The Fallen Medicine Woman: The Daily Life of Chun Nuan-Chapter 124 - 102

"Has anyone proposed to Zhao Minghua recently?"

Wen Shi remembered an important question. Could it be that they’re avoiding her because the daughter-in-law has already been decided?

"I haven’t heard of any," Nanny Wu, who always had the latest news, said. "But the third young master of the Zhao family often visits the Xiao family."

"The Xiao family?"

"Yes, the Xiao family from the Capital whose property was confiscated, now living in Shuikou Village."

"Their family?" Wen Shi seemed to understand a bit. So that’s how it is!

"Let’s go, we’ll head home first."

If the guess is correct, the Zhao family has their eyes on Xiao Chunnuan.

"What did you say?"

The Clan Leader was taken aback. "The Zhao family wants an alliance with the main branch?"

"It could very well be, Father. Think about it, the Zhao family is in the medicinal business, and the main branch’s ancestors were Imperial Physicians. There could be many benefits for the Zhao family."

"The main branch returned to Shu City in tatters. Even their good clothes were pawned, and now they’ve spent so much money repairing the big house..."

The Clan Leader stroked his beard as he pondered. "Send someone to find out where that big house’s money came from."

Soon there was a reply: It was sent back by the eldest girl from the Capital.

It’s not surprising that Xiao Chunyu sent money back from the Capital; since she married into the Wu family, which holds an official position, it would be normal to send money back to Shu City.

However, soon the Xiao Clan Leader received shocking news: Xiao Chunyu was divorced in the Capital, she lodged a complaint with the Imperial Court, and the Empress and Empress Dowager even granted her money and an estate.

"Do you think the news from the Capital has reached the main branch?"

The Xiao Clan Leader asked Xiao Changfa with a squint of his eyes.

"Probably not," Xiao Changfa said. "If they had heard it, why would they make such a fuss saying that the money was sent back by the eldest daughter?"

"Also, families like this value their reputation the most. If they knew their daughter was divorced, they’d probably send her to a family temple."

"Yes, having a Xiao daughter divorced truly brings shame to everyone." Xiao Changfa said meaningfully, "Such a big matter, we still need to remind them."

The Clan Leader did not speak at this moment.

"Father..."

"You, when will you be more stable?" The Xiao Clan Leader truly felt powerless toward this son. "You only see that Xiao Chunyu was divorced; you don’t see that she lodged a complaint with the Imperial Court, and the Wu family is directly finished?"

So, what’s the connection?

"Who says women are inferior to men? In this regard, I actually support Xiao Chunyu’s actions." The Xiao Clan Leader said, "The Xiao family’s reputation cannot be trampled. Since it was the Wu family who wronged her, it’s normal for her to retaliate."

"Yes, Father."

Then, what’s the problem?

"The news says that she lodged a complaint, and the Wu family has been imprisoned, with some executed and some exiled. This means she has her reasons." The Xiao Clan Leader opened his eyes slightly, looking ahead, "The most important thing is that both the Empress and Empress Dowager rewarded her. What does this indicate?"

Xiao Changfa was confused by his father’s question.

They rewarded her, so what’s the implication?

"Your brain is not used enough." He felt disgusted, once again feeling regret that this is his own son. "It means that Doctor Xiao is seen as favorable in the eyes of the Empress and Empress Dowager, and they both cherish old acquaintances, thus caring for his descendants."

And then?

Xiao Changfa dared not ask, only inquiring with his eyes.

"It indicates that the Xiao family has a complete chance of rising again. If the next generation has even one capable individual, with the help of the Empress and Empress Dowager, they could rise again and even return to the Capital."

"But they still need to survive returning from the Northern Desert to reunite, and someone here needs to have the fate to wait for the family to reunite." Xiao Changfa’s eyes squinted.

"You, why make decisions so easily? Always looking ahead without considering the consequences..."

Feeling weary once more.

He advised his son to think thrice before acting, not to act hastily for a moment’s relief, as some actions would bring regret later.

Just like how he initially didn’t want to expel the clan, but ended up compromising because of a lack of resolve.

He now regrets it immensely upon realizing the main branch’s potential for resurgence.

Yet Xiao Changfa intends to cause more trouble for them.

In the eyes of the Xiao Clan Leader, this is something that should not be done.

But the Xiao Clan Leader never expected that Xiao Changfa would really cause trouble.

The person sent was Mrs. Xiao, Wen Shi.

Xiao Muyang’s first birthday was very lively at the Xiao family’s house in Shuikou Village.

Aunt Luo and Old Master Zhang arrived early, followed by Mrs. Zhao accompanied by her son Zhao Minghua.

"Mrs. Zhao, please sit. Our place in the countryside..."

"Don’t talk like that, Mrs. Xiao. Your house is beautifully built, especially the stone floor; it feels clean and neat."

"This was our Nuannuan’s idea. Nuannuan said laying a stone layer prevents slipping when it rains." Mrs. Xu praised her niece, "Our Nuannuan works the hardest, always busy without a break."

"Yes, Miss Xiao is a very capable girl." Mrs. Zhao, feeling that the words had reached this point, spoke of her objective, "I wonder if Miss Xiao is betrothed to anyone?"

"Our Nuannuan is not yet betrothed." Having been the head of the household for many years, Mrs. Xu immediately saw through Mrs. Zhao’s intentions. "Our Xiao family is still in the period of mourning, so when the mourning period ends, we’ll find a good match for Nuannuan." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

The old lady often worried about Chun Nuan, counting on her fingers which family’s son in the Capital would be suitable for her.

"What kind of family is Miss Xiao looking for?" It seemed she wasn’t betrothed, which was good news; her son would have a chance.

"Our old lady said that we don’t have much wealth and don’t pick in-laws based on their family status. But one thing is clear: they must treat our girl well, she mustn’t be wronged, and cannot be constrained."

The old lady knew that Chun Nuan often concocted medicinal herbs and secretly practiced making pills. With her acquired skills, if she married into a conservative family that wouldn’t let her go out and prevented her from dealing with medicinal herbs, she would be very unhappy.

"Yes, indeed, such a good girl as Miss Xiao shouldn’t be constrained." Mrs. Zhao became excited. "Mrs. Xiao, what do you think of our Minghua?"

"Minghua?"

Who is Minghua? For a moment, Mrs. Xu didn’t react.

"He’s my third son, the one chatting so happily with Chun Ning."

"Are you referring to Mr. Zhao?" Only then did Mrs. Xu realize Mrs. Zhao’s intention was to take a fancy to Chun Nuan and marry her as a daughter-in-law.

She only knew him as Mr. Zhao, not by his name.

"Yes, I’d like to have her as my daughter-in-law. Rest assured, I’ll never constrain her, and we have plenty of medicinal herbs, she can freely concoct them. We fully support her."

This attitude seems quite nice!