The spring sunshine filtered through the new green leaves of the locust trees, spilling onto the bluestone slabs, creating warm, dancing light spots.

The carriage stopped in the slightly deserted alley. Zhao Minghua was the first to jump off, turning around to cautiously help Chun Nuan alight.

Holding her hand, he didn’t immediately let go, guiding her to look at a newly built white wall with blue tiles beside them. Inside, lush greenery was already peeking out.

His beloved wife and precious son had finally arrived in the Capital.

His parents went to his second brother Zhao Minglang’s Champion Scholar Mansion, and even his son was taken by his parents.

That was good; he could just take his wife back to see the courtyard he had carefully prepared.

"Come, take a look at this."

With a sense of anticipation akin to presenting a treasure, Zhao Minghua pushed open the half-closed elm door.

Inside was a world apart. A not very large but extremely exquisite garden appeared before them, with tidy ridges and moist soil. Various newly planted medicinal seedlings were full of vitality: mint, perilla, mugwort, rehmannia... and some rare herbs, all stretching their leaves under the warm spring sun. In the corner, a small vine rack was even set up, under which stone tables and stools were placed, convenient for resting and reading medical books.

"This is..." Chun Nuan’s eyes lit up suddenly, looking at her husband with surprise.

"The Hundred Herbs Garden," Zhao Minghua smiled, his tone gentle yet firm. "I built it especially for you. I know you can’t let go of these things deep down; this mansion is large, and I specially opened up this little world to plant these, so you can come anytime it’s convenient." He paused and gently embraced her shoulder, his voice softer: "I still support you making medicine pills, studying medical books, if you want to diagnose, I won’t stop you. But..."

He raised his hand, his fingertips lightly grazing over the non-existent wrinkles by her eye, filled with affection in his eyes.

"It’s just that I can’t bear to see you working hard as you did in Changzhou, for that home, and for so much more without ever stopping. I don’t want you to be too tired."

Chun Nuan looked at him, the softest part of her heart touched.

She was deeply aware that his concerns stemmed from her past when she exhausted herself while delving into medical techniques, treating patients to the point of collapse.

She tightly held his big hand in return, her smile gentle and bright.

"I understand your intention, my husband, thank you."

She turned her head, her gaze sweeping over the living medicinal plants, her voice clear and calm.

"Rest assured, I won’t go out to diagnose anymore. The Capital is not short of doctors and medicine; most people can afford to see a doctor," Chun Nuan said. "I returned to the Capital, and I am just the granddaughter of Doctor Xiao, and your wife, Zhao Minglang."

"These medical skills I possess were imparted to me generously by Grandfather, and bestowed by the heavens. If they were to be buried, wouldn’t it be a waste?"

Chun Nuan said, "Chun An has quite the aptitude, and Muyang is a steady learner too. The mansion has also discussed this, to let them pass down the medical skills. I will teach them the medical arts. In this way, not only can the medical skills of the Xiao family be continued but also give them a specialty to save the world and help people in the future."

Hearing this, Zhao Minghua’s expression relaxed immediately, and his smile deepened.

"That’s excellent! It fulfills your wishes without being too burdensome. Chun An and Muyang are fortunate to receive your teaching."

...

A few days later, Chun Nuan accompanied Zhao Minghua back to the Xiao family’s old residence.

The once bustling Imperial Doctor Mansion, while the courtyard remained tidy, inevitably revealed a bit of solitude. The copper rings on the vermillion door were not as bright as recalled, and the plaque inscribed "Healing Hands" bestowed by the emperor seemed covered with a layer of faint dust, quietly narrating the fading of prosperity.

The former Xiao Mansion was so splendid.

Though not aristocrats in the Capital, they were still respected by the nobles.

"I’m back again."

Chun Nuan stepped into the hall, almost seeing Grandfather Old Doctor Xiao reclining by the window on a rosewood lounge chair, covered with a thin blanket on his knees. Sunlight filtered through the window lattice, reflecting his full head of silver hair and the deep wrinkles on his face, and his breathing was steady yet couldn’t hide the slow pace of old age. The grandfather once in command of the Imperial Hospital, who made short work, would find time to quietly sit there, his hands folded atop the blanket, gently trembling.

The backbone that supported the glory of the Xiao family for several decades bent under an eventual accident.

Grandfather wrongfully passed; it’s the pain of the Xiao family.

"Sister, you’ve returned."

Steady footsteps from under the corridor announced the arrival.

Xiao Chunning, dressed in a blue official robe, was returning from court; his official hat still on, highlighted his handsome face, and upright bearing. Upon seeing Chun Nuan and Zhao Minghua, he immediately displayed a warm smile and quickly stepped forward: "Sister, brother-in-law, you are back."

His manner was now devoid of youthfulness, exuding the poise and competence of an official. Naturally, he instructed the servants to prepare tea.

"I haven’t seen Aunt and Mother yet."

"Mother and Aunt are meeting Madam Zhong from the Zhong Mansion; Sister and brother-in-law should rest first."

"All right."

Chun Nuan looked at him; this brother whom she had raised had now become the second laureate personally appointed by the emperor, serving at the Hanlin Academy, with a promising future. The threshold of the Xiao family, unconsciously, had already been upheld again from his slightly slender but firm shoulders.

A complex emotion surged in her heart, a mix of relief, sentiment, and a slight sense of awakening.

Grandfather’s era had long faded, that generation’s glory and responsibility had quietly transitioned.

Xiao Chunning noticed his sister’s gaze, turned to her with a slight smile, in that smile lay responsibility, comfort, as if saying: "There’s me at home."

Indeed, each generation has its responsibilities.

Grandfather’s responsibility was to enhance the threshold, improve medical skills, and serve before the imperial front.

Her responsibility was to inherit the medical skills, meticulously guide, hoping the fire would be passed down.

And now, Chun Ning’s responsibility was to uphold the family, to continue the Xiao family’s repute and glory atop the new court.

The sunlight quietly flowed, wrapping around her brother’s young yet solid shoulders, and enveloping the cup of clear tea with rising steam in her hand.

Chun Nuan gently took a sip of tea, the tea was slightly bitter with sweet aftertaste.

Like the years, and like life.

"Being an official in court is different from being at home, always maintain humility in all things..."

Chun Nuan said a few words before realizing: her brother had long grown into an adult, and her reminders seemed somewhat redundant.

"Sister is used to the nagging, don’t find it bothersome."

"No, sister, Chun Ning likes hearing your instructions." Chun Ning said: "There wouldn’t be today’s Chun Ning without sister nor the revived standing of the Xiao Mansion."

"Old troubles befalling brings fortune; our Xiao family will only continue to prosper evermore," Chun Nuan said: "Is Madam Zhong here to discuss your and Miss Zhong’s nuptials?"

Chunning’s face flushed red to the ears.

"Mr. Zhong is an elder at the Hanlin Academy and is currently your immediate superior."

Chunning felt some pressure, being both a direct superior and future father-in-law, so there could be no error in etiquette.

"You are inherently excellent, don’t worry about anything else."

Chun Nuan encouraged him with a smile.

"Looks like there will be one celebration after another at our Xiao Mansion."