Ning Muyan was inspecting the hired laborers at Zanyu Manor when a servant reported Bai Lan’s arrival. Barely a minute into his count, he waved everyone away and returned to the rear hall to wait.
“You came?” he asked.
Bai Lan, seeing him, said, “Last time I treated you, young master, the manor requested a follow-up. I’ve already received payment, so I naturally came.”
Ning Muyan didn’t respond further, sitting at the table as Bai Lan approached, rolling up his sleeves for a pulse check.
Bai Lan, however, didn’t act immediately. Seeing Ning Muyan’s complexion, he knew the man was already fully recovered. Originally, it had been nothing serious.
“What’s wrong?” Ning Muyan asked, noticing Bai Lan’s inaction.
“I know you helped resolve the conflict with the Liu family. Their willingness to come and apologize must have been because of your intervention,” Bai Lan said.
Ning Muyan slowly withdrew his hand, lowering his sleeve. “Not foolish, then.”
“Why help me?” Bai Lan asked directly, meeting the nobleman’s gaze. The Liu family had seriously wronged the Jiang family—a major affair—but for Ning Muyan, it was trivial. From Bai Lan’s understanding, Ning Muyan wouldn’t ordinarily concern himself with such petty matters.
“I didn’t help you out of charity,” Ning Muyan replied calmly. “I heard your medical skills are decent. I happen to need a personal physician.”
Bai Lan raised an eyebrow. This wasn’t a battlefield, nor was he being sent to a frontier post—why did he need a personal doctor? “I’m just a mediocre physician. Anyone in the city would be better than me. Why pick me?”
Ning Muyan’s gaze sharpened. “Others may surpass you in skill, but you are the only one I’ve rolled off the same bed with.”
Bai Lan’s eyes widened. He opened his mouth to protest but couldn’t, and could only mutter through gritted teeth, “So that’s how you choose your physicians, young master…”
Seeing Bai Lan’s displeased expression, Ning Muyan softened his tone. “I know you are reluctant. Now that your family has a grudge with the Liu family, they are the power in Lukou Village. With ancestral holdings and deep roots, it would be easy for them to bully you and your father. I can help for a day, but I cannot stay at the manor forever. If I leave and they act again, what then? Of course, because of our connection, I could crush the Liu family, but they own much land and provide income for the village’s poor. If they fell, the villagers would suffer too.”
He explained patiently: “If you were my physician, with the backing of the Ning estate, the Liu family would naturally be wary. The choice is yours.”
Bai Lan, listening to this careful weighing of pros and cons, was surprised at Ning Muyan’s patience but also felt the helplessness of lacking power.
He wasn’t a fool—he knew what the best choice was. Without replying, he asked, “If I leave, what about my father?”
“I can arrange for Master Jiang to work at the city’s finest herbal clinic, so you can still see him frequently.”
Bai Lan shook his head. “My father has been rooted in Lukou Village for so many years. Not just this village, but nearby ones rely on him for medical care. His fields and home are here. He would never abandon them. If he were meant for the city’s clinics, he would have gone already. He won’t uproot himself.”
Actually, that was only part of it. The real reason his father couldn’t bear to leave was because he couldn’t let go of the past.
Years ago, Jiang Zichun had been a wandering physician. Passing through Lukou Village for a free clinic, he met Bai Lan’s mother and decided to settle down, build a home, and no longer roam.
Ning Muyan continued, “Then let the manor steward formally invite Master Jiang to serve as the estate physician. He can treat the manor’s people and serve as a protector of the estate. When the manor’s original physician returns, villagers or outsiders may still request his services as before. How does that sound?”
Bai Lan said nothing further. He knew this was the most appropriate arrangement, though a small part of him still wondered: if his father could be invited to serve at Zanyu Manor under Ning estate protection, why take him all the way to the capital?
Ning Muyan saw the flicker of thought in the boy’s clear eyes and immediately understood his doubts. He knew the arrangement had a potential flaw—but a little benefit for Bai Lan would smooth things over.
He had no intention of forcing Bai Lan to the Ning estate. His concern was that, left unchecked, the boy might stir up trouble, and by the time Ning Muyan returned to the manor, there could be yet another betrothal in play.
“I know you have doubts,” Ning Muyan said. “If you refuse to follow me, and I mention that I value your medical skill, Master Jiang might wonder why I am helping him. Then what excuse will you have?”
Bai Lan pressed his lips together. Ning Muyan had hit the nail on the head. “Thank you, Young Master Ning, for thinking so thoroughly on my behalf.”
Seeing Bai Lan’s tone soften and his attitude grow more compliant, Ning Muyan coaxed gently, “I see you love studying medicine. When you follow me to the city, I will arrange for the finest physicians to exchange knowledge with you. The estate also has many medical texts you can study. How does that sound?”
Bai Lan’s eyes brightened, but he quickly darkened again. “Young Master Ning, I’m grateful for all you’ve done, but I must make my position clear.”
Ning Muyan raised an eyebrow, curious.
“My family is poor, but we will never serve as concubines to officials,” Bai Lan said firmly, despite the risk of offending. “No matter how kind you are to me, I will not change my resolve.”
Ning Muyan studied him closely. This aligned somewhat with his own thoughts, though it deviated from his original plan. His eyes darkened slightly.
“Very well. I understand that you have the spine not to become a concubine for wealth or status. I owe you, so all arrangements will proceed to help you achieve your aims.”
Seeing Ning Muyan was not angry and had agreed so readily, Bai Lan felt a strange relief. Now that his position was clear, he asked for nothing more.
But suddenly, he remembered something and hurriedly said, “I’ll serve as your physician, but I have one request.”
Bai Lan knew asking a favor of Ning Muyan was bold, but he felt this one would be granted. More importantly, it was a way to assert his resolve.
“Speak,” Ning Muyan said.
“If I go to the estate, you must not touch me.”
“….”
Bai Lan stared in disbelief. Ning Muyan looked him in the eye and hesitated. He… actually hesitated!
“Very well,” Ning Muyan said at last.
Bai Lan’s mind raced. If he hadn’t brought it up, had Ning Muyan actually considered it? Could it be that his original plan wasn’t just for him to be a physician or concubine, but a personal companion without status?
Bai Lan shivered. This was worse than last life, when he at least became a legitimate concubine. Now there was no status at all.
Ning Muyan, seeing the complex emotions on Bai Lan’s face, leaned closer and lowered his voice.
“My hesitation was because I’m surprised you would make a request I would never violate. You say you will not become a concubine—how could such a thing even happen? Could it be that you are more interested in a companion without rank?”
Embarrassed, Bai Lan loosened his hands and coughed dryly. “Then let’s call it settled and be at ease with one another. Young Master Ning, rest assured—I will study medicine diligently and care for your health. I won’t waste your effort.”
Ning Muyan raised an eyebrow. “Good.”
“When I have mastered medicine in a few years, perhaps you can recommend a good match for me. Then I will serve you all the more diligently.”
Ning Muyan’s expression darkened again.
“Not acceptable, Young Master?”
“We’ll discuss that later.”
“Very well, I understand it depends on my performance.”
Once that was settled, Bai Lan returned home and explained everything to Jiang Zichun.
“You mean the Ning family in the capital? The one where the eldest son recently topped the provincial exam, and Liu Da works there?” Jiang Zichun repeated in astonishment.
“Yes, that Ning family.”
Jiang Zichun asked again, still uncertain: “Ning Muyan actually wants you to be his personal physician… just because you treated his cold?”
“That’s what he said. Perhaps the eldest son rarely falls ill and finds it convenient to have a physician on call. After all, it’s nothing unusual for the Ning family to maintain a doctor.”
Jiang Zichun shook his head and took Bai Lan’s hand to lecture him carefully. “You rarely go to the capital, so perhaps you don’t know what kind of person Ning Muyan is. I haven’t seen him personally, but often in discussions with city physicians, I’ve heard of him many times.”
Bai Lan was surprised that even medical circles discussed Ning Muyan, and curiously asked, “What did they say?”
“They say he’s as handsome as a fairy, outstanding in family and learning, the dream man of refined ladies. I even heard of a young lady whose lovesickness over Ning Muyan ruined her health, leaving her weak and listless.”
Bai Lan pouted, clearly exasperated. This man really knew how to wreak havoc.
“Funny, isn’t it, that Zanyu Manor belongs to the Ning family,” Jiang Zichun mused, stroking his beard. “And yet, by some twist of fate, you ended up treating Young Master Ning.”
“That shows my medical skills have improved under your guidance, Father,” Bai Lan said lightly.
Jiang Zichun pursed his lips. “How could he possibly trust a young lad like you to be his personal physician?”
Bai Lan raised an eyebrow and teased, “Maybe he took a liking to me.”
He said it deliberately, hoping to ease his father’s worries. To his surprise, Jiang Zichun laughed heartily.
Seeing his father’s laughter, Bai Lan’s face fell. “Why are you laughing so loudly, Father? I’m a capable young man! Is it really so impossible that Ning Muyan would send for me?”
Jiang Zichun regained his composure. “It’s not that I mock you. Ning Muyan is the heir of the Ning estate—his family has been in officialdom for generations. He’s learned, capable, and not a frivolous noble. Rumor says he’s indifferent to women. Had he been a lovesick fool, he wouldn’t have caused so many young ladies’ heartbreaks. He is a proper gentleman.”
Bai Lan huffed. “You praise a stranger so openly. Will you actually agree to this, Father?”
Jiang Zichun’s tone grew serious. “Since Young Master Ning has taken notice of you, it’s an opportunity. With the conflict between our family and the Lius, though they apologized, their temper is unpredictable. Leaving the village for the city would also help you avoid future trouble.”
“But this is merely my advice—you must decide for yourself.”
Bai Lan pursed his lips, then smiled. “The Ning estate is a family of scholars. I can learn letters there, study medicine more effectively, and Young Master Ning promised to arrange for my medical advancement and even a good match in the city later.”
Hearing this, Jiang Zichun felt both relief and a sigh. “It’s my fault—I didn’t teach you letters properly.”
“Father, these years we’ve been on our own. I’ve seen your hard work; these things are unavoidable.”
Jiang Zichun patted Bai Lan’s hand, eyes full of tenderness. “Since you agree, Father will go to the manor tomorrow to meet Young Master Ning.”
Bai Lan wanted to say it wasn’t necessary, but reason dictated it. After all, he would work at the manor, and his father would feel uneasy if he didn’t meet Ning Muyan. “Alright.”
The next morning, Jiang Zichun carefully selected some medicinal herbs he had treasured for years—a ginseng and a lingzhi, modest by wealthy standards—and prepared them. Dressed Bai Lan neatly, they set out to pay their respects to Ning Muyan.
Before leaving, Jiang Zichun noticed Bai Lan in a dull grey hemp outfit. “Why wear such a somber color? You’re young. Bright colors suit you better. Go change.”