"Is what Miao Niang said true?" Madam Qin's voice was filled with overwhelming surprise. The imperial physician had said her constitution was ruined and she wouldn't live for many more years, but she didn't want to die. She wanted to live well, to see A Nian get married and have children, to help A Nian raise them. She wanted to fulfill her filial duties to her parents, and she wanted to see what kind of end Gu Changwei would ultimately meet.
All of this required her to be in good health.
But the imperial physician said her body couldn't tolerate tonics, and medicinal supplements were useless for her.
To put it more bluntly, she was a person waiting to die.
But now, someone said her body could slowly get better. How could she not be happy?
"Madam, it's true, but it's a very slow process," Xu Miao Niang said. "Dietary management must be extremely strict. How much to eat, what to eat, and when to eat cannot be done casually. It sounds simple, but it's very difficult to implement."
"Nothing is more important than good health. What's the point of fearing a little difficulty?" Madam Qin said calmly.
It was an unspoken agreement. Xu Miao Niang came to Lanzhi Courtyard three times a day to personally cook for Madam Qin. Breakfast was exquisite and nutritious, lunch was rich and varied, and dinner was light and refreshing. The only thing was that these meals were all paired with warming and nourishing ingredients. Unlike medicinal herbs, these nourishing foods provided a moderate amount of strength. Madam Qin's health truly began to improve slowly.
As a result, Gu Sinian became a bit more polite to Xu Miao Niang. He would nod when they met and occasionally stay in Lanzhi Courtyard to dine with Madam Qin.
In the eyes of Madam Lan and Xu Miao Niang, this was quite a significant improvement. Gu Sinian had a naturally reserved personality and didn't seem close to anyone. Being able to sit at the same table and eat was truly remarkable.
On the seventh day of the fourth month, Song Zhishu, Song Zhili, and Song Mingze boarded a carriage heading home. Zhang Xiaoniu was driving, and the carriage belonged to the Duke's mansion, arranged by Gu Sinian to send them back.
Sitting in the carriage, Song Zhili sighed, "This Heir Apparent is truly kind-hearted. He helped us a lot and even sent Xiaoniu to see us off. We must remember this kindness and repay it when the opportunity arises."
Song Mingze nodded, "That's right."
Song Zhishu wanted to say that a person of the Heir Apparent's status and position didn't need favors from commoners like them, but hearing what his son and grandson said, he swallowed his words. The minority should obey the majority, and he wouldn't be a nuisance.
In the afternoon, the group arrived at Xinghua Village. They hadn't sent word in advance, so the Song family was completely unaware of their arrival. Seeing them suddenly appear, everyone's eyes welled up with emotion.
Chen Shi was the first to rush out and hug Song Mingze. This ordeal was largely due to her mother's stubbornness. If they hadn't gotten involved with the Xun family, this wouldn't have happened. Song Mingze had harbored some resentment in his heart. But seeing the woman hugging him had clearly lost a lot of weight, and the dark circles under her eyes looked as if she had been beaten, his resentment vanished. Apart from this matter, wasn't his mother always putting him first in everything? Moreover, when he was in trouble, his mother must have suffered greatly. His grandparents must have resented her quite a bit. If he, as her son, still resented her, how would his mother live her life?
Song Mingze adjusted his expression and gently patted his mother's back. "Mother, it's alright now, it's alright. After surviving a great disaster, there will be good fortune. Don't cry, let's go inside quickly."
Chen Shi wiped away some tears. "Yes, yes, let's go inside quickly. It's cold outside."
Zhang Xiaoniu tied up the carriage and was also invited into the Song family home. Song Zhili briefly explained the care they received from the Heir Apparent and Zhang Xiaoniu in the capital.
The women of the Song family immediately began to fuss over Zhang Xiaoniu.
"Grandma Song, Auntie, Second Aunt, it's nothing. It's just that Zhen Zhen saved the Heir Apparent's life before winter. Later, when Qi family's pickled cabbage was sold at the North and South Grocery store, the owner of that store was a close friend of our Heir Apparent, so they knew each other. Our Heir Apparent knew that Zhen Zhen and the Song family treated each other like family..." Zhang Xiaoniu said earnestly.
The Song family members suddenly understood. This was entirely out of consideration for the Qi family.
"Since the person has been delivered, I won't stay any longer," Zhang Xiaoniu said, preparing to leave.
Yu Shi and Song Zhili saw Zhang Xiaoniu out. Song Mingyue also followed them out. She wanted to inform Zhen Zhen that her father and uncle, as well as her cousin, had returned.
Zhang Xiaoniu drove the carriage towards the Qi family's direction. Song Mingyue called out to him and nimbly jumped onto the carriage, sitting beside Zhang Xiaoniu.
"Why are you so lazy? It's only a few steps, can't you walk over yourself?"
"Anyone who doesn't ride a carriage is a fool," Song Mingyue made a face at Zhang Xiaoniu.
"You girl are truly not reserved," Zhang Xiaoniu muttered. He was thinking of the young ladies in the capital who needed several people to help them up and down from carriages. It seemed that the less reserved country girls were more pleasing to the eye.
"How am I not reserved? We're all from the same village, so it's not reserved for me to ride your carriage just because it's on the way? Then tell me, what is reserved?" Song Mingyue suddenly felt a surge of anger. Her cousin had also subtly told her that she wasn't quiet or reserved enough, and always hoped she would change. Now, even riding a carriage was being criticized as not reserved.
Zhang Xiaoniu hadn't expected Song Mingyue to turn hostile so quickly and became somewhat flustered. "I was just saying it casually, just saying it casually..."
Without a word, Song Mingyue jumped off the carriage, stumbled slightly, and walked towards the Qi family with her face turned away, completely ignoring Zhang Xiaoniu.
The elders always said a woman's mood was as changeable as the weather in June. He had now witnessed it. Song Mingyue, a young girl, could change her mood faster than flipping a book. She was truly not to be trifled with.
Zhang Xiaoniu drove the carriage slowly, staying behind Song Mingyue, maintaining a not-too-close, not-too-far distance.
Song Mingyue entered the Qi family's gate first. After Zhang Xiaoniu tied up the carriage, he also went in.
Song Mingyue had already informed Yun Shi and Qi Zhen Zhen about her father's return, and also briefly mentioned Song Mingze's situation.
Yun Shi breathed a sigh of relief. "It's good that they're back, it's good that they're back."
"Xiaoniu, why are you back at this time?" Qi Zhen Zhen asked Zhang Xiaoniu.
Zhang Xiaoniu nudged Song Mingyue with his chin. "When we were in the capital, I met Song family's eldest uncle and second uncle. After the Heir Apparent knew about it, he sent me to look after them. Since they were returning, he specifically asked me to drive them back. He also told me to stay home for a few more days and help if there was anything I could do."
The Song family received care from Gu Sinian in the capital? Qi Zhen Zhen couldn't quite understand. Gu Sinian, a dignified Heir Apparent, would actually get involved in this matter? Was it because the Song family was from the same village as Xiaoniu? If so, he was truly kind-hearted.
Yun Shi, being observant, noticed the awkwardness between Song Mingyue and Zhang Xiaoniu and was a bit confused. Logically, since Xiaoniu had been helping the Song family, Mingyue shouldn't be upset with him. She gave Qi Zhen Zhen a meaningful glance, and Qi Zhen Zhen pulled Song Mingyue into her room.