The Xiao family’s porter received another invitation, this time from Mrs. Qiu.

"I’ve long wanted to visit Mrs. Qiu," Mrs. Xu said to her daughter-in-law, "Prepare to welcome Mrs. Qiu and Miss Qiu tomorrow."

"Yes, Mother."

Mrs. Zhu was grateful that during their time in Changzhou, her second sister Nuannuan helped build some family assets, so their relocation back to the Capital wouldn’t be so restrained.

The Xiao family, being part of it is still not easy.

The next day, Mrs. Qiu and Miss Qiu came to visit.

"Mrs. Qiu, please come inside."

Mrs. Xu greeted them at the front door early: "I haven’t seen Miss Qiu for many years."

"Indeed, this child has also said she wanted to come and visit you all."

Looking at Mrs. Xu, Mrs. Xu, and Mrs. Huang, who are younger than herself, Mrs. Qiu sighed that they truly suffered greatly.

Just in their early forties, each has grown some white hairs, wrinkles... or rather, none at all, surprisingly.

Perhaps all the hardships suffered in Changzhou manifested in the white hairs.

"Nuannuan hasn’t returned, she’s expected to come back next spring. Once she’s back, you sisters should gather together."

"Oh, Nuannuan is already a mother, while my girl is not yet married; it really worries me."

In front of outsiders, Mrs. Qiu never mentions this matter.

But in front of the Xiao family, she has no such reservations.

"Good things shouldn’t be rushed," Mrs. Xu said, "When it’s time, the matchmaker’s red thread will connect them. Look at our Shu’er and Yan’er, aren’t they also unmarried?"

"Yan’er and Shu’er are three years younger than my girl, right?"

Comparison just makes one more anxious.

"Mrs. Qiu, Miss Qiu, please have a seat."

Mrs. Zhu immediately arranged for the maids to serve tea and pastries.

"Are these pastries made by Nuannuan?"

Miss Qiu exclaimed after taking a bite.

"Sister Qiu, these were not made by the second sister, but by Shu’er."

"Shu’er, how do your pastries taste just like those Nuannuan makes?"

"Because Shu’er was taught hand-in-hand by the second sister."

"You’re amazing." Qiu Yan gave a thumbs-up, "I used to follow Nuannuan around to eat pastries every day, but couldn’t learn the skill of making them."

"You silly girl, you never thought to learn, just focused on eating, always so greedy."

"Mother, it’s not nice to point out people’s faults."

Qiu Yan still manages to act spoiled around her mother.

Seeing this, Mrs. Xu, Mrs. Xu, and Mrs. Huang smiled knowingly.

Indeed, no matter how old you are, before getting married you can act spoiled in front of your mother. Once married, as a wife and daughter-in-law, one must be considerate and understand propriety, no longer being themselves.

True close friends visiting for tea and chats don’t just drink tea and chat but also inform Mrs. Xu about the dynamic shifts in the Capital over the past seven years.

They reveal some news during the conversation to the Xiao family.

After sending Mrs. Qiu and Miss Qiu away, Mrs. Xu had many thoughts.

One was grateful for Mrs. Qiu’s understanding, the other was truly the change of emperors brings change of ministers.

After the new emperor ascended, a new batch of aristocrats emerged.

Unsurprisingly, General Xia’s mansion was the most esteemed among the new aristocracy.

Many people wanted to associate, some even considered proposing to Princess Anping.

"Panpan is seven years old..."

This left Mrs. Zhu speechless: "What are these people thinking?"

"That’s the Capital for you, all about profit, each one a master of scheming."

The abacus beads are flying everywhere: "Yu’er should have good judgment, if not, Mrs. Xia should still be clear-headed."

"Panpan’s marriage will likely be decided by the palace."

Mrs. Xu, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, reminding everyone indeed.

True, Panpan is favored by the palace, how would they allow others to make plans recklessly?

"These people truly are..." Mrs. Huang said with slight jealousy, "Can’t marry off the old ones, yet planning for those under ten."

Listen to this?

Mrs. Xu glanced at her, truly, she seemed nothing like a lady from the prestigious Huang family.

What led to her becoming like this today?

It’s not something she learned in Shu City, even there she wouldn’t leave the house much, apart from some initial struggles, she mostly enjoyed life thereafter.

Anyway, she’s not who she once was.

On the sixth day of the Xiao family’s women returning, they finally heard news.

"The master and young masters have reached the city gate."

"Hurry, hurry and get ready to welcome them."

The women were all excited: "Chun Ning, Chun Ning, prepare incense candles, as soon as they return, we must go to the ancestral hall to honor the ancestors."

During these seven years, apart from the old lady, everyone who left returned safely, it was a blessing amidst misfortune for the Xiao family.

"They’re back, all back."

The servants spread the word: "The master, second master, third young master, eldest young master, second young master are all back..."

Mrs. Xu had already brought the family out to welcome them.

"Eldest Master..."

Seeing her husband with white hair and a white beard, Mrs. Xu was moved to tears.

The Northern Desert was truly harsh.

Her husband, who was once elegant and handsome, now resembled an immortal.

"We’re back."

Looking up at the plaque above the gate, the Xiao family men also choked up: "Seven years, we’re back."

They thought they’d spend their lives buried in the Northern Desert, never expecting to return.

During their journey home, they imagined a thousand times over that they would reside at Chunyu’s country house, never guessing Chun Ning had servants welcoming them, leading them through familiar streets and to an old home.

Only after asking did they learn that Chun Nuan’s husband had bought the Xiao family’s estate, preserving its foundation.

Seven years ago, their parents were still alive.

Back then, the children were young, and the courtyard was always filled with laughter.

Now, returning after seven years, they knelt before their parents’ spirits to offer their respects, telling them from the heavens above that all their descendants had returned safely.

"You should all go freshen up, tonight is the family banquet."

At the family banquet, the seats at the head were empty.

Beyond doubt, those belonged to the old master and old lady.

"Today’s safe return was thanks to Chunyu and Chun Nuan, and especially to our Panpan."

Everyone in the Xiao family understood this.

"Panpan is truly our lucky star."

If not for her being favored by the esteemed ones and her merit in protecting the Crown Princess Consort, now the Empress, during her pregnancy, prompting immediate thoughts from the Empress Dowager and the Emperor to summon the Xiao family back to the Capital.

"Panpan misses her second aunt." Panpan was busy eating: "Aunt Shu makes such delicious pastries, says they’re taught by the second aunt, the second aunt’s would surely taste even better."

"Your second aunt not only makes delicious food but also makes herbal remedies," Chun Shu teased her, "Now don’t eat randomly, or else it’ll be troublesome if you eat the wrong thing."

"Not afraid, Panpan can recognize herbs."

What?

This statement left everyone in shock, she really knows herbs?

"Don’t believe it? You can cover Panpan’s eyes, and she’ll recognize them for you."

Not only can she recognize herbs, but she can identify them with her eyes closed?

This is truly remarkable!

Could there be another Chun Nuan in the making?