For a moment, everyone in the room fell silent and stared intently at Rong Heng.
After a long while, Lady Xia asked, "She... refused?"
Rong Heng pouted aggrievedly. "She thought I was annoying and said that being with me would only hold her back on her path forward."
Rong Feichi frowned and asked, "What path forward?"
Rong Heng shook his head blankly.
Princess Zhaoming took a deep breath, got up, walked to Rong Heng's side, and patted his head. "She's not a delicate girl raised in the capital, so naturally she's different from ordinary people. But how can a girl not care about her reputation? What she said about guiding qi and expelling phlegm is about saving lives. Our Rong family is not that pedantic. But her situation with you... is different. Although it was an accident, it can't be treated the same as saving a life. Well, let's invite the two masters of the Zeng family here first and tell them about this. We Rong family men must take responsibility."
Rong Heng nodded, then tugged at Princess Zhaoming's clothes and looked at her pleadingly. "Auntie, what if... the whole Zeng family is like Ruo Yun? What should we do?"
Princess Zhaoming tried to pull her clothes free but couldn't. She frowned involuntarily. This big fellow still acted like Ning An when facing difficulties, always liking to tug at people's clothes.
"If the Zeng family all disagrees, we can't force the girl to marry us, can we?"
At this moment, it was not appropriate to say something like "There are plenty of fish in the sea." So they just sent a message to the old Rong family residence, inviting the two masters to come for a talk.
As soon as the two masters of the Zeng family arrived, they saw that all the elders of the Rong family, except Rong Jian, were sitting in the main hall with solemn expressions. Rong Heng was kneeling with his head down below.
When he saw them coming in, Rong Heng immediately shuffled forward on his knees and said sincerely, "Uncle Zeng the Second, Uncle Zeng the Fourth, I've made a mistake..."
The two masters of the Zeng family glanced at each other. Uncle Zeng the Second reacted first, reached out to pull Rong Heng up, and said with a smile, "The heir apparent said before that we're kind of related. Now the Zeng family is still staying in the Rong family's mansion. Since we're relatives, why be so polite? What mistake did Young General Rong make? You have to tell us first before we can judge."
It was still Princess Zhaoming who had the nerve to tell them what happened on the day of the free medical consultation. She also apologized repeatedly, "It's really because this child, Heng'er, is so muddle - headed. He actually hid such an important thing from us elders... But these days, we've been so busy because of A Sui and Ning An's matters, and there have been things in the palace too..."
Rong Feichi nodded and apologized as well. "Please don't be angry with the child, Brother Zeng. Our Rong family is not irresponsible. We will definitely give Miss Zeng an explanation for this matter."
Uncle Zeng the Second came to his senses and laughed heartily. "I thought it was something serious. So it's this. But we've been really busy these days, and I haven't heard that girl Ruo Yun mention it. Ruo Yun should be in your mansion, right? Why don't you let her come here? I'll ask her. Don't worry. Our Ruo Yun is not a shy girl. She'll definitely say what she thinks."
Zeng Ruo Yun was in her elder brother's guest room in the front yard. After Rong Sui came back covered in blood, Zeng Haomiao moved into the Rong mansion to take good care of Rong Sui. He had been in the palace for a few days and had returned to the Rong family's mansion yesterday.
At this moment, the two siblings were discussing the emperor's illness while packing their things. The emperor was out of danger. Even if there were any further problems, Uncle the Fourth alone could handle it. They didn't need to stay here anymore.
Zeng Haomiao said a bit regretfully, "Actually, those imperial physicians in the Imperial Hospital are just too timid. And since they've mainly been treating the illnesses of the masters in the palace for a long time, their vision has become narrower and narrower. But their medical foundation is much deeper than ours. If we could stay in the palace for a few more days, I could learn more from them."
Zeng Ruo Yun agreed deeply, but still patted her elder brother's arm. "We gain some and lose some. We're dedicated to the people of the Great Zhou, so we can't be confined to one place."
When the maid came to invite her, Zeng Ruo Yun's face immediately darkened.
Zeng Haomiao was a bit curious. "Just ask my sister to go? Do my two uncles have something to discuss?"
Zeng Ruo Yun sneered as if going to her death. "It must be that scoundrel Rong Heng. He's so annoying! Brother, you should pack up quickly. As long as Rong Heng is here, I don't want to stay here for a single moment."
She turned around and followed the maid to the main hall. Since there were elders present, she didn't glare at Rong Heng as fiercely as usual.
However, no matter how they asked, she only said one thing, "Let me ask. If I marry Rong Heng, will Rong Heng be willing to give up his military career and study medicine? Will he travel with me all over the Great Zhou to relieve the sufferings of the people?"
Everyone looked at each other in surprise. It was still Uncle Zeng the Second who scolded, "Ruo Yun, what are you talking nonsense about? Rong Heng is a son of the Rong family, and he shoulders the responsibility of defending the Great Zhou. Moreover, he's the most outstanding young man of the Rong family's younger generation. He will inherit the marshal's position in the future. How can he do this for you, a little girl..."
Zeng Ruo Yun interrupted him. "Uncle, we all know what you're saying. But you also know what I yearn for. If I'm going to get married in this life, I must marry someone who can travel with me all over the country and spread our Zeng family's medical skills throughout the Great Zhou. Rong Heng has something he wants to protect, and I also have something I want to protect. We're not suitable."
She looked at Rong Heng directly, bowed seriously, and said, "Fourth Young Master Rong, I respect you not because you're a son of the Rong family, but because you're not afraid of life and death to fulfill your mission. But I'm weak and have no strength. If I marry you, I'll surely have to abandon my medical skills, or go to Wuyun and be an ordinary doctor. This is not what I want, Fourth Young Master Rong. I don't take what happened that day to heart. Please don't mention it again."
She bowed deeply to everyone and then turned around and walked out.
Rong Heng chased after her. "Ruo Yun..."
Zeng Ruo Yun stood in the yard, turned around, and smiled at him. "Rong Heng, I've said before that we're not suitable. But I've seen your heroic appearance, and I'm glad to know a friend like you."
Rong Heng's eyes were red. He asked in a low voice, "Is there really no possibility for us?"
Zeng Ruo Yun laughed. She patted Rong Heng on the shoulder. "It's just a casual touch of our skin. Why are you such a tangled man? Don't you remember how you disliked me before?"
She turned around again and strode towards the outer yard.
Rong Heng followed behind her reluctantly. "Ruo Yun, but... these days, I've thought it through clearly. I... want to marry you."
Zeng Ruo Yun's steps paused for a moment.
Rong Heng continued, "I... like you."
Zeng Ruo Yun never looked back or stopped. She left Rong Heng standing alone on the path. The petals from the tree fell on his shoulders.
Maybe the wind was too strong and got into his eyes.
Rong Heng rubbed his eyes hard. He was a young general. He had known since childhood that a man should bleed but not shed tears.
Shi Ning An accompanied Zeng Ruo Yun all the way to the outskirts of the city. She gave her careful instructions but still wasn't at ease.
Zeng Ruo Yun sat there in a daze, looking out of the carriage window from time to time. The spring scenery was beautiful, but her mood didn't seem very good. Maybe it was because she was going to part with her sister who had grown up with her since childhood, she thought.
Shi Ning An continued, "I can't go back to visit Grand - aunt for the time being. Please take good care of her for me. Wait until... next month, and then I can go back."
The Rong family and the Zeng family discussed that since Shi Ning An was engaged, it wasn't very appropriate for her to still stay in the Rong family's mansion. If she stayed in someone else's house, she would always feel like an outsider. Since Shi Ning An always missed Grand - aunt of the Zeng family, Princess Zhaoming simply entrusted Uncle Zeng the Second to take Shi Ning An back to the Zeng family. Then the Rong family would go to Nanling to welcome the bride.
Princess Zhaoming did this because she was afraid that her father - in - law would interfere and prevent Shi Ning An from marrying Rong Sui early.
However, the empress dowager in the palace sent her maid to the old Rong family residence in person, asking Uncle Zeng the Second to stay for a few more days.
This was a polite request rather than a direct imperial edict. So Uncle Zeng the Second agreed to stay for another month and let his nephew and niece go back first. After a month, he could take Shi Ning An back to Nanling.
The return journey was just after Zheng Chi's wedding, so Shi Ning An wouldn't miss her friend's wedding.
Zeng Ruo Yun pinched Shi Ning An's face. "You're just too worried. Don't worry about the family anymore. Just be a bride - to - be well."
Shi Ning An blushed and glared at her. "You're always talking about me. But what about you... Rong Heng is like a god - like figure in Wuyun. There are so many girls lining up to marry him. Why don't you..."
Zeng Ruo Yun straightened her face. "You know me. No matter how good he is, he's not the one for me."
Shi Ning An hugged Zeng Ruo Yun's arm. "If you agree to marry, we'll be sisters - in - law. Didn't you used to look forward to us being sisters - in - law?"
Zeng Ruo Yun poked her forehead. "What are you talking about? Even if it's Rong Heng, being sisters - in - law but living far apart and rarely seeing each other all year round, what's the point?"
Shi Ning An muttered, "We're already far apart now. No... I'm afraid I won't even know where you've gone in the future."
"That's because I have great ambitions!" Zeng Ruo Yun raised her head proudly, but as she moved, her eyes always involuntarily glanced out of the window.
Shi Ning An naturally noticed. She pulled the curtain completely and pointed at the bodyguards behind. "Look, those are the Zeng family's attendants, and those behind are the Rong family's bodyguards. But the Rong family's bodyguards can't accompany you far. They'll turn back after leaving the city. And over there, that's the capital guards. Tell me, what else do you want to see?"
Zeng Ruo Yun blushed and shook her head.
Shi Ning An sighed and took her hand. "Cousin, why do you have to do this?"
Zeng Ruo Yun looked up and smiled again. "Sometimes, it's not necessary to be together. I'm an eagle. If I can't fly freely, being with him will only make us a mismatched couple... How could he possibly do this for me..."
For a moment, both of them fell silent.
When they reached the place where they couldn't accompany them any further, Shi Ning An reluctantly said goodbye to her cousins and then went back reluctantly.
She was in a daze all the way into the city. Shi Ning An was really bored, and her mind was in a mess. She didn't know if it was for herself or for her cousin.
She simply lifted the curtain of the carriage. Since they were in the city, she couldn't lift it completely. She could only lift a corner and peek out slowly.
When she did, she was stunned. The curtain of the sedan chair parked beside was lifted. Inside, a flower - like girl with dark eyes was looking in Shi Ning An's direction.