Sir Song, do you want to pledge yourself to me?

When Ji Nuan was warmly invited to the West Flower Hall by Butler Wu, Song Jinbai just happened to come back.

Song Jinbai's eyes fell gently on Ji Nuan, and he said with a slightly apologetic tone: "I'm late and neglected Miss Ji."

"Not too late, not too late." Ji Nuan's smile was as warm as the spring sun, and she said playfully, "We should go back after the acupuncture. I really can't refuse Uncle Wu's enthusiasm."

Song Jinbai glanced at Uncle Wu with appreciation, then said with a smile, "Song Huai still needs treatment from the young lady, so you don't have to be so polite."

When Butler Wu received Song Jinbai's admiring look, he knew that the master was also very concerned about Miss Ji, so he left his official duties and ran back to have dinner with Miss Ji.

Ji Nuan took the opportunity to tell Song Jinbai about the progress of today's diagnosis: "The blood stasis in Song Huai's skull has almost dissipated. After acupuncture tomorrow, it should be completely cleared."

"Thank you for your trouble, Miss Ji." Song Jinbai expressed his gratitude and turned to instruct Butler Wu, "Uncle Wu, please prepare the dishes."

"I'll go right away." Butler Wu hurried to the kitchen. He had to ask the kitchen to prepare an extra dish so that the master and Miss Ji could spend more time together.

"Miss Ji's medical skills are truly exceptional. I wonder which otherworldly master taught her?" Song Jinbai asked, his voice inquiring. According to the intelligence Song Zhu had gathered, the late Doctor Du from Taohua Village was a mediocre doctor, clearly inferior to Ji Nuan's skills.

Ji Nuan replied with her usual understatement, "When I was little, an old doctor in our village didn't give up on me, so I was able to learn medicine from him for a few years. After he passed away, I relied on the medical books he left behind, learning bit by bit, and finally I have the little skills I have today."

Song Jinbai's gaze deepened upon hearing this. Hearing this, he concluded, "The art of medicine requires both exceptional talent and diligent study and practice. Ji Nuan, having mastered self-study from medical textbooks, far surpassed even Dr. Du in medical skills. Furthermore, she possessed pharmaceutical techniques that Dr. Du lacked. This was truly remarkable."

"Miss Ji, you are too modest. The fact that you have reached such a level without the guidance of a famous teacher shows that you have extraordinary talent and understanding in medicine." Song Jinbai's words were full of admiration, but at the same time, they also concealed a subtle hint of exploration.

"Oh, Lord Song, your praise really makes me feel ashamed. Is there a crack in the ground in your house? I want to crawl into it right now!" Ji Nuan covered her face in an exaggerated manner, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, trying to resolve the embarrassment of being repeatedly praised.

Song Jinbai couldn't help laughing at her frankness and directness, "Miss Ji, this is really funny!" He had never seen a girl who would directly say that she wanted to crawl into a crack in the ground.

Steward Wu caught a glimpse of his master's face, a smile still etched on his face. It was clear they were getting along quite well. Smiling broadly, he instructed the attendants behind him to bring the dishes to the table one by one.

The dishes all looked exquisite, each one different from the previous one.

Ji Nuan took the initiative to thank him: "They all look delicious. Thank you, Uncle Wu!"

Butler Wu was always thinking about his mistress, and now he wanted to invite Ji Nuan to stay for dinner tomorrow. So he said, "Our chef came from the capital and can cook many dishes. Let him make something else for the young lady tomorrow."

"Uncle Wu, please thank him for me. When he comes tomorrow, I will bring some homemade cakes for him to taste." In addition to today's meal, the chef has carefully prepared two tables of dishes. It is only right to express gratitude. At the same time, the professional chef can also comment on my sister-in-law's cakes.

"Oh, that's great! Let me thank you on his behalf!" Butler Wu accepted it with joy.

At this time, the ignored Song Jinbai frowned, coughed twice, and cast a look at Butler Wu, indicating that he should leave.

This is because they think he is an eyesore.

Butler Wu understood Song Jinbai's meaning and smiled knowingly, "Young lady and sir, please enjoy your meal. I will take my leave now."

After Butler Wu left, Song Jinbai added more food to Ji Nuan's plate and said half-jokingly, "Ahem, what pastry? I want to try it too."

Ji Nuan smiled as she ate, "They're just some homemade snacks. If you like them, I'll bring some more tomorrow."

"I see you don't seem to like shrimp?" Song Jinbai noticed that there was only one salt-baked shrimp left untouched on Ji Nuan's plate.

"I like it, but it's a bit troublesome to eat." Ji Nuan answered casually.

Upon hearing this, Song Jinbai silently picked up the shrimp and put it on the empty plate. He peeled three shrimps in succession and then pushed the plate of shrimps in front of Ji Nuan.

Ji Nuan was stunned for a moment, then smiled brightly, "Thank you, Lord Song!" As she said that, she picked up the shrimp and put it into her mouth without hesitation.

Meng Ran and two classmates came out of the bookstore together when they were stopped by Song Qiuniang who suddenly rushed out.

"Brother Meng Ran..."

Song Qiuniang looked at Meng Ran with a cautious expression.

Seeing this, the two classmates said goodbye and left first.

Meng Ran frowned slightly and asked, "Why are you here?"

Song Qiuniang's eyes were filled with tears. "Brother Mengran, my mother wants to marry me to an old widower..."

Meng Ran said calmly, "You came here just to tell me this?"

"Brother Meng Ran, you..." Song Qiuniang seemed to be hurt by his indifference, and finally couldn't help but shed tears down her cheeks.

"Qiu Niang, don't cry yet." Meng Ran sighed softly, his tone much softer. "Tell me, what did your parents say? Is there any misunderstanding here?"

Song Qiuniang choked up and said, "There is no misunderstanding. I heard my mother and the matchmaker discussing this matter with my own ears. Brother Mengran, please help me. I don't want to marry an old widower."

Meng Ran couldn't think of a good solution for a moment. "Marriage is always a matter of parents' orders and matchmakers' words. How can I help you?"

"If you're willing to marry me, I won't have to marry an old widower." Song Qiuniang looked at Meng Ran longingly. This was her last chance. If Meng Ran took pity on her and agreed to marry her, she could convince her mother not to marry an old widower.

Meng Ran was shocked for a moment and immediately refused, "Qiuniang, you know I can't do this."

He has someone he likes in his heart and cannot marry someone else now.

He looked directly into Song Qiuniang's eyes, trying to make her understand him. "Marriage is a serious matter, how can it be treated as a joke? You can't ask me to marry you just because you want to escape the marriage arranged by your mother. It's unfair to both of us."

Song Qiuniang's eyes dimmed instantly, as if a basin of cold water had been poured over her from head to toe. She bit her lower lip tightly, trying hard to prevent her tears from falling again, her body trembling slightly.

"I really have no other choice...Brother Mengran..." Song Qiuniang choked up and begged, "Will you marry me?"

Song Qiuniang's appearance at this moment attracted the attention of passers-by. Meng Ran suddenly felt uncomfortable. He hurriedly said, "Go home quickly and discuss it with your mother." After that, he left Song Qiuniang in a slightly embarrassed manner and left alone.

Song Qiuniang finally broke down. She squatted down helplessly, tears rolling down her face like beads from a broken string, and she cried heart-wrenchingly.

Until she finally got tired of crying and slowly raised her head, she found Ji Nuan standing quietly in front of her.

Ji Nuan had just left the Song residence and, passing by a nearby bookstore, noticed the strange looks people were giving her. Following their gazes, she spotted Song Qiuniang, weeping alone.

Although he didn't like Song Qiuniang very much, they lived in the same village and he was worried that a little girl like her would be bullied, so he waited here quietly without disturbing her.

"Are you here to laugh at me? I begged Brother Meng Ran so much, but he didn't want to marry me. Are you very proud of it?"

Song Qiuniang stood up, wiped the tears from her face, her red eyes full of embarrassment and unwillingness.

"My mother wants to marry me to an old widower. Are you satisfied?" Song Qiuniang said hatefully, turned around and ran away.

Ji Nuan was completely confused. She didn't know what had happened, but she was blamed with a series of words.

What does this have to do with her? Did she stop Meng Ran from marrying Song Qiuniang, or did she let Song Qiuniang marry the old widower?

Ji Nuan puffed up her face and sulked, "Did I offend you? Tsk~"