306. Princess
The small courtyard was quickly tidied up.
Li Yuniang neatly arranged all the newly purchased items and folded the clothes made by Lin Fuman in a tidy manner.
Jiang Xiyue then had someone go to town to buy a complete set of tools: a clay pot, a ceramic jar, a kitchen knife, a cutting board, and even carving knives and saws for making small gadgets. The box was piled high with them.
Before we knew it, it was evening.
Jiang Xiyue suggested, "Let's cook a simple meal together today to celebrate Fufu's reunion with her mother, okay?"
"Okay, okay!" The little dumpling immediately raised her hand in agreement, "Yue'er wants to help Mother wash the vegetables!"
Lin Fuman nodded, "I'll do it too, I can cook!"
Li Yuniang smiled and said, "Then I'll cook the dishes, and Madam Hou will be in charge of making the soup. If we work together, we'll be done in no time."
Without further ado, Jiang Xiyue first washed the chicken she had bought, chopped it into small pieces, put it into a new clay pot, added ginger slices and red dates, poured in some water, and put it on the stove to simmer slowly.
Li Yuniang peeled the potatoes, cut them into small pieces, and washed the greens.
Lin Fuman took the knife and deftly chopped the vegetables, which made Li Yuniang feel heartbroken again.
The little dumpling stood next to her mother, helping to peel garlic. After peeling one clove, she handed it to Jiang Xiyue, her eyes sparkling as she asked for praise.
After painstakingly peeling a clove of garlic, her little nose twitched again, sniffing the aroma of chicken soup: "Mommy, is the soup ready? It smells so good!"
Jiang Xiyue said with a smile, "Almost done, just simmer for a little longer and the chicken will be tender. I'll serve you a bowl then."
Li Yuniang poured the potatoes into the pot, added some oil, salt, and soy sauce, and started stir-frying.
Soon, the aroma of potatoes wafted out. Lin Fuman leaned over to smell it and couldn't help but exclaim, "Mommy, it smells so good! It tastes much better than what I made before!"
Li Yuniang smiled and said, "From now on, your mother will teach you how to cook. We'll learn to cook together and make whatever we want to eat."
Jiang Xiyue's chicken soup was ready. When the lid was lifted, steaming hot soup filled the yard with the aroma of chicken mixed with the sweetness of red dates.
The little dumpling quickly grabbed a bowl and ran over: "Mommy, Yue'er wants a bowl! Yue'er also wants to serve Sister Fufu a bowl!"
Jiang Xiyue smiled and served chicken soup to the two children, then served a bowl to Li Yuniang before taking a sip herself. She nodded in satisfaction, "It tastes good. The chicken is tender, and the red dates are sweet."
Li Yuniang served the stir-fried potatoes and greens, and also stir-fried an egg. The simple three dishes and soup were a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate.
The four of them sat around the table. The little girl picked up a spoon, scooped up a spoonful of chicken soup, took a sip, and her eyes lit up: "Mommy, it's so delicious! It's even better than the chicken soup at home!"
Lin Fuman also took a sip and nodded, saying, "My mother's stir-fried potatoes are also delicious, soft and just the right amount of salt."
Jiang Xiyue said with a smile, "If it's delicious, let's eat more. If it's not enough, we'll make more."
Li Yuniang nodded and put a piece of chicken on Lin Fuman's plate: "Fufu, eat more to nourish your body. You've lost a lot of weight recently."
The little dumpling also put a piece of green vegetable on Lin Fu's plate: "Sister Fufu, here you go!"
Lin Fuman looked at Li Yuniang, then at the little dumpling. In the dim light, her eyes glistened with tears.
She lowered her head and ate heartily.
-
the next day.
morning.
Marquis Beiding carried the little dumpling towards the palace.
Along the way, Marquis Beiding kept reminding him: "When you arrive at the Imperial Study, you must bow to His Majesty. Do not run around or panic."
The little dumpling nodded obediently and replied, "I know, Daddy."
Upon arriving at the entrance of the Imperial Study, the father and daughter were allowed to enter after being announced by a eunuch.
As soon as she entered, the little girl opened her round eyes and looked around. There were many people standing inside, most of whom she didn't recognize.
However, there are still two I know.
For example, she spotted Qu Zijin at a glance, as well as Shen Yangong, the imperial physician who had previously gone to the south for medical treatment.
Brother Xie is not here this time; he must be recuperating at home.
The little boy greeted the two people he knew: "Grand Tutor! Uncle Shen!"
When Qu Zijin saw her, he smiled and nodded, "Your Highness is here. You look great today."
Shenyang Nong also came over, touched her small hand, and took her pulse briefly: "The county princess is in good health, very well."
The other adults also greeted her with smiles, some praising her cuteness, others saying that she had saved the people at such a young age.
Without exception, they all expressed great admiration.
The little dumpling was a bit embarrassed by the praise.
The sound of a eunuch announcing his arrival came from outside; Wei Xiuming had arrived.
Everyone immediately greeted him, and the little dumpling followed his father, bowing respectfully. His short legs almost caused him to lose his balance, which amused the people around him to chuckle.
Wei Xiuming waved his hand, signaling everyone to stand up. His gaze first swept over Marquis Beiding, then fell on Qu Zijin and Shen Yangong. He said in a gentle tone, "Thanks to the efforts of you all in treating the people during this southern plague, the disaster was prevented from spreading. You are all heroes."
Marquis Beiding and Qu Zijin, among others, bowed and said, "Your Majesty is too kind. This is our duty."
Wei Xiuming nodded, then turned to the eunuch beside him and said, "Read the imperial edict that I have prepared."
The eunuch immediately unfolded the imperial edict, cleared his throat, and began to read it aloud.
The little boy listened in a daze, only then realizing that they were all adults who had gone to help with disaster relief.
His Majesty summoned them this time to bestow honors upon them.
They all received rewards, including those who came from other places to volunteer their help. They all had a list compiled and submitted by Xie Wenling and Shen Yangong, and they also received additional rewards, which His Majesty planned to send to them.
As each word was read aloud, everyone understood it clearly.
Qu Zijin's name was placed last, and he was rewarded with silver. Strangely, his salary was also increased considerably.
only……
The little dumpling listened intently for a long time, but didn't hear her own name. A little puzzled, she tugged at the sleeve of the Marquis of Beiding and whispered, "Daddy, why isn't Yue'er here?"
Just as Marquis Beiding was about to offer a quiet reassurance, the imperial edict was already read aloud, and everyone bowed in gratitude: "Thank you for Your Majesty's grace!"
Wei Xiuming smiled and nodded, then said to the others, "This is none of your business. You may leave now. Princess Fukang, please stay."
Everyone left.
Soon, only Wei Xiuming, Marquis Beiding, and the puzzled little dumpling remained in the Imperial Study.
Wei Xiuming then took a step forward, walked to the little dumpling, bent down and picked her up, his tone full of laughter: "Princess, were you unhappy because you didn't hear your reward just now?"
The little dumpling asked expectantly, "Does Yue'er have a surprise for you?"
Wei Xiuming chuckled and pinched her little cheek: "Of course, your medicine has saved so many people, your contribution is considerable, how could you not reward me? Tell me, what do you want? As long as I can do it, I'll give it to you."
The little dumpling tilted its head and thought seriously for a long time: "Then, then Yue'er wants delicious food! Lots and lots of delicious food!"
Upon hearing this, Wei Xiuming couldn't help but laugh: "You just want this much? No problem, I'll have the imperial kitchen make you a huge feast, so you can eat your fill."
"However, good food alone is not enough. You have made a great contribution, so you need to have a respectable status."
"I've decided to bestow upon you the title of Princess, and I'll also increase your fief. From now on, no one in the capital will dare to bully you, okay?"
"Princess?" The little dumpling blinked and turned to ask Marquis Beiding, "Daddy, what is a princess?"
This reward was actually within the Marquis of Beiding's expectations, but he was still very happy to receive this good news: "A princess is a very powerful status, even more powerful than a county princess."
"Wow, that's amazing!" The little dumpling wrapped her little arms around Wei Xiuming's neck, her voice sweet and sweet. "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
She paused, then, as if remembering something, added in a serious tone, "Your Majesty, and Sister Fufu too! Sister Fufu's contributions are also immense, she should be rewarded as well!"
Wei Xiuming was taken aback: "You silly girl, you're still thinking about others. Don't worry, I remember her contributions and will carefully consider what reward to give her. I won't treat her unfairly."
"Okay." The little dumpling was finally relieved.
Marquis Beiding, fearing that Wei Xiuming would be displeased, tried to smooth things over by saying, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. That's just how Yue'er is; she always has someone else in her heart."
“It’s a good thing that the princess has someone else on her mind.” Wei Xiuming didn’t mind.
Marquis Beiding finally breathed a sigh of relief.
After chatting for a few more minutes, Wei Xiuming said, "It's getting late, you should all go back now. I'll have someone deliver the princess's seal and clothing to her residence."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Marquis Beiding bowed in thanks.
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