The Fallen Medicine Woman: The Daily Life of Chun Nuan-Chapter 434 - 256: Good News for the Family

Chun Nuan pondered over how to bring the good news to her mother-in-law.

"Mother, my husband has written. He says that Second Brother has been accepted into Hanwen Academy and has been taken in as Master Tian’s closed-door disciple. His future is limitless."

"Really? That’s wonderful news indeed."

Mrs. Zhou recalled that Zhao Minglang had once said that it would be great to enter the Hanwen Academy in the Capital, and now that wish had come true.

A mother is naturally overjoyed at her son’s good news.

Seeing Mrs. Zhou’s uncontrollable happiness, Chun Nuan hesitated about whether to share the next piece of news.

Well, let’s talk about Second Brother.

"My husband also mentioned that Second Brother seems to have someone he likes."

"Oh, really? Which family’s young lady?"

This news brightened Mrs. Zhou’s eyes.

Goodness, her biggest worry had always been the choice of a daughter-in-law for her second son.

Back in Changzhou, matchmakers wore down the Zhao family’s doorstep, but that kid always had the same response: not interested.

Mrs. Zhou once fancied a girl who she thought matched well with her second son—well-educated, with a good family background that was a fitting match for the Zhao family—yet that boy showed no interest and refused.

Even the old man and the master of the house said to let him be, causing Mrs. Zhou to miss a great daughter-in-law candidate, making her heart ache for three days.

Eventually, she gave up on finding a daughter-in-law, leaving him to his own devices.

After all, the master often whispered in her ear, saying that the second son wasn’t meant to be a big fish in a small pond, that he’d leap over the dragon gate, and that his future wife would definitely be the daughter of a big family in the Capital.

Such words were repeated so often that even Mrs. Zhou came to believe them.

Her son hadn’t been in the Capital long, hadn’t even passed the scholar’s exam, and already had someone he liked?

Which family’s young lady could it be?

"Second Brother didn’t reveal any details, and my husband couldn’t guess who it was either. He just wanted to tell Mother not to worry about Second Brother’s marriage concerns."

"How can I not worry, I’m still concerned. If he’s to marry a young lady from the Capital, should we add more to the betrothal gifts?"

Upon saying this, Mrs. Zhou noticed that she might’ve said too much.

Chun Nuan is also a young lady from the Capital. Although she’s fallen on hard times, she was born there.

"Nuannuan, what I meant was, should the betrothal gifts be prepared as lavishly as yours?"

Chun Nuan’s dowry was extensive, though most of it was prepared by the third son.

Mrs. Zhou had benefited without much sacrifice, and the thought of having to prepare an equally large dowry for the second son made her heart ache once more.

Ah, raising sons is mentally exhausting.

As she was thinking about this, a servant came to report.

"Madam, Third Young Madam, the master has returned."

The master had returned, even going back from Changzhou without staying for lunch with the old man?

"Add a set of tableware."

Nothing needed to be said; it was almost certain he hadn’t eaten.

Mrs. Zhou quickly stood to welcome him.

Naturally, as the daughter-in-law, Chun Nuan couldn’t remain seated.

"Daughter-in-law greets Father-in-law."

"Ah, you from the third household, come sit, come sit. Old Third has written back." Zhao Chengxun, full of smiles, said to his wife, "Guess, what surprise has your youngest given you?"

A surprise from the youngest?

What could it be?

Nuannuan only mentioned the surprise from the second brother, could there be more from the youngest?

"The Emperor himself has bestowed him with the title of Righteous Merchant. Now he is an Imperial Merchant. Do you know what that means?"

Mrs. Zhou was so stunned by the master’s excitement that she froze.

She understood what being an Imperial Merchant meant—it involved dealings with the Royal Family, signifying business within the Imperial Palace’s inner court.

But what about Righteous Merchant?

"Old Third has really made our Zhao family proud, secretly accomplishing big things. He has earned from the Emperor himself a personally inscribed plaque for Righteous Merchant. Truly bringing glory to our ancestors, the Zhao family’s ancestral graves must be exuding a wisp of smoke."

"Really? Old Third achieved something so significant?"

She knew her son, and Mrs. Zhou wondered if the master had mistakenly seen what he saw through drunken eyes?

Could it be the second son? But that couldn’t be right; the second son had been focused on his studies. His time for bringing glory to the ancestors hadn’t yet arrived.

"Indeed, Old Third is the one who quietly achieves great things." Zhao Chengxun remembered and quickly asked Chun Nuan, "You from the third household, did you know about these things he was doing?"

"My husband mentioned it, and he specifically instructed not to inform the elder two lest they worry. After all, it was a big deal, and if anything went wrong, he feared implicating the family."

She had to know, the idea had come from her, after all.

However, at this time, her role was to be the virtuous wife, not to take credit.

"Oh, you two, really...really..."

Upon learning the whole story, Mrs. Zhou was so anxious she paced around, "Such a big matter, how could Old Third not tell the master? What if something did go wrong..."

"Mother, everything is over now, nothing went wrong, so you don’t need to worry."

Look at her now, she’s anxious just knowing. If she had known at the time, wouldn’t that have made her more anxious?

"Yes, everything is over now." Zhao Chengxun was full of emotion, "Old Third is someone with the daring required; even I would have hesitated long before making a decision."

It was, after all, tons of grain at a time when grain prices had skyrocketed.

A true merchant wouldn’t have sold grain at market price to General Xia; they would’ve taken advantage of the situation for profit.

But he didn’t; he sold at market price to General Xia to help reclaim Changzhou and quell the rebellion.

At the time, upon hearing that General Xia had grain at market price, with each household able to buy a daily quota with proper credentials, Zhao Chengxun worried for General Xia, wondering how much grain it would take not to fail the people midway.

Later, when General Xia persisted until the autumn harvest in Changzhou, Zhao Chengxun admired him all the more for rallying the resources needed from distant places.

Who would’ve thought that the one truly behind the effort was his own son, who always seemed to be so indifferent?

Tens of tons of grain, planned long in advance!

Stored at the right time, during which General Xia appeared.

And this couldn’t have been attempted with just any general coming to Changzhou, Old Third wouldn’t dare to take such risks.

Because it was General Xia, their brother-in-law, Old Third could ensure its success, gaining what generations of ancestors couldn’t even dream of.

"Old Third is incredibly bold."

Mrs. Zhou was still in awe, "How did he dare do all this?"

"Old Third was born to do business."

Zhao Chengxun was moved deeply. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Chun Nuan...Zhao Minghua should be very pleased if he knew his father praised him like this.

After all, he had never received his parents’ approval before.

This time, he finally proved with strength that he is no less than anyone else.

The Zhao family also had never allowed him to go into business, and now they know commerce can bring honor to the family name; they probably won’t object to his business pursuits anymore.

"Old Third did beautifully, and the second is not to be outdone. Second has joined Hanwen Academy under Master Tian, becoming his closed-door disciple, with a bright future ahead. The ancestors of the Zhao family... No, I must go to the ancestral hall and offer incense to inform them, let them rejoice as well."

With that, Zhao Chengxun headed to the ancestral hall.

Chun Nuan...the Zhao family’s ancestral line might still flourish on, with Zhao Minglang also about to take the examination, another promising talent.