In the Capital, since the new emperor’s ascension to the throne and the subsequent amnesty, many families have returned.

Of course, many have also left.

Every new emperor brings new officials; everyone understands this and can only sigh with emotion.

However, more attention is paid to the Xiao family’s return to the Capital.

Not only because the Xia family is their in-laws, but also due to Doctor Xiao’s reputation in the Capital.

Especially those with chronic illnesses, they had been eagerly awaiting the Xiao family’s return, only to suddenly remember: Doctor Xiao passed away seven years ago!

Therefore, they can’t hope to be treated by Doctor Xiao.

A pity for Doctor Xiao’s superb medical skills.

The Xiao family returned to the Capital quietly.

Because they no longer have the means for a grand return.

After experiencing heart-wrenching pain, the Xiao family believes that living in peace is the true principle.

The turbulent situation in the Capital is something they wish to avoid entangling with.

Yet, they find themselves in the midst of the whirlpool.

The Xiao family has Xia Guangcheng as their son-in-law and Panpan, who is Princess Anping, making them a desirable family to be in-laws with.

The Li Mansion has sent people.

"Originally, we should have visited Auntie ourselves, but having just returned to the Capital, we’ve been occupied with various matters."

Necessary pleasantries were exchanged as Mrs. Xu greeted Madam Li and arranged for a servant to serve tea: "Please, Auntie, do not take offense."

"We are all family, no need for such formalities." Doctor Li quickly replied: "You’ve just returned to the Capital, which is not easy. As the year is ending, I thought of getting some clothes for your children in the house and brought some fabrics from the storeroom."

Madam Li had them brought inside.

"Thank you for keeping us in mind, Auntie."

Mrs. Xu felt a pang, for it should have been the Xiao family giving the New Year’s gift to the Li Mansion.

Unexpectedly, she has brought them instead.

"We’ve prepared New Year’s gifts for Auntie as well. Mrs. Zhu is handling it; she said they’d be sent to the mansion in a couple of days."

Whether they were prepared or not, Mrs. Xu was truly unclear, mainly because there were too many chores. Mrs. Zhu was managing such a large family for the first time and was probably having a headache.

In any case, she put the words forward first.

"Then we’re indeed on the same wavelength."

Madam Li took a sip of tea.

"This tea is different from those in the Capital?"

"Yes, this is Bamboo Leaf Green from Shu City." Mrs. Xu explained: "When we were leaving Shu City, Chun Ning’s friend gifted us some. They say it grows in the perennial misty regions of Chicheng Peak, White Rock Peak, Jade Maiden Peak, Heavenly Pool Peak, Jingyue Peak, and around Wannian Temple."

"No wonder, the taste is quite good, and the shape is different as well."

"Indeed, the tea leaves have qualities of being flat, smooth, straight, sharp, with a fragrant aroma. The color is tender green and lustrous, the brew is bright and clear, and the taste is pure and elegant with a uniform tender green in the leaves..."

When it comes to tea, Mrs. Xu has never lost.

She didn’t lose before and won’t lose in the future.

Seven years of living in Shu City, though residing in the countryside was indeed hard, she never fell short in her inherent etiquette.

"It truly is good tea, excellent tea."

Madam Li felt a bit embarrassed.

The New Year’s gifts she brought also included tea, which was last year’s aged tea, stored in the warehouse. It’s better to give them as gifts than to just leave them there.

Drinking the Xiao family’s tea, she realized it was a bit awkward.

The problem was that the tea was already included in the New Year’s gift box, and she couldn’t take it out.

It was truly done poorly!

Madam Li regretted it deeply!

"How has the family been over these years?"

As an elder, Doctor Li naturally inquired with concern.

"Thanks to you and the blessings of the old Mr. and Mrs. in heaven, everyone returned safely. Although the eldest suffered a bit in the Northern Desert, he wasn’t fundamentally harmed. After consulting a physician, some recuperation will suffice."

"That’s good, that’s good. It’s best to take good care of oneself." Madam Li said: "Back when Doctor Xiao was around, our Li Mansion received the pills he made every year. The old master and mistress in the mansion lived comfortably for many years with those pills."

"Yes, my father-in-law could make pills, but unfortunately, that skill is now lost and can’t be made anymore."

Oh, so this is a visit to probe information?

Mrs. Xu would not be foolish enough to let her succeed easily.

"The eldest, second, and third masters often regret, saying that in their youth, they were too playful and didn’t learn even a bit by their father’s side."

"The descendants of the Xiao family can’t make pills anymore?"

"No."

"Oh, that’s truly a pity. I heard there’s a shop in Shuzhou selling pills branded with Doctor Xiao."

"Is that so? That’s good to know; the Xiao family spread across the nation, it seems many have learned medicine."

Mrs. Xu lightly brushed off the topic.

In fact, she knew that the pills branded with Doctor Xiao were indeed produced by her family.

If they had stayed in Changzhou, the pills under this brand would have been the sole economic resource for the Xiao family.

Once the decree to return to the Capital was received, Chun Nuan discussed with the family to pause the production of these pills!

Rarity brings value.

When they no longer rely on these pills for survival, there’s no need to saturate the market.

Therefore, the pills under the Doctor Xiao brand in Shu City are indeed selling fewer bottles with no replenishment.

Now that Doctor Li is probing, how could Mrs. Xu not understand?

"I was wondering if it’s really coincidental, if Doctor Xiao is Doctor Xiao..."

"Hehe, Auntie has a good thought, but sadly, none of the Xiao family’s descendants learned it."

"It’s a bit of a shame, but it’s alright. Have the young ones started studying? They can sit for the exams; the next Enke exam is starting in January next year."

"Yes, with the Enke exams, only Chun Ning is suitable in our family, but he has stayed in Changzhou for many years, and his studies have been neglected, a worry."

As for Chun Ning sitting for the exam, Mrs. Xu neither confirmed nor denied.

Let Madam Li speculate.

"No need to worry, Chun Ning is a smart individual." Madam Li finally broached her main purpose: "You must know my maiden Wen Family, right? In the Capital, it’s not considered a renowned or noble family. My father and brothers didn’t hold any significant official positions, but my little nephew got promoted to a fifth-rank recently, which has truly brought joy to our family."

"That’s indeed something worth congratulating."

"My little nephew is twenty-eight this year. He was previously married, but the woman, surnamed Ye, unfortunately, passed away during childbirth. It’s been three years now, and he hasn’t talked about remarriage. I suddenly thought, our Chunyan seems to be of marriageable age..."

Alright, after all this, it’s Chunyan they’re interested in.

Chunyan is only nineteen this year, and they want her to marry a twenty-eight-year-old man, who also lost his wife.

The most critical part is, when mentioning Mrs. Ye, they attributed it to weak fortune, which was indeed cold-hearted of this family.

Realizing this, Mrs. Xu immediately felt repulsed.

"Thank you for thinking so highly of us, Auntie. However, Chunyan and your nephew belong to different generations, so it’s not suitable."

"This..."