The Daily Life of a Down-on-Hard-Life Medicine Girl Supporting Her Family

Chapter 106 My Heart Aches for You
Knowing that Mrs. Xu liked flowers, Mrs. Zhao insisted on sending several pots of chrysanthemums from her own home to the Xiao family.

The purpose was to find out what the Xu family thought and see if there was any hope for the marriage.

“My Nuannuan is still in mourning,” Madam Xu said. “Nuannuan says she’s not thinking about personal matters right now. Mrs. Zhao, you don’t know, but our family has suffered a sudden misfortune, and Nuannuan has become the family’s pillar of support…”

“Madam, we live so close to each other, and I’m straightforward and don’t mince words. As long as they succeed, the Xiao family’s business is the Zhao family’s business, and we will definitely not stand idly by.”

“Since Mrs. Zhao is so inclined to this, let’s talk to my sister-in-law,” said Madam Xu. “After all, she is Nuannuan’s biological mother.”

Xu knew very well that Xu was a very anxious person. Ever since the Zhang family broke off the engagement, she had been secretly worried about Nuannuan's marriage.

When she heard that the Zhao family was interested in marrying her, Xu wanted to agree on the spot.

Xu was not as magnanimous as Huang; she did not think that the Zhao family was of low social standing.

No one is as anxious as she is to marry off their daughter.

"Alright, I feel more confident now that you've said that. I'll go ask the Second Madam what she thinks."

“We mothers only hope that our children can be happy,” Xu said. “My Nuannuan has a different personality, and Mrs. Zhao should know that.”

"I know her too well, I love Nuannuan's personality." Mrs. Zhao quickly declared, "Second Madam, don't worry, once Nuannuan enters my Zhao family, I will treat her like my own daughter and will never wrong her in the slightest; if my third son tries to cause trouble, I and my husband will not tolerate him and will break his legs."

"Cough..." Upon hearing this, Madam Xu choked on her hot water in a very uncouth manner. Well, Nuannuan has already married into the Zhao family, and you broke your son's leg? What does she want a disabled son-in-law for?
“There’s no need for that,” Madam Xu said. “The girls in my Xiao family are generally good-tempered. If they really can’t stand it, they have their own ways of dealing with it.”

For example, Chunyu, even if she's beaten to a pulp, can usually find a way to survive.

Nuannuan is more resilient and has a stronger personality than Chunyu.

"Oh, right, there's something else I need to tell Mrs. Zhao."

To prevent Nuannuan from being rejected by her fiancé again, Xu revealed everything.

“Nuan Nuan was engaged to the second young master of the Zhang family in the capital. However, after our old master had an accident, the Zhang family proposed to break off the engagement. I need to inform you about this beforehand.”

In this era, it seems like a crime for a woman to be jilted at marriage.

But Madam Xu didn't think so. Her daughter was the best, and it was the Zhang family that had betrayed them.

"Second Madam, there's no need to worry. We've heard about this too. It's not Nuannuan's fault. A blessed person doesn't enter a door of misfortune. Nuannuan not going to the Zhang family is the Zhang family's loss."

Mrs. Zhao wanted to wait until my son married Chunnuan and entered the family, and then she would thank the Zhang family for not marrying her.

“Mrs. Zhao is a very insightful person.” Madam Xu nodded. Great minds think alike. Her thoughts were the same as Mrs. Zhao’s. Her daughter was good, and the Zhang family’s decision to break off the engagement was a misfortune for them. “In addition, I have something else to say. This matter is of great importance, and Mrs. Zhao should also know about it.”

What's the matter?

So serious?

“My grandfather died unjustly, the Xiao family was raided and exiled, and the women returned to Sichuan,” Xu said. “I’m sure Mrs. Zhao knows about these things as well.”

"I know, I know. Physician Xiao is renowned for his excellent medical skills and moral character."

She was not a truly wicked person, which is why the Zhao family was so eager to marry her.

Not everyone has that kind of courage; you have to understand that a family that has offended the emperor faces a very difficult future.

The Zhao family didn't take this to heart.

"Yes, when the old master was alive, our Xiao family was a well-known family in the capital, so the daughters of the Xiao family never had to worry about getting married."

“Our Xiao family’s eldest daughter, Chunnuan’s older sister, married into the Wu family.”

"That's natural. Marriage is about matching social status. Our Zhao family is here to climb the social ladder by marrying into your Xiao family."

If it weren't for Physician Xiao's accident and the women's return to Shu, the Zhao family would never have dared to dream of marrying Chunnuan.

“That’s not how it is,” Madam Xu said. “What I want to talk about is something else. The Wu family married my Chunyu, but because of our sudden change in fortune, they mistreated her. First, they ignored her during childbirth, and after Chunyu gave birth to a daughter, her health was damaged. The Wu family actually wanted to take another wife. My Chunyu wanted to go to the estate to recuperate, but the Wu family wanted to divorce her…”

Mrs. Zhao was so angry that her face turned red after hearing this.

"This is outrageous! How can a family like this be fit to have a daughter-in-law? They should all be bachelors."

"The Wu family wrote a letter of divorce in order to seize my eldest daughter's dowry."

Even wealthy families in the capital can be unreasonable sometimes.

"Yes, but my Chunyu was never one to be slaughtered at will. So, she went to the emperor to file a complaint, and the entire Wu family was sent to prison. In the end, some were beheaded and others were exiled."

Mrs. Zhao's mouth dropped open.

"Mrs. Zhao, were you frightened?"

"No, no, I just think the young lady is amazing. Taking a complaint to the emperor is something not just anyone can do!"

“Yes, my eldest daughter is indeed remarkable, because she wanted to save face for the Xiao family.” Madam Xu said, “She married into the Wu family at the age of sixteen, and was filial to her parents-in-law and took care of her sister-in-law, but in the end she was treated so badly. Moreover, the Wu family clearly knew that the male members of the Xiao family were exiled to the northern desert and the female members had returned to Shu, but he still divorced Chunyu, wanting to take Chunyu’s life.”

“A kind person is often bullied, as is a good horse. Miss, you did the right thing.” Mrs. Zhao said, “I also have three sons. If I had a daughter, I would teach her the same way, so that she wouldn’t be bullied by others.”

"Doesn't Mrs. Zhao think our Xiao family's daughter has a bad reputation?"

Mrs. Zhao's words surprised Mrs. Xu: "The reason I told Mrs. Zhao about this is that I don't want you to hear about it from elsewhere and then look down on Chunnuan from our family."

"No, no, I'm not stupid. I can still tell right from wrong very clearly." Mrs. Zhao remembered what happened on Xiao Muyang's first birthday party. It turned out that what Mrs. Xiao of the Xiao family said was true, and that she was using it to threaten this family.

Seriously, they're incredibly shameless!

Mrs. Zhao was once again glad that she had listened to her husband's advice and had not gone to ask for Xiao Chunlan's hand in marriage again.

Moreover, Xiao Chunlan's subsequent actions truly impressed her: men really do need to listen to them, otherwise the third son would have a terrible headache marrying such a daughter-in-law.

Marry a virtuous wife, for a virtuous wife will bring prosperity to three generations.

Mrs. Zhao repeatedly assured Madam Xu of the Zhao family's determination to marry Chunnuan.

As they were talking, Madam Xu came in.

"The old lady invites Mrs. Zhao."

"Okay, I'll go right away."

Mrs. Zhao thought that if the old lady had called her over, it must also be about Chunnuan.

Sure enough, the old lady was a sensible person.

He got straight to the point and stated his requirements for marrying Chunnuan.

“Our Xiao family has no precedent for taking concubines. Men do not take concubines and women do not become concubines. Therefore, my warm husband must also be determined to do so.”

"Don't worry, madam. We won't talk about the distant parts of the Zhao family. As far as we're concerned, the backyards of all three generations are clean and bright. There's absolutely nothing bad happening there."

“My Nuannuan is not like an ordinary girl.”

The old lady thought it over carefully and realized that if Chunnuan were to be expected to be a good wife and mother, it would be an extremely painful experience for her.

She devoted all her energy to herbs. If it weren't for the decline of her family's fortunes, the old man had said that she would become a great pharmacist.

Nowadays, people go through all sorts of struggles to make a living, but they never stray from medicine.

"Nuan Nuan can stay in the pharmacy for days and nights without leaving, so if you want to marry her to be a virtuous wife and good mother, a good daughter-in-law who will take care of her husband and children, Nuan Nuan may not be very suitable." The old lady said bluntly, "If that is the kind of daughter-in-law you need, Mrs. Zhao, I advise you to hurry up and do it." Don't break off the engagement after it's arranged; or get married and then complain about her. How wronged would your granddaughter be?

I didn't protect Nuannuan well in the past, so now I'm going to make up for it. I must find Nuannuan a good marriage that will make her happy and content.

"Grandma, we have maids, embroiderers, and wet nurses in the Zhao family. We've married a daughter-in-law, not a maid, cook, or embroiderer. Once Chunnuan enters the Zhao family, she will still be Chunnuan. She can do whatever she likes, and we will never stop her or complain."

"So good."

The old lady was satisfied.

"However, this matter will have to wait, as Nuannuan is still in mourning."

"Don't worry, Madam. Good things don't happen overnight, and we can't rush them." Mrs. Zhao said, "Madam, do you have any questions? If so, please feel free to ask. If not, I'll send a matchmaker to your door."

"There's no need for a matchmaker to come for now," the old lady said. "It's not too late to propose marriage after the mourning period is over."

This……

Mrs. Zhao was worried; she feared her daughter-in-law would disappear without ever being officially recognized as a member of the Zhao family.

"We can exchange birth charts first."

The old lady also wanted to keep her grandson-in-law, whom she found somewhat agreeable: "Exchanging engagement tokens privately is also an option."

"Then let's do it this way!"

Mrs. Zhao said she had no objections and would do everything according to the Xiao family's requirements.

Just then, Madam Xu came in again.

“Mother, Mrs. Zhao, Nuannuan said she wants to meet with Mr. Zhao so that they can clarify some things in person before discussing anything else.”

"That's how it should be."

Mrs. Zhao thought to herself that her son had finally come to his senses and had his eye on such an outstanding girl. How clever he was!

However, I hope he can cleverly win Chunnuan's heart.

When Zhao Minghua learned that Chunnuan had arranged to talk to him, he started tidying up the house.

"How do you think this outfit looks?"

I went around in circles, all to get some feedback from Qingsheng.

"Young Master, are you going on a blind date or getting married?"

"Stop rambling on to me, this is business, it's more important than blind dates and marriage."

Discuss business?
Qingsheng's eyes widened: Young master, Madam asked you to go and chat with that girl, but you went to talk business instead. Aren't you afraid that the master and madam will break your legs?

"Young Master, you're talking to Miss Xiao..."

To avoid being blamed, I'm offering this friendly reminder for my birthday.

"When it comes to cooperation, we mean lifelong cooperation, win-win cooperation."

Celebrating a birthday... Young Master has become obsessed with business!
Are you sure you'll gain anything by treating your own children like a business transaction?
Zhao Minghua strode confidently to the small courtyard in front of the banyan tree, where he would see spring warmth.

"Young Master Zhao has arrived."

When the wet nurse, Wu, saw Zhao Minghua, she quickly said, "Please wait a moment, our young lady is still in the pharmacy."

"Then I'll go to the pharmacy to find her."

“No.” Madam Wu quickly reached out to stop him: “The young lady said that no matter who comes or what happens, we must not disturb her. She will come out when she is done.”

"How long will that take?"

"I don't know. If Young Master Zhao can wait, then wait; if not, you can come another day."

Zhao Minghua was completely distraught; how could the agreed-upon date be changed?

Helpless, he could only sit there and wait.

Two hours have passed, and Wu has finished all the tea and pastries she served, but she still hasn't come out.

"Young Master Zhao, why don't you go back first?"

"No need, I'll wait here."

Zhao Minghua had only one thought in his mind: what new thing is Chunnuan up to now? He hoped she would consider him for this collaboration. After all, he had already asked her out; being close to her, he was bound to succeed!

At this moment, Chunnuan was making pills in the pharmacy, and the final step could not be taken lightly.

At the same time, it can also be seen as a test for Zhao Minghua: for the rest of her life, she will spend most of her time in the pharmacy. If she cannot accept this, she should say so as soon as possible, so as not to say that she is not good in this way or that way. She will not accept any rebuttal to this.

Zhao Minghua waited another hour, but spring was slow to arrive.

"You've come." Upon seeing Chun Nuan, Zhao Minghua was suddenly a little lost in thought and even a little speechless. As the third young master of the Zhao family, a man who had been out in the world since he was twelve, he was used to speaking to people in a human way and to ghosts in a ghost way. He had never been afraid of anything. However, for some reason, he didn't know what to say when he saw Chun Nuan.

"You've arrived. I heard from Aunt Wu that you've been waiting for two hours."

For two hours, he just sat there without leaving or grumbling. Wu Ma even described the changes in his expression, from smiling to frowning, which meant that he was either a careless person or someone with excellent manners.

However, the warmth of spring leans more towards the former.

Zhao Minghua is the epitome of heartless and carefree. How could this young man, who dreams of becoming the richest man in Changzhou, possibly agree to be her boyfriend?

"It's only two hours. I can wait as long as you want."

Chunnuan was somewhat moved by what Zhao Minghua said.

"My mother told me that your Zhao family wants to form a marriage alliance with us?"

"Yes, I love you, and I want to ask you to be my wife."

Zhao Minghua blushed to the roots of her ears after saying this.

"It's said that some people blush when they lie. Are you one of those people?"

"No, I'm just shy." Zhao Minghua bluntly said, "It's my first time confessing to a girl, so naturally I lacked courage."

"Why is it me who is asking for your hand in marriage?" Chunnuan said, "I heard that you were engaged to Xiao Chunlan of the Xiao family."

"That's not true at all. It's not even close to happening yet. Who's trying to frame me?" Zhao Minghua said. "Besides, I don't even know who she is, let alone have any engagement or interaction with her."

"Are you sure you don't know who she is?" Chunnuan smiled faintly. "Should I remind you, under the banyan tree..."

She witnessed everything clearly, from the pulling and tugging to the physical contact.

"No, what you saw was all fake, it's not real, I didn't..."

The more she explained, the more she tried to cover it up, and Zhao Minghua panicked: "I have no relationship with her, I only love you."

(End of this chapter)