The Humble Family’s Daughter Has A Spatial Pocket!
Chapter 770 - 688: Burning the Grain Boats_1

Chapter 770: Chapter 688: Burning the Grain Boats_1

The two Imperial Physicians who had followed Dongli to learn the medicine preparation process promptly decided to imitate it. After mastering the manufacturing process, they even wanted to take Daohua’s trained attendants with them.

Gu Jian was unapologetically dismissive as he began to chase them away, "Wanting to take everything ready-made, why don’t you just ascend to heaven?"

Although the two Imperial Physicians were unaware of Gu Jian’s identity, seeing Dongli’s great respect for him, they did not dare to overstep and could only reluctantly return to Beijing.

Watching the two Imperial Physicians leave, taking with them the small amount of medicine they had produced during their time here, Daohua was left speechless.

Dongli explained, "These two often accompany the military, so they inevitably... try to save a bit."

Daohua: "... It’s good, thriftiness is a virtue."

...

Before one knew it, August had arrived.

The first day of August was Daohua’s birthday, and she returned to the Yan Residence.

Madam Yan herself prepared a bowl of longevity noodles for Daohua.

"I love eating the noodles Grandmother makes the most."

Seeing her granddaughter enjoying the meal, Madam Yan’s face was full of smiles as she sighed, "Time flies so fast; it feels like just yesterday you were born, and now, in the blink of an eye, you’re already a sixteen-year-old maiden."

With that, her expression became worrisome.

"Who knows when the war at the Northern Frontier will end, you can’t postpone matters at your age for too long."

Eating her noodles, Daohua was taken aback and replied somewhat helplessly, "Grandmother, don’t you want me to stay at home for a few more years?"

Madam Yan glanced sidelong at Daohua, "Stay a few more years? Do you want to end up an old maid?"

Since when did a teenaged girl become an old maid?

Facing such a significant generational gap, Daohua decisively gave up on continuing the conversation with her grandmother and buried her head in her bowl of noodles.

Madam Yan chuckled, "You haven’t been home, so you don’t know. Ever since you came of age, quite a few families have come to inquire about you. Your mother has had her hands full trying to send them away."

Daohua showed a look of surprise; this was news to her.

Madam Yan let out a sigh, "Although your affair with Yeyang has Aunt Gu making decisions, it’s still been carried out privately. If the higher-ups do not acknowledge it... your mother is somewhat worried. It would be better if things could be made official sooner rather than later."

Daohua fell silent; the matter was likely to require waiting, waiting for Xiao Yeyang to return from the Northern Frontier, waiting for the Emperor’s approval, and also for the Prince. No matter the poor relationship between Xiao Yeyang and his father, the latter was still Xiao Yeyang’s father, and his marriage would certainly require his approval.

Alas...

Thinking of the Imperial Family’s intricate relations, Daohua felt like sighing too.

At times she wondered, if Xiao Yeyang hadn’t been so overt about his feelings, or if he hadn’t indulged her—often quite outrageous on many accounts—she might have chosen to step back.

In the following days, Daohua did not rush back to Taohua Village, because her elder sister-in-law, Han Xinran, was about to give birth, about to bring into this world Daohua’s first nephew or niece.

On the afternoon of the eleventh of August, Han Xinran’s waters broke, and she went into labor.

As soon as Daohua received the news, she supported Madam Yan to her eldest brother’s courtyard. When they arrived, Madam Li had already come, and Yan Wenxiu was anxiously pacing under the eaves.

The child still had not been born by evening.

Daohua first escorted Madam Yan back to her courtyard, and upon returning, seeing her elder brother covered in sweat from anxiety and her mother restless, she pondered for a moment and took the initiative to change the subject to distract them, "Big Brother, did you notice any changes in our uncle’s family when you visited our ancestral home this time?"

Yan Wenxiu had gone back to his ancestral home to erect an imperial-granted archway. After the archway was completed, he mingled with the local clansmen and gentry for a while, only returning last month. Since then, he had been by his wife’s side, awaiting the birth.

Yan Wenxiu, with his eyes fixed on the delivery room, replied absentmindedly, "Not much has changed, just that Wenjie is a bit more ambitious than before."

Daohua then asked, "Is that so? Uncle didn’t leverage Father’s influence to cause trouble, did he?"

Yan Wenxiu shook his head, "Father personally wrote to the Clan Leader asking him to keep an eye on Uncle. Having had the experience from last time, Uncle dares not behave recklessly as before. Moreover, there is also my younger brother and his wife."

Having spoken of this, Yan Wenxiu had a bit more to say.

"Upon returning this time, I noticed my younger brother has truly matured. In the past, the second branch was managed by Uncle and Auntie, with my younger brother disregarding everything. Now, it is my younger brother and his wife who are in charge."

"On the day the archway was completed, many people came to offer their congratulations. Uncle had a few drinks and became rather vain with the flattery, but my younger brother noticed and took the initiative to restrain Uncle’s behavior. The second branch is now much more disciplined than before."

"When coming back, Auntie originally wanted to bring my two younger sisters along, but they were dissuaded by my younger brother."

Hearing this, Daohua smiled and said, "It seems that with a sister-in-law, my brother has grown up and can now hold his own household. With him and my sister-in-law guarding the second branch, Grandmother and our parents needn’t worry anymore."

Madam Li also smiled with relief. To be honest, she had been somewhat concerned about the second branch, worried that they might cause trouble back home, affecting the main and third branches.

Madam Li and the old master were delighted that Wenjie could shoulder the second branch.

Thinking of Zhu Qiyun, Madam Li sincerely felt that this girl was the right match.

On the twelfth day of the eighth month, at the hour of Chen, Han Xinran gave birth to Yan Wenxiu’s first son.

"This little fellow knows how to pick a day, his first bath falls right on the Mid-Autumn Festival. He’s in a hurry to join us for the celebration!" Madam Li, holding the baby delivered by the midwife, beamed with joy.

When Yan Zhigao learned of his eldest grandson’s birth, he was also overjoyed, dancing with excitement. Even the Imperial Court’s order to levy military grain again couldn’t dampen his spirits.

"We just collected grain last year, and collecting it again this year will make life difficult for the common people," sighed Master Xiao.

Yan Zhigao replied, "The Northern Frontier is continuously at war, and the army needs food. It’s an unavoidable situation."

Master Xiao then expressed his gratitude, "Fortunately, we in Ningmen Prefecture were the first to promote potatoes. Even if people have to hand over their military grain, they still have enough for themselves."

Upon hearing this, Yan Zhigao also smiled. The promotion of potatoes was largely thanks to his eldest daughter.

Sometimes, when he quietly reflected, he realized that his journey to this day was significantly influenced by his daughter.

Ningmen Prefecture turned in the required military grain on time.

Due to last year’s loss of military grain, this time, Yan Zhigao was especially cautious, personally overseeing the loading onto the ship.

The grain was again collected by the same Provincial Governor Yuan, who unlike last year’s curt manner, was considerably warmer this time, even with a hint of ingratiation in his tone.

There was no helping it. Nowadays, it was whispered among the households in Beijing that the Xiao Yeyang, who had made great contributions on the Northern Frontier, had two capable aides surnamed Yan by his side.

Surnamed Yan and following Xiao Yeyang, who could it be if not the two sons of the Yan Family?

There was an unspoken consensus among the officials of the Imperial Court: it’s best not to provoke the Jinling Guard. The reason was simple: they couldn’t withstand scrutiny!

It was said that the Jinling Guard had accumulated considerable merit this time, and the two sons of the Yan Family were already at the rank of Commanding Officer. Once the war in the Northern Frontier ceased and they returned, they were sure to be promoted again. The Yan Family was not one to be trifled with anymore.

Yan Zhigao dealt with the situation politely, and after completing the handover, he finally breathed a sigh of relief when Governor Yuan left.

...

While everyone hoped for an early resolution to the war on the Northern Frontier, in mid-September, the grain convoy en route to the Northern Frontier was robbed. The bandits were ruthless—if they couldn’t carry away the grain, they burnt the ships outright.

On the river, the flames raged for a full day and night.

When this news reached Beijing, the Emperor was outraged and the officials were heartbroken.

"Investigate, conduct a thorough investigation for me," commanded the Emperor. "I want to see who leaked the grain convoy’s route. Anyone related to this matter, no matter who it is, seize them all and put them in the prison!"

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