Fang Jinxiu was beginning to suspect that she was dreaming.
How could she run into Ning Yunzhao in the capital?
Wasn't this man supposed to have vanished from their sight?
"Because I've been in the capital all along," Ning Yunzhao smiled.
He had not expected to see Fang Jinxiu either.
Seeing Fang Jinxiu, he was also reminded of the past, those nights of swift travel, the hesitant secret rendezvous at midnight.
At that time, his mind was preoccupied with Jin Yun Hall and unaware of anything else; thinking about it now, his behavior indeed must have been frightening.
No wonder this Third Miss Fang was startled.
But Miss Jun had never been afraid.
She was, of course, different from others.
Thinking of this, his expression grew somewhat tense.
Fang Jinxiu's surprise began to fade, to be replaced by displeasure.
Of course, she knew that Ning Yunzhao was in the capital.
"What does your being in the capital have to do with us?" she said. "Do you have something to say to her again?"
The matter of Jin Yun Hall had already been over for ages.
Ning Yunzhao nodded.
"Yes, I have something to tell her," he said seriously.
Fang Jinxiu was somewhat irritated.
"What do you have to tell her?" she asked, looking at the dimmed street and the swaying red lanterns. "Do you think it's appropriate at this late hour?"
Appropriate?
Was he referring to the propriety between men and women?
Ning Yunzhao smiled.
"What's wrong with it? My young master often visits Miss Jun, and they even drink together…" Xiaoding couldn't help but speak.
Ning Yunzhao stopped him before he could finish, but Fang Jinxiu was already shocked.
What? Visits often?
And they drink together?
"Who is it?" Miss Jun's voice came from behind. "What's the matter?"
As she spoke, she walked over, initially thinking it was someone seeking a consultation or herbs, but when Fang Jinxiu didn't return after a while, she came out to check.
Hearing her voice, Xiaoding hurriedly waved his hand and called out to Miss Jun.
Miss Jun came over and saw Ning Yunzhao standing outside the door.
"Noble Son Ning, it's you," she said.
Ning Yunzhao smiled at her.
"I didn't know you had also arrived in the capital, Third Miss Fang. I've been secluding myself with books for some time," he said.
That sounded strange. Why should I inform you about my arrival in the capital?
As if we're close.
Fang Jinxiu glared at him and then glanced at Miss Jun.
It seemed they were quite familiar with each other.
Fang Jinxiu took a step back and fell silent.
"Do you have business with me, Noble Son Ning?" Miss Jun asked.
As she asked the question, she saw a trace of embarrassment on Ning Yunzhao's face, his gaze sweeping over Fang Jinxiu and the indistinct man peering from the inner hall.
He had been wanting to clarify some things these days, so he hadn't gone out, nor had he deliberately inquired about Jiuling Hall. He hadn't expected that upon figuring things out and visiting again, there would be more people in Jiuling Hall.
Of course, it was good to have more people around; it was lively and she wouldn't feel so lonely.
But some things became a little inconvenient to say.
However, these weren't words that needed to be hidden and could be spoken openly.
Now that he had figured things out, he had no concern about others overthinking.
Ning Yunzhao smiled and was about to speak when Miss Jun beat him to it.
"Come in and talk," she said, gesturing with her hand.
Indeed, he was still standing outside.
"Eh? Noble Son Ning, you're here?" Liu'er came out from inside and said upon seeing him, "Did you happen to pass by on your way back from your uncle's house?"
Just happenstance, such a coincidence, from the sudden encounter on the streets of the capital, their meetings had always been so accidental.
A casual passing by, and he saw her in the inn.
Just happening to pass by, and he invited her to eat.
Such a coincidence, and he inquired with concern.
It was all destiny, not man-made, unrelated to him.
Ning Yunzhao looked at Liu'er and smiled.
"No," he said earnestly. "I'm here to see your Miss."
Liu'er uttered an "Oh," as her question was merely casual; nowadays, she had become numb and accustomed to the appearances of Ning Yunzhao, not caring whether it was a coincidence or a deliberate visit—what difference did it make?
Fang Jinxiu turned and went inside, calling out to Liu'er as she did.
"Have you secured my festival gift? Is anything missing?" she asked.
Liu'er grimaced.
"Who cares about that," she retorted, but nonetheless followed inside.
Seventh Chen was still peering from behind the door curtain when Fang Jinxiu grabbed him and pulled him in.
"...That's Tenth Noble Son Ning... Didn't they say he really dislikes Miss Jun..."
The rest of his words vanished instantly, evidently muffled.
Peace returned to Jiuling Hall.
This silence did not make one feel constrained or awkward.
"Please have a seat," Miss Jun said with a smile, gesturing an invitation and then turning to pour tea.
Ning Yunzhao, however, did not take a seat, nor did he wish to pour the tea.
"No need, I just came to say something and then I'll leave," he stated, conveying his intention not to linger.
Miss Jun heeded him and stopped, watching him quietly with anticipation.
Her expression was serene, her eyes even brighter, sparkling like stars within the night's embrace of Jiuling Hall.
Ning Yunzhao thought about what he wanted to say, his hands, hanging by his sides, tensing slightly.
This was the first time he had ever done something like this.
And he wasn't sure if it was the right or good thing to do.
Yet he had been pondering this matter for nearly a month.
That day, as he stood outside the bamboo grove of the Imperial College, questioning his own heart, he had missed his master's lecture for the first time.
He had pressed his hand against his heart, feeling that deeply startled quiver at the very bottom of his being.
Just as he did now.
The longest he had ever spent on the most difficult scriptures was three days, but to comprehend this heart's quiver, he had spent seven days.
It was the most difficult thing in the world, and yet also the easiest.
Fortunately, he was a clever man, and a decisive one; after his contemplation, he had confirmed that he had indeed developed feelings.
Every young man has moments when they are moved, and dreams of the girl who would move their heart.
Ning Yunzhao had never been moved before, nor had he ever fantasized about a girl who could stir his heart, but once he honestly faced this question, he knew unmistakably that the girl who moved him was her.
The somewhat troubling fact was that his relationship with this girl was complicated.
First, she had fallen for him, and he had been oblivious.
Now that he had feelings, he wondered what she would think.
He could be clear about his own decisions, but he could not predict hers.
As a man who preferred clarity, since he could not figure it out, he decided that the best course of action was to simply ask. So, he chose an appropriate moment to make an appropriate invitation.
He looked calmly into her eyes.
"Would you like to join me to watch the lanterns the day after tomorrow, on the fifteenth?" he asked.
Watch the lanterns?
Miss Jun thought to herself that of course she could; she had planned to watch the lanterns as well.
"Sure," she replied, with a touch of nonchalance, "Let's dine at Manager Liu's first, and then go watch the lanterns."
She also remembered he was away from home, not under the care of his parents.
"You'll be dining at your uncle's, right? Where shall we meet?"
Her straightforward acceptance and her soft voice inquiring where to meet did not bring him joy, however.
Her response was too direct. She had completely missed the significance of his question.
Perhaps some people would play dumb in such moments and let things slide, waiting for the future to unfold.
But he was a person who always sought precise answers, just as with the interpretation of scriptures: not the slightest ambiguity could be tolerated. So, he decided he must clarify this matter.
"Do you truly wish to watch the lanterns with me?" he repeated, looking into her eyes.
His voice was clear, tinged with a slight tremble that added a huskiness. In the quiet of the night, it took on an extra layer of palpitation.
Just watching lanterns—what's there to accept or not accept?
Miss Jun was momentarily taken aback.
Was it necessary to reaffirm and inquire again like this?
If something needs to be reiterated, it surely wasn't just the words, but the meaning within.
The meaning, indeed.
Miss Jun looked into the young man's eyes—those bright, fiery eyes overflowing with emotions too complex to define.
Suddenly, Miss Jun had an epiphany.
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Ah, confessions—I'm quite experienced at it. To sum it up, it's a cycle of constant defeat and persistence.
Thanks to Miss Jun, md12, and the Ice of the South for your generous support of the He's Bi.
Wishing students success in their college entrance exams. Youth is truly enviable; best wishes to you all.