These days, Jiang Ning was living a leisurely and carefree life, completely unaware of the turbulent undercurrents in the Gold Jade Hall.
Jiang Ning would rise at the crack of dawn every day, allowing Liu Ming'an to comb her hair before she began washing up and preparing meals. The ingredients Jiang Ning bought from the market found their way into their stomachs in various forms: braised pork, chicken braised in scallion oil, shredded pork with green peppers, pork meatball soup with Chinese cabbage, diced chicken with chili peppers... even alternating between rice and noodles. Jiang Ning enjoyed putting thought into cooking, never tiring of it. After all, Liu Ming'an was not picky and loved everything she made, even volunteering to clean up the kitchen after meals.
For Liu Ming'an, since Jiang Ning's arrival, the quality of meals in his home had improved immensely. He had eaten more meat in this short period than he had in an entire year before. Moreover, Jiang Ning was an excellent cook. Every meal was a feast for the senses, greatly stimulating one's appetite. Liu Ming'an's previously thin and lean body had become much more robust, his figure growing taller and more upright. Even Third Great Aunt noticed and praised him, saying, "Ming'an, you look much more energetic lately! Jiang Ning must be taking very good care of you..."
In their leisure time, Liu Ming'an would focus intently on painting birthday celebration pictures, while Jiang Ning would read the casual books she had bought, occasionally helping him grind ink.
Time passed slowly and pleasantly in this manner until the twenty-fifth day, which was another market day. Liu Ming'an, as usual, woke up early and went to the kitchen to eat some cold steamed buns with cold water as his breakfast.
Jiang Ning had said she wouldn't go, so Liu Ming'an tried to get up quietly, but still woke her.
"Go back to sleep, I'll leave once I'm ready," Liu Ming'an said softly, looking at Jiang Ning still covered by the blanket on the bed.
"Take the umbrella with you," Jiang Ning advised, barely making out Liu Ming'an's silhouette in the dim early morning light.
Liu Ming'an chuckled softly and replied, "I've got it."
"What about money?" Jiang Ning asked again.
"I've got that too."
"Oh, then you can go."
Jiang Ning closed her eyes, ready to go back to sleep, but heard Liu Ming'an approach the bed and say, "If you want to comb your hair later, you can ask Third Great Aunt, or the Mute Woman - you seem closer to her. Also, eat when you're hungry, don't wait for me to return. Those two brothers insisted on treating me to drinks, and I couldn't refuse. I'm not sure when I'll be back..."
"You're fussing!" Jiang Ning turned over, pulling the blanket over her head in protest.
Liu Ming'an paused, then smiled silently. He often unconsciously treated Jiang Ning like a girl who needed looking after, and indeed, he had fussed too much.
"Creak... click!"
The door was pushed open and then closed, and Liu Ming'an's footsteps gradually faded away. Jiang Ning listened carefully for a while until the sound disappeared completely before closing her eyes and drifting back to sleep.
When He Zhao's rooster crowed, Jiang Ning finally woke up completely. She ate breakfast with her hair still disheveled, then began reading "The Ten Great Cases of Liang Kingdom" which she hadn't finished yesterday.
However, for some reason, Jiang Ning felt odd while reading today. She kept getting distracted, her thoughts wandering, and when she came back to herself, she had forgotten what the previous page was about.
Perhaps the room is too quiet, Jiang Ning thought.
Human habits are truly frightening. She had grown accustomed to being with Liu Ming'an all the time. Even when Liu Ming'an was silently writing or drawing at the table, just having him there made her feel his presence.
Now, with Liu Ming'an gone, Jiang Ning looked around the empty room and for the first time felt that this dilapidated house was somewhat large, so large that it made her uncomfortable.
Unable to focus on her book anymore, Jiang Ning looked out the window at the lush, misty mountains. Remembering the chestnut tree and the gray rabbit that had run away, she had an idea. She picked up her veil to cover her face and left the room.
After all, the villagers knew she was perfectly healthy, so there was no need to hide in her space anymore.
This was the first time Jiang Ning had walked openly in Lotus Flower Village. She encountered a few villagers on the way who first looked surprised, then realized who she was and said, "Oh! You're that girl Liu Ming'an bought? It's rare to see you out! Third Great Aunt mentioned your name... Jiang something, right?"
These people meant no harm, and Jiang Ning's hostility had largely dissipated due to her peaceful life, having absorbed some of Liu Ming'an's gentleness.
"Jiang Ning," they heard her reply calmly.
"Ah, Jiang Ning. How old are you? Where did you originally live? Why were you sold? Why haven't you done your hair? Where's Liu Ming'an..." Once Jiang Ning answered, the villagers, thinking she was approachable, bombarded her with a string of curious questions.
Unfortunately, Jiang Ning acted as if she hadn't heard them, not even blinking as she walked past them.
"Hey! This girl, how can she talk even less than Liu Ming'an? Do those two mutes just sit in silence when they're together..."
Slightly resentful mutterings came from behind her, but Jiang Ning paid no attention, continuing to walk steadily towards the foot of the mountain.
Just like last time, the closer she got to the mountain, the fewer people she encountered. Perhaps because it was market day, there wasn't even anyone working in the fields. Apart from the few people she had met earlier, Jiang Ning hadn't seen anyone else on her way.
As she neared the foot of the mountain, Jiang Ning suddenly heard an "Ouch!" followed by a rustling sound, like clothes scraping against the ground.
Curious, Jiang Ning walked over and saw a sloping path, somewhat shaky and overgrown with lush weeds. At the bottom of the slope, someone was lying on the ground, slightly curled up.
At that moment, the person struggled to sit up, and Jiang Ning clearly saw her face - it was Third Great Aunt!
Without hesitation, Jiang Ning went down the slope and helped the woman up. Fortunately, the slope wasn't long or high, and the grass at the bottom was thick. Third Great Aunt had only slipped and twisted her ankle, with no other injuries.
Third Great Aunt looked at Jiang Ning, who had appeared so suddenly, and asked in surprise, "Jiang, child? What are you doing here?"
"I had nothing to do, so I'm just walking around," Jiang Ning replied casually as she helped Third Great Aunt stand steady.
"Oh, I see," Third Great Aunt responded, then bent down towards the ground.
Jiang Ning had been so focused on helping the old woman up that she hadn't noticed anything else. Now, as Third Great Aunt moved, she saw a basket in the grass, with two packets of bright yellow joss paper and some incense sticks scattered on the ground.
Jiang Ning's heart tightened as she guessed the old woman's purpose. She stopped her and squatted down herself, saying, "I'll help you pick these up."
Third Great Aunt sighed and said, "I'm really getting old. I don't know how many more years I can walk this path. Ah..."
Jiang Ning put the items into the basket and hung it on her arm, supporting Third Great Aunt as she asked, "Where are you going? I'll take you there."
"It's just a bit further ahead," Third Great Aunt didn't refuse Jiang Ning's kindness. She managed a faint smile on her aged face and said, "Good girl, thank you for the trouble."
"It's just a small gesture, no trouble at all," Jiang Ning replied. For some reason, seeing this kind-looking old woman force such an expression made Jiang Ning feel uncomfortable.