Chapter 69 Congratulations

Fang Chengyu did not show confusion, he just smiled at Fang Yuxiu.

"Of course, Second Sister treats me well," he said.

Fang Yunxiu looked at them.

"What riddle are you trying to solve?" she asked.

Fang Yuxiu looped her arm through hers.

"Big Sister, why do you think Noble Son Ning is helping?" she asked.

Why bring this up again?

"Didn't you say it was Zhenzhen's idea?" Fang Yunxiu said.

"I meant it was Zhenzhen's idea, but what about Noble Son Ning's idea?" Fang Yuxiu said.

Fang Yunxiu, who usually doesn't ponder these matters, reacted by patting her hand.

"Keep it simple," she said.

"I think it's because Noble Son Ning wants to help Zhenzhen and is willing to," Fang Yuxiu said.

It seemed the topic circled back, making Fang Yunxiu pause.

"Why?" she asked again.

"Because he likes her," Fang Yuxiu said earnestly.

Likes her?

Fang Yunxiu was stunned.

Does Tenth Noble Son Ning like Jun Zhenzhen?

How could that be?

Fang Yuxiu looped her arm through hers and smiled at Fang Chengyu.

"I just said that Jun Zhenzhen and Noble Son Ning had discussed it, but actually they hadn't," she said, "Otherwise, Manager Liu and Jun Zhenzhen would have mentioned it in their letters, but neither did, so it must have happened suddenly."

Fang Chengyu nodded with a smile.

"Second Sister is right," he said, "You are really clever."

"That sudden event, how could it be thoroughly planned," Fang Yuxiu said, "A decision made impulsively must be due to some liking, this is the most reasonable explanation, didn't you think of that too, and plan to tell Grandmother and Mother the same?"

Fang Chengyu grinned again.

"Yes, yes," he said.

"So, are you happy that Jun Zhenzhen is protected by the liking of Tenth Noble Son Ning?" Fang Yuxiu playfully asked.

Fang Yunxiu then understood the riddle they had been discussing.

Whether or not Ning Yunzhao likes Jun Zhenzhen is up for debate, but it's well known that Fang Chengyu likes Jun Zhenzhen.

It's indeed a bit too cruel to make someone admit that the person they like is liked by another man.

Thankfully, Fang Yuxiu swiftly took over the conversation, shrewdly deflecting the topic using Miss Jun's idea.

Fang Yunxiu shook her head and tapped Fang Yuxiu.

"You, why tease him?" she said.

"How am I teasing him? Big Sister, I'm just showing concern," Fang Yuxiu seriously said, then looked at Fang Chengyu, "Chengyu, are you happy that Tenth Noble Son Ning is protecting Jun Zhenzhen?"

Fang Yunxiu gave her a stern look.

Fang Chengyu straightened up.

"Second Sister, I like her, and of course, I'm happy that she is liked and protected by someone," he said earnestly, "Would I be happier if she was despised and bullied by everyone?"

"Exactly," Fang Yunxiu said, wrapping her arm around Fang Yuxiu, "Stop talking nonsense."

Fang Yuxiu nodded with a smile.

"This matter seems settled for now," she said, "But we've made enemies with the Jinyiwei, and there will definitely be trouble ahead, we'll take care of the accounts, Chengyu you just focus on the capital."

Fang Yunxiu nodded, and Fang Chengyu also nodded with a smile.

"Alright," he said, watching Fang Yunxiu and Fang Yuxiu walk out.

The room returned to its quiet state, Fang Chengyu's side has few maids, and without being summoned they do not enter.

Fang Chengyu sat motionless in the chair, a smile still on his face as he looked at the letter on the desk in front of him.

He had only read the letter once, but already knew it by heart.

"This method is quite good," he said to himself, clapping with a laugh, "A stroke of genius, indeed brilliant."

He laughed for a moment then suddenly sprawled forward onto the desk, like a tired child in school who sees the teacher step out, exhausted yet relieved.

"But, I am not happy," he said, looking at a large clay doll placed on the desk.

This was bought on the way back from Runan.

Fingers stretched out, poking the chubby smiling face of the clay doll.

Have you ever had that feeling?

Happy is happy, but not cheerful.

Not cheerful, not cheerful, not cheerful.

............

Fang Yunxiao stopped, her expression thoughtful.

"Do you think Noble Son Ning really likes Zhenzhen?" she asked in a low voice.

"If he didn't like her, why would he do such a thing? He's not crazy," Fang Yuxiu laughed.

"It could also be standing up for justice...or perhaps he was angry at Lord Lu of Jinyiwei's actions..." Fang Yunxiao speculated.

Fang Yuxiu chuckled dryly and shook her sleeves.

"Maybe," she said.

Fang Yunxiao followed her.

"Anyway, it's fake, I don't want to think about it anymore," she said.

"Yes, we don't need to think too much about it," Fang Yuxiu pursed her lips and smiled teasingly, "Let the Ning Family people worry about it."

As she finished speaking, the sound of firecrackers erupted.

"Isn't this just for New Year's or someone's wedding?" she looked outside.

The sound of firecrackers rose and fell, growing more and more as if the whole Yangcheng had set off firecrackers, resembling the New Year.

"This is the top scholar's congratulatory arrival," Fang Yuxiu said.

A top scholar occurs only once every three years; indeed, it is a great joy.

"Fortunate and congratulatory," Fang Yunxiao said with hands clasped, "Eldest Madam Ning must be very happy."

Fang Yuxiu smiled.

"It's something to celebrate, but whether Eldest Madam Ning is happy about it, I don't know," she said.

............

Compared to the bustling inside Yangcheng, the Ning Family residence in Beiliu was quite quiet, only many people were going in and out of the mansion, with children running and laughing among them.

But the atmosphere was still very calm and not overly jubilant.

"My Ning Family has forty candidates for the imperial civil service examination, twenty candidates, and nine palace graduates,"

Inside the Ning Family mansion, Eldest Master Ning told everyone with a smile.

"There's nothing worth being ecstatic about; the county is being too extravagant."

Everyone laughed.

"It's proper to celebrate, how can we not because there are many?"

Eldest Master Ning just smiled and said nothing.

In the room behind the partition were the women, with Eldest Madam Ning surrounded by stars and listening to everyone's compliments.

"After all, studying for so long was not in vain," she said with a smile, her expression placid and humble, "Forty candidates, twenty candidates, nine palace graduates, everyone has come this far."

"But this top scholar is something we've never had before," Ning Yunyan said on one side.

She had already styled her hair as a married woman; this morning she received the news, and with her mother-in-law, they personally selected congratulatory gifts. Her husband also put aside his work to accompany her, hurriedly rushing back amidst the envious gazes of her sisters-in-law.

Although happy, there was still some regret.

Just one year late. If only the wedding was set for this year, she could have had a top scholar brother to escort her marriage.

Looking at the smiling faces in the room and listening to the women's congratulations, Ning Yunyan felt a bit dazed.

It's all because of that Jun Zhenzhen.

That cheap slut had even become a divine doctor and made a smallpox vaccine; some idiot relative at her husband's family even suggested placing a longevity tablet for Miss Jun at home to protect the family and children.

How preposterous.

Just as well that a cheap slut is just a cheap slut, good at seducing men; let her be taken by Yama Lu as a concubine, and may she be tortured to death by the princess.

"Ning Yunzhao is twenty this year, right?"

"Should it be time to discuss his marriage?"

The women's words reached Ning Yunyan's ears, snapping her back to reality.

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Sorry, another night has passed.