The Daily Life of a Down-on-Hard-Life Medicine Girl Supporting Her Family

Chapter 284

The Xiao family gatekeeper received another invitation, this time delivered by Madam Qiu.

"I've been wanting to visit Madam Qiu for a long time," Madam Xu said to her daughter-in-law. "Make preparations to welcome Madam Qiu and Miss Qiu tomorrow."

"Yes, mother."

Zhu was grateful that her second younger sister, Nuannuan, had helped her earn some business in Changzhou, which made the family less constrained after moving back to the capital.

Managing the Xiao family is no easy task.

The next day, Madam Qiu and her daughter came to visit.

"Please come in, Madam Qiu."

Madam Xu greeted them at the main gate early in the morning: "It's been many years since I've seen Miss Qiu."

"Yes, the child also said he wanted to visit you."

Looking at Xu Shi and Huang Shi, who were her peers and a few years younger than herself, Madam Qiu sighed that they had really suffered a lot.

They were only in their early forties, but each of them had some gray hair and wrinkles... and surprisingly, they didn't have any wrinkles on their faces.

Perhaps all the suffering Changzhou endured has manifested in the white hair on his head.

"Nuannuan hasn't come back yet, but she's expected to return next spring. When she does, you sisters should have a good get-together."

"Oh, Nuannuan is already a mother, but my girl is still not married. It's really worrying me to death."

Madam Qiu never mentioned this matter in front of outsiders.

However, Madam Qiu was not so reserved in front of the Xiao family.

"Good things don't come from being busy," said Madam Xu. "If the matchmaker has arranged the red thread, then it's done. Look at our Shu'er and Yan'er, they haven't even started dating yet, have they?"

"Yan'er and Shu'er are three years younger than my girl, right?"

There's really no comparison; comparing only makes me more anxious.

"Mrs. Qiu, Miss Qiu, please have a seat."

Madam Zhu immediately arranged for the maids to serve tea and pastries.

"Did Nuan Nuan make these pastries?"

Miss Qiu took a bite and exclaimed in surprise.

"Sister Qiu, it wasn't Second Sister who did it, it was Shu'er who did it."

"Shu'er, why do your pastries taste like Nuannuan's pastries?"

"Because Shu'er is the apprentice who was personally taught by my second sister."

"You're amazing." Qiu Yan gave a thumbs up: "I used to follow Nuan Nuan around every day asking for pastries, but I just couldn't learn how to make them."

"You little rascal, you never think about studying, you only care about eating, you're such a glutton."

“Mother, it’s not proper to expose other people’s shortcomings.”

Qiuyan can still act coquettishly by her mother's side.

Seeing this, the Xu, Huang, and other women all smiled knowingly.

Yes, no matter how old you are, you can act cute in front of your mother before you get married. But once you get married and become a wife and daughter-in-law, you have to be sensible and know your limits. You are no longer yourself.

True confidants, when they visit each other for tea and conversation, do not simply drink tea and chat, but tell Xu and her family about the turbulent changes in the capital over the past seven years.

During the chat, some information was revealed to the Xiao family.

After seeing Madam Qiu and Miss Qiu off, Madam Xu was filled with emotion.

Firstly, I am grateful for Madam Qiu's thoughtfulness; secondly, it truly is a case of "a new emperor, a new court."

After the new emperor ascended the throne, a group of new nobles emerged.

Unsurprisingly, General Xia's mansion is the most sought-after of the newly rich.

Many people wanted to befriend her, and some even planned to propose marriage to Princess Anping.

"Panpan is seven years old..."

This left Zhu speechless: "What are these people thinking?"

"That's how it is in the capital. Nobody gets up early for nothing. Every thief knows how to scheme."

The abacus beads practically flew onto her face: "Yu'er should know what she's doing. At the very least, Old Madam Xia is still clear-headed." "Panpan's marriage will probably have to be decided by the palace in the end."

Xu, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up, and her words indeed reminded everyone.

Yes, Panpan is favored by the noble ladies in the palace, so how could she allow others to covet her?

"These people are really..." Huang was a little jealous: "They're all too old to get married, and they're already eyeing girls who aren't even ten years old."

Listen to what he said?

Madam Xu glanced at her and thought, "She really doesn't look like a girl from the prestigious Huang family."

What made her become the way she is today?
Not to mention that she learned it in Sichuan, even while she was there, she never left her home and never sold herself. Apart from suffering a bit when she first arrived, she enjoyed a life of luxury afterwards.

Anyway, she's not the same person she used to be.

On the sixth day after the Xiao family women returned, they finally received the news.

"The master and young master have reached the city gate."

"Quickly, get ready to receive them!"

The women were very excited: "Chuning, Chuning, prepare incense and candles, and we'll go into the ancestral hall to worship our ancestors when they return."

In the seven years since, everyone in the Xiao family except the old lady has returned unharmed, which is a stroke of good luck for the Xiao family.

"It's back, it's all back."

The servants ran around spreading the news: "Master, Second Master, Third Master, Eldest Young Master, and Second Young Master have all returned..."

Mrs. Xu and her family were already waiting outside to greet them.

"uncle……"

Looking at her husband with his white hair and beard, Madam Xu burst into tears.

The northern desert is indeed very harsh.

Her once handsome and dashing husband has now transformed into a venerable and otherworldly figure.

"We're back."

Looking up at the plaque above the door, the men of the Xiao family choked up and said, "Seven years, we're back."

They thought they would be buried in the northern desert for the rest of their lives, but they never expected that they would come back.

On their way back, they had imagined countless times that they would stay at Chunyu's manor, but they never expected that Chunning would greet them with her servants. Along the way, they found themselves in familiar streets and old houses.

Only after asking did I learn that Chunnuan's son-in-law had bought the Xiao family's house, thus preserving the Xiao family's roots.

Seven years ago, my parents were still alive.

The children were still young then, and the yard was always filled with laughter.

Seven years later, when he returned, he knelt and bowed before his parents' spirit tablet, comforting them that all their children and grandchildren had returned from heaven.

"You all go wash up first, we're having a family dinner tonight."

During family dinners, the seat of honor is left empty.

There's no need to question whether it belongs to the old man and woman.

"We are able to return safely today thanks to Chunyu, Chunnuan, and our Panpan."

Everyone in the Xiao family knew the truth.

"Panpan is truly our lucky star."

If it weren't for the fact that she gained the favor of nobles, and that she made a great contribution by protecting the pregnancy of the then Crown Princess who is now the Empress, which prompted the Empress Dowager and the Emperor to immediately think of summoning the Xiao family back to the capital.

"Panpan misses her second aunt." Panpan is busy eating right now: "Aunt Shu's pastries are so delicious. She said that Second Aunt taught her how to make them, so Second Aunt's must be even more delicious."

"Your second aunt not only cooks delicious food, but she can also make medicinal figures." Chun Shu teased her, "Don't eat anything indiscriminately, or you'll be in trouble if you eat the wrong thing."

"Don't worry, Panpan knows medicine."

What?
This statement stunned everyone. Did she really recognize the medicine?
"If you don't believe me, blindfold Panpan and she'll recognize you."

Not only can they identify medicines, but they can also identify medicines with their eyes closed?

This is shocking!

Is a second spring-like warmth about to appear?