Chapter 709 - 366: The Ugly Girl’s Comeback

Chapter 709: Chapter 366: The Ugly Girl’s Comeback

Seeing her grandmother’s hopeful expression, Juhua gave her a few more words of advice. ’It’s good for her to have something to look forward to with Laishou,’ she thought. ’It gives her something to strive for. When you have that kind of motivation, it gives you energy.’

After seeing her grandmother off, she welcomed Yun Ying.

After checking Juhua’s pulse and changing her dressings, Yun Ying wrote a new prescription. As she stood to go fetch the herbs, she smiled. "You’re basically fine now. The rest is just a matter of slow recovery. Tsk tsk, this courtyard of yours is just too clean! Where have all the chickens been chased off to? You’ve really made them suffer this time, not even letting them in. This place hardly looks like a farmhouse yard anymore."

Juhua ignored her comment and smiled. "Hurry back. My mother made some delicious food for you."

Yun Ying happily hurried off.

Juhua glanced around the courtyard; it was indeed immaculate. For the sake of her and Aunt Liu’s recovery, not only were the rooms kept clean and bright with the furniture wiped spotless, but the yard was also frequently sprinkled with water and swept. Chickens and ducks weren’t allowed in until evening, and even the cats and dogs were kept outside the gate. As for the pigsty and chicken coop in the back, Uncle Liu practically hosed them down twice a day. It was like a month-long sanitation campaign; the entire family was even bathing and washing their hair more often.

It was almost time to harvest the late rice. Huai Zi had said they would dry and thresh all the grain in the Zheng Family Courtyard to keep this yard from being filled with dust and sweat, preserving its current cleanliness.

Pu Pao came out carrying a small wooden bucket. When she saw Juhua standing at the bottom of the steps, she said quickly, "Young Madam, you should go back inside. I’m about to sprinkle water and sweep the ground. The chrysanthemums need to be watered too; their leaves are covered in dust."

Juhua chuckled. ’That’s a bit overcautious. How can you expect to have no dust at all? The wind will just bring more.’ But she didn’t want to discourage the little girl’s enthusiasm. She praised her, "You’re so diligent, Pu Pao. Go ahead and water them. I’ll just take a look at the chrysanthemums. Did you trim the blossoms this morning like I said?"

Pu Pao drew half a bucket of water from the well, poured it into her own small wooden bucket, and carried it over to the base of the wall. Scooping up a ladleful, she began splashing the water onto the wild chrysanthemums with her hands. "I cut a whole bunch!" she said with a smile. "Grandma Zhang has already steamed them and set them out to dry. I also went out and picked a lot more. Once they’re dry, we can make a few pillows."

Juhua nodded. After being watered, the wild chrysanthemums’ leaves looked greener, and their yellow blossoms appeared even more brilliant. Just as she was admiring them, Aunt Liu came out holding Banli. "Young Madam," she said with a cheerful laugh, "Banli’s awake. I just fed him."

Juhua hurried over to take him. "Aunt Liu, you shouldn’t always be carrying him," she said as she walked back toward the house. "Your body hasn’t fully recovered yet. You need to be careful."

Following behind her, Aunt Liu said gratefully, "I feel like I’m all better. Nothing’s wrong with me anymore. I feel bad eating for free every day. Young Madam, you gave birth after I did, so I should be the one carrying him."

Juhua entered the room and placed Banli on the small bed, laying him down next to Cong. She turned to Aunt Liu and said seriously, "You can’t be careless. The wound might look fine, but you mustn’t strain yourself, or it’ll be a real problem if it tears open. Even if you’re not doing it for yourself, think about Doctor Yun, who comes every day to check your pulse, keep records, and prescribe medicine to help you recover. The least you can do is be more careful. And you’re not freeloading here. Aren’t you helping me nurse Banli? I’d have to spend silver to hire a wet nurse. Besides, once you’ve taken a few more months to get your strength back, I’ll have plenty of other things for you to do. What’s the hurry?"

Aunt Liu nodded quickly, abashed. "I’ll listen to you, Young Madam. I’ve already caused Doctor Yun so much trouble. I can’t tear the wound open and cause her even more."

Juhua smiled. "Just focus on getting well. Once you’re fully recovered, you can help look after Doctor Yun a little more. She’s a young woman all by herself, with no parents around, and she’s busy treating people all day. Showing her a little extra care is the least we can do."

These words struck a chord with Aunt Liu. She nodded vigorously and launched into a stream of unending gratitude toward Qin Feng and Yun Ying, nearly bursting into tears as she spoke.

Juhua finally managed to calm her down. When Yun Ying returned with the herbs, Aunt Liu volunteered to brew the medicine, insisting it wasn’t strenuous and would be a good way for her to move around a bit.

Yun Ying didn’t object, simply explaining how to brew it and for how long before letting her go.

When He heard Yun Ying had arrived, she brought in two sections of sticky rice-stuffed lotus root on a plate for her and Juhua, saying it had just been cooked.

Yun Ying thanked her with a delighted smile. She and Juhua each took a pair of chopsticks, speared a piece of lotus root, and held it up to eat.

Due to the drought, the fishpond at Juhua’s home had dried up. While the bottom hadn’t cracked from the sun, all the fish had been caught in one fell swoop—not even the small fry were spared. The large fish were sold, while the smaller ones were dried. However, the lotus roots, buried deep in the soft mud, had partially survived. After a recent rain, water slowly began to collect in the pond again, meaning that thankfully, the rootstock hadn’t been completely wiped out.