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

Chapter 290

The Xiao family was quite satisfied with their daughter-in-law, Zhu.

During the college's holiday break for the Lunar New Year, Zhao Minglang and Zhu Haodong came to the Xiao family every day to study with Chun Ning, and Zhu took good care of them.

This made Ms. Xu extremely grateful.

The exams will be held after the Lantern Festival.

Zhu prepared the same dry rations for them.

"Eldest sister-in-law, thank you so much."

Chun Ning was very grateful; his elder sister-in-law had thought of something he hadn't.

His eldest sister-in-law not only prepared gifts for him, but also for his closest friends.

The fact that three copies were made touched Zhao Minglang and Zhu Haodong.

"We're all family, just focus on your exams."

Indeed, one is the second uncle of the second sister's husband's family; one is the half-brother of the mother's family; and one is the younger brother of the second wife's husband's family.

What does it mean to have three students in a high school?
Zhu had already envisioned a wonderful scene when preparing the provisions for the upcoming battle.

Unlike the dry rations served to other families, Zhu Lingling had instructed the kitchen to prepare braised pork and dried fruit early on. These two items were made when Nuannuan went to the northern desert years ago, and the Xiao family later learned how to make them.

These two items are essential when you're going on a long trip; they can stave off hunger, satisfy cravings, and keep you energized.

Isn't it better than those sesame seed cakes or something?
The three of them often ate these dried meats and preserved fruits as snacks, and they all liked and were very comfortable with them.

So when the three of them brought dry rations into the examination room, the inspectors were very curious.

One serving is fine, but all three are the same.

Unlike other people's flatbreads and steamed buns, which are broken open and crumbled for inspection, the dry rations of these three people were only the size of beans and were hard. What could be hidden inside them?

"Finally, I'm in the exam room."

Upon hearing the report from the servants, everyone in the Xiao family prayed in their hearts, hoping that the old master and matriarch would protect them and that Chun Ning would pass the imperial examination!

"To be honest, I really thought I was going to spend my whole life in the northern desert years ago."

The old man from the Xiao family sighed, "I once thought that the Xiao family's children really had no future. Today it's Chun Ning's turn, in a few years it will be Chun An's, and in a few years Mu Yang's turn too."

The two people who were named looked at each other: they both shared a common dream: they didn't want to be involved in the competition, they just wanted to study medicine!

"Brother, shouldn't we standardize how we address each other in the family?"

The second master of the Xiao family said, "Both parents have passed away, and Mu Yang has grown up, so the way we address each other is a bit confusing."

"Yes, it's time to make changes."

After their parents passed away, one of the things they still had to do was divide the family property.

Currently, everyone knows the truth, but no one wants to mention it.

After all, it's good to take shelter under a big tree, especially for the third wife, whose children are still young and who has no one to rely on, so she can only carefully live a life of hiding.

“Then let’s all change it starting today.”

The title "elder" was changed to "elder master," followed by "second master" and "third master." The female relatives were also referred to as "elder lady," "second lady," and "third lady."

Then Mr. and Mrs. Zhu became the eldest son and wife.

From now on, Xiao Muyang is a young master, no longer the boy he used to be.

"We have fewer businesses at home now, so we need to add some more after the new year."

It's easier said than done. Right now, the family's expenses are entirely covered by the money Chunnuan and Chunning are making in Changzhou.

The male members of the Xiao family will need to stay at home for at least another six months before they can gradually start a business or take up a job.

“We’ll take a look and see if there are any suitable jobs. After all, we can’t just stay at home and enjoy ourselves without doing anything.”

"Yes, brother, I'm also thinking it's time to take up a post."

Although they are called masters, the eldest is not yet fifty years old, and the second and third masters are only in their thirties, all of whom are in their prime.

If the old man were still alive, the Xiao family would truly be living a life of luxury, without ever having to go out to earn money. After the old man passed away, their home was ransacked, and now they are only able to return to live thanks to Nuannuan's husband.

Chunyu also sent back a lot of useful supplies.

It's a joke to say that a family can be supported by its married daughter.

Moreover, the Xiao family has a son who needs to get married and a daughter who needs to be married off, and the expenses are considerable. They can't just sit around and do nothing.

After a family meeting, the Xiao family members were energized once again.

Xu then summoned Zhu and Chunyan and Chunshu.

"Mother, are you calling for your daughter-in-law?"

"Go to the storeroom and pick out a few bolts of fabric, then have Chunyan and Chunshu start making the wedding dress."

"Auntie, let Chunyan do it, I don't need to."

Chunshu knew that Chunyan had a verbal marriage agreement with the Zhu family.

Her mother kept nagging her, saying that the eldest son only cared about Chunyan, and that Chunshu didn't listen to her. If she had chosen the Huang family back then, that person in the Huang family would be a fifth-rank official now.

Now that I'm older, I'm stuck in a rut, just like that girl from the Qiu family, I can't get married.

Chun Shu immediately retorted to Huang Shi: If I can't get married, then I won't get married.

Huang slapped her.

Chun Shu's eyes reddened.

She couldn't understand why women had to get married.

Chunyan was able to marry because she met the person she loved. Why should I, who didn't meet the right person, be forced into an arranged marriage? Or even have to compromise myself by becoming someone's concubine or stepmother?
She can't stand even the slightest thing.

"Shu'er, listen to me, you should start making your wedding dress first."

Madam Xu knew about Madam Huang's inner conflict, and she was also making arrangements, but the Xiao family's current status was too low, so they were stuck in a limbo.

The families that Huang had their eye on, the families that didn't want the Xiao family; and the families that Huang wanted the Xiao family, the families that Huang didn't want the Xiao family.

"Fate is something that can happen in an instant," said Madam Xu. "Chuning has so many classmates. Let's see if there's anyone suitable. Don't rush things. When a girl gets married, she must be someone she likes, someone with a good family background, family traditions, and upbringing. I'm taking this matter to heart."

"Thank you so much, Auntie, for taking such good care of Shuer."

Chun Shu's eyes were red.

Honestly, as a mother herself, my aunt would be more considerate of Chunyan.

Meanwhile, her mother, concerned only with her own reputation, kept siding with Chun'an.

I haven't considered whether she'll be happy after marrying him.
In her mind, face is more important than anything else.

There's a feeling that she's not marrying off her daughter, but rather making a deal that benefits her.

"Shu'er, be good and go embroider the wedding dress."

Upon hearing that Chunshu was embroidering her wedding dress, Madam Huang rushed over.

"What does your aunt mean? Which family has she taken a liking to? You are my daughter, why didn't she tell me?"

Huang's eyes reddened with anger: "Who are you really close to? What are you trying to do?"

He grew angrier and angrier, and finally grabbed a pair of scissors and cut the fabric that Chun Shu was making into her wedding dress into shreds.

Seeing her biological mother going crazy like this, Chun Shu didn't shed a single tear.

But as she put down the scissors, she grabbed her beautiful hair and cut it all off.

"Miss."

The maid cried out in alarm, but it was too late. Her hair was scattered all over the ground, and Chun Shu's heart was dead.

When Madam Xu heard the news, she rushed over, took a deep breath looking at the black hair scattered on the ground and the tattered cloth everywhere.

"Go and fetch the Third Master."