"I can’t be Doctor Xiao. I’m only learning how to prepare medicinal herbs and make pills from my sister. I know nothing about diagnosing illnesses. The real Doctor Xiao is my sister."
Zhao Minghua was taken aback for a moment, then quickly understood what was going on.
Chun Nuan knows how to prepare medicine and can make various pills, so she should naturally be able to diagnose illnesses.
"Brother Zhao, which of these medicines labeled as Doctor Xiao’s do you want?"
"Only children make choices; I’m an adult, so I want them all." Zhao Minghua said: "Whatever you produce in the future, I want all of it. Don’t sell them outside. Not even to Hundred Herbs Hall, as we have an agreement."
"Brother Zhao, you’re really magnanimous to sacrifice familial interests, huh?"
Hundred Herbs Hall is his family’s own business, yet he won’t allow the sale of these pills and ointments there, which shows just how dominant and authoritative he is.
"Hundred Herbs Hall can’t sell at high prices and doesn’t make much money; it would actually disrupt the market." Zhao Minghua laughed and said: "It’s best if fewer people know about profitable things. I’m taking them to Shuzhou to sell in order to open up the market."
"Then why don’t you go to the Capital?"
Like Chun Nuan, Chun Ning also wanted to connect with the Capital indirectly through Zhao Minghua, waiting for the right time to bring the family back to the Capital.
The Capital is their birthplace, where they grew up, and where their youthful years were spent.
The lifelong desire of the Xiao family members is nothing more than a family reunion.
How wonderful it would be to have support from relatives in the Northern Desert and the eldest sister in the Capital.
"This year is not favorable for going to the Capital." Zhao Minghua shared with Chun Ning what he had heard.
"Is it true?"
Although the news was quite shocking, Chun Ning’s heart was racing.
"I’m only telling you this, and it’s absolutely true, but you mustn’t tell anyone else. After all, this isn’t a trivial matter; if discovered, it could cost someone their head."
"Brother Zhao, I certainly won’t say anything; rest assured, I know what should and shouldn’t be said."
Chun Ning’s heart was surging; if what Brother Zhao said was true, then her family’s day of reunion in the Capital might not be far off. After all, the new emperor would grant a general pardon, and if maneuvered well, some ministers could find a way to have their names included in the new emperor’s proposal, greatly increasing their chances of success.
Zhao Minghua left, and the first thing Chun Ning did upon returning home was to tell Chun Nuan the news.
Indeed, he hadn’t told anyone else, but her sister was not others; she was a biological sister from the same mother.
"The emperor’s physical weakness is not just a matter of the past two years."
Chun Nuan’s comment left Chun Ning a bit surprised.
"It’s recorded in grandfather’s medical notes." Chun Nuan said: "I didn’t pay attention before, but now in hindsight, I remember all the little details. Applying what I’ve learned, it’s time to consider them seriously."
Chun Nuan wouldn’t tell Chun Ning that it’s a blessing if the emperor can endure three more years.
The Prince’s illness also requires radical treatment, which will take some time. The best scenario would be that when the emperor passes away, the Prince’s health, talent, and connections have already been well arranged.
This matter, if relying solely on the Prince, would likely be difficult to accomplish; it mainly depends on the Empress.
Therefore, being an Empress genuinely requires skill and effort to strive for, rather than just being resolved with a simple decree.
In Kunning Palace, as the Empress looked at her son standing before her, tears welled up.
"Mother, what’s wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing, it’s just the wind irritating my eyes." The Empress couldn’t say how excited she was to see her son recovering his energy, but she was also worried, not knowing how long this situation would last.
"Mother, you must take care of your health and stop worrying about your son. I feel I’ve much improved, and I also want to invite Panpan to the palace."
"Sure, you can decide for yourself; just send someone to fetch Panpan." The Empress had to admit, Panpan was truly the Prince’s lucky star—whenever Panpan came, her son’s spirits soared.
The Prince immediately sent someone to bring Panpan to the palace.
"Big brother, big brother, I have pills for you."
As soon as Panpan entered the palace, she took out the pills and handed them to the Prince.
The servants were already used to such scenes, and the Prince accepted without hesitation.
"Panpan is so good, always sharing food with big brother, right?" "Yes, big brother, have you eaten well and taken your medicine properly?" "Yes, Panpan wants big brother to eat, so big brother eats." The Prince held the little child’s hand and walked towards the Imperial Garden: "Panpan hasn’t come to the palace for a long time, don’t you miss big brother?" "Yes, but Panpan is waiting for Auntie’s medicine." Panpan beckoned, signaling the Prince to bend down as she wanted to whisper.
"What are you saying?"
The Prince asked curiously: "What is your aunt’s medicine?"
"It’s a very tasty pill that when eaten, makes your throat well and your singing sound like a nightingale." Panpan replied with squinted eyes and a smile: "It’s very sweet, Panpan likes it a lot."