Chapter 13

The Ning residence sat in the southeast of the capital, in the Liyuan Court. The surrounding area was home to the city’s most prominent families, and a lake separated it from the bustling Zhuque Avenue.

As Bai Lan stepped down from the carriage, he first noticed the imposing stone lions guarding the main gate.

The first time he had entered the Ning estate, he had come through a side gate. Back then, inexperienced and naïve, he had mistaken the side gate for the main entrance, marveling at the grandeur. Later, entering through the true main gate, he realized how narrow his earlier perspective had been.

“Finally, Young Master has returned. The old lady has been asking about you several times,” said the steward, his eyes flicking briefly at the unfamiliar Bai Lan. Curious, but aware of the boundaries, he dared not speak further and addressed Ning Muyan respectfully.

Ning Muyan didn’t even glance at him. “I will go greet my grandmother.”

“Yes, sir.”

Bai Lan’s eyes shifted. As a servant brought back by Ning Muyan, he didn’t need to greet the old matriarch. The household had dozens of servants; it would be too much trouble. Ning Muyan, though distant, was still slightly closer than the estate’s ancestors.

The old matriarch was formidable—stern and unsmiling. Bai Lan remembered being so frightened on his first visit that he almost knelt on the spot.

After speaking, Ning Muyan turned to Qingmo. “Take Young Master Jiang to settle in first.”

The steward glanced at the unfamiliar Bai Lan, a calculating look in his eyes.

Bai Lan straightened his chest and tried to appear confident, like a skilled physician, striding behind Qingmo.

In Ning Muyan’s eyes, the scene looked like a tiny kitten just picked up from the roadside—completely insecure in an unfamiliar environment. It had no real means of defense, yet it puffed itself up as if to appear intimidating.

He lowered his gaze to hide the flicker of a smile. Only after Qingmo had led Bai Lan away did he turn his attention back toward the main residence.

Bai Lan followed Qingmo, but his eyes wandered restlessly, taking in everything around him. After passing through the main gate, they entered a huge screen wall and then a long garden corridor branching off to different parts of the estate. Without guidance, it would have been easy to get lost. Such a mansion was impregnable even to would-be thieves outside.

Seeing the familiar bamboo groves and plum gardens, memories flooded Bai Lan’s mind. Halfway down the corridor, he spotted a secluded cobblestone path to his left. Recognition struck him like a jolt; he stopped in his tracks.

He had once lived at the end of that path, trapped in countless springs, summers, autumns, and winters.

A sudden tightness filled his chest, making it hard to breathe. For a moment, he couldn’t distinguish past from present, feeling like a lowly grasshopper hidden beneath the grandeur of the Ning estate.

“Little Doctor Jiang?”

It wasn’t until Qingmo called several times that he snapped out of his reverie, blinking at the finely dressed young master’s attendant before him.

Polite as always, Bai Lan said, “Just a few more steps and you’ll reach Young Master’s Dimu Garden. Your quarters are there, not here.”

“Not here,” Bai Lan muttered to himself, as if the words pulled him fully back into the present.

“Yes,” Qingmo said while walking, “Young Master’s Dimu Garden is the largest in the estate. Very beautiful. You may explore freely once you settle in.”

Bai Lan nodded.

At the end of the corridor, they entered an elegant garden gate. Inside lay a scenic lake garden. Bai Lan looked around as they were led to a side entrance next to the main residence.

Though a side wing, the courtyard was spacious. Bai Lan pointed at the adjacent main house, then at his own quarters. “I’ll be living here?”

Qingmo nodded. “Are you dissatisfied with the courtyard, Little Doctor Jiang?”

“Of course not,” Bai Lan forced a laugh. “It’s just… isn’t it too close to the main house?”

“Close enough to serve Young Master well,” Qingmo replied. “I live nearby too. This was arranged by Young Master; I am simply following orders.”

Bai Lan pressed his lips together; the explanation was reasonable.

“You may enter and take a look. If anything is missing, it can be quickly provided.”

He glanced at the side courtyard’s name. Qingmo, walking ahead, didn’t hear Bai Lan muttering under his breath and assumed he was illiterate. “This courtyard is called Tianmendong, named by Young Master. Beautiful, isn’t it?”

Bai Lan followed, raising an eyebrow. “Tianmendong… isn’t that the name of a medicinal herb? Regular use strengthens the body and prolongs life.”

“Young Master is well-educated; the name fits this courtyard perfectly,” Qingmo said, smiling and gesturing. “Look!”

Bai Lan’s eyes brightened, and he hurried over.

The courtyard was nothing like an ordinary bedroom. The main hall held tall, spacious cabinets and medicine racks. By the left-facing window was a herb grinding table, with a small side door leading to the back. Under the eaves were various cauldrons and jars.

The private back garden was fully enclosed, accessible only from inside. It was perfect for decocting herbs or cultivating medicinal plants.

Bai Lan leapt about excitedly, forgetting entirely that this courtyard was right next to Ning Muyan’s unusual presence.

Beyond the medicine area, the bedroom was separate and fully furnished.

He felt as if he were walking on clouds, floating in delight, praising aloud, “Young Master really chose a wonderful name!”

Seeing Bai Lan so happy, Qingmo smiled and brought out a chest from beside the medicine cabinet. “Young Master also had this prepared for you.”

Bai Lan pounced on it, hugging the chest. “A medicine chest! Only my father had one at home. I’ve wanted one for so long! And now everything I need is here!”

“Exactly,” Qingmo said. “Young Master specially instructed the craftsman. The wood is top-quality huanghuali, and the straps are fine leather.”

Bai Lan could hardly put it down, slinging it over his small frame—it fit perfectly. “When was this prepared?”

“Some time ago. Before Young Master went to the village…”

“Hm?”

“Ah… after returning from the village and catching a chill, Young Master then instructed Qingmo to prepare it.”

Bai Lan found it curious but was too delighted to care. He smiled, “Young Master really is thoughtful.”

Qingmo said, “Little Doctor Jiang, feel free to look around. Sanleng, come and greet Little Doctor Jiang.”

At that moment, a boy slightly younger than Bai Lan entered. Qingmo explained, “Young Master chose him to assist you, Little Doctor Jiang. He’ll take care of your daily needs and serve as an apothecary assistant.”

Bai Lan’s eyes widened. He even had an apothecary assistant?

The boy quickly kowtowed.

“Rise,” Bai Lan said, eyeing him. “Your name’s Sanleng?”

“Yes,” the boy replied.

Bai Lan smiled, nodding. Sanleng, or Jing Sanleng—together, they were a house full of medicinal herbs.

Qingmo said, “Little Doctor Jiang, familiarize yourself. I’ll take my leave. Young Master has been away at the village for several days and still needs to oversee things. I’ll make sure everything is in order.”

“All right, thank you for guiding me and helping me settle in.”

“No need to be polite, Little Doctor Jiang.”

After Qingmo left, Sanleng poured Bai Lan a cup of tea. “Master, I’ll fetch your meals from the kitchen once your clothes are arranged. You’ve had a long day—after eating, you may take a nap.”

With no one else around, Bai Lan relaxed. Seeing Sanleng work so efficiently, he was curious. “Have you been in the estate long?”

Sanleng said, “I was born in the estate and have served Master since I was little. Recently, Young Master said he wanted to pick two new attendants for his garden. I never imagined I would be chosen.”

“Once in the garden, I was assigned to manage Tianmendong.”

Bai Lan nodded. Previously, when he had visited Ning Muyan’s garden, he had only seen the study and never wandered through the other rooms or courtyards. He hadn’t realized the side wing was arranged like this.

Regardless, he was very pleased with the setup. Thinking of how thoughtful Ning Muyan had been in arranging everything, he stood from the bench. “Where’s the garden kitchen? Lead me there; I want to take a look.”

“Yes.”

By now, it was almost mealtime. In the kitchen, the staff were bustling, the cooks tossing ladles and almost steaming, the air filled with delicious aromas that made Bai Lan inhale deeply.

He resisted the temptation, found a spot, and began rolling and stretching dough for noodles.

“Sanleng, the new cook?”

The kitchen staff, noticing the unfamiliar face, brought over the young Sanleng.

“This is the personal physician Young Master brought back.”

The cooks exchanged glances. Knowing the attendant was sent by Ning Muyan, they dared not be rude, immediately approaching with courteous questions and offers of assistance.

Bai Lan felt a simple bowl of plain noodles would be too bland, so he said, “Young Master caught a chill at the manor a couple of days ago. I’ll make a medicinal broth to help him recover—go get some wild goji berries, red dates, and ginseng.”

“I’ll fetch them right away.”

The head cook, holding a large ladle, asked, “If Young Master is having medicinal broth, what about the regular midday dishes?”

“No problem. Just bring them to Tianmendong,” Bai Lan said.

“All right.”

Meanwhile, Ning Muyan, having spent some time with the matriarch in Chaohui Hall, returned to the garden. Intending to check on Bai Lan, Qingmo hurried ahead.

“Master, everything is settled. Little Doctor Jiang is very pleased,” Qingmo said, smiling, and brought a tray from the servant behind him. “Look, this is the medicinal noodle soup he made himself—he says it’s in gratitude to you.”

“Is that so?”

Ning Muyan looked at the bowl of plain noodles floating with a few green leaves. Seeing that Bai Lan had remembered his words, he rarely showed a gentle expression. “I’m a bit hungry. Bring it inside.”

At that moment, Bai Lan had already eaten three bowls of rice, a pork elbow, and most of the fat fish with Sanleng behind a closed door.