Blossom in Adversity

C51. Shao Yao and Medicines?

Chapter 51: Shao Yao and Medicines?

Shao Yao looked up at her friend, questioning with her eyes, "Is this okay?"

Hua Zhi patted her shoulder soothingly, "Grandmother, I will lead Shao Yao to see the prescription."

"Go and treat her well."

"Yes."

Listening to the footsteps fading away, the old lady sighed, "I wonder what happened at Zhuangzi, to actually meet such a young female physician."

Suyun Mama handed her a tea cup, "When did a female physician appear in the capital? This servant has only heard of female physicians in the palace, it's the first time seeing a female physician!"

"We already have female teacher, female physicians are not surprising. It's just a coincidence that it's all related to my family." Although a bit worried, the old lady couldn't suppress her pride.

A female teacher who received Mr. Mu's approval, can an ordinary person do that?

"Are you sure her words are sincere?"

"Absolutely, this girl is from outside and doesn't have time to collude with the eldest miss."

"Do you think I didn't see their little actions?" The old lady smiled and glanced at the old servant, making her lower her head, "Those words must be true, but not complete. Zhi'er isn't afraid of me knowing, she's afraid of others in the house knowing, she's on guard."

"The eldest miss is capable."

"Yes, she is." It's because she's capable that she has to take on such a big responsibility. Those incapable ones under her protection don't appreciate it, not thinking about how to help, only concerned about what they lack.

People can be discontent, but they should know when to be grateful.

On the way back to her courtyard, Hua Zhi glanced at Shao Yao, seeing her staring at the mansion with an unmoved expression, she knew that she must have seen similar settings before. Honestly, she was curious about that man, but her curiosity hadn't reached the point where she wanted to investigate further.

Curiosity killed the cat is not just a saying.

"Hua Zhi, what delicious food will Fu Dong make for lunch?"

Hua Zhi chuckled, all her thoughts scattered in her mind, "Knowing you're here, she'll definitely make more dishes. If you're not in a rush to leave, let her make braised pork knuckles for dinner."

"I'm not in a hurry to leave." Shao Yao suddenly remembered she hadn't asked the master yet, so she held Hua Zhi's hand, lowered her body, and asked, "Can I stay at your house?"

"Of course, are you done with your work?"

"I'm done, my master gave me a break." Shao Yao was overjoyed, she even brought her personal items and changed clothes.

Seeing her genuine joy, Fu Dong said, "I'll go add a few more dishes you love, Miss Shao Yao."

Shao Yao swallowed, her eyes bright, looking like she couldn't wait to follow Fu Dong into the kitchen, but she remembered that her friendship was more important.

Entering the house, Bai Xia greeted with a smile and felt comfortable by the young lady's side, "Everything is fine in the workshop. Eldest Miss, you can rest assured, Liu Qi and Liu Jiang are attentive, and there haven't been any problems recently."

She signaled a maid to bring a porcelain jar, scooped out a bowl and placed it in front of the young lady, "These orange fruits are made according to your request, the peach slices are all done, starting yesterday, we began making the orange fruits. This is the finished product, please taste it."

The color of the juice was related to the quality of the rock sugar, the clear liquid with a hint of yellow, floating orange segments, emanating a subtle fruity fragrance, tantalizing the taste buds.

Stirring it, the juice wasn't too thin, with a slight thickness but not too much. Regardless of the taste, from the appearance, it was successful.

Taking a bite and chewing slowly, Hua Zhi nodded slightly, "It tastes right."

Bai Xia visibly relaxed, smiled softly, "I made this, I tasted theirs and tried it, and it's no different."

Ying Chun tapped her forehead, "Did you show off again? If Eldest Miss teaches you hand in hand and you still can't do it right, can you still proudly say you're from the Eldest Miss's side?"

Bai Xia stuck out her tongue, not daring to speak.

"You did well indeed, so I'll reward you with a new dessert made by Fu Dong."

"Fu Dong made a new dessert again?" Before Bai Xia could say anything, Shao Yao jumped in eagerly, her eyes sparkling.

"Yes, I plan to open a food shop, she has been thinking about it besides cooking recently. Rest assured, you'll get to eat your fill."

Shao Yao grinned happily.

"How many cellars are filled with canned peaches? Can the ship fit so many oranges?"

"We barely managed to fit them, after you came back, Wu Da and others dug out two big new cellars. Later, people from Miss Shao Yao's side came again, so I took the liberty to ask them to bring some ice over, which they did. Without those two new cellars, we couldn't have fit all the oranges."

Hua Zhi nodded. Compared to those who always had to seek permission, the senior maids around her were very competent managers. "After this batch of canned fruits is sold, and the money comes in, I'll renovate the Manor in Zhuangzi to turn it into a proper workshop. Right now, it's just making do."

"Eldest Miss, do you plan to do this business long-term?"

"Why not? Besides peaches and oranges, apples, pears, lychees, and more can be preserved. Even if others follow suit and make big cakes, it's still ours. In the future, you'll see that this is a profitable business."

"If Eldest Miss says it's profitable, then it must be." Bai Xia curtsied, "I'll go tell Fu Dong, if we make too little, even the reward intended for me might end up in Miss Shao Yao's belly."

Shao Yao nodded enthusiastically, "Yes, ask Fu Dong to make more, I've missed her during this time."

"You're actually missing her desserts, aren't you?"

"Of course."

Everyone in the room laughed. Ying Chun saw the young lady relax and led the others out.

"Huahua, you've trained the maid well. They're either obedient or spirited, not at all like the maids from other houses."

Hua Zhi raised an eyebrow, "Huahua?"

"You calling me by name feels too formal. You can also call me Shaoshao, or Yaoyao?"

"...Any other options?"

Shao Yao touched her face, "Henhen?"

That's worse than Shaoshao, Hua Zhi grabbed her hand from her face, "Did you have a childhood nickname?"

"I don't know, I don't remember anything before I was ten. I woke up with this face, no one in my family ever said there was anything wrong with my face. I was dumb back then, thought this face was normal. Once when the masters were out on a mission, I sneaked out and scared a lot of people, they threw stones at me, calling me a monster..."

"Don't say anymore, I didn't ask you about these things."

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TNote:
Readers, please don't rush, I really can't translate faster, if you rush I'll be anxious.