Eldest Madam Ning naturally did not make a scene, as Eldest Master Ning, who had already been persuaded, stopped her.
"It was fake from the start," Ning Yunzhao said, smiling to comfort her.
The same words now seemed so awkward to hear; Eldest Madam Ning looked at him.
"But your intentions were real," she said with a sigh.
Eldest Master Ning felt the situation was somewhat strange; the words remained the same, but why had the roles of the speakers shifted?
Hearing about the annulled engagement, shouldn't Eldest Madam Ning be jumping for joy? Yet, she was dissatisfied?
Could this be a case of not cherishing what one has until it's gone and then regretting it?
"If only you had agreed earlier, there wouldn't be so much trouble," he said irritably.
The "earlier" he referred to was not a few days ago, but when Jun Zhenzhen first arrived in Yangcheng.
"At that time, you didn't agree, either," said Eldest Madam Ning, both aggrieved and angry. "Everyone in the family disagreed. Weren't you all mocking and insulting her?"
Ning Yunzhao smiled and stopped his parents' quarrel.
"No, this has nothing to do with the past," he said. "For Miss Jun, it was already over from the beginning. It was only me who started everything again. All of this concerns only myself; she actually doesn't need it."
All this talk, wasn't it just to say that Miss Jun didn't fancy him?
Eldest Master Ning snorted, while Eldest Madam Ning looked despondent and anxious.
"Why, why wouldn't she fancy him?" she said. "Where is our Yunzhao lacking?"
As soon as she spoke these words, Eldest Madam Ning felt conflicted.
Previously, she was displeased at the thought of Miss Jun favoring Ning Yunzhao. Now, she was displeased by the suggestion that Miss Jun did not fancy Ning Yunzhao.
Ning Yunzhao smiled.
"Such matters are illogical," he said. "Mother, for some things, once I know the outcome, there's no need to ask why."
It wasn't a joyful topic to continue discussing; asking further would only add to the sorrow. Eldest Madam Ning watched her son's smile, her heart filled with mixed feelings.
Could this also be considered getting what one wished for?
But it didn't feel truly joyful.
"It's alright, there are plenty of good girls out there. I will pick another for you carefully," she said.
Ning Yunzhao smiled.
"There's no rush," he said. "I will return to the capital first to start my official career. Troublesome times are just around the corner."
Eldest Madam Ning nodded in agreement quickly.
"Yes, indeed, no rush," she said. "You should establish your career first."
Ning Yunzhao left the room, and a repressive silence fell upon the space.
Eldest Master Ning sat in his chair, no longer needing to hide his displeasure in front of his son, and his face was stern.
"Did this engagement fail because of me?" Eldest Madam Ning couldn't bear the silence and spoke first.
"What? Do you still think you helped?" Eldest Master Ning said with annoyance.
Now, whenever Miss Jun was mentioned, Eldest Master Ning would inevitably show impatience towards her.
Eldest Madam Ning wanted to argue but had nothing to say, so she just clenched her fists in frustration.
Compared to the Ning Family's dour atmosphere, laughter had persisted for quite a while in Old Lady Fang's room in Yangcheng's Fang Family.
"This is so satisfying!"
Old Lady Fang slapped the table as she spoke.
"Utterly satisfying!"
Lady Fang was calm and composed, while Concubine Yuan was laughing so hard that tears came out.
"I really regret not going along," she said. "I would have loved to witness that scene."
With a sigh, she continued, "Remember when our Lady visited their Ning Family? The humiliation she suffered was tremendous."
Old Lady Fang snorted.
"Indeed, how the tables have turned. Finally, we had the chance to say to their faces, 'We do not recognize this engagement, our Zhenzhen will not marry,'" she said.
"It has been already said," said Concubine Yuan. "From the moment Zhenzhen demanded five thousand taels to cancel the engagement, it was made clear that we no longer wanted the Ning Family."
"Now everything is settled," Old Lady Fang exhaled and took a sip of tea, sitting contentedly. "Revenge taken, grievances repaid, and now we're free from each other, with no debts owed."
More importantly, Miss Jun did not fancy Noble Son Ning, so they no longer needed to worry about Chengyu.
However, Miss Jun was about to leave.
"Madame, will the young master say anything to Miss Jun before she leaves?" Concubine Yuan couldn't help but ask.
Since Miss Jun didn't fancy Noble Son Ning, could she fancy the young master? After all, she had been so good to him.
"To say it now, wouldn't that be inappropriate?" Lady Fang said.
It wasn't that Tenth Noble Son Ning was unsuitable, it's just that Miss Jun wouldn't fancy someone like him, and it wasn't because she looked down on her own son, just that she felt Miss Jun's standards were a bit high.
As for the Ning couple's frustration, the joy and apprehension of the Fang family's mother and daughter-in-law, neither Fang Chengyu nor Miss Jun ventured guesses or discussions.
It was as if today's events had been completely forgotten.
Miss Jun watched Liu'er pack, although there really wasn't much to pack, just a few outfits like before.
"You should bring my tent set," Fang Chengyu said. "It's especially convenient."
Miss Jun nodded and answered with a yes.
"Also, bring a cook. Actually, eating and drinking well on the road won't really affect the travel schedule," Fang Chengyu added.
Miss Jun nodded and answered with a yes.
Fang Chengyu's eyes narrowed into a smile.
"Bring me along too," he said. "I'll keep you company with conversation."
Miss Jun glared at him.
Fang Chengyu laughed and collapsed onto the recliner.
"I will also keep Miss company," Liu'er said.
"What you say isn't as pleasant as what I say," Fang Chengyu teased with a smile. "And you're not as good-looking as I am."
Liu'er glared.
"You're not as good-looking as Noble Son Ning," she retorted.
Miss Jun laughed and waved her hand.
"Go on, pack your things. We're leaving early tomorrow," she instructed.
Liu'er huffed at Fang Chengyu and then left without another word.
Fang Chengyu sat up.
"Gongzhu, how did you speak to Noble Son Ning?" he suddenly asked.
Such a question... Miss Jun looked at him, witnessing the curiosity on his face.
"What is there to say about such a thing," she laughed. "Simply didn't fancy him."
Fang Chengyu put his hand on his face and fell back onto the bed.
"This really is quite embarrassing," he said.
Miss Jun laughed heartily.
"You're just a kid, don't worry so much," she said.
A kid, huh? Fang Chengyu rubbed his nose and sat up again.
"Gongzhu, I've always wanted to ask you a question," he said, straightening himself up.
Seeing his serious expression, Miss Jun also became more formal.
"Ask away," she offered.
"You," Fang Chengyu looked at her, "why are you so good to Liu'er?"
Huh?
Miss Jun blinked, momentarily confused.
"I mean," Fang Chengyu leaned in, voice low and serious, "Liu'er is so silly, you can't fail to see that, so why do you indulge her?"
Miss Jun laughed heartily.
"Watch out, or Liu'er might fight you," she warned him.
Fang Chengyu didn't laugh, he just looked at her earnestly.
Really waiting for an answer.
Miss Jun's smile faded.
"Because I envy her," she admitted.
Envy? Fang Chengyu watched her.
"Being able to live so foolishly and willfully, it truly is enviable," Miss Jun said softly, then continued to speak with a slight smile.
She couldn't live like that. Was it also a joy for her to watch others do so?
Has she become someone who can only observe happiness? What was the cause of her unhappiness? What would it take for her to be happy?
Fang Chengyu watched her, and he, too, smiled faintly.
"I understand," he said, nodding, "Indeed, it's very enviable."
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Thank you to Lin Zhenzhen for rewarding Xianpaoyuan, much appreciated.
Thanks to Nanfang de Bing Yi, ?Last Shot? for the money and He's Bi reward.
Thank you all, (*^__^*)