Dong Yuanyao was silent for a moment, then said, "Okay then, I won’t sleep in your bed, but can I move into your courtyard? That’s fine, right?"

Daohua nodded. "Of course, feel free!"

Seeing this, Dong Yuanyao finally smiled and happily left to move her belongings.

Li Xia, who had been watching in confusion, asked, "Why is Miss Dong suddenly moving in to stay with Miss? Isn’t she tired?"

Gu Yu pondered for a moment. "Maybe Miss Dong thinks that by living together, they can become closer. She probably sees Miss as a close friend now."

Upon hearing their discussion, Daohua rubbed her forehead.

This best friend really caught her off guard!

(End of Chapter)