Abandoned Woman Busy Farming

Chapter 1238: Chapter 1240 Ancestral Grandchild Reunion_1

Bai Ruozhu was still not reassured, and inquired about two trustworthy elderly doctors from the Commerce Association. She then carefully instructed Yu Hongxiu, telling her to seek out those two when the time came. Although her formulas were appropriate for the condition, the timing of the doses still depended on the specifics of Yu Hongxiu’s recovery, and she dared not be careless.

Afterward, she kept Yu Hongxiu company, chatting for half a day. In the evening, Jiang Yichun sent someone to urge her to go to the Meng Residence, saying that the elder madam of the Meng family had grown impatient from waiting and was about to come to the Xie Residence herself.

”Oh dear, it’s all my fault for keeping you here with my chatter. You must hurry along. I’m ill, so I won’t go over to meet the elder madam, lest I pass on the illness,” Yu Hongxiu said as she pushed Bai Ruozhu towards the door.

”This illness of yours isn’t contagious, so don’t worry too much,” Bai Ruozhu hastily said.

”But I’ve also caught a cold, and besides, I need to take care of the two children at home. You should go quickly,” Yu Hongxiu insisted, pulling Bai Ruozhu to the main gate and watching as she got into the horse carriage.

Soon after, Bai Ruozhu arrived at the Meng Residence. The steward Meng Qiu, who was well-acquainted with Bai Ruozhu, had been waiting at the main gate from early on and was so moved upon seeing her that her eyes turned red.

”Miss, you’re finally back. The elder madam often talks about you,” Meng Qiu said somberly.

Bai Ruozhu felt both warmed and ashamed as she listened. She had moved her whole family to the Capital. Yet, she scarcely returned to Beiyu City; the elder madam was advanced in age and hardly traveled to the Capital. If it weren’t for this particular trip on official business, she probably wouldn’t have had the chance to meet with her honorary grandmother for the entire year.

”It’s my lack of filial piety. I will go to see grandmother now,” Bai Ruozhu said, and quickly walked towards the inner courtyard.

”The elder madam and the master are all waiting for you in the main hall, this way please, miss,” Meng Qiu gestured politely.

Bai Ruozhu hurriedly followed Meng Qiu to the main hall, where indeed she saw all members of the Meng family.

The elder madam of the Meng family sat at the top seat, her grandchildren surrounding her, emanating an air of utmost nobility. Yet, the signs of hardship by her temples seemed to have deepened a bit. She craned her neck towards the main gate, her eyes filled with longing.

As soon as Bai Ruozhu appeared, a gracious smile spread across the elder madam’s face. Although the wrinkles on her face had deepened, her entire demeanor appeared even softer and more joyful, making Bai Ruozhu instinctively want to draw near.

Bai Ruozhu stepped forward swiftly and knelt with a thud, ”Grandmother, Ruozhu has caused you worry.”

Her kneeling was a significant act of respect, but she was willing to give such a gesture to an elder who loved and cared for her.

”Oh dear, my good child, why kneel so heavily? Get up quickly!” the elder madam, both pleased and heartbroken, hurriedly attempted to leave her seat to help Bai Ruozhu. Her maids and the nanny, seeing this, rushed to assist and prevented her from exerting herself.

Seeing their urgency, Bai Ruozhu swiftly got up and helped the elder madam sit back down.

”Grandmother, please sit. I will take your pulse for you,” Bai Ruozhu said, taking the elder madam’s wrist to check.

Everyone initially wanted to exchange pleasantries with Bai Ruozhu, but seeing that it involved the elder madam’s health, they all fell silent, waiting for Bai Ruozhu’s assessment.

”Grandmother’s health has been maintained well, it seems you’ve been following the advice given,” Bai Ruozhu said cheerfully, her mood also brightening upon seeing the elder madam in good health.

At this moment, others also came forward to greet Bai Ruozhu. Bai Ruozhu hurriedly paid her respects to the second elder of Meng family and his wife, then returned the gesture to the Meng children. Naturally, she shared a few more words of courteous exchange with Meng Jinse and Meng Jinxia, with whom she had the closest relationship.

From outside, a voice announced that the great elder and Lord Jiang had arrived.

Bai Ruozhu stood up to welcome them, paid her respects to Meng Liangshen, and then Jiang Yichun took her hand. Together, they once more bowed to the old lady, who couldn’t stop smiling. She said, ”Stand up, stand up, you two children are truly a perfect match. You’ve been through many twists and turns, but at last, all is well. Xiaojiang has even earned the Emperor’s favor, which is a blessing indeed.”

Feeling her cheeks warm with embarrassment from the praise, Bai Ruozhu stood up and took a seat next to the old lady, saying, ”Grandmother, we won’t be staying long this time as we have an Imperial Decree to fulfill. I’m afraid we’ll have to leave again tomorrow.”

Upon hearing this, the elder Meng was not pleased. ”What? Just staying one night? No matter the decree, it should be postponed. I, this old woman, am speaking now, you shall stay for three days before departing.”

Meng Liangshen quickly interjected, ”Mother, Ruozhu and the rest are on a mission from the Emperor to manage the epidemic, a matter of life and death. They dare not delay.”

The elder Meng was reasonable and understood the gravity, but upon hearing this, her worry grew. ”It’s good to save people, but I’ve heard that epidemic areas are frightening. What if you catch something?”

Seeing the old lady’s distress, everyone hastened to speak auspicious words, chiding that she shouldn’t speak of such ill-omened things.

”Grandmother, you must have confidence in my medical skills. We won’t let ourselves get infected,” Bai Ruozhu assured her with a smile. ”Otherwise, you can ask the soldiers in the northwest main camp. I’ve cured dozens of them from poisons in one go.”

”You only ever boast about yourself to comfort me, alright then, I believe you! Speaking of which, why were you with Sister Hongxiu for so long? She’s always been frail; is there a problem?” the old lady further inquired.

Bai Ruozhu had to explain Yu Hongxiu’s case of Thirst-quenching Syndrome, saying that it was in the early stages and that with proper treatment and care, her health could be restored.

The old lady paled a few shades upon hearing this and asked, ”How serious is it, then? The child has seen doctors before who said it was nothing more than minor ailments like blood deficiency and colds. Those doctors are utterly incompetent!”

”If I had come a few days earlier, I might not have discovered it, because it’s only in the initial stage, just starting to show signs. So those doctors can’t be entirely blamed. Grandmother, don’t worry, I’ve already arranged a treatment plan for Sister Hongxiu. If you’re still concerned, keep a closer eye on her, tell her to relax her mind, and absolutely avoid worrying all day, as it might affect her condition,” Bai Ruozhu said.

After listening, the old lady nodded, ”Hongxiu is lucky to have you; otherwise, she...” She paused, then added, ”She’s also a child who has suffered much adversity.”

”But hasn’t Sister Hongxiu finally found sweetness after bitterness? Her chubby little boys are so adorable,” Bai Ruozhu remarked with a smile.

Upon hearing about Yu Hongxiu’s twin boys, everyone could not help but praise them. Having twins was indeed an enviable fortune.

Later, the old lady ordered a banquet to be set. The whole room gathered together for a lively meal. Since Bai Ruozhu and Jiang Yichun were to stay at the Meng Residence for the night, everyone unreservedly urged them to drink. Jiang Yichun and Meng Liangshen drank quite a bit, and even Bai Ruozhu had a few cups pulled by the old lady. Fortunately, she could hold her liquor and remained composed.

After the meal, the old lady, feeling her energy wane, dismissed everyone, stating that the next day, no matter what, she would hold a departure banquet for Bai Ruozhu before allowing her to leave.

Jiang Yichun was caught up in conversation with Meng Liangshen, while the sisters Meng Jinse and Meng Jinxia said they would first show Bai Ruozhu to the guest room to see if anything was needed. However, halfway there, they were intercepted by Meng Hanhong.