The Fallen Medicine Woman: The Daily Life of Chun Nuan-Chapter 278 - 182-3
"This is quite spacious."
Everyone knows that the household management in a wealthy family represents status and position.
In some estates, it’s common for people to fight openly and secretly, even to the point of getting hurt, just to contend for it.
In some mansions, the elders refuse to let go of control and fear hard work, putting their daughters-in-law in particularly difficult positions.
Xiao Changhe heard that Mrs. Xia left everything entirely to Xiao Chunyu and nodded.
"Mrs. Xia is a remarkable woman and has some reputation in the Capital."
"Yes, I heard that Mrs. Xia took my elder sister and Panpan to a social event. Someone deliberately tried to embarrass my sister by saying some unpleasant things, and Mrs. Xia slapped them on the spot."
"She has that right," Xiao Changhe said. "Back then, Mrs. Xia fought alongside Old General Xia at the border, and she was personally granted a title by the late emperor. Even the Empress Dowager shows her some respect."
Therefore, with such a strong mother-in-law protecting her, Chunyu must be living comfortably.
"Yes, my elder sister wrote in her letter that Mrs. Xia treats Panpan as her own granddaughter and always refers to her as the eldest daughter of the General Mansion."
"Panpan is indeed fortunate."
Not just that, her blessings are abundant.
Panpan is also a distinguished guest at the palace.
Chunyu didn’t reveal this to her relatives in the Northern Desert, and Chun Nuan didn’t tell them either, mainly fearing they might be frightened.
Some things thrive in secrecy.
This is a little secret between her and Chunyu.
Chun Nuan stayed in the Northern Desert for five days, bringing Xiao Hu every day to administer acupuncture and apply medicine to Aunt Ma, whose abdominal swelling visibly reduced.
On the day Chun Nuan was preparing to leave, Aunt Ma got up to see her off.
"Miss Xiao, don’t worry, I’ve already told my husband, and we will surely take good care of your family."
"Thank you, Aunt Ma."
"We should be the ones thanking you," Aunt Ma said gratefully. "If it weren’t for you, I can’t tell which day I might not be here."
Who would want to die if they could live?
For someone who has emerged from darkness, Aunt Ma’s feelings upon seeing the next day’s sun are understandable.
"Aunt Ma, this is fate," Chun Nuan said. "Uncle Ma is kind to you, you needn’t worry. Xiao Hu can now perform acupuncture independently. Continue taking your medicine and applying it as directed, and in another two months, you should be completely healed."
"All right, all right, I’ll listen to you."
A hundred or even a thousand words of gratitude could still not express her feelings, but she wanted to say them.
"Sister, do you really have to leave? Can’t you stay a few more days?"
Xiao Hu was reluctant to let this sister go.
Because of her, the Xiao Family treated him as part of the family.
Anyway, with his thick skin, he called them all family, from uncles to fathers and third uncles.
As for those older brothers, Xiao Hu often ran over to assert his presence.
Because of her, he felt like he had a family.
Moreover, she taught him acupuncture, which he found particularly fascinating.
She told him that if he was interested, he should learn, teaching him about human acupoints and many other important things to be aware of.
And she never avoided him when mixing herbs — she was teaching him her skills.
In the Northern Desert, a place scant of doctors and medicine, Xiao Hu thought learning these skills was more than sufficient.
After all, the remedies she taught were unique and secret.
"I have to go. If I wait any longer, it will snow, and once the roads freeze, I can’t return. My body is weak and can’t withstand the cold here."
That was true; she truly couldn’t bear it.
Chun Nuan was someone with self-awareness; when something wasn’t possible, she wouldn’t pretend it was.
"All right then, Sister, take care on your journey," Xiao Hu said. "I’ll miss you."
Chun Nuan patted his head.
"Stay here, have your meals at my house. I’ve already instructed the family to cook your portion with every meal. There’s no need to help at the post station anymore."
Helping at the post station only got him food and lodging. Since the Xiao family had a house and food for him, why work at the post station?
"Mm, don’t worry, Sister, I’ll take good care of myself and the family."
What Xiao Hu said might sound like a joke to outsiders.
But who exactly was Xiao Hu?
He knew several insiders.
And Uncle Ma — given the circumstances, would the few sons of the Xiao family still suffer?
Indeed, when Xiao Changqing came to see her off, he discreetly told her: Uncle Ma had already helped them switch to easier tasks where they wouldn’t be scolded or punished, thanks to both Uncle Ma and Xiao Hu, who had gone to the mines to chat with the village uncles.
