Chapter Twenty: Planting in the Sandy Field

“Please keep the matter of Chun Nuan attending to Master Zhang’s diagnosis and prescription strictly confidential.”

Chun Nuan requested his discretion.

“Why?” Master Zhang was puzzled. “Miss Xiao’s medical skills are exceptional, and besides... pardon my frankness, your esteemed household must be in urgent need of money now.”

With such renowned medical expertise, wouldn’t the money flow in steadily?

“Possessing a precious jade often invites trouble. The Xiao family is now but a fragile boat on the vast ocean, unable to withstand even the slightest storm,” Chun Nuan said calmly. “Moreover, what I know is nothing extraordinary—only skill honed through practice.”

“Miss Xiao...” Master Zhang offered not a hundred taels, but just two: “In this time of great hardship for the Xiao family, money is precisely what you need.”

Master Zhang could not fathom why Chun Chun, who was short of money, was so stubborn.

“Since the age of three, I have been apprenticed in my great-grandfather’s apothecary, where a couplet hangs on the door: ‘May the world be free of affliction; better that the shelves gather dust than medicine be misused,’” Chun Nuan explained. “The Xiao family’s ancestral creed is: filial piety, loyalty, faith, propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame. What is rightfully ours, not a single coin less; what is not, not a single coin more.”

“Admirable, the Xiao family,” Master Zhang said, giving a thumbs-up. “Though far away in the Shu region, I have often heard of the eminent Imperial Physicians of the Xiao family. It’s a pity...”

Chun Nuan lowered her gaze, her heart silently lamenting her grandfather’s injustice.

“The Xiao clan’s strength and prosperity today are thanks to the support of two generations of Imperial Physicians,” Master Zhang continued, indignant. “To think they were so ruthlessly cast aside—the family’s reputation is half ruined.”

“Justice lies in the hearts of the people,” Chun Nuan replied as she glanced at the time and took her leave.

Originally, she had planned to ask Master Zhang to lease an acre of land, but now it felt inappropriate, as if she were begging.

“Miss Xiao and Master Xiao, please stay for a simple meal,” Master Zhang sincerely invited. “It will also give me a chance to get to know Miss Xiao better.”

“We’re in a hurry today. We will visit you and Miss Zhang another day.”

They were not close enough to share a meal.

As for Miss Zhang... Chun Nuan currently had no time to cultivate friendships with young ladies.

“Well...” Master Zhang accompanied them to the door, then suddenly remembered something. “Miss Xiao, your home is in the outskirts, right?”

“Yes, Shui Kou Village on the east side of town.”

“Perfect. I have some land there. If you wish to cultivate it, I can gift you a few acres.”

“Thank you, Master Zhang. You are truly a blessing in these difficult times,” Chun Nuan said gratefully. “However, my family consists mainly of women and children. A few acres would be too much to manage. Would it be possible for me to lease just one acre from you instead?”

Chun Nuan was intent on leasing!

Master Zhang understood immediately, smiling knowingly: this young lady, who could refuse a hundred taels of silver, surely would never owe a favor for just one acre of land rent.

“Very well. I will have Steward Hu visit your home soon to see which piece of land you prefer.”

“Thank you very much, Master Zhang.”

“Miss Xiao, the trees and bamboo on that mountain in Shui Kou Village—you may cut whatever you need without notifying anyone.”

“Thank you, Master Zhang.”

Chun Nuan and Chun Ning expressed their gratitude once again.

“Nay, I should be the one thanking you.”

This young lady was intriguing.

On the way home, Chun Ning glanced at her elder sister several times.

“What are you looking at? Is there a mark on my face?”

“Sis, you’re truly amazing! I’ve learned so much.”

“Miss Xiao refused Master Zhang’s hundred taels of silver. What do you think of that?”

“A gentleman loves wealth, but earns it justly,” Chun Ning understood well. “You did wonderfully, Sis—a model for me to follow.”

“Exactly. The Xiao family’s reputation must not be tarnished by your hands.”

To deny such temptation was no easy feat!

Money is important, but integrity is more so. Chun Nuan deeply understood this truth.

It seemed young Chun Ning understood as well.

“Chun Ning, many responsibilities will fall to you from now on. Remember, one must have principles: no greed, no anger, no delusion, no arrogance, no doubt.” Chun Nuan gazed at the distant mountain adorned with blooming spring flowers. “When you lack the means to fully protect yourself and your family, it’s necessary to conceal your strengths and endure patiently.”

“I understand, Sis.”

Chun Ning also looked toward the mountain.

“Tomorrow, Xiao Gang and I will go pick flowers there.”

“Good.”

Chun Ning was unaware, but Chun Nuan already knew: that mountain, covered with spring blossoms, was their ancestral land, purchased by their great-grandfather after establishing himself in the capital. It was a family estate acquired by their great-great-grandfather.

Because their great-grandmother loved the spring flowers, when their great-great-grandfather wrote to his son asking what trees to plant, the great-grandfather replied: plant spring flowers.

Later, after the passing of their great-great-grandfather and others, the great-grandfather settled his family thoroughly in the capital, entrusting the ancestral estate to clan members to manage. Every year, during Qingming and festivals, they would send offerings and ritual fields back to Shu.

The Xiao clan grew from a handful of scattered households, slowly prospering until it became a dominant family in the region.

Their strength rested on two generations of Imperial Physicians who led the Imperial Medical Institute—one’s ascension to power richly demonstrated the proverb that when one rises, all connected rise.

When the ladies and children of the Xiao mansion returned to Shu, the clan opened their ancestral hall, burned incense, and announced the expulsion of the main branch from the family.

Their grandmother fainted from shock; the family was thrown into chaotic despair, with no time or chance to confront their foes.

“A gentleman’s revenge is never too late, even if it takes ten years.”

Chun Nuan silently vowed: what rightfully belonged to her would one day return to her hands.

“Do not mention today’s visit to Master Zhang to the family.”

“Understood.” Chun Ning had also learned to share only good news. If the home was to be supported by just the two of them, then they would bear the storms together, shielding their family from all troubles.

Shortly after Chun Nuan and Chun Ning returned home, Steward Hu came calling.

“Miss Xiao, there are several acres of land right outside your door. Would you like to take them all?”

This land was not leased out but cultivated by the family’s long-term laborers. The master had said, “Miss Xiao can have whichever land she wants, as much as she wants.” What puzzled Steward Hu was that the lease was charged at the same rate as for other tenant farmers, without any discount.

“Steward Hu, none of us have ever farmed before,” Chun Nuan admitted. She had her eye on a plot right by the house. “Is this piece alright?”

At that moment, the field was planted with rapeseed, soon to be harvested.

“This land...” Steward Hu hesitated, then spoke honestly. “It’s sandy soil—a dry field, not very fertile, with low grain yield. Let me show you another plot?”

“What do you mean by ‘dry field’?”

“A dry field means...” Steward Hu, who could barely distinguish dry land from paddy fields, wondered if the family could really manage to farm even one plot.

“If left dry, it can grow vegetables like ordinary soil. If irrigated, it can grow grains and produce rice. It’s quite good—a dual-purpose field,” Chun Nuan said with growing interest. “Sandy soil is great; it’s less tiring to till.”

Steward Hu... the uninitiated are easily satisfied.

Since she was willing, that plot it would be.

With signatures and seals, the Xiao family officially became landholders. Though leased, it was still a cause for celebration.

Take it slowly; everything will get better in time!