The inn was as tranquil as ever in the early morning, undisturbed by anyone's crying fits.
The room was silent too.
Miss Jun gently pushed open the door to find Liu'er still sprawled out in sleep on the bed by the window.
"Not awake yet?" Ning Yunzhao whispered, stopping in his tracks outside the door.
Miss Jun nodded.
"We made good time on the road, and we were riding horses," she said in a low voice.
"That's quite impressive," Ning Yunzhao remarked, with a hint of admiration, "When I first rode a long distance on horseback, I couldn't even walk after dismounting."
Miss Jun smiled and glanced at the bundle in her hands.
"You go ahead and freshen up," Ning Yunzhao immediately said, "I'll sit up front for a while."
He walked away after speaking.
Left with nothing to say, Miss Jun shook her head and went inside.
The stir within the room awoke Liu'er, who first stretched languidly, then coughed a few times because of the soreness in her body, and abruptly sat up as something dawned on her.
"Mi..." she called out.
Before she could finish, she saw Miss Jun, who was seated in front of the mirror combing her hair, turn around.
"You're awake," Miss Jun said with a smile.
Her face was radiant, touched with rouge and powder, looking vibrant.
She had also changed into new clothes.
Liu'er touched her head and laughed.
"Miss, you woke up so early," she said.
Miss Jun just smiled and didn't answer.
"Hungry, right? Hurry up and wash, let's go have breakfast," she said.
Liu'er eagerly got out of bed at the word.
"Also, new clothes," Miss Jun pointed at the small bundle on the table.
Liu'er walked over, eyes sparkling with joy as she took out a new set of clothes.
"Miss, did you go buy these?" she asked.
Miss Jun put on her earrings in front of the mirror.
"No," she answered, "They were a gift from someone."
Liu'er made a sound of realization.
"It must be the young master again, instructing people from the money business," she said, happily clutching the clothes and going inside.
Miss Jun watched her in the mirror, about to say something but then let it be.
It wasn't long before Liu'er came out freshly washed and dressed.
"Miss, where are we going to eat?" she asked, following behind Miss Jun who was walking ahead.
Miss Jun hummed a response but didn't say a word. As they had just come down the stairs, she saw Xiaoding looking around furtively ahead of them; his eyes lit up upon seeing them, and he ducked back.
"Miss, miss, where are we going to eat?" Liu'er hurriedly asked again.
"Let's see what the others have in mind in a bit," Miss Jun said.
Others?
Liu'er was taken aback.
Had someone from the money business come?
She followed Miss Jun into the lobby and before she could get a clear look at the people inside, she heard a male voice speak close to her ear.
"Right next door is the Zheng family's shop; I've ordered some dishes already. I eat there often, the chef is from Runan."
Runan?
Liu'er's eyes brightened.
Although she and Miss had grown up in Funing, Master Jun was from Runan, and the servants he brought with him were also Runanese, so their home meals followed Runan customs.
The reason they had separate kitchens for meals at the Yangcheng Fang Family was because their tastes differed from the Fang Family.
The Fang Family was getting increasingly astute and thoughtful.
Liu'er looked at the man speaking with satisfaction, but the smile on her face froze as her eyes widened in shock.
"You...you..." she stammered, then turned to Miss Jun, "Miss, I must be dreaming, right? Not fully awake yet? How come I see Tenth Noble Son Ning?"
Ning Yunzhao smiled.
"Because I happen to be in the capital too," he said.
Really?
Liu'er still looked at him with an astonished expression.
"I just met Noble Son Ning as I stepped out," Miss Jun stated.
Such a coincidence?
"Since we've met and we're from the same hometown, and I arrived here before you, it's only natural that I should play the host," Ning Yunzhao took over the conversation.
Liu'er looked from Ning Yunzhao to Miss Jun.
"You two are really in sync, huh," she muttered.
The little girl thought too much.
Just like everyone else, anytime they saw a man and a woman smiling and talking, they'd get all sorts of weird ideas.
Ning Yunzhao gave a slight smile, his gaze shifting to Miss Jun.
Miss Jun just smiled, without even a trace of embarrassment.
She wouldn't overthink it.
Ning Yunzhao's smile grew even wider.
"Now you're playing the host, but back in Yangcheng, why didn't you?" Liu'er continued to complain indignantly.
"Because at that time we didn't know each other," Ning Yunzhao answered unhurriedly and with a smile, glancing again at Miss Jun afterward.
Liu'er was even more puzzled.
Didn't know each other then? Knew each other now? Since when did they know each other?
Back on the third of March at Jin Yun Hall, Liu'er wasn't there, and she wasn't aware of the late-night meeting at the tavern either.
"Are you really hungry or not?" Miss Jun asked Liu'er with a smile.
The Miss's intention was to discourage further questions, and Liu'er could hear it. Well, let it be, she thought. The Ning Family owed Miss Jun, so if he wanted to treat her, let him.
Eat a lot!
...
"Another bowl of spicy soup, please."
Liu'er said, sitting at a table.
Xiaoding, standing opposite her, stared dumbfounded.
"Can you, can you really eat more?" He couldn't help but ask.
Liu'er rolled her eyes at him.
"And add a serving of chicken broth over dried tofu," she said.
Xiaoding glanced at another table where Ning Yunzhao was carefully picking two strands of noodles and offering them to Miss Jun.
The Noble Son had already had his meal, yet he could still enjoy two strands of noodles.
Alright then, everyone's got quite the appetite.
Xiaoding called over the server and ordered the dishes Liu'er wanted.
"This is Queshan chilled noodles," Ning Yunzhao said. "I think they taste quite authentic."
Miss Jun scooped a spoonful and tried it.
"Delicious," she replied with a smile.
As for authenticity, she wouldn't know, since she wasn't truly from Runan.
However, the meal was very enjoyable; after all, she was indeed hungry. Last night at the night market, she felt like eating something but unfortunately hadn't brought any money.
Her eating was both elegant and hearty; elegant in gesture and hearty in spirit. Ning Yunzhao found that dining with a lady could be quite comfortable too.
Of course, this was only because she was her.
Other ladies might not be the same, he had attended banquets and dined with ladies before.
Ning Yunzhao wanted to say something but felt there was nothing to say.
"I've heard about all your recent achievements," he thought for a moment and said, nodding, "You've done very well, admirable."
It was a sincere and heartfelt compliment, and Miss Jun smiled.
"I think so too," she also thought for a moment and replied.
Although there were many mysteries unresolved and numerous accidents, she managed to acquire what she wanted, like Chengyu's recovery, no longer worrying about money, and, most happily, she had also come to the capital.
Ning Yunzhao laughed heartily, thinking her response was frank and apt.
It was unexpected yet seemed just right, and it was pleasing.
Miss Jun put down her chopsticks, wiped the corners of her mouth, and stood up to express her gratitude.
"Thank you, Noble Son Ning, for the hospitality," she said.
Ning Yunzhao stood up and returned the gesture.
"Miss wants to leave," Xiaoding reminded Liu'er, who was still eating.
Only then did Liu'er belch contentedly and stand up.
"Server, pack this up," she didn't forget to say.
What kind of girl is this, not the slightest bit like a remarkable lady...?
Xiaoding could hardly bear to look.
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