birthday banquet
The tenth day of March is Zhong Ningning’s birthday.
Mrs. Zhou invited young ladies and young masters from various mansions. This banquet was not only for Zhong Ningning's birthday, but mainly for Zhong Ningning to see her.
The people of the Song Dynasty were open-minded and women did not get married early. Girls of marriageable age in the capital usually got engaged at the age of fifteen or sixteen and got married at the age of seventeen or eighteen.
Zhong Ningning came of age last year, and Mrs. Zhou had long wanted to arrange her marriage. If Zhong Ningning hadn't been constantly objecting, she would have found a good marriage for her last year.
Mrs. Zhou's biggest wish in her life was to see her daughter get married. She was worried that all the good men had been picked away, so she was so anxious to find a husband for her daughter.
At first, Zhong Ningning thought that her mother had only invited some relatives, but when she saw that half of the men on the list in the capital were of the same age as her, she knew what her mother was planning.
Mrs. Zhou woke Zhong Ningning up early in the morning and urged her to get dressed.
Zhong Ningning hugged Lin Yan tightly and refused to let go, crying, "I won't go, even if you kill me, I won't go."
Mrs. Zhou pulled Zhong Ningning and persuaded her, "We're not getting married right away, we're just getting to know each other."
Zhong Ningning knew that she could not persuade her mother, so she turned to Lin Yan for help: "Sister, please persuade my mother."
Lin Yan held back his laughter and pried open Zhong Ningning's hands one by one, "Go quickly, don't let your mother down, maybe you can meet your ideal husband."
Lin Yan deliberately dragged out the last word of the last sentence, making Zhong Ningning's face blush.
Just like that, Zhong Ningning was dragged by Mrs. Zhou to dress up. Before leaving, she did not forget to remind Lin Yan: "The banquet will start soon, Xiao Yan, remember to come and check on Ningning later."
"Okay, I will." Lin Yan smiled and waved to Mrs. Zhou, pretending not to see Zhong Ningning's resentful look.
An hour later, Zhong Ningning's birthday party officially began.
As soon as Zhong Ningning finished receiving the gifts, she immediately entered the stage of seeing each other.
Zhong Ningning was pushed by her mother to appreciate flowers and write poems with the group of young masters and girls. She looked back at Madam Zhou every few steps, and her eyes were so pitiful.
Lin Yan watched from the side and laughed out loud.
It didn't take long for Lin Yan to stop laughing. Madam Zhou's voice rang out: "Xiao Yan, I have invited many young talents of your age to this banquet."
Then he pointed at one and said, "Look at that one. He has an upright figure and is a cavalry captain and military officer at such a young age. Do you like him?"
Lin Yan listened to Madam Zhou's words and quickly waved his hand: "I am used to traveling around the world. I just want to be alone and have no intention of getting married."
"That's because you haven't met the right person yet," Mrs. Zhou said, looking like an experienced person. She pointed to the other side and said, "Don't you like military officers or civil servants?"
Before Mrs. Zhou could finish her words, Lin Yan ran away, using the excuse of feeling dizzy.
Mrs. Zhou looked at Lin Yan's fleeing back and smiled: "This child, if you don't know, you would think I was going to eat her."
After running away, Lin Yan randomly found a tree and climbed up. Here he happened to see Zhong Ningning, who had walked to the same place as the handsome scholar.
At this time, Zhong Ningning was struggling to deal with one of her cousins, who was a child from Mrs. Zhou's family and was two years older than Zhong Ningning.
"The holy land is thick with smoke and the peaches are new, their red makeup is even more fragrant with the dew." My cousin was in high spirits and recited a poem.
If it were someone else, they would definitely cover their mouth out of shyness, but unfortunately Zhong Ningning was not like that. She couldn't hear that the poem was praising her at all.
"Good reading," Zhong Ningning said dryly.
Lin Yan wanted to laugh when he saw this from the tree.
The cousin seemed dissatisfied with Zhong Ningning's performance and tried to recite poems again to make Zhong Ningning feel that she was talented and admire him.
Zhong Ningning didn't want to listen to him reciting poetry, so she stopped him in time: "Cousin, I'm a little thirsty. Let's go to the pavilion in front to have some tea."
The cousin who was interrupted was a little embarrassed and cleared his throat: "Since my cousin has invited me so kindly, I will respectfully obey."
Lin Yan watched them walk away and began to feel bored. Just as he was about to go downstairs, he saw Zhong Yuxi pacing back and forth nearby.
At the same time, Zhong Yuxi's voice sounded: "What happened today is that Duke Xin's grandson Xu Zhitong fell ill in the back mountain, and Zhong Ningning saved Xu Zhitong. Xu Zhitong's illness was a big concern for Duke Xin, and he became famous in Beijing because of it."
"But if I want to gain luck points, I must save Xu Zhitong, but I don't know any medical skills, how can I save him?"
"If I don't save him, his luck will be returned. What should I do?"
Zhong Yuxi was extremely anxious and started cursing: "If only it was me who was lost, I would be the one accepted as a disciple by the miracle doctor."
Lin Yan frowned when he heard this, "How did she know about Aning's master?"
Before Lin Yan could think deeply, Zhong Yuxi suddenly had an idea: "If Zhong Ningning and I didn't save Xu Zhitong, then the luck value would not increase or decrease."
“It must be so.”
"Then I will lead Zhong Ningning away and stop her from saving people."
Zhong Yuxi thought of this idea and immediately implemented it, rushing to send Zhong Ningning away, as far away from Xu Zhitong as possible.
Lin Yan was thinking about the truth in Zhong Yuxi's words. If the princess was assassinated before, it was because she had some way to get the information.
How did she know that someone would fall ill in the back mountain this time? Could it be that she could predict the future?
Seeing Zhong Yuxi really walking towards Aning, Lin Yan thought: "True or false, just go to the back mountain and take a look."
As soon as Lin Yan went around to the back mountain, he saw a delicate and pretty child holding cakes from the banquet in his hand. He looked around from time to time like a thief to see if there was anyone around.
Lin Yan found a rock to sit on, propped up his head and looked at him with amusement.
The child heard the noise, turned around and saw Lin Yan. His face flushed red, and he puffed up his cheeks and pretended to be angry and said, "Who are you? Why are you peeking at me here?"
Lin Yan smiled and teased him, "Who are you to eat cakes here secretly? Be careful or I'll tell your mother."
Seeing this, the child hurriedly kicked his legs and walked towards Lin Yan, and handed the cakes to Lin Yan with a flattering look on his face: "Beautiful sister, don't tell my mother, I will give all the cakes to you."
Lin Yan had no habit of snatching snacks from children, so he casually asked, "Sister doesn't want to eat it. You just need to tell me your name. Why are you eating cakes here secretly?"
When the child saw that Lin Yan didn't want his cake, he happily took back the hand that was handing him the cake and continued eating. As he ate, he said, "My name is Xu Zhitong. I have a strange disease and my family has searched for famous doctors but none of them can cure me. My mother has never allowed me to eat these sweet snacks since I was a child."
Lin Yan was surprised: "It can't be really the same as what Zhong Yuxi said?"
This was confirmed the next second, because Xu Zhitong foamed at the mouth and fainted.
Lin Yan didn't think much about it, picked up Xu Zhitong and walked towards the inner courtyard. He was thinking about how to find Zhong Ningning, who was probably sent away by Zhong Yuxi.
In a critical moment, Lin Yan bumped into a girl in purple clothes, who was probably a guest at the banquet. Lin Yan apologized and was about to leave when the girl said, "Excuse me, is there anything urgent that I can help you with?"
Lin Yan didn't have much hope at first, but after briefly explaining the situation, the girl actually knew where Aning was.
Zhong Ningning was pulled away by Zhong Yuxi when she was drinking tea with her cousin. She was told that her mother asked her for something. Zhong Ningning followed Zhong Yuxi without a second thought, not caring whether her words were true or not. She didn't want to stay with her cousin any longer.
Zhong Yuxi took Zhong Ningning to the lotus pond of the Zhong Mansion. This place was the farthest from the back mountain where Xu Zhitong was, so she had no idea what was happening in the back mountain.
Zhong Ningning was taken to the lotus pond, but she didn't see her mother. She asked curiously, "Where is my mother?"
"I think my sister must not like that young man, so I tried to get you out." Zhong Yuxi was afraid that Zhong Ningning would suspect something, so he quickly found an excuse.
"Oh, thank you," Zhong Ningning said dryly, rolling her eyes silently in her heart, "No way, I don't believe she is so kind."
The two of them looked at each other in silence, and an awkward atmosphere spread. Zhong Ningning couldn't stand it anymore and said, "I'm leaving."
Zhong Yuxi hurriedly grabbed Zhong Ningning and said, "Sister, look, the lotus flowers are so beautiful, and the little fish are so cute."
Zhong Ningning got goose bumps all over her body and pulled Zhong Yuxi's hand away.
At this time, Lin Yan came with Xu Zhitong in her arms. When Zhong Ningning saw Lin Yan, her eyes lit up and she said, "Sister, why are you here?"
Zhong Yuxi felt much more at ease when she saw Lin Yan coming. She knew that Zhong Ningning would not make a fuss and leave once Lin Yan arrived.
When he looked closely, he saw a child in Lin Yan's arms. He panicked and said, "It can't be such a coincidence!"
Lin Yan walked up to Zhong Yuxi and said simply and clearly: "The child we met in the back mountain suddenly foamed at the mouth and fainted."
Seeing this, Zhong Ningning hurried to check on him.
Zhong Yuxi rushed over and said, "Let me take a look."
Lin Yan was on guard and stopped Zhong Yuxi.
"His condition is not optimistic. He needs acupuncture. The silver needles are in the room," Zhong Ningning said solemnly.
Fortunately, Zhong Ningning's yard was not far from the lotus pond, and several people hurried towards Luoting Courtyard.
Zhong Yuxi hurriedly followed, cursing in his heart: "Damn it, Lin Yan showed up out of nowhere, this kid must not be saved."
During this time, Lin Yan glanced at Zhong Yuxi sharply, but it was only a moment, Zhong Yuxi thought in panic: "She wouldn't know something, it's impossible, it must be an illusion."
Lin Yan placed Xu Zhitong on the couch and stripped off his clothes to make it easier for Zhong Ningning to give him acupuncture.
Mrs. Zhou heard some noise and realized that a child in the mansion had fainted, so she hurried over.
Xu Zhitong's mother was wondering why her son was missing, and when she heard this, she immediately panicked: "Could it be Tongtong?"
The ladies knew that this matter was of great importance, so they hurried to follow Madam Zhou.
When the group arrived at Luoting Courtyard, they saw Zhong Ningning inserting a silver needle into Xu Zhitong's body.
Everyone gathered around. Seeing this, Lin Yan pushed them out the door, clasped his hands together, and apologized to Mrs. Zhou: "Aunt Zhou, Aning is trying her best to save people. There are too many people in the room and it's not ventilated, which affects the rescue."
Mrs. Zhou said with concern: "It's okay, it's okay. Can Aning go alone? I have called a doctor and he will be here soon."
She knew that Zhong Ningning had some medical skills, but she was somewhat worried.
"It's okay, please don't worry," Lin Yan comforted Mrs. Zhou.
Mrs. Xu saw Lin Yan blocking the door and wanted to go in. She shouted in panic: "Tong'er, my Tong'er is inside, let me in."
When Lin Yan saw Mrs. Xu coming, she was the child's mother, so he welcomed Mrs. Xu in and locked the door.
Zhong Yuxi outside the door said: "I have never seen my sister save anyone. What if she doesn't save anyone? The person lying inside is the only grandson of the Duke's Mansion."
When the people outside the door heard what Zhong Yuxi said, they began to panic. What if Duke Xin blamed them? They began to accuse Madam Zhou: "Madam Zhou, you are confused. How can you let a young girl save people?"
Madam Zhou's face turned cold, and she said in a cold voice: "If you ladies are afraid of being blamed by the Duke, please leave. If anything goes wrong, the Zhong Mansion will be responsible."
Several ladies who had shouted loudly shut up in disappointment.
Inside the house, Lin Yan poured a cup of tea for Mrs. Xu, helped her sit down, and said to comfort her: "Aning is getting acupuncture, she will be fine."
Mrs. Xu looked at Lin Yan's calm expression and her heart calmed down for a moment. She even forgot that the person giving acupuncture to Xu Zhitong was just a little girl who had just turned sixteen.
Half an incense stick later, Zhong Ningning finished the acupuncture, took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat off her face, and let out a breath.
He said to Lin Yan: "Fortunately it was delivered in time, otherwise the consequences would be unimaginable."
Lin Yan handed Zhong Ningning a cup of tea and asked, "How is the situation?"
Zhong Ningning took a sip of tea to moisten her throat and said, "He's stable now. He will probably wake up in half an incense stick of time."
"So fast? That's impossible!" Mrs. Xu stood up suddenly.
Zhong Ningning looked at Mrs. Xu in confusion, then at Lin Yan.
"The child's mother" Lin Yan pointed at Xu Zhitong on the bed.
"Why do you ask?" Lin Yan looked at Mrs. Xu puzzledly.
"You don't know that every time the child falls ill, it takes at least three days for the child to wake up after the doctor gives him acupuncture." Mrs. Xu found that her words were ambiguous and hurriedly explained.
"His illness seems familiar to me. I've seen it in my master's notes, but I'm not sure. Can you tell me more about his condition?" Zhong Ningning said to Mrs. Xu.
"Can you cure it?" Mrs. Xu asked in surprise.
"I'm not very sure now, but I'll try my best," Zhong Ningning scratched his head and said uncertainly.
When Lin Yan heard what Zhong Ningning said, he wanted to say something but stopped himself.
Mrs. Xu was extremely excited. Over the years, the Xin Guo Mansion had consulted countless famous doctors, and they all said that the young master's illness was incurable. Zhong Ningning was the first one who said that it could be tried.
Although Zhong Ningning was only a sixteen-year-old girl, Mrs. Xu felt an inexplicable hope when she heard that she had been lost as a child and was wandering around the world, and that she might know something.
Mrs. Xu told Zhong Ningning every detail about Xu Zhitong's illness and the situation over the years.
Half an incense stick later, Xu Zhitong woke up. Mrs. Xu hugged Xu Zhitong and cried, "You child, you ran away to the back mountain without saying a word. What should I do if something happens to you?"
"Wow, I know I was wrong. I won't do it again next time." Xu Zhitong wiped her tears with his chubby hands. "Don't cry, mother. I'm fine now."
Mrs. Xu calmed down and thanked Zhong Ningning and Lin Yan: "Thank you both very much. Without you, I'm afraid I would never see Tong'er in this life."
"You're welcome, it's my duty."
Zhong Ningning handed the written prescription to Mrs. Xu, "This is the prescription I wrote based on the young master's illness. If you trust me, please give it to him."
"Thank you very much"
Lin Yan opened the door. The people outside had not left yet and were staring at Xu Zhitong curiously.
Before leaving, Mrs. Xu said to Lin Yan and Zhong Ningning: "Thank you two girls for saving my son. If anything happens in the future, I believe the Duke's Mansion will do its best to help."
Everyone showed a surprised expression. They didn't expect Zhong Ningning to have such ability.
Mrs. Zhou smiled and shouted, "Everyone, go away. Today's banquet is over."
The ladies of each mansion returned home happily with their children. After all, it was good for everyone that the Duke's grandson was fine.
The ladies of each mansion all had their own plans. If Zhong Ningning really got the promise of the Duke's Mansion, it would be beneficial to their families if they married her home.
However, everyone agreed that Zhong Ningning was just lucky, like a blind cat catching a dead mouse. They didn't believe that a young girl could be so capable.
The girl who led Lin Yan stood among the group of people and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
As for Zhong Yuxi, he hid in the corner and watched all this with gritted teeth.
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