Chapter 9, Not Enlightened

"If grandma likes it, I'll cook every day from now on, guaranteeing a different meal every single day!" Xie Zhinuan said with a smile.

That really tickled old Mrs. Ni's fancy.

"Well, that's wonderful! All my life I've never tasted anything so delicious. To think in my old age, I would still have such luck. Feel free to use anything from the house's stores for your cooking!"

"Sure!"

After tidying up the kitchen, Xie Zhinuan left the room.

She had intended to go back to her room, but remembering that Doctor Wang had cured her, she felt it would be impolite to leave without saying goodbye. So, she went to the main hall and saw Wang Shaoyu sitting alone. After hesitating for a moment, she sat down beside him.

She asked him softly, "Are you Doctor Wang's grandson?"

"Mmm, I am Wang Shaoyu," he replied quietly, stealing a glance at the woman beside him.

Her features were picturesque, and her profile was so stunning that it captured his soul, making him too timid to look directly at her, so he quickly looked away.

Xie Zhinuan, on the other hand, was upfront and looked towards Wang Shaoyu with a smile, "Xie Zhinuan!"

Although the young man in front her had an elegant appearance, resembling the typical gentle scholar, Xie Zhinuan felt nothing out of the ordinary.

In her eyes, he was just a person, someone with no connection to her whatsoever.

As for Doctor Wang, even though he had saved her life, she had given silver, settling the account. A little more courtesy was due, and that was all.

Wang Shaoyu silently repeated those three words in his heart and added, "The stewed rabbit meat you cooked was very delicious. It was my first time tasting such delightful rabbit meat!"

"I just threw it together!" Xie Zhinuan said modestly with a laugh.

While her cooking skills were excellent, without the spiritual spring water, the stewed rabbit would still have tasted good but wouldn't have been as aromatic or as rich in flavor, bringing out the best in all the ingredients.

"..." Wang Shaoyu took another secret glance at Xie Zhinuan.

To think she cooked something so delicious so effortlessly, truly remarkable.

Such a wonderful girl would be a fortune to whoever married her...

Wang Shaoyu paused.

Why did his thoughts wander there?

Doctor Wang hadn't planned on leaving yet, but it was getting late, and if he didn't return, his family would worry, so he stood up to take his leave.

"I'll see you out!" Old Man Yuan said.

He also had a few words he wanted to say to Doctor Wang in private.

Wang Shaoyu got up, cupped his fist towards Xie Zhinuan, and bowed, "Miss Xie, I take my leave!"

"Safe travels!"

Xie Zhinuan replied faintly, with a casual straightforwardness, free of any infatuation—purely pure.

Completely unlike the girls from the village.

Wang Shaoyu nodded slightly and then left the main hall to lead the donkey cart, following behind Old Man Yuan and Doctor Wang. Several times, he wanted to look back, but his years of schooling and knowledge of propriety restrained him from acting rashly.

Seeing this, Xie Zhinuan pursed her lips slightly and decided to continue with her embroidery.

Old Mrs. Ni chuckled softly, "Doctor Wang's grandson seems like a decent young man!"

"He introduced himself as a young scholar, so he must have some achievements, right?" Xie Zhinuan asked nonchalantly.

It was just a casual remark, not truly of interest to her.

"He's already earned the title of scholar, and rumour has it he will be taking the imperial examinations to become a 'ju ren' in the fall. He's even skilled in medicine—a truly rare and commendable young man!"

"Hmm," Xie Zhinuan didn't deny it.

Cultured and courteous, and also quite good-looking.

He was, indeed, admirable!

"So you think he's not bad too?" Old Mrs. Ni asked.

"Wasn't it you, grandma, who said he was not bad?" Xie Zhinuan retorted, picking up her basket to sit under the eaves. She wanted to embroider a few more stitches before it got completely dark.

"..."

Old Mrs. Ni paused.

She laughed non-stop and then asked, "What do you think about Liuwang?"

"Liuwang?"

After thinking for a while, Xie Zhinuan said, "He's very good, yeah, and very filial too. He even brought rabbits for grandma and grandpa today. Quite a nice guy!"

Her tone was still casual, her words not heartfelt—simply polite praise with little thought.

As for love and affection, there was none whatsoever.

Old Mrs. Ni shook her head silently and sighed, realizing this girl hadn't taken a fancy to anyone.

"You keep on with your embroidery, and I'll go have a quick look next door. I'll be back in a moment!"

"Sure!" Xie Zhinuan replied earnestly, focusing on the embroidery in her hands.

As for romance, she hadn't quite grasped that notion yet...