Miss Jun's return instantly filled Jiuling Hall with lively excitement.
Liu'er joyfully shook Miss Jun's arm, laughing and calling out, while Seventh Chen also asked questions with a smile, and even though Fang Jinxiu maintained her usual silence, her expression was noticeably more cheerful.
"How come you didn't say anything in advance so we could have come to meet you?" Manager Liu arrived, obviously overjoyed yet with a hint of reproach.
"It's not that far, and after being cooped up for a month, I felt like walking." Miss Jun smiled.
"I mean if you had told us in advance, we could have sent the letter home sooner," Manager Liu said with a smile, "to spare the young master the trouble of asking day after day."
Miss Jun smiled, yet she seemed a bit apologetic.
Having seen Jiurong at Prince Huai's mansion and although his condition was serious, because she could see and treat him herself, and everything was within her control, her heart settled. Yet the people who cared about her must have been struggling with worry, not being able to see or hear how things were.
"I will write them a letter myself, and it can be sent along with the others." She said and then bowed to everyone, "I'm sorry to have caused you all concern."
Manager Liu smiled without saying anything, while Seventh Chen patted his chest.
"We're not worried; we knew you would definitely be able to cure him," he said.
"What's there to be worried about? Being a doctor is all about healing people," Fang Jinxiu commented.
Even so, Jun Zhenzhen was never meant to be a doctor, and these people should never have come here.
Miss Jun looked at their concerned yet joyful faces, feeling very moved.
Initially, she just intended to hitch a ride on the Fang Family's boat, helping them patch up some leaks, but unexpectedly the ties grew deeper and now it seemed this boat was beyond leaving behind.
She wondered whether this was fortune or misfortune for them.
She not only thought about this but also wrote it in the letter.
The letter was sent to Yangcheng by fast horse, traveling day and night, taking four days.
"These words are truly comforting," Fang Yuxiu said as she read the letter, "Zhenzhen has finally realized how unfortunate her existence has been for us."
Fang Yuxiu chuckled softly.
"Don't talk nonsense." She chided, then took the letter and read it carefully once more, patting her chest in relief, "All is well, thankfully."
With that, she looked towards Fang Chengyu.
"Now, little brother doesn't have to worry."
Fang Chengyu was pouring himself tea with a smile when he heard her and looked up.
"I'm not worried," he said, "I'm someone who has been through life and death. After escaping from the brink of death, everything in this world seems fortunate and smooth."
It wasn't just him who had narrowly escaped death and passed through life and death; the entire Fang Family had.
"These days have truly been nerve-wracking," Fang Yuxiu said, pressing a hand to her chest.
Fang Yunxiao couldn't resist tugging at her sleeve.
Everyone in the family knew what little brother thought; they couldn't bear even a hint of disparagement towards Jun Zhenzhen.
And naturally, they didn't want little brother to be the slightest bit unhappy.
Since Chengyu had put it that way, it was clear he would not allow any blame towards Jun Zhenzhen for causing trouble.
Fang Yuxiu paid no attention to Fang Yunxiao, patting her chest again.
"But surely that's better than a heart that doesn't beat or a gallbladder that isn't jumpy." She said.
Fang Yunxiao snorted and then lightly slapped her shoulder.
"Can't you just talk properly?" She scolded.
Fang Yuxiu leaned sideways on the stool.
"It's not my fault, who started speaking improperly first?" She said. "It's said that family shouldn't talk of two households, isn't her saying that like not treating us as family?"
Fang Yunxiao nodded with a smile.
"Chengyu, write in your letter exactly what your second sister said," she said.
Fang Chengyu laughed and agreed.
Outside, laughter from servant girls mingled with the sound of firecrackers, and the three siblings looked outside, through the glass windows, to see the servant girls playing with fireworks in the courtyard.
In the past, even during New Year's, the family had put on a cheerful front, but it was all for show, nothing like the genuine feeling of this moment.
Fang Chengyu picked up the letter from the desk and examined the familiar handwriting, which he could almost imitate.
Meeting her, was it fortune or misfortune for them?
He pondered over this line with a slight bow of his head.
No matter who you are or what your purpose is, encountering you is a stroke of luck for Fang Chengyu.
...
With only two days remaining until the New Year, the bustling capital suddenly quieted down, aside from the sporadic bursts of firecrackers, and the crowds on the streets all but disappeared.
Everyone gathered at home, preparing to welcome the New Year.
Since the big examinations were in March, Ning Yunzhao hadn't returned to Yangcheng this year. He had moved to Ning Yan's house and would stay there until after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
Although Ning Yan wasn't occupied with court affairs, he still had numerous social obligations for the holiday. Second Madam Ning prepared New Year's red envelopes with the women of the household, while Ning Yan took Ning Yunzhao and Ning Shiyi to write New Year's visitation cards.
The room was warm as spring, with maids pouring tea and arranging dried fruits, while laughter from the women sounded periodically from the adjacent room.
These days, although the court was strife-ridden, it could still be considered peaceful. The Jurchen people seemed restless but had not caused serious trouble. This year, there were reports of snow disasters, but fortunately, there were no significant casualties. It could be considered a good year.
Moreover, Prince Huai was critically ill and was not expected to survive the year, and if the prince passed away, the court would inevitably be thrown into disarray.
Luckily, everything turned out smoothly without incident.
Always composed, Ning Yan couldn't help but show a trace of a smile on his lips when he saw Ning Shiyi's somewhat careless writing, then turned to Ning Yunzhao's meticulous script.
"Miss Jun's medical skills are indeed remarkable," Ning Yan remarked.
This sudden comment made the two young men look up.
"It seems, then, that your grandfather being healed by the Father-in-law of the Jun Family was not an unfounded claim," Ning Yan continued.
This was the first time Ning Yan had mentioned his grandfather in connection with the Jun Family, causing Ning Shiyi to involuntarily glance at Ning Yunzhao.
"That also means that the original marriage arrangement was true," he said.
"Of course, the marriage arrangement was true," Ning Yunzhao replied with a smile, "and of course, it's true it has now been dissolved."
How the marriage was dissolved was not a glorious matter for the Ning Family, and since it was the New Year, Ning Shiyi certainly didn't want to make things uncomfortable for himself. This topic ended as soon as it began.
"I guess neither side was willing; otherwise, our grandfather wouldn't have mentioned it, and the Jun Family never brought it up all these years," he said, handing the card he was holding to Ning Yan, "Father, do you think this is alright?"
The topic was indeed inappropriate, and Ning Yan even regretted bringing it up. He glanced at Ning Yunzhao, who had already lowered his head to continue writing the New Year's cards with focus.
He was right; the marriage arrangement was real, but so was his disinterest in it and its subsequent dissolution.
Unpleasant matters need not be dwelt upon.
Ning Yan looked at the New Year's card Ning Shiyi brought over and offered his guidance, following the topic.
The marriage was real, and she didn't like it; hence, the dissolution of the marriage was also real.
Ning Yunzhao stretched his hand to a dish on the side and picked up a pine nut peeled by a servant, tossing it into his mouth as his right hand continued writing without pause.
...
Though the academy had already closed, many of my classmates who stayed in the capital remained. After finishing the New Year's cards, Ning Yunzhao took some treats prepared by Second Madam Ning and went to deliver them to his classmates.
"Miss Jun is really impressive; I knew there wouldn't be any problems," Xiaoding said as he followed behind, "I heard the imperial physicians admired her so much they were completely convinced, and even the emperor was very pleased."
Ning Yunzhao smiled but said nothing.
Xiaoding, puzzled by his reaction, wondered why the young master, who used to enjoy topics concerning Miss Jun, now not only refrained from asking about her but even seemed disinterested in hearing about her.
"Young Master, Miss Jun has returned. Shouldn't we go and see her?" he ventured.
This time, Ning Yunzhao responded.
"The New Year is upon us; everyone is busy. We shouldn't disturb others on a whim," he said gently.
Disturb others on a whim? Xiaoding was stunned, thinking about the many times they acted spontaneously.
Then a sudden thought lit up his eyes.
"Young Master, that..." he began, unable to contain his impoliteness as he tapped Ning Yunzhao's arm and pointed ahead.
Ning Yunzhao looked in that direction and was momentarily taken aback.
On the street ahead, two girls were walking toward them, talking and laughing. One of them was Miss Jun, whom he hadn't seen in quite a while.
Indeed, it had been a long time—forty-seven days, to be exact.
Miss Jun also saw him and paused for a moment before regaining her composure and smiling slightly.
That smile made Ning Yunzhao smile too. Though forty-seven days had passed since they last met, nothing seemed to have changed upon this reunion.
"What a coincidence," he said, without premeditating any opening remarks or waiting for the young woman to speak first. As he walked closer, he continued,
Seeing them here brought another smile.
"This time it truly is a coincidence," he said, looking at Miss Jun with candid expression.