Don't disturb me, I won't be a concubine

Xu Yiwan's words made Dong Jiafu, who had originally planned to act coquettishly and cutely to beg for forgiveness, feel even more guilty.

But she had to go at that time, and whether she told her mother or not would make her mother worry.

After thinking for a while, she said truthfully: "Mother, I know if I tell you, you will definitely not agree to let me go. But the disaster victims outside the city really need people who know medical skills to help them. I want to go, so I chose to hide it from you."

"Mother, it was wrong of me to make you worry, but I don't regret my decision. If I could do it again, I would still go."

Xu Yiwan was silent for a moment, then said sadly: "You have all grown up and have your own ideas. I have become a burden to you."

"Mother, it's not like that..." Dong Jiafu's heart tightened.

Dong Jialin followed up by saying, "Mom, how can you think like that? You will never be a burden to us."

Dong Jiafu walked up to Xu Yiwan, tears welling up in her eyes. "I want to be with my mother all my life. As long as she is here, no matter where I am or what I do, I will always want to come back. Mother is not a burden, but my guiding star. Only when you are here, my heart will have a home."

"Silly child..." Xu Yiwan stood up and hugged her in her arms. The tears of mother and daughter wet each other's shoulders.

Dong Jialin was about to go over to persuade him, but was stopped by Dong Jingtang's look.

After a while, Dong Jingtang said, "Family members are like this, they are always tied to each other. Ah Fu, you don't have to blame yourself, you did the right thing, Dad is proud of you, you are worthy of being my daughter, Dong Jingtang!"

Dong Jiafu raised her head and burst into laughter, "Afu did not bring shame to our father and mother."

"Of course not. I heard from Envoy Chen that it was you who came up with the method to control the spread of the plague. Tell me what method it was. Also, tell us everything that happened to you over there."

Xu Yiwan wiped her tears and said, "Yes, you are not allowed to report only good news and not bad news. Mother wants to know what my daughter has been through."

"Then mother, please sit down and listen to me slowly."

After Dong Jiafu helped Xu Yiwan sit down, she sat next to Dong Jialin and started talking from the first day in the camp.

She concealed nothing and told them about the development of the plague in the camp, her acquaintance with Xiuniang and Daniu, the riots of the victims, and how they controlled the epidemic bit by bit.

The three people's hearts were constantly fluctuating with her story, and Xu Yiwan was so nervous that she kept touching the corner of the table.

After drinking two cups of tea, Dong Jiafu finally finished telling everything.

Dong Jialin sighed, "What Afu experienced in the camp was much more thrilling than what was described in the story."

"Reality is much more cruel than the stories in the novels, especially when faced with a terrifying plague." Dong Jingtang looked at Dong Jiafu with admiration. "Afu was able to calmly come up with a plan to deal with the riots caused by the disaster victims, and prevented something more serious from happening. She is as brave and resourceful as a man. Good!"

Xu Yiwan covered her chest with fear, "It was too dangerous. If it was just one step wrong, Afu would... I really don't dare to think about it. I would rather the children be normal than see them in danger."

"The child is fine, don't always think the worst. I think Afu has benefited a lot from this trip."

"You fathers are so careless. If something really happens, you will regret it." Xu Yiwan looked at Dong Jingtang.

Dong Jingtang apologized quickly, "Madam, please don't be angry. I am naturally worried about the child. Today is a family reunion festival, and A-Fu is back safely. Let's talk about something happy."

"Oh, I still have some pickled fish in the kitchen. Afu is coming back today, and I'm going to cook some of her favorite dishes myself--" Xu Yiwan stood up from her chair and walked out in a hurry.

"Mother, let me help you." Dong Jiafu stood up.

"Don't move. You don't have to do anything. Just rest well." Xu Yiwan turned around and said this before going out.

Dong Jingtang smiled and shook his head, "Your mother is like this, her emotions come and go quickly. Ah Fu, you don't have to feel guilty, your father supports you."

"Thank you, father." Dong Jiafu felt very touched and thought about Jizhou again, "Is everything going well in Jizhou, father?"

"It went relatively smoothly. The imperial court allocated money for disaster relief, and most of the victims in Jizhou stayed in their hometowns and were very enthusiastic about rebuilding their homes. With everyone working together, the flood receded and the affected villages were cleaned up quickly. Each household was given the corresponding amount of money, and the rest was left to the victims to slowly recover on their own."

"Dad must have been very hard working with so many things."

Although he only said a few words, the process must have been difficult.

"I am a king, and I must be loyal to my king. The salary I get as a father is the blood and sweat of the people, so I must work for the people at this time."

After hearing what they said, Dong Jialin whispered, "Dad and Afu did such a great thing, but I was of no use at all."

Dong Jingtang frowned, "You are also engaged, and will soon be a husband and a father. With the burden on your shoulders, you must straighten your back and stop saying such discouraging words, which will only boost others' ambitions and destroy your own prestige."

Dong Jialin immediately raised his head and chest when he heard that. His father was right. The people he had to protect in the future included Ru'er and their children. He was not a useless person.

"Brother, don't belittle yourself. Have you forgotten that you also used your own money to help the victims of the disaster and provided many people with a hot meal? Who dares to say that what you did is not remarkable?" Dong Jiafu comforted him.

Dong Jialin grinned, "I was mistaken. No matter what method we use, we are doing good things. I want to make more money in the future and help those in need at critical moments."

"My second brother has great ambitions, and money is the most practical and useful thing."

"Yes!" Dong Jialin nodded heavily.

Dong Jingtang was very pleased to see that his three children all had their own ideals and ambitions.

After coming out of the main room, Dong Jiafu went to the kitchen.

Seeing Xu Yiwan busy at the stove, she stepped forward happily and said, "Mother, Afu is here to help you——"

Xu Yiwan, who was cutting vegetables, turned around and asked, "Didn't I tell you to take a rest? Why are you here?"

"I'm not tired. I want to cook with my mother."

"No need for you, we still have Mother Guo and Chuncao here."

Mother Guo, who was washing vegetables nearby, said with a smile, "Yes, girl, we are here. You should go back to the house quickly to avoid being smoked later."

"Don't worry, Mom Guo. I'm not that delicate." Dong Jiafu said to Xu Yiwan with a smile, "I haven't cooked for a long time. Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. Let me cook two dishes for my mother as an apology to you, okay?"

Xu Yiwan couldn't help laughing, "You don't have to do it. Mother has never blamed you. You are my daughter. No matter what you do, I will never blame you."

"Mom, you are so kind." Dong Jiafu held her arm and rubbed her cheek against her.

"Oh my, you're such a grown-up girl, and you're already acting like a spoiled child in front of your mother." Xu Yiwan was so happy that she couldn't stop smiling.

Dong Jiafu finally stayed in the kitchen, and the mother and daughter worked together to cook a table of dishes.

The family had a happy reunion holiday with dinner and moon watching in the evening.