In the gentle spring rain, welcome to Zhongnan's New Year Festival. (Everyday Chinese.) ^//^ This festival is destined not to be too hot. Border news, through various channels, has been passed on to Zhongnan.

  Although Jiang Wanyu spent most of her time at the Shang's house, she would occasionally hear Mingzi's uncle sigh and bring up military affairs.

  The Ning Dynasty has been peaceful for a hundred years, with the ruler's governance being clear and bright. The country appears to be prosperous and flourishing. Unfortunately, the days of peace have lasted too long, and most of the generals have only cleaned up some small bandits within the country, always winning with overwhelming numbers. The officials and soldiers who just arrived from the border are the ones who have truly experienced bloody battles. They rushed straight to the border, but compared to the opposing side's seasoned generals, they still seem quite inexperienced.

  The young and promising generals of the Ning dynasty, so far, have lost more battles than they have won. Shang Dafu is worried about the country and its people, and he sighs deeply every day. By looking at his face, one can tell whether the news from Zhongnan is good or bad. Shang Dafu's eyebrows are furrowed like a small mountain peak, so Jiang Wanru must be extremely careful and focused on her work, even during the New Year's festival, she doesn't dare to mention taking a break. As for Jiang Feiyang and Jiang Lanyan, she has entrusted them to Wen Jiuniang's care, and the matters of their own courtyard are handled by Bi Lu.

  Jiang Wanting held the bound medicinal herb booklet, walking along the long eaves of the house, turning left and right before heading towards Shang Daifu's study. She saw Ming Zishu standing outside the study, holding a black ceramic bowl in his hands. As Jiang Wanting approached the study, Ming Zishu subtly shook his head at her, indicating for her to wait outside with him. Jiang Wanting heard Shang Daifu's voice coming from inside the room and felt that she was too close to the door, which wasn't proper. She quietly retreated several steps back, waiting far away under the eaves of the house.

  Jiang Wanru's eyes gazed faintly at the sky in all directions, as the fine rain threads floated down, one thread following another. In central and southern China, winters have little snow, but the rain is like a delicate, coquettish woman, falling lightly and ceaselessly, yet never stopping. Each rain thread drifted down from the sky, landing on the ground and becoming nothingness, not even stirring up a small rain flower.

  "Are you sure, think carefully?" The emphasis on Shang Daifu's words was obvious. "You... return to the capital, Ninth Girl..." This was Wen Qinghe's voice.

  Jiang Wanyu felt a sudden sense of discomfort at her current position upon hearing this voice. She let out a soft sigh, hugging her book tightly, and gazed appreciatively at the rainy scene in the courtyard. She slowly took many steps back, until she was really far away from the study door. Mingzi Shu noticed her movement and a faint smile floated on his lips.

  Jiang Wanwan hadn't been out in the rain for long when Wen Qinghe came out of the study. He bowed deeply to Ming Zishu, who was standing at the door. Ming Zishu was taken aback and hastily stepped aside, saying: "Wen Ye, this courtesy is excessive." But Wen Qinghe said: "I am truly grateful for Ming Zishu's guidance over the years." Ming Zishu shook his head repeatedly, saying: "Wen Ye, those things you can slowly figure out on your own, and you have a natural talent for it. You will eventually become a master in this field."

  Wen Qinghe smiled as he watched Mingzi Shu enter the study, and from a distance, he saw Jiang Wanyu holding a book with a faint smile on her lips. He remembered what Wen Jiuniang had once told him, "Brother, if you must get married, why not choose Xiao Lan? Although she is a widow with two young children, she has two shops in the capital and can take care of herself and her children without relying on your family's wealth. Such a gentle and considerate woman will definitely treat Niu Niu kindly if you treat her and her children well."

  Wen Qinghe slowly walked over, walking to the front of the gentle and elegant woman, looking at her bowing slightly with a book in hand. He politely asked: "Mr. Wen is well, how about Niuniu?" Wen Qinghe returned Jiang Wanru's courtesy, saying in a low voice: "Madam Jiang, I will be following the soldiers from Zhongnan to the border soon. There are some superficial injuries that need medical attention, which I can still handle. Niuniu has been entrusted to her uncle's family for care. The letter of entrustment, I have also obtained from the government office, so you don't have to worry about my mother fighting with her uncle's family over custody."

  Jiang Wanru's face couldn't help but reveal a hint of awkwardness as she listened to Wen Qinghe's words. She and Wen Qinghe, aside from the politeness on their faces, didn't really have such a deep relationship. Jiang Wanru secretly took a deep breath, not daring to show any emotion on her face, and smiled faintly: "Niangniang is sensible and lovely, her relatives must adore her." Her gaze at this moment turned towards the door of Shang Dafu's study, wishing that Mingzi Shu would hurry up and come out.

  Wen Qinghe gazed at her calmly and said in a soft voice, "Jiang Niangzi, after I returned safely from the border, I have something to discuss with you." Jiang Wanru heard his words and withdrew her gaze, looking up at him in surprise. She spoke directly, "Wen Ye, if it's convenient for you, can you speak plainly now?" Wen Qinghe shook his head lightly and said, "The border is not peaceful, I went there not knowing whether I would return safely or not. Some matters are better discussed after my return."

  Wen Qinghe finished speaking and quickly left, leaving Jiang Wanyu standing there with her mouth half open. She had a bewildered expression on her face, unsure what important matter Wen Qinghe was dealing with that required such caution. It wasn't until Ming Zishu approached her that she came to her senses and remembered to bid farewell to the departing person, saying "May you return safely." Jiang Wanyu hoped that Wen Qinghe would be able to return safely; Nianian had already lost her mother, and she couldn't lose her only remaining parent.

  Mingzi Shu looked at Jiang Wanyu's expression and asked, "What did Master Wen say that made you so surprised?" Jiang Wanyu glanced at Mingzi Shu a few times, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Master Wen said he had something to tell me after returning from the border. It seems like there isn't enough time now, and it's about Yaya's affairs, which can't be explained clearly for the time being. As a grown man, taking care of his daughter is indeed somewhat inconvenient." Mingzi Shu listened to Jiang Wanyu's words, looked at her innocent expression, chuckled, and nodded, saying, "Yes, I think so too."

  Jiang Wanru's expression became even more relaxed upon hearing Mingzi Shu's words, and the hint of suspicion in her heart was completely dispelled. She walked quickly towards Shang Dafu's study, her footsteps light. In her past life, she had deep-seated doubts about romantic relationships between men and women. In this life, given how difficult it was for women to live, she dared not yearn for such things even more. After having two young daughters, she no longer held any expectations for romance. This life, she only wanted to protect her two daughters well, watch them live freely and carelessly, and she would be able to spend the rest of her days in peace.

  Jiang Wanru placed the dozens of books on the table and said to Shang Dafu, "These are all the medical recipe books I've copied and checked. However, this is a matter of life and death, so I'd like to ask Shang Dafu and Shang Wudafu to carefully verify them again." Shang Dafu flipped open one of the books and looked at the neat handwriting, saying to Jiang Wanru, "You've put in a lot of effort." Jiang Wanru smiled faintly and replied, "Shang Dafu is truly a doctor who worries about the country and its people; I'm just following my duty with diligence."

  After Jiang Wenyu and Shang Ming started their engagement, Jiang Wenyu took the monthly salary given by Shang Dafu and returned it to Shang Dafu and his wife. She smiled at Shang Dafu and his wife and said: "What Shang Dafu has done is a good thing for the country and the people from a big perspective, and from a small perspective, these days I have been copying letters with him and learning some superficial things. Moreover, the Shang family has always taken care of our mother and three children's meals, including my family members, who are also taken care of by the Shang family. From the first day I officially worked for Shang Dafu, I never thought about accepting a monthly salary, but was worried that if I didn't accept it, Shang Dafu would not be able to give me instructions with peace of mind.

  "Mr. Shang is doing a great deed that benefits the people, and in the end, it's all about serving the public, not for personal gain. I also want to accumulate some merit for my two children, so I had made up my mind earlier. These silver coins are only temporarily stored with me, and they will eventually be returned to the Shang family. Now that Ming Shi and Lan Lan have agreed to marry, these silver coins should be returned to their rightful owner." Mrs. Shang looked at her with a determined expression, and under Mr. Shang's indication, she personally took back the silver coins.

  Jiang Wanru felt that since then, the few people in Shang's household, except for Wen Jiuniang, had truly accepted her. Of course, when Wen Jiuniang heard about this, she hastily rushed to her side, looking at her with a silly expression, and said: "Xiao Lan, the Shang family's business is not bad, those few silver coins are nothing. Don't think that just because Father and my husband are idle at home every day, not opening the door to treat patients, they can't earn a lot of money. Both Father and my husband are quite capable, their verification of medicinal herbs in the Ning dynasty cannot be ranked in the top two, but can be ranked in the top ten. The Shang family is unlikely to have no silver coins to use."

  Jiang Wanru listened to Wen Jiuniang's words and comforted her with a light smile: "Jiuniang, I'm not as stingy as you think. Shang Daifu let me do big things, originally didn't need to add my name, but he still added it. In the future, I will have a good reputation, why would I make Shang Daifu pay me out of his own pocket? Usually, the Shang family has been taking care of me, I should be grateful and return their kindness. How can I know what's going on and still take that silver?"

  "Ah, no wonder Father insisted on engaging Lazy to our family," said Wen Jiuniang softly, shaking her head as she gazed at Jiang Wanting. "I thought it was because I had secretly spoken with Mother many times, which made Father ignore Grandmother's repeated letters of opposition. But it turns out that Father has an even longer vision. Our family is indeed blessed to have Lazy. With a mother like you who understands the bigger picture, she will absolutely not be narrow-minded in the future. Hehe, she will make a great elder sister-in-law."