CHAPTER 35: CHAPTER 35: A RIVAL APPEARS

Chun Nuan accepted the old lady’s suggestion and moved into Old Master Zhang’s courtyard with her eldest sister-in-law.

"This courtyard is really nice."

This is truly a place that can shield from the wind and rain, Zhu Lingling said, "Grandmother and mother can all move over too."

"Grandmother has her concerns, perhaps she is right."

After all, the roads the elders have traveled are more than the bridges she has crossed, and the salt they have eaten is more than the rice she has eaten.

"Eldest sister-in-law, as you are farther along in your pregnancy, it’s more convenient for you to move around in this courtyard."

In Shuikou Village, there was a dam outside the door, and then a high embankment, below which was the sandy field they rented.

Whenever the pregnant Zhu Ling stepped out and walked a few steps, the whole family would be on edge, really afraid that she might fall.

"The courtyard isn’t far from the village; I can go back to see grandmother and them when I’m free."

"It’s about two miles, so it’s best not to move around too much, eldest sister-in-law. What if it happens on the road?"

"It won’t be early, right?" Zhu Lingling touched her high-pitched belly, feeling a bit uneasy: "Second sister, I’m not biased towards boys over girls, but, I do want this child to be a son!"

"Eldest sister-in-law, I understand."

The legitimate eldest grandson of the fourth generation of the Xiao family, that is not merely an identity, it is a responsibility!

Our eldest father, third uncle, eldest brother, and second brother were exiled to the Northern Desert for a decade.

They are all weak scholars, and we don’t know if they can endure until the day they return.

In the Xiao family, there are only women and children now; only by having a boy could everyone’s will to survive be greatly boosted.

"Second sister, I’m also afraid..."

"Eldest sister-in-law, don’t worry, with me here, I guarantee your safety and the child’s."

"Yes, second sister, I trust you!"

As Zhu Lingling was idling around, she suddenly remembered something.

"I once heard someone say that you can earn money by copying books for a bookshop, earning several bronze coins for each book copied. Second sister, could you ask around if there are such tasks available? Even though I’m not talented, my writing is legible."

"Eldest sister-in-law, copying books strains your eyes, and you shouldn’t sit for long periods in your current condition, you can earn that money after you’ve had the baby."

"But I’m idle..."

"Not at all; by engaging in some light activities daily, the delivery process can be smoother, allowing you to suffer less."

Chun Nuan felt deeply concerned upon noticing the severe swelling of her sister-in-law’s feet. Every mother endures significant hardships, yet these sufferings go unnoticed; even women themselves consider them due.

"Second sister, it’s so good that you know medicine."

Zhu Lingling suddenly felt that what she had learned back then, like the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, were merely lazy diversions. Needlework and culinary skills could sustain life, but acquiring skills like Chun Nuan’s made her a true talented woman.

The talented women praised by the world are like fairies untouched by the world of mortals.

One truly can’t know life’s hardships until they’ve experienced downfall.

The Xiao Family now understands the hardships of life.

From ladies and young masters who never lifted a finger to see the vegetables by the door growing differently each day brought great joy,

"Grandmother, look, these are loofahs, cucumbers, and bitter gourd leaves..." Chunyan, supporting the old lady on a walk, introduced while strolling, "After planting for over a month, the vines are growing. Aunt Luo said they would bloom soon."

"Amazing, our Yan’er can recognize these vegetables and melons now."

"Of course, naturally, I recognize them." Chunyan laughed. "Grandmother, Yan’er is amazing now, and can recognize many wild herbs."

"Yes, our Yan’er is truly amazing."

While the grandmother and granddaughter were chatting, someone was seen approaching the house.

"Grandmother, look quickly, the young master from the Zhao family is here; he’s definitely here to see Sister."

Zhao Minghua did not expect the response, "Nuannuan is not at home."

"Old lady, may I ask where Miss Xiao has gone? I have something urgent to discuss with her."

"Is it urgent?"

The old lady thought for a while, "Then you can find her at the courtyard in town with a Huang Jue Tree, she is staying there with Lingling."

"Alright, thank you, old lady, I will go there to find Miss Xiao."

After walking a few steps, Zhao Minghua suddenly realized,

"Qingsheng, isn’t that courtyard with a Huang Jue Tree the one belonging to Old Master Zhang?"

In childhood, they’d often climb the Huang Jue Tree and then scale the walls to sneak into the courtyard to play hide and seek. The courtyard was always vacant, fully equipped, and Old Master Zhang’s servants would occasionally come to clean it.

Once, he even fell asleep on one of the beds, and when he woke, it was already late at night.

On returning, it was almost an uproar at home, thinking something had happened to him, and Qingsheng got beaten half to death for it.

"Yes, young master, you also slept there for half the night, and the family thought you were abducted, so I was beaten."

"You still remember that incident?"

"Of course, I remember."

The young master’s every misdeed from childhood to maturity was logged in a small book. Having chosen such a lively master, he just had to endure it.

Fortunately, his master never mistreated him, treating him like a brother.

"So why was it given to Miss Xiao?"

"I don’t know."

Zhao Minghua... maybe it’s time to get rid of this servant, answering so straightforwardly, without intending to think?

"Can’t you just ask Miss Xiao directly when you see her, young master?"

"Need you to remind me?"

Zhao Minghua pondered for a long time, yet couldn’t understand why Miss Xiao had connections with Old Master Zhang again.

"The Xiao family rents the sandy field at the entrance, originally cultivated by Old Master Zhang, handed over to the Xiao family. After harvesting the rapeseed, the stalks were all pulled out by the Xiao family to keep as firewood. Then they planted rice. Young master, don’t you remember you even asked me to help with the transplanting?"

"Yes, the field is rented, so the house might also be rented." Zhao Minghua was even contemplating offering her a courtyard to move them in, only to realize they had already arranged for themselves.

He started to suspect Old Master Zhang’s intentions were not good.

"Does the Zhang family have any other dealings with the Xiao family?"

"It’s said that the Xiao family arrived late, lacking seedlings, so Uncle Ma, Zhang family’s steward, informed the tenants to save the leftover seedlings for the Xiao family, allowing their sandy field to be completed smoothly."

With not only rented fields but also houses, and help with finding seedlings, the Zhang family’s motives seem impure.

Could it be they learned that Miss Xiao has a knack for processing herbs and want a share of the profits?

Is a competitor emerging?

This is bad, if only he had made her sign a contract earlier, stipulating the herbs she processes could only be sold to Hundred Herbs Hall!

Yes, this visit must resolve this issue and nip Old Master Zhang’s plan in the bud.

"The Zhang family’s business doesn’t include a pharmacy, young master, are you overthinking?"

"Do you know anything?" Zhao Minghua glared at him, "Do you think Old Master Zhang stays home for nothing? He’s plotting secretly, and let’s be honest, nobody would turn down a windfall of silver."