Chapter Two: The Eldest Sister-in-law Sets the Kitchen Ablaze

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The family of Imperial Physician Xiao?
He knows about us?
Spring Blossom and her sisters tensed, wary—was he one of the Xiao clan?
“I am Zhao Minghua. My father is the proprietor of Hundred Herbs Hall in town,” Zhao Minghua hurriedly introduced himself. “Since childhood, I have often heard my father speak of Imperial Physician Xiao as a master of his craft. I have always aspired to follow in his footsteps and become a healer.”
“Well then, that’s good,” Spring Blossom paused, then nodded.
She felt awkward. This man knew her grandfather had been implicated in the consort’s case and executed; did he still hold such lofty ambitions knowing that?
“Thank you, Young Master Zhao, for your timely help today. I must take my sisters home now, lest our family worry.”
“Of course,” Zhao Minghua replied quickly. “Miss, hardships are but temporary. Both my father and I believe Imperial Physician Xiao is innocent.”
“Thank you.”
All the kin who had once basked in the favor of her great-grandfather and grandfather had abandoned the Xiao family when disaster struck. Yet here was a stranger who still believed in them.
Spring Blossom’s nose tingled and her heart ached. She stubbornly raised her head to the sky: Grandfather, did you hear that? There are people in this world who still see clearly, who know you died wronged and full of sorrow.
“Big Sister, that young master was truly kind,” Spring Grace whispered as they walked back.
“Yes, but don’t mention this to the family,” Spring Blossom instructed.
Whether it was her bedridden grandmother, the three wives unused to hardship, her pregnant eldest sister-in-law, or the young siblings, none should be burdened further with talk of Grandfather.
But Spring Blossom never expected, before she even reached home, to see thick smoke billowing from the direction of their house.
Many townsfolk were helping to carry water and put out the fire.
“What’s happened?”
Spring Blossom ran to ask their neighbor, Aunt Luo.
“Spring Blossom, you’re back. Your home caught fire—they say it started with your sister-in-law’s cooking.”
“What about my grandmother and the others—are they safe?”
“They’re all fine, over there.”
With Aunt Luo’s guidance, Spring Blossom finally spotted her trembling family, especially her eldest sister-in-law Zhu, who was pale as death.
“Sister-in-law, it’s alright, it’s nothing. As long as everyone is safe, all will be well.” Spring Blossom placed a hand on Zhu’s wrist, sighing inwardly at the bad signs. “Come, sister-in-law, listen to me—relax, don’t be afraid, everything’s alright…”

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It was too much—the eldest sister-in-law, six months pregnant, was once again suffering from unstable signs.
“Spring Blossom, it’s my fault. I only wanted to cook, but the fire got out of control…” She had never cooked before, and the flames leapt out, igniting the pile of firewood Spring Blossom had brought home. She froze, not knowing what to do, until Spring Peace pulled her out, but by then the blaze had consumed the kitchen.
“Sister-in-law, it’s alright, truly. People are what matter most. Listen to me, relax, don’t worry, everything will be fine.”
This pregnancy had been fraught. Last month, the family’s fortunes changed, her brother agreed to write a separation letter and promised the child would be cared for by the Xiao family. Yet the sister-in-law, loyal and true, chose to follow them, leaving her wealthy natal family behind.
The journey had been rough, and poor nutrition made her pregnancy unstable. Now, this fright… Spring Blossom dared not think further, only soothing her over and over.
“It’s my fault, I’m useless.”
“Sister-in-law, it’s really nothing. Old things must go for new to come. We’ll build a bigger kitchen next time.”
Spring Blossom did her best to comfort her: “Just focus on your health now, and protect the child.”
“Yes, Lingling, you can’t blame yourself. If anything, it’s our fault,” Aunt Xu wiped her tears and stepped forward. “We’re all old and never learned to cook. We can’t manage ourselves, let alone ask you, six months pregnant, to cook. It’s our mistake.”
“That’s right, it’s all our fault,” Xu and Huang echoed, full of remorse. “We couldn’t help at all.”
The sound of suppressed sobs arose; everyone wanted to cry.
“No crying! If you don’t know, you learn. As long as everyone is safe, we start over,” Grandmother said coldly. “The Xiao family will not fall because of hardship or fire!”
“Grandmother is right. We’ll take it slow—everything will get better.”
After calming her family, Spring Blossom took her brothers Spring Peace and Spring Safe to thank each neighbor who helped fight the fire.
“Spring Blossom,” their landlady Aunt Zuo came up. “You rented five rooms—now that you’ve burned one…”
“Aunt Zuo, rest assured, when we leave, it’ll be exactly as agreed. We’ll rebuild what was lost.”
“Well…” Aunt Zuo sighed. “Truth is, I was worried renting to your family, since the Xiao clan won’t even let you in anymore…”
“Aunt Zuo, if there truly was trouble, we wouldn’t have been able to journey all the way from Shengjing to Shu. Your kindness today is deeply remembered, and I promise we will repay you in the future.”
“No need to talk of repayment. As long as you’re safe,” Aunt Zuo relaxed. “I only rented to you because my father-in-law said your grandfather once treated him and gave him medicine without taking a single coin. If not for your grandfather, my father-in-law wouldn’t be alive. This is our family’s way of repaying that debt.”
Mentioning her grandfather warmed Spring Blossom’s heart. Outsiders who had received kindness were willing to take risks for them, while the clan members her ancestors had supported gave them a final blow, nearly leaving the women and children destitute. She would not forget this account!
“Spring Blossom,” her mother Xu hurried over, pulling her aside. “The coarse grains we bought yesterday are all gone in the fire. Tonight…”
Another meal without food!
“Mother, we gathered wild greens, and I caught a crab.”

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But when Spring Blossom searched for the bamboo basket, the crab was gone.
Staring at the empty basket, her nose stung again—life was truly hard. She wanted so much to cry.
“Spring Blossom?”
“Mother, it’s alright. Tonight we’ll make do with wild greens. The herb soup is cooling and detoxifying.”
The fire had destroyed all the kitchen’s supplies—rice, oil, salt, and wood were gone. Only the iron pot remained. They would have to make do for now; tomorrow would bring its own challenges.
“Little brother, is this the home of Imperial Physician Xiao?” someone called from outside, the voice familiar.
“Who are you?” Six-year-old Spring Safe looked up. “Are you a good person or a bad person?”
Spring Blossom wanted to cry and laugh—Spring Safe’s vigilance was good, but also embarrassing.
“Spring Safe, who’s looking for the Xiao family?”
She looked up and indeed saw an acquaintance.
Why was he here?
“Miss Xiao, I’ve brought some ointment for your hand—it needs to be treated or it will swell and bruise,” Zhao Minghua handed Spring Safe a tube. “Little brother, quickly give this to your sister.”
“Sister, your hand is hurt? How did it happen?” Spring Safe rushed over, worried. “Let me see—is it from the fire?”
“No, my hand is fine.”
Mentioning her hand made her think of the escaped crab—a wasted effort, losing everything after all.
“By the way, Miss Xiao, our pharmacy needs some medicinal herbs. My father said families like yours are skilled at preparing herbs. Could you process some for us? Here’s some silver as a deposit.”
Zhao Minghua took a pouch of broken silver from his waist, indicating Spring Safe to take it.
Preparing herbs—Spring Blossom was indeed skilled. This Young Master Zhao was truly a benefactor in their time of need!
“What kind of herbs does your family require, Young Master?”