The Fallen Medicine Woman: The Daily Life of Chun Nuan-Chapter 429 - 251:

"Indeed, and who might you be, Miss?"

Zhao Minglang was quite surprised. Who was this person, and how did Zhao Minghua know her?

"Mrs. Xia has mentioned you before."

Zhao Minglang nodded, that made sense. Otherwise, given that he had little connection in the Capital, how would a young lady recognize him?

"My name is Qiu Yan, and my father works at the Hanlin Academy."

In the past, Qiu Yan would never have introduced herself to a stranger like this.

Even if Xiao Chunyu had mentioned this person before, she didn’t pay any attention.

But after today’s encounter, and having been assisted in an emergency, Qiu Yan admitted she felt a bit moved.

"May I know where Mr. Zhao’s residence is so I can send you a thank-you gift later?"

"A thank-you gift?"

Zhao Minglang was taken aback.

"For treating my foot, of course."

"Oh, no need, really, it wasn’t a big deal, Miss. You don’t need to worry about it." Zhao Minglang said, "The Miss just needs to apply the medicine a couple more times, that’s all. Farewell."

Watching Zhao Minglang’s departing figure, Qiu Yan’s heart was slightly unsettled.

"Miss, he’s already gone far, you can’t see him anymore."

Xing’er teased her.

"You little girl..."

Qiu Yan’s face flushed crimson!

She hurriedly covered it with both hands.

"Make sure you don’t speak nonsense when we return."

"Speak nonsense? To whom? To the lady?"

Xing’er continued to tease her.

"You little girl are getting more and more audacious. Be careful, I might marry you off to the manor head’s son."

"No, Miss, I realize my mistake."

She was terrified; the manor head’s son was tall, hefty, and dark-skinned, and she definitely wouldn’t want to marry him.

"Hahaha..."

Little rascal, Qiu Yan knew how to handle this girl.

Qiu Yan returned to the estate, and Mrs. Qiu learned about her sprained foot and was very worried.

"Child, how were you walking? Where were you looking? How did you sprain your foot?" Mrs. Qiu was both concerned and reproachful, "And these two maids, how were they looking after the Miss?"

"Mother, it’s not their fault. It happened when I stepped out of the carriage; a little boy rushed over and pushed me, causing the sprain."

"Why did he push you?"

"Later, I found out the boy had stolen my purse from my waist."

"You child..."

Mrs. Qiu was at a loss, her daughter always seemed to encounter unfortunate incidents whenever she went out, truly unlucky.

"Someone, go fetch Doctor Zhou to treat the Miss’s foot at our residence."

She cherished her daughter dearly, so Mrs. Qiu hurriedly made arrangements.

"Mother, it’s not necessary. My foot has already been treated, it’s just a little swollen. Applying some medicine will suffice."

"Treated? Which doctor treated it?"

Mrs. Qiu was curious, sprains usually required applying medicine and avoiding movement. How did the child say it was already treated?

"I encountered a gentleman named Zhao, whose family has a traditional massage technique. Just with a few rubs and presses, my foot recovered..."

"What? Really, you didn’t meet a charlatan, did you?"

No, it was a gentleman?

This... such a naive child, you’re a young woman, how could you let a stranger examine your foot?

"No, mother, guess who he was?"

Mrs. Qiu chuckled with a mix of anger, asking her to guess the identity of a gentleman met on the street, this child must be enchanted.

"He’s the second brother of Nuannuan’s husband, Second Young Master Zhao of the Zhao family, who came to the Capital for the exams this year." Qiu Yan didn’t notice Mrs. Qiu’s furrowing brows: "Today, Sister Yu’er mentioned Mr. Zhao has apprenticed under Master Tian of Hanwen Academy, becoming his closed-door disciple."

"Really, it’s unusual for Master Tian to accept closed-door disciples."

"Indeed, isn’t it a coincidence..."

Mrs. Qiu observed her daughter speaking with such exuberance, smiling all the while, feeling a sudden tug at her heart.

Could it be? Is her daughter finally blooming with affection?

Has Mr. Zhao been married?

What is his character like?

No, she needs to inquire thoroughly.

"As long as you’re fine. Go back and rest." Mrs. Qiu hurriedly instructed the nanny to send a message to Xiao Chunyu, intending to visit her.

Upon seeing Mrs. Qiu arrive, Xiao Chunyu knew Qiu Yan must have heeded her words.

"Sorry for disturbing you today, it’s about my mischievous daughter..."

"Madam, you are an elder, please address me as Yu’er as you did before."

Xiao Chunyu would forever remember it was Mrs. Qiu and her daughter who extended a helping hand during her most desolate times.

After Panpan was born, the Wu family showed no concern, and only Mrs. Qiu and her daughter came for the Onethree ceremony.

After being cast out by the Wu family and suing them, when her own maternal family avoided her, it was Mrs. Qiu who provided a house, hired a nanny for Panpan, and a doctor to heal her... Even when all the women in the Capital ostracized her, Mrs. Qiu and her daughter continued to support her...

This kindness was something Xiao Chunyu would remember forever.

Though she now held a second-rank title, higher in status than Mrs. Qiu, she always considered herself a junior in her presence.

"Child..."

Mrs. Qiu’s heart softened completely upon hearing this.

"Since you don’t consider me an outsider, let me speak frankly. After returning from your residence, Yan’er mentioned someone, Mr. Zhao from Changzhou."

When discussing before, she wasn’t as interested; she was pretending to be indifferent but still hoped a little. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have mentioned it to Mrs. Qiu.

"Madam, here’s the situation." Xiao Chunyu quickly explained, "Yu’er has always regarded Yan’er as a sister. Mr. Zhao is Nuannuan’s husband’s second brother, very handsome. According to Nuannuan, the Zhao family has a decent family tradition, men don’t take concubines and women aren’t made concubines, with their ancestors from the apricot forest family..."

"Of course, the Zhao family’s status is indeed somewhat low. However, Zhao Minglang has already apprenticed under Master Tian."

"Yu’er, hold a moment."

Mrs. Qiu was moved, knowing this young man had promising prospects for the future, yet she had a question.

Such a good family likely had many suitors for young ladies; was he truly unmarried and unattached?

"He hasn’t." Xiao Chunyu replied, "According to Nuannuan, this Second Young Master Zhao is solely focused on scholarly pursuits and obtaining official recognition. He hasn’t discussed marriage, and there’s no servant girl in his room, only attendant students and a young boy."

"Nuannuan mentioned this?"

"Yes, Nuannuan mentioned it in her letter."

Close friends naturally consider each other’s welfare.

Zhao Minglang’s age seems well-suited for Qiu Yan.

"If Madam considers it feasible, a private meeting with Second Young Master Zhao could be arranged, formal engagement can wait until after his examination results are announced."

Xiao Chunyu knew that when families in the Capital were arranging marriages for their daughters, they naturally desired a match suitable in status. If Zhao Minglang succeeded in passing the imperial examination, then choosing him as a son-in-law for Qiu Yan would be great.

If he didn’t pass, there would be no loss.

The key was to secure the match early.

"Yu’er, I truly thank you and Nuannuan." Mrs. Qiu was filled with emotion, "This child is carefree, thankfully you sisters are there to assist."