A somewhat rough teapot was lifted by elongated and refined hands, pouring out brown soup tea, its fragrance overflowing and slightly steaming in the heat.
Ning Yunzhao put down the teapot, looking at the woman's face and eyes as she held the tea bowl with both hands and drank, seeming distant yet near in the steam.
"Saying it's a reward from De Sheng Chang, a good thing certainly isn't a good thing." He continued to say.
Miss Jun raised her eyes, holding the tea bowl.
"Why?" she asked.
Ning Yunzhao saw the smile in her eyes and he smiled as well.
"Because it was suggested by a bad person." He leaned slightly forward and lowered his voice.
Miss Jun laughed heartily while holding the tea bowl.
.......
........
"What's so funny, this Ning guy is now a famous sycophant, utterly disgracing the scholars." Zhu Zan muttered, looking towards the teahouse, suddenly noticing Miss Jun's gaze directed towards them, he quickly shrank back into the alley.
Zhang Baotang was startled and almost knocked over.
"Second Brother, aren't you going in?" he asked, "What's the point of just watching here?"
"Why should I go in? It's none of my business." Zhu Zan said, "I followed her just to prevent the Jinyiwei from causing trouble, you understand?"
Zhang Baotang made an 'oh' sound, scratching his head, feeling partially understanding and partially confused.
Zhu Zan continued to lean forward, preparing to look outside, when suddenly a person popped up before his eyes.
"Brother."
Accompanied by a clear shout.
Zhu Zan was startled, holding onto the wall to prevent his fist from swinging out.
"What are you doing?" he snapped, looking at the young man in front in ornate clothes.
Fang Chengyu looked a bit anxious, blinking his eyes.
"I didn't mean to, I saw you here, so I just came to say hello." He said, directing his gaze towards Zhang Baotang, "Am I disturbing you?"
Seeing the young man's frightened look, Zhang Baotang quickly waved his hand.
"No, no." he said.
Zhu Zan sneered.
"Alright, stop pretending, she's not in front of you." he said, "I know you did it on purpose."
Fang Chengyu grinned without arguing, adjusting his expression.
"Brother, did you find me an archery teacher?" he asked.
"Found, found." Zhu Zan said, gesturing behind him, "That's him."
It turned out that he was looking for an archery teacher for this young man, Zhang Baotang wanted to speak but saw Fang Chengyu just standing before Zhu Zan.
"So quick." he said, "The capital sure has many talented people, Brother you are amazing too."
Zhu Zan stood straight, looking at him.
"Why not we go to your place, let the teacher see my skills, so he can decide how to teach me." Fang Chengyu said seriously while looking at him, "And not thwart Duke's intentions."
This is a good idea, Zhang Baotang nodded repeatedly, this young man is very sensible.
Zhu Zan smiled, laid a hand on Fang Chengyu's shoulder, and led him out.
"Little friend, I told you to pester her, not me." he said, tilting his chin towards the teahouse over there, "Did you see? Now the one beside her is Mr. Ning, why are you here nagging at me? Are you stupid?"
Fang Chengyu laughed.
"Miss Jun is doing serious work, how could I disturb her." he said.
"And I am not doing serious work?" Zhu Zan raised his eyebrows, surveying the surroundings, "Do you know how many spies are watching around here? Do you know how those few passersby, those few merchants, can become fierce tigers and evil dogs at any time?"
Fang Chengyu made an 'oh' sound.
"Indeed, the capital is not easy to live in." he said, earnestly nodding, "Thank you, Lord Heir, for taking care of Miss Jun."
This clever little rascal, Zhu Zan looked at him, his expression slightly odd.
Does he know...
Also, he always calls her Miss Jun, not Cousin.
"You just called me Miss Jun, can you call me again, just the name."
Miss Jun.
Miss Jun.
Zhu Zan's ears echoed with what that woman had said before.
Beneath the starry sky, the noise and merriment actually hid deep solitude, concealed unspoken loneliness and remembrance, just wanting to be called Miss Jun.
Zhu Zan raised his hand, clenched his fist hard, and muttered something between gritted teeth.
Not as clever as this mischievous kid.
"Brother, what's wrong?" Fang Chengyu asked.
Zhu Zan was just about to speak when suddenly the woman appeared before his eyes, he was shocked and cried out in surprise, stepping back.
"Miss Jun." Fang Chengyu happily stood over and called.
Miss Jun looked at him and then at Zhu Zan.
"What are you guys talking about?" she asked, "Why not come in?"
"I'm not going in, Brother found me an archery teacher." Fang Chengyu said.
Zhang Baotang came over with guards to greet.
"Can I go and try now with the teacher?" Fang Chengyu asked eagerly but also urgently.
Miss Jun nodded with a smile, looking at Zhang Baotang.
"Sure, sure." Zhang Baotang quickly nodded.
"Let's go, Brother." Fang Chengyu said, looking towards Zhu Zan.
Zhu Zan seemed as if he had just been discovered, feeling Miss Jun's gaze towards him, he hurriedly looked around.
"I have something to do." he said, saying that he turned and left.
The movement was quick and sudden, everyone present froze for a moment.
After knowing such a shocking thing last night, and now can still not scream hysterically and appear normal, Miss Jun was already very impressed, not daring to confront herself nor knowing how to, this reaction was very normal.
"Go ahead." she said to Fang Chengyu with a nod.
Fang Chengyu and Zhang Baotang left together, took a few steps back, Miss Jun already reentered the teahouse again, even though Zhu Zan's figure wasn't seen on the street, Fang Chengyu knew he was certainly nearby.
Fang Chengyu retreated his gaze, lightly sighed apologetically.
"Brother, I can only pester you, because Miss Jun doesn't like Mr. Ning." he murmured in a low voice.
.......
......
"Young Master coming is more suitable than Old Lady Fang coming." Inside the teahouse, Ning Yunzhao withdrew his gaze from the distant Fang Chengyu, saying with a smile, "Young people have fewer ties and are easier to let go."
"More ties for the elder people is unavoidable." Miss Jun said.
Ning Yunzhao nodded without continuing the topic.
"You just said you've been betrothed again." he said, "This time it's good."
Then he laughed again.
"The previous time was good too, all were noble achievements, only mine wasn't."
The reason for dissolving the engagement with Ning Yunzhao was the disagreement between both elders.
Miss Jun laughed.
"Then you were the only one most aggrieved." she said, "I ought to apologize to you."
Force is always reciprocal, whether it was engagement reasons with Fang Chengyu or with Duke of Chengguo's heir's reasons, all were praised for righteousness, belonging to her righteousness, Fang Family and Duke of Cheng's family were equally praised.
Ning Yunzhao held the teacup.
"Then should I be compensated?" he asked with a smile.
"Sure." Miss Jun replied without hesitation, "What do you want?"
Ning Yunzhao pondered earnestly for a moment.
"I truly don't lack anything, can't think of anything for the moment." he said.
Miss Jun laughed heartily.
"No rush, take your time to think." she said.
"Whenever once it counts?" Ning Yunzhao asked.
Miss Jun nodded.
Ning Yunzhao said nothing, lifted his teacup, Miss Jun understood his intent, smilingly raised her cup and lightly clinked it with his.
The only thing he lacks, he wants but can't get.
Ning Yunzhao smiled, raised his head and drank it all in one go.