Tenth Noble Son Ning really knew how to talk, even if sometimes what he said was inexplicably strange, but his attitude was excellent, straightforward and sincere—it's no wonder he was so popular in Yangcheng.
She felt completely different from the impression given by the Ning Family.
Miss Jun smiled again, pursing her lips.
However, he was thinking too much.
"What I mean is, do you believe they fell in love at first sight? Could someone like him experience love at first sight?" She stopped smiling and said.
It seemed she was curious about Lu Yunqi's actions.
Probably because she was told how the name "Jiuling Hall" could have caused some taboo.
At this moment, the shopkeeper announced that their fried tofu was ready. Since Xiaoding and Liu'er were outside, Ning Yunzhao got up to get it himself.
"Affairs of the heart are very personal indeed, whether it is love at first sight or not, it's their matter and none of our concern, right?" said Ning Yunzhao, wiping the chopsticks with his handkerchief before passing them to her.
Miss Jun smiled, hummed a reply, and took the chopsticks to eat.
Indeed, it was none of his business, and it no longer concerned her either— but her sister...
"...But Princess Jiuli isn't married yet... and here Thousand-Man Commander Lu already has a woman on the side..."
"Yes, she is a princess after all."
"It's not like a princess's man can't keep a mistress."
"But this is really... quite a slap in the face..."
"...Noise, the emperor himself doesn't say anything, why should we?"
The discussions by his ear continued.
A slap in the face? Remarrying her sister to him was already a slap in the face.
And now he didn't even have to pretend—deceiving one princess was enough, there would be no need for a second.
Let it be what it may.
Miss Jun held her chopsticks and ate the fried tofu, finding it insufficiently satisfying, she eventually rolled up her sleeves. Ning Yunzhao saw this and chuckled, rolling up his own sleeves as well.
"Does it suit your taste?" he asked.
Miss Jun hummed in affirmation, nodding her head, then picked up another piece with her chopsticks and put it into her mouth, lips glistening with oil, seemingly not bothering to engage in conversation.
Sometimes actions speak louder than words.
Ning Yunzhao's lips slightly curled in a smile, and he too began eating heartily.
"...But really, shouldn't we avoid such things? The wedding is in just two days..."
"...Why bother? Having a mistress inside the mansion is one thing, but flaunting her about town is another..."
"...If Princess Jiuli knew about this, she'd be furious..."
Miss Jun looked up and flashed Ning Yunzhao a smile.
"They're really delicious," she said, taking large bites one after another, stuffing her mouth full.
"Slow down," Ning Yunzhao couldn't help but say, instinctively passing her the handkerchief.
Miss Jun casually took it, wiping the corners of her mouth while nodding with a smile.
No need to worry, her sister wouldn't know.
The gates of Prince Huai's mansion were never open, separating two different worlds. Whether it was windy, rainy, or sunny outside, it had nothing to do with them.
On June 28, before dawn broke, the tiers of pavilions were shrouded in pale light.
It was a grand residence with red walls and yellow tiles.
The courtyards were deep and luxuriously adorned.
Yet, this mansion was as quiet as if deserted, perhaps because everyone was still asleep at this time. However, there were also those awake, slowly walking along the path laid with intricately patterned colored tiles.
It was a young woman, her plain white skirt fluttering as she moved, like delicate frothing waves.
Her figure was graceful, her movements elegant and dignified, enveloped by the pale light as if veiled by a thin gauze.
She walked alone on the path, quickly approaching a particular courtyard.
The courtyard gate was open, but no one was inside, the lanterns hanging in the hallway were alight, but seemed dim and unclear against the faint glow.
It was the kitchen. The young woman entered, rolling up her sleeves, put on an apron hanging by the side, lit the stove, and heated up a pot of broth that had been prepared beforehand. She grabbed a bowl, poured the flour, added water, and began kneading the dough.
Her exposed wrists were fair and delicate, yet her movements were strong, quickly turning the white flour into a smooth dough, adding oil, kneading continuously until it became shiny and fine.
After letting the kneaded dough rest for a while, she moved to the countertop, washed and cut some dried vegetables and mushrooms into the boiling soup, then turned back to the dough, rolling it out.
The dough sheet was constantly rolled and flipped, folded, with flour sprinkled on it. The rhythmic sound of the wide knife cutting on the board echoed as she swiftly and evenly cut the dough sheet, which spread into fine noodles as she shook off the knife.
The aroma from the pot of broth also began to spread.
Another pot of water was brought to a boil; the noodles were cooked in it, and after they were done, she ladled two bowls full, poured over the well-cooked broth, sprinkled some scallions, and placed the soup bowls into a food container. The young woman then removed the apron, let down her sleeves, and walked out with the food container just as she had arrived.
By this time, the sky had brightened, the morning mist of summer dissipated, and the young woman, coming to a courtyard gate, pushed it open. The noise broke the courtyard's calmness; hearing the commotion, a door opened, and a little boy about seven or eight years old ran out.
"Sister," he called clearly, the morning light shining on his bright, sparkling eyes and the dimples that appeared with his smile, "it smells so good."
As he appeared, the woman standing at the door also revealed a smile, her features radiant in the morning light, as if she were a spring orchid on the verge of blooming.
"Jiurong, why aren't you wearing shoes?" she said, her voice soft.
The boy stuck out his tongue, and a servant girl hurried over from behind him, greeting the woman with a hint of anxiety.
"Princess," she said, holding a pair of shoes in her hand, "He was just about to put them on when he heard your voice and knew you had arrived."
The young woman—Princess Jiuli—had already walked over.
"Hurry and put on your shoes, then wash your hands and come eat noodles," she said.
Jiurong complied, reaching out to be picked up by the servant girl to return to the inner chamber. He quickly washed up and ran out.
On the windowside table in the next room, two bowls of noodles had already been set. Princess Jiuli sat looking out the window, turning her head when she heard noise.
"Come and eat," she said.
Jiurong nodded and sat down, first taking a deep breath.
"Big sister, it smells so good. The longevity noodles you made yourself are the best," he said in a tender, crisp voice.
Princess Jiuli responded with a smile and picked up her chopsticks.
"Eat," she said.
Jiurong took his chopsticks, and the brother and sister ate their noodles in silence, as the morning light grew brighter and figures began to move about in the courtyard, among them several eunuchs and palace maids.
"Your Highness, it's time to start getting your makeup ready," the leading eunuch said with a well-practiced smile.
Princess Jiuli stood up, Jiurong doing the same, his young face unable to hide a trace of nervousness.
Princess Jiuli reached out to take his hand.
"Come, keep me company while I get ready," she said with a smile.
Jiurong nodded and followed Princess Jiuli out. The eunuchs and palace maids in the courtyard all bowed in unison.
"Congratulations to the Princess on this joyful occasion."
"Congratulations to the Princess on this joyful occasion."
Their voices echoed out, bringing a buzz of activity to the previously quiet Prince Mansion.
Princess Jiuli led Jiurong, her mouth curved in a smile and her posture straight as she gracefully walked past them.
...........................
The sudden crackle of firecrackers startled passersby on the quiet morning street. As everyone turned their gaze, they realized that a shop was opening for business.
"What does it do?"
Curious onlookers approached, with some already reading the sign above the door.
"Jiuling Hall."
"It's a medical clinic."
In front of the clinic stood only two shopboys and two young women. After the firecrackers were done, the boys ran inside to fetch brooms and other tools to begin cleaning.
As it was a medical clinic, they could not send out enthusiastic invitations to the public, nor would anyone wish them prosperity, making the scene appear quite subdued.
The two women also entered the shop, and after onlookers watched for a moment, realizing that new shops opened every day in the capital and this one offered neither gifts nor red envelopes to the crowd, they dispersed disinterestedly.
"Today is a good day."
"What's so good about today? Suitable for a grand opening?"
"Suitable for a wedding. Today is Princess Jiuli's wedding day."
"Oh right, indeed. Let's hurry and get a spot to watch."
As the noisy crowd outside dissipated, Miss Jun surveyed the interior of the clinic.
"Today is indeed a good day," she confirmed.
"Yes, it's a good day for our family's clinic to open," Liu'er agreed.
Miss Jun smiled at her.
"Then let's celebrate with a bowl of noodles," she suggested.
Just eating noodles to celebrate? Can that even be considered a celebration?
But as long as Miss Jun was happy, that was all that mattered.
Liu'er nodded.
"Sure," she replied.
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Thanks to the well-practiced smile for rewarding the Spirit Beast Egg, and to the adorable, beautiful, and cute Feifei
Thanks to the "Vegetable Bookworm" for rewarding the He's Bi (a handheld consolation)
See you tomorrow.