Chapter 415: Chapter 237: The Return to the Old Residence

As a good sister within the boudoir circle, Chun Nuan was also anxious for Qiu Yan.

Chun Nuan kept Zhao Minghua’s joking comment in mind.

She wrote to Qiu Yan, asking if she had any specific requirements.

Qiu Yan’s reply was simple: At least the person should be pleasing to the eye, have agreeable conversation, be pleasant to interact with; a lifelong monogamous relationship, with no concubines or mistresses…

Don’t tell her about rules, or being a supportive wife and good mother, unless it’s of her own free will.

These thoughts of Qiu Yan’s were somewhat rebellious in this era; such is the upbringing of a pampered girl.

The demands weren’t many, but achieving them was rare in this world.

Chun Nuan had met Zhao Minghua’s bookish second brother a few times, mostly during family banquets; they merely exchanged nods, and she hadn’t noticed anything wrong… Well, the good part was that, so far, he had no concubines or the like around him.

The Zhao family’s values were quite good.

Mrs. Zhou never placed women in her son’s courtyards, feeling it was unnecessary.

Especially for her second son, who was wholeheartedly pursuing academic honors and advancement, how could she, his mother, disrupt his focus by adding women to his court?

Such foolishness was not something she would do.

A bookworm has his own merits: he’s fully devoted to studying, truly living by the creed of neither hearing the affairs outside the window but only reading the books of sages.

He had a grand blueprint: to earn scholarly honors, to pass the imperial examinations, and to bring glory to the Zhao family.

That day, Mrs. Zhao sent word for Chun Nuan, who was resting at the country estate, to return to the main Zhao household in town.

“Mother said that Second Brother is setting off for the Capital to take the exams; we should all go back to send him off,” Zhao Minghua said. “And also, your due date is nearing; surely you wouldn’t want to give birth on the estate, would you?”

Chun Nuan actually felt it didn’t matter where she gave birth.

As long as there’s a doctor, that’s fine.

“Mother has found a midwife and hired two wet nurses, just waiting for you to come back and decide.”

“Alright, Bai Zhi, pack up; we’re going back to the main house.”

“Yes, young mistress.”

Bai Zhi pondered, previously thinking that the old lady might have been unkind or something to the Third Young Madam, making her stay at the estate for months.

The young mistress never minded, strolling leisurely on the estate with her big belly, even saying she quite liked it there.

Now, at last, they were going back.

From what Third Young Master said, Mrs. Zhao wasn’t unkind either.

At the Zhao family estate, Mrs. Zhou was personally inspecting everything.

“Make sure the road is scrubbed clean, no slipping; the Third Young Madam is due soon, and everyone should serve her well; there will be rewards for you.”

“Wrap all sharp corners in the courtyard with cloth, so she won’t get hurt.”

“Take care with the food too; anything the young mistress can’t eat should not appear at all.”

“Yes, madam.”

The servants instantly felt tense.

Working in the Zhao household was indeed an easy task, with the owners being lenient and kind-hearted; as long as you did your work earnestly without slacking, they never scolded or beat you.

Bonuses during festivals were also generous.

So nobody wanted to mess up this job.

The whole staff was mobilized to welcome the Third Young Madam’s return.

When Chun Nuan was helped off the carriage by Zhao Minghua and into the courtyard, she felt the whole place was fresh and tidy.

Seeing her, the servants happily greeted, “Third Young Madam.”

Each one had a happy face, probably looking forward to reward money.

“Nuannuan is back.”

Mrs. Zhao personally came forward to greet her.

“Daughter-in-law greets Mother.”

Ah, this is the treatment for being pregnant; originally, she should have been the one to pay respects, and now it’s reversed.

“No need for formalities; the carriage ride must have been tiring, go rest in your room for a bit. I’ve had some soup stewed for you, have some to tide you over; Old Master and the others haven’t arrived yet, so dinner will be later.”

“No problem,” Chun Nuan was indeed a bit tired. “Then I’ll go rest first.”

“Go ahead, go ahead,” Mrs. Zhou told Bai Zhi, “You all take good care of her.”

“Yes, madam.”

Chun Nuan returned to her courtyard, which was also spotless, not a speck of dust, and the greenery was thriving, with the layout exactly as it was when she left for the estate.

“This old servant cleaned every day,” Nanny Zhang quickly reported. “If there’s anything not right, please let the young mistress know.”

“You did very well.”

Receiving Chun Nuan’s praise, Nanny Zhang breathed a big sigh of relief.

Everyone knew that this young mistress was capable, so her approval was noteworthy.

Lying on the chaise, Chun Nuan was served fruit, pastries, and soup by the maids.

It was clear these were all arranged by Mrs. Zhou.

She truly cherished Chun Nuan as if keeping her on the very tip of her heart.

Zhao Minghua, concerned about the food, personally went to the kitchen.

“Third Young Master, rest assured, all the ingredients are fresh, personally selected and purchased by this old servant, prepared according to the family’s preferences…”

Anything the young mistress couldn’t eat would absolutely not be included.

“That’s good,” Zhao Minghua nodded.

How to say it, at least their own family was safe and reliable.

Because there were no illegitimate sons, daughters, or concubines; all from one mother, even if there was the usual bickering, there would never be any underhanded tricks.

Thinking about those so-called big families, it was scary how even eating could cause trouble.

Just then, there was a clamor outside; Zhao Minghua frowned, it was so noisy, no wonder Chun Nuan liked the estate.

“Old Master and the Eldest Young Master, Eldest Young Madam, and the Second Young Master are all here.”

Zhao Minghua hurried out to greet them.

“Grandfather…”

“You brat, lazing around, disappearing for months.”

The old master actually meant Chun Nuan was the one lazing around.

No choice, this granddaughter-in-law was too capable.

The medicinal ingredients she processed were unparalleled; the same herbs, but under her hands, the efficacy was different.

But she’s pregnant now and can’t process them.

Mr. Zhao, who was a bit obsessed with medicine, deeply regretted this.

Of course, he could overcome his rationality, after all, his granddaughter-in-law was carrying the Zhao family’s offspring; he wasn’t so harsh as to exploit her labor during pregnancy.

A granddaughter-in-law is precious, not to be harmed, but a grandson? That’s different.

“Grandfather, I had important things to do.”

The family wouldn’t know that, in these months, he’d done something significant, something enough to change the Zhao family’s status.

Hmm, which sounds better, Imperial Merchant or Hundred Herbs Hall?

Yes, Xia Guangcheng’s petition had already been submitted, waiting for an imperial decree; it’s only the Emperor who can make it official.

Thinking of how Grandfather and Father disagreed with him doing business, it’s a matter to be kept under wraps.

By then, in the Capital, he’d be free to act.

Doing business was his alone, unrelated to the family.

This way, he wouldn’t get scolded, right?

Having accomplished something big, yet unable to reveal it, and having to stay low-key, was quite an injustice for sure.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep