Chapter 28

The fact that the Old Madam’s headaches could be treated was excellent news for everyone in the household.

The elderly lady was in fairly good spirits today. When Bai Lan was preparing to leave, she instructed him to stop by and invite Ning Muyan over for a meal as well. Upon hearing this, Bai Lan also had someone go invite Tan Yun and Ning Zhengyu to Bao’an Hall.

With such happy news at hand, it was only proper for the whole family to gather together for a meal.

Bai Lan planned to hurry back and inform Ning Muyan, partly so he would not worry, and partly because if he learned that there was a way to treat the Old Madam’s headaches, he would surely be pleased.

Leaving Bao’an Hall required passing through the corridor by Xijin Garden. Bai Lan did not much care for the master of that place, and by extension did not like the location either. At the moment there was no one around, and just as he was about to quicken his pace and pass by, he heard Tan Yun’s voice.

“Zhengyu is back. Perfect timing—your grandmother has called for the whole family to come eat together.”

“To Bao’an Hall for the meal? Elder Brother will be there too!”

Hearing that the entire family would be dining together, Ning Zhengyu could not hide his joy. In a large household, everyone lived in separate courtyards; unlike small families, they did not eat together every day. Being able to sit down together so neatly for one meal was rare.

He was still young and liked such moments of reunion. Over the past year, aside from festivals, there had been few occasions like this.

Tan Yun did not mention Ning Muyan directly. “I heard your grandmother’s headaches can be treated now. She’s in a good mood. When you go, mind your words and behavior more carefully—make sure to please your grandmother. That way, when the family is divided in the future, you won’t be without your share of benefits.”

Hearing this, Ning Zhengyu felt a trace of displeasure, though he did not dare show it. He only said, “Why speak of dividing the family for no reason?”

“When you grow up, marry, have children, enter official service, and establish your own household, you will naturally have to set up separately. By then, your mother will enjoy her later years with you.”

Ning Zhengyu lowered his gaze slightly. “But many families with multiple brothers never divide. Our Ning family has only Elder Brother and me—just the two of us. Why must we divide?”

“Foolish. Brothers who are not on good terms living under the same roof only make themselves miserable. Look at how your elder brother treats you—he ignores you on ordinary days. He is clearly a provincial top graduate, yet he never promotes or guides you. As a result, you failed the academy examination twice and became a laughingstock to outsiders.”

Ning Zhengyu said softly, “Wasn’t it Mother who told me not to disturb Elder Brother on ordinary days? If I went to him sincerely for guidance, Elder Brother would probably be willing to teach me.”

“You’re talking back now! It’s because you’re young and can’t read people’s expressions. When Mother told you not to disturb him, she was preserving your dignity. Otherwise, you’d go eagerly and only earn his dislike. There is a distinction between legitimate and concubine-born sons. Even if he teaches you on the surface, would he give you a good expression? In his heart, he must be finding you foolish and laughing at you.”

Ning Zhengyu was left feeling deeply embarrassed. What had been a pleasant anticipation of the meal was now gone, replaced by a heavy mood.

“The academy examination is in just two days. I’ll stay in the study and read. I only hope I won’t disappoint Mother’s expectations again.”

Tan Yun also wanted him to spend more time studying, but remembering that it was the Old Madam who had called everyone over, she feared that if Ning Zhengyu did not go, it might displease the elder and lead to greater loss.

“You must go. Since your grandmother’s health has improved, it is only proper to go and offer congratulations.”

Ning Zhengyu did not dare argue further. He asked, “Did Grandmother invite a new physician to examine her?”

“I don’t know. Perhaps it was a doctor your elder brother invited. You see—on matters like these, you still fall short of your elder brother, who knows how to curry favor with elders.”

Ning Zhengyu lowered his eyes and said nothing more.

Seeing that the mother and son seemed to be preparing to head toward Bao’an Hall, Bai Lan hurriedly slipped away.

He had long felt that Ning Zhengyu’s personality was somewhat odd. After hearing Tan Yun’s manner of instruction today, he more or less understood why Ning Zhengyu was so awkward.

“You’re back? Why did Grandmother call you over?”

As soon as Bai Lan reached the entrance of Dimu Garden, Ning Muyan came out to meet him, as if he had been waiting there all along.

Bai Lan did not hide anything and said at once, “The prescription Young Master sent over yesterday—after the Old Madam took one dose, it managed to suppress her headaches. She specifically called me over to ask about the prescription. The Old Madam is pleased and asked me to come back and invite Eldest Young Master to lunch.”

Ning Muyan’s brows relaxed. “Truly?”

“Of course.”

Seeing the self-satisfied look on Bai Lan’s face, his lips splitting into a grin like a proud little peacock, Ning Muyan assumed he had been praised by his grandmother. He did not know that Bai Lan had resolved the matter himself. Returning to the courtyard in such high spirits, and seeing Bai Lan like this, Ning Muyan could not help but smile as well.

“Grandmother’s headaches are an old ailment. I’ve invited many physicians over the years, but none were very effective. I never expected that you would have a solution.”

In the past, Bai Lan had told him that he wanted to become a physician. Ning Muyan had thought it was because he missed his late father and wanted to inherit his father’s profession as a form of remembrance.

Before bringing him into the residence this time, Ning Muyan had even prepared some asparagus root, thinking to let him tinker with it for his own amusement. He had not expected that Bai Lan truly possessed medical skill.

It seemed he had underestimated him.

Bai Lan raised an eyebrow. “Young Master thinks I’m only a half-baked physician, but you don’t know that my father was actually very capable. Everyone in the surrounding villages relied on him for treatment. If Father hadn’t only treated poor villagers and had instead gone to treat wealthy households, he would have become famous far and wide long ago. I was his only ge’er, so he naturally passed all his medical knowledge on to me.”

Seeing him not only boast about himself but also show filial piety by praising Jiang Zichun first, Ning Muyan’s smile deepened. “Physician Jiang truly deserves the title of famed doctor. That’s wonderful indeed.”

Bai Lan put away his pride. “Eldest Young Master should head over now. I’m going back to my room.”

Ning Muyan said, “I’ll be back soon.”

Bai Lan waved his hand.

A few days later, the time for the academy examination drew near. The Ning household’s private school dismissed its students several days in advance so they could make their own preparations before entering the examination hall.

Bai Lan found it a little odd that Ning Zhengyu had not been attending lessons and had not come by Tianmendong to wander around lately either. It was almost as if speaking of someone made them appear—he had only just muttered a remark to Sanleng, and that very day Ning Zhengyu showed up with a long face.

“You picked the wrong day to come. The academy examination is just around the corner, and Eldest Young Master has been summoned by the Education Commissioner to handle matters related to the examination.”

Ning Zhengyu found a place to sit on his own. “I know.”

From the way he spoke, it sounded as though he had deliberately come at a time when Ning Muyan was not around. Bai Lan set aside what he was working on and sat down beside him. “Second Young Master, are you in a bad mood? Are you worried about this academy examination?”

Ning Zhengyu neither confirmed nor denied it, his eyes slanting downward as he remained silent.

“Going into an exam with worries weighing on your heart is no good. If there’s something troubling you, Second Young Master, you might as well say it out loud. I may not be able to solve it for you, but speaking it aloud is better than bottling it up.”

Ning Zhengyu glanced at Bai Lan, his gaze flickering. He seemed to want to say something; his lips parted, yet he did not know where to begin.

Thinking of what he had overheard Tan Yun say before, Bai Lan had a rough idea of the situation. The relationship between the two brothers had only just begun to ease somewhat, and Ning Zhengyu had likely wanted to draw closer to Ning Muyan. Naturally, this would displease Tan Yun, who had never wanted the brothers to grow close.

Over these days, she had probably poured more unpleasant words into Ning Zhengyu’s ears. Even without knowing the specifics, given Tan Yun’s temperament, none of it would have been easy to hear.

Bai Lan spoke patiently. “No matter who said what to you, or what they did, those are things done by others. You don’t need to take them to heart. You should listen to your own heart. You were taught by tutors from a young age— even if things don’t go well in the examination hall, can you truly not discern right from wrong for yourself?”

Ning Zhengyu’s brows knitted slightly. “But what if that person truly means well for you?”

“If someone truly means well for you, how would they make you suffer? When someone treats you well, you can repay them, but you shouldn’t lose yourself entirely and obey everything in return.”

Ning Zhengyu’s eyes suddenly reddened. Perhaps feeling it was embarrassing to let others see him like this, he hurriedly stood up. “I’m going back.”

Bai Lan rose as well, wanting to say something more, but Ning Zhengyu ran off quickly, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Bai Lan let out a sigh, thinking to have Ning Muyan go and talk to him, but that man was leaving early and returning late these days, busy without a moment to spare.

On the fourteenth day of the month, Bai Lan had a day off. The next day he was scheduled, as usual, to set up his stall at South Gate Temple. He only went twice a month—once mid-month and once at month’s end—but because he had little time to go, he had nevertheless built up some reputation outside. More and more people came to seek treatment and medicine, and he often encountered requests for house calls as well. He was kept endlessly busy.

Today, he planned to revisit Little Creek Alley for a follow-up that he had postponed, and then make two more house calls. That way, the following day would not be so rushed, and he would still have time to see patients.

Early in the morning, he packed his medical kit and prepared to head out. Seeing that Ning Muyan was also packing his things and looked to be going out, Bai Lan quickly went over to ask where he was headed.

“Today is the first session of the academy examination. The Education Commissioner asked me to go as an inspection proctor.”

Bai Lan’s eyes lit up. “I’m going to Little Creek Alley—it’s on the way!”

Ning Muyan said, “Then let’s go together.”

The two headed for the main gate. Qingmo had already harnessed the carriage. “Second Young Master is also sitting for the examination today. I hope he achieves good results.”

Ning Muyan responded with a simple, “Mm.”

“Hey, Second Young Master!” Bai Lan had just spoken when he spotted Ning Zhengyu at the residence gate in the distance, apparently also preparing to head to the examination grounds.

Ning Zhengyu saw Ning Muyan and Bai Lan approaching and gave Ning Muyan a salute.

“Why are you alone? Isn’t Mother seeing you off?”

Ning Zhengyu pressed his lips together. He had already failed twice, and there was plenty of gossip outside. At the examination grounds he would inevitably run into acquaintances who would mock him again, making his mother lose face. How could he let her come and see him off?

“This isn’t my first time taking the exam. I can go on my own.”

In other families, candidates were all accompanied by relatives. The Ning family was not lacking in people. Ning Muyan frowned slightly. “I’m also going to the examination grounds. Come with me—it’ll save harnessing two carriages.”

Ning Zhengyu, who had been downcast, froze in surprise. Did Elder Brother mean to send him there?

Bai Lan tugged lightly at his sleeve. “Get on the carriage, or you’ll be late.”

The three of them sat together in the carriage. Though it was spacious, Ning Zhengyu had hardly ever ridden together with Ning Muyan before. He felt both delighted and nervous, unable to resist sneaking glances at him.

Ning Muyan kept his gaze forward, yet he could repeatedly sense the glances cast his way. After several times, he finally spoke. “How are your preparations this time? After you came to ask about your essays some days ago, I haven’t seen you again.”

Though there was a hint of reproach in his words, Ning Zhengyu heard them with great happiness. “I’ve been studying diligently. I’ve gone over Elder Brother’s earlier guidance again and again.”

After speaking, he added softly, “I also wanted to seek Elder Brother’s advice again, but seeing how busy you’ve been these days, I didn’t dare to disturb you.”

Ning Muyan said, “If you want to come ask, then come. There’s no such thing as disturbing me.”

As he spoke, he noticed Bai Lan waggling his brows and making faces, and added, “Even though this is your third time taking the exam, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Passing would of course be good, but failing isn’t a big issue either. I’ve read your essays—so long as you maintain this level, there won’t be any major problems.”

Ning Zhengyu nodded gratefully.

After that, Ning Muyan looked at Bai Lan. “Aren’t you getting off?”

“Huh?”

Bai Lan realized belatedly that they had already reached the entrance to Little Creek Alley. He had been so absorbed in watching the two brothers talk that he had almost delayed his own business.

He stood up and hurriedly took a small bottle of camphor oil from his medical kit. “It can help refresh your mind when you’re tired. I wish Second Young Master everything to go smoothly in the examination hall. I’ll get off here.”

Ning Zhengyu watched Bai Lan leave with his medical kit on his back. Outside, he waved vigorously toward the window, nearly flinging his own kit out in the process. Holding the camphor oil in his hand, he could not help but smile.