Chapter Forty-Three: Uncomfortable!!

Three years ago, the Cangjiang Dam burst, drowning many of the workers repairing it. The villages downstream were plunged into misery, with countless lives lost and people left destitute. At that time, the Sacred Kingdom had just emerged from the ravages of war, and the treasury was depleted, so there was no thorough investigation into the incident. Only a handful of leading officials were punished, and many were arrested.

Three years have passed, and the dam has long since been restored by new officials sent from the capital. However, just a month ago, strange disturbances occurred again along the Cangjiang River. The local villagers often heard tremendous and peculiar roars rising from the river, and some even claimed to have seen the waters churning violently, only to settle down and vanish as mysteriously as they had stirred.

The local authorities reported the matter to the imperial court, and the emperor, greatly alarmed, decided to dispatch a team to investigate. As for why Bai Zhanshuang was chosen, it was because he wished to use his official duties as an excuse to visit his little sister.

At dawn, Bai Zhanshuang set off for Cangjiang, taking along his son-in-law Han Hua and his rustic brother-in-law Meng Shengze, all riding together in a carriage.

When Fubao awoke, she found her dear grandmother at home. Sweet as honey, her words made Bai Yulan envious. With her eldest aunt Zhang away visiting her own family, Fubao refused to leave Bai Yulan’s embrace for a moment.

“This child is not shy at all,” Bai Yulan said, tapping Fubao’s nose as she held her close.

For breakfast, Lady Meng herself cooked a bowl of chicken noodle soup for Fubao, making the little ginseng spirit beside her circle the table in longing. The little ginseng’s hair had finally grown in, forming a comical black tuft atop its head. The reason for bringing the little ginseng this time was because the chubby child was simply too much to handle. Lately, ever since emerging from the jade pendant, the little ginseng had grown suspicious of everything, forgetting its usual penchant for wandering.

Bai Yulan watched Fubao slurping her soup and darting her eyes about, unable to hold back a smile. “Such a clever girl,” she remarked.

Lady Meng also noticed her granddaughter’s behavior. “Bao’er, tell grandmother if the chicken noodle soup is good,” she said, placing a tender piece of chicken into Fubao’s bowl.

“It’s delicious! So delicious, I’m so happy!” Fubao cried out in delight, hugging her bowl.

“If you like it, eat more! That Yunniang doesn’t know how to care for a child—just look how hungry she’s let you get!” Lady Meng exclaimed, though Fubao’s plump cheeks made it clear she was exaggerating.

Meng Yun could only sigh inwardly. Wasn’t she just afraid her daughter would eat too much and have trouble digesting it?

Not that she was thin at all. In fact, Meng Yun had noticed that every meal, her daughter would share some of her food with her so-called little friends—like Bunny White, Dog Blackie, and the yet-unnamed Duckling. Halfway through eating, she would vanish with her bowl, only to be found in the side room, feeding her companions.

So, to avoid wasting food, she had to keep an eye on Fubao. Of course, a small bowl was her maximum allowance.

After breakfast, Meng Yun went to the Gu residence to find Gu Xiaoxiao, having heard from her mother that the girl’s face was looking rather serious.

With Fubao left at home, she now ran wild through the Meng family’s back garden, trailed by three or four servants. Bai Yulan sat embroidering a handkerchief in the pavilion, while Lady Meng went to receive a visiting lady. From time to time, Bai Yulan would glance up at Fubao, worried that the little girl might get herself into trouble.

Suddenly, Bai Yulan felt a wave of dizziness and nearly collapsed onto the stone table. Luckily, her maid Zizhu, quick of eye and hand, caught her by the shoulder just in time.

“My lady, what’s wrong?” Zizhu had been Bai Yulan’s maid since childhood, and their bond was deep. Seeing her mistress’s pallor, she couldn’t help but ask with concern, swiftly pouring her a cup of tea.

“Please, have some water, my lady.”

Bai Yulan rubbed her temples, recalling the momentary dizziness. She took the cup from Zizhu and felt much better after drinking.

“Are you feeling better, my lady? If not, shall I fetch the doctor?” Zizhu asked, seeing her mistress still rubbing her temples.

“I’m fine now, perhaps the weather is just too hot. A little rest and I’ll recover,” Bai Yulan replied after a while, feeling her strength return.

Seeing her mistress’s color return to normal, Zizhu finally breathed a sigh of relief. She said nothing more, but quietly made a note of the incident in her heart.