The Fallen Medicine Woman: The Daily Life of Chun Nuan-Chapter 135 - 107: Motivations (Part 3)

"Auntie, will you marry me?"

In the end, Zhao Minghua blurted out a straightforward question.

Chun Nuan... This person is indeed even sillier than I imagined, yet he’s charming in his silliness.

"I’m still in mourning, it’ll be two years before I’m out of it."

"I can wait, I’m not in a rush to get married," Zhao Minghua understood. The implication was that there was still room for negotiation: "We can get engaged first, and then, after your mourning period, I’ll take you into my home with grand ceremony."

"Are you sure you’ll be carrying in a wife and not a fortune god or something?" Chun Nuan teased him.

"Whether a wife or a deity, I will honor them, okay?" Zhao Minghua knew it was time to express his intentions: "Relax, once I marry you, I’ll definitely respect and cherish you, and I promise to marry only you, with no concubines or mistresses."

"That’s non-negotiable," Chun Nuan stated: "Our Xiao family upholds such traditions, no concubines and no women being concubines — it’s not up for discussion."

"I can do that, I promise." Zhao Minghua raised his hand, feeling like making a vow to show his determination.

"That’s just one thing. I have another requirement."

"Go ahead."

"Whenever we collaborate on projects, I want everything clearly documented in black and white, and I’ll take a twenty percent profit share."

Zhao Minghua hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement, appreciating her terms.

"That agreement needs to be written down too."

"No problem, I’ll follow your lead."

Qingsheng... I feel like the Third Young Master and Miss Xiao aren’t discussing marriage but negotiating a business deal.

It’s quite uncanny; they were both serious and happy in their talk.

Thus, the negotiation was completed just like that.

The two agreed to get engaged and marry after Chun Nuan’s mourning period.

When Zhao Minghua returned home, Mrs. Zhao promptly asked about the situation.

"Don’t worry, your daughter-in-law isn’t going anywhere. Get ready to invite a matchmaker to propose marriage. We’ll get engaged first and marry her after the mourning period."

"You rascal..." Mrs. Zhao was so excited she couldn’t articulate herself: "Finally, you’ve done something proper! All right, I’ll invite the matchmaker to the Xiao family tomorrow to propose."

"Why wait till tomorrow? Get the matchmaker now, first thing tomorrow we go to the Xiao family for the proposal." Zhao Minghua wasn’t seeing a charming, beautiful wife but imagined the wealth flowing in like the mighty river.

He’s truly fond of Chun Nuan; any random idea she has can be turned into a business.

Look at his teahouse now, the women’s tea section is always full, and reservations were even needed.

This summer, even Old Master Zhang’s tea house across the street made a fortune because of her iced tea recipe, earning him abundant profits.

Once she’s married, Old Master Zhang, Mr. Wang... they’ll all have to step aside for me.

Meanwhile, Chun Nuan let out a sigh as she put down her pen.

She didn’t know what the final result of this transaction would be.

But Chun Nuan understood clearly that having motives in a marriage makes it more enduring than having none.

How long can a woman rely on her looks for happiness?

She has skills to support herself, even without marrying, but societal norms don’t allow her to remain unmarried.

If she doesn’t marry, it will affect the marriage prospects of the Xiao family’s younger siblings.

Openly discussing conditions with Zhao Minghua was also a pleasant collaboration.

What’s important is that Zhao Minghua wasn’t annoying, and she could grasp his inner thoughts.

Hence, negotiating with someone familiar allows for more transparency.

One wonders what Mrs. Zhao’s reaction will be upon learning about their conversation.

"I’d really like to give him a spanking." At the Zhao family, Mrs. Zhao discreetly kept Qingsheng behind to inquire about his conversation with Chun Nuan. With Qingsheng’s loyalty to his master, he laid it all out.

"Ma’am, please don’t be mad; at least the outcome is good," Qingsheng quickly comforted her.

"What do you know? That boy, Old Third, his studies were a waste..." Mrs. Zhao was thoroughly upset: "No, that’s just him, an idle, unlearned fool... and he’s quite dense..."

Mrs. Zhao continued berating in front of Qingsheng before rounding on him as well.

"Why didn’t you stop him when he said that?"

Qingsheng... His mouth belongs to the young master, his heart hidden fold-fold deep within him. Can hardly interrupt what two people are discussing face to face!

"Luckily, Chun Nuan agreed. If she hadn’t, I’d really use a needle to sew his lips shut."

Qingsheng... Indeed, our madam is fierce.

However, thinking again, Miss Xiao is also sensible, possibly, she might outshine madam in the future!