Chapter 680: Long-term Plans
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Until now, there were still commoners planting sweet potatoes. They did not expect to harvest anything but only hoped to water and grow them a little. Hopefully, they could even survive on the leaves when it comes to it.
Yu Youyao heaved a sigh of relief. She hoped that the sweet potatoes could be planted on every inch of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Yu Zongzheng had used Ye Hanyuan’s power to settle the disaster relief in Zhejiang. He had also helped the River Censor and Ye Hanyuan investigate the corruption case.
After the Imperial Court obtained the dirty money, the Emperor should be very satisfied with Yu Zongzhengs performance.
If she’s right, after Yu Zongzheng returns to the capital to make his report, it wouldn’t be long before he had to lead more work on drought relief. There was nothing to worry about. Since he had done it once, he would definitely be more proficient the second time.
Of course, the premise was that Yu Zongzheng could return to the capital as soon as possible.
Yu Zongzhengs trip had clashed with the interests of the Xia Party, so they would not let it go easily. They were enduring it now because Yu Zongzheng had made a contribution, so it was not appropriate to target him.
If Yu Zongzheng did not return to the capital to report as soon as possible, impeachment would be inevitable.
Although Xia Yansheng had fallen, a starving camel was still bigger than a horse.
The longer this dragged on, the more disadvantageous it would be for Yu Zongzheng.
She hoped that Yu Zongzheng could go and help with the drought. That person has a strong desire for power, so he would strive to perform well. Even if he did not have the principles of governance and could not be an excellent minister like Second Uncle, he was not careless with his work.
Yu Youyao picked up her brush and fiff0te to her cousin. She chatted a lot. In the end, she mentioned at the end of the letter that her grandmother was sick. It was only one sentence and she did not dwell on it.
After writing the letter, Yu Youyao instructed Yin Qi, “If Cousin asks, tell him that everything is fine in the residence and ask him to settle the matters in Youzhou as soon as possible.”
Yu Youyao prepared some incense, medicinal cuisine, snacks, and so on for Yin Qi to bring along.
Yu Youyao left the room.
At this moment, Qing Xiu came over. “Matriarch is awake and wants to see Young Miss.”
During this period of time, her grandmother would be unconscious for longer and longer durations.
Every time she was falling asleep, she had to talk to her. Every word and sentence was a reminder and a lesson. She seemed to be worried that if she did not say more, her granddaughter would suffer in the future.
Yu Youyao’s heart ached, and she quickly went to her grandmother’s house.
Nanny Liu wanted to feed Matriarch Yu some medicine.
Yu Youyao quickly said, “I’m here to serve Grandmother.”
Nanny Liu’s eyes were red as she handed the medicine bowl to Eldest Miss. She turned her face away and hurriedly wiped her tears.
Old Madam Yu had just woken up and had no energy. “Has Linghuai’s reply arrived? The North is only a thousand miles away from the capital. It can be delivered within three to five days.”
Yu Youyao took a sip of the medicine. The temperature was just right, but she felt bitter.
As she fed her grandmother a spoonful of medicine, she said, “l just received a reply from Cousin. In his letter, he said that he would be back at the end of this month at the latest. Grandmother was sleeping at the time so I didn’t mention this.’
Old Madam Yu coughed hard and vomited all the medicine she had just taken. She collapsed on the pillow, her eyes rolled back and she couldn’t even breathe.
“Grandmother…” Yu Youyao panicked. She quickly handed the medicine to Nanny Liu and quickly grabbed her grandmother’s hand, pressing the acupuncture points on her hand hard.
Nanny Liu placed the medicine on the small table by the bed and helped Matriarch smoothen her chest.
After being fl.u.s.tered for a while, Old Madam Yu finally stopped panting, but her face was terrifyingly pale.
Old Madam Yu stared at her granddaughter and said forcefully, “W-Write to Linghuai again and tell him that I’m seriously ill. Tell him to come back as soon as possible…”
Ever since Old Madam Lai entered the residence, her right eyelid had been twitching non-stop. Even though Old Madam Yu had been through many storms and did not take Yu Jianjia’s insignificant old main seriously, she still had a bad feeling.
“Grandmother, don’t talk. Finish the medicine first.” Yu Youyao held back her tears and picked up the medicine again, carefully feeding it to her grandmother.
This time, Old Madam Yu finally did not spit out the medicine.
Yu Youyao finally heaved a sigh of relief. No matter what, it was good so long as she could swallow the medicine.
Finally, Yu Youyao finished feeding this bowl of medicine.Yu Youyao’s heart relaxed, and her body went limp. Even her head felt a little dizzy.
Old Madam Yu felt suffocated. “Get Linghuai to come back…”
“Grandmother, don’t worry. I mentioned in my letter just now that I wanted Cousin to come back as soon as possible. When he sees the letter, he’ll definitely come back early.” Yu Youyao felt terrible seeing her grandmother’s weak appearance.
Recently, her grandmother had been subtly telling her to distance herself from the Yu Residence.
However, she kept asking her cousin to come back.
Parents will make long-term plans for their children out of love.
How could she not know what her grandmother was thinking?
Old Madam Yu was a little relieved, so she mentioned Yu Zongzheng again.
“Where’s your father? Did he send a letter to the family? It’s already August.
No matter what job he’s on, he should be back by now.”
Yu Youyao shook her head. “Father hasn’t sent a letter home in over a month. I don’t know when he’ll be back.”
Old Madam Yu’s breathing became heavier. “Send another letter to your father later. Tell him that I’m critically ill and ask him to come back immediately.”
Yu Youyao nodded. “Don’t worry, Grandmother.”
From July until now, she had already sent three letters to Yu Zongzheng. In the letters, she had also said that her grandmother was seriously ill and asked him to return to the residence early.
Old Madam Yu did not want to mention him anymore. She turned around and asked about Old Madam Lai, “There’s no movement from her at all?”
Yu Youyao shook her head. “She’s been staying obediently and doesn’t look like she’s going to cause trouble. Perhaps Grandmother is thinking too much.” She knew in her heart that even if she lied to her grandmother, she might not believe her. She advised, “Grandmother, recuperate well. No matter what schemes Old Madam Lai has, she can’t surpa.s.s Grandmother.”
Old Madam Yu shook her head. “I’m afraid…” The words were about to come out of her mouth, but she was afraid that her granddaughter would worry, so she swallowed them. “I’m worried that you’ll suffer.”
Her body was hers. How could she not know if she would be able to recuperate or not?
Yu Youyao smiled. “I’m not someone who will suffer a loss. Grandmother, don’t worry.”
Old Madam Yu wanted to reach out her finger and poke her forehead, but she did not have the strength. “Your third sister is all talk and no action. As for you, you’re all action and no talk. As if you won’t suffer at the hands of others. You were bullied by Madam Yang at a young age of three and you’ve even learned to endure it.’
At this point, her eyes turned red and filled with tears. “How could I not know that you’ve been bullied since you were young? It’s not that I didn’t want to stand up for you, but I was worried that if I do, Madam Yangs supporters will become worse. So I indulged Madam He and pampered her…”
Which old lady didn’t hope for peace at home? She was the one who had spoiled Eldest Son and favored Concubine He. She had also spoiled Concubine He, causing trouble for Madam Yang day by day which led to infighting. In the end, she did not have the time to care about Yao Yao.
It was also because Concubine He had provoked Yao Yao that she had dealt with her.
After that, she helped Concubine Qiu up who continued to cause trouble for Madam Yang..