Chapter 64 Absurd or Not Absurd

Ning Yan truly felt he had gone mad; otherwise, how could he have witnessed such an incredible scene?

He clearly remembered firmly settling the major affair of the top scholar announcement, and then, like Xie An, both he and his nephew remained indifferent to everything, discussing articles and analyzing pros and cons throughout the night until they blissfully slept at dawn.

Waking up refreshed and ready to go home.

Upon leaving the government office, they encountered the bustling scene in the street; this commotion could have been ignored, but since both Censor Platform and emperor had sent people, it was reasonable for a minister relied upon by the emperor to take a look.

Although what happened here was somewhat absurd, he and his nephew did not lose their composure; their expressions and thoughts remained normal, especially Ning Yunzhao, who even asked if it was possible to punish the absurd duo.

Suddenly, amidst normal conversation, Ning Yunzhao stepped forward and blurted out such an absurd statement.

"Because she is my fiancée."

"I have been engaged to Miss Jun since childhood."

"The agreement was to discuss the marriage after the Golden Exam."

His stepping forward was so sudden, and his words equally abrupt, leaving no chance to stop him.

Even in dreams one would not imagine Ning Yunzhao would do or say such things.

Ning Yan looked at Ning Yunzhao, still feeling as if he was in a dream.

This absurd dream.

Too absurd!

Ning Yan slammed his hand heavily on the table.

The sudden noise did not startle Ning Yunzhao; he remained calm, his eyes clear and bright.

"Uncle, it's not madness, but rather an injustice seen, unleashing the fervor of youth," he said.

Ning Yan looked at him.

"Youthful fervor?" he said, "Do you also realize you are no longer a youth? Do you also know that this is madness?"

Ning Yunzhao laughed with a bit of embarrassment, like a child being scolded by an adult, showing embarrassment but not annoyance or nervous regret.

Ning Yan took a few steps forward.

"Do you even know what you are doing?" he paused to ask again.

Ning Yunzhao nodded with a smile.

"Of course, I know," he said, "This matter does sound absurd."

He then grew serious.

"But it only sounds absurd at the moment. Upon inquiring, everyone will know because, after all, it's the truth."

Indeed, the engagement between Ning Yunzhao and Miss Jun was a fact, originally only a private matter within the small confines of Yangcheng between two families. Unfortunately, it was complicated by the Fang Family's tragedy.

Due to the Fang Family seeking revenge and producing an imperial decree, various stories were widely publicized, particularly involving Miss Jun, who played a significant role in the Fang Family's quest. Naturally, her engagement with Tenth Noble Son of the Ning Family was also divulged, as she had initially made quite a spectacle of it.

Although this small-town affair had not spread to the capital, anyone determined enough could find out the details.

Indeed, upon inquiring, one could learn the facts.

Ning Yan inwardly cursed.

"Am I asking whether it's a fact?" he retorted fiercely, "Moreover, is it really the case?"

In fact, the engagement between Ning Yunzhao and Miss Jun had already been dissolved.

Regardless of what popular dramas suggest about deceiving the Fang Family's enemies or enduring humiliation, the engagement had indeed been nullified and ceased to exist.

Now Ning Yunzhao claimed Miss Jun as his own fiancée, implying Lu Yunqi was attempting to snatch another man's wife, and attributing Zhu Zan's actions to defending her honor.

Ning Yan looked at Ning Yunzhao with a grave expression.

"Do you understand what this means?" he said.

Lu Yunqi's status and the reasons for Duke of Chengguo's heir coming to the capital, the status of Duke of Chengguo's heir and the conflagrations behind him between Duke of Chengguo and the dynasty.

The intricate and turbulent relations among these three parties were known even to common folks, let alone Ning Yan's nephew.

Furthermore, at the very scene, he had also told Ning Yunzhao that the emperor knew and disregarded the matter.

The emperor disregards it, yet you, Ning Yunzhao, involved yourself. What does this imply? Does the Ning Family have secret dealings with Duke of Chengguo?

Thus, this matter is utterly absurd. Ning Yan felt at a loss for words once again.

No person with a bit of intelligence and awareness would ever commit such an act.

Ning Yunzhao actually did it.

Apart from thinking this was a dream, Ning Yan had no idea how else to explain it. What made it even more helpless was that at that moment, facing the surprised looks of so many officials and their questions, he could not speak up to rebuke or stop Ning Yunzhao. At least at that moment, he had to stand with Ning Yunzhao, otherwise, the behavior would have been even harder to explain.

Ning Yunzhao nodded.

"I know what this means," he said calmly, "but I think it's not a bad thing, on the contrary, it's a good thing."

A good thing?

Ning Yan looked at him.

"How so?" he asked lightly.

"The marriage arrangement with Miss Jun is real, the engagement is real, the dissolution of the engagement is real, and even the dissolution of the engagement is a rather disgraceful truth," Ning Yunzhao said. "No matter how it's spun, uncle, it is a fact that our Ning Family has broken promises and abandoned righteousness."

Ning Yan remained silent.

"I cannot deny that," he said.

The origin of this engagement was due to Old Master Ning, and so was its dissolution. They adhered to Old Master Ning's wishes without objection, but to be fair, regardless of whether Old Master Ning made a rash decision in a spur of the moment, his word, once given, is hard to retract, and indeed the Ning Family has broken promises and abandoned righteousness.

"Everyone needs to know the truth, and they will think the same," Ning Yunzhao said. "This incident with the Duke of Chengguo's heir and Thousand-Man Commander Lu causing a scene in public may seem like it's their issue, and Miss Jun's, but since it involves Miss Jun's marital issues, it will inevitably also involve our past."

He looked at Ning Yan.

"Uncle, I've now become the top scholar and will naturally be the focus of people in the capital; I cannot avoid this."

Can't avoid it? Ning Yan pondered.

"Rather than waiting for people to use how we broke promises to Miss Jun as gossip," Ning Yunzhao continued, "it's better for me to acknowledge the engagement, which can also spare us from being ridiculed and questioned about the Ning Family's integrity."

There was some sense in this, but this engagement… Ning Yan frowned.

"Miss Jun vaccinated the children of the world, relieving the worries of thousands of people, truly a salvation for the masses," Ning Yunzhao looked at Ning Yan, "Such a person with great virtue and good deeds, uncle, could you possibly not protect her?"

He took a step forward.

"Uncle, protecting such a person of great virtue and good deeds, is it not a merit in itself?"

"Uncle, since it is a great merit, a deed of a gentleman, what is there to fear?"

I see.

Ning Yan's expression turned slightly solemn.

...............….

"I see."

In Jiuling Hall, Jinxiu Fang also listened to Seventh Chen recounting what happened, her expression growing complex and not knowing what to say. The hall was silent for a moment.

"Hmph."

A heavy grunt from a man broke the silence.

Miss Jun looked at Zhu Zan, who was sitting on a chair nearby, smirking coldly.

"Really didn't see that coming," he said. "Miss Jun is quite the romantic."

What an expression.

Jinxiu Fang frowned, while Miss Jun just laughed.

"A wealthy young friend, a talented top scholar," Zhu Zan stood up, arms crossed, eyebrow raised at Miss Jun, "how did they both become your husbands? How many husbands do you have exactly?"

Such a nonsensical question, Jinxiu Fang frowned.

Miss Jun looking at Zhu Zan, held up three fingers.

"Three," she said seriously.

Such a nonsensical answer, Jinxiu Fang glared at Miss Jun once more.

Can you be serious?

"Three?" Zhu Zan looked at her, also frowning, "Who else?"

Miss Jun pursed her lips, smiled, and pointed her fingers towards him.

"You," she said.

Zhu Zan's eyes widened.

Just knew she wasn't serious!