Eldest Master Ning's decision, Eldest Madam Ning's and Ning Yunyan's grief and indignation—Miss Jun from the Fang Family's estate in Yangcheng knew nothing of this, nor had she given it any thought.
But after sending Ning Yunzhao off and having eaten her steamed buns, she didn't have a moment to relax either.
First, Manager Gao from De Sheng Chang came to deliver the account books, and a conversation was inevitable after not seeing each other for so long. After seeing off Manager Gao, Old Lady Fang and Lady Fang came over.
"Did something happen in the capital?" Old Lady Fang directly asked.
After all, having been in business for so many years, Old Lady Fang had her suspicions.
The letter from Manager Liu in the capital mentioned that Seventh Chen had returned home to visit his mother and Miss Jun also missed her family and had come back for a visit.
Old Lady Fang always felt that there was something odd about the letter, and it was only after half a day following Ning Yunzhao's visit, that she suddenly realized what was strange.
She missed home.
Did she really miss home?
Of course, she didn't mean to say that Miss Jun didn't consider this place her home, but that Miss Jun wasn't the type to feel homesick.
If she really missed home and wanted to come back, wouldn't it be more sensible to return with Ning Yunzhao?
Especially after seeing Ning Yunzhao today and noticing the constant twinkle in the young man's eyes ever since he entered the door, Old Lady Fang did not doubt he could have invited her.
She had no doubts about the marriage arrangement being fake, but she did start to wonder whether Noble Son Ning had other intentions.
Miss Jun had definitely refused to come back with him, and even said she would not return, so upon learning that Miss Jun had arrived, he immediately came to inquire.
And cleverly he avoided them; there must be an issue.
"A lot has happened in the capital," Miss Jun said with a smile.
Sure enough, Old Lady Fang and Lady Fang understood and their expressions grew somber again.
"However, those aren't the reasons I left the capital," Miss Jun continued before they could ask, "I'm just not very satisfied with what I've gained in the capital."
Gained?
Old Lady Fang and Lady Fang were momentarily startled.
"I've already obtained what I could from the capital, and staying there would have been more of the same," said Miss Jun, and with a slight smile at them, she added, "So I came back to think about what to do next."
What to do next?
What else do you plan to do?
"Just with the vaccination, Jiuling Hall has already become renowned," Lady Fang said softly, "Zhenzhen, your ancestors can rest in peace in the afterlife."
Old Lady Fang shared the same sentiment.
Miss Jun simply smiled.
It was good for them to think this way, after all, there were some things she could not reveal.
"The learning sea is boundless, one should continue learning as long as one lives," she went along with their words, "some things have no end."
In reality, it was probably her medical practice in the capital that had reached an impasse.
Old Lady Fang and Lady Fang thought to themselves, smiling at Miss Jun.
It was good for her to think that way too, after all, some things were better left unsaid.
"Then take your time to think at home," Old Lady Fang stood up and said, "For no one can deny or erase your medical skills."
Miss Jun rose to see them out in response.
Old Lady Fang gestured for her to stay.
"Where's Chengyu?" she casually looked around as if making small talk.
Miss Jun pointed towards the study on the other side.
"He's looking at the account books," she replied, glancing outside at the maids standing by, "Shall I call him?"
Old Lady Fang shook her head.
"No need, let him look," she said, and led Lady Fang out.
By now, dusk had set in, and Miss Jun stood at the entrance of the courtyard, watching Old Lady Fang and her daughter-in-law leave.
After a while, Lady Fang looked back, and in the twilight, the young girl had already turned back inside, the lights in the courtyard lit, bright and tranquil in the early summer night.
"Mother, why didn't you mention the matter of having Chengyu move out?" she whispered as she supported Old Lady Fang's arm.
This was their purpose for coming here, so why had Old Lady Fang decided not to bring it up upon arrival?
Old Lady Fang hummed.
"What's wrong with living in the same courtyard? They are not children, and I trust them both," she declared.
What was this? Lady Fang was both amused and frustrated.
Exactly because they were not children anymore, they needed to avoid any semblance of impropriety.
"Avoid what impropriety? In their own home, there's no need for such avoidance," Old Lady Fang hummed again, "The people at home won't gossip, but rather those outsiders should avoid impropriety—coming to someone else's home whether there's a matter or not. The outsiders don't know the engagement is fake, but doesn't he know himself to avoid impropriety?"
This was her discontent with Ning Yunzhao.
Lady Fang smiled with pursed lips.
"Yes," she agreed, nodding, "Top Scholar Ning indeed acts too presumptuously."
Many people act presumptuously, but Top Scholar Ning Yunzhao draws more attention because he himself is such a noteworthy figure.
Recalling her encounter with Ning Yunzhao today, although everyone favors their own sons, Lady Fang couldn't deny the charm of Ning Yunzhao was undeniable.
For the first time, she felt that if Top Scholar Ning indeed had intentions, Chengyu might end up disappointed.
Thinking this, she couldn't help but voice her thoughts.
Old Lady Fang didn't like to hear this.
"What's there to be disappointed about? What's wrong with our Chengyu? Is it just because he doesn't have the title of top scholar?" she said, "That's because our Chengyu didn't sit for the exam. If he had, he could have made it too."
Lady Fang covered her mouth with a chuckle.
"If you're talking about disappointment, that Ning family should be disappointed when compared to our Chengyu," Old Lady Fang added, "Don't forget what they did. Initially, they treated Zhenzhen like a stray dog they despised."
Well, Lady Fang cleared her throat slightly.
Originally, they too had considered Zhenzhen contemptible, and what Fang Chengyu did to Jun Zhenzhen was even worse.
In this regard, they didn't have the upper hand.
Old Lady Fang clicked her tongue.
"Our Chengyu has apologized, you see," she said, "To know one's mistake and to correct it, that is the greatest virtue."
After all, our Chengyu is the best.
Meanwhile, at the Ning residence in Beiliu, Ning Yunzhao also finished relaying to Eldest Master Ning the events in the capital as described by Miss Jun.
Eldest Master Ning stroked his beard in silence, his expression changing unpredictably, clearly birthing countless thoughts in his mind.
"I think Elder Huang is done for this time," he suddenly blurted out, his eyes lighting up, "Then your uncle will have an opportunity..."
Ning Yunzhao smiled.
"Nothing is certain yet," he said, "Let's see what uncle has to say once he returns to the capital."
Eldest Master Ning nodded and paced across the room, as if it helped calm his mind. He abruptly stopped.
"Leaving aside the matters of the capital for the moment, there is an urgent matter at hand," he said, looking at Ning Yunzhao, "You and Miss Jun must marry immediately."
Marry.
At these words, Ning Yunzhao was taken aback.
Though it felt inappropriate, he couldn't help but let a smile spread across his face upon hearing his father's words.
The greatest joy is to have one's wishes fulfilled, but to have one's choice affirmed by others is also a cause for happiness.
It's just that this engagement is a sham.
And to marry right now is definitely impossible.
"Father, it's not possible," Ning Yunzhao laughed, "Our relationship is currently fictitious, and she has always believed it to be false..."
"Then go tell her that you are serious," Eldest Master Ning stated sternly, "Why are you hesitating? You visited Miss Jun at the Fang family and instead of getting down to business, you say that the engagement won't be called off yet. Isn't that silly?"
Is this really silly?
Ning Yunzhao almost wanted to laugh.
"You don't dislike her; if you like her, why not let her know? If you want to marry her, then go make her aware."
"Right now, nobody outside knows it's fake. You should quickly turn the fake into real, get married, then enter the capital. That way, everything will be proper and this issue will be left behind."
"One more day without marrying, and this matter will continue to be discussed by others."
"Once married, everything will be in the past."
"Moreover, Miss Jun has a formidable reputation among the people, and joining hands with the Ning family will be like adding a jade to a bracelet. With this, you and your uncle will be even more empowered within the court."
"This is what's most important, why bother with what's real or fake."
No, this is not the most important thing. The most important thing is to let her know my intentions if I want to marry her, let her know.
Though she already knew once before, but that was merely affection.
Now, it's not just affection, but a desire to spend the rest of my life with her.
She once said she didn't want something inappropriate, and at that time, indeed there were aspects that were not suitable, neither my sincerity nor the family's stance had been clearly expressed.
So now, should I ask her again what she might think, and whether it's appropriate or not?
"Alright," he said, lifting his head.
Eldest Master Ning was in the midst of speaking, startled by the sudden interruption.
"I'll go and talk to her," Ning Yunzhao said, smiling again, "But it may not work."
Eldest Master Ning laughed heartily and patted him on the shoulder.
"Don't be so lacking in confidence, how could our Ning Yunzhao fail," he proclaimed, "You are Yangcheng's foremost young master, after all."
But mutual affection is not a matter of status.
Ning Yunzhao smiled.
Just like studying, diligence doesn't always lead to reward.
One must only give their all, thus remaining true to oneself.
Ning Yunzhao left Eldest Master Ning's study and gazed at the twinkling stars in the summer night sky, his demeanor unchanged from usual, only his eyes shining a shade brighter.
The night enveloped earth and sky, silence fell upon all things, crickets began to chirrup, and the lamp in front of Miss Jun's desk was lit.
"Gongzhu, aren't you going to sleep?" Fang Chengyu peeked in from outside the door.
Miss Jun smiled back at him.
"I'll read a bit," she said.
Fang Chengyu didn't come inside but smiled and nodded.
"Then take your time, I'm off to sleep," he said, waving goodbye before leaving.
Miss Jun smiled, lowered her head, and opened up the handwritten notes.