The Ning Family's banquet was filled with harmony and joy.
The courtyard was already adorned with lanterns, as maidservants bustled about. Two tables were set up for the feast in the main hall, where Ning Yan's wives, concubines, and children gathered around, chatting and laughing.
"Last year, Ning Shiyi didn't spend the festival in the capital," said Ning Shiyi, raising his cup to Ning Yunzhao.
Ning Yunzhao smiled and lifted his own cup.
"Yangcheng's fifteenth must be lively as well, right?" a cousin asked curiously from the side.
They almost returned to their hometown each year, but it was mostly for the New Year or their grandmother's birthday celebrations. They seldom experienced the Mid-Autumn Festival there.
"Lively," said Ning Yunzhao with a smile, "even a small city has its own bustle."
A cousin snickered from beside him.
"I don't know about other times, but last year's fifteenth must have been eventful for Ning Shiyi." She teased, winking at the other girls, "Being chased around, and even having poetry composed for you."
Last Mid-Autumn Festival, Miss Jun was still in Yangcheng, doggedly pursuing a marriage agreement with the Ning Family, causing a storm throughout Yangcheng and giving the Ning household countless headaches.
Ning Yan's family in the capital also knew about these events.
The young people at the table all laughed.
"No wonder Ning Shiyi hurried back from Yangcheng."
"This year is better; no need to worry now that we're in the capital."
As the conversation reached this point, someone exclaimed.
"Wait, Miss Jun also came to the capital." The girl said, looking at Ning Yunzhao, "Shiyi, has she bothered you again?"
Next to them, Ning Shiyi coughed repeatedly while holding his cup.
Ning Yunzhao's expression remained warm and pleasant.
"How could she?" he remarked, taking a sip of his drink.
In reality, it should have been him who couldn't stop bothering her.
"Ning Shiyi is at the Imperial College, which is not so easily accessible to everyone," said Ning Shiyi.
Yes, indeed, not everyone could enter, nor would she attempt to, but he often left the grounds.
Ning Yunzhao took another big gulp of his drink.
Still, the topic of Miss Jun continued.
"That Miss Jun has opened a medical clinic; she must be planning to stay in the capital long-term."
"Why would a girl run a medical clinic in the capital if she doesn't need money? Maybe she still hasn't given up on Ning Shiyi."
"Ning Shiyi, you should be careful."
"I heard she's quite impressive; she even scolded Imperial Physician Jiang."
"Their family has an imperial decree..."
Listening to the chatter around him, Ning Yunzhao kept smiling, but the cup at his lips was drunk from slower and slower.
"Focus on sitting idle rather than gossiping about others," Ning Yan chided, frowning upon hearing the lively conversation.
The young people at the table quieted down, and the mischievous girls stuck out their tongues at each other and continued to eat and drink.
Picking up the wine pitcher, they found it empty.
"Eh? Shiyi, have you drunk all the wine?" A girl said in surprise, looking at Ning Yunzhao who was still holding his cup.
Ning Yunzhao glanced at his own cup.
"The wine from home, I couldn't resist," he said with a smile.
"Shiyi misses home too." The brothers and sisters all laughed.
Ning Yunzhao also laughed and downed the remaining wine in his cup.
"The imperial examination is less than half a year away; not a day can be wasted," Ning Yan noted. "You must exercise restraint."
Ning Yunzhao put down his cup and obediently replied yes, smiling as he ate.
The family banquet ended quickly, and the cousins prepared to go see the lanterns. Ning Yunzhao naturally followed them, making the rounds from the southern part of the city to the north like all the other young people, dispersing reluctantly as the night grew deep.
"I'll head straight back to the Imperial College," Ning Yunzhao told them. "I need to prepare for tomorrow's classwork early."
The brothers and sisters, knowing his diligence, nodded their goodbyes and watched as Ning Yunzhao disappeared into the night. One of the girls furrowed her brow.
"Shiyi doesn't seem happy," she observed.
The others sounded surprised.
"How so? He seemed quite happy the whole time," everyone said.
There was nothing unusual; he ate, drank, enjoyed the lanterns, and guessed the riddles just as always.
Indeed.
But there was something about his smile that seemed tinged with sadness, though if you were to ask for concrete evidence, there was none.
The girl furrowed her brows.
"It's just a woman's intuition," she said.
Ning Yunzhao stood still, turned his head, and glanced back. By now, he had left the bustling Lantern Street, standing amidst the thick night, looking towards the brilliantly lit place that seemed like a fairyland.
He silently watched for a moment, sighed softly, and then turned around to continue on his way, disappearing into the night.
Miss Jun didn't take this matter to heart. After a moment of reflection, she also resolved the mystery of her several coincidental encounters with Ning Yunzhao, letting the issue rest.
Compared to these young men and women's romantic feelings, the problems she faced were much more severe.
"This ten thousand taels silver banknote has a problem?"
Fang Jinxiu's voice rang out from behind.
Miss Jun turned around to see her approaching.
"You've been looking at it for quite a while," said Fang Jinxiu. "I've checked it, it's not fake."
Of course, it wouldn't be fake.
Miss Jun smiled.
"The consultation fee that day was two thousand taels," she said.
What about the extra eight thousand taels? Certainly, they wouldn't be given for no reason. Fang Jinxiu's expression turned grave.
"The additional eight thousand taels are for me to change the name of Jiuling Hall," Miss Jun said, pointing towards the signboard outside the door as she watched Fang Jinxiu.
Fang Jinxiu was stunned.
Such a strange request...
"The one who asked me to treat them that day was a woman... from the Northern Administrative Court under Thousand-Man Commander Lu," Miss Jun said, since she had already decided to be partners, she had to let her know some things.
It was actually Thousand-Man Commander Lu... or rather, Thousand-Man Commander Lu's woman.
Thousand-Man Commander Lu's wife was Princess Jiuli, and certainly, Princess Jiuli couldn't be simply referred to as 'a woman,' which made the identity of this woman quite clear.
Fang Jinxiu's face alternated between red and white.
"Then why..." she said, and as she spoke, she realized, "Princess Jiuli."
Listening to someone else mention her own name, while she was actually right in front of them, yet completely unbeknownst to them, was an amusing feeling. Miss Jun watched Fang Jinxiu, knowing she had figured out the reason.
"I already knew the name..." Fang Jinxiu continued, frowning.
When she first heard at home that Jun Zhenzhen had changed her name to Jiuli, Fang Yuxiu had mentioned that it was the same name as Princess Jiuli.
They didn't know Princess Jiuli but had immediately thought of the implications, whereas Thousand-Man Commander Lu was her husband and such a terrifying person; it was no wonder he would be so concerned about the name.
"Are you afraid?" Miss Jun said with a smile.
Fang Jinxiu glared at her.
"I didn't expect Thousand-Man Commander Lu to be not that scary after all, to actually give you money," she said. "If it were me, I'd slap you and not pay a penny."
Miss Jun laughed heartily.
Fang Jinxiu didn't laugh again but looked at the silver banknote on the table.
"What should we do?" she asked.
What should we do, indeed, Miss Jun thought with a smile.
"I don't know," she said. "I haven't thought about it. Let's just take it one step at a time."
Lu Yunqi, as a person, could no longer be anticipated based on her familiar understanding of him. Given everyone's descriptions and fears, Lu Yunqi's actions were unpredictable and not to be tested. Therefore, it was only possible to remain still and react to the enemy's movements; if the enemy did not act, neither would she, and if the enemy moved, she would know how to respond.
Fang Jinxiu was about to speak when a commotion arose outside the door.
"Did she say it?"
An old man's voice carried anger from outside.
"Alright, then I'll come and ask her myself."
Fang Jinxiu and Miss Jun both stood up, watching as an old man with a face full of rage barged in, followed by a woman and two men, as well as a crowd of onlookers who had gathered around.
"Divine Doctor, is it you who told others that I could treat this illness? Do you think just because you say I can treat it, it's true? If I can't cure it, am I a criminal?" The old man shouted with a flushed face, waving his hands. "Who do you think you are? You can speak for yourself, but why interfere with me?"
Fang Jinxiu sighed inwardly.
This was inevitable, ever since Miss Jun had claimed that she only treated illnesses others couldn't.
Living in the capital was truly not easy.
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I wish all students good luck on their exams and may all parents see their wishes fulfilled.
Thank you to Jian Lanini, Xiuyu Burial Flower, Leng Qingya, Nanfang's Ice One, md12 for their generous donations of He's Bi.
Thank you to the last bidder for the Fortunate Gold Pig donation.
Thank you all, please continue to support with monthly tickets, thank you.