Ning Yunzhao handed his horse to the servant boy and strode indoors.
"Did you go to the city?" Ning Yunyan quickly followed Ning Yunzhao and asked again, "Did you go to see Jun Zhenzhen?"
"Yes." Ning Yunzhao continued walking without stopping, answering with a smile.
He admitted so readily, and even with a smile!
Ning Yunyan bit her lower lip, her fingernails almost breaking in her clenched hand.
"Brother, mother is like this, yet you still went to see her." She stamped her foot and shouted, "For this woman, you don't care whether mother lives or dies?"
Saying that, she covered her face and began to cry dryly.
The maidservants around hurriedly stepped aside upon seeing this scene.
Although Eldest Madam Ning hid her condition, the household wasn't large, and with Ning Yunyan walking around with a frown all day, the news of why Eldest Madam Ning fell ill had already spread.
Eldest Madam Ning opposed the marriage between Ning Yunzhao and Miss Jun and threatened a hunger strike.
Actually, everyone in the Ning Family was surprised when the sudden news of Ning Yunzhao's marriage engagement with Jun Zhenzhen came, and Eldest Master Ning and Second Old Master Ning's explanation to the family was the same as to outsiders.
Initially, the broken engagement was only a play along with the Fang Family to catch the hidden enemies of the Fang Family.
The family members were doubtful; if it was just a play, it was played too realistically since everyone had witnessed Eldest Madam Ning's attitude towards Jun Zhenzhen.
However, since Eldest Master Ning and Second Old Master Ning had said so, as a father and an uncle, their words were authoritative enough, and there was no need to meddle in Ning Yunzhao's marriage matters anymore, especially since the bride-to-be was Miss Jun.
It was Miss Jun, not Jun Zhenzhen.
Though she was the same person, the title indicated a different status.
Now, Miss Jun from the Jiuling Hall wasn't the same Jun Zhenzhen who was once ridiculed and despised by them.
Miss Jun from Jiuling Hall, revered as the pox lady, was famous, wealthy, and possessed divine medical skills.
Having such a divine figure in the family would ensure peace and safety for the household and livestock!
Everyone was pleased and even overjoyed, and even Old Madam Ning, who retired from managing affairs and lived in the villa, was happy. Of course, this was also because Second Old Master Ning gently informed her that Ning Yunzhao's intended was from the prestigious Apricot Family, renowned as divine doctors in the capital.
Old Madam Ning liked the prominent reputation, was satisfied with the Apricot Family, and felt reassured about her second son's choice, so she no longer intervened, just awaiting the day to celebrate her grandson's wife.
Everyone was happy, except for Eldest Madam Ning and Ning Yunyan.
This confused many people.
"It made sense not liking Miss Jun before, but now Miss Jun is no longer the Miss Jun from before."
"Yes, it's hard to understand what they're thinking."
"Such an impressive daughter-in-law, many families would compete to have her."
"Could it be the sister-in-law causing trouble? Speaking of which, Yunyan is already married and still staying here every day..."
When these words reached Ning Yunyan's ears, they infuriated her.
How was this her fault!
She clearly didn't do anything, yet these people slandered and mocked her just because of that Jun Zhenzhen!
Her surname is Ning, good heavens, and that Jun Zhenzhen is still an outsider!
These people really have no conscience.
And her brother.
On this side, mother lies not eating or drinking, yet upon hearing of Jun Zhenzhen's return, he immediately ran to meet her.
It's over, he doesn't even care about mother anymore, and Jun Zhenzhen hasn't even stepped through the door but has already climbed over mother's head.
The more Ning Yunyan thought, the sadder she became, finally bursting into loud crying.
"Stop crying," Ning Yunzhao said, "Mother is still sick, and your weeping at home only adds to her worries."
His voice was not loud, but it had no smile, carrying a touch of stern coldness.
Ning Yunyan's crying paused, and she glanced at Ning Yunzhao with a bit of fear, but then she was consumed by grief.
Who caused mother's worries? Was it just because she cried a little?
It was clearly because he let mother down.
Ning Yunyan sobbed, covered her face, and ran towards Eldest Madam Ning's room, passing him.
Ning Yunzhao's expression was calm and unruffled as he continued his stride, and only then did the nearby maidservants and servants dare to pass by with their heads down.
However, Ning Yunzhao suddenly stopped and called out to one of the maidservants.
"You, go to the Shi Family," he said. "Give a message to my brother-in-law, tell him it's from me, ask him to come and take Yunyan back."
The maidservant was startled.
I've always only heard of husbands asking the wife's family to come receive someone; this is the first time I'm hearing of the wife's family asking the husband's family to do so.
The husband's family asks the wife's family to fetch someone because they are unhappy; then wouldn't it mean the wife's family is also unhappy if they do the same?
When the husband's family is displeased, the wife's family is the daughter's support and refuge. If her own family is displeased and casts her out, would the husband's family still hold her in high regard?
Miss has upset the young master! The young master is displeased!
This anger is indeed no small thing!
What to do?
The maidservant looked uneasy, as matters within the inner court are usually presided over by Third Madam Ning. Should she, or should she not inform Third Madam Ning?
As the thought crossed her mind, Ning Yunzhao's gaze fell on her.
"What's the matter? Didn't understand?" he asked, his voice gentle and his demeanor amiable, "Do you need me to repeat? Or should I find someone else to instruct?"
Usually gentle as jade towards others, affable and courteous, his voice and words made the maidservant, soaked in decades of inner court experience, involuntarily shiver.
There were layered meanings in his words; warnings and threats, a proverbial line in the sand.
If you don't understand, or don't obey, you can just leave.
Offending Third Madam Ning would be difficult for her to handle, offending Tenth Noble Son Ning would also be problematic, and then there's Miss Jun in the future...
This home belongs to Third Madam Ning, but ultimately, it is under Tenth Noble Son Ning and Young Madam Ning.
The maidservant made up her mind in an instant.
"This servant understands, I will prepare the carriage immediately," she said respectfully.
Ning Yunzhao nodded at her.
"Have the son-in-law come to see me when he arrives," he said.
The maidservant once again responded affirmatively, watching as Ning Yunzhao strode away, she then raised her hand to wipe the sweat from her forehead as other servant girls and maidservants crowded around.
"What happened?"
"What did the young master instruct?"
Everyone asked in low voices.
The maidservant waved her hand at everyone.
"From now on, everyone be clear on this," she lowered her voice meaningfully and pointed towards the inner court, "This household isn't the same as before."
Having said that, she turned and hurriedly left, leaving behind a group of people puzzled and speculating.
Ning Yunzhao walked into Third Madam Ning's room, where Ning Yunyan was crying sprawled on Third Madam Ning's bed, and Eldest Master Ning was impatiently rubbing his ears.
Seeing Ning Yunzhao come in, Third Madam Ning immediately stretched out her hand.
"Get out," she shouted hoarsely.
Of course, Ning Yunzhao did not leave, and Eldest Master Ning frowned.
"Let's talk this calmly," he interceded.
"Talk calmly? What were you doing?" Third Madam Ning barked at Ning Yunzhao.
"Mother, Miss Jun has returned, I went to see her," Ning Yunzhao plainly stated.
Ning Yunyan's crying grew louder.
Third Madam Ning also pressed her hand against her chest, appearing breathless.
"You see her, then don't see me again," she said hoarsely.
"Mother, issues must be resolved," Ning Yunzhao softly said, "Crying and making a fuss isn't a solution. I went to see Miss Jun to ask why she returned. We agreed she wouldn't return for a while, her sudden return must mean something is amiss in the capital, I worry for our family..."
Upon hearing this, Eldest Master Ning's eyebrows raised, intending to listen further, but Third Madam Ning already interrupted Ning Yunzhao.
"Don't give me these grand principles, I know you men talk high-sounding nonsense just to satisfy your own selfish schemes. Whether that cheap slut returns or not, the sky won't fall. You rushed to meet her just because you wanted to see..."
She spoke coldly.
"Enough!"
Eldest Master Ning roared angrily, interrupting Third Madam Ning.
The room fell into a tense silence; Third Madam Ning looked at him disbelievingly, Ning Yunyan also choked on her tears and stopped crying, her eyes filled with a touch of fear as she looked at Eldest Master Ning.
This was the first time she saw her father like this. Perhaps because he usually handles the household affairs, Eldest Master Ning has always been a smiling and easy-going person. He seldom raised his voice, let alone got angry.
Why did he suddenly get angry?
Mother didn't say anything wrong...
Ning Yunyan clutched her chest, not daring to make a sound, her eyes showing fear and even more despair.
In this household, was the father, who alone could decide mother's choice, finally going to take action?