When Meng Ruyi woke up in the morning, she was poked by something beside her. She instinctively gasped and groggily reached her hand to the side. What was it!
She was still sleepy. When she felt the slightly cold object, she suddenly remembered that this was the birthday gift Song Huaizhi had given her last night.
For some reason, Meng Ruyi was in a great mood. She rolled over on her side and looked at the gift that seemed even more exquisite and expensive in the morning light.
When Lianqiao came in, she saw Meng Ruyi in her nightgown, leaning against the bedside with something in her hand.
She leaned closer and saw the abacus in Meng Ruyi's hand. She couldn't help but sigh, "It's really beautiful. Who gave this birthday gift to the young lady?"
Hearing Lianqiao's voice, Meng Ruyi was startled. She realized how absorbed she had been while looking at the abacus. Her ears turned slightly red, and she tried to appear calm as she said to Lianqiao, "It's a gift from Brother Song."
"Master Song is really creative."
Lianqiao thought this answer was expected. After all, few people other than close relatives would give such a strange gift to a young lady in the boudoir. And among those who were willing to go to such lengths for the young lady, there were only a few.
As Meng Ruyi listened, the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up. Her fingertips kept rubbing the abacus in her hand. The warmth from her hand gradually spread to the golden abacus. The once lifeless and cold object now seemed to have a temperature, bringing a sense of tranquility.
"Let's go." Meng Ruyi came back to her senses. Thinking of the conversation with Zhang Yunyun after the banquet last night, she carefully put the abacus back into the box and placed it on the pillow. Then she began to wash up and change clothes.
Zhang Yunyun was waiting for her friend in her small courtyard.
She thought she might not be able to sleep last night. She would have to go home the next day to see how her father was dealing with the situation and what the once messy home looked like now.
The Meng Mansion was like a paradise isolated from the outside world to her. As long as she was here, she always had her best friend with her, and the kind Meng parents who treated her like their own daughter. She didn't have to worry about other things or think too much about the future.
Just as she was thinking, she saw the sun rise completely. The dazzling golden light gilded the courtyard, making her originally depressed mood a little lighter.
She was still thinking about what to do after she returned to the mansion later. But seeing the light, she emptied all the thoughts in her mind and just sat there waiting for Meng Ruyi to come.
This was her last chance to relax.
······
"Knock, knock, knock———"
There was a knock on the door.
"Coming!" Zhang Yunyun put away the cold look on her face and cheerfully got up to open the door herself.
Seeing that there was no one in the courtyard, Meng Ruyi was about to speak.
"It's okay." Zhang Yunyun saw what she was about to say and explained, "I wanted to be alone for a while, so I asked the servants to leave first."
After hearing this, Meng Ruyi looked at her expression and felt a little more relieved.
"Shall we go have breakfast? Or we can just have it here in your courtyard." After saying that, Meng Ruyi gave a few instructions to Lianqiao, then pulled Zhang Yunyun to sit on the stone bench in the small courtyard. "Anyway, it's not too cold today. It's better to have breakfast outside."
Zhang Yunyun nodded with a smile to show her agreement. She couldn't help but sigh, "Yes, it's getting warmer. Time really flies by."
Time really did fly by. As soon as the words came out, Zhang Yunyun realized that time seemed to have passed in a flash. She had known Meng Ruyi for three or four years, and in another year or two, Meng Ruyi might have to leave for the capital.
It was a pity that Meng Ruyi wouldn't be able to see her get married.
Meng Ruyi didn't know what her friend was thinking. She just noticed that Zhang Yunyun seemed to be in a low mood again. Seeing her head gradually drooping, Meng Ruyi said, "Don't worry. We'll go together later. I'm sure Magistrate Zhang has already handled everything."
"It doesn't matter if he hasn't." Meng Ruyi added, "We're here for you."
Zhang Yunyun looked up at Meng Ruyi. Seeing the sincere concern in her eyes, she nodded and said, "Yes, Father should be able to handle it well. I'm just sighing. I don't know who I'll end up marrying."
"Ah..."
Meng Ruyi didn't expect Zhang Yunyun to bring up this topic. She was a little stunned and let out a small sigh. For a moment, she didn't know what to say.
"So what kind of person do you like?"
"I don't know." Zhang Yunyun shook her head and said, "Before this happened, I always thought getting married was a very distant thing for me, so I never thought about it."
"I like someone with a good temper. He doesn't need to be overly ambitious. As long as he loves me and is willing to live a good life with me, that's enough."
Zhang Yunyun instinctively propped her chin up with her right hand and looked at Meng Ruyi. "What about you? What kind of person do you like?"
Meng Ruyi was stunned again. She wanted to say that she was still young and there was no hurry, just like she used to do to brush off this question.
But for some reason, a hazy figure faintly appeared in her mind. It seemed that the person was right in front of her, smiling at her.
Hiss———
Realizing what she was thinking, Meng Ruyi gasped in her heart.
【Hahaha, I bet Ruyi must be thinking about Brother Song. If not, I'll wash my hair while standing on my head!】
【Ruyi's expression is so cute! Oh my god, no wonder she's my favorite sweet girl! Ruyi is so cute. Her little face is as red as a peach.】
【It's really a good deal for Song Huaizhi. (A mother's sigh)】
Seeing these suddenly excited bullet comments, Meng Ruyi blushed even more. She seemed to have a knot in her mouth and couldn't say a word.
Zhang Yunyun was secretly laughing in her heart, but she didn't interrupt Meng Ruyi. She just sat there enjoying the sight of the suddenly distracted young girl.
After breakfast, the two of them headed towards the Zhang family.
As soon as they entered the door, the atmosphere was solemn. The servants passing by all had a suppressed look on their faces that they didn't usually have, and they walked in a hurry.
When the doorman saw Meng Ruyi and Zhang Yunyun, he immediately greeted them excitedly and said, "The young lady is back! Miss Meng is here too! I'll go tell the master right away. Please come in, ladies!"
The moment Zhang Yunyun stepped into the house, the smile on her face disappeared completely. Hearing this, she just nodded faintly. Then she looked at Meng Ruyi, signaling her not to speak for the moment.
"Yunyun."
After the two of them had been sitting in the front hall for a while, Magistrate Zhang rushed over in a hurry. After not seeing him for a few days, the man in front of them had a stubbly beard and looked so dejected that he seemed to have aged more than ten years overnight. The collar of his clothes was also a bit wrinkled.
"Father."
Zhang Yunyun stood up, and Meng Ruyi also saluted the man in front of her. After that, Magistrate Zhang moved his lips as if he wanted to say something. But when the words reached his lips, he somehow swallowed them back and said, "Sit down first."
Zhang Yunyun withdrew her gaze.