49, Longevity Gift (Part 2)

  Bright.

  After leaving the infirmary, looking at his obviously thinner figure and the faint scars on his face, everyone in the Fu family couldn't help but get a little teary-eyed, but more than that, they felt joyful, from then on, their bright life had an extra layer of security.

  "Auntie." Xiaoming saw Yunzhu's eyes light up and rushed into her arms, saying: "Auntie made soup for Mingming, and Mingming drank it all obediently." From the purple grass, coriander, and white rush root stewed during the rash period to the fish congee, Qingtian葵, and lean pork stewed after the rash, to be honest, if Mingming didn't know that his beloved aunt had specially made these soups for him to recover quickly from his illness, he wouldn't have wanted to drink them at all. The taste wasn't great, and it was always the same few flavors, not as delicious as Auntie's cooking used to be.

  "Is that right, Mingliang is really clever." Yunzhu kissed him. After confirming that the plague was gone, everyone in the Yunsong Institute took a hot bath with mugwort, burned all their used clothes, and washed and boiled all the used furniture, pots, and pans. The whole yard had a big cleanup.

  "Ah, bright and obedient." Little Mingliang emphasized again, nodding his little head, then looked at Yunzhu expectantly, "Auntie, I want to eat Auntie's silver thread swallow nest cake?"

  "Alright, I'll make it for you." After another kiss, Yunzhu said to Shu Mu Lu: "Sister-in-law, now that Mingliang is starting to recover, we can start giving him some nourishing soups to drink. Don't put ginseng or anything like that in it, though - it's not good to over-supplement during autumn. By the way, you should drink some too, taking care of Mingliang must be exhausting for you?"

  Shu Mu Lu was grateful that Yun Zhu had been continuously sending soup to the Yin Song Institute during this period. Whether the soup was effective or not was one thing, but knowing that her family outside was supporting and caring for her and her child made it easier for her to get through this difficult time. Moreover, Yun Zhu was about to get married soon, yet she still put her heart into taking care of Ming Liang, which Shu Mu Lu also appreciated.

  "Got it." In the past, every season, they would drink a different kind of nourishing soup. Under Yunzhu's influence, the women in Fucha's household also began to pay attention to this. Now each of them has a copy of the dietary regimen, which was borrowed from Guwalgiya and copied down. They just need to flip through it and follow the instructions to prepare the dishes.

  Next, Yunzhu indeed made Xiaoming's favorite silver silk swallow nest cake, osmanthus cake, rose cake and green bean cake, making him smile with joy all day long, sticking to Yunzhu's side without leaving.

  After finishing dinner, Shu Mu Lu personally came to Xin Yi Wu to pick up Ming Liang. "I'm not leaving, I want to live with Auntie and sleep together..." Little Ming Liang hugged Yun Zhu's thigh, expressing his own wishes.

  "You think you're so great." Shu Mu Lu pinched his cheek with a mix of anger and laughter, "Your aunt is busy, taking care of you for the whole day is enough!"

  "Auntie was nice to Mingliang before, is nice to Mingliang now, and will be nice to Mingliang in the future!" Don't think you can fool a four-year-old!

  "Auntie is preparing for her big wedding, so she's very busy." Shu Mu Lu touched his little head, he was so close to his aunt, what would happen in the future.

  "What's a big wedding?" Xiaoming still didn't understand, looking at Yunzhu with confusion, instinctively feeling it wasn't good for himself. "Then Auntie, don't have a big wedding, okay?"

  "What are you talking about?! Hurry up and go back with your mother, Auntie is exhausted from taking care of you for a whole day. Auntie loves you so much, how can you only think of yourself?"

  "Oh." Xiaoming thought for a moment, "Then Mingming will also miss Aunt..." He reluctantly said goodbye to his aunt and promised to come again the next day before obediently following Shimu back home.

  "Miss, the brush and ink are ready." said Shi Mo as he walked over.

  Yunzhu nodded and walked into the study. A long, narrow desk made of Huanghua pear wood with a carved pattern of auspicious clouds was placed in front of the window facing the Yulan forest in the courtyard. On it were arranged paper, brush, ink, and other writing utensils according to her habit, alongside a cup of steaming hot flower fruit tea. She walked over, picked up the brush, dipped it in ink, and began to write on the paper with the elegant strokes of a cursive script, her demeanor unusually solemn and serious, one sheet following another...

  Put down the brush, pick up the letter paper, Yunzhu reviewed it again from the beginning to see that the ink marks were almost dry, and then put them in order into a small wooden box on the edge of the case table, cover it with a lid, and buckle the copper buckle. "Wait for the ink, take it."

  "Yes." Shì Mò walked forward, picked up the small wooden box. Although she didn't know what the young lady had written and put inside, the young lady's serious expression made her also become careful and solemn.

  "Follow me." Yunzhu walked towards the main hall.

  Li Rongbao and his wife received the imperial edict in June, and from July onwards, they were busy responding to congratulations and gifts from relatives and friends while discussing various celebration procedures with the Imperial Household Department, Ministry of Rites, and other departments. In August, under the auspices of the divine, they accepted the royal celebration's initial ceremony and held a banquet for all non-duty officials, nobles, inner ministers, guards, and officials above the second rank, as well as their wives. By September, they finally had a chance to rest, and Yunzhu retreated to the Shichahai Villa, but then they had to prepare for the emperor's 50th birthday celebration - a grand occasion that couldn't be neglected, even by a frugal emperor. This added another layer of responsibility as future in-laws, making the gift-giving even more crucial. They thought October would bring some respite, but then Mingliang fell ill with smallpox; fortunately, the Fu family was known for their strict adherence to rules, and the household was well-managed by Guwalgiya and her capable daughters-in-law, so it didn't require much effort - just a bit of tidying up from a health perspective... but mentally, they were still on edge, worried that if something went wrong before Yunzhu's big wedding, it would be disastrous.

  It's all over now, everything is fine! The couple returned to the main house from the guest house and finally relaxed their last string. They looked at each other and smiled, they should be able to have a good night's sleep tonight.

  After finishing dinner, the couple slowly sipped their warm and fragrant milk tea while discussing the matter of sending the dowry to the prince's palace. The emperor had already issued an edict stating that he would personally host a grand wedding ceremony for Hong Li Yunzhu at Qian Xi Er Yuan, where all the furniture and decorations were newly purchased.

  The emperor's rare generosity and openness shocked many people, but it really saved the Fuca family a lot of trouble. However, his emphasis on Hongli's grand wedding and constant inquiries and attention also made the Imperial Household Department, Ministry of Rites, and the Fuca family dare not make any mistakes... the pressure was even greater.

  Fu Cha's family is very prosperous, and this time they sent a dowry, except for the white matter in the mansion and the birth of the zodiac conflict, all of them were mobilized. The arrangement of personnel at this position was determined early on, but when the time came, it would be hosted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. However, the Fu Cha family also had to keep an eye on things at all times, lest there be any adjustments at the last minute.

  Heaven is always unsatisfactory, and now there's another outbreak of smallpox.

  "Two days ago, Duolong's family sent someone to say that Xingbao's wife contracted smallpox with her grandson and didn't pull through... Xingbao was also severely hit. I didn't dare tell Master about it because of Mingliang. But in the end, we still have to let Master mention it to the Imperial Household Department and reduce their seating arrangement... That grandson is a few years older than Mingliang, she has seen him before, clever and elegant, Junya hasn't had a son or daughter yet, but she dotes on this nephew as if he were her own... Ah, Yunzhu doesn't know about it yet, otherwise she would also be distressed."

  "Tomorrow I'll present the longevity gift and find an opportunity to mention it to the Imperial Household Department." Li Rongbao nodded and sighed. Duoluo Long was a member of his paternal uncle's branch, and they were of the same generation. He was generous, enthusiastic, and had a similar personality to Li Rongbao's third brother, Ma Wu. They often interacted closely, but unexpectedly... "Xing Bao, let Fu Qing take a look. They are brothers of the same generation, with similar personalities, and it's easier for them to talk openly."

  Xingbao is Juan Ya's elder brother. At the age of 25 or 26, he suddenly lost his wife and son... This is unbearable for anyone.

  This time, the smallpox incident that spread in the suburbs of Beijing, not to mention ordinary civilians, just talking about the rich and powerful Fuca family living in Beijing, lost two children and one adult, let alone the servants and slaves below.

  "The big girl has arrived." Qing Qi, who was guarding the door, saw Yunzhu coming over and hastily paid his respects.

  Yunzhu smiled and asked: "Is Ama E'ma inside?"

  "Just finished dinner, talking in the inner room." Cai's mother and Qingxuan were both serving inside, Qingxi smiled and lifted the curtain, Yunzhu nodded and walked in. "Ama, E Niang."

  Li Rongbao and Guajia stopped talking and smiled: "How did you come?"

  "My daughter also has a longevity gift for the emperor." Yunzhu smiled and signaled to Servant Mo to present the small sandalwood box. Li Rongbao hesitantly took over the box, opened it, picked up the letter paper filled with words inside, read it through, and was so surprised that he stood up: "How much confidence does this statement have?"

  "My daughter has an 80% grasp, but it's still best to ask Your Majesty to have the imperial physicians verify it." Anyway, there are many death row prisoners in the Qing dynasty. Before they die, making some contributions to the Qing can also reduce their sins.

  "Alright, this gift will be presented to Your Majesty at another time." Li Rongbao solemnly acknowledged.

  "What is it that makes you and your daughter so serious?" asked Gualdya with some concern.

  "Don't worry, it's a good thing." It was successful, and the blessing would spread throughout the world. Even if it didn't succeed, the Fu family could afford to bear this loss. Li Rongbao handed the letter paper to Guajia Shi, after decades of marriage, he believed that no matter whether things succeeded or not, Guajia Shi would not go out and talk nonsense.

  "How did you know this?" Madame Gualjian was both delighted and worried, it's a good thing that her daughter is capable, but she's also afraid that being too outstanding will make people wary of her. Fortunately, Yunzhu has a deep blessing and was born with a phoenix fate, otherwise she would have to worry about the saying "Extreme intelligence must be harmed".

  "It's a coincidence, my daughter remembered that someone mentioned in a travelogue or medical book that someone got cowpox and recovered quickly. When I arranged for Linglong and Yiyu to work as housekeepers on the estate, I asked them to help me investigate and verify whether it was true... Originally, I didn't take it seriously. This time when Mingliang contracted smallpox, I remembered this matter and had them come into the mansion to ask about it, and indeed it was so. I thought that although our private investigation wasn't proper, this was a beneficial thing for all living beings, so I planned to report it to the Emperor during the Wan Shou festival, letting him worry about it..."

  "It's only right." Li Rongbao stroked his beard and nodded with a smile, this kind of thing can't be greedy for merit or fame, otherwise it will backfire. After the Divine Prosperity, the Emperor's rule relaxed a lot, Tianhua's matter... now is exactly when the Emperor needs it most, presenting it to the Emperor for disposal is the most suitable.