Chapter 113: Now Lofty but Attainable

Lingzhi, ah.

This incident quickly reached the ears of Old Lady Fang and Lady Fang.

They had almost forgotten about this girl and initially did not quite understand why Chengyu wanted to keep this maid at home, perhaps because it was his first time.

Young men tend to remember their first time with a bit more difficulty.

But afterwards, Fang Chengyu didn't pay much attention to this maid, and as he harbored deep feelings for Miss Jun, this maid was left to fend for herself in the courtyard, and they simply couldn't be bothered to care about her.

It turned out that Fang Chengyu had kept her to explain what had happened initially.

And this explanation was not a defense, but an acknowledgment.

To admit one's past shame in front of someone you like takes a lot of courage, not something everyone can do.

"Our Chengyu," Old Lady Fang said with pride.

"Our Chengyu is just that honest," Lady Fang also said with satisfaction and pride.

Our Chengyu is worthy of Jun Zhenzhen.

This thought flashed through Lady Fang's mind, and she felt bewildered again. The girl who was once despised to the point they wanted her out of the house immediately seemed unattainably high in her heart now.

Although she was not very willing to have Miss Jun as her daughter-in-law, because she was too frightening, she always felt on edge around her. But compared to her own anxiety, she was more unwilling to see her son's disappointment.

Let it be, her son had suffered too much in his life. Happiness cannot be bought with riches, so as long as he is happy, that's good.

"How should we deal with Lingzhi?" she asked.

Concubine Yuan came in from outside and laughed upon hearing this.

"Madam need not worry, the young master has already dealt with it," she said.

Already dealt with it? As expected, he dealt with the trouble he had caused himself.

"The young master asked Lingzhi whether she wanted to get married or continue to stay at home," Concubine Yuan said, "Since the initial incident was publicly claimed to be a staged act, her affair with the young master was naturally also an act. This act played a vital role in avenging the Fang Family, and we will not mistreat her."

Old Lady Fang and Lady Fang both nodded in agreement.

Although Lingzhi's actions today were driven by greed, it's undeniable that they had made use of and even spurred her greed.

Now, being able to settle this matter so well was good for Chengyu's reputation.

"Lingzhi chose to get married," Concubine Yuan said, and with a covered laugh added, "She's not foolish either."

At this point, it would be impossible for her to gain the young master's favor by staying in the Fang Family. It would be better to marry off and leave the young master's sight on her initiative, avoiding irritation and distress for everyone. Pleasing the young master would also secure her glory, at least she wouldn't be shortchanged in her dowry.

Old Lady Fang has never cared about money, as any matter that can be solved with money is considered trivial.

"He is responsible for his maids," she said, relieved that this matter was finally resolved, "What are the young master and Miss Jun doing now?"

Miss Jun was indeed resting at Fang Chengyu's side. The maids said she still occupied Fang Chengyu's room, while he slept in the study and had not mentioned changing his residence today.

After all, they were no longer husband and wife; living together like this would look bad.

Old Lady Fang frowned. The child was always wise; why pretend to be confused here?

"The young master went out," Concubine Yuan said, "Miss Jun is reading."

That's fine.

Old Lady Fang's brow smoothed again. Such tranquil days.

Chengyu went out to take charge of family affairs, and she stayed home to read peacefully—a truly serene and peaceful life.

Old Lady Fang felt somewhat content, but this contentment did not last long. A maid entered with a troubled expression.

"Old Lady, Lady Fang, someone is here to see Miss Liu'er," she said after giving a proper greeting.

Someone is looking for Miss Liu'er?

Who has the time to look for Liu'er?

Old Lady Fang and Lady Fang exchanged a glance.

Liu'er also felt impatient; she was busy tidying up the room, changing Fang Chengyu's arrangements to Miss's liking, although there was not much to change.

But as the head maid for Miss, she was very busy, not just anyone could come looking for her.

"Who is it?" Liu'er walked to the door, looking out with a hint of impatience.

A twelve or thirteen-year-old servant boy was beaming with a smile as he greeted with a bow.

"Miss Liu'er." He called out, trying to ingratiate himself.

Liu'er glanced at him.

"I don't recognize you," she said, turning around to leave.

The servant boy hurried forward, bowing repeatedly and calling out affectionately.

"Miss Liu'er, I've been entrusted by someone," he said in a low voice, "It's an old acquaintance of yours."

An old acquaintance?

Liu'er frowned slightly.

The servant boy looked around, then gestured with his hand in a direction, and Liu'er followed where he pointed.

"...Please go over and have a few words..." the servant boy continued.

Before he could finish, Liu'er let out a surprised "ah", her eyes suddenly lighting up.

"Xiaoding." She called out, and then something occurred to her, her voice rising even more, "Is it the son-in-law? Has the son-in-law arrived?"

Son-in-law?

The people at the Fang Family's gatehouse were startled, and so were the passersby on the street.

Son-in-law?

Could it be the one addressed as son-in-law by Miss Jun—is it possibly...

All eyes suddenly turned in that direction.

Xiaoding, peeking around the corner, was so startled by her words and the sharp focus of attention that he retreated.

This wretched girl, what is she shouting about?

He was afraid she would shout, which is why he had an unfamiliar servant boy call her over, and then bring her to this hidden spot to inform her.

He hadn't expected this usually dim-witted girl to respond so quickly at this moment.

Now great, her shouting made everyone notice.

Xiaoding looked somewhat uneasily at the young man standing behind him.

"Young Master, this..." he said with a nervous expression.

Ning Yunzhao had not yet spoken when Liu'er had already run over in a few quick steps.

"Son-in-law, son-in-law, you've come," she shouted out loud, "Are you here to see Miss Jun?"

Xiaoding covered his face with his hand, feeling somewhat dazed; actually, this scene wasn't new to him. He remembered when he and Miss Jun first came here, they ran into the young master at the Lantern Festival, and this girl shouted 'son-in-law' in public just like this.

Back then, the surrounding gazes were shocked and even mocking with disdain, but now it was different.

Xiaoding watched the crowd that had gathered following Liu'er's arrival, their expressions filled with surprise.

"The top scholar."

"Tenth Noble Son."

"Is Tenth Noble Son here to see Miss Jun?"

"Miss Jun just returned, and Tenth Noble Son came to visit, ah."

Along with these teasing and asking voices, even though Tenth Noble Son Ning attracted attention and crowds every time he appeared, Xiaoding, being used to it, couldn't help but feel flushed, possibly because these teasing and laughter made the gaze all the more embarrassing.

"Son-in-law, son-in-law," Liu'er stood in front of him, asking loudly again, "You came to see Miss Jun from our family, right?"

The crowd's gaze also focused on Ning Yunzhao, eyes gleaming and shining.

Is it? Is it?

Tenth Noble Son, are you here to see Miss Jun?

Son-in-law, are you here to see your fiancée?

********************************************

Have a happy weekend.