"Mother, your daughter has always been well, she’s naturally a blessed person."

Qiu Yan’s heart was delighted, yet she suppressed it forcibly.

"You see, having the fortune of being your daughter, I’ve lived a carefree life from the start, even when it comes to something as important as marriage, you let your daughter follow her own heart."

If it were another family, you’d never be allowed not to marry by twenty.

Surely, you’d be married off early.

No matter your preferences, any man will do.

Avoid causing trouble that would affect the marriage prospects of other girls in the clan.

I’m blessed to be mother’s daughter, though anxious, I’m more cherished.

Also, back when Zhao Minglang proposed himself, it was somewhat improper.

However, mother didn’t drive him away.

Back then, he surely must have been a poor young lad from Changzhou... Indeed, no matter how much Silver the Zhao family had, in the eyes of everyone in the Capital, he was just a poor boy — no family background, no wealth, even as a Closed-door Disciple with some prospects, it wasn’t much.

Yet, he dared to come to propose himself, mother saw my fondness for him and agreed.

This, in another household, would have seen him chased out with a stick.

Fact proved her blessing was good; as soon as she agreed to the marriage, Zhao Minglang ranked first in the exam, becoming Champion Scholar.

Soon after the marriage, she became pregnant and gave birth to a son.

Though her husband went to the Two Lakes Region as Lord Imperial Envoy, she worried, only to find he avoided all traps and was directly promoted to second-rank official.

So, tell me, isn’t this good fortune?

"Yan’er, I heard this time our son-in-law’s smooth promotion was thanks to Mr. Xiao, the medicine and prescriptions brought by Nuannuan’s brother; the courtiers all say Lord Xiao truly did significant work..."

As for Zhao Minglang, everyone was unconvinced, thinking he just got lucky.

"Mother, my own husband isn’t just any ordinary person in the pond, otherwise how could he become Champion Scholar." Qiu Yan didn’t like hearing this: "Those who say such things are scheming, intending to stir trouble between the Zhao and Xiao families."

"You make sense, child." Mrs. Qiu said: "However, you should prepare some gifts for the Xiao family, for Lord Xiao’s mother and wife."

"Doing so would only confirm the rumors to be true?" Qiu Yan shook her head: "Mother, ignore those things."

She certainly wouldn’t rush to send gifts to the Xiao family.

But, she would indeed go to Nuannuan’s place.

As she pondered, her mother arranged something new for her.

"What? Mother, you want me to go to the Two Lakes Region?"

Qiu Yan had never been out of the Capital, let alone thousands of miles away to the Two Lakes Region.

Moreover, the disaster hadn’t passed there, the journey was long, even a plague persisted, and she’d have to take her child to find her husband over such a distance?

Any sane person wouldn’t do such a thing!

"You, child." Mrs. Qiu didn’t know how to explain to her: "The Zhao family indeed has rules against concubinage, but the son-in-law is still young, in his prime; how can he manage without someone who understands him by his side?"

Hearing this, Qiu Yan was dumbfounded!

Indeed, he was in his vigorous years.

Others might not know, but that scholarly Champion Scholar turns into a wolf at night, calling for water three times a night even when he was temporarily back in the Capital while she was unfit to serve him...

Thinking of it, she felt uncertain.

Upon further contemplation, she felt she overthought.

"Mother, you only need to mention this once, please don’t say it again, if heard by others, my husband might be reprimanded. He’s there for disaster relief, not for enjoyment."

Mrs. Qiu furrowed her brow, wondering why the child couldn’t differentiate between good and bad advice.

"Mother doesn’t want you leaving the Capital; if you go to Two Lakes, it means that on missing you, I might not be able to see you. Your husband’s post lasts three to five years; you might not meet for three to five years." Mrs. Qiu sighed: "But staying apart, one in the north and one in the south, what meaning does marriage hold then?"

"Mother, I understand your intent."

Qiu Yan felt her mother had made things clear.

The man needs a woman beside him, and the only woman beside Zhao Minglang can be his wife—Qiu Yan!

"Let me consider it." Qiu Yan said: "Even if I decide to go, it’s not the right time yet; firstly, the child is still young, secondly, the situation there is chaotic, with the plague still around..."

"Yes, yes, that’s true, but you must prepare to follow him."

Mrs. Qiu kept persuading her daughter to cherish it.

After all, if a man’s heart is led astray, nothing can bring it back.

Just like her own husband; they too were once young lovers, passionate and sweet-talking, only seeing each other in their eyes.

However, once she was pregnant and giving birth, he couldn’t resist taking on one after another.

Latterly, Mrs. Qiu only fulfilled her role as a wife, securing the position of wife, but never had her young husband again.

Having suffered herself, she didn’t want her daughter to go through the same.

Ultimately, the Zhao family’s rule forbids concubinage; as long as Yan’er stays by Zhao Minglang’s side, no other woman will enter his heart, and a permanent place will remain for Yan’er.

If Yan’er doesn’t go to Two Lakes, guess how many subordinates would eagerly send women to a young Governor like him?

"Alright, mother, I understand."

After Mrs. Qiu left, Qiu Yan immediately prepared a carriage to see Chun Nuan.

"Nuannuan, do you think I should really go to Two Lakes?"

Qiu Yan, in indecision, would go to Chun Nuan for advice.

From a young age, she always felt Chun Nuan was smarter than her.

Indeed, facts proved Nuannuan truly regarded her as a good sister; they shared everything without reserve, offering her counsel.

"I suggest you go," Chun Nuan said: "The child is too young, I don’t recommend."

"You mean I go without taking the child?" Qiu Yan couldn’t bear separating from her offspring.

"The term typically lasts three to five years," Chun Nuan said: "Leave the child at the Zhao family for your mother-in-law to raise; in three to five years when you return, the child will have grown."

"Nuannuan, isn’t there a plague over there?"

Even if not taking the child, Qiu Yan felt daunted.

"Rest assured, by the time you reach Two Lakes, the plague will largely be under control, without major issues." Xiao Chunnuan took out a bottle of red pills from her bosom and handed it to her. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"What is this?" Qiu Yan asked, puzzled.

"It’s a medicine to enhance physical strength," Chun Nuan said: "For this trip to Two Lakes, I’ve prepared some for both my second brother and Chun Ning."

"Nuannuan, you’re our treasure." Excited, Qiu Yan directly pecked Chun Nuan’s cheek.

Looking up, she saw Zhao Minghua entering...

Zhao Minghua... this sister-in-law seemed a bit impudent.