Xie Jingchen’s eyes burned with raging flames.

The anger scorched Chu Shun.

Chu Shun glanced at Xie Jingchen.

Awkwardly, his lips twitched.

He had forgotten his big brother was still sitting here.

If the sister-in-law were a man, she wouldn’t be vying with big brother on the street...

His regrets cut off his brother’s path to life.

Qin Hanhan glared at him and served him some food, "Not even a meal can shut your mouth."

Chu Shun stuffed a large mouthful of food and spoke while chewing.

But nobody could clearly hear what he was saying.

Xingxing stood by, relieved that her girl wasn’t born a man; otherwise, wouldn’t she have been a Prince?

Even if a regular Prince could be overlooked, she happened to be the Emperor’s favorite.

Surely she would be made Crown Prince and eventually become Emperor.

Then wouldn’t she become a little eunuch by the Emperor’s side?

She would never agree to that regardless.

Except for rainy days when moving becomes inconvenient, they typically dine together.

With more people, it’s lively and the food seems tastier.

But without Princess Consort present, and Princess Consort being a senior, dining with the juniors, wouldn’t the juniors eat uneasily?

Moreover, now that the Little Princess has learned to walk, though still breastfeeding, she’s grown several teeth, and the Princess Consort has begun feeding her.

Hot dishes are served, but by the time the Little Princess finishes eating, the food has mostly cooled.

The Little Princess doesn’t like eating; she spits barely half a bowl of food; perhaps less than two spoonfuls have been eaten.

After one meal, the Princess Consort is nearly exhausted.

While such tasks could be done by maids and wet nurses, the Princess Consort insists on doing it herself; no one can stop her.

Having finished the meal, Su Jin changed into plainer clothes and then went next door to the Zheng Family.

Young Master Zheng waited outside the door; seeing Su Jin and Xie Jingchen approaching, he hurriedly welcomed them, wanting to salute but was stopped by Xie Jingchen, "No need for formalities."

Young Master Zheng led the way, directing Su Jin to treat Old Master Zheng’s arm.

The Zheng Family’s yard is a five-entrance one, larger than where Su Jin and her family live, with lush flowers and trees, rockeries, flowing water, everything one could wish for.

In general, during wars, most civilians migrate to safer areas, but some form attachments to their homeland, opting to stay.

Such a large and prosperous family like Zheng’s choosing to remain is indeed rare.

Chu Shun, curious, asked another question, "Why hasn’t the Zheng Family moved?"

Young Master Zheng replied, "The war was stirred by Nanliang; we all thought Nanliang would seize a few Daqi cities and force Daqi into peace talks."

"Unexpectedly, Daqi swept through like a breaking tide; Nanliang was defeated step by step, while our Zheng Family’s foundation was here. Besides this large residence, there are estates and shops; with warfare, they simply couldn’t be sold...."

Normally, a shop could sell for five thousand taels, yet no one will buy it even for two thousand.

Young Master Zheng calculated that selling all family assets might not purchase a residence like Zheng’s elsewhere.

Old Mrs. Zheng, up in years, was attached to her land, resisting moving; when young, she had suffered due to war, experiencing chaotic family migration; her parents held her tight, preventing her from being separated from the crowd, though her brother was, and she never saw him again.

The pain of separation, Old Mrs. Zheng never wishes to endure again; after fleeing, she didn’t fare much better elsewhere, yearning for home, eventually returning.

Some never left back then, willing to die yet clinging to their family land, not only survived but thrived better.

As everyone left, unmovable land and shops were sold cheaply; family assets expanded several times over.

After deciding not to leave, Old Mrs. Zheng began buying up land and shops.

In just two months, Zheng’s land and shops had more than doubled.

When Su Jin entered, sounds of Old Mrs. Zheng’s sighs came, "If possible, we should move our ancestral graves."

Old Master Zheng disagreed, "I barely left once and ended up like this; should our ancestors suffer like me?"

Mrs. Zheng opined, "Crossing mountains to relocate graves is tough; not moving poses a big problem for paying respects."

The Zheng offspring are devoted; it’s not enough to worship at the family shrine; they also visit the graves.

In the past, this wasn’t difficult, but now separated by a city wall--encountering an unscrupulous official demanding a thousand taels--even a wealthy Zheng shouldn’t have to endure.

Having offended the County Magistrate, Mrs. Zheng believes moving is safer.

As for the assets, selling them later wouldn’t be too late.

As Young Master Zheng guided Su Jin inside, he heard his mother discuss relocation; he coughed heavily.

Next door lived Princess Consort Zhenbei; Young Master Zheng hadn’t mentioned the Daqi Princess to avoid alarming them; furthermore, Su Jin moved quietly into the small yard, everyone thought they were at the camp, not wanting anyone to know.

Young Master Zheng hoped no word would leak from the Zheng Family.

Yet, his mother suggested moving to Nanliang, abandoning Daqi, right before Su Jin.

Young Master Zheng’s heart trembled, fearing Su Jin’s displeasure.

As a Daqi Princess, she’d certainly wish those on Daqi soil were loyal to the Daqi Court.

However, Su Jin did not mind; they used to be Nanliang people and had disputes with the County Magistrate, fearing difficulties, hiding being understandable.

Upon her son bringing guests, Mrs. Zheng scrutinized, uncertainly asking, "Is this the doctor you invited?"

These two dressed well, though plain, exuded an air of nobility.

Noble presence, they didn’t seem like doctors at all.

Young Master Zheng nodded.

Mrs. Zheng turned to look at Xie Jingchen, "Thank you, doctor."

Su Jin, "..."

Xie Jingchen, "..."

Young Master Zheng quickly interjected, "Mother, this is the doctor."

Mrs. Zheng showed a flash of surprise.

She hadn’t expected Su Jin was the doctor.

Misunderstanding, Mrs. Zheng felt a bit embarrassed, "I thought there was only the female doctor on the border, Princess Consort Zhenbei; didn’t realize there were others, how ignorant of me."

Young Master Zheng felt a headache.

Mother.

Can you please stop talking?

Young Master Zheng hurriedly invited Su Jin to treat his father.

The Maid brought a chair; Su Jin sat down to check Old Master Zheng’s pulse.

Old Master Zheng’s right arm had healed; unwinding the bandages, it revealed a severely swollen arm.

Su Jin gently pressed; Old Master Zheng let out a cry of pain.

Mrs. Zheng hurriedly handed Old Master Zheng a handkerchief to bite, "Dear, bear with it."

Cold sweat poured down Old Master Zheng’s brow from the pain.

Su Jin needed to confirm the bones had properly fused; otherwise, if healed wrong, she’d need to break and reset, leading to even more suffering.

Su Jin thoroughly examined, then said, "The bone’s properly set."

Old Master Zheng was sweating profusely, almost feeling lifeless.

Even falling hadn’t hurt this much.

Old Mrs. Zheng urgently asked, "Can it fully heal?"

"Yes," Su Jin replied.

Old Mrs. Zheng breathed a sigh of relief.

Though she didn’t fully relax, she tensed up again as Su Jin continued, "I can treat Old Master Zheng, but I have a condition."

"Money isn’t an issue," Old Mrs. Zheng said.

Young Master Zheng wished someone would knock him out.

Could Princess Consort Zhenbei possibly need money?

Saying such simplifies them to just a doctor, truly humiliating them.

Young Master Zheng promptly asked, "Doctor, please state your terms."

Before Su Jin could respond, a voice from outside called, "Father, Father...".