Xie Jiang, after finishing his acupuncture treatment for Madam Xu, announced he was returning to the west wing to catch up on sleep.
Xu Hengyan, being perceptive, didn't try to engage him further.
Xie Jiang's schedule was packed for the next two days.
He spent his mornings at the Duke of Wei's mansion, his afternoons at Wu Hongyun's home, and his evenings at Yi Yancheng's residence.
Xu Hengyan hadn't found an opportunity to ask about the sweet potato matter in detail.
After four days of treatment, Madam Zhou's condition had significantly improved, and she could barely manage to get out of bed.
Wu Hongyun's face also gradually showed signs of a smile.
They arrived late that afternoon, and by the time Zhou's diagnosis was complete, it was already dinnertime. Wu Hongyun then prepared a meal for them.
"I have no way to repay the great kindness of you two benefactors. All I have is this humble cooking skill, and I wanted to cook a meal for you two to express my gratitude."
Wu Hongyun tugged at the hem of her clothes, a little flustered. "Our humble home has nothing special, just some simple food. I hope you two noble lords won't find it wanting."
She truly couldn't think of any other way to repay their kindness. Let alone serving as a servant or maid to the two young masters, she wasn't even qualified to be their beast of burden.
Her neighbors all praised her cooking, and the only thing she could offer was her culinary talent, which they might not even look down upon.
Even the money for the groceries had been provided by the third young master Xu.
However, if they didn't express their gratitude, both she and her mother would feel uneasy.
Young Master Xie and the third young master Xu visited daily, not accepting a single copper coin. The money for medicine was all paid by the third young master Xu, who also gave them money for fear that the mother and daughter would go hungry.
How could they accept such great kindness and feel at ease?
Seeing that the tables and chairs were wiped clean and Wu Hongyun's dishes looked presentable, Xu Hengyan pulled Xie Jiang to sit down.
The room was cramped, so Wu Hongyun moved the small table into the courtyard.
There weren't many dishes on the table: a bowl of astragalus lamb, a bowl of shepherd's purse soup, a pot of chicken soup, and a plate of pine pollen cakes.
However, compared to the usual flatbread and vegetable soup that Wu Hongyun and her mother ate, this meal was undoubtedly prepared with great care by Wu Hongyun.
It was the first time Xu Hengyan had been so gratefully thanked, and he felt a complex mix of emotions.
"Oh, better than your family's cook."
Xie Jiang, who had been dragged to sit down, found himself drawn by the rich aroma and felt a desire to start eating.
The lamb was stewed until it was soft and tender, rich and fragrant, with a savory and not greasy broth.
Xie Jiang couldn't help but nod.
Xu Hengyan also tasted the astragalus lamb and his eyes lit up. "It's actually quite delicious. I didn't expect little Hongyun to be such a good cook."
These were the most ordinary and common home-style dishes, not made with complex techniques, but they made one want to eat more.
Xie Jiang's daily complaints about their family's cook were something Xu Hengyan had grown accustomed to.
While little Hongyun's cooking was unexpectedly good, he felt their family's cook wasn't bad either.
Perhaps Xie Jiang simply preferred these simple, home-style dishes?
Xie Jiang then tasted the shepherd's purse soup and pine pollen cakes. They were much more comfortable to eat than the elaborate dishes prepared by the Duke of Wei's mansion's cook.
Seeing that they were eating with satisfaction, Wu Hongyun's smile widened. It was good that the noble lords didn't find it wanting.
At that moment, there was a knock on the courtyard gate.
Wu Hongyun ran to open it.
"Who are you?"
"Is my master here?"
Xie Jiang, who was eating, heard the exchange and called out, "Come in."
Wu Hongyun then knew this person belonged to Young Master Xie and quickly let him in.
Xu Hengyan looked over curiously and immediately recognized him as Xianyun from Mount Xian.
When he had gone up the mountain to seek medical treatment, it was Xianyun who had received him.
Xianyun put down the basket in his hand, took off the carrying basket from his back, stepped forward, and bowed. "Master, here are the things you requested."
Xie Jiang nodded, acknowledging this.
Xianyun bowed again and silently turned to leave.