The Xiao family is quite satisfied with Mrs. Zhu as their daughter-in-law.

During the New Year recess of the academy, Zhao Minglang and Zhu Haodong would come to the Xiao family every day to study with Chun Ning, and Mrs. Zhu took good care of them.

This made Mrs. Xu especially grateful.

The exam would take place right after the Lantern Festival.

Mrs. Zhu prepared the same provisions for them.

"Eldest sister-in-law, we are especially grateful to you."

Chun Ning was very grateful, as the things he hadn’t thought of, his eldest sister-in-law had considered.

Not only had she prepared for him, but also for his close friends.

Three identical portions, which also touched Zhao Minglang and Zhu Haodong.

"We are all family; just do well on your exam."

Indeed, one was the second uncle from his second sister’s husband’s family; another was his maternal half-brother; the last was the younger uncle from his husband’s second household.

What did it mean for all three to pass?

Mrs. Zhu had envisioned the beautiful outcome while preparing the provisions.

Unlike other families’ exam provisions, Zhu Lingling had instructed the kitchen early to make dried seasoned meat and candied fruit. These were things they learned when Nuannuan was visiting the Northern Desert years ago.

Whenever traveling far, these two items were essential. They satisfy hunger, satisfy cravings, and maintain strength.

Aren’t they much better than pastries and such?

The three of them often ate the dried meat and candied fruit as snacks and enjoyed them.

So when the three of them brought the provisions into the exam hall, the inspectors were curious.

One portion like that would be fine, but all three were the same.

Unlike with others’ pastries and mantou that had to be broken apart for inspection, the provisions of these three were the size of beans and quite hard. What could be hidden inside them?

"Finally in the exam hall."

Hearing the news from the servants, all the members of the Xiao family were praying in their hearts, hoping the old master and lady would bless, wishing for Chun Ning to pass!

"To be honest, years ago I really thought we would spend our entire lives in the Northern Desert."

The eldest master of the Xiao family sighed, "I also once thought, really, that the children of the Xiao family would have no future. Today it’s Chun Ning’s exam; in a few years, it’ll be Chun An’s, and a few years after that, it’ll be Muyang’s turn."

The two people mentioned looked at each other: they shared a common dream: they didn’t want to take exams; they just wanted to study medicine!

"My brother, shouldn’t we standardize the titles in the family now?"

The second master of the Xiao family said, "With both parents gone, Muyang has grown up, and the titles have become a bit messy."

"Yes, it’s time to make a change."

After the parents passed away, what they needed to do was divide the family assets.

Everyone was aware of this, yet none were willing to mention it.

After all, it’s beneficial to nestle under a big tree, especially for the third household. Their children hadn’t grown up yet, and no one could take charge, so they had to cautiously endure it.

"Let’s start from today, and we all change it."

The eldest master became the eldest lord, and accordingly, the second lord and the third lord; the ladies became the eldest madam, the second madam, and the third madam.

Zhu and her husband then became the eldest master and madam.

Xiao Muyang henceforth was the eldest young master, no longer the young brother he used to be.

"The family’s assets are somewhat lacking. In this new year, we need to expand the business."

It’s easier said than done; currently, the family’s expenses rely on the enterprises handled by Chun Nuan and Chun Ning in Changzhou.

And the males in the Xiao family, at least need to stay home for half a year before gradually engaging in business or taking jobs.

"We should each look around as well. If there’s a suitable job, we should take it. Regardless, we can’t just stay at home enjoying without doing anything."

"Yes, brother. I am also thinking of taking up a job."

Even though they are called masters, the oldest was still under fifty, and the second and third masters were just in their thirties, all at the prime of their lives.

If the old master of the Xiao family were still alive, they could have lived idly, not needing to earn a living.

After he passed, their home was confiscated. Now, they had a place to return to all thanks to Nuannuan’s husband.

Moreover, Chunyu had sent back a lot of useful supplies.

Relying on a married daughter to support the family is laughable if said out loud.

Furthermore, the Xiao family had sons to marry off, daughters to wed, and several large expenses; they couldn’t just sit idle and exhaust their resources.

After a family meeting, the Xiao family members felt reinvigorated.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Xu summoned Mrs. Zhu and Chunyan and Chun Shu.

"Mother, you called for your daughter-in-law?"

"Go to the storeroom and pick out some fabric, then have Chunyan and Chun Shu start making their wedding dresses."

"Aunt, just have Chunyan make one. I don’t need one."

Chun Shu was aware of Chunyan’s verbal engagement with the Zhu family.

Her mother kept nagging in front of her, saying how the eldest household only cared for Chunyan. If Chun Shu had listened and chosen the Huang family years ago, that person in the Huang family would now be a fifth-rank official.

Now, she was older, neither here nor there, just like that girl from the Qiu family, unable to marry.

Chun Shu retorted to Mrs. Huang on the spot: If she couldn’t get married, then so be it.

Mrs. Huang slapped her.

Chun Shu’s eyes reddened.

She couldn’t understand why a woman must marry.

Chunyan could marry because she met someone she liked. If she hadn’t, should she marry blindly and silently, even wronging herself to become a concubine or a stepmother?

She couldn’t tolerate that at all.

"Shu’er, be good. You should start embroidering your wedding dress anyway."

Mrs. Xu knew about Mrs. Huang’s obsession, and she was planning, yet the Xiao family was now in a low position, neither high nor low.

Those Mrs. Huang fancied looked down on the Xiao family; those who valued the Xiao family were looked down upon by Mrs. Huang.

"Fate is something that arrives when it arrives," said Mrs. Xu, "Chun Ning has so many classmates, look around later for someone suitable. Don’t worry, a girl getting married should find someone she likes, should consider family background, family customs, and family education, and find someone good. Your aunt keeps this in mind."

"Thank you, Aunt, for worrying about Shu’er."

Chun Shu’s eyes were red.

Honestly, as a mother, her aunt considered Chunyan’s wellbeing.

Her own mother, in contrast, was only concerned with her own reputation, never missing a chance to support Chun An.

Never once considering whether she’d be happy or content after marriage.

In her mind, reputation was the most important.

It felt like she was not marrying off a daughter, but conducting a beneficial transaction.

"Shu’er, be good, go and start embroidering your wedding dress."

Upon hearing that Chun Shu was embroidering her wedding dress, Mrs. Huang hurried over.

"What does your aunt mean? Which family has she set her eyes on? You’re my daughter, why hasn’t she mentioned anything to me?"

Mrs. Huang was so anxious she nearly cried, "Whose side are you on? What are you trying to do?"

Her anger mounted as she spoke, finally grabbing the scissors and cutting the fabric Chun Shu was using for her wedding dress into pieces.

Watching her birth mother act this way, Chun Shu didn’t shed a single tear.

When Mrs. Huang set down the scissors, she picked them up and cut her long hair off directly.

"Miss!"

The maid exclaimed, but it was too late; strands of black hair littered the ground, and Chun Shu felt her heart turn cold.

Mrs. Xu arrived upon getting the news, looking at the hair and shredded fabric on the floor, taking a deep breath.

"Go find the third master."