A family feud without smoke seems to have calmed down.
Chun Nuan knows that some conflicts are irreconcilable.
"Sister, Third Aunt seems unhappy."
At night, after tidying up the pharmacy, Chun Ning thought for a bit and decided to stop and discuss this issue with her sister.
"Not only is she unhappy, but Aunt and Mother also feel uneasy." Chun Nuan didn’t even look up: "In a big family, especially like ours, it’s impossible to consider everyone. If some don’t mind, then it’s fine, but if they do, let them be."
Previously, she had subtly taken care of her emotions simply because she was an elder.
But Chun Nuan has never been one to blindly accept things; if elders don’t behave like elders, she won’t bother to give face.
"Alas..." Despite her young age, Chun Ning has a mature concern: "Sister, if we’re in the Capital and grandpa and grandma aren’t around, would the family split?"
"Yes, the bigger the tree, the more branches it has, the bigger the family, but parents are there; when parents are no longer here, then each will live their own lives." Chun Nuan said: "Currently, that’s not possible."
"I know."
Currently, the Xiao family must be united; if scattered like loose sand, the third branch will be the first to fail.
From beginning to end, Third Aunt has benefited, and someone as smart as her certainly knows this, right?
That’s why she keeps the peace.
Aunt also understands well that the family can’t withstand any storms now.
"By the way, Chun Ning, I remembered something."
"Sister, tell me."
"Since we’ve made lung-clearing medicine, let’s make a series of these pills and ointments."
Chun Ning nodded repeatedly after hearing her sister.
Indeed, only sister...
"Once these ointments and pills are made, send some to the Capital for sister, and some to the Northern Desert, especially that place in Northern Desert, where medicine is scarce, and father and the others work hard year-round, not in good health; sending these pills will prepare for potential issues."
"Okay." Chun Ning looked at her sister: "When can father and the others return?"
"The decree states twenty years," Chun Nuan said, "but ultimately, when they return depends on our efforts."
This ’our’ has never been just one or two people, but the elder sister in the Capital, father and brothers in the Northern Desert, and them in Shu City.
"When the whole family works together, great success can be achieved," Chun Nuan said, "If any side drags their feet, things become unpredictable."
Twenty years, or possibly even longer.
Chun Nuan thought of the letter she’d sent to her elder sister, and it should be arriving soon according to her calculations.
She uses special marks to communicate with her brother, reading between the lines to decipher secrets.
She’s also taught her elder sister this reading method; this time, the letter is of great importance and should not contain errors.
In General Huaiyuan’s Mansion in the Capital, Mrs. Xia led Panpan into the outer courtyard.
"Mother, Panpan is young, if she misbehaves, please forgive her, I’ll discipline her when we return."
"What nonsense are you saying, my Panpan is the most well-behaved, how could she misbehave." The old lady’s unique favoritism was clear: "Even if she does misbehave, it’s not her fault but Grandma’s fault, right, Panpan?"
"Grandma is great, Panpan is great too."
Seeing her mother staring at her, Panpan added: "Mom is also great."
Yes, Panpan always called Xiao Chunyu ’mother.’
In noble families, mothers are generally called ’mother’; calling ’mom’ is considered petty, but Chunyu and Panpan are different; they comforted and accompanied each other through the toughest times, finding ’mom’ to be more intimate.
Even when entering the Xia Mansion, they haven’t changed this term, and neither the mother nor daughter thought of changing it.
"This child..." Mrs. Xia was amused by Panpan: "Such a sweet talker, managing to please everyone without favoring any side."
"Grandmother, you are indeed good, and Aunt Molan and the others are also good, and Mother-in-law is good too; in short, anyone who is good to Panpan is good."
This comment amused the servants and everyone else.
"Mrs., everything is ready, please board the carriage with the young lady."
"Okay." The old lady turned to Xiao Chunyu: "I’ll leave matters in the mansion to you, Panpan and I are going on a holiday to the estate, don’t worry, when Cheng Er’s off-duty day comes, let him take you to the estate; that estate was part of my dowry, it’s warm in winter and cool in summer, very nice."
"Yes, mother."
Xiao Chunyu watched the carriage leave, feeling very sentimental: Originally worried that Mrs. Xia couldn’t accept her as a daughter-in-law; after all, having a dignified General Huaiyuan marry a divorced woman with a daughter, who can accept something like that?
Yet, Mrs. Xia’s acceptance far exceeded her expectations.
Although the General tried his best to reconcile Mrs. Xia, ensuring she had no grievances, Panpan’s cleverness helped too.
Sometimes, Xiao Chunyu herself felt heaven favored her: Despite being ordinary, she had given birth to a smart and beautiful daughter, whose sweet words could charm anyone.
It’s often said that mothers are distinguished by their sons; Xiao Chunyu felt herself to be distinguished by her daughter.
Even the palace ladies liked her, often summoning her to the palace.
Mrs. Xia taking Panpan to the estate had somewhat worried Chunyu; after all, it’s been some time, and she calculated that someone might come soon. She’d still need to send a letter to the estate when the time comes.
"Madam, our old lady truly dotes on the young lady."
Molan gazed at the direction of the disappearing carriage with satisfaction. She’d watched as the young lady fell from heaven to hell, and then crawled up step by step.
The imperial decree of marriage at the time made both mistress and servant somewhat panicked.
Mainly because a huge pie like this falling down wasn’t necessarily a good thing; feared they’d be crushed by it.
In time, it proved their worries were unnecessary: The General adores madam, Mrs. Xia cherishes the young lady; she had even slapped a petty official’s wife in face at a banquet in the Minister’s Mansion for the young lady’s sake.
"Don’t you think Panpan’s words are overly clever?" Xiao Chunyu laughed and cried: "This child truly was raised well by you all."
"We wouldn’t dare take credit; it’s madam who nurtures well."
Mistress and servant exchanged a smile.
Looking at the smiley Molan, Chunyu suddenly recalled.
"Molan, you are nineteen this year, right?"
"Yes, madam."
Molan looked puzzled at Chunyu; does madam think she’s too old?
"Do you have someone in mind?"
What?
Molan widened her eyes in confusion, looking at Xiao Chunyu.
"A man should marry and a woman should wed; though I’ve been caught in endless troubles these past years, unable to care for you," Xiao Chunyu said, "You and Jian Lan aren’t little anymore, if you have someone in mind, just tell me, and if I find it appropriate, I’ll arrange a date for marriage."
"Madam, are you wanting rid of us?"