Chapter 32. Chapter 32. Thank you for personally delivering it, Young Master Ji.

As dusk fell, night descended and Peach Blossom Street gradually fell silent.

In front of Jufu Inn, the old door plaque that was taken down during the day leans against the corner of the wall. The lobby is dimly lit, but by the dim light of the lanterns outside, you can see that the newly removed wooden beams and pillars are neatly stacked against the wall, and the air is filled with the fresh smell of wood chips.

The daytime hustle and bustle has faded, leaving only the occasional chirping of insects. In the small, square courtyard in the backyard, the ground is bathed in soft moonlight.

In the corner, the old persimmon tree, with its gnarled branches, whispers softly in the night breeze as its newly sprouted leaves rustle. A few scattered pale yellow buds quietly bloom on the branches, their blossoms hidden in the leaf axils, shimmering with soft light under the moonlight.

Meng Yutong and Bai Zhi sat side by side on two old wooden chairs by the well, bathed in the shadows of the trees and the moonlight.

Bai Zhi handed over a rough earthenware bowl: "Miss, you must be tired after a long day. Try this. It's a 'Two-Ingredient Decoction' that Uncle Wang from the beverage shop across the street has just brewed. It contains dried tangerine peel and pinellia, and he says it's the best drink to relieve fatigue and quench thirst in late spring."

Meng Yutong accepted the bowl with a smile. There were also some hawthorn pieces in the bowl, making it look very appealing.

She took a small sip from the rim of the bowl, and the warm, slightly spicy liquid slid down her throat, indeed dispelling some of her fatigue and leaving her feeling completely refreshed.

She simply picked up the bowl, tilted her head back, and drank the rest of the beverage in one gulp, her movements displaying a rare sense of boldness and generosity.

"It was truly exhilarating," she sighed contentedly.

Cui Dacheng and Mei San, who were doing odd jobs, had already gone home to rest, and Wu Ming also went upstairs to wash up.

The master and servant stayed behind to tidy up, stealing a moment of leisure.

Bai Zhi rested her chin on her hands, gazing at the sparse stars in the sky, and couldn't help but mutter again, "Miss, the list of medical practitioners will be posted at 5 PM, when will this medical certificate be delivered to us?"

Her eyes were filled with barely suppressed anticipation, and she wondered what the medical sign would look like.

While having dinner at Qinglai Restaurant that evening, Bai Zhi heard that the list had been released. She hurriedly ate a few bites of food and ran to check it. Sure enough, she saw her young lady's name on it.

She heard that the Medical Academy would personally deliver the medical tokens to the locations designated by the examinees in the next two days. Today, while everyone was busy in the clinic, she would come out to look around from time to time, afraid of missing it.

She waited until nightfall, but no one came to deliver the medical plaque, and she couldn't help but feel disappointed.

Meng Yutong casually placed the bowl on the edge of the well, leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes, and said leisurely, "It will take some time to set up the clinic. Whether the medical sign is placed sooner or later won't make a difference. Don't worry."

"Tap, tap, tap."

"Is anyone home?" A strong male voice pierced the silent night.

Bai Zhi sprang to her feet, her eyes instantly brightening like stars: "It must be a medical delivery card! I'll go open the door!" Before she finished speaking, she had already darted out like a deer, replying crisply, "Someone's here! Wait a moment!"

Upon hearing the sound, Meng Yutong opened her eyes, a hint of surprise flashing across them, and also stood up from her chair.

She subconsciously straightened her slightly wrinkled plain dress, her gaze passing through the cluttered aisle towards the lobby entrance, where the shadows were indistinct and hard to discern.

The footsteps approached from afar, steady and powerful.

Ji Yun stood with his hands behind his back, his figure tall and upright. His face appeared even more handsome and aloof in the dim light and shadow in the courtyard. His brows were indifferent and his aura was calm and gentle.

The moon-white robe, like flowing frost, complements the moonlight and tree shadows, creating a unique and ethereal atmosphere.

He casually raised his eyes, glanced around the messy courtyard, and finally fixed his gaze on the graceful figure standing by the well.

Bai Zhi, completely oblivious to the awkward atmosphere, exclaimed excitedly, "Miss! Young Master Ji has come on behalf of the Imperial Medical Academy to deliver your medical token!"

She was only focused on the medical license and completely forgot that Meng Yutong and Ji Yun had only recently broken off their engagement, and their current relationship was... somewhat awkward.

Meng Yutong met Ji Yun's gaze, a perfectly timed, polite smile blooming on her lips. "Thank you for coming, Young Master Ji. My humble abode is under renovation and is in a mess. There is no elegant seat or tea to serve guests. I apologize for the inconvenience."

The small courtyard, already cramped with piles of tables and chairs, felt even more cramped with the sudden addition of two tall men.

She watched Ji Yun quietly, waiting for him to take out the medical card.

The night breeze rustled through the short grass in the yard, making a soft, rustling sound, mixed with some strange noises.

"Miss Meng, are you planning to open a clinic here?" His gaze finally returned to what was in front of him, landing on Meng Yutong's face, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.

Under the soft moonlight, the dappled shadows of the old persimmon tree's gnarled branches gently enveloped Meng Yutong. Her cheeks were flushed with a natural blush from exhaustion and the taste of her drink, and her lips were the color of newly blossoming cherry petals.

The plain-colored dress was stained with a light dust of wood chips, but this did not diminish its elegance; instead, it added a touch of everyday life to it.

She met his scrutinizing gaze, a slight smile curving her rosy lips, her eyes clear and unwavering: "Exactly."

"Why?" Ji Yun asked succinctly, his voice cold and flat.

Meng Yutong's smile remained unchanged, and her voice was clear: "Why must we seek reasons for our actions? We should follow our hearts and act within our capabilities, that's all."

Her demeanor was composed, and her confidence and ease shone brightly in the moonlight.

Just then, the sound of water on the second floor stopped abruptly, and the man's humming also ceased.

The courtyard fell silent instantly.

Yunzhou and Baizhi exchanged a quick glance, both seeing surprise and breathlessness in each other's eyes. They lowered their heads in unison, wishing they could transform into a table or chair in the courtyard and shrink into a corner.

Ji Yun's description of her as a "person of strong emotions" didn't sound like a compliment; to her, it was no different from being called "willful and reckless."

Having spent many years with Ji Yun, Meng Yutong knew perfectly well that for someone like Ji Yun, it didn't matter who he married; it would just mean that the Ji family would have another mistress and he would have another wife.

The reason he asked this question was simply because her sudden disruption of his original, methodical plan had added the trouble of finding another marriage partner and the nagging of his elders.

It's just too much trouble.

Deep down, he was someone who abhorred change and held everything in his heart.

"Young Master Ji, is your question, with a smile still on your lips but a cold tone, an attempt to interrogate me?"

Ji Yun's expression froze. Meng Yutong had a reputation for being gentle and virtuous, and having met her a few times, he could say she was poised and graceful.

He clearly hadn't expected her words to be so sharp and even offensive.

Meng Yutong ignored his expression and continued, "The matter of annulling the engagement was decided by Grandmother. Grandmother and Grandfather have already explained the details clearly. If Young Master Ji still has any questions, you can ask Grandfather Ji."

His eyes darkened slightly, but his face remained calm as he said indifferently, "Miss Meng, you misunderstand. I have some doubts in my mind, hence this question. Please forgive me if I have been presumptuous."

He stopped pressing the matter, glancing slightly to the side, gesturing towards Yunzhou.

Yunzhou immediately composed himself, took out a small ebony box from his robes, and respectfully opened it to present it to Miss Meng: "Miss Meng, this is your medical token. The young master took the opportunity to deliver it."

Bai Zhi quickly stepped forward, took the box, and took out the copper-bound fir wood medical token. She carefully presented it to Meng Yutong, her voice filled with joy: "Miss, look! It's a medical token!"

Meng Yutong lightly touched the cool wood and copper edges with her fingertips, gazing intently at the deep patterns and characters on them, her fingertips gently caressing them.

A touch of warmth swept across his eyes.

She raised her head, nodded slightly to Ji Yun, and resumed her demeanor as a well-bred young lady in everyone's eyes: "Thank you for your personal escort, Young Master Ji. It is late and the dew is heavy, so please excuse me for not seeing you off any further. Please go ahead."

Ji Yun simply nodded slightly, said nothing, and turned to leave.

The cloud boat followed closely behind.

As the two walked to the narrow path leading from the courtyard to the front hall, Ji Yun suddenly stopped. Yun Zhou, puzzled, also stopped.

Ji Yun slightly turned his head, his clear and cool voice slowly echoing in the night, "There is one more thing I hope you will know, Miss. This year's new regulations stipulate that those who hold this medical license must be recommended by a registered medical officer of the Medical Academy and have their names entered into the medical practice register before they can officially practice medicine. Do not overlook any of the subsequent procedures."

After saying this, he took a step forward, the corner of his moon-white robe brushing against the door frame, leaving a faint shadow.

Meng Yutong was looking down at the Chinese medicine card in her hand, admiring it, when she heard this, her mind went blank.

The Imperial Medical Academy? Recommendation? She hadn't established any connections in Lin'an, so how could she have known any registered medical officials?

Without a recommendation, wouldn't this medical certificate, which was obtained with great effort, be nothing more than a piece of useless wood?

"Young Master Ji, please wait." She reacted quickly, swiftly putting the medical token into her bosom and catching up in a few steps. Bai Zhi also hurriedly followed.

The group moved from the cramped courtyard to the lobby, which was also filled with clutter, making the space feel even more oppressive.

Upon hearing the sound, Ji Yun turned around and his gaze fell on Meng Yutong, who had come after him.

His gaze swept quickly and imperceptibly over her swaying skirt and slightly disheveled hair, before returning to its calm state.

"Miss Meng, do you have any further advice? If not, it's already late, and I shouldn't disturb you any longer." His tone was distant, exactly the same as when Meng Yutong had dismissed the guest earlier.

Meng Yutong quickly smiled, turned to Bai Zhi, and said in a low voice at a rapid pace: "Go to the beverage shop across the street and buy two more servings of 'Er Chen Tang Yin Zi' (a type of herbal drink). Oh, and don't add hawthorn."

Although Bai Zhi was unaware of the reason, she did not hesitate and answered "Yes," quickly bypassing the clutter and leaving the house.

Yunzhou immediately cupped his hands in greeting: "This subordinate will go and help Miss Baizhi!" Before he finished speaking, he had already slipped out the door.

In an instant, the noise subsided, and in the dimly lit hall, only the two of them stood facing each other.

The piled-up wooden tables and chairs cast long, dark shadows, while a sliver of moonlight peeked through the crack in the door, perfectly separating the two people at the boundary between light and darkness.

A silent stillness spread out as if it were a tangible presence, with only dust particles silently floating and sinking in the faint beam of light.

Ji Yun did not urge her, but simply watched her quietly.

Finally, he parted his thin lips slightly, and his cool voice broke the silence, "Miss Meng, how do you know I don't eat hawthorn?"

Meng Yutong suddenly gripped the corner of her sleeve tightly. Oh no, she had forgotten for a moment.

Ji Yun gets prickly heat after eating hawthorn, so she always pays extra attention to whether there is hawthorn in his food.

It's become a habit...