Chunnuan set up her medical school in the Xiao family’s pharmacy.

Although it was completely ruined during the confiscation of the family property.

But Old Master Xiao, knowing that Chun An and Panpan wanted to study medicine, specifically had the pharmacy restored to its original state.

Whenever any medicinal herbs were needed, the Xiao family tried their best to purchase them.

Moreover, Panpan, this little "Fortunate Child," would directly gather whatever herbs were missing from the Xia Mansion or even from the palace, so the pharmacy’s stock of medicines eventually became complete.

Of course, it wasn’t as glorious as when Grandfather was around.

The Chenyun of the Xiao family pharmacy always carried a sense of tranquility.

Hundreds of medicine jars were neatly arranged on the carved wooden cabinets, their labels written in a graceful and neat hand by Chunnuan herself.

She was standing behind the counter, a piece of dried Eucommia in her fingers, explaining it in detail to the three apprentices gathered around her.

"Eucommia should be chosen with thick bark and many fibers on the cross-section; look at this texture, like silver threads entwined, it’s superior. If the cross-section is brittle and the fibers are few and easy to break, it indicates it’s not aged enough, reducing its efficacy by thirty percent..."

The apprentices held their breath and concentrated, their brushes swiftly recording on paper, occasionally someone would ask a question softly, and Chunnuan would patiently answer each one. The only sound in the pharmacy was the "rustle" of pen on paper, mixed with the faint scent of medicine in the air, creating an unusually serene atmosphere.

Suddenly, there was the sound of hurried footsteps outside the pharmacy, and Bai Mei knocked on the door with a hint of panic to report.

"Young Mistress, Young Mistress, someone from the palace has arrived! Mr. Fu has come personally! He says he needs to escort you and the Princess to the palace urgently!"

"From the palace?"

Chunnuan’s hand holding the Eucommia paused suddenly, the piece of herb slipping from her fingers and falling onto the counter with a "thud."

She lifted her gaze towards the door, only to see Old Zhang, the gatekeeper, who had come to deliver the news, running with sweat all over his forehead. His coarse shirt was soaked with sweat, his face full of panic and urgency, not at all like he was pretending.

The apprentices were also in an uproar, stopping their writing to look at each other in amazement. Chunnuan steadied herself, bent down to pick up the Eucommia and put it back into the jar, then smoothed her clothes—a moon-white tunic embroidered with faint orchid patterns, her usual attire for working in the pharmacy. Though not luxurious, it was neat and tidy.

"Where is Mr. Fu now?"

Her voice was steady, but the fingers hanging by her side quietly clenched the hem of her garment. The palace never casually sent people to the Xiao family, let alone Mr. Fu, who is trusted by the Empress Dowager, deliberately mentioning the need to escort the "Princess."

She suddenly recalled that Panpan had been conferred the title of Princess.

Yes, how could she forget that Panpan is now a Princess.

So, having a Princess among her disciples really is something special.

But why would Mr. Fu come to the Xiao Mansion, and why ask her to accompany Panpan to the palace?

"In the main hall! Both Old Master and Second Master are with him!" Bai Mei replied quickly: "Mr. Fu also said that His Majesty and the Empress Dowager are waiting in the palace, and you and the Princess must hurry over, there’s no time to delay!"

Chunnuan nodded and turned to address the apprentices.

"Today’s lesson ends here. Sort the medicinal properties I just spoke about into a document, I will review it tomorrow. Remember, do not use the medicines on the shelf without permission, especially those jars marked ’poisonous’ in the corner."

After giving these instructions, she led Panpan out.

Walking through the courtyard of the Xiao family, the moss on the bluestone path was still damp with morning dew, and the nearby crabapple blossoms were in full bloom, their pink-white petals falling on her shoulders, but she had no time to pay attention. Her heart was filled with increasing doubt.

If the palace wanted Panpan, they could directly summon her. Why did they need Mr. Fu to personally invite her, a commoner?

Just as she reached the entrance to the main hall, she heard a warm yet authoritative voice from within: "No need for formalities, Old Master Xiao. His Majesty and the Empress Dowager are still waiting in the palace; we must depart promptly."

Chunnuan took a deep breath, lifted the curtain, and went inside. She saw a eunuch seated on the master’s chair in the center of the hall, dressed in a dark-patterned stone blue brocade robe, with a phoenix-patterned yellow belt around his waist—a regulation only worn by those who serve close to the Emperor and Empress.

He wore a black gauze hat, and beneath the brim, his face was fair, with a few fine lines at the corners of his eyes, but not showing any signs of aging. It was none other than the revered Mr. Fu from the palace.

Seeing Chunnuan enter, Mr. Fu promptly rose from his seat, a respectful smile on his face, and slightly bent his straight back: "This must be Miss Xiao? This old servant pays respects to the young lady."

This startled the Xiao family. Chunnuan quickly sidestepped and stepped forward to support Mr. Fu: "Eunuch, please, you honor me too much!"

Old Master Xiao also clasped his hands in a salute, repeatedly saying: "It’s an honor for my Xiao family to have Eunuch personally visit; how dare we let you bow."

Chunnuan stepped forward and curtsied according to palace etiquette.

"Commoner Xiao Chunnuan, pays her respects to Mr. Fu. May I ask why you have come today to escort me and the Princess to the palace?"

Mr. Fu, seeing her composed demeanor, looked at her with more appreciation: "Please rise, young lady. To be honest, the Empress has summoned you and the Princess to the palace for the sake of the Empress."

"The Empress?" Panpan exclaimed: "Could it be... could it be the Imperial Sister-in-law is going to give birth? Oh no, I’ve been so engrossed in learning medicine, I completely forgot she was due."

Mr. Fu’s smile faded a bit, and his tone grew solemn.

"The Princess is correct. The Empress is full-term, and has been experiencing frequent labor pains. The Imperial Physicians at the Imperial Hospital have been taking turns on duty, but they all report that the Empress’ baby’s position is somewhat abnormal, and there may be dangers during childbirth."

"The Empress Dowager and His Majesty are worried, and the Empress herself requested the Princess accompany her into the palace," Mr. Fu explained. "The Empress Dowager is also aware of the young lady’s remarkable medical skills, profoundly taught by Old Doctor Xiao, and has cured numerous difficult cases in the capital. Thus, she ordered me to invite the young lady to the palace to assist the Empress."

"As for the Princess, the Empress Dowager specifically instructed it, noting the Empress’ fondness for the Princess—which might bring her some comfort if she is there to keep her company."

"What... what should we do?"

Mrs. Xu, upon hearing this, was so anxious she was nearly in tears, gripping Chunnuan’s hand, her voice trembling.

"Our Nuannuan is just a commoner, though she knows some medicine, she’s never taken the pulse of the Royal Family, let alone something as monumental as attending the Empress in childbirth..."

If anything were to go wrong, the Xiao family couldn’t bear such a responsibility!

Mrs. Xu intended to say more, but Chunnuan gestured for her to stop.

Chunnuan understood very well: the matter at hand was of great consequence, and a misstep could implicate the Xiao and Zhao families.

Some things might repeat themselves.

Thus, this time, she would not allow herself to make even half a mistake; she couldn’t let the Xiao and Zhao families endure another ordeal.

Since she was to assist the Empress in childbirth, Chunnuan brought along all her belongings.

Pills, silver needles, and even took two prepared medicines and her medicine jars herself.

"Panpan, when the time comes, if the Empress needs decoctions, make sure you’re personally overseeing them; no one else must come near."

Once inside the palace, Chunnuan dared not trust anyone!