The Xiao family’s women have returned to the Capital.

True to expectations, those who couldn’t sit still came.

"Madam, Li Mansion sent over an invitation, saying the youngest grandnephew of the old lady is getting married next month."

During national mourning, marriages are prohibited. The citizens only need to observe a hundred days of mourning.

Thus, the end of mourning falls this month, so next month was chosen as an auspicious time.

"Alright, I’ve got it."

The old lady’s maiden home at Li Mansion.

Back then, as fortune dwindled, Li Mansion didn’t send anyone to care.

Everyone hid away, afraid of getting entangled with the Xiao family.

When leaving for Changzhou, the old lady, though silent, felt a deep resentment.

In those days, when the old master was around, every patient at Li Mansion invited him for consultation, not only free of charge but they also provided high-quality medicines.

Li Mansion had a son-in-law who was an Imperial Physician, treated almost like nobility.

They were extremely polite to the old lady back then.

During festivals, lavish gifts were sent, as if wanting to worship the Xiao family as ancestors.

Once trouble arose with the old master, they distanced themselves.

While understandable, this was a barrier that would remain unbridgeable even with the old lady’s departure!

"Madam, Madam Xu from Xu Mansion requests to meet."

Unlike the Li family sending invitations, Madam Xu came directly.

Mrs. Xu had no choice but to meet this elder sister-in-law.

"Oh, younger sister, you’ve suffered."

Madam Xu sobbed, expressing worry from Xu family during their stay in Changzhou.

She almost convinced Mrs. Xu.

"Luckily, fate has turned for the better now. Younger sister, you might not know, the old lady has been thinking of you during her illness, unsure if she’ll see you for the last time..."

Mrs. Xu frowned at this: Mother is gravely ill?

Why hadn’t Chunyu mentioned it before?

"Younger sister, since you’ve just returned today, you must be tired. Rest for a bit; tomorrow, visit Xu Mansion and see the old lady, comfort her heart."

"Alright, I’ve got it."

Mrs. Xu had a hint of skepticism towards the elder sister-in-law’s words.

Seeing Madame Xu off, Mrs. Xu massaged her temples.

Indeed, seven years without seeing her mother; perhaps she truly is ill and has aged.

Tomorrow, it’s proper to visit Xu Mansion.

Likewise, Mrs. Xu and Mrs. Huang shared this sentiment.

After all, one’s maternal family is one’s root.

Back then, when they left for Changzhou due to circumstances, their maternal family abandoned them, albeit understandably.

Now having returned to the Capital, naturally, these severed ties need rejoining.

An additional reason for their visits was to discuss marriages for their children.

"Madam, the gatekeeper reports that a matchmaker named Yang requests to meet."

Indeed...

A matchmaker’s visit meant negotiations about match proposals.

To say the least, Chunshu and Chunyan were long overdue for marriage.

In Changzhou, suitable matches were sought, yet none fit, dragging on to almost twenty years of age.

At this age, even in the Capital, it’s a significant issue.

Moreover, someone even more troubled was Miss Qiu, Qiu Yan, who, like Chun Nuan, remained unmarried.

Mrs. Xu knew that Mrs. Qiu often cared for Yu’er and considered visiting in the coming days.

In the Capital, there are none more influential yet untouchable than a matchmaker.

Offending them means hardships in getting children married.

Therefore, Mrs. Xu had her welcomed inside.

"Your servant greets Madam."

"Nanny Yang, right?"

"Yes, yes, Madam’s keen eye; back then, when the eldest Miss married, it was your servant who was the matchmaker."

Mrs. Xu felt an urge to drive her out!

How could she possibly do this?

Did she not know Chunyu suffered back then?

Yet she dared reminisce those times.

"Nanny Yang, who are you matchmaking for this time?"

"For your family’s Miss Chunyan."

Nanny Yang boasted lavishly, finally revealing the key point: a 23-year-old widowed man, crucially, a commoner.

"Nanny Yang, I wish to ask, how did this man decide to propose?"

One is widowed, the other a commoner.

Despite seeming financial stability, what use does it have?

At 23, with nothing to his name, lacking titles or official posts, spending days idly.

"Your servant thought, considering Xiao family’s daughters are aging, let’s pay attention. Finding suitable young men and then discussing."

Setting up a match brings generous fees.

"You are considerate indeed." Mrs. Xu, enraged: "Someone, escort Nanny Yang out of the mansion."

Truly, she wished to add the word "big."

The Xiao family’s daughters, reached such a predicament?

"No, no, Madam, you must understand, now Xiao Mansion is nothing. Look at your Xiao family; no scholars, no officials, no..."

"Xiao family has me, is that enough?"

Unbeknownst, Panpan, playing with Xiao Muyang, arrived at the front hall.

With hands on her hips, she faced the matchmaker.

"Oh, is this the Xiao family’s daughter? Which branch? Such impudence will make you unmarriable."

"Someone, slap her." Panpan angrily commanded.

"Yes, Princess."

The servant believed this matchmaker knew nothing of the skies, daring to insult the Princess.

"Princess, you are..."

"I am Princess Anping, personally granted by the late Emperor." Panpan sneered, "Also a granddaughter of Xiao family; you say they have nothing, but with me, Xiao family isn’t a place for ordinary riffraff like you to misbehave."

"Sorry, Princess, this woman was too loose-tongued and spoke mistakenly, sorry, Princess, I was wrong, I was wrong..."

Know your error, but it’s too late.

"Slap her twenty times," Panpan declared. "Also, dare you spread today’s events, sullying Xiao family, I will eliminate you."

"I dare not, I dare not, spare me, Princess!"

No use pleading, twenty slaps mandated, breaking two teeth, leaving the face battered, then Panpan had her thrown out.

"Remember, it’s I who beat you, Princess Anping."

"Spare me, Princess, I won’t speak foolishly again."

Begging after being beaten; truly a rarity.

"Get lost, never set foot in Xiao Mansion again."

"Yes, yes."

Nanny Yang scrambled away.

Mrs. Xu watched Panpan with mixed emotions; unimaginable that today, Xiao family’s reputation relied on this child.

Of course, rank dominates; Panpan’s act indeed scared Yang into silence against Xiao family slander.

This incident prompted Mrs. Xiao, the daughters’ matters should be addressed.

Xiao family convened the first family meeting after returning home.

"Chunyan and Chunshu, this time primarily concerns your marriages; what kind of family are you seeking?"

Seven years of hardships had matured the two girls.

Faces bore the marks of stability and wisdom.

"Mother, I’m not in a hurry."

"Auntie, I’m also not in a hurry."

Marriage, purely finding a good match; if unsuited, better not marry.

"Did you two plan this out together?"

Mrs. Xu thought, how can they be unhurried?

These children, this leaves the Emperor not worried yet the eunuch anxious?

"If there’s a good family, suitable for marriage; if not, we won’t marry."

"How can you not marry?"

Mrs. Huang couldn’t bear it: "If you don’t marry, what will people say about our Xiao family?"

"Third aunt, what if we hastily marry and end up unhappy?" Chunshu wasn’t one to obey: "Marriage is for happiness, not appearances; Xiao family’s reputation doesn’t hinge on Yun’er and my marriages. Genuine support comes from Xiao family sons’ abilities."

Better to promote kinship than let Chun Ning and others take the imperial examinations.

"Yes, I think Sister Chunshu is right."

Xiao Chunning also stood up: "Auntie, mother, third aunt, Chunning inquired, descendants of Xiao family can take imperial examinations."

"Really?"

The most excited was Mrs. Huang, so Chun An can attend school and aim for top scholar?

"Yes, you can take the exam; just right, the Emperor announced favor for special exams, hence I decided to participate."

"Chunning, after so many years of neglected education, you still..."

Can you manage? Ultimately, Mrs. Xu withheld her doubts.

"Mother, rest assured, I never abandoned my studies."

His sister guided him, never to forsake learning: prepare well, as opportunities favor the prepared. Seven years awaiting this day!