Jiayin smiled and squinted her eyes, replying, "Yes, I heard it from my godfather too. I originally thought that Third Brother and Brother Liu Yang would get married soon, but I didn't expect Fourth Brother to beat me to it and bring his wife and nephew back."
"My imperial uncle will issue an imperial edict today to welcome the delegation to the capital. I estimate that by the time the news reaches Quanzhou, everyone will have finished celebrating Third Brother and Brother Liu Yang's wedding, and then they will come by boat!"
Jiaren was also pleased and said with a smile, "We need to clean up two rooms at Broken Gold Beach. As for the Earl's Mansion, I'll have your sister-in-law prepare a side courtyard so they can stay in the city occasionally."
Jiayin quickly waved her hand, "These are minor matters, I can arrange them. Brother, you should take the exam first. When the fleet enters the capital, you will also pass the exam with flying colors. That would be double the joy."
"Alright, we'll be taking the exam the day after tomorrow, so I'll leave the house to you." Jiaren didn't argue; his sister had been managing the household for years, so these little chores were easy for her.
Just as they were talking, Ye Shan walked in from outside the mansion, surprising the three siblings, including Jia Ren.
Jiaren asked, "Uncle Shan, does the Marquis have any instructions?"
Ye Shan bowed and replied, "Young Master, the Marquis is in the carriage outside the gate, he wants to take the Princess back to Suijin Beach. Doctor Zhang has successfully developed the medicine for the injury, and he sent someone to find the Marquis to report the good news."
"Really?" Jiayin was overjoyed.
In the past two years, Dr. Zhang, confined to his courtyard behind the village, almost became a psychopath.
He was originally competing with his apprentice Jiayin, and he was unconvinced that the medicine his apprentice brewed was more effective than his, even though they used the same prescription.
Later, the old man gradually figured out the trick and guessed that his young apprentice had a source of excellent medicinal herbs.
Unfortunately, there aren't many of these good medicinal materials, so they can't be used to make medicine in large quantities.
So he changed his approach and focused on figuring out how to use ordinary medicinal herbs to make good wound medicine.
Even though the medicine is not as effective as the apprentice's, it is more plentiful and filling, making it more suitable for the military.
For this reason, Lao Hei and his team have almost worn themselves out over the past two years, going through a lot of trouble to bring back medicinal herbs from various places for the old man.
Hard work pays off, and the old man finally succeeded!
Jiayin greeted her brothers, then took Mu Xu, Shui Ling, and Shui Yun, and hurried out to meet her godfather before returning to Suijintan.
In the small courtyard behind the village, Doctor Zhang sat with his legs crossed on a recliner under the eaves, humming a tune at ease.
Seeing the Marquis and Jiayin enter, he raised his chin, and naturally, his attendant helped with the introductions.
"My lord, my princess, the old master's prescription has been successful. After the third batch of experiments, the hemostasis effect was excellent, and the wounds healed in two days."
"The cost of one ounce of medicinal powder is around two hundred coins. The medicinal materials are easy to obtain and the preparation is also convenient."
Jiayin cheered excitedly, "Master, you're amazing! You've reduced the cost so low? Then everyone in the Northern Expeditionary Army can afford to use it!"
She quickly ran to the eaves and fawned over her master, pouring him tea and coaxing him, "If we recover Jiangbei this year, at least half the credit will go to your master."
Doctor Zhang's mouth was practically stretched to his ears in a wide grin; he was incredibly smug, yet he still remembered to say a few humble words.
"Don't try to fool me, girl! Recapturing Jiangbei will depend on our soldiers fighting hand to hand. I've just figured out some medicine for wounds, it's not very useful."
By this time, the Marquis had already examined the lambs and rabbits whose wounds had healed, and his face was also full of joy.
He stepped forward and bowed solemnly to express his gratitude, saying, "The medicine is the foundation and support of the Northern Expedition. On behalf of all the soldiers of the Northern Expedition, I thank the divine doctor for saving our lives."
Having said that, he was about to bow deeply.
Doctor Zhang quickly got up and helped him up.
"Alright, young Ye, we've known each other for so many years, let's not stand on ceremony." Doctor Zhang pulled the Marquis down to sit, let out a long sigh of relief, and said, "I'm an old man, and I don't really want to go through all this trouble."
"But what you are doing is a great thing for the country and the people. I only have this much ability to help, so naturally I can't just stand by and watch."
"Moreover, not to mention others, even Fu Niu'er is doing her best to arrange food and medicine for the Northern Expeditionary Army. As her teacher, I can't be outdone by her."
"If you want to thank me, then take back Jiangbei as soon as possible, so that I can go back to my hometown and visit before I kick the bucket."
"I will not fail in my mission." The Marquis cupped his hands and solemnly agreed.
Returning to one's roots is the wish of all elderly people.
Although the Jiangnan region is now quite prosperous and the people generally don't go hungry, they are living a good life.
But in the dead of night, countless people yearn for their hometowns, for the homes where they were born and raised.
Even someone like Dr. Zhang, who had spent most of his life wandering, was no exception.
Jiayin smiled and advised, "Master, even if my godfather takes back Jiangbei this year, I still can't let you leave."
"You don't know yet, do you? My fourth and fifth brothers have returned from overseas. My fourth brother even married a queen from a foreign country. From now on, our family will definitely be traveling back and forth frequently between Xindu and Quanzhou, and then to that foreign country."
"I'm planning to go to Quanzhou to see the sea, and then visit some foreign countries to see their wonders. You're my master, so of course you'll come with me."
"Otherwise, what if your clever and filial apprentice is bullied by the barbarians after all this trouble you've gone to so much trouble to take him in!"
"I'm still waiting for my master to protect me. No matter how powerful anyone in this world is, they can't withstand a single sprinkle of my master's medicinal powder!"
Doctor Zhang was overjoyed by his young apprentice's flattery and couldn't help but ask excitedly, "Jiaxi and Jia'an are back? Those two rascals are so worrisome! It's good that they're back. I wonder if they brought back any novel herbs from their overseas trip?"
"Of course they brought it. My fourth and fifth brothers are smart enough not to miss out on anything good. Besides, there's my fourth sister-in-law, the queen of the town. She's a local and knows everything better than anyone else." Jiayin knew the old man too well; persuading him was incredibly easy.
"Even if my brother and his group didn't bring anything good, we can still go and see for ourselves! The world is vast, and Tianwu only occupies a small part of it. There are plenty of good things outside!"
“That’s true,” Doctor Zhang nodded and replied, “When Jiaxi and the others come back, I’ll ask them carefully. While I can still move my legs, I should definitely go out and take a look.”
"That's for later, no rush. My brother and the others should be back in about half a month!" Jiayin clapped her hands with a smile. "My master has successfully developed a new medicine, we absolutely have to have a celebration banquet today."
"Master, please rest for a bit. I'll go to the old house to prepare a feast. Tonight, we'll celebrate properly at home. I'll personally cook some good dishes for you and warm up a pot of fine wine!"
"Alright, you take care of it! Your master is just waiting to enjoy his retirement!" Doctor Zhang waved his hand, his lips curling into a smile that never left his mouth.
He had wandered for most of his life, but he had never left since he met the Li family.
What I really wanted was the warmth and hospitality of the Li family, and the vibrant, down-to-earth atmosphere of Suijintan.
Jia Yue took Mu Xu and Shui Ling Shui Yun out, while the Marquis stayed behind to discuss the mass production of the medicine powder with the old man.
“Shui Ling and Shui Yun, come with me to arrange the banquet. Brother Mu, please go into the city and inform my second uncle, Mr. Wen, and my elder brother to come back for dinner tonight.”
“My master loves a lively atmosphere, and it’s been a long time since we all got together.”
While planning the menu, Jiayin assigned several tasks to Mu Xu.
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