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After finalizing the cooperation with Lu Huai, Lin Zhiqing had Mu Shen prepare two normal cloth dolls and sent them to the medical hall, entrusting Lu Nanyue to deliver them to Miss Hua.
In the days that followed, Lin Zhiqing spent money to add essential charcoal and other supplies to her room. Second Grandfather still refused to see her, and the entire Lin family remained remarkably calm.
However, the arrival of a Spring Banquet invitation broke this calm.
"Sent by Miss Hua?" Lin Zhiqing took the invitation and, sure enough, saw her own name on it.
"She instructed me to tell you that you absolutely must go." Lu Nanyue looked somewhat dispirited.
Lin Zhiqing put the invitation away. "Why the long face?"
"I finally made some quick money for two days, and now the God of Wealth has flown away. How could I not be sad?" Lu Nanyue said, even feigning wiping her eyes with her sleeve.
Lin Zhiqing's lips curved upward. "Why are you talking like strangers when we're family? Lu Huai making money is just like you making money, isn't it?"
"Why would Miss Hua suddenly send me an invitation?" Though Lin Zhiqing knew it was likely because her prescription had worked and earned Miss Hua's favor, she deliberately asked to gather more information. She still remembered Lin Jingya mentioning earlier that one reason she harmed her cousin was because her cousin had received an invitation to the Spring Banquet while she had not. This Spring Banquet invitation was so sought after; it shouldn't be a common banquet invitation.
Lu Nanyue fiddled with the potted plant on the table. "I'm not too clear about Miss Hua's health, but getting an invitation from her isn't easy." Speaking of this, Lu Nanyue paused her watering hand. "Oh, right, it's been busy these past two days, I forgot to tell you."
"While Miss Hua is annoying, her maternal grandfather, the Grand Academician, is no better—a complete pedant. In previous years, the Academician's Estate would never send invitations to you or me. I wonder if this invitation even passed the Grand Academician's wife's scrutiny today."
Hearing this, Lin Zhiqing understood. Carrying the reputation of a "three-noes young lady" (lacking standing, means, and connections), her name wasn't exactly good in public. This invitation should have gone to Lin Yangyang or Lin Jingya. As for Lu Nanyue… a woman who studied medical arts and even opened a medical hall—this was considered "unorthodox" in the eyes of most. Given the strict societal etiquette of the Great Sheng Dynasty, her situation likely wasn't much better than her own.
Earlier, when speaking of "Grand Academician" and "Spring Banquet," Lu Nanyue's lips had slightly turned to the right, and she lightly shook her head, indicating resistance.
"Nanyue, are you not going to the banquet?" Lin Zhiqing closed the invitation. Though it was a question, her tone was clearly a statement.
Lu Nanyue shrugged. "There's no point. It's all high-ranking officials' wives and young ladies there, and those gossipmongers never say anything good."
Lin Zhiqing keenly caught the words "high-ranking officials' wives" and a plan formed in her mind. She currently had two major hurdles to overcome if she wanted to practice medicine at the Lin family estate for income.
First, Lin Congli strictly adhered to etiquette, believing that a woman showing her face publicly to do business would harm the Lin family's reputation, and he would certainly not agree to it.
Second, although Lu Huai served as an intermediary, he mostly interacted with men. This was, after all, ancient times, and Lin Zhiqing's overly close interactions with men would affect her reputation. If her reputation was ruined, naturally no one would seek her out for treatment. Therefore, she wanted to cultivate more connections among the women of inner circles.
This Spring Banquet presented an opportunity. If she could befriend wives and young ladies of high-ranking officials, their visits to the Lin family would not be a big deal; in fact, it would even bring honor to Lin Congli's face if word got out. In that case, the obstacles to her practicing medicine at the Lin family estate would be much smaller.
Thinking of this, Lin Zhiqing touched the invitation, her mind already made up.
Lu Nanyue noticed her action, and her brows furrowed slightly in disapproval. "You plan to attend the banquet?"
Lin Zhiqing nodded. "Staying cooped up in the courtyard, who knows when I might starve to death? To earn money, it's always good to make more connections."
Lu Nanyue instantly stood up. "You know how nasty those people's words can be. Why are you eagerly inviting humiliation?"
"Nanyue, the dirty water they've splashed on me, I have to splash back, don't I?" Lin Zhiqing's eyes were clear. "This Spring Banquet, I'm definitely going!"
Lu Nanyue was utterly against it in her heart; she knew those gossipmongers too well. But upon seeing Lin Zhiqing's upturned lips, she swallowed all the words she was about to say.
"Forget it." Lu Nanyue sat back down, somewhat dejected. "I heard this year's prize is a set of filigree ruby hair ornaments with intertwining branches, which hasn't appeared in a long time. You should team up with Jiang Liuyun; who knows, you might even win first place."
"Team up with him?" Lin Zhiqing was puzzled.
Lu Nanyue lowered her voice. "The Spring Banquet is ostensibly a flower appreciation event, but everyone in the capital knows it's an opportunity for young masters and ladies from various families to meet and scope each other out. Otherwise, why would they bother with that troublesome rule of one male and one female companion?"
"Normally, it's not good for you and Jiang Liuyun to meet often anyway. Take this opportunity to go together and spend more time with each other." Lu Nanyue poked Lin Zhiqing's arm. "In previous years, even when you didn't receive an invitation, there were people who invited Jiang Liuyun, but that big oaf refused them all. This year, don't be so reserved."
After hearing this, Lin Zhiqing's eyes widened slightly. One male and one female to accompany each other... who came up with such a brilliant rule?
After seeing Lu Nanyue off, Lin Zhiqing began to seriously ponder whether she really needed to ask Jiang Liuyun for help. However, before she could come to a conclusion, Lu Huai arrived. He had come to discuss the details of their cooperation with Lin Zhiqing. After their discussion, Lin Zhiqing walked him out.
But just as they stepped out of the courtyard gate, a joyful voice came from afar, drawing near:
"Qing'er, this is Cloud Flake Cake from the north of the city. It's still warm, quickly have a taste." Jiang Liuyun held up the warm pastries, his eyes sparkling. Seeing Lu Huai beside Lin Zhiqing, he offered the pastries to Lu Huai. "Brother Lu is here too, you should also try some."
Lu Huai didn't stand on ceremony, indeed taking a piece and putting it in his mouth. "Mm, the taste is just average. Thank you for the treat, Young Master. I'll take my leave now." With that, he cupped his hands and walked straight ahead.
Seeing Jiang Liuyun's somewhat crestfallen expression, Lin Zhiqing motioned for Mu Shen to take the warm pastries. "Young Master, why did you come over at this time?"
"After a few days, why are you so distant? Just call me Liuyun." The pastries were a bit hot to handle; he shook his hand as he spoke, his lips curving into a smile again. "I heard from Miss Lu that you received an invitation to the Spring Banquet?"
There was nothing to hide, so Lin Zhiqing nodded.
"Then do you want that filigree ruby hair ornament with intertwining branches?" He touched his head, his feet taut, a mix of restraint and anticipation in his demeanor.
"Hair ornament?" Lin Zhiqing's current goal wasn't that, so she gently shook her head. "I heard one needs to win first place to get that set of ornaments. My abilities are truly limited, so I won't make a fool of myself."
She was completely oblivious that Lu Huai, who hadn't walked far, had suddenly stopped.
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