Chapter 779: It’s All Food
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The boy’s voice was crisp and clear. His almond-shaped eyes caused Su Binglan’s heart to soften. Moreover, the boy looked thin, and she could tell he was malnourished. Her heart ached for him.
Just then, someone came out with a walking stick. “Xiaoxi, who’s there?”
Lin Yishi struggled to come out. When Lin Xiaoxi saw his father, he threw down his ladle and said, “Be careful, Father. There’s a beautiful lady and a man at the door.’
Lin Xiaoxi was sensible, even though he was a child. He knew to support his father so that he would not fall. He was scooping water to wash the vegetables when Su Binglan arrived.
Although he was only seven, he knew how to do many things. He fed the chickens, washed the vegetables, and made a fire.
Lin Yishu patted his son’s head and said, “All right, I’ll greet them.”
He was stunned when he looked out the door and saw General Ji Xingye. The former thought he was hallucinating, stuttering, “G-General Xingye.” Since Lin Yishi was only a soldier in the military camp, he had no direct contact with Ji Xingye. However, he knew the general often watched them train at the military grounds.
Ji Xingye stepped forward and said, “You’re injured, soldier. Don’t force yourself to walk. Here, let me help you in.”
Lin Yishi observed Ji Xingye’s uniform and knew he was indeed the general. “Greetings, General Xingye.”
He excitedly motioned to bow. After all, the general held a high position in the military. Still, Lin Yishi wondered why such a person would visit him.
Ji Xingye said, “There’s no need to bow. I’m here with Her Highness to visit you.”
‘Her Highness?!’ Lin Yishi was shocked.
At that moment, Su Binglan entered the house and asked Su Yi and Su Chun to move the things down from the carriage. She said, “Young Master Yishi, these are the things Prince Ruozhu sent you. We’re here on his behalf.”
Su Binglan name-dropped her brother when doing these things. Lin Yishi felt touched when he heard her words.
Lan Ruozhu had always cared for the commoners and the soldiers. The people knew and loved the prince from the bottom of their hearts. However, Lin Yishi was in a daze as he looked at Su Binglan.
‘That girl looks like an angel. Wait, didn’t Princess Ruobing pass away? Is it possible that she didn’t die and has become Princess Binglan?’
A simple soldier like Lin Yishi had never met Lan Ruobing, so he did not know what she looked like. He was puzzled about certain things, but it was inconvenient for him to ask.
Lin Yishi could only stare at Su Binglan blankly while she brought in a few bags of rice and flour. He was so excited that his hands began to tremble. He knew he would have enough food for his family now that Su Binglan was here.
Although Lin Yishi cared little about himself, he wanted his mother, wife, and son to eat their fill. His eyes reddened as he said, “Thank you, Your Highness and General Xingye.”
“No need to be so polite,” Su Binglan said, “You’re a soldier who has served
and protected the country. You deserve all this.”
She always had more respect for those who served the country. She could see Lin Yishi’s gratefulness just by observing his expression. He had become more sensitive since getting injured. Hence, he felt the princess’s respect for him.
Lin Yishi almost failed to suppress his tears. He never expected people to remember his sacrifices, but the prince, princess, and general would never.
Ji Xingye sympathized with the soldiers. He gently patted Lin Yishi’s shoulder, and the former’s gesture was more effective than words.
At that moment, Old Madam Lin overheard the conversation. She coughed and asked, “Yishi, is someone here?”
“We have guests, Mother,” Lin Yishi responded and then told the other two, “My mother’s in the room. She’s unwell and can’t come to welcome you. I’m terribly sorry. Please, come in. I’ll get you some water.”
“Is your mother sick?” Su Binglan asked.
“Unfortunately, yes. My mother fell ill when she heard what happened to my brother last year. It was pretty terrible.” Lin Yishi’s eyes brimmed with sadness as he spoke.
However, Lin Yishi knew he should not cry, no matter how much pain he felt, because he was a man. He still had to work hard to support his family. His mother would be even sadder if he showed his emotions. Ji Xingye asked, “Have you visited a doctor?”
Lin Yishi sighed, saying, “Yes, we have, but he said…”
He could not continue and choked up instead. Su Binglan and Ji Xingye understood his frustration. Su Binglan said, “I know medicine. Let me take a look at your mother.”
Lin Yishi’s eyes lit up when he heard that. “Y-Your Highness… You…know medicine?”
He was so excited that his voice trembled. Meanwhile, Ji Xingye was in disbelief, thinking, ‘The princess knows medicine?! So she’s excellent at cooking and has medical skills. She’s amazing!’
Ji Xingye was fascinated because he heard that Su Binglan came from the countryside.
After hearing Su Binglan’s words, Lin Yishi returned to his senses and said, “I apologize, Your Highness. I didn’t mean to doubt you. I… I just…”
He felt he had misspoken and became afraid. However, Su Binglan waved it off and said, “Don’t worry. Yes, I do know medicine, so I can take a look at your mother if you’d like.”
Lin Yishi was stunned when he heard Su Binglan’s gentle voice. He was surprised that she had a good temperament and did not scold him for doubting her.
“Father, here’s some water.” Lin Xiaoxi placed a few cups on the table.
Lin Yishi hurriedly said, “Your Highness, General, please have some water.”
Su Binglan thought of her two nephews back home when she looked at Lin Xiaoxi. Her heart raced as she said, “Your name is Xiaoxi, right? You can go and play while we chat with your father, okay?”
Lin Xiaoxi liked the young lady before him, especially when she smiled at him. He thought she was polite and gentle.
Su Binglan passed him some sweets, saying, “Here, you can eat these.”
Lin Xiaoxi looked at the candies and wanted to accept them. However, he first looked up at his father before doing so. Lin Yishi became emotional as he said, “Go ahead.’
Lin Xiaoxi took the candies and said sweetly, “Thank you, Pretty Sister.”
“You’re too cute, Xiaoxi,” Su Binglan responded.
Lin Xiaoxi blushed after receiving her compliment.
Soon after, Su Binglan entered the inner room to check on Old Madam Lin. The older woman had fallen asleep again. After checking Old Madam Lin’s pulse, Su Binglan frowned and gathered her silver needles for acupuncture.
Su Binglan told Lin Yishi, “I need to remove your mother’s coat so that I can do the diagnosis.”
“What kind of treatment is it, Your Highness?”
“It’s acupuncture. Don’t worry, okay? I’m confident I can cure your mother.” Su Binglan knew Lin Yishi was suspicious about her medical skills. Still, she was a princess, and he could not disobey her.
Thus, Su Binglan offered him some reassurance. Lin Yishi was so excited that he motioned to kneel before her, but Ji Xingye hurriedly stopped him..