Chapter 7 (Sour Plum Soup)

While Yan Qiushu was busy testing her idea…

Elsewhere, someone was talking about her.

Mrs. Xiao had been staying at home ever since her son, son-in-law, and daughter all faced unfortunate accidents one after another. Her health had not been good. After waking up as usual that morning, she barely took two bites of breakfast before feeling uneasy. She asked someone to take the breakfast away and went for a walk in the yard.

Over the years, she had become familiar with every plant and tree in the large yard, but she didn’t want to leave.

The young lady of the Xiao family walked over and saw her mother-in-law wandering around again. She smiled helplessly and walked up to help her: “Mom, I heard you didn’t eat anything this morning?”

Mrs. Xiao’s serious expression softened when she faced her daughter-in-law, and she replied gently, “I didn’t have an appetite.”

“That’s not okay!” Xie Qingyun said firmly.

Mrs. Xiao tried to appease her by saying, “Alright, I’ll eat more tomorrow.”

“You’re just trying to coax me. Madam Huang, bring the tonic soup over. I’ll feed it to mother myself,” Xie Qingyun insisted.

Mrs. Xiao had a poor appetite for many years, and without the tonic soup ^[1]is a nourishing broth for health., her condition might have worsened.

Due to her role as the eldest daughter-in-law, Mrs. Xiao couldn’t resist much against Xie Qingyun. When she offered to feed her, Mrs. Xiao reluctantly agreed.

Mrs. Xiao ended up drinking half a bowl. But after a bit more, she felt uncomfortable and quickly said, “That’s enough!”

“Alright, but you have to finish this bowl within half an hour,” Xie Qingyun instructed Madam Huang firmly.

Mrs. Xiao gave her an annoyed look but didn’t argue.

Madam Huang, who was in charge of serving Mrs. Xiao, smiled and said, “Madam, you heard her—it’s not me making you suffer.” Mrs. Xiao rolled her eyes playfully, replying, “Young Madam always knows what to do.”

“What can I do? My mother still cares about me,” Xie Qingyun said with a smile.

Madam Huang went back to simmer the soup. Not wanting her to force her to eat more, Mrs. Xiao changed the topic: “Why are you here today? Aren’t you busy?”

“I’ve finished my work,” Xie Qingyun replied with a smile. “I came to tell you about Miss Yan who moved in yesterday. She said she wanted to visit you, but if you’re not up for it, she could just send over some food.”

Mrs. Xiao pursed her lips, seeming reluctant, and said, “I haven’t seen guests in years. It’s better not to.”

“But I want you to meet her,” Xie Qingyun insisted.

Mrs. Xiao was surprised, “Why?”

“This Miss Qiu is special,” Xie Qingyun said with a mysterious smile. “It’s the first time my sixth brother has brought a girl home, calling her his sister. Yesterday, I suggested he hold a family recognition banquet, but he refused. What do you think that means? Not only is she pretty, but Aunt Xu also said she can cook well. And my sixth brother has always loved food since he was a child. I suspect that soon, this relationship will progress. You’ll need to attend this banquet and be prepared.”

Mrs. Xiao had been withdrawn for years and wasn’t quick to think of these things. But after her daughter-in-law’s hint, her eyes brightened, and she looked more energized. Her usually distant and serious expression faded, “Really?”

Xie Qingyun raised an eyebrow and said seriously, “What else could it mean? If it wasn’t something important, who would let their daughter be brought back home so easily?”

People in the Great Zhou were quite open-minded, especially in families of military generals. Although the Xie family was noble, they also had military roots, so pre-marital interactions were more acceptable.

When Xie Qingyun’s father returned to the capital for official work, she followed him. Without a mother to care for her, Mrs. Xiao took her in. That’s how she met the eldest young master of the Xiao family and got engaged.

So, both Xie Qingyun and Mrs. Xiao believed this was the correct interpretation, especially since the girl didn’t seem like someone from an ordinary farming family.

Sixth Brother had kept it a secret, and as his elder sister-in-law, she didn’t expose him. However, she still had to prepare for the next steps.

Mrs. Xiao’s lips gradually curled into a slight smile, and she relaxed, “Alright, should I get ready?”

Xie Qingyun responded with mock annoyance, “What else do you need to prepare, mother? It would be best if you just ate more.”

Mrs. Xiao suddenly felt embarrassed and dared not reply.

Yan Qiushu couldn’t eat when she didn’t feel like it, but forcing herself to eat made her uncomfortable, and she would end up vomiting.

She soon received an invitation from Madam Xiao.

Yan Qiushu didn’t know what was happening inside the Xiao family. She only heard that when Xiao Huaiting returned yesterday, Madam Xiao didn’t come out to greet him. It seemed Madam Xiao might be seriously ill.

She didn’t have much hope. Usually, no one sees guests when they’re sick. But since she had an arrangement with Xiao Huaiting, she had to ask anyway. She was surprised to be invited.

Success or failure depended on this visit!

When Yan Qiushu visited, she brought some gifts, like money and jewelry. The old lady was probably used to it. Since she didn’t have anything special, she decided to rely on her cooking skills.

But what would an elderly person who’s been sick for a long time like to eat?

Yan Qiushu asked Shui Yu for help: “Do you know what Madam Xiao likes to eat?”

Shui Yu thought for a moment and shook her head, “I don’t know, but Madam’s appetite has been poor for years. The kitchen has been struggling, and Madam usually only tastes a few bites. That’s why she’s weak. Years ago, when everyone was well, Madam Xiao even went to the battlefield! The doctor said her loss of appetite is due to heartache ^[2]refers to deep emotional stress.. Miss, you can just cook something simple; Madam usually doesn’t eat much.”

After hearing this, Yan Qiushu thought for a while and smiled, “I need to go out for a bit.”

Madam Xiao’s condition seemed like anorexia ^[3]is an eating disorder.. 

But from Shui Yu’s description, she could still eat a few bites, so it wasn’t at its worst stage. Due to malnutrition, the old lady would be weak and often sick.

No wonder Xiao Huaiting needed her to cook.

In the past, Yan Qiushu wouldn’t have been confident. Even good cooking couldn’t help severe anorexia, where patients can’t eat even if they want to.

But this time, she had a special skill to help!

Xiao Family’s Main Courtyard

Fresh fruits were laid on the round table, and servants were busy. One servant accidentally dropped a teacup, causing a loud noise.

The steward was startled and cursed in a low voice, “Were you a thief last night?! Be careful!”

The servant quickly apologized, trying to make peace with the steward, who waved him off.

“Watch it!” the steward warned. But after the servant left, he muttered in amusement, “How long have you been training? Even small tasks are messed up. What if Miss Qiu thinks we lack manners?”

The maid in charge chuckled, “Don’t be so fierce. He was probably scared of you.”

“Was I?” the steward asked, touching his face.

The maid rolled her eyes, “Of course!”

The steward was quiet for a moment, then smiled, “I’m actually happy. There might be another wedding here. Weddings are good! Weddings bring joy.”

For years, apart from two children being born, there were no celebrations, only funerals. The children’s full-month banquets were simple because of mourning. The atmosphere was so gloomy, he didn’t want to stay.

Now, the Sixth Young Master brought back a girl!

And the usually private Madam was willing to meet this girl. What did this mean?

When Yan Qiushu arrived, she was welcomed by Madam Xiao’s personal maid, Madam Huang.