Just as Ning Muyan and Bai Lan had left Xi Jin Garden, a boy of twelve or thirteen, bearing some resemblance to Ning Muyan, hurried into the courtyard.
Seeing only Tan Yun and a few servants, he froze at the garden gate for a long moment. When a servant reminded him, he stepped forward to salute. “Mother.”
Tan Yun frowned at the young Ning child in her care. “Yu’er, shouldn’t you be in the study diligently practicing? Why come here?”
Ning Zhengyu replied, “I heard Mother had invited a doctor due to illness, and I was concerned. I wanted to come check on you.”
Seeing the similarity in the brothers’ words, Tan Yun felt slightly displeased. She knew Ning Muyan’s remark was sarcastic, while Ning Zhengyu genuinely worried.
She smiled kindly. “It’s nothing serious. The doctor just took your pulse. It may be due to the heat. Yu’er, you should return.”
Ning Zhengyu added quietly, “I heard my elder brother came as well?”
Tan Yun’s brows tightened. “He has returned to the garden. Muyan is busy—you mustn’t disturb him. Focus on your studies and pass the exams. If you follow in your elder brother’s steps, he will hold you in high regard.”
Ning Zhengyu felt a bit disappointed but still behaved sensibly: “Yes, Yu’er understands.”
“Qingchu, take the young master back.”
Seeing Ning Zhengyu leave, Tan Yun finally returned to her senses and turned to face Qiao Rou, still waiting to be disciplined inside the room.
“You have always been careful and diligent, so why stir up such trouble today?!”
Tan Yun’s face darkened. “With your behavior, you’ve not only disgraced yourself but also brought shame upon me!”
Qiao Rou, seeing there was no turning back on Ning Muyan’s side, fell to her knees in tears before Tan Yun. “Madam, your servant was foolish. Please, in consideration of Qiao Rou serving you since childhood, forgive me this once.”
An elder maid by Tan Yun’s side scolded sharply: “You’re completely blinded! If it weren’t for Madam valuing you and knowing of your feelings for the young master, you would never have had this opportunity. You failed to achieve your wish and still caused Madam to lose face!”
Qiao Rou, already being reprimanded for misconduct, dared not admit that she had secretly placed the paintings in Bai Lan’s room—Ning Muyan had already said they were his. If she said anything further, her punishment would be worse, so she could only cry and plead:
“I did not intend to go against Madam’s favor. I only trusted Qiu’er’s words because I was anxious seeing the young master pay attention to that country doctor. Please forgive me, Madam.”
Tan Yun waved her hand. “Enough! Do you take me for a fool? If you had trusted someone blindly and gone to investigate, you would have hurried to bring them here. It is clear you arranged this yourself, only wanting to use my hand to deal with that country doctor.”
“You have truly disappointed me. He has left it to me to punish you, and you will never be allowed back into Di Mu Garden. There are no suitable tasks left for you in my estate. As such, you will go work at the estate outside the city.”
Estates outside the city were generally in villages on the outskirts. No matter how good the conditions, they could not compare to the main house. A senior maid in the mansion would command respect and direct others, but Qiao Rou would have to endure hardship there. Hearing this, she kowtowed repeatedly, pleading for mercy.
Hearing the cries, Tan Yun only grew more irritated and ordered two elder maids to drag her out.
“Madam, don’t be angry. It’s not worth it for a servant.”
Tan Yun took a sip of calming tea. “I am not angry over a maid, especially an incompetent one.”
“I am angry with Ning Muyan. Look at his attitude today—he dared to oppose his elders for the sake of a country doctor. Life in the Ning household is stifling.”
The elder maid fanned Tan Yun gently. “The young master has always been cold and strict, as he was trained to be. It is unusual that he stood up for such a trivial matter today.”
Tan Yun said thoughtfully, “Perhaps he didn’t want to protect the doctor—maybe he wanted to annoy me, to slap me in the face.”
The maid replied softly, “Madam, that is harsh of you to say.”
Tan Yun cooled slightly. “Are you suggesting Ning Muyan has feelings for that young man?”
She shook her head after a moment. “He isn’t particularly remarkable. Ning Muyan is ambitious—how could he fancy someone like that?”
“Nothing is certain. Does the young master usually bestow jade pendants on ordinary people?”
Tan Yun’s fine brows knitted, then she smiled. “If that’s the case, I should go to Bao’an Hall and pay my respects to the old lady.”
At Bao’an Hall, Ning’s matriarch had finished lunch and was, as usual, in the rear hall praying to Buddha. Upon hearing that Tan Yun came to pay respects:
“Why come here at this hour?”
An elder maid whispered a few words, and the old lady put down her prayer beads.
“The mother and son have always had discord behind the smiles. Likely she came to lodge a complaint,” she sighed lightly. “Very well, go ahead.”
“Mother, I hope you are well. Have you had lunch?”
The old lady invited Tan Yun to sit and served tea. “It’s hot, and I have little appetite—just some rice porridge. Muyan brought some cherry pancakes from the monastery earlier. I ate a few and could eat no more.”
Tan Yun kindly said, “In this heat, Mother must take care of your health.”
“But Muyan… he came all this way but did not sit for lunch with me. Instead, he hurried to fetch a country doctor.”
She chuckled. “It almost feels as if I cannot manage even a few servants.”
Ning’s matriarch replied, “I heard about this. Muyan is a scholar, like his father—just and strict. His intent with the doctor was merely to clarify matters, not cause trouble. Do not take it to heart.”
“Muyan is my son. How could I bear ill will toward him? It is only that my daughter-in-law is puzzled. Muyan rarely concerns himself with household trivialities—why not just send Qing Mo? Why go personally?”
“He seems quite special to that young doctor, even giving him his own jade pendant.”
The old lady’s sharp eyes sparkled. “You mean…?”
“My daughter-in-law fears Muyan may be led astray. Though the doctor is from the countryside, he is clever. I worry he might manipulate Muyan and cause trouble.”
The old lady laughed. “Muyan is already grown. If he can’t discern a countryside youth, how could he manage the vast Ning estate in the future? I understand your concern, but do not overthink. Let him gain experience—it is necessary, and not only from household matters.”
Pausing, she added reassuringly, “Although today, Muyan indeed acted unusually, I will keep an eye on him.”
Tan Yun smiled wryly. Seeing the old lady’s words, she dared not comment further and let the matter drop.
“Mother is right.”
“Have some tea.”
Tan Yun drank a cup and then returned. Compared to Xi Jin Garden, Bao’an Hall was simple and belonged to others; usually, she visited only to pay respects and did not linger.
Kang Mama, serving the old lady, said once Tan Yun left, “It was indeed hard work for Madam to make this trip.”
“Since Muyan went out of his way to bring that person over, she naturally felt her pride wounded. Being married into the Ning family is already hard enough for her. But this isn’t really about right or wrong—this trouble was caused by that Qiao Rou girl. Sending her away is for the best; keeping a servant like her in the garden would only invite more trouble.”
Kang Mama nodded, then asked, “Does the old lady intend to see that little doctor from the young master’s garden?”
Ning’s matriarch chuckled lightly. “Today the boy suffered enough at Xi Jin Garden. If I were to summon him here now, what would Muyan think? There’s no need.”
“Madam may have wanted to report the matter, but the young master clearly feels differently about that doctor.”
The old lady said, “How old is Muyan now? He’s past eighteen! At his age, any young man unmarried would already have a whole set of courtesans or a close companion married off. Even Qi Zhuo, who is the same age, has been married for over a year.”
She rubbed her temples. “Over the years, beautiful and gentle girls of all kinds have been arranged for him. Look at who he has asked to serve him.”
Kang Mama smiled. “The young master’s heart is pure. He is not a man of indulgence, focused on his studies and household duties. How could he spare the attention of anyone else?”
The matriarch shook her head. “Even the purest men need someone to attend to them. Now he has brought one along himself—that relieves a concern of mine.”
Kang Mama nodded in agreement. “That young man comes from a respectable family and knows medicine. He can take care of the young master. As long as he has no ill intentions, it’s not a bad match.”
Ning’s matriarch continued, “If Muyan values him, then when a main wife comes in, bringing in a concubine would be fine. Keep an eye on him—when Muyan calls him to serve, bring him to me. I want to see him myself.”
“But don’t let the young man become arrogant or develop improper thoughts.”
Kang Mama responded, “The old lady is very thoughtful.”
…
Bai Lan, having taken a day of rest, struggled to wake early for the study again. San Leng added extra menthol to his wash water—twice the usual amount—to help wake him, yet he still felt dizzy.
He trudged sleepily to the study. Ning Muyan was already at the desk like a statue, alert and focused. Without needing to be told, Bai Lan knew to review his previous lessons first.
Paper out, ink prepared…
After a stick of incense, Ning Muyan finished writing in front of him and looked to the side desk.
Frowning slightly, he walked over softly.
The one who had been writing was now slumped over the desk, breathing evenly.
Ning Muyan shook his head. Falling asleep like this and then going to the academy—no teacher would spare him a scolding.
It was odd. Bai Lan had always been studious and eager to learn, often sneaking off to learn from tutors. Ning Muyan had even sent simple books to him before.
Now… perhaps comfort had made him lazy.
Maybe yesterday’s events had unsettled him, keeping him restless at night, which made Ning Muyan feel concerned.
But on second thought, even if it was pure laziness, it was better than mischief—it was easier to manage. A bit more patient guidance would suffice.
He bent down to take the brush still held in Bai Lan’s hand. Seeing the dark circles under his eyes, he could not bring himself to wake him. The time was still early, and forcing him to study in this state would achieve nothing. He let him rest a while longer.
The hard desk might leave a mark on his face, so Ning Muyan’s gaze swept the study until it rested on a thin blanket hanging on a coat rack.
Folding it into a square, he bent down to gently lift Bai Lan’s head. Just as his hand was about to touch him, Bai Lan’s eyes opened—black and white distinct—and sluggishly looked at him. Gradually, his gaze brightened.
Bai Lan’s mind was still foggy. Seeing Ning Muyan so close, his heart raced: What is he going to do? He’s not… going to touch me, is he?
Seeing Bai Lan’s expression, Ning Muyan felt a little awkward, cleared his throat, and placed the folded blanket on the desk.
Bai Lan noticed the blanket, like a small pillow, and raised his head to look at him.
“Go back to sleep a bit,” Ning Muyan said.
Bai Lan pursed his lips, expecting anger.
Seeing Ning Muyan return to his desk, he hugged the soft blanket to his chest, gently squeezed it, and a small smile appeared on his face.