Chapter 818: Chapter 344: Earth Recipes (Part 2)
Yueyao arrived at Niu Mansion and felt a bit heartbroken when she saw Mingzhu: “How is it that in just a few days, you’ve become so thin?” Mingzhu’s once-rounded face had become sharp, causing Yueyao much concern.
Mingzhu still had the mood to joke: “I always envied those frail and delicate women who look so pitiful. I feel like I’ve finally realized that dream now.”
Yueyao couldn’t even muster the energy to scold her.
Just after Mingzhu spoke, she started vomiting: “Ugh. The Bird’s Nest Porridge I just ate was for nothing.” For the sake of the child, she had to eat even after throwing up.
Yueyao quickly comforted Mingzhu, patting her back: “What did the Imperial Physician say? Didn’t they give you any remedy to stop it?” This was too much suffering.
Mingzhu, her face pale after vomiting, replied: “No. The Imperial Physician only said it would pass after this period, not knowing when it will stop.” Most people vomit during the first three months of pregnancy; she’s past three months but is still vomiting. If she had known, she wouldn’t have bragged about it, and now she really regrets it! Who knows what kind of personality this troublesome child will have; when it’s born, it certainly won’t be well-behaved.
Listening to Mingzhu’s complaints, Yueyao thought for a while and then said: “I do have a method, but I’m not sure if it will work. Why don’t you give it a try?”
Mingzhu trusted Yueyao blindly: “What you say is definitely useful, Yueyao. Quickly, tell them to follow your method.”
Yueyao’s method was fairly simple. Use 15 grams each of fresh ginger, radish seeds, and pomelo peel. Then boil it in a bowl of water until it reduces to half a bowl, and then drink it.
With the determination of a warrior cutting off an arm, Mingzhu drank that half bowl of strange concoction. About an hour later, she felt much better and quickly asked someone to bring a meal.
Yueyao shook her head and said, “Better to eat something light; just have them make a bowl of noodles! Don’t add any meat, just some greens will do.”
Bai Yi felt it was too simple and lacked nutrition.
Yueyao replied helplessly: “Just try it first, and if you don’t vomit, then we can talk.” Yueyao couldn’t guarantee her method would definitely work.
Mingzhu thought that her admiration and confidence in Yueyao were not blind, but well-founded. Look, she had just eaten a big bowl of noodles without vomiting a single strand.
Bai Yi remarked: “Had we known it would be this effective, we should have invited the young lady over sooner. This way, the Eldest Young Madam wouldn’t have suffered for so long.”
Before Yueyao could speak, Mingzhu scolded: “What nonsense are you saying? It’s not like Yueyao knew that the Imperial Physician was so useless. If she had known, she would have come long ago.”
Yueyao laughed: “You’re quite something, offending the Imperial Physician in just one sentence. Besides, pregnant women should maintain a calm disposition. Bai Yi means well and has no other intentions. Why get so angry?”
Bai Yi didn’t mind.
Mingzhu was a bit embarrassed: “I don’t know why, I just feel a ball of anger in my chest, and I don’t feel comfortable until I let it out. Yueyao, do you have anything going on recently? If not, could you stay a few more days and keep me company? Your presence reassures me.” Niu Yanghui had also been tormented quite a bit by Mingzhu recently. Moreover, Mingzhu was filled with anger thinking it was Niu Yanghui’s fault for her suffering,
Yueyao, looking at her sharp little face, felt deeply compassionate and had no reason not to agree: “As long as you don’t mind me being talkative, it’s fine.”
Mingzhu, hearing this, hugged Yueyao and said: “Yueyao is the best.”
Yueyao patted Mingzhu’s back and laughed: “You’re about to become a mother, yet you’re still acting spoiled, aren’t you ashamed?” But perhaps it’s precisely because she’s never experienced darkness that she can maintain such a pure personality.
Bai Yi observed the scene and felt something peculiar, as if for her mistress, Miss Yueyao was not a sister, but rather a mother.
Zhi Qin, seeing the two talking happily, quietly asked Bai Yi: “Sister Bai Yi, since Miss Yueyao is staying for a short visit, where will she stay?”
Bai Yi thought for a moment and replied: “We’ll tidy up the small annex next door.” This was the advantage of having no elders in the family and making decisions on one’s own. If there were a mother-in-law above, everything would need approval and be cumbersome.
Niu Yanghui wasn’t surprised to see Yueyao upon returning from his errand, but when he heard that Mingzhu could eat without vomiting, he let out a long sigh of relief. For the past few days, with Mingzhu unable to eat or sleep, he had been equally worried. Niu Yanghui expressed his gratitude: “Thank you, Miss Lian.”
Mingzhu huffed: “What do you mean, ‘Miss Lian’? She’s a sister now; Yueyao is officially my sister. As your sister-in-law, shouldn’t you make some gesture of gratitude?”
Niu Yanghui smiled broadly and said: “Of course.”
Yueyao chuckled: “We’re family, no need to be so formal.” Seeing Mingzhu’s demeanor, it was clear Niu Yanghui usually indulged her a lot.
Niu Yanghui chatted with Mingzhu and Yueyao for a few words, then went to the front courtyard. Not long after, a maid from Niu Yanghui’s study delivered a red lacquer box.
When Yueyao opened it, inside was a piece of Pine Flower Stone. Mingzhu grumbled: “Why give us a rock?”
Yueyao tapped Mingzhu’s forehead and scolded: “I told you to read more books but you don’t, and now you’re ignorant, aren’t you? This Pine Flower Stone is an ancient artifact from the previous dynasty and very valuable. Also, where have you ever seen a wife extort from her husband on behalf of outsiders? Beware, Young Master Niu might just turn against you.”
Mingzhu giggled: “Nonsense, what do you mean by ‘on behalf of outsiders’? You’re his sister-in-law; it’s only natural to give you something nice.”
Yueyao dined with Mingzhu, chatted with her for a while, and, seeing the night fall, went to the small annex next door.
The rooms in the small annex were quite small but spacious and very clean. Since Yueyao was only staying for a couple of days, she had no particular demands. After inspecting it, she nodded and asked: “With Mingzhu not feeling well, who’s managing affairs?” Being pregnant surely wouldn’t allow her to handle household matters.
Bai Yi, understanding Yueyao’s concerns, said: “There aren’t many matters in the mansion, and with me, Zhi Qin, and Zhi Hua managing things, and with a couple of motherly figures overseeing it, nothing will go wrong. As for Maternal Aunt Liu, she’s been quite well-behaved recently and hasn’t caused any trouble.”
Yueyao nodded: “That’s good, but you should still remain cautious.” Just in case.
Bai Yi smiled and nodded.