The Fallen Medicine Woman: The Daily Life of Chun Nuan-Chapter 158 - 124: Master Zhou Seeks a Powerful Patron

Chapter 158: Chapter 124: Master Zhou Seeks a Powerful Patron

Madam Xu tried to establish kinship with Xiao Chunyu, but Xiao Chunyu gently evaded it.

In the end, she could only leave a gift and departed in despair.

She sighed as she boarded the carriage.

"Madam, why is the girl like this?"

"She is too clever," Madam Xu rubbed her temples, "I misjudged her. If Feng had married her, I wouldn’t have to worry about anything."

Though today’s daughter-in-law is good, she isn’t even close to Xiao Chunyu. She is also a well-bred young lady, showing her emotions on her face, unfit for big responsibilities.

"Then what about the future between Miss and the Xu family..."

"One generation close, the next a stranger, by the third and fourth generations unrecognized," Madam Xu shook her head. "As long as we don’t become enemies, it’s fine."

The maid nodded, as not being enemies still leaves room for mending relations.

"Don’t blame the girl for this. Honestly, if it were me who was abandoned by my maternal family after a mishap, I wouldn’t forgive easily either," said Madam Xu. "It was the master and madam who acted too harshly."

Even if not overtly supportive, there should have been some help in the dark.

Evading from start to finish, how is it different from strangers?

Who would long for such a family?

"Will the eldest lady return?"

"Given Xiao Chunyu’s current momentum, the Xiao family returning home is just a matter of time," Madam Xu replied, "However, after returning to the Capital, the Xiao family will find it hard to regain its glory."

The Xiao family’s prosperity was built on two generations of Imperial Physicians, and after being exiled, they fell into the dust. In a place like the Capital, where aristocratic families survive and thrive, even with Xiao Chunyu’s relentless efforts to uplift the Xiao family, survival is all they can hope for.

"Pity for Ning from the Xiao family, who is a very talented child. The Xiao family’s descendants cannot participate in the imperial examinations for three generations, leaving Qiang and others without hope or future."

Being related by marriage, Madam Xu knows the Xiao family very well.

"Indeed, it’s a pity."

The carriage was moving along when it suddenly stopped.

"What’s going on?"

"Madam, a merchant convoy is passing through this narrow road, so we have to let them pass first."

"Letting them pass is no problem," Madam Xu nodded. "Which merchant convoy is it?"

"It’s the convoy from Shu City’s Zhou family," said the coachman. "This convoy is from Changzhou in Shu City, and the owner is called Master Zhou Qi, who has some connections in the Capital."

"Don’t underestimate people from small places; if they can establish themselves in the Capital, they must have strong support behind them. Those without any skills cannot find backing."

Madam Xu is very wise; she never looks down on anyone established in the Capital. Those who climb up from the bottom step by step are far more formidable than the young masters of aristocratic families.

As the merchant convoy passed by, Master Zhou Qi looked around, feeling that after more than a year since he last entered the Capital, everything was different yet the same.

"Master, we are about to enter the city."

"Hmm, remind everyone, once entering the city, keep a low profile. Here, even stepping on an ant might mean you’ve crushed a precious pet belonging to a noble family. If trouble arises, it won’t easily be solved."

"Yes, Master."

Master Zhou Qi traverses the world relying on his ability to adapt to circumstances.

In Shu City and Changzhou, he is like a dragon; even walking arrogantly, no one dares to challenge him. But in the Capital, he is like a bug; being humble is his honor.

With his excellent adaptability skills, he always finds success wherever he goes and attracts wealth.

"Welcome, Master!"

"Shopkeeper, long time no see."

"Long time no see," said the shopkeeper, "Your courtyard has been cleaned and prepared for you. Please come in."

"Thank you!"

Master Zhou Qi preferred staying at this inn, even if he had properties in the Capital; he’d still stay here for a few days.

Primarily because the shopkeeper made him feel comfortable.

Over the years, their relationship had evolved beyond simply customer and shopkeeper; there was a brotherly companionship.

Every time he visited, the shopkeeper would personally cook two dishes, pour some wine, and the two would sit opposite each other, sharing the tales of martial conflicts and the Capital’s intriguing stories.

This evening, as usual, but this time the information provided by the shopkeeper left Master Zhou Qi not only intrigued but also surprised.

"Which is the Xiao Chunyu you mentioned?"

"Master, you may not know, there may be thousands named Xiao Chunyu in Great Xia, but the one who leaves a lasting impression in the Capital is none other than the eldest granddaughter of Xiao the Imperial Physician, Xiao Chunyu."

"Is she the one from the Xiao family who faced execution, asset confiscation, and exile, with the women sent back to their place of origin?"

Since learning from his mother about the great favor Xiao the Imperial Physician had done for their family, Master Zhou Qi remembered this benefactor he had never met.

It’s rumored that this time Xiao Chunnuan also sent something to her elder sister; could it be the same person?

"Exactly," said the shopkeeper. "To say Miss Xiao is also fortunate, she was granted marriage by the Emperor to General Huaiyuan, Xia Guangcheng, becoming the legitimate wife. You don’t know, General Huaiyuan..."

Master Zhou Qi’s lips curled into a smile; helping others is indeed helping oneself.

Just when he was worried about his shaky connections in the Capital and wanted to develop more avenues.

He never puts all his eggs in one basket; just as he was thinking of taking a nap, someone handed him a pillow—fortuitous indeed.

After drinking with the shopkeeper, Master Zhou Qi summoned the leader of his team to inquire about the items Xiao Chunnuan had sent for Xiao Chunyu. This time, he intended to deliver them personally.

"Master..." Tang Liu was organizing the things Chun Nuan had sent for Xiao Chunyu, when he was suddenly stopped and told that the Master wanted to deliver it personally. Xiao Chunnuan is beautiful, and Xiao Chunyu is even more beautiful than Chun Nuan. If the Master’s weakness breaks out, should he stop it or not?

"Tomorrow, you will accompany me to deliver the items to Miss Xiao."

"Yes, Master."

Tang Liu was worried, having no way to inform Xiao Chunyu in advance not to meet him.

As he turned, he suddenly heard Master say, "General Huaiyuan’s wife, haha, indeed fortunate."

Who is General Huaiyuan’s wife?

Tang Liu left the door to inquire with the waiter.

"Brother Tang, you asked the right person. Nowadays, everyone knows and everyone has heard, Miss Xiao has had a stroke of fortune, being granted marriage by the Emperor, marrying General Huaiyuan Xia Guangcheng. Tsk tsk, who would have thought that she, once discarded by the Wu family, would suddenly have a day of turning the tables."

"Which Miss Xiao are you referring to?"

"Who else, it’s the eldest granddaughter of Xiao the Imperial Physician, who was dismissed by the Wu family, then turned and filed a complaint with the imperial court, sending the entire Wu family to prison—Xiao Chunyu."

"I see!" Tang Liu maintained a calm exterior, but inside he was greatly shocked. He wished he could grow wings and fly back to Shu City to tell Miss Chun Nuan, knowing she’d surely reward him with a piece of silver!

Moreover, the reason for Master Zhou Qi wanting to see Miss Xiao was also clear. This was precisely Master Zhou Qi’s character—penetrating everywhere, let alone having such an opportunity. From now on, Master Zhou Qi would surely protect the Xiao family in Shu City closely.

Tang Liu was not worried about Miss Xiao being offended by Master Zhou Qi; everything seemed fine.