"Mr. Zhao, please take a seat, if you don't mind."
With the conversation reaching this point, what else could the Xiao Family say? Old Mrs. Xiao cheerfully invited, "Chun Ning, quickly fetch the bowls and chopsticks."
"Yes, Grandmother."
The young women like Chunyan, Chun Shu, and the sisters-in-law had already moved to the adjoining room to avoid any awkwardness, and Zhao Minghua sat down without reservation.
Chun Ning went to fetch two bowls and two pairs of chopsticks, mumbling inwardly: This young man really has no sense. Can't he see that our family is struggling to have enough to eat? And yet, he comes over to mooch a meal. This is truly scraping oil off a chicken's foot, a phrase taught to him by Luo Xiaogang, which certainly isn't a compliment.
However, his upbringing didn't allow him to show displeasure, so he smiled and delivered them to Zhao Minghua and Qingsheng.
"What are these pancakes made of? They smell delicious."
Taking a bite, Zhao Minghua ate with great satisfaction.
Qingsheng... Master, do you even hear what you're saying?
This picky eater usually has a hard time, yet here he is saying that these obviously wild vegetable pancakes smell delicious?
And he's actually eating them.
As for himself... oh well, might as well eat with the master.
In the end, the master and servant each ate two pancakes, drank a bowl of thin porridge, and left contentedly, with full bellies.
"Mother, this young man from the Zhao family is quite remarkable."
Mrs. Xu expressed some concern, wondering whether Chun Nuan's associate with such a person was beneficial or detrimental.
"He has a certain disregard for formalities." Old Mrs. Xiao had never encountered this type before: "But he is indeed a man of character."
"Yes, Grandmother, Aunt, Mr. Zhao is truly a man of character." Chun Nuan understood the implication of her aunt's words: "Mr. Zhao is far superior to those who know small manners but lack great principles, who are pedantic but lack virtue."
Just like the Clan Leader of the Xiao Family, who loudly preaches benevolence and righteousness but is secretly full of villainy and immorality, rotten to the core!
Chun Nuan didn't make this explicit in her speech.
Because now, whenever the Xiao Family is mentioned, Grandmother gets overwhelmed and suffers from chest pain.
"That's true." Aunt said: "However, Nuannuan, you are still a young woman; it is not appropriate for you to be in the public eye. Perhaps I should liaise with Hundred Herbs Hall instead."
"Thank you, Aunt, but Chun Nuan is only involved in medicine processing. In future business dealings, Chun Ning will be the one to handle negotiations."
"Chun Ning?"
Everyone turned to look at eleven-year-old Chun Ning.
"Grandmother, Aunt, Mother, Auntie, Chun Ning is an adult now and can definitely do it."
Chun Ning puffed out his chest, indicating his readiness for the task his sister assigned.
"Very well."
Old Mrs. Xiao felt a pang of sadness for her grandson, who had already earned the title of Scholar at such a young age.
The patriarch had once said that perhaps Chun Ning could attain the title of top scholar and change the fate of the Xiao Family. The most studious became one who couldn't participate in imperial exams due to the family's ban, which seemed a twist of fate.
Without the path of scholarship, he must support the entire family, The Xiao Family truly needs someone to go into commerce.
And that person can only be Chun Ning, who is about to turn twelve.
The Xiao Family discussed how to maintain their livelihood while Chun Nuan focused on seizing the opportunity to process medicine for Hundred Herbs Hall, working hard to earn some extra money.
At the Zhao family, Qingsheng followed the third young master straight into the kitchen, curious about his intentions.
"Master, are you hungry? I'll ask my mother to prepare some food for you."
When had anyone seen him rush into the kitchen and lift pot lids?
But wasn't the master already filled with pancakes and porridge at the Xiao Family, and now hungry again?
"Qingsheng, call your mother over."
"Yes."
Qingsheng hurriedly brought his own mother over.
"Aunt Niu, I recall you once made fried pork?"
"Third Young Master, would you like some fried pork? I will go buy pork belly to make it right away."
Aunt Niu was the cook in the small kitchen, always catering to the third young master's requests.
"No, no, I'm only asking what ingredients are needed to make fried pork."
Aunt Niu glanced at her son, Qingsheng, puzzled by the third young master's intentions.
"Mother, the master is asking you a question, just answer honestly."
"You need vegetable oil, and some lard would be better, salt, Sichuan pepper, bean powder, old ginger, eggs... and most importantly, quality pork belly." Aunt Niu recounted, thinking that even if she taught him the technique, he surely wouldn't cook, and at least the third young master wouldn't compete with her for the job.
A grown man, what would he want with these questions?
"Vegetable oil, lard, salt, Sichuan pepper..."
No sooner did Aunt Niu mention an ingredient than the third young master went to fetch it, packing them all into a large basket and intending to leave with them.
"Third Young Master, what are you doing?"
"Aunt Niu, I have a use for these items; you can buy more yourself."
"Third Young Master, Qingsheng..."
Unable to hear anything further, the quicker the run, the harder for Aunt Niu to call out to them.
The two young men swiftly ran with the basket.
Aunt Niu was a bit bewildered. Some items were freshly bought, enough to last a month. How would she account for this loss?
"Young Master, where are you taking them?"
"Simple, we ate without recompense; we don't share bonds of kinship and can't just eat for free all the time." Zhao Minghua explained, "Go and buy a fine piece of pork belly."
"Ah, okay."
Qingsheng... If I knew you were this considerate, I would have invited you to my house for a meal!
Chun Nuan looked baffled at the things Zhao Minghua and his servant brought.
"Mr. Zhao, what is this?"
"I had some pancakes at your home earlier and thought they were quite good, but can't eat for free. So I brought something as my compensation. In the future, if there's something delicious, I might come over for a taste. Please don't mind."
"Mr. Zhao, that's not necessary. Please take these ingredients back."
Chun Nuan felt embarrassed. This isn't compensation; it's a way of extending aid.
As the saying goes, one shouldn't accept favors without contributing; when you take from others, you owe something. Chun Nuan didn't wish to be indebted too much.
"Miss Xiao, I don't eat a lot; occasionally I'll come for a bite, not every day. No need to worry." Zhao Minghua said: "The things are here, handle them as you see fit. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll go now."
He glanced at Qingsheng, who understood instantly, hastily retreating.
Chun Nuan had no time to call out.
"Sister." Chun Ning looked at the two baskets, then at his sister's flushed face: "Mr. Zhao, is he..."
Perhaps harboring other intentions?
"Sister, should we accept these things?"
"Accept them." Chun Nuan sighed inwardly, relieved. Though his actions seemed rash, he genuinely didn't mean harm; he's truly assisting the Xiao Family.
"Sister, I heard from Luo Xiaogang that the Hundred Herbs Hall Zhao Family has a marriage agreement with the Xiao Family clan leader's granddaughter, Xiao Chunlan."
Goodness... The moment Chun Nuan touched the bamboo basket, she withdrew her hand as if scalded.
Chun Nuan felt as if she finally saw a glimmer of hope, only for the shadow of the Xiao Family clan to loom once again, bearing down from all sides.
"Sister..." Chun Ning hesitated again.
"Didn't I teach you, if you have something to say, just say it. Don't hem and haw."
This boy, what is he thinking again?