Chapter 413 Sleeping in the Open

Longjing was somewhat puzzled. She had heard that high-ranking families would choose people they could use for marriage alliances. The old man who was about to die should have retired long ago. The Bai family couldn't be that stupid. She thought Qingxing was exaggerating.

"It's my fault for not explaining clearly."

Qingxing first admitted her mistake, and then explained, "Longjing is right. The Bai family's daughter did not marry a third-rank official. After all, the Bai family is not qualified to be a third-rank official."

In the capital, the Bai family was unknown and belonged to the lowest rank. The reason why Qingxing was impressed by the Bai family was because the Bai family did something big.

Knowing that even a high-ranking official of the third rank wouldn't be interested in her granddaughter as a second husband, Old Madam Bai skipped that step and had her granddaughter marry the official's father, making her a stepmother.

"puff……"

Longjing spat out a mouthful of water, then waved her hands repeatedly, saying, "Miss, I'm sorry, I lost my composure."

The Bai family's move was truly brilliant.

Lin Yuesha also admired her; she was a ruthless old lady.

Bai Youran knew that this trip to the capital would not end well, yet she insisted on leaving the north and heading straight for the capital; perhaps she had her own motives.

Lin Yuesha dislikes cunning and scheming people because such people might betray others for their own benefit.

"Miss, will Miss Bai cause you any trouble?"

If Bai Youran were to suddenly run away, even Doctor Yan would be in a difficult position; this is a hidden worry for Bai Cha.

"Don't worry, this won't happen."

Lin Yuesha pointed to the carriage behind her and laughed, "Don't forget who's in the carriage!"

Yes, Granny Fang and Granny Kang were in Doctor Yan's carriage, and Bai Youran and Ruyi squeezed in as well. The two of them, master and servant, were not in a good position facing the two nannies.

Sure enough, in the carriage behind, Granny Fang was pointing at Bai Youran, saying, "Miss Bai, although this old servant is no longer at the girls' school, you are the daughter of a prefect, and your manners are too poor."

Bai Youran was filled with trepidation. Upon seeing the two old women, she immediately straightened her back and maintained her posture, but inwardly she was groaning.

"Won't I be riding in the same carriage with those two old ladies the whole way?" She winked at her cousin, Doctor Yan, but Yan Yan was looking down at her medical book and didn't pay any attention to Bai Youran.

The carriage continued its journey until nightfall. Because of a difficult stretch of road, the group's plan to camp in the city fell through, and they had to spend their first day in the wilderness.

"Sleeping in the wilderness?"

Bai Youran's expression changed immediately upon disembarking from the carriage. How could she possibly squeeze in with so many people? She was unwilling to sleep with such lowly servants.

Bai Youran harbored deep resentment towards Granny Kang and Granny Fang, but she couldn't show it. Not only could she not show it, but she also had to humbly seek their advice. If the two nannies spoke ill of her when they arrived in the capital, the ladies' impression of her would be greatly diminished.

"You and I will stay in the carriage. Granny Fang, Granny Kang, and Ruyi can make do in the tent on the roof of the carriage for the night."

Although Dr. Yan said it was just making do, the roof of the car had been modified. The tent was lowered to keep out mosquitoes, and there were soft bedding, which was very comfortable, and she didn't have to worry about mosquitoes bothering her.

Liu Quan's wife had already started a fire. The cart carrying their goods contained fish, meat, and vegetables. The fish were bought from someone on the way and were kept in a basin of water, where they were lively and jumping around.

Xiao Chenggui's meals were separate from everyone else's, and Lin Yuesha personally took over her father's dinner.

The group found a flat spot by the field, where Bai Youran strolled around, massaging her back. She had already suffered greatly on her very first day, and when she saw Doctor Liao, she suppressed her dissatisfaction.

"Dr. Liao, I didn't expect to see you here."

Bai Youran was already pleased to know that Physician Liao was in the group.

The Liao family kept a low profile, running a traditional Chinese medicine shop called Shennong Baicaotang, which seemed like a business. However, Liao Langzhong's uncle was an official in the imperial court, and held a very high position.

Liao Langzhong's uncle was ill and had no children, so the clan adopted Liao Langzhong, making him the head of two households, essentially making him half a son of his uncle.

Bai Youran spent a lot of money to find out these secrets of the Liao family. If she could marry Doctor Liao, her grandmother and mother would definitely look at her with new respect.

As the saying goes, "being near the water tower, one gets the moon first." Having spent so much time together, how could she not be afraid that Doctor Liao wouldn't fall for her?

Bai Youran had made a plan, intending to play the long game and not rush things. She simply greeted Doctor Liao and left.

Lin Yuesha glanced at Bai Youran out of the corner of her eye, and seeing that she wasn't causing any trouble, she started busying herself with preparing dinner.

"Father, what would you like to eat?"

Lin Yuesha helped Xiao Chenggui walk around for a while. Seeing that her father looked alright, she felt a little relieved. On the way, she was worried that her father's body couldn't withstand the bumpy ride.

"Let's eat something light. Yue Sha can decide what we eat."

Xiao Chenggui was delighted to see Lin Yuesha; he had no intention of letting this well-behaved and adorable daughter go to Xiao Qi.

"Then... how about making scallion oil noodles?"

Light yet fragrant, it was perfect for someone who had just drunk bitter medicine soup, so Lin Yuesha immediately made the decision.

In the afternoon, a peddler from Yingcheng passed by, and Lin Yuesha bought some shrimp. Because shrimp had to be transported by crushed ice, the price was very high. However, to ensure her father's nutrition, Lin Yuesha gritted her teeth and only bought a small amount.

She had brought some stock with her on the trip, so she stirred the broth in the pot with a wooden spoon and added the shrimp. As the steam rose, an even richer aroma wafted out.

To make scallion oil successfully, the scallion aroma must be strong.

When the snow-white lard has just melted in the pot, add the white parts of the scallions while it's still not too hot. Cook until the scallion whites are golden brown and dry, then remove them. Add the green parts of the scallions and continue cooking until all the green parts are dry. Then add soy sauce, salt, sugar, and chicken broth and simmer. Finally, add the shrimp just before removing from heat. Do not cook them for too long, or they will become tough.

Lin Yuesha likes to add eggs when she eats scallion oil noodles. She scrambles the eggs, adds a little starch, spreads them into a thin, golden-yellow omelet, cuts the omelet into thin strips, mixes them with the noodles, and then adds chopped scallions, cilantro, and sesame seeds. A plate of fragrant scallion oil noodles is then ready.

Another plate of cold sweet and sour carrot salad would be perfect to eat with scallion oil noodles.

Ms. Chen was feeling a bit carsick and didn't want to eat, but after seeing the scallion oil noodles that Lin Yuesha had made, she ate a big bowl of them and finally felt better.

"My daughter's cooking skills are top-notch!"

Xiao Chenggui was very proud of Lin Yuesha's skills, but when he saw that his daughter's hand had been burned, he felt a little sorry for her.

"Father, it's alright. We have a stove at home. I just didn't get the heat right and I touched it because I was in a hurry."

Lin Yuesha's hands had already been coated with ointment. Following Dr. Yan along the way was like having an all-purpose medical toolbox. The ointment was cool and refreshing, and she no longer felt any pain.

She's not very skilled yet; she'll be much better tomorrow.

“I’ll do it tomorrow. Your hands are too rough now, you won’t be able to embroider flowers or handle good fabrics anymore.”

Ms. Chen insisted that she was not feeling well today, and that she would not allow her daughter to do it tomorrow under any circumstances.