Dad, open the door. I'll bring your mistress back for you.

Shen Qinghe was somewhat bewildered by his wife's sudden indifference. He said innocently, "If you don't want to reply, then don't reply. Why are you so angry at me? I haven't said anything yet."

Seeing this, Yun Shuxuan turned around in surprise and joy, staring at Shen Qinghe with wide eyes, and asked anxiously, "So, my husband agrees?"

Shen Qinghe nodded helplessly and said with a smile: "To put it bluntly, the coming-of-age ceremony is just a birthday ceremony. It doesn't matter where you hold it."

He had never had any sisters in his life, and in the next generation, there would only be one girl, An Ning. So he really didn't understand why he had to rush back to the capital to celebrate his birthday. It was too much trouble to go back and forth.

Upon hearing this, Yun Shuxuan was so angry that he slapped Shen Qinghe on the back and scolded him, "How can a jigui ceremony be the same as an ordinary birthday? Jigui means that An Ning has reached adulthood and is a grown-up girl!"

Shen Qinghe nodded when he heard this, "That needs to be taken seriously. Where does Ah Ning want to live?"

Before Shen Chuning could reply, Yun Shuxuan took over, sighed, and said sarcastically, "Does it matter where our An Ning wants to spend the holiday? Mother has already sent out the invitations, and when the guests arrive, if Mother says that you didn't let An Ning go back, then you'll be accused of being unfilial."

Shen Qinghe frowned tightly, his face full of suspicion: "Zhenzhu came to report, but she didn't mention that mother had already sent an invitation."

As he spoke, he turned his gaze to Shen Chuning who was standing not far away.

She pretended to be terrified and hid behind Yun Shuxuan in a panic.

Seeing this, Shen Qinghe couldn't help but sigh deeply, shook his head helplessly, and slowly said: "Forget it, forget it. In this case, I will immediately write a letter to the capital and ask mother to take back all the invitations that have been sent out."

As soon as he finished speaking, Yun Shuxuan quickly turned around and winked mischievously at Shen Chuning who was hiding behind him.

At this moment, Shen Chuning was also unable to suppress her inner joy, and the corners of their mouths rose at the same time.

After a long while, Yun Shuxuan reluctantly restrained her smile and put on a serious expression, but the smile on her face that had not completely disappeared was still faintly visible.

She only sighed softly and said solemnly, "There's an imperial envoy sent by my mother living at home."

As she spoke, she pointed towards the courtyard where the little maid lived.

Shen Qinghe became impatient upon hearing this. He waved his hand and said firmly, "Whoever sent this letter should send the reply back. It must be delivered to my mother and she must open it personally."

After the matter was finally settled, Shen Chuning, who had been worried, finally breathed a sigh of relief, and her heart was finally at ease.

Afterwards, she lingered in Yun Shuxuan's yard for a long time before reluctantly returning to her room.

……

Three days had passed since Shen Chuning and his group returned from Fuping. On this day, Zhou Lin finally returned to Jinan, dragging his exhausted body.

When Shen Chuning saw the man in front of her with a tired face and a chin covered with blue stubble, her heart suddenly tightened.

Especially when her eyes fell on his wrist which was wrapped in thick bandages, her eyes suddenly turned red.

"Fourth Uncle clearly promised me that he would send you back unharmed, so why are you injured now? No, I must go find him and ask him for the truth!"

Shen Chuning said this angrily as she turned around and pretended to run out.

However, before she could take a few steps, a strong hand grabbed her arm tightly.

"Fourth Uncle is still on the island. How can you find him if you go there rashly? Besides, I'm not injured." Zhou Lin hurriedly stopped him.

Upon hearing this, Shen Chuning frowned and stared at Zhou Lin's wrist suspiciously, asking, "If you're not injured, then why are there so many bandages wrapped around your wrist?"

Zhou Lin had no choice but to slowly explain.

Shen Qingyuan knew that his hand had been seriously injured and had never healed.

And on Ling Island lived Zhuang Xiuming, the former master of the Divine Doctor Valley.

So, Shen Qingyuan, with the idea that it would be a good opportunity not to be missed, took him to visit Master Zhuang and asked him to help heal his wrist.

After the examination, Master Zhuang said that the injury could be cured by cutting off the meridians that had not yet grown and reconnecting them, but it would take some time to recuperate and recover, so he came back a little late.

He also told Shen Chuning not to worry, and that his hand would be completely healed after this treatment.

When Shen Chuning heard what Zhou Lin said, although she was also happy for him, the worry still hung over her heart.

She frowned slightly and said softly, "But you will be taking the imperial examination this year. By then, this injured hand may be difficult to recover. I wonder if it will have any impact on you."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Lin raised his left hand and gently waved it in the air a few times. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, revealing a confident smile. "As early as the first two years after the injury, I started training my left hand. Now, my left hand can already write beautiful characters. If not, how could I dare to take the imperial examination? So even if my right hand is not fully healed yet, it won't be a big hindrance to me."

After hearing this, Shen Chuning let out a long breath and then asked, "Will you stay in Jinan for two more days?"

Zhou Lin shook his head gently, a trace of regret and reluctance in his eyes: "Originally, I did intend to stay and attend your coming-of-age ceremony. Unfortunately, your birthday is too close to the Autumn Examination, and I'm afraid I won't be able to make it back in time. Therefore, I can only return to Beijing first. But..."

Having said this, Zhou Lin paused for a moment, then took out a small and exquisite box from his arms and handed it to Shen Chuning, "This is a birthday gift I specially prepared for you."

Shen Chuning happily reached out to take the small box, and when she was about to open it to find out what was inside, Zhou Lin stopped her quickly and asked her to wait until he left before opening it.

Shen Chuning wasn't in a rush, and nodded obediently, saying, "Well, the Autumn Examination is more important. You should leave early so you don't have to rush on the road."

Zhou Lin stared into her eyes and said softly, "After the results are announced..."

He had just said it when he stopped talking, thinking that it would be better to wait until things were settled before telling her.

"What?" Shen Chuning asked.

Zhou Lin shook his head. "Nothing. Oh, by the way, I met Zhuang Xiuming, the former master of the Divine Doctor Valley, on the island."