After returning to the mansion, Meng Ruyi sent someone to deliver a message to Zhang Yunyun's uncle to let him know about her. Unexpectedly, Zhang Yunyun's uncle was worried about her and even sent some things over. They were just simple things for girls, but each item was carefully chosen. They were not the most expensive, but they were comfortable enough.
After seeing these things, Meng Ruyi finally felt completely relaxed.
It seemed that Zhang Yunyun was doing well now. At least her uncle was really kind to her. And now Magistrate Zhang was in a complete mess. He was dealing with the aftermath of that incident.
However, he would occasionally send someone to check on Zhang Yunyun and bring her some things, subtly conveying his desire to make up for his mistakes.
Zhang Yunyun accepted all the things and sent the letters back. Every time, she would ask the servant to convey her words, saying that she thanked her father for his concern and that he didn't need to worry too much. As time passed, Zhang Yunyun only received things and no longer saw those letters.
Although the broken relationship could not be patched up again, at least they had the present. After Zhang Yunyun returned from the mountain, she had been worried about her marriage and had been waiting for that person to come.
Li Yun came not too late. At least he didn't make Zhang Yunyun and the others wait too long. On the second day after returning to the Meng family, Li Yun came to the door wearing a washed-out old robe, holding several baskets of seasonal fruits and vegetables in his hands.
"I'm sorry. My family is poor and I don't have anything decent to offer. But these fruits and vegetables were all planted by my sister and me. They taste really good." Li Yun showed a bit of embarrassment on his face, but he was still very generous. He didn't show any signs of being obsequious when talking to them.
Meng Ruyi was sitting with Zhang Yunyun. The two were sitting behind the screen. Song Huaizhi was sitting face to face with Li Yun and talking to him.
Hearing this, Meng Ruyi couldn't help but exchange a glance with Zhang Yunyun.
"Okay, I appreciate Young Master Li's kindness." Song Huaizhi slowly poured a cup of tea for Li Yun and then said indifferently, "I won't beat around the bush. I wonder what Young Master Li's plans are for the future?"
"I plan to take the imperial examination this year. If I fail, then I'll find some work to do first to save some money for my sister's dowry."
It seemed that Li Yun had a younger sister. He just didn't know if she was easy to get along with.
Hearing this, Meng Ruyi exchanged another glance with Zhang Yunyun.
"Did you go up the mountain to look for medicine for your sister?" Song Huaizhi asked Li Yun after hearing this.
"Yes." After Li Yun finished speaking, he showed a bit of rare vulnerability on his face and said to Song Huaizhi, "I'm making you laugh, Young Master Song. My sister has been in poor health since she was a child. This time, it was also my carelessness. I went up the mountain to look for medicine to save money. Fortunately, I met you all. Otherwise, it would have been a big mistake."
"By the way." Li Yun hesitated for a moment and then asked Song Huaizhi with some hesitation, "Young Master Song, may I take the liberty to ask if the Miss Zhang who found me at first was Magistrate Zhang's daughter?"
Song Huaizhi raised his eyebrows and was a bit surprised.
This Li Yun was a person who was like a rock in his impression. He was not interested in women and didn't have any relatives. That was why he was finally trusted and reused by those old foxes. As a result, he almost made a mistake and fell into his hands.
Now he was actually asking about Zhang Yunyun. Could it be that...
Wait! Song Huaizhi was about to say something when he suddenly frowned and remembered something he had ignored.
Li Yun said that he had a younger sister, but in his impression, he had always been alone.
Li Yun hesitated and looked up. When he saw the cold look on Song Huaizhi's face, he thought that he was offended by his question and was shocked. He quickly explained, "Sorry, I was being presumptuous."
"I just thought that if I had the opportunity in the future, I would definitely find a way to repay Miss Zhang."
Zhang Yunyun, who was behind the screen, covered her mouth, afraid that she would make some other noise because she was too excited and startle the people in front.
Meng Ruyi's expression was the same as Song Huaizhi's in front of the screen. They were both slightly raising their eyebrows, showing a bit of a faint smile in their eyes.
Hearing Song Huaizhi's silence, Zhang Yunyun was a bit anxious. She looked at Meng Ruyi, wanting to say something but hesitated. But after thinking about it, she put her heart at ease.
Song Huaizhi was much more reliable than her father. For Meng Ruyi's sake, he wouldn't push her into the fire pit.
"No."
Song Huaizhi couldn't help but laugh. He then realized that he had thought too far. He was immersed in complicated thoughts for a moment and didn't think clearly about things. He ignored Li Yun, who was in front of him, looking extremely uneasy.
"I just thought of something." Song Huaizhi said. He took a sip of tea and put down the cup. He said indifferently, "Although I have never had contact with Young Master Li before, I have long heard your name. So I wonder if Young Master Li would like to go to the capital with me?"
"Does Young Master Song mean that he wants me to give up the opportunity to take the imperial examination this year and become your subordinate?"
Seeing Song Huaizhi's calm expression, Li Yun knew that the person in front of him didn't like him to beat around the bush. So he also said his thoughts very directly.
"This..."
Li Yun's first reaction was to refuse. He had studied hard for more than ten years. Even in the most difficult times, he had never given up the books in his hands. His sister was also waiting for him to pass the imperial examination and stay away from the current life.
But... Li Yun fell into deep thought. If Song Huaizhi was going to the capital, then Mr. Lin would definitely pave the way for his disciples. If he wanted to become an official in the court now, one way was the imperial examination, and the other way was to be recommended by a great Confucian and directly participate in the palace examination.
It was quite unfair, but this was the result of the game with the aristocratic families. The latter was actually looked down upon, but in Li Yun's opinion, even if Song Huaizhi participated in the imperial examination, it would be easy for him to obtain fame. He just needed to spend more time.
But if he participated in the imperial examination, could he really pass?
Li Yun was silent.
"No." Song Huaizhi smiled slightly and continued to say to Li Yun, "I have long heard of Young Master Li's talent. I believe that Young Master Li will definitely achieve good results in this imperial examination. By then, I will be waiting for you in the capital."
Li Yun looked at Song Huaizhi in shock.
[Wow, Young Master Song is starting to recruit people now? He really deserves to be the number one villain.]
[To be honest, if there was no protagonist aura, those protagonists might really not be able to play against Song Huaizhi.]
[Ah ah ah ah ah, why is Young Master Song suddenly so handsome!]
The barrage flew up, and Meng Ruyi was also a bit surprised.
"Thank you for Young Master Song's kindness." Li Yun got up and bowed. He said seriously, "I, Li Yun, will definitely not let Young Master Song down."
Hearing this, Song Huaizhi showed a bit of a faint smile on his face.
By the way, there was still something that Yu Yu had asked him to do that he hadn't dealt with.
Song Huaizhi had just found a new subordinate, and now he was in a very good mood. He asked Li Yun cheerfully, "I wonder if Young Master Li is married?"
Zhang Yunyun, who was behind the screen, didn't expect Song Huaizhi to be so direct. She almost couldn't catch her breath and suffocated herself on the spot. Fortunately, Meng Ruyi comforted her by touching the back of her hand, which made her suddenly come back to her senses.