When Bai Lan returned home, he was still somewhat dazed. How had he suddenly gained a godfather and godmother? But this was less surprising than the fact that it was the Grand Tutor himself.
Madam Shi had never borne children and had remained close to her husband; because of this, any adopted child would hold a special place. Besides Bai Lan, there were no other godchildren.
Bai Lan considered that the Shi couple treated Ning Muyan as their own son; now, he himself had become their son. He was lost in thought, wondering how Ning Muyan had persuaded them.
“For your sake, he certainly put some thought into it,” Jiang Zichun said.
Bai Lan turned and murmured: “Father.”
Jiang Zichun patted his hand: “Since he cared enough to do this, I have nothing to say. In the future, you must also show filial respect to the Shi couple.”
“Yes,” Bai Lan replied, distracted, eager to see Ning Muyan immediately.
But Ning Muyan was still at the mansion and had not yet returned to the academy.
Since morning, Ning Muyan had remained in the study. Today, he did not attend to academy affairs or write at his desk; he simply stood by the window, hands behind his back, for an hour or two.
It wasn’t until Qing Mo hurried in that some spark returned to his eyes.
“Master, a letter from the Shi residence,” Qing Mo said.
Ning Muyan immediately took the letter, opened it, and upon reading it, his brow furrowed slightly before relaxing. He picked up the long-cooled cup of tea beside him.
“Go to Xijin Garden. Today, we’ll have a meal with the family together.”
Qing Mo’s lips curved in a small smile: “Yes, sir.”
Ning Muyan adjusted his clothes and headed toward Bao’an Hall.
“Why didn’t you go to the academy today?”
The elderly grandmother, who had just taken her medicine and felt quite well, waved to him with a smile.
“The academy is nearly ready. Students will begin classes tomorrow. Today, I rest and accompany Grandmother for a meal.”
She nodded: “You’ve worked hard these past days. I hear your teacher has returned to the city. How is Madam Shi’s health?”
“Madam Shi’s condition is as usual. Winter in the city is warmer than the capital, and she plans to spend the season here. The New Year will be lively.”
The elderly, appreciating both tranquility and occasional festivities, were pleased to hear the Shi family would celebrate the New Year in the city.
“Brother!”
The two had barely exchanged words when Ning Zhengyu ran in.
Grandmother smiled: “Today, Zhengyu has come as well.”
Ning Muyan said: “With the academy about to open, I thought the family could share a meal. There’s also something I wish to tell everyone.”
Grandmother assumed he meant academy matters and did not ask further, saying only: “It’s been a while since the family has dined together.”
At noon, the four members of the Tan and Ning families gathered in Bao’an Hall for the meal.
“Now that the academy affairs are mostly settled, the mansion has felt rather quiet,” Ning Muyan said, placing a dish in his grandmother’s bowl. “Today, since the whole family is here, I have something to announce: I am preparing to marry.”
Tan Yun froze in surprise, hardly able to believe that Ning Muyan would speak of marriage—and that it was he himself who had brought it up.
The grandmother was equally astonished, though the shock lasted only a moment before giving way to joy. She had always thought Ning Muyan indifferent to such matters, worrying and working diligently on everything else; now that he brought it up himself, the process would be far easier than if the elders had suggested it.
“All right, all right,” the grandmother said, repeating the words to express her approval. “You’re no longer young; this is the proper age to marry.”
The two elders at the table showed expressions of surprise, though Ning Zhengyu did not. He had long known of Ning Muyan and Bai Lan’s relationship; ever since his brother returned from the capital, the two had often excluded him, leaving him certain they were close.
Now that his brother spoke, Ning Zhengyu simply smiled, looking at his grandmother and mother. Seeing her so overjoyed, he didn’t dare warn her to temper her excitement—after all, one never knew if his brother would finish speaking, or if someone would still have to go to the ancestral hall.
“There are many good families in the city, and over the years several have shown interest in you. Grandmother…”
The grandmother hadn’t finished her sentence when Ning Muyan interjected: “Grandmother, Mother, there’s no need to worry. I’ve already chosen someone.”
“Oh?” The grandmother’s eyes widened slightly. “You’ve already made your choice?”
Tan Yun, recalling her close dealings with the Bian family, had originally intended to match Ning Muyan with one of their daughters, praising the family to the grandmother. But when the Bian family learned that Ning Muyan had not entered officialdom in the capital, their attitude changed entirely. She had been scolded by the grandmother for misjudging the family and advised to be cautious with future dealings, while the city’s gentry had also mocked her.
Afterward, she let the matter drop entirely, focusing instead on Ning Zhengyu’s upcoming exams.
Now that Ning Muyan said he intended to marry, she had nothing to add—though hearing that he had already chosen someone, curiosity stirred: “Which family? Could it be the Qin family from Nanyuan? I remember Miss Qin admired Muyan since childhood.”
“Not the Qin family,” Ning Muyan said directly. “The Shi family—my teacher’s household.”
The grandmother chuckled: “The Shi and Ning families have had close ties for many years. Even after your parents passed and the Ning family fell on hard times, the Shi family remained steadfast. Such loyalty is rare.”
“Your parents once hoped the two families could be joined by marriage, but Madam Shi’s health has always been frail, and your teacher has been devoted, never taking another. How could a child have come from this?”
Ning Muyan replied calmly: “Madam Shi will be spending the winter in the city to restore her health. My teacher adopted a godson to assist in her care, and I wish to marry him.”
“A godson? When did this happen? I had no idea,” the grandmother exclaimed.
Not only was she surprised; the others in the room also set down their chopsticks to look at Ning Muyan.
“Only recently,” Ning Muyan said gently. “Grandmother knows him—an old acquaintance. His name is Bai Lan.”
“Jiang Bai Lan!”
Tan Yun shouted, then realized her outburst and blushed. She couldn’t help it; after all, she had been the one to trouble him before. Now that they were effectively becoming one family, she had little choice but to restrain herself.
“He…” The grandmother’s expression was no longer as clear as before—not angry, but complex.
“Bai Lan is considerate and skilled in medicine. Both my teacher and Madam Shi like him very much.”
Seeing the grandmother hesitate, Tan Yun quickly added: “But Muyan, he is, after all, a country doctor, unrefined in scholarly etiquette. How can he compare with the ladies and gentlemen of the city?”
Ning Zhengyu quickly defended his brother: “I think Bai Lan is fine. He may not know poetry or etiquette, but he isn’t arrogant. City gentry don’t know medicine either. Everyone has their strengths.”
Tan Yun shot him a sharp glance; the little rascal elbowed outward, cheekily.
Ning Zhengyu shrank under her gaze, knowing he’d be scolded later in the garden—but he didn’t want his brother marrying someone else. Besides, if they got someone like Bian Daiyun with a terrible temper, who knew what havoc she could wreak in the household?
“Grandmother has always liked Bai Lan, hasn’t she? Always praising his intelligence and skill. She said she wanted to find him a good match. He even took care of your health—if he marries your brother, he’ll be able to serve the family better. Who else could do that?”
The grandmother had been about to advise Ning Muyan, but recalling her earlier wish to match him with the Shi family, she found it difficult to speak against him. Seeing Ning Zhengyu speak up made it even harder.
Indeed, Bai Lan had been diligent in caring for her health. To say he was unsuitable now would appear ungrateful.
“You’re not just informing the family, are you? You’re discussing it with them,” she said, looking at Ning Muyan, inwardly sighing at her unpredictable grandson.
He understood her mixed feelings—relieved yet worried.
“Muyan simply feels this is the best outcome, and he thought grandmother would feel the same as I do.”
The grandmother put down her chopsticks, neither agreeing nor refusing. The meal ended quietly.
“Brother, do you think grandmother will agree?”
On the way home, Ning Zhengyu knew he’d be scolded by Tan Yun, so he simply followed Ning Muyan to the Low Twilight Garden.
“Whether grandmother agrees or not, I’ve already made up my mind.”
Ning Muyan entered the study and sat at his desk. Ning Zhengyu, seeing his brother’s determined expression, relaxed slightly—but still worried about the household chaos that might ensue.
When he saw the draft of the betrothal gifts on the table, his eyes nearly popped out: “Brother, you’ve already prepared the betrothal gifts?”
Ning Muyan didn’t hide anything, letting Ning Zhengyu look over the papers: “Just see if there’s anything I’ve overlooked.”
Though Zhengyu was still young and likely knew little about these matters, he could spot flaws outsiders might notice. Ning Muyan, however, had drafted everything himself, mindful only that he might not have thought of every detail.
The past days at the academy had been busy, but merely tedious; careful preparation was enough. What truly unsettled him was Bai Lan. Ning Muyan had long planned to have his teacher adopt Bai Lan as a godson—he knew only the Shi family could help persuade his grandmother.
He was fairly confident the teacher would agree, but the teacher had been in the capital, busy with state affairs. Ning Muyan couldn’t trouble him for personal matters until the timing was right. Yet with Bai Lan, the infrequent meetings left both of them longing; parting always brought unease, fearing Bai Lan might lose hope and refuse to wait.
Fortunately, fate had allowed the teacher to return to the city. During nights filled with longing, Ning Muyan had only his pen and the meticulous drafting of betrothal gifts to occupy him, finding some measure of peace in the process.
Ning Zhengyu looked over the stack of ten or so papers, some revised and recopied, others scrapped. It was clear how carefully his brother had prepared.
“You’ve thought of everything so thoroughly,” he said.
Ning Muyan didn’t smile; praise meant less than useful input. Zhengyu, sensing this, sat closer.
“Brother, whatever betrothal gifts you prepare will reflect the Ning family’s standing,” he offered.
“And Bai Lan’s background is humble. The dowry might not match the city gentry’s. Brother, perhaps you should prepare it yourself, give it to him beforehand—then when the marriage happens, it will look better.”
Ning Muyan’s eyes lit up. He patted Zhengyu’s shoulder: “You’ve thought this through carefully.” He picked up his brush: “I’ll use my personal wealth for Bai Lan’s dowry. When he leaves the Shi household, no one will have anything to say—it will be seen as the Shi family valuing him. In a couple of days, when Qi Zhuo returns to the city, I’ll take these papers to him.”
Zhengyu smiled: “Then nothing can go wrong.”
“All that remains is grandmother’s approval.”
Ning Muyan tapped Zhengyu’s forehead: “Bai Lan is now also a Shi family member. Naturally, the mother of the groom would concern herself. I can’t guarantee grandmother’s consent, but if Madam Shi speaks on his behalf, how could grandmother refuse?”
“You really have thought of everything,” Zhengyu said.
The next day, Qingshan Academy opened in a lively ceremony. Ning Muyan went to oversee the preparations, while Madam Shi arrived at the Ning household in her sedan chair.
Bai Lan had risen before dawn, aware the academy would be bustling, and slipped in through the back gate of the medical hall. He entered the academy’s rear garden.
Scholars filled the square, listening to the headmaster’s instructions. Bai Lan hid on the garden’s viewing platform, watching Ning Muyan in his dark swallow-colored robe, giving a speech about serving the country and its people.
His face was striking; the robe added gravity, but youth still shone through. The students below ranged from eight or nine years old to almost elderly, listening with respect that at times seemed comical.
Bai Lan crouched, absorbed in the clear, resonant voice, losing track of time. By the time the crowd dispersed, he realized it was too late—students were heading to their classrooms.
He waited for everyone to enter, but soon heard footsteps on the stairs. Drawing a deep breath, he wondered if it was a wandering cleaner or a lost visitor—only to see Ning Muyan climbing up, holding his robe.
Relieved, Bai Lan asked: “It’s over?”
Ning Muyan pulled him into his arms. Bai Lan froze: “What’s the matter?”
“When do you want to marry?”
The abrupt question left Bai Lan speechless. After a long pause, he asked, “Did you tell the grandmother about us?”
“Yes.”
Bai Lan tried to step away, but Ning Muyan held him firmly.
“Then you weren’t punished again, right? I didn’t see you yesterday when I wanted to visit,” Ning Muyan teased.
“No, all is well.”
“You look like you suffered greatly,” Bai Lan said, gently pushing him: “This is the academy; if someone sees, it wouldn’t be proper. I need to speak with you.”
Before he could continue, a dry cough sounded.
Bai Lan’s heart jumped; flustered, he pushed Ning Muyan away, only to see Ning Zhengyu covering his mouth and smirking.
“You…” Bai Lan sighed in relief, annoyed: “Why are you here?”
“I came to see the academy. I didn’t expect this—tsk, the students are unruly. Even the head of the academy sets a bad example,” Ning Zhengyu shook his head.
Bai Lan blushed: “Don’t talk nonsense—the young master isn’t well.”
Raising an eyebrow, Zhengyu said: “Oh? Feeling better when hugged, is that it?”
“Not exactly,” Ning Muyan said. “Little Doctor Jiang was only checking my pulse.”
Zhengyu rolled his eyes, seeing his brother teasing, and interrupted: “Enough, both of you are pretending too much.”
“I came to report,” he added. “Madam Shi has arrived. It’s done!”