The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress-Chapter 1053 - 1030: Prestige in Chaotic Times 98
Xiao Hui knew that Dong Da was ill and was anxiously pacing around at home.
However, since Anning had told her not to see Dong Da again, she dared not go over.
Xiao Hui didn’t go herself but still inquired about the situation. Upon learning that Dong Da was bedridden, she asked Xiao Yin for help to check on him.
Xiao Yin was young and had a good relationship with Dong Da. In the past two years, whenever Dong Da saw her, he would hold her and take her to play on the street, often bringing her snacks and small gifts. No one would think much of Xiao Yin visiting Dong Da.
Xiao Yin didn’t say anything about Xiao Hui. She brought some food made by Xiao Yun and, together with Xiao Yi, went to the Dong Family.
The Dong home felt very empty.
Without a mistress, there was only an old steward with two or three servants and an old woman for cooking.
When Xiao Yin and Xiao Yi arrived, the old steward had just invited a doctor to the residence to take Dong Da’s pulse. He was seeing the doctor out when he saw Xiao Yin and quickly went over to pay his respects: "I have seen the two young ladies."
Xiao Yin asked the steward, "How is Uncle Dong? I know Uncle Dong loves cloud brocade cake, so Sister Yun specially made some. I wonder if he can eat it."
The old steward replied, "Young lady, kindly say a few words to our master outside. The room is dirty, and the smell is unbearable; we wouldn’t want it to affect you."
But Xiao Yin wasn’t someone who would be put off by that.
Dong Da was someone Xiao Yuan intended to use heavily, and Xiao Yin and Xiao Yi both sought to maintain a good relationship with him. Even if they found the room unpleasant, they wouldn’t show it.
"What does the smell matter? Uncle Dong is this ill; how could we not visit him? Not to mention that Uncle Dong often took us out to play and never minded the dirt and effort. How could we possibly disdain him now?"
Xiao Yin said sternly.
As she spoke, she and Xiao Yi entered the room.
The room indeed had an unpleasant smell. Since it was winter and Dong Da was so ill, the servants didn’t dare open the windows. With a stove burning, the warm room made all sorts of odors rise.
The room was filled with medicinal smells, the stench of sweat, and mixed food smells—truly pungent.
Yet Xiao Yin and Xiao Yi managed to keep a straight face, showing no sign of disdain.
"Uncle Dong."
The two girls walked to the bedside and looked at Dong Da briefly.
Dong Da was lying on the bed, seemingly with a fever. His face was flushed, and his beard had grown long, with no one to shave it for him. He was so thin he was almost skeletal, lying there as if dead.
Xiao Yin’s eyes filled with tears at the sight: "How did it come to this."
Xiao Yi also turned around to wipe her tears: "Uncle Dong, it’s Yi’er. Can you hear me?"
Dong Da made a few grunting sounds in his throat, seemingly responding to Xiao Yin and Xiao Yi.
Xiao Yin wiped her tears and told the steward, "Open the window, let the air in. Even a healthy person couldn’t stand such a room, let alone a sick person. If it’s cold, add another stove to warm the room, but first, open the window to let in fresh air and dissipate these odors."
The steward didn’t dare contradict Xiao Yin and quickly opened the window.
Once the window was opened, the room’s smell improved significantly after a while.
Xiao Yin set down the food she brought, took a stool, and sat by the bed, "Uncle Dong, my mother said our Southern Yi has developed well in recent years, and the people’s lives are prosperous. This year, we plan to have a grand New Year, with a lantern festival in Prefecture City, and even arrange a few opera troupes to perform for the people. This New Year will be a lively one. In these few days, we’ll start preparing. Uncle Dong, you must recover quickly; I still hope you’ll take us to the lantern festival. My parents are very busy and can’t take us out. I’m counting on you. If you don’t get up, this New Year won’t be festive."
Xiao Yi added, "Exactly, Uncle Dong, you also promised me you’d bring back Jiangnan tribute satin for me. I still want to make some new clothes from that fabric. It’s a pity that Uncle Dong didn’t bring it back this time. You must quickly recover and go to Jiangnan to get the tribute satin. I heard Jiangnan’s cloud brocade is particularly good, and I’m thinking of making a dress out of it; how beautiful it would be. My parents are frugal and won’t let us wear such materials, but Uncle Dong loves us and would bring us nice fabrics and beautiful accessories. Uncle Dong, if you don’t recover, I won’t have new clothes for this New Year."
The two girls chatted away for quite a while, and Dong Da’s eyelids started moving. His eyelids opened slightly, and his eyes rolled around.
"I... won’t die."
Dong Da said these four words with difficulty.
Xiao Yin was overjoyed and immediately asked the steward to pour a glass of warm water. She carefully wetted Dong Da’s lips with a spoon and then slowly fed him some water.
"Sister Yun made cloud brocade cake; Uncle Dong, get well soon to taste it. Also, Sister Hui said she learned a few new dishes, all meat dishes, and she knows Uncle Dong loves them and wants to cook for you..."
Dong Da’s complexion improved a bit as he listened to Xiao Yin talk about these trivial matters, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
Xiao Yin could tell Dong Da was struggling and was eager to recover.
Now that there’s hope, there’s nothing to fear.
After all, there are plenty of good doctors in Southern Yi these days. As long as Dong Da strives to survive, he will surely recover.
Xiao Yin said a few more words before she and Xiao Yi bid farewell and left.
The old steward, with red eyes, escorted the two girls out of the Dong Residence.
Returning home, the old steward, while crying, told Dong Da, "Master, please get better quickly. Regardless of anything else, the Third Young Master holds you in high regard. The Third Young Master has always been concerned about you. In the future, it wouldn’t be possible to conquer without you. Over in Jiangnan, who knows when we’ll be able to capture it? Our Southern Yi is now strong in soldiers and provisions. As soon as the Third Young Master gives the order, flattening Jiangnan won’t be an issue. Master, don’t you wish to lead soldiers into battle again, to charge in with your sword held high..."
When Xiao Yin returned, Xiao Hui found her and urgently asked about Dong Da’s condition. Upon learning that Dong Da was bedridden, even having trouble eating, Xiao Hui became completely anxious.
She hurriedly went to find Anning. At that time, Anning had just woken from an afternoon nap when Xiao Hui entered the room and knelt down in front of Anning.
Anning waved her hand for Chun Xing to take the maids out: "What are you doing?"
Xiao Hui hung her head, "Mother, after much thought, I still wish to marry General Dong. I beg you to fulfill my wish."
Seeing Xiao Hui’s determined look, Anning sighed deeply, "Get up; let me contemplate this."
Xiao Hui knew this meant half the success of her wish. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖
Anning didn’t refuse her, only said to think it over, which meant she would help figure something out.
Xiao Hui immediately broke into a smile through her tears: "Mother, take your time; I’m not in a rush."
Anning glared at her, "You knelt and cried, asking, yet you say you’re not in a rush. Fine, I’ll think for ten to eight years."
Xiao Hui’s face instantly turned red.
In Anning’s heart, she sighed about how daughters become unretainable as they grow, but she smiled and said, "I need to discuss this with your father, see what he thinks."
Xiao Hui nodded, "Of course, it must be discussed with father. If father disagrees, then I won’t insist. I still have to listen to my parents."
Anning had her sit down, "During this time, stay at home. It’s almost the end of the year; there are many things to do in Prefecture City and at home. Stay and give me a hand. Don’t worry about Dong Da’s affairs; your father will make decisions for you. You are a daughter, after all, and should be more reserved. You can’t just go to him without status or position; it wouldn’t look appropriate, and people would look down on you."
