Chapter 252: Longevity Dumpling Soup

 Chapter 252: Longevity Dumpling Soup

"Has Daohua and Wen Xiu written letters back?"

Upon hearing the Steward’s report, both Old Madam Yan and Madam Li were filled with excitement.

Old Madam Yan anxiously asked, "Where are the letters? Quickly, bring them to me!"

Steward Sun immediately handed over the letter from Daohua: "The letters from Eldest Young Master, Third Young Master, and Fourth Young Master are with the Master. He said he would personally bring them back when he finishes at the court."

Madam Li took the letter and asked, "Did Wen Xiu, Wen Kai, and Wen Tao all write back?"

Steward Sun quickly nodded, "Yes, they did."

Madam Li handed the letter to Old Madam Yan, urging her to read it first, then clasped her hands in prayer. "Thank heavens, they’ve written back. It must mean they’re all right."

Old Madam Yan finished reading the letter and, knowing that Daohua and her three brothers were safe in Xingyun Prefecture, finally let out a long breath, murmuring, "Amitabha, I must observe a fast this month to thank the Buddha for protecting the Yan family’s descendants."

Madam Li quickly added, "Mother, I will fast with you."

Old Madam Yan handed the letter to Madam Li, "Go tell your third brother and third sister-in-law. They must be struggling to get by these days."

Madam Li nodded and promised, "I will send someone to tell them immediately."

---

At the front court.

Yan Zhigao sat, rereading the letters from Yan Wenxiu and his brothers, still in disbelief.

In the letters, Yan Wenxiu and the others described in detail the situation in Jiguang and mentioned Daohua’s method for treating the plague.

The plague in Xingyun Prefecture had been controlled, and it was thanks to the prescription given by the eldest daughter!

At that moment, Yan Zhigao felt as though something fortunate had fallen into his lap, leaving him dazed.

His eldest daughter had always been fond of reading medical books—he had heard his mother and third brother mention it a few times, but he had never paid it much attention. Who would have thought that, just like that, she would have earned such great merit for the Yan family?

Yan Zhigao read the letters carefully again, making sure everything was true before sighing deeply.

Just as the Yan family received the letter from Daohua’s siblings, a memorial also arrived at the capital.

---

At the imperial palace.

The emperor looked over the memorial from Old Physician Xu, learning that a method to treat the plague had been found and that the plague in Xingyun Prefecture had been brought under control. He immediately uttered three "Good!" in succession.

Below, several ministers secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

During this time, with the floods and plague in Jiguang, the emperor had frequently been in a bad mood, scolding one minister after another, making every court session tense.

Now that the plague had been controlled, it was truly a cause for celebration!

"Yan Zhigao…"

The emperor narrowed his eyes as he looked at the name mentioned in the memorial. "This name sounds familiar."

The Minister of Personnel quickly stepped forward and replied, "Your Majesty, Yan Zhigao is the Prefect Magistrate of Xingzhou who introduced the high-yield grain seed."

The emperor nodded, a look of recognition crossing his face. "Ah, yes. Him. By the way, has the grain yield report from Fenxi arrived this year?"

The Minister of Revenue replied, "It has been submitted. The yield of the land using the new grain seed has increased by about one shi per mu."

"Good!"

The emperor exclaimed, standing up and pacing back and forth before continuing, "Since the yield is indeed high, we must promote this new grain seed as soon as possible. And prioritize its distribution to the northern provinces that have been affected by the disaster."

He paused for a moment.

"This Yan Zhigao is indeed a lucky official; he should be properly rewarded."

---

At Xingyun Prefecture, Xingyuan.

After half a month of treatment, Xiao Yeyang had recovered significantly, and Yan Wenkai was already able to run and jump. However, Dong Yuanxuan’s health was still a bit fragile, and he needed more rest.

One evening, Daohua had just finished her work when Xiao Yeyang dragged her into the kitchen.

"Here!"

Daohua stared at the bowl of dumpling soup placed on the table, still steaming, with a confused look at Xiao Yeyang.

Seeing her confusion, Xiao Yeyang had to remind her, "Today is the first day of the eighth month. Don’t you remember what day it is?"

Daohua’s eyes lit up. "Oh, it’s my birthday!" She looked down at the dumpling soup on the table, then up at Xiao Yeyang, who seemed a little uncomfortable. A flash of realization crossed her mind. Tentatively, she asked, "Is this your version of the longevity noodles?"

Xiao Yeyang stiffly nodded, looking awkward. "I was just bored and decided to try making it. It's my first time, so it might not be very good."

Defu, overhearing this, couldn't help but look up at the sky.

For that bowl of dumpling soup, his master had been in the kitchen all afternoon. Clearly, he had a lot of free time.

Daohua couldn’t help but twitch the corners of her mouth. "Xiao Yeyang, I think you may not have a clear understanding of your own abilities. You should be more confident. This isn’t just not good; it’s very bad."

With that, she sat down at the table.

After hearing Daohua's words, Xiao Yeyang thought she was rejecting his cooking, but to his surprise, she picked up her chopsticks and started eating.

Xiao Yeyang's heart tightened, and he quickly asked, "Is it good? Oh, I mean, can you eat it?"

Daohua, having taken a bite of the dumpling soup, paused for a moment, swallowed the dumpling in her mouth, and then looked at Xiao Yeyang with a hint of amusement. "Xiao Yeyang, if you're not sure whether this dumpling soup is edible, why did you make me eat it?"

Xiao Yeyang responded, "I thought, for your birthday, you should have longevity noodles."

Daohua glanced at the bowl, where the dumpling soup looked nothing like noodles. "Are you sure this is supposed to be longevity noodles?"

Xiao Yeyang’s face stiffened as he looked at the dumplings in the soup. "I cooked it for a long time to make sure it’s edible. I think it should be fine."

Daohua looked at the sticky, gooey soup and sighed. "You’ve basically turned it into porridge. I’m sure it’s edible, at least it’s cooked."

Seeing that Daohua was still eating, Xiao Yeyang felt a bit embarrassed. "Um, you don't have to eat anymore if you don’t want to."

Daohua shook her head. "Why not? It’s your first time cooking, after all. I should at least eat it to show some appreciation."

Seeing Xiao Yeyang looking a little awkward, Daohua smiled and added, "Honestly, it’s not as bad as I imagined. Though, did you confuse sugar with salt? Dumpling soup should be salty, but this is sweet."

"Anyway, I’m not picky. If it’s sweet, it’s sweet. It's just a change of taste."

Watching Daohua eat with no signs of pretending, Xiao Yeyang couldn’t help but smile. It made all the effort he put in this afternoon feel worthwhile.

"Take your time. If you like it, I’ll make another batch right away. The fire's still going."

"Cough cough~"

Daohua suddenly choked, starting to cough.

Seeing this, Xiao Yeyang quickly stood up and rushed to her side, gently patting her back.

After coughing for a while, Daohua felt better and quickly said, "It's fine, I’m full after this bowl."

Sweet dumpling soup... although it’s edible, it’s too rich if you have too much!

Xiao Yeyang looked at her and fell silent for a moment. "Alright, I’ll admit it, I’m a bit rusty this time. I’ll do better next year."

Daohua immediately had a jolt of realization.

Next year?

Oh my god, please spare me!

(End of Chapter)