The originally joyful New Year celebrations were disrupted by Mrs. Huang, causing Chun Shu to suffer quite a grievance. Her beautiful hair is now unpresentable, making everyone in the household feel uneasy.

Xiao Changqing called another family meeting.

"It’s said that a family doesn’t divide while the parents are alive. Now, with both parents passed away, the three of us brothers have gone through quite a lot, and it’s not easy to have returned safely from the Northern Desert," Xiao Changqing said. "I initially thought we brothers would stay together without separating, but given the current situation in the household..."

Xiao Changhe and Xiao Changhai exchanged a glance: Is Big Brother proposing to divide the family?

"Whether to divide or not, let’s hear your opinions."

Xiao Changqing intended to separate the family.

After all, the household of the third brother was stirring unrest.

It’s often said to marry a wise wife, but Mrs. Huang, being a daughter from a prestigious family, turned out to have such a narrow mind and her path became constrained.

If a household has even one person that’s difficult to deal with, life is never peaceful.

"Second brother, you start."

"I will listen to Big Brother."

Xiao Changhe thought that whether the family divides or not is okay; anyway, he’s really not worried.

His son-in-law is quite good, and his daughter is capable; his son is about to step into society; no matter what, the second household can manage independently without relying on anyone.

That’s his confidence.

"What about the third brother?"

"I also listen to Big Brother."

Xiao Changqing... You weren’t always this obedient before.

But thinking about it, it seems like they were usually following his lead.

"The eldest brother is like a father; in matters, we rely on Big Brother, whatever Big Brother says, we do."

Xiao Changhai lacked confidence.

He really benefitted from resting under a big tree.

"Since you’re listening to me, I’ll make the arrangements."

Xiao Changqing took a deep breath: "Three years, we’ll set a deadline of three years, and after three years, we’ll separate the household."

This is feasible; after the significant trauma the Xiao family has suffered, the foundation is fragile, and dividing the family would further fragment it, weakening the smaller households.

"A family of a thousand mouths should have one head, and as the eldest son of the eldest household, I will manage the family."

"We all listen to Big Brother."

"Yes, we should listen to Big Brother."

They never intended to take over.

"Your sister-in-law gradually handed the household responsibilities to Mrs. Zhu, so the inner household affairs will be managed by Mrs. Zhu."

"Yes, we have no objections."

"After New Year, we should all find some suitable tasks to do."

This was previously discussed.

"Then there’s the children’s futures and matters of marriage," Xiao Changqing said. "Once again, regardless of the situation, the Xiao family rules cannot change: sons do not take concubines, daughters do not become concubines, violations lead to expulsion from the family."

"Yes, we understand."

"Then there’s the children’s futures."

Xiao Changqing said, "Father always said life is full of challenges, and we’ve lived without really bearing responsibilities. Now that father has passed, our return to the Capital is thanks to Chunyu and Chun Nuan; the Xiao family’s men couldn’t contribute much, have you thought about this?"

It’s just that the Xiao family’s young men are indeed useless.

"We, this generation, don’t have much hope, but the next generation of the Xiao family, and the generation after that, still holds hope," Xiao Changqing said. "Chun Ning stepped into society, soon he will come out, Changhe, are you prepared to receive him? I’ve heard those who step into society are often physically weak and need doctors, have you arranged for one?"

"No." Xiao Changhe responded a bit sheepishly, "I asked Chun Ning before, and Chun Ning said there’s no need for a doctor, he is healthy and can manage. Plus, he said Nuannuan made him a pill, taking which helps him maintain his strength."

Chun Ning not only took it himself but also gave one to Zhao Minglang and Zhu Haodong.

Whether they choose to take it is up to them.

"Is it tomorrow? Make sure to be prepared."

"Yes, I’ll follow Big Brother."

"Third brother, about Chun Shu’s marriage, I’ve discussed it with your elder sister-in-law, it’s better if she handles it, let Mrs. Huang rest and heal."

"Yes, Big Brother."

Xiao Changhai felt resigned.

"Don’t hold it against her, let her focus on recovering her health," Xiao Changqing said. "Chun An and Muyang are studying at the academy, plan for Chun An to step into society..."

"Wait, Uncle."

Chun An stood up and offered a bow.

"Uncle, Second Uncle, Father, Chun An has a request."

"Go ahead, what is it?"

Xiao Changqing looked at the young boy standing up, feeling a bit awkward, glancing at his father, sighed: What’s this child afraid of?

This demeanor is unlike a Xiao family child.

"Uncle, Second Uncle, Father, Chun An actually never wanted to pursue officialdom, Chun An wants to study medicine, to carry forward and pass down grandfather’s medical legacy."

"That’s a very good thing, why do you seem so scared?"

"Mother disagrees."

Chun An lowered his head.

"Mother says all trades are inferior, only reading stands supreme." Chun An took a deep breath, "Mother wants me to read and attain officialdom, she says the Huang family’s bloodline is scholarly, so I can..."

Mrs. Huang wants to dominate Chun Shu’s marriage prospects and control Chun An’s future.

Xiao Changqing glanced at Xiao Changhai.

Your wife, your son, you deal with it.

"Chun An, since you want to learn medicine, want to be as competent as your grandfather, then you must become an apprentice," Xiao Changhai’s mind was clear: "Look at the four great physicians in the Capital, decide who you want to learn from, and I’ll take you to visit them, see if they’d accept you as a student."

"Father, no need to apprentice with others, just become a student of Second Sister, Second Sister is an excellent doctor."

Chun An immediately recounted Chun Nuan’s acts of providing free medical consultations to impoverished women in Changzhou.

"They all respect Second Sister, say she’s a divine healer, a female physician." Chun An said, "Second Sister taught female disciples in Changzhou, Chun An also wants to learn medicine from Second Sister."

Chun Nuan can practice medicine, the Xiao Family knew, but hadn’t thought she’d held a clinic in Changzhou.

"It’s not exactly a clinic, just helping with consultations," Chun An said. "The Zhao family has a Hundred Herbs Hall, when Sister married into the Zhao family, whenever there were tough cases at Zhao’s Hundred Herbs Hall, Sister was invited to consult, and solutions were found in every case. Sister’s medical skills are indeed capable of teaching."

"Even so, Nuannuan is in Changzhou, she cannot teach you medicine there."

"Once the exam results are out and Second Young Master Zhao achieves a high rank, the Zhao family will move to the Capital, then Sister can teach me medicine."

Chun An had already thought through an alternative plan.

"Third Brother, what do you think?"

Xiao Changqing asked his brother.

"I also agree with Chun An learning medicine, it’s better than me being uneducated my entire life."

"Grandfather, Muyang also wants to study medicine."

Xiao Muyang stood up: "I also want to learn medicine from Second Aunt."

Xiao Muyang’s desire to study medicine surprised Mrs. Zhu, making her hesitant and nervously looking towards her husband for hope of stopping their son.