The late spring sunshine filtered through the gaps in the crabapple trees, casting mottled shadows on the bluestone slabs.

Qiu Yan welcomed Chun Nuan inside, then had the maid serve tea and pastries. The two sisters sat in the warm sunlight, chatting about household affairs.

"Nuannuan! My dear sister, you finally came!"

She held her hand and indulged in playful banter.

Indeed, Qiu Yan, well-raised by Mrs. Qiu, still retained her youthful innocence.

What a blessing it truly is.​

At this moment, Qiu Yan was dressed in a water-pink gauze skirt, with a fresh crabapple blossom tucked by her temple.

"Nuannuan! You have finally arrived. I’ve been thinking about you every day, hoping you could come over and chat with me, I..."

Qiu Yan was a little embarrassed to speak some words.

After all, it’s been over two years since Chun Nuan married into the Zhao family, and she really wanted to know how Chun Nuan was doing there.​

"The cook just made these, knowing you love them, specially prepared for you." Qiu Yan looked at Chun Nuan: "I thought you would be worn out after such a long journey, but now it seems my worries were unfounded, you’re just the same as ever."

To say the least, Chun Nuan’s health made Qiu Yan very envious.

She would occasionally suffer headaches or fevers, but Chun Nuan seemed untouched by such ailments.

"I am a doctor myself, so I understand my own health. My appetite is excellent, and I eat quite a lot at every meal."​

Chun Nuan took the teacup, sipped the warm Bi Luo Chun, and smiled at her.

"You, on the other hand, have slimmed down considerably — are you dieting?"

"Yes, my mother said if I keep eating like this, I won’t fit into my wedding dress, and remaking it wouldn’t be timely, so she told me to eat less."

This matter left Qiu Yan feeling quite miserable.

Chun Nuan... indeed everyone has their own troubles.

"To become a beautiful bride is no easy task for you either." Chun Nuan teased, "When Second Brother lifts the veil, he’ll be smitten by you."

"You’re talking nonsense again."

Qiu Yan felt she was somewhat inferior to Chun Nuan, never able to match her in conversation.

Speaking of marriage, Qiu Yan’s cheeks instantly flushed, and her lips curved upward involuntarily.

Chun Nuan looked at her shy expression, and teased with a smile: "Look at you, turning red at the mention of marriage. It seems Champion Scholar Zhao Minglang has truly captured your heart."​

Qiu Yan lightly punched her, chiding: "Stop making fun of me. Without you and Sister Yu’er’s matchmaking, I wouldn’t have this fate with Ming Lang. Still... inside I’m somewhat anxious, after living at Qiu Mansion for so many years. Mother said marrying into another family means following their rules; I’m afraid I won’t do well, or that my mother-in-law will be difficult."​

"Don’t worry unnecessarily, my mother-in-law, Mrs. Zhou, is a very kind person, generous and considerate." Chun Nuan held her hand, soothingly: "When I first married into the Zhao family, I didn’t know how to do needlework. My mother even scolded me about it, but my mother-in-law never said a word, instead saying I’m meant for great things, and needlework is for the embroidery maid. The Zhao family can certainly afford embroidery maids."

Hearing this, Qiu Yan’s eyes brightened!

She felt Mrs. Zhou was absolutely right.

Indeed, with embroidery maids, why should they labor over embroidery, only to occasionally prick their fingers?

"My mother-in-law is very approachable and kind to the servants, never once losing her temper." Chun Nuan said: "She smiles at everyone, and they say those who smile have good fortune. I think my mother-in-law has a great destiny, and the servants all highly respect her."

A person who treats the servants kindly would naturally not be bad toward family or daughters-in-law.​

"Above all, my mother-in-law values character. You’re gentle and kind by nature, she will definitely like you. Besides, Second Brother cherishes you so much." Chun Nuan laughed, "Ming Hua says his second brother is indifferent to other matters, yet with you, he’s wholeheartedly sincere. With Second Brother, you won’t be wronged living at Zhao Mansion."

​

Listening to this, Qiu Yan’s worries gradually dissipated, her eyes brightening.

"Really? Then I’m relieved. Actually, the first time I met Ming Lang, I thought he was gentle and courteous. After spending time with him, I found that he is not only knowledgeable but also incredibly considerate. Knowing I love crabapple flowers, he specially bought several from a flower farmer outside the city to plant in my courtyard."​

Speaking of this, Qiu Yan took out a jade pendant from her sleeve pocket and handed it to Chun Nuan:.

"Look, this is what Ming Lang gave me, with my name engraved on it. He says he personally selected this warm jade, wearing it can soothe the spirit."​

Chun Nuan took the jade pendant, feeling its smooth warmth, and the character "Yan" engraved delicately, showcasing Zhao Minglang’s care. She returned the jade pendant to Qiu Yan, smiling: "Second Brother is truly considerate, this marriage is truly a match made in heaven. Once you marry, we will be sisters-in-law, and we’ll often get to see each other."

"Yes, I didn’t expect we would become family." Qiu Yan nodded shyly, eyes full of anticipation.

"Nuannuan, we will be family afterward. Then we can play together, and when we have children..." She stopped, feeling too embarrassed to continue.

"When we have children, they can play together too, which is wonderful."

Chun Nuan picked up her topic: "Actually, I’m thinking, once you marry, when spring comes, we can go flower viewing and fly kites, it will be lots of fun."

"Yes, just thinking about it feels beautiful."

Spring outings, chatting while admiring the flowers, surely sweeter than honey. ​

The two sisters reminisced about past fun and discussed future life. The sunlight streamed through the lattice, falling on them warmly, comfortably.

Intermittent laughter came from the pavilion, joy permeating the air, as if even time slowed down, to hold onto this beautiful moment.

"Oh, I came to add to your wedding gifts, come quickly and see if you like it."

Chun Nuan had the maid come forward, unveiling the jewelry, it was a set designed by Chun Nuan herself, crafted by the gold shop.

"Nuannuan, they’re so beautiful, which silver building did you buy them from? Oh my, I love them."

"I’m glad you like them." Chun Nuan smiled and said: "They were custom-made with my designs."

"Nuannuan, you’re always better than me, always surprising me, I love, really love this set of jewelry."

Gold jewelry, though often considered tacky among noble ladies, Qiu Yan found herself drawn to such ’tacky’ pieces.

Gold is wonderful! It can be worn as accessories and kept as a safeguard, and most importantly, it’s made from genuine gold.

She loves it, truly loves it.

"On the day of my return, I surely will wear it." Qiu Yan said: "But, Nuannuan, you gave me such precious jewelry, how should I return the favor?"

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