Chun Ning got married, and Mrs. Xu happily drank the daughter-in-law tea.

Just as she was planning to have a good chat with her daughter, Chun Nuan was about to return to the mansion again.

"Second Brother and Qiu Yan’s good news is approaching. Although I can’t help much, I still need to pay a visit to the Champion Scholar Mansion."

"That’s true, but in terms of household management, both you and I are not skilled." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Chun Nuan... How can Mother be so confident?

Is it because I’m her daughter?

To be honest, Chun Nuan feels it’s not that she can’t do it, but that she doesn’t want to do it.

Thinking back, in Shu City and Changzhou, what matters in the Xiao family weren’t managed by her?

Of course, Mother isn’t incapable either, just lazy. At home, she had her mother, and later had her elder sister-in-law, so there was no place to use the skills she learned in household management.

After marrying into the Xiao family, there was Mrs. Xu, her elder sister-in-law, to support her, so she lived leisurely, and over time, everyone thought she wasn’t skilled in household management.

So, those who truly enjoy life know how to enjoy it.

Of course, those like Third Aunt Mrs. Huang, who aim too high but act too low, end up with self-made trouble.

As she just got ready to leave the Xiao Mansion, she saw her elder sister.

"Nuannuan, heading back to the Zhao Mansion?"

"Yes, Elder Sister, Yan’er is getting married, and as her good friend and sister-in-law, I must help with preparations."

"Speaking of which, Mr. Zhao and Qiu Yan’s marriage is truly interesting," Chunyu said with a smile. "On the old lady’s birthday, many people were optimistic about Mr. Zhao, asking around. I thought from your letter that introducing him to Miss Qiu would be appropriate, but Mr. Zhao personally said he already had a girl in mind."

Those few casual words broke the hearts of many girls, and Qiu Yan was heartbroken for a long time.

Most importantly, it seemed Qiu Yan was very fond of him.

"Who would have thought that after becoming the Champion Scholar, Mr. Zhao would personally come to propose?"

This was something Mrs. Qiu had told Chunyu, and though a bit abrupt, it was indeed heartfelt.

Furthermore, when there’s a newly crowned Champion Scholar as a son-in-law, who cares about the formalities?

The two are a perfect match, and since they’re not young, getting married quickly is for the best.

So, on the second day after the Zhao family’s arrival in the Capital, the couple entrusted the official matchmaker to propose to the Qiu family, and the three letters and six etiquettes are underway.

"Nuannuan, do you have time tomorrow? I’ll come over to visit."

"You’re welcome, Elder Sister, bring Panpan along. I’ve been missing her."

Panpan was summoned into the palace by the Empress Dowager today.

The Empress Dowager even said to let her study in the palace school, which scared Panpan into saying no, that if she had to study, she wouldn’t go to the palace to play anymore.

As for imperial edicts, Panpan paid them no mind; to her, they were of no effect. Of course, the three in the palace indulged her as well.

"Alright, tomorrow I’ll take Panpan to visit."

"Elder Sister, why be so formal between sisters?"

Chun Nuan chuckled.

Whether publicly or privately, there’s no need to use the word "visit."

Chun Nuan left Xiao Mansion and went straight to the Champion Scholar Mansion.

Mrs. Zhou was delighted to see her.

"Nuannuan, I’ve been waiting for you. Come quickly, come and help me see what else we need to prepare?"

What Mrs. Zhou wanted her to see was the list of betrothal gifts.

"Mainly because the customs in the Capital are different from those in Shu City, I don’t really understand. Luckily there’s Nanny Lan to help, otherwise, I’d be completely lost."

Nanny Lan was an old nanny at the Xiao family, who initially wanted to go with them to Shu City but had to stay in the Capital due to circumstances.

She had been given her freedom, and when the Xiao family returned to the Capital, Nanny Lan visited Mrs. Xu, expressing her willingness to serve again if the Xiao Mansion needed her.

Mrs. Xu, grateful for her kindness, gave her some fabrics, saying she’d call on her when needed.

Coincidentally, when the Zhao family first arrived in the Capital, Mrs. Zhao, Mrs. Zhou, didn’t have a nanny familiar with Capital affairs to assist and advise, so Chun Nuan asked Mrs. Xu for help, and she thought of Nanny Lan.

"This old servant greets Second Miss."

"No need for such formalities, Nanny Lan, thank you for all you do to look after Mother."

Nanny Lan really didn’t need to be so formal; she was free, and at Mrs. Zhou’s side, she was only assisting and had not even signed a contract. She was paid more only because she was willing to help.

Being a trusted elder of the Xiao Mansion, Mrs. Zhou had great trust and respect for her.

"Madam is very capable with an excellent memory."

Nanny Lan primarily reminded Mrs. Zhou about family connections and relationships. These were matters Mrs. Zhou, from Changzhou, had little to do with. After all, the Capital’s officials were numerous and complex; one wrong step could offend someone.

"I’ve been having headaches, just hoping Yan’er can quickly marry and take over."

Mrs. Zhou did not like Capital life.

But her second son was so talented, giving her the opportunity to show her face in the circles of noblewomen, so even things she disliked had to be done.

Hearing Mrs. Zhou say this, Chun Nuan found it amusing.

Both her mother-in-law and her own mother were the same, wanting to be hands-off managers, desiring to enjoy life.

It’s often said that when a new daughter-in-law enters the home, the mother-in-law is most afraid of power being taken away—their family turned out to be an exception.

Moreover, Qiu Yan wasn’t someone eager to manage household affairs either.

Truly validating the saying: A family belongs together!

She could almost envision Qiu Yan complaining to her about the hardships of managing the household after moving in.

At the Qiu Mansion, Mrs. Qiu was quite troubled looking at her daughter.

"Yan’er, previously I didn’t stop you from not learning, but now your husband is an official. There will be a lot of matters to manage, and as your mother-in-law came from Changzhou, you can’t count on her. Even if you do, there will be limits; ultimately, it will fall to you, Yan’er."

"Mother, I know, I know."

Looking at account books and such is so dull, but at least I understand them.

Over the years, Mother had taught a lot, and she understood, just wasn’t interested in engaging.

Seeing Nanny Lin behind her mother, her eyes lit up.

"Mother, let Nanny Lin accompany me to the Zhao Mansion."

Nanny Lin laughed at the sight of such a young lady.

"You little girl, you little girl."

Mrs. Qiu knew exactly what scheme Qiu Yan had in mind. Nanny Lin had been with her, essentially prepared as a dowry nanny.

"Even if Nanny Lin follows you, you must still understand some things yourself."

"Got it, Mother."

Qiu Yan knew her mother was truly giving Nanny Lin to her and was overjoyed. "Mother is the best."

"You, at such an age already, about to get married, look at you compared to Chun Nuan, who already has such big children..."

"Mother, finding a good match is key. I didn’t find one before." Qiu Yan blushed and said, "I finally understand what it means to meet across a thousand miles. It’s him I’ve been waiting so long for."

"You really are..."

One must admit, this son-in-law is satisfying in every way. To have such a son-in-law, she was also quite pleased.