Being lost in thought while talking is very impolite.
Miss Jun pursed her lips, suppressed her laughter, and shook her head.
"It's not that; I suddenly thought of something else," she said.
So the meaning of Ning Yunzhao's current words was to subtly probe why she had been drinking, right?
The question was asked in a very tactful manner.
"Well, it varies from person to person," she answered.
Her master used to say, what's there to discuss? Your own matters, even if mentioned, are not felt by others. Grownups can't understand children's troubles, and children can't understand grownups' concerns. Today's problems may not be troubling tomorrow, and tomorrow's troubles can wait until then.
Now, her own issues were such that even if she talked about them, others wouldn't be able to relate.
Ning Yunzhao also smiled and didn't ask further but instead took a big gulp of his drink, gazing at the crescent moon in the night sky.
When he wasn't in a good mood, he didn't like being questioned and preferred to quietly do as he wished.
Following the golden rule, he decided to let her do whatever she felt like doing.
They did not talk further; one drank heartily while the other sipped lightly. Both admired the moon and observed the street scene, listening to the hustle and bustle of the night market nearby.
.........
Xiaoding turned his gaze away from them.
If the young master wanted to exhibit refinement, then it fell to the servant boy to deal with mundane matters.
He moved closer to Liu'er, who was eating fried sunflower seeds, and plastered a broad smile on his face.
"Sister Liu'er," he called out sweetly.
Liu'er didn't even glance at him.
"Sister Liu'er," Xiaoding said with a smile, pushing a plate of candied fruit in front of her and lowering his voice, "What exactly did your Miss do today?"
................
When Ning Yunzhao woke up, the day was already bright, and he opened his eyes to feel a soreness in his brows, a result of the hangover.
Actually, he seldom drank; he always felt that drinking was uninteresting. Poetry and the beauty of the moment could be chanted and cherished without the need for alcohol to enjoy oneself.
But having drunk the night before, he found it quite interesting, despite not reciting poetry or having the company of like-minded companions but rather spending the time with a girl.
Ning Yunzhao raised his hand to his forehead, as if to relieve the discomfort from the alcohol, he rubbed it hard.
He had never thought about drinking with a woman.
And the experience hadn't been bad at all.
Although it seemed they hadn't talked about much, they just drank, watched the street scene, and ate barbecued meat.
The corners of Ning Yunzhao's mouth couldn't help but curl up slightly, but then he let them fall again.
Her mood had certainly been down yesterday, and he wondered if a drink could truly dispel a thousand sorrows.
However, she hadn't drunk; it was he who had rather overindulged.
Whether watching someone else drink could somehow make things better, he didn't know.
Supporting himself, Ning Yunzhao got up, and Xiaoding, hearing the movement, rushed in from the other room.
"Young Master," he said, holding a bowl of water.
A pale yellow and slightly reddish color, it smelled sweet and sour.
What was this?
"This is the powdered medicine Miss Jun gave us last night. She said it could alleviate the discomfort from a hangover," Xiaoding explained.
Had she given it? Why couldn't he remember?
"You were quite drunk, young master. You walked upfront and didn't see it," Xiaoding said with a smile.
Ning Yunzhao looked slightly embarrassed, took the soup bowl, and drank it down in one go. The taste was sour and astringent but invigorated the spirit, and the throbbing in his forehead vanished instantly.
"Did I drink a lot?" he asked. "I didn't behave improperly, did I?"
Surely he hadn't lost all sense of propriety?
"Not at all, not at all," Xiaoding hurriedly shook his head. "You, young master, were polite and composed, amiable and generous, not drunk at all. Miss Jun said this isn't just for curing drunkenness, it's for when people feel unwell after drinking."
Ning Yunzhao murmured an acknowledgment.
"She said that, did she," he said, setting down the soup bowl and picking up a nearby wet cloth to wipe his face.
"Yes, Miss Jun said she cannot guarantee anything else, but she is confident in her medical skills. She also mentioned that this medicine is a new creation of hers and will be sold at Jiuling Hall, and you were the first person to use it," Xiaoding said cheerfully.
"It seems I really was drunk," Ning Yunzhao said, tossing the wet cloth to Xiaoding.
Otherwise, how could he not remember a word of what she had said?
Putting down the wet cloth, Xiaoding prepared hot water and watched Ning Yunzhao do a set of boxing exercises to get his body moving in the room.
A gentleman must master the six arts. Scholars aren't to be frail; they must be adept at horse riding, archery, swordsmanship, and the arts of qin music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
Ning Yunzhao finished his martial arts practice, drenched in sweat. He was in high spirits as he stripped off his clothing and wiped himself down with hot water; Xiaoding brought over a set of clean clothes to assist him.
"Young Master, I know something else," he said with a grin.
Ning Yunzhao didn't glance at him as he deftly slipped on his outer garment.
"I know where Miss Jun went yesterday," Xiaoding continued.
Ning Yunzhao uttered an "oh."
"Miss Jun went to see Princess Jiuli's wedding," Xiaoding said, unable to contain his eagerness.
Ning Yunzhao voiced another "oh," his movements slowing down.
Yesterday was the day Thousand-Man Commander Lu and Princess Jiuli were wed, and half the city went to see the spectacle. For a young girl, it certainly would be of interest.
But after witnessing a wedding, why would she be unhappy?
He recalled snippets of a conversation from last night.
"Do you have any worries?"
That girl had turned to ask him.
Ning Yunzhao seriously considered it, then shook his head.
"Not really," he said.
Typically, when someone asks if you have any troubles, it means they have some themselves and are hoping for shared joy or shared sorrow.
The most considerate and appropriate response would be to say you do, and then discuss it together to help alleviate the other person's mood.
But he had said he didn't. He truly didn't.
His background and talents had ensured smooth sailing for him, achieving whatever he desired. If he had to claim any troubles, it would merely be childish whining from his youth.
That certainly wasn't a trouble – such forced complaints were laughable in youth and just as laughable now.
"Is my answer infuriating?" Ning Yunzhao laughed. "Does it come across as showing off?"
So many people have their share of troubles, struggling with greed, anger, folly, resentment, and hate – to have such trouble-free life as his would indeed invite envy, jealousy, and even hatred.
Especially at a time when someone else has troubles they want to talk about.
There wasn't much that could be done to continue this topic. Switching places with someone else, they would probably leave awkwardly or angrily.
He remembered that the girl didn't leave in a huff; instead, she laughed heartily.
"I didn't have any before either," she answered seriously.
At this recollection, Ning Yunzhao's lips curled into a smile as he quickly buckled his belt. Xiaoding had already brought his shoes and was kneeling on one knee; Ning Yunzhao sat down and lifted his foot.
"Troubles aren't congenital or permanent; they come and go. Having none before doesn't mean there are none now, and having some now doesn't mean they'll last forever. If there are troubles, solve them," he remembered saying with a smile.
"What if they can't be solved?" Miss Jun asked earnestly.
"Then wait," Ning Yunzhao said.
At that, Miss Jun laughed again, raising her cup at him. He took a long drink directly from the jug, while she continued to sip sparingly.
"Young Master, do you think Miss Jun was unhappy because seeing someone else's marriage made her reflect on her own situation?"
Xiaoding's voice came through, interrupting Ning Yunzhao's reverie.
Reflect on her own situation?
"Reflect on what exactly?" he asked, rising to his feet.
Xiaoding stood respectfully with his hands at his sides, lowering his voice.
"Miss Jun was originally supposed to marry you…" he said, "But that marriage arrangement was canceled."
"Nonsense," Ning Yunzhao frowned and retorted. "She isn't that petty."
Is that thought petty? Is wanting to marry petty? Yet you think of her day after day.
Xiaoding pursed his lips and lowered his head, agreeing with a yes.
Ning Yunzhao stomped his foot and straightened his clothing.
"Alright, I'm going to see my tutor," he said.
Eagerly, Xiaoding hurried to the table, picking up the already arranged books and notes to hand to Ning Yunzhao, watching as Ning Yunzhao left.
"Young Master, you haven't eaten yet," he suddenly remembered, calling out in a rush.
"I'll skip it," Ning Yunzhao's voice came from outside as he strode along the corridor.
The trees along the path offered dense shade, centuries-old trees were scattered about, adding to the quietness of the summer day.
Ning Yunzhao slowed his pace for a moment, looking towards the school building and listening to the faint sound of reading, slightly furrowing his brows.
Were her troubles really because of that?
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Thank you Tencent Anning for rewarding two He's Bi