"Is it Zhu Haodong?" Mrs. Xu silently noted down this name in her heart.

Unexpectedly, one day Chun Ning brought Zhu Haodong home.

"Aunt, Brother Zhu accidentally sprained his ankle, so I brought him back to apply some medicine."

"Young nephew greets Madam Xiao."

Zhu Haodong greeted confidently.

"Greetings, Mr. Zhu, please feel at home."

Mrs. Xu remembered she had seen this child at Zhu Mansion before; at that time, he was only twelve or thirteen years old. In the blink of an eye, he had grown into a fine young man.

Furthermore, it was clear that he was indeed a well-educated and courteous young gentleman.

Mrs. Xu became increasingly satisfied.

Chun Ning took Zhu Haodong back to his own courtyard and found the medicine wine taught by his elder sister.

"This might sting a bit when I apply it at first, and I will rub it forcefully. If you can’t take it, you’ll have to see a doctor then."

"Compared to the doctors outside, I trust Doctor Xiao’s ancestral secret formula more."

Zhu Haodong said, "My mother mentioned that in the Capital, Doctor Xiao is renowned for both his virtues and his medical skills. Many have benefited from his expertise."

Typically, an Imperial Physician only attends to the nobles in the palace, but Doctor Xiao also treats commoners.

On his days off, he would hold consultations at a pharmacy.

Many citizens would come, attracted by his reputation.

Unlike others, he didn’t charge consultation fees. He merely prescribed medicine, allowing the commoners to buy it themselves.

Of course, some of the elite in the Capital would invite Doctor Xiao to their homes, during which Dr. Xiao would charge fees or accept rare herbs.

In the Capital, Doctor Xiao was a unique figure, always worthy of admiration.

"It’s a pity that our grandfather’s medical skills weren’t passed down; we are but useless descendants, ashamed."

"You are already remarkable." Zhu Haodong said, "I’ve heard from my mother about your circumstances in Shu City. If it were another family, it would be hard to endure until the day they emerge."

"When the Xiao family first left the Capital, my mother often wept tears, deeply missing my elder sister."

"Indeed, my sister-in-law suffered greatly." Chun Ning said, "Especially when we first arrived in Shu City, no one answered our pleas, and there wasn’t even food to eat. We’ve consumed quite a bit of wild vegetables..."

"Thankfully, we persevered; after the storm, there is always a rainbow."

"Yes, we’ll strive together, and see the rainbow together."

The two nodded and smiled.

The feelings between people are truly marvelous.

Chun Ning was the last to join Hanwen Academy and knew Zhao Minglang since they were in Changzhou, unexpectedly, he also immediately became acquainted with Zhu Haodong, and upon exchanging names, they realized they were related by marriage.

Zhu Haodong, being a concubine’s child, was not seen favorably at the academy.

Yet he was not self-conscious, carrying himself confidently, neither forming close bonds nor becoming hostile, his composed demeanor earned Chun Ning’s admiration.

Indeed, one should achieve such a level, not rejoicing at material pleasure, nor grieving at personal sorrow, passing through the seasons with a calm heart.

"Miss Yan."

Outside, Attendant Student Mo Hua’s voice was heard: "Does Miss Yan have something to discuss with Young Master?"

"Yes, I’m looking for Brother Chun Ning to get a box of medicine pills."

Chunyan sought Chun Ning to retrieve the pills for a new acquaintance, Miss Jing Ran.

That lady suffered from a condition of Qi deficiency, with no results from countless doctors’ prescriptions.

Chunyan thought of the blood-boosting pills crafted by her elder sister and decided to offer them for her to try.

"But Young Master has guests."

"Oh, I’ll wait here then."

"Mo Hua, let Miss Yan come in; the ones in this room aren’t outsiders, they’re relatives."

Chun Ning felt that a gentleman remains open-minded, while a petty person worries excessively.

They were all relatives; it was only right to greet when meeting, without getting too particular.

Perhaps, from spending many years in Changzhou, he developed a habit of dismissing small formalities.

Upon hearing that, Chunyan walked into the study.

"Brother Ning..."

Only then did she notice a young man sitting across from Chun Ning, her face instantly turning red.

"Yan’er sister, this is Mr. Zhu from sister-in-law’s house, fourth in rank."

"Chunyan greets Fourth Young Master Zhu."

"Miss Chunyan, no need for such courtesy." Zhu Haodong quickly turned aside blushing, avoiding her greeting: "I often heard my eldest sister mention, the ladies of your esteemed family are all exceptionally talented, and seeing it today proves true."

"Fourth Young Master Zhu flatters me."

Chunyan replied shyly, then asked Chun Ning for the pills.

"Alright, I’ll get them for you right away."

Chunyan took the pills, bowed to the two of them, and turned to leave.

Zhu Haodong... If love at first sight is anything, he felt he was experiencing it right now.

After Chun Ning applied the medicine to his foot, Zhu Haodong thanked Chun Ning and prepared to return to his mansion.

He remembered his mother had mentioned finding him a good partner.

Previously, his engagement with the Wang family was called off due to mourning, and two months later, he heard the Wang family’s Miss married her cousin, which Zhu Haodong found amusing.

Fortunately, the engagement was broken off, or many things would have been difficult to state.

His mother had considered several families for him, but it was always an issue of being neither high nor low, thus he had little interest in the matter.

Last night, he even rejected his mother’s suggestion to arrange another betrothal for him, preferring to wait until after he passed the official exams to discuss marriage matters.

After all, though listed as the legitimate son, it couldn’t change the fact that he was born of a concubine.

Many daughters of noble families looked down on concubines’ children. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Similarly, his mother wouldn’t favor some concubines’ daughters.

Zhu Haodong considered himself the luckiest concubine’s child in the entire Capital; in the early years, his courtesan mother was around, his legitimate mother never avoided allowing him to fulfill filial duties towards her, always saying it was difficult for her to raise him; when his courtesan mother passed, his legitimate mother accorded her the greatest respect.

Moreover, his legitimate mother never deprived him of anything meant for a concubine’s child, frankly treating him like one of her own.

One must be kind-hearted, not greedy.

His legitimate mother gave him the utmost respect, naturally he must strive to bring honor to her.

Therefore, this time in the official exams, he was determined to succeed.

He wanted those noble ladies who looked down on him to regret severely: Today they are indifferent to Zhu Haodong, and tomorrow Zhu Haodong would be beyond their reach.

However, now he suddenly wanted to get engaged first.

"A girl from the Xiao family?" Mrs. Zhu was surprised hearing her son mention a girl from the Xiao family: "How did you meet the girl from the Xiao family?"

Could it be because Lingling mentioned it upon her return, causing the Xiao family to intentionally arrange a meeting? But how could they bypass her?

"It’s like this, mother, I sprained my ankle today..."

Thus he explained the reason and process of visiting the Xiao family.

"Which girl from the Xiao family?"

"I don’t know either, just heard Chun Ning refer to her as Miss Yan."

"Then she is your elder sister’s little aunt, Chunyan."

Mrs. Zhu was delighted: "Last night I talked about this girl with you as well; mother believes the Xiao family has good moral customs, and that girl has also delayed marriage due to the time spent in Changzhou, reaching a certain age without being betrothed yet. If you are interested, mother will immediately send a matchmaker to propose."

"Mother, perhaps we shouldn’t propose just yet." Zhu Haodong pleaded for himself: "Please visit Madam Xiao first, explain our intentions, and wait until I succeed in the official exams, then propose. If I don’t succeed, and they mind, consider our intentions unmentioned."

"You child, why do you..."