Ning Yunzhao didn't stay for dinner, which left Fang Jinxiu and Seventh Chen feeling somewhat regretful.
"A new shop opened at the Feiyun Bridge, it's pretty good," he said.
It was an implicit invitation for her to dine out with him.
He paused for a moment.
"It's inconvenient right now," he added. "Maybe another time."
As he spoke, he glanced at Zhu Zan.
From beginning to end, Zhu Zan had been in the courtyard, either practicing with wooden stakes or watching the workers prepare medicine, as though there wasn't an extra guest in the house.
He didn't take the initiative to approach, and Ning Yunzhao didn't go to greet him either.
When Ning Yunzhao glanced over, Zhu Zan's eyes immediately met his.
The look in his eyes was far from friendly.
"Indeed, it's inconvenient. Right now, Lord Ning is in the spotlight. It's best not to get too close to us, lest people suspect collusion." Zhu Zan stood up and said, "It wouldn't be good for anyone."
Ning Yunzhao chuckled.
"Lord Heir can rest assured. His Majesty is wise," he replied, not giving Zhu Zan a chance to continue as he bowed farewell and left.
Miss Jun instructed Seventh Chen to personally escort him out.
"What do you think he meant?" Zhu Zan asked. "'Inconvenient now, maybe later.'"
He mimicked Ning Yunzhao's words.
"As if we're such a bother," he remarked, looking at Miss Jun as he spoke.
"He knows we're helping you, doesn't he? Does he even understand basic decency?"
"You mean the matter with the Heir's Wife?" Miss Jun replied with a faint smile. "You call that helping? Well, he's helped me before too, of course he understands."
Momentarily forgetting that Ning Yunzhao had also once been her fiancé, Zhu Zan found himself at a loss for words.
Miss Jun was already smiling as she turned and leisurely strolled toward the house with her hands behind her back.
"Hey," Zhu Zan called out. "I think he's genuinely sincere about you. The two of you are mutually affectionate, so why not just get married? Wouldn't that be great?"
Miss Jun responded with an indifferent "Oh."
"Sure," she said without turning back.
Zhu Zan quickly caught up to her.
"Be serious, I mean it," he said, poking her shoulder. "When do you plan to get married?"
"Not until after I've cleared your name," Miss Jun said with a playful smile. "I'm a very responsible person."
Zhu Zan scoffed.
"I knew you'd try to cling to me," he said. "You can forget it. Someone like me is beyond your grasp. You'd be better off making do with Ning. Though he's a bit ugly and a bit foolish, he's not too bad."
Miss Jun burst into hearty laughter.
Hearing her laughter from the back courtyard, Seventh Chen, standing at the gate watching Ning Yunzhao leave, clicked his tongue in amusement.
"I have to say, I truly admire the siblings in your family," he remarked.
Fang Jinxiu, flipping through a ledger, looked up.
"What nonsense are you spouting now?" she asked.
"Your brother's talent for sweet-talking is unmatched," Seventh Chen said as he approached the counter. "And Miss Jun, she's no pushover either. Normally, rivals in love should bristle with hostility, but look at them. Noble Son Ning is practically floating on air as he walks away, and the Princely Heir in the back courtyard is still trying to make Miss Jun laugh like that. That's some serious skill."
Fang Jinxiu rolled her eyes.
"Do you want to learn?" she asked.
"Of course," Seventh Chen answered without hesitation.
Fang Jinxiu studied him for a moment.
"After you learn it, who are you planning to sweet-talk, or which jealous rival are you hoping to diffuse with your charm?" she asked.
Seventh Chen let out an awkward laugh.
"You just don't get it," he said seriously. "This skill isn't just for wooing girls or smoothing over lovers' spats. We're in the business world — customers are like sweethearts. Keep them happy, and profits will flow in. Isn't that right?"
"No, it's not," Fang Jinxiu replied just as seriously. "Jiuling Hall gained fame for its notoriety, its arrogance, and its indifference to customers. That's why we're thriving."
Seventh Chen laughed awkwardly again.
"I was just making a point, that's all," he said. "Miss Jun can afford to be arrogant because she has the skills to back it up. I wouldn't dare emulate her."
With that, he glanced inside.
"The Hanlin Imperial Academy asked for two bottles of Concentration Pills. I wonder if they're ready yet. I'll go check."
He scurried off as soon as he finished speaking.
Watching his retreating figure, Fang Jinxiu, who had been expressionless until now, pursed her lips into a faint smile and lowered her head again to focus on the ledger.
After dinner, Miss Jun informed everyone that she would be heading out soon.
Seventh Chen seemed indifferent, but Fang Jinxiu and Zhu Zan both frowned.
"It's too dangerous to go out right now," Fang Jinxiu said.
Zhu Zan nodded in agreement, nodding several times before quickly shaking his head.
"Whether or not you're in danger is your business, but you should at least think about others for once. Wait until our fake marriage issue is resolved before going. Otherwise, I'll have to follow you again, and I'm busy," he explained.
Miss Jun paid him no mind.
"Don't worry. I'm escorting my teacher's wife to a certain place. The Qingshan Army will protect us, so there won't be any issues," she said, flashing a smile at Seventh Chen and Fang Jinxiu. "Even those Jinyiwei couldn't do anything to me before, and now, neither can Lu Yunqi."
In fact, she intended to use this opportunity to lure Lu Yunqi out of the capital.
Back then, Lu Yunqi had planned to abduct her on her way out of the capital, making it look like she had been taken by bandits or had gone missing in an accident. Now, she could do the same to him.
If he dared to follow, she would make sure to kill him and frame it as the work of bandits or an accidental casualty.
"Madwoman," Zhu Zan muttered as if guessing her thoughts. He slammed his chopsticks down and stomped off.
Fang Jinxiu and Seventh Chen exchanged glances.
"Do you really have to go?" Seventh Chen asked.
This might well be her teacher's wife's only wish, so she had to fulfill it.
Miss Jun nodded.
"Then whatever. You always do what you want anyway," Fang Jinxiu said, setting down her chopsticks and leaving as well.
"When they walk away like that, it's not anger — it's because they can't bear to see you leave," Seventh Chen quickly explained with a smile.
Miss Jun smiled and nodded at him.
"I know," she said.
"Hey, not me!"
Zhu Zan's voice came from nearby.
"I'm genuinely angry."
Miss Jun burst out laughing.
"Don't worry. I know that too," she called out with a grin in his direction.
.........…..
At dawn the next day, Seventh Chen entered the front hall to find Fang Jinxiu already seated there.
"Why are you up so early?" he asked, sounding a bit concerned. "Didn't sleep well?"
Fang Jinxiu didn't hide the tiredness in her eyes.
"Traveling requires a lot of preparation," she said. "She always just gives orders while everyone else runs themselves ragged. It's always been like this — so self-centered."
Seventh Chen listened to her complaints with a smile.
"That's because she trusts us. That's why she's so spoiled," he replied.
Fang Jinxiu snorted.
"Don't flatter yourself. You're almost as glib as my brother now," she remarked.
"It's called charm," Seventh Chen corrected with a cheeky grin.
As they bantered, there was a knock at the door.
The door panels hadn't been removed yet since it was still early.
Could it be someone seeking emergency treatment?
Jiuling Hall had never entertained urgent cases; everyone knew not to come and waste time.
"It's probably Noble Son Ning again," Fang Jinxiu muttered, heading toward the door. "Did he come to deliver news again this time?"
As she spoke, she and Seventh Chen removed the door panels, revealing a red figure standing outside.
The figure wore red, but Fang Jinxiu felt her vision momentarily darken, prompting her to take two steps back instinctively.
This person had finally appeared after all, though not as violently as she had imagined.
No forceful entry, no ambush; just him, alone, quietly standing at the door, even politely knocking.
But this was not someone to be judged by appearances.
"You..." she began, then recovered and hurriedly moved to block the doorway. "What do you want?"
In the morning light, Lu Yunqi's face was obscured, but his stance outside the door made no move to push in.
"I want to say a few words to her," he said.