Chapter 641 - Exorbitant Demand
In actuality, Xiaocao wasn't interested in the so-called 'Healing Panacea' that she could easily make. She just wanted to find a justifiable reason to get the elixir into her hands. From Xu Ziyi's micro expression, she could see that five pills was his limit, so she stopped forcing him.
She revealed a sly smile and said, "Alright! For the matter of the Healing Panacea, we will do as you say. But——"
"But what?" Seeing the smile on the young maiden's face, Xu Ziyi helplessly begged for mercy, "My little ancestor, what else do you want? Can you not act so crafty?"
"Actually, this request is a piece of cake for your Medicine King Valley! That is——if the descendants of our Yu Family need medical treatment from Medicine King Valley, may I ask Young Master Xu to please help out!" Yu Xiaocao didn't continue to make things difficult for him and came straight to the point.
"No problem, no problem! With our relationship, this is something that goes without saying ah!" Xu Ziyi thought that it would be a tricky request. Medicine King Valley had always provided medical services to outsiders, so it naturally wasn't a problem to provide free medical treatment and so on.
Of course, Yu Xiaocao's request wouldn't be that simple. When she was around, she naturally wouldn't let the members of the Yu Family have any major illnesses or injuries. After all, she had a cheat——the little divine stone. She was doing this for the benefit of her descendants ah!
"Does your Medicine King Valley have some sort of token that, when presented, will ensure that you guys will go all-out to save the patient?" Yu Xiaocao thought about it and said, "Don't misunderstand, it's not that I don't trust you. But, decades later, our generation would be aged. So we need a token that the younger generations of Medicine King Valley will acknowledge!"
Xu Ziyi smiled bitterly and pondered for a moment before saying, "Originally, there was no such thing! However, since you mentioned it, we must have one now! When I get back, I'll have someone carve a few 'Rescue Tokens' with ten-thousand-year-old ebony wood. Those who possess this token are benefactors of Medicine King Valley. With the 'Rescue Token', one can request Medicine King Valley to save a life with all their might once. Is it alright like this?"
"Mhm! Can you give me three of these tokens?" Yu Xiaocao made an exorbitant request.
"Miss Yu, aren't you just making things difficult for me? Only those who Medicine King Valley are indebted to can get a token..." Xu Ziyi felt as if his face was about to turn into a bitter gourd. This Miss Yu was too hard to deal with. He felt so helpless ah!
Yu Xiaocao counted her fingers and said, "Look, Royal Prince Yang and I saved your life in the deep mountains. As the successor of Medicine King Valley, you're carrying the hope of the rise and fall of Medicine King Valley. Isn't saving you a great favor to the entire Medicine King Valley?"
Xu Ziyi had to agree with this. As the heir of Medicine King Valley, the clan devoted themselves to train him to be a qualified successor of the valley. If he died while collecting medicinal herbs, it would certainly be a great loss to Medicine King Valley.
Seeing him nod, Xiaocao continued, "Secondly, not only did I let you eat one of the Healing Panacea that my family treasured for decades, but I also provided a pill for Medicine King Valley to do research on. With Medicine King Valley's attainment in medicine production, it would only be a matter of time before you analyze the formula and produce the holy medicine of life and death! Since I provided such an important formula to you guys, isn't it considered a favor to Medicine King Valley?"
Alright! Although she didn't provide the formula, the Healing Panacea used for research was indeed given by Miss Yu. Xu Ziyi must acknowledge this favor!
"There's more! It was thanks to the clue I provided that your Medicine King Valley was able to successfully capture the traitor. Isn't this considered a favor?" Yu Xiaocao had a matter-of-fact expression on her face. Her meaning was very clear—it wasn't an exorbitant demand to request three tokens because she deserved them!
Xu Ziyi couldn't win against her, so he could only suffer silently and agree to give her three tokens. In any case, if he could successfully produce the Healing Panacea, it would be worth it no matter how many tokens he had to give her.
After sending away Xu Ziyi, Yu Xiaocao was so happy that she was about to fly. First of all, Xu Ziyi resolved the biggest concern in her heart. Without Heavenly Teacher Lei misleading the public with rumors, she could go about freely in the northeast with her hidden guards! Furthermore, she had gained three chances to save the lives of her descendants, which was also an unexpected surprise! Ah, if she knew that Young Master Xu was so easy to persuade, she would have asked for a few more tokens.
While taking the traitor back to the valley, Xu Ziyi sneezed and had an ominous premonition in his heart. He should hurry back to the valley because it was too dangerous outside. Who would have thought that a young maiden, who appeared like a little white rabbit, would be a sly fox?
It was now already late spring to early summer. With suitable temperature and pleasant climate, the grassland in the north was a good place for summer vacation. Unfortunately, someone had been anxious for a long time, waiting to go back to marry his wife. For fear of missing the auspicious date, he urged the group to return to the capital as soon as they settled the foreign invasion.
On the way back, Xiaocao rode in her royal princess carriage. One could lie down or sit in the spacious and comfortable carriage, and it could accommodate seven to eight people. He Wanning and Yuan Xueyan had also benefited from this and sat comfortably in the carriage. Compared with their trip to come here, they were so happy now.
When they travelled to the borders, they had to rush over on horseback because a certain little grass had a task on hand. When they settled down each day, their waist and back would ache. They didn't even want to get up in the morning. They had also encountered many setbacks on the way, which let the two pampered noble maidens from the capital experience the feeling of thrill.
The return trip went smoothly. The firearms camp sent a dozen men to escort their caravan out of the borders so that foreign tribes eager to cause trouble would give up on the idea and powerlessly watch as their targets passed the borders.
It was already midsummer when the group arrived in the capital. Yu Xiaocao, Lu Hao, and Ning Donglan entered the palace to report to the emperor. Due to the dangers of this job, Xiaocao was rewarded with a lot of goods to comfort her startled heart. She was also granted a half-month vacation so that she could have a good rest.
When Princess Consort Jing heard about the danger on the road, she called Xiaocao to the prince's estate and held her hands as she carefully examined her from head to toe. After she confirmed that Xiaocao was not hurt, she pulled her into her embrace and said with lingering fear, "How could they assign such a dangerous task to a girl? It's perfectly possible to make the antidote in the capital, and then have someone deliver it to the borders! You must be scared, right? Tomorrow, I'll take you to Chongan Temple and ask the abbot to calm your uneasy and startled heart!"
Allegedly, the Chongan Temple's soul calming mantra was very effective in soothing one's mind and soul. For children who had suffered a fright, many would invite the abbot to chant the soul calming mantra to dispel the fright in the child's heart. Yu Xiaocao really wanted to say that she wasn't a child, and she didn't suffer a fright. However, she couldn't refuse the good intentions of her future mother-in-law and could only go along with her. She would just take it as easing Princess Consort Jing's heart!
The war in the northwest borders was in full swing. They had Royal Prince Yang, who was the invincible 'God of War, so they had never lost any of the battles. With the protection of all the different kinds of medicinal pills he carried, the enemy had no chance to plot against him. In terms of martial arts skills, there was no one in the entire northwest who was on par with him. He could even fight to a draw with Su Ran, the army supervisor.
Normally, in between battles, Zhu Junyang often asked the army supervisor for advice. Royal Prince Yang and Xiaocao were already engaged and confirmed their relationship. With the mentality of 'love the house and its crow', Su Ran gave him advice unreservedly, which greatly improved Zhu Junyang's martial arts skills.
Repeated reports of good news helped relieve Xiaocao's anxious heart. Next, she had to put all her attention on the Medicinal Cuisine House. During the period when she went to the borders, the Medicinal Cuisine House had been fixed up in accordance to the blueprint that she had left behind. The training of the medicinal chefs was also in full swing.
The division of labor in the back kitchen was very clear. Each medicinal chef was only responsible for one medicinal meal, and they each had their personal kitchen. Thus, each medicinal chef was only trained in one method of cooking medicinal cuisine. The less than half a year of intensive training made them very familiar with the cooking technique, heat control, and so on. The medicinal meals not only required color, fragrance, and taste, but it was also important to achieve the curative effect of the medicinal meals.
This would test the ability of the medicinal chef. Fortunately, Yangliu had high talent in cooking and was strict towards others. Some of the medicinal chefs had worked under her since she was managing the braised food shops. To be able to work for her for so many years, they definitely had some merits.
Allegedly, when they were at the pastry shops, these people could only work as assistants. But 'a real piece of gold would shine sooner or later'. Hence, when the master announced that she wanted to establish the most popular medicinal cuisine restaurant in the capital, these girls, who had followed Yangliu for many years, suddenly felt that there was a use for their abilities.
When they learned to cook the medicinal meals, they were particularly diligent and attentive. Moreover, they were all decently talented. All of them passed the medicinal chef examination with excellent performance and were honored with positions as medicinal chefs of 'The Yu's Medicinal Cuisine House'.
In addition to these four, the other medicinal chefs were recruited from outside. There were both men and women, and some of whom were cooks with good cooking skills. There were also housewives skilled in cooking who had come for the high wage offered by the medicinal cuisine restaurant. There were also people who were loyal fans of 'The Yu's'. These young maidens and youths had no doubts about the abilities of the founder of 'The Yu's', who was also the first female official of the Great Ming Dynasty, to prosper in all the business that she endeavors in. They strived to become a member of 'The Yu's' with their own efforts...
Before 'The Yu's Medicinal Cuisine House' had opened for business, the notice of recruiting medicinal chefs became a heated topic as soon as it was posted. The people signing up almost filled the room that served as a temporary recruitment agency. For the recruitment of twenty medicinal chefs, over a hundred people had signed up for training.
The training also abided by the principle of fairness and equity. The hundred or so people were divided into twenty groups, which consisted of five to six people in each group. Each team was trained on twenty different medicinal meals, respectively. After over four months of intensive training, Yu Xiaocao, the owner of the 'Medicinal Cuisine House' who had just returned from the borders, personally tasted and selected the top two medicinal chefs of each course. The first place in each group was the main chef, and the second place was responsible for assisting. If there was booming sales and exceeding demands for the medicinal meal, the two medicinal chefs would have to work on the cooking...
Those who weren't selected could continue participating in the training with no fees until they received Xiaocao's approval. These people were all reserved talents of Medicinal Cuisine House, who could be used when the restaurant expanded or opened branches in the future.
Chapter 642 - Grand Opening
'Buddha Jumps Over the Wall' had been a well-known dish before Medicinal Cuisine House had opened. It had even attracted many influential officials to book in advance. Of course, this was thanks to the unsparing promotions from the emperor emeritus, Great Scholar Yuan, and more.
The medicinal chef in charge of cooking the 'Buddha Jumps Over the Wall' was Yangliu herself, as well as one of her trusted subordinate maidservants. Yangliu was highly talented in cooking. Not long after she learned the technique of cooking 'Buddha Jumps Over the Wall', she had received the approval of her master. Her trusted subordinate maidservant, Jinhuan, was slightly lacking in terms of heat control. However, after Medicinal Cuisine House opened, Jinhuan had progressed considerably and was soon able to work on her own!
'The Yu's Medicinal Cuisine House' opened for business on the sixth day of June. Although it was the height of the summer season, the hot weather didn't extinguish the nobles' anticipation of the opening of Medicine Cuisine House. What's more, all the tables for the first month of operation were long booked. Only ten servings of 'Buddha Jumps Over the Wall' were served each day, so the nobles were in a fierce competition for the sake of eating this dish!
On the first day of business, many high status 'bigwigs' in the capital had deigned to come to 'The Yu's Medicinal Cuisine House' for the plaque unveiling ceremony. Two full tables were occupied by the emperor emeritus, Imperial Prince Duan, Imperial Prince Jing, Imperial Prince Sa, as well as their princess consorts, heirs, and daughters-in-laws. It had almost turned into a gathering of the imperial family. There were also Duke Rongguo, Marquis Dingyuan, Prime Minister, Assistant Minister Yu, and Minister Li of the Ministry of Ceremonies... They had also brought their families over for the celebration.
There were some people who came that seldom had contact with Yu Xiaocao, and she didn't even recognize their faces. They were influential people who had come with presents to congratulate the opening of their restaurant, so she couldn't just drive them away. In addition, there were also guests who normally interacted with Xiaocao and the Fang Family. There were more than thirty private rooms upstairs, and the rooms barely accommodated all the guests. Xiaocao seriously suspected that some people had come today just to try out the medicinal meals.
Alright! She immediately went to the back kitchen in person to cheer on the medicinal chefs, "Today's guests are either rich or influential, and they are all potential customers of our Medicinal Cuisine House. Whether it can become an instant hit will depend on your performances! Don't spoil 'The Yu's' good reputation!"
Seeing that several of the introverted medicinal chefs looked slightly nervous, Xiaocao quickly pacified them, "Relax! No matter how powerful they are outside, they would only have one identity once they enter our restaurant——a customer! I have personally appraised each of your culinary skills, and many have already surpassed your teacher. As long as you continue to do things as normal, they will definitely be amazed!!"
Her words seemed to have successfully soothed the hearts of the medicinal chefs. Some of them were diehard fans of Yu Xiaocao, and they had become even more spirited. They were ready and eager to let their master see their skills and efforts. Their master had said that in the future, the medicinal cuisine restaurant would definitely open branch restaurants. Manager Yangliu had limited energy. The position of the branch manager was like a carrot hanging in front of a donkey. It stimulated the medicinal chefs with ambitious hearts to strive for the position.
Let's put aside the position of the branch manager to talk about the employee treatment at the medicinal cuisine restaurant! In addition to a good base pay, all medicinal chefs also received a commission for each dish. In other words, whoever got the most orders and sold the most dishes would get the higher salary. This was enough motivation for them to constantly improve the medicinal dish that they specialized in and strive to make every meal perfect.
The grand opening of 'The Yu's Medicinal Cuisine House' would be talked about enthusiastically for a long time. Not to mention the creative and novel performances at the opening ceremony, but just the important figures who came to celebrate the occasion had almost covered more than half of the imperial officials who were third-ranked and above.
Almost all the members of the imperial family had come. Even the emperor had personally written an inscription for Medicinal Cuisine House, which was hung in the main hall on the first floor. As soon as one entered the door, one would be able to see the emperor's calligraphy! The eldest imperial prince, who had been bestowed the title of crown prince, also visited the medicinal cuisine restaurant. He tasted the medicinal meals and gave a high evaluation.
As Xiaocao had said, the honored guests who had come today immediately became loyal fans of Medicinal Cuisine House after tasting the delicious, fragrant, and visually appealing medicinal meals. Based on their past experiences with the other businesses under 'The Yu's', these people decided to gain the advantage by striking first. Almost every household made reservations for medicinal meals.
After all, 'The Yu's Medicinal Cuisine House' had limited space and couldn't accommodate too many customers every day. In order to let more people taste the delicious and nourishing medicinal meals, the restaurant enabled takeaway service. If booked in advance, it could be picked up at the restaurant or delivered to one's door. Delivery fee must be added to the order!
Medicinal Cuisine House had adopted the tiered membership system. Diamond card members and gold card members could enjoy the service of imperial physicians' medical consultation and customized diet plans based on their pulse examination results. If there was no improvement in their health within one month, then a full refund would be given! As for the other members, they could also bring their pulse examination results over and let Medicinal Cuisine House develop a nourishment plan. However, a fee would be charged!
In actuality, on the wall of the main hall on the first floor of Medicinal Cuisine House, there was an introduction of all the medicinal meals, as well as their effects. In addition, each private room had a menu, which introduced the medicinal dishes with pictures and texts. For this menu alone, Xiaocao had put in a lot of effort and invited an renown painter in the capital to help out.
Great Scholar Yuan was the one who introduced this leading figure of the painting world to Xiaocao. As soon as Xiaocao made the request, this famous painter immediately pulled a long face. Had he not considered his old friend's, Yuan Sinian, face, he would have driven her out a long time ago.
His paintings were hard to get even with money, yet she actually wanted him to draw menus. It was simply an insult to him! However, the reason this great master painter could become close friends with Yuan Sinian was that they shared a common hobby——eating delicious food!
In order to be able to paint good works, he had visited well-known mountains and rivers. He had also boasted about eating all the delicacies in the world. When he got together with Great Scholar Yuan, they often bragged about the delicacies that they had eaten, in an attempt to best the other party.
This great master painter seemed rather angry and resolute at the beginning, but Yuan Sinian had a calm smile on his face and only needed to say, "If you help with this request, you can eat 'Buddha Jumps Over the Wall' for free for one year!!"
The great master painter had heard of the dish 'Buddha Jumps Over the Wall' from his old friend many times. His old friend praised the dish to the skies, and the gluttonous bug inside him had long been hooked. On numerous occasions, he had regretted that he didn't have any relationship with the Yu Family. But he couldn't be thick-skinned like his old friend and bum meals off others. He had long been tempted by 'Buddha Jumps Over the Wall', yearning to try it.
He could finally taste 'Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, and it was for free for an entire year!! Upon hearing this, the great master painter had set aside all of his initial persistence as a cultured individual and reservation as an artist.
'The Yu's Medicinal Cuisine House' became a hot topic again, and this time it had nothing to do with the taste of the medicinal meals, the curative effects, and the services! It was because the thin menu in the private rooms of the restaurant were original works of Old Lin!! Many literati were extremely envious when they saw the menu. They seriously wanted to steal the menu and admire it on the walls of their studies every day...
The staff in charge of the private rooms of Medicinal Cuisine House had a heavy responsibility. In addition to serving the customers, they also had to prevent others from taking away their restaurant's menu, or secretly tearing a page out...
In conclusion, 'The Yu's Medicinal Cuisine House' was very popular in the capital! In the capital, anyone who didn't know about The Yu's Medicinal Cuisine House would be ridiculed as a country bumpkin!
The most common topic regarding Medicinal Cuisine House was the curative effects of the medicinal meals! Since they dared to promise a full refund if there were no effects within a month, they definitely had the confidence! For members with gold card membership and above, members who had bad health showed apparent improvement in their health after consuming Medicinal Cuisine House's medicinal meals on a daily basis.
The grand tutor's migraine, the insomnia of the matriarch of the Minister of Appointments' household, and the qi-blood deficiency of the wife of the assistant official of Crown Prince Affairs...had all cured miraculously without any medication! After a month, The Yu's arranged a consultation with an imperial physician. The proven facts became another advertisement for Medicinal Cuisine House.
The second topic was the taste of the medicinal meals. When most people heard 'medicinal meals', they would think about the smell of medicinal herbs. But that was wrong! If one didn't say that the dishes served at 'The Yu's Medicinal Cuisine House' were medicinal meals, one wouldn't be able to detect the taste of medicine. None of the medicinal meals were inferior to the delicacies of Zhenxiu Restaurant. How could it not be popular when it can be eaten and nourish one's health?
Of course, these medicinal meals weren't affordable for everyone! The third topic of Medicinal Cuisine House was the astonishing price of each dish!! Even a dish that seemed to have ordinary ingredients cost two hundred taels. But they claimed to have added precious medicinal herbs that were over a hundred years old, and thus it really wasn't that expensive! Without good medicinal herbs, how could the curative effects be so good?
'Buddha Jumps Over the Wall' was the signature dish of the restaurant. In addition to medicinal herbs, it also contained many precious food ingredients. All kinds of valuable ingredients were collected in one jar, so it was even more expensive. A jar of 'Buddha Jumps Over the Wall' cost five hundred taels, yet there were still people rushing to get it. Only ten servings were offered daily, and they had all been booked for the next three months. Poverty had limited one's imagination, so one could only sigh that there were too many people who didn't lack money in the capital!
If others found out that the so-called precious hundred-years-old medicinal herbs were just a drop of the little divine stone's bathing water, they would definitely scold Xiaocao for stealing money!
Every day, the medicinal chefs of Medicinal Cuisine House received a special ingredient——mystic-stone water. Xiaocao claimed that it was extracted from over a dozen precious medicinal herbs. One drop was added to ordinary medicinal dishes, while two drops were added for dishes like 'Buddha Jumps Over the Wall'. She also told the medicinal chefs about the principle of 'too much was as bad as too little' to prevent people from adding too much mystic-stone water. If the effects were too astonishing, it would be too eye-catching.
In fact, those people were right. This medicinal cuisine restaurant was just like picking up money off the ground for Xiaocao, and she was using a rake to get the money. According to an incomplete calculation, the daily turnover for 'The Yu's Medicinal Cuisine House' was equivalent to the monthly turnover for Zhenxiu Restaurant, which was also very popular.
Shortly after the medicinal cuisine restaurant opened, Third Young Master Zhou brought his wife—a fangirl of Yu Xiaocao—over for a visit. He deliberately complained to Xiaocao that she had robbed him of at least half of his business, and if this continued, Zhenxiu Restaurant would have to close down for good. Before he had finished speaking, Xiaocao tsked at his nonsense.
Chapter 643 - Happy Occasions in Succession
"Yeah right! You really think I'm so easy to fool ah! There's no correlation between the customers who come to our Medicinal Cuisine House and your Zhenxiu Restaurant. Most of the people who come to Medicinal Cuisine House are focused on regulating their bodies. Who would be such a squanderer to frequently eat dishes that cost hundreds of taels for the sake of satisfying their appetite? Therefore, there are very few who come to Medicinal Cuisine House for the sole purpose of eating! There's no impact to the business of Zhenxiu Restaurant at all, okay?" Yu Xiaocao stated the facts and rejected Third Young Master Zhou's grievances.
Third Young Master Zhou had wanted to act pitiful and get some new recipes from Xiaocao, but his plan had been terminated by Xiaocao. With his relationship with Xiaocao, he didn't have to beat around the bush. He directly stated his intention, and Xiaocao also generously gave him some recipes. No matter what, she was also considered a shareholder of Zhenxiu Restaurant. She invested with her recipes and received a rather impressive annual dividend!
The business of Medicinal Cuisine House was becoming increasingly prosperous, and there was exceeding demand for both in-store dining and takeout. Which one of those old generals and old ministers who had fought along the emperor emeritus didn't have old injuries? Not only were the medications prescribed by the doctors in the past were too bitter to swallow, but they also weren't very effective and couldn't cure the root of the problem.
Since the opening of The Yu's Medicinal Cuisine House, those filial sons and grandsons who had initially just wanted to let the elders in the family try out the medicinal meals noticed that the health of their grandfathers and fathers were becoming better day by day. Even their old injuries didn't act up before the winter. They felt happy and were also willing to help advertise the medicinal cuisine restaurant for free.
The good reviews were spread far and wide. This was a period when filial piety was very important. As long as their family conditions permitted it, they didn't mind spending a lot of money on ordering medicinal meals for the elders in the family to regulate their bodies. The women of this era would, more or less, suffer from some childbirth complications such as puerperal fever, blood deficiency, or menstruation problems. Therefore, there was excessive demand for Xiaocao's medicinal meals, which could regulate women's constitutions.
In response to the request made by the vast majority of the customers, the business of Medicinal Cuisine House expanded significantly after the New Year. The takeout service was separated, and the business was even better than the restaurant. The manpower that Xiaocao had initially reserved were now put to use, but they were still shorthanded. Thus, Yangliu began to train another group of medicinal chefs as stand-by.
The salary was related to the sales and quality of the medicinal meals, and Medicinal Cuisine House was blooming with business. Thus, although the medicinal chefs were tired, they beamed with smiles when they received their salaries. Some had even received up to nearly eight hundred taels in a month. One wouldn't be able to find another place that offered a higher wage in the capital. Allegedly, Head Chef Wang, who had devoted himself to Zhenxiu Restaurant for nearly ten years, only received a monthly salary of five hundred taels.
The medicinal chefs of Medicinal Cuisine House had worked for half a year at most, yet they were already receiving such good benefits. Their enthusiasm for work increased even more, and they tried their best to show a good performance in front of Manager Yangliu, for fear that they would be replaced by the backup medicinal chefs if they didn't work hard enough.
There would naturally be a lot of people envious of such a blooming business, but they could only be envious and make some sour remarks in private. 'The Yu's' had a strong backing that others couldn't afford to easily offend. Disregarding the fact that the boss of 'The Yu's' was a royal princess personally conferred by the emperor, with her identity as the future wife of Royal Prince Yang, no one dared to offend her no matter how powerful and impudent they were in the capital. They were afraid that Royal Prince Yang would settle accounts with them when he returned!
Not to mention the backing of Royal Prince Yang, but from time to time, the emperor emeritus would visit Medicinal Cuisine House to eat 'Buddha Jumps Over the Wall'. Imperial Prince Duan even specially reserved a private room at Medicinal Cuisine House and regarded the restaurant as his own kitchen. The emperor and empress would also occasionally travel incognito to dine at Medicinal Cuisine House...
Yu Xiaocao had finally experienced the feeling of 'counting money until one's hands got cramps'. Xiaocao was truly a rich little lady in the capital. She didn't dare to call herself wealthy, but if there was a ranking for the richest people in the capital, she would definitely be in the top ten. Other tycoons had accumulated their wealth for generations, but she relied on her own efforts to create a legend in the capital's business industry. Yu Xiaocao's reputation had spread far and wide. From an old man in his eighties to a five-year-old child, there wasn't anyone who didn't know her name.
A year had unconsciously passed by in a hurry. The war in the northwest borders was also coming to an end. Royal Prince Yang had led the Great Ming Army to drive out the tribe in the western borders all the way to present-day Kazakhstan, and they no longer had the ability to confront the Great Ming Empire. There wouldn't be a major war in the northwest borders for at least thirty years.
Since the war was coming to an end, it wasn't too far from the date when Royal Prince Yang would return to the court. In the past year or so, the Yu Family had many happy events. First, the youngest son of the Yu Family placed first in the provincial exam. This youth, who was only fifteen years old, had become the first provincial official in Dongshan Village. This wasn't just a happy occasion for the Yu Family, but it was a major event for the entire village.
Next was the marriage of Xiaocao's eldest brother. In the spring of the year that Yu Hang turned nineteen, he married his long-time fiancée, Liu Huifang. The wedding ceremony was held at the Yu Family's ancestral home in Dongshan Village. This was the first wedding of the Yu Family's younger generation, so it was held in a grand manner. All of the officials, gentry, and merchants in the Tanggu area, as well as customers who had business relations with the Yu Family, had come to congratulate the happy occasion.
The heir of Imperial Prince Jing had even personally come to Tanggu for the occasion, giving face to his future in-laws. There were also a lot of people who had a good relationship with Yu Xiaocao, who had sent people to deliver valuable gifts to congratulate the marriage of the future head of the Yu Family.
The wedding banquet was held at the Zhenxiu Restaurant in Tanggu Town. Zhenxiu Restaurant was now the most popular restaurant in Tanggu, and its scale had expanded significantly. Many guests had come to the celebration, and it was just able to accommodate all of them.
Yu Hang's wedding banquet had caused quite a stir in Tanggu. No one dared to look down on the Yu Family, who had come from a farmer's background. No matter if it was their connections, financial resources, or material resources, the Yu Family was very outstanding in Tanggu. Many old noble households, who originally looked down on the Yu Family and just viewed them as nouveau riche, gradually made friends with the Yu Family and regarded them as people worthy of being friends with.
The relatives of the Yu Family had also come to Dongshan Village early to help prepare the first wedding for the younger generation of the Yu Family. After consuming the nourishing medicinal meals that Xiaocao sent over, Xiaocao's maternal grandparents, who were almost seventy years old, had even healthier bodies than their fellow villagers, who were in their fifties. They didn't have any health problems and were able to directly travel from home to Dongshan Village without any need to rest.
The three brothers of the Liu Family traveled between the prefectural city and the neighboring counties to deliver goods to various fruit and vegetable shops. There were the early-maturing vegetables in early spring, melons in late spring and early summer, various fruits in the fall, and out-of-season fruits and vegetables in the winter... They rarely had free time throughout the year.
At the beginning, the oldest son of the Liu Family was responsible for transporting the goods, the second son, who took care of the farmlands at home, occasionally helped out, and the third son worked on port construction at the harbor. As the work got busier, Second Maternal Uncle realized that transporting goods made much more money than farming at home. After helping out a few times, he opened up a new route and also started doing this business with a few horse carriages.
Later, when the port construction was completed, Third Maternal Uncle could only take on some casual jobs and became the person who earned the least in the family. Hence, Eldest Maternal Uncle invited him to help transport goods between the prefectural city and neighboring counties. In actuality, the business that they were doing was similar to the fruits and vegetable wholesale in later generations.
The Yu Family's out-of-season vegetables were of high quality and had excellent taste, so they were naturally very popular! It wasn't something that could be brought by just anyone! The three brothers of the Liu Family had the advantage of being able to obtain an unlimited supply of goods, so for the sake of convenience, the fruit and vegetable shops within the vicinity all got them to deliver the goods. Although it cost 20% more than getting the goods from the Yu Family directly, there were still some profits.
In order to attend her oldest nephew's wedding, Xiaocao's oldest paternal aunt handed the braised food shop and pickled vegetables shop to the steward working under her and arrived early in Dongshan Village to help out. Although the braised food shops still used the name 'The Yu's', it had long become the property of Xiaocao's oldest paternal aunt. The business of the braised food shop and pickled vegetables shop was so good that they opened several more branches in the prefectural city, and the business was thriving.
On the day of the wedding, an unexpected guest had appeared, which was Yu Hang's younger paternal uncle, Yu Bo. After moving to the prefectural city, Yu Bo had changed his impetuous temperament. He had studied hard for three years and finally passed the county-level examinations. Madam Zhang relied on selling the braised food that she got from The Yu's to support the whole family. They even had extra money to buy ten or so mu of farmland in the outskirts of the prefectural city, which they rented out to farmers who had no land.
Yu Bo clearly realized that with his skills, passing the county-level examinations was the most he could accomplish. He didn't even need to think about passing the provincial examination. Thus, he opened a small private school in the south side of the city to teach young children and earn a small income.
It had been a long time since Yu Bo and Madam Zhang had appeared in front of the Yu Family. At this time, he had come to Yu Hang's wedding with a gift. While it surprised the Yu Family, they also warmly welcomed him. Yu Bo was quite selfish in the past, but he had never done anything to harm Yu Hai's family. His biggest mistake was to have Madam Zhang as his mother.
Not long after Yu Hang's wedding, Zhuang Xiaomo prepared a grand gift and solemnly asked the Yu Family for Yu Xiaolian's hand in marriage. Yu Xiaolian and Zhuang Xiaomo's wedding was scheduled to be held in early winter. At this time, Zhuang Xiaomo no longer sold greenhouse fruits and vegetables. Instead, he had taken over the business of supplying seafood to the major restaurants in the capital.
At the beginning, it was because of the hot sale of 'The Yu's Medicinal Cuisine House's' signature dish, 'Buddha Jumps Over the Wall', which required a large supply of seafood. Since they had to find a supplier, they might as well hand it to Zhuang Xiaomo, who was the future son-in-law of the Yu Family.
Zhuang Xiaomo, who had been doing business in Tanggu for several years, knew quite a lot of people and had accumulated a decent amount of personal connections. In addition, when he used to gather seafood in the sea, he had made many friends in the seafood market and had many resources. Therefore, the seafood he purchased was the freshest and best quality in the market.
Third Young Master Zhou, who had inadvertently learned about this, also let him be in charge of supplying seafood to Zhenxiu Restaurant. Gradually, the reputation of Zhuang Xiaomo's seafood supplying business had spread out. Many restaurants in the capital contacted him and were willing to work with him. A year and a half later, Zhuang Xiaomo, who was in his early twenties, had become the biggest seafood supplier in the capital.
Chapter 644 - Reporting Back with Victory
Due to his relationship with the Yu Family, no one in Tanggu and the capital dared to mess with him. His business operated smoothly, and with the ice making technique that the Yu Family had mastered, there was no need to worry about the freshness of the seafood. The famous restaurants in the capital had established a stable client-supplier relationship with him. In addition to fresh seafood, Zhuang Xiaomo had also opened a dry seafood store in the capital, and the business was very good.
After more than a year, Zhuang Xiaomo had made quite a lot of money. With the money he earned, he bought a small courtyard in the capital. After they got married in the future, if Xiaolian wanted to live in the capital, then they could live in the capital for a period of time. If she missed home, they could live in Tanggu for some time. Uncle Yu and Xiaolian didn't look down on him even when he had nothing. Over the years, Uncle Yu and Auntie Yu had treated him like their son and helped him a lot. Even this seafood business was arranged by Younger Sister Xiaocao. It could be said that the current Zhuang Xiaomo wouldn't exist without the Yu Family!
Zhuang Xiaomo remembered this gratitude deep in his heart. After they got married, he treated her twice as well, and they never got into conflicts. When they had disagreements, Zhuang Xiaomo always took Xiaolian's opinion as the most important. Even when he monopolized the marine goods industry in the capital and its surrounding area and became an influential magnate in the capital, he still treated her in the same way.
At that time, the two most envied girls in the capital were the Yu Sisters. One married a powerful prince who no one dared to offend, while the other wedded a famous and rich merchant. The two men were loyal to the Yu Sisters and spoiled them to the skies. Both emotionally and physically, they were able to stay devoted to one person for a lifetime. This should be recounted later...
The Yu Family celebrated many happy occasions, and their business of improved varieties was becoming more and more prosperous. The seeds of high-yield wheat had been popularized in the north and gradually expanded to the central regions. There were more and more seed merchants relying on the Yu Family's breeding farm. At the Yu Family's farm, no matter if it was seeds for corn, potato, or winter wheat, there was no need to worry about the sales because there was excessive demand for them.
During the summer and fall harvest seasons, seed merchants lined up overnight in front of the farm, for fear that they wouldn't be able to get the improved varieties. It should be noted that the people in the northern region only accepted the seeds from the Yu Family's farm and the Imperial Plantation.
As soon as the improved varieties were in stock, all of them would be sold out immediately. Even if the imperial court suppressed the price of the improved varieties, seed merchants still made a considerable profit. One must grasp the opportunity to make money in their hands. So what if it took some hard work?
The Yu Family's lives were becoming increasingly prosperous, and Xiaocao's business grew bigger and bigger. However, even the growing numbers on the account book couldn't suppress Xiaocao's longing for a certain person.
It had been nearly two years since Zhu Junyang left the capital with his troops. They maintained contact during this period of time, but he wasn't physically by her side after all. Since he appeared in Xiaocao's life, he had never been away for such a long time. She was used to his company, his care, and his doting love. No matter how busy Xiaocao was, she still couldn't ignore the empty feeling within her heart. It felt as if it could never be filled up, making her anxious.
In the past year or so, Xiaocao deliberately kept herself busy. She could have been a master who only ordered others to work at the Imperial Breeding Base, but from time to time, she would run over there to provide some suggestions. It caused the officials and stewards in charge of the breeding farm to think that their work ability had declined due to the overly comfortable work environment recently. In order to keep up with Miss Yu's pace, all of the officials and tenant farms of the breeding farm worked even harder and diligently. By the time of the fall harvest, the yield went up slightly, which was a pleasant surprise.
The annual output of the high-yield winter wheat increased each year, so with fertile soil and meticulous care, an output of six to seven hundred catties per mu definitely wouldn't be a problem. Compared to the previous two hundred catties per mu, the yield had increased two to three folds. The successful breeding of the high-yield winter wheat had benefited the people in the central regions and the northern regions. They were able to live in a time when they didn't have to worry about food and clothing.
As a result, the officials in the southern regions couldn't sit still anymore. They submitted a joint memorial to request the emperor send Official Yu to the south to investigate and help them improve the rice yield.
If Zhu Junyang was around, Xiaocao would have travelled to the south at public expense without any hesitation. If a certain person was free, he would accompany her on the trip and made proper arrangements for all the matters of the trip so that she didn't have to worry about anything. She only had to enjoy the trip and sightseeing.
But, since Zhu Junyang left, she hadn't been in the mood to attend the gatherings hosted by her good friends, let alone a long and arduous journey to the south. However, since the emperor had summoned her into the palace to discuss the matter of the high-yield rice, she couldn't disregard the face of the biggest boss.
As a result, she opened up around ten mu of experimental rice paddies near the water source in the breeding farm to grow rice. For the selection of the rice kernels, she deliberately asked the tenant farmers to pick kernels that were full and large one by one. They had to be careful and meticulous. When preparing the paddy, they made sure to use enough farmyard manure. After sowing, they specially added a layer of plastic film to help with incubation.
This layer of plastic film had high efficiency in preserving moisture, soil, and fertility. It could increase the temperature and accelerate the growth of the rice seedlings. Of course, when cultivating the rice seedlings, she definitely wouldn't forget to add diluted mystic-stone water to ensure that the seedlings were robust, resistant to diseases and pests, and high yielding.
As for the water in the paddy field, she also altered it a bit. Many officials of the imperial court were keeping a close eye on the experimental fields, and the emperor also attached great importance to this matter. However, Xiaocao knew that 'one must learn to walk before one could run'. Thus, when she used her cheat, she made sure to control how much was used.
Even so, the yield of rice in the experimental fields reached 500 catties per mu during the summer harvest this year. Even when the most fertile fields in the south were carefully managed by experienced farmers, the highest output would be 300 catties per mu. Generally speaking, a field with an output of more than 250 catties per mu was already considered a top-grade field.
When this number was announced, Yu Xiaocao and the Imperial Breeding Base became famous again. The officials in the south burst into tears of excitement. It should be noted that in the past two years, the officials in the north had frequently reported good news supported by a series of data, leaving the south in the dust. Many people, who used to not care about the northern regions, viewed it as an area with adequate food and clothing. Some people had left their hometown and moved to the north... How could the officials of the south feel good when they saw this?
But, what could they do when an expert farmer had appeared in the north? Not only did she cultivate high-yield corn, but she also enhanced wheat seeds, ensuring that the people in the north could fill their stomachs. The officials of the south had submitted the memorial to the emperor with a mindset of doing a trial. After all, there were many dry fields in the north, so that amazing Official Yu might not be good at cultivating in paddy fields.
It was fortunate that they had made this attempt. Otherwise, as a fertile region, Jiangnan would be surpassed by the northern regions and never be able to prove themselves again! The more the officials of the south envied the northern officials in the past, the more they felt grateful to Royal Princess Jinan now. In their hearts, they almost regarded her as the Child of Fortune who served beside the Bodhisattva! She had doubled the output on the first year of attempting to plant in paddy fields! Based on their experience with winter wheat, the yield would increase again next year. Jiangnan was saved, and the people of Jiangnan were blessed!!
Yu Xiaocao's reputation reached a new high in the imperial court. Many old ministers who used to look down on her, who was a little lass, were slapped in the face. They inwardly pondered whether the lass was favored by the heavens. Not only was she talented in farming, but she was also skilled in business!
Now, the most popular person in the imperial court was this lass! She was highly favored, and the emperor had rewarded the lass with many goods because of the rich harvest of the experimental fields. The goods rewarded by the emperor had occupied nearly half of the Yu Family's storehouse! Furthermore, the businesses under her name were all closely related to their lives. People would be desperately trying to curry favor with someone like her. How could anyone be so blinded as to try to offend her?
In the past year or so, Yu Xiaocao's career and business had been going smoothly, but there were fewer and fewer smiles on her face. This was because the longing in her heart was surging at all times. During the day, she worked so hard that she didn't have time to rest.
But, no matter how tired her body was, her heart and mind would be occupied by that hateful fellow when she was free. That feeling of longing had turned into an urge to cry. Xiaocao, who had lived for two lifetimes, never knew that there would be this persistent gloomy mood in the bottom of one's heart when one missed someone.
Just when Xiaocao had the bold idea to fight for the position of an official in charge of army provision and travel all the way to the northwest to see her lover, there was finally news about General Zhenxi's victory and return to court.
When the news reached Xiaocao's ears, she immediately felt as if the shackles on her body had been released. At the thought that she could be able to see the devilishly handsome and devoted man, Xiaocao's mood suddenly became as clear as the autumn sky, and all the haze in her heart had disappeared. The troubled, painful, and stuffy feelings were all left behind. Her long lost smile had returned on her face.
Before the victorious troops had entered the city, the person who Xiaocao was longing for had appeared in the courtyard of the Yu Estate. Seeing the familiar figure, Xiaocao disregarded all the reservations and shyness of a young maiden and rushed towards Zhu Junyang like a butterfly fluttering towards a flower.
Perhaps her footsteps were too quick, or she was too eager, but in the process of rushing over, Xiaocao had accidentally stepped on the hem of her dress and sadly fell towards the ground.
Just when her little face was able to have close contact with the ground, a pair of strong arms lifted her up like he was holding a little chick. Xiaocao, who was glad that her nose had escaped a misfortune, was pressed into a chest comparable to an iron wall. The hard chest muscles almost knocked tears out of her eyes. Her nose felt painful and sore. If her nose was fake, it would definitely be ruined now! Xiaocao was so eccentric that she had the time to think about this.
"Be careful! You're already a year older, yet you're still so reckless?" The voice that sometimes emerged in her dreams was still as elegant and touching as a cello. It easily moved one's heartstrings.
"Waahhh~~~" Xiaocao suddenly couldn't control her emotions anymore and burst into tears as she hugged the slim waist of the person in front of her and buried her head in his chest. Her tears soon dampened that person's clothes.
[1] It was originally 'Zhengxi' but the author changed it to 'Zhenxi'.
Chapter 645 - I Miss You
Zhu Junyang was flustered and hurriedly pacified the petite maiden who was going through an emotional breakdown in his arms. He softly said, "Don't cry. Don't cry. It's this prince's fault. I shouldn't have scolded you as soon as I saw you. If you're unhappy, hit me a few times. Don't cry until your beautiful eyes are swelled. This prince's heart will ache ah!"
"Waahhh~~~I miss you. I really, really miss you! I think of you when I eat. I dream of you when I sleep. When I see you now, I wonder if I'm dreaming and you will disappear again when I wake up. Waahhh...you're so hateful. As soon as we got engaged, you left me in the capital and disappeared. Were you enthralled by the young maidens of the northwestern tribes, and thus reluctant to come back?"
At the beginning, Zhu Junyang was moved when he heard her words. His little lass finally understood, and his feelings were finally reciprocated. But he didn't know whether he should laugh or cry when he heard the latter part of her words. She was indeed his little lass; the sentimental feelings only lasted for three seconds.
"Good, be good! Today isn't a dream. This prince is right in front of you. In the future, this prince will take you wherever I go and never leave you by yourself. Don't cry. Don't cry anymore...how can those young maidens of foreign tribes be as lovable as my little lass? This prince likes you so much, so other women are the same as the men in the army in my eyes!" Zhu Junyang held Xiaocao's face and wiped the tears on her face with his somewhat rough fingers.
Yu Xiaocao raised her head and looked at the delicate and enchanting face in front of her. There was a sense of pity in his charming phoenix eyes. His plump red lips parted slightly, producing a pleasant voice. This must be a dream. How could someone who had been in the army and out in the battlefield in the northwest for over a year become even more good-looking?
Like an open faucet, the tears in her clear, big eyes kept flowing down along her eyelashes. She sniffled her nose, lifted her own little hand, and opened her mouth to bite down on it.
Zhu Junyang acted swiftly and blocked her action with his own hand. He had a smile on his handsome face as if it wasn't his hand that was being bitten. He even joked to lighten up the mood, "What? There's no one to bring you 'braised pig trotters' when this prince isn't in the capital? You want to eat it so much that you're actually gnawing on your own hands. It's no wonder that you got thinner again. Do you not eat properly when this prince isn't around? You should be punished!"
"Waahhh~~~" Xiaocao, who had just stopped crying, started crying again. This time, her cries sounded even more sad, wailing endlessly.
"What's wrong? I won't punish you! I won't punish you! How can this prince bear to hit you? Only you can hit me. If this prince makes you unhappy, I'll be willing to let you beat and punish me!" As he spoke, he held Xiaocao's small, tender hands and hit himself a few times.
"Waahhh...it doesn't hurt when I bite my own hand. I'm indeed dreaming again..." Xiaocao couldn't stop crying. As soon as Wutong saw her young miss rush towards Royal Prince Yang, she had cleared out everyone in the courtyard and quietly retreated far away. At this time, Xiaocao and Zhu Junyang were the only ones in the huge courtyard.
Upon hearing her words, Zhu Junyang didn't know whether he should laugh or cry. He showed her the small teeth marks on the back of his hand, saying, "Silly girl, you were biting this prince, so how can you feel the pain? There's no way that this prince will let you get hurt; even if you're the one biting yourself!"
Yu Xiaocao stared at the teeth marks for a long time, and then stopped crying with slight embarrassment, "This time, it's really not a dream?"
"It's not a dream! This prince is back and I'm really standing in front of you. If you don't believe me, then...why don't you pinch my face?" Since Zhu Junyang was three years old, he had firmly rejected others pinching his face. He was also desperately opposed to Xiaocao pinching his face in the past. At this time, he actually offered to let Xiaocao pinch his face, which immediately caused her to feel that this situation was unreal again.
Looking at the lass's wrinkled up face and tears welled up in her big eyes, Zhu Junyang didn't know what to do. With a sudden thought, he bent down and stopped the young maiden's loud cries with his warm, full lips.
Yu Xiaocao opened her eyes wide open, and clearly saw the scorching affection within his enchanting, bright phoenix eyes. His lips, which were soft and carried a pleasant scent, were tightly pressed against her lips. The sudden kiss was filled with a deep sense of longing and full of emotions. It was like a violent storm that took her by surprise.
His strong and powerful arms held her slender waist tightly as he pulled her into his embrace, leaving no gaps. Their lips made contact and their tongues instinctively entangled together. He caressed her back with his hands, and then lifted her silky hair. He gently rubbed the soft skin on the back of her neck, pulling her closer to him.
His kiss was gentle yet domineering. The fresh breath from his lips made her feel dizzy and intoxicated as if she was drinking wine. Putting aside all her reservation and worries, she wrapped her slender arms around his beautiful neck and closed her eyes in a comfortable and sweet manner. At this moment, the emptiness within her heart had been filled up, all her confusion was dispelled, and all her thoughts had turned into a breeze that gently wrapped around him.
After an unknown period of time, Xiaocao's engrossment was interrupted by the sound of heavy breathing. The touch on her lips disappeared and she was gently pushed away, creating a distance. She pouted her lips and kissed him again. It seemed like only this close contact could calm her heart.
Zhu Junyang didn't push away the soft young maiden in his arms. He took a deep breath and calmed his heated and restless heart. He really wanted to marry and bring the lass home right now. If this happened a few more times, he definitely wouldn't be able to stand it.
The young maiden's attachment to him made him feel as if a feather had brushed over his heart. He had originally thought that all his efforts and feelings were one-sided. The lass seemed like a child who still didn't have a clear understanding of love, and she was always laughing merrily without a care in the world.
Unexpectedly, he had gained a pleasant surprise from this separation. His feelings were finally reciprocated. The appearance of the little lass clinging to him reminded him of a kitten that he used to raise. When it was seeking attention, it would grab onto his trousers tightly and look as if it wanted to be caressed and hugged.
His heart was filled with a sense of happiness. Zhu Junyang hugged the young maiden's slender waist and gently lifted the lass up. Xiaocao cried out in surprise, and then realized that her feet were lifted off the ground. Only when her view was suddenly shifted to be looking downwards did she notice that she was being lifted up in the air like a child. She had a sturdy and strong fiancé, who always surprised her.
Her surprised cry attracted the look of Wutong, who was inwardly muttering 'look not at what is contrary to propriety'. She looked over and just happened to see a beautiful scene. Amongst the fluttering golden gingko leaves, a tall, strong, and handsome youth lifted a beautiful, petite, and lovely young maiden in the air. With the sun shining on their bodies, they appeared to be shrouded by a circle of light. That wonderful scene was unforgettable!
Looking at the bright smile on the young miss's face, all the gloomy mood had been swept away. Wutong suddenly felt that Royal Prince Yang was perhaps the fated person that the heavens specially arranged for Young Miss. Only when the two of them were together would they be complete!
"Why did you get thinner again? Did you not eat properly?" After putting Xiaocao down, Zhu Junyang felt her thin arms, which seemed like they would break with a little force. Thus, he asked with slight dissatisfaction.
After Yu Xiaocao was put down, she stayed in her boyfriend's embrace as if she had no bones. She replied in a coquettish manner, "Because I miss you ah! I didn't have any appetite, and even 'Buddha Jumps Over the Wall' didn't seem appetizing anymore. No matter how good the food is, I can hardly eat without you helping me get the food!" As she spoke, she stood on her tiptoe and kissed his chin.
"Cough!" Zhu Junyang was momentarily overwhelmed by his fiancée's sudden outspoken words of affection. He lowered his head to kiss her small, red lips, and said, "It turns out that this prince has the role of serving food. How come I never knew?"
Yu Xiaocao suddenly showed a cheeky smile, which gave Zhu Junyang an ominous premonition. Generally, this kind of smile was a precursor of the lass's mischief. Sure enough, she shook her head and said, "As the ancients said, 'a feast for the eyes'!"
As she said this, Xiaocao reached out her right hand and pinched his sharp chin with her index finger and thumb. She revealed a lecherous expression and said, "Looking at this exquisite, gorgeous, and devilishly-handsome face, even if there aren't any side dishes, I can still eat two more bowls of rice!"
In this world, this bold and mischievous lass was the only one who dared to tease him about his appearance. The last person who said he was beautiful seemed to have been bedridden for half a year. After that, that person always took a detour upon seeing him.
What could he do to the little lass that he chose himself? What's more, he had this inexplicable sense of joy in his heart over the fact that she was attracted to his appearance.
"It's my honor to be able to serve food to the future princess consort of Royal Prince Yang. Alright, you must eat at least three bowls of rice tonight. You're not allowed to go back on your words!" Zhu Junyang decided to come to the Yu Estate for the next few days to supervise the lass's meals. His next goal was to ensure that the lass regained the weight that she lost. If she got any thinner, she would turn into a stick of firewood. If outsiders saw her like that, they would think that he, Royal Prince Yang, was a miser who was unwilling to feed his wife!
Three bowls of rice? Yu Xiaocao glared at him with big, round eyes and complained, "Are you trying to make me eat until I burst? Be honest! Did you get hurt? Did the medicine I give you work?"
"The medicine that you gave me played a big role! But, don't worry, it wasn't used on me." Zhu Junyang briefly recounted the chaos at the borders to her. It turned out that the rebellion in the northwest wasn't a simple invasion at the borders by foreigners. There were actually descendants of the former dynasty involved in the conflict.
He hadn't expected that martial art experts of the former dynasty were hiding within the thousands of troops. Among them, there was the big boss who used to train with Su Ran and had always been hard to distinguish. However, unlike Su Ran who had forsaken darkness for light, this fellow had fanatical supporter of the former dynasty. He was very loyal to the former dynasty, and thus held deep hatred for Su Ran's betrayal. Therefore, he took advantage of the chaos to attack Su Ran, who was the army supervisor.
It was originally hard to determine who had the better martial art skills between the two. But, with the addition of petty and unscrupulous tactics, Su Ran almost lost his life in that man's hands. Fortunately, Zhu Junyang was beside him at that time. Seeing that Army Supervisor Su was injured and about to die, he didn't hesitate to use Xiaocao's special internal injury medicine, giving them all to him.