One couldn't just leave this little girl, who looked about ten years old, alone at home. If her family wasn't around, then she'd stay with the girl for a while. It was really unlucky for this little girl to have encountered such a thing.
"Thank you, sister." The girl handed the flower basket in her hand to her and then said, "My brother is on an errand now. He should be home soon. If you're worried, sister, you can wait for him to come back. I'll let my brother thank you properly."
"My brother's name is Li Yun. He's working for the master at a shop not far away."
Zhang Yunyun had one foot already half out of the threshold. Hearing this, she looked at the little girl in surprise, took the flowers from her hand somewhat blankly, and then instinctively looked at Meng Ruyi.
This was just too much of a coincidence!
Meng Ruyi was also shocked. She never expected such a coincidence and looked at Zhang Yunyun in surprise.
The little girl realized something was off and asked hesitantly, "Do you know my brother, sister?"
Could it be that these noble people in front of her were her brother's new masters?
The expression on the little girl's face instantly became cramped and uneasy. Her gaze at Zhang Yunyun also carried a bit of worried unease.
"Yes, I do." A strange sense of relief welled up in Zhang Yunyun's heart. She quickly covered it up and continued, gently tugging at the little girl's sleeve, "Come on. I'll take you home first."
Meng Ruyi never expected the scene in front of her to be so dramatic. As she watched Zhang Yunyun walk away, she felt a bit amused. The relationship that had been so hard to progress suddenly had a breakthrough. This was a good thing, and she was happy for Zhang Yunyun.
Thinking this way, a faint smile involuntarily appeared on Meng Ruyi's face. After seeing Zhang Yunyun completely disappear from her sight, Meng Ruyi came back to her senses. When she turned her head, she met a pair of deep black eyes.
While she was looking at Zhang Yunyun's back, Song Huaizhi, who had been ignored, had been silently watching her.
"Brother Song?"
Meng Ruyi instinctively called out to him, breaking the silence between the two.
Song Huaizhi also seemed to come back to his senses suddenly and started to explain what had just happened to Meng Ruyi.
"Don't worry." Song Huaizhi said, "That person is a thorn in the Third Prince's side, but he has never had an excuse to deal with him cleanly."
"What about you?" After hearing this, seeing Song Huaizhi's calm expression, Meng Ruyi couldn't help but ask, "The Third Prince doesn't seem easy to get along with. You embarrassed him just now. Will he hold a grudge against you?"
Hearing this, Song Huaizhi had a faint smile on his face and continued to Meng Ruyi, "Yes."
The expression on Meng Ruyi's face instantly turned worried. "Ah? Then..."
"However, he won't take action against me. At least not before he ascends to the throne."
After Song Huaizhi said this, seeing the fleeting smile in his eyes, Meng Ruyi realized she had been teased. She gave Song Huaizhi a disdainful look.
"The Third Prince is quite talented, but there are too many people holding him back. Compared to the other princes, he's not outstanding."
Seeing the annoyance in Meng Ruyi's eyes, Song Huaizhi pretended as if he had done nothing and said, "So he acts quite cautiously. But because he's always been under pressure, he's rather troublesome."
[Something's not right! In other people's eyes, the Third Prince is just a poor little thing who can't do anything. That's why he was sent here to deal with this mess. In fact, he's just a scapegoat!]
[AAAAHHH! How does Song Huaizhi know this? Oh my god, does he have a rebirth script?!]
[Is the plot in the capital about to start? The Third Prince has met Mr. Lin. Mr. Lin often sends letters to Ruyi and Brother Song. He probably mentioned it. A big shot like Mr. Lin couldn't possibly not see through the Third Prince's disguise!]
[Thanks to the sister above for the explanation. I was scared to death!]
Meng Ruyi was almost scared by the speculation of rebirth in the bullet comments. After seeing the explanation, she finally let out a sigh of relief.
"So, you don't need to worry about me." Song Huaizhi filled the empty teacup for Meng Ruyi and said softly, "As long as you're okay, I'll be okay."
Although he said so, Meng Ruyi still couldn't control her heart. The person in front of her seemed omnipotent. Even the Third Prince who had just come here had his weakness grasped by him in a short time. It seemed that no one could hurt him, and he always knew everything.
"Okay." Meng Ruyi looked up at Song Huaizhi, then picked up the just-poured tea and took a sip. She replied, "I will."
Song Huaizhi could tell that she was being insincere, but he didn't say anything else. He just continued, "Guess, Ruyi, what is the Third Prince here for this time?"
Meng Ruyi frowned. Countless thoughts flashed through her mind, and finally, her mind settled on the Gu family that had just left.
"To find a way to fill the vacancy left by the Gu family?"
General Gu had been stationed here for four years. Now that he had left, there would surely be a vacancy. But during his four years here, he couldn't have done nothing. He must have left behind quite a bit of influence.
It was obvious that the Third Prince was really a poor thing. He was sent here to save the face of the court and also had to calm the anger of General Gu, who had been stationed in this lousy place for many years.
No wonder Song Huaizhi said this person didn't dare to take action!
Seeing Song Huaizhi nodding, Meng Ruyi then heard him praise her with a smile, "Ruyi is very smart."
It seemed that this pool of water was getting murkier and murkier.
...
When Zhang Yunyun took the little girl home, she didn't look calm at all. The closer she got, the more nervous she became.
But she was worried that if she didn't say anything, she would scare this somewhat introverted little girl. So Zhang Yunyun took a deep breath in her heart and asked, "How old are you?"
"Sister, I'm ten." The little girl smiled when she heard this. Her big eyes were bright. "My name is Li Nan. You can just call me Xiaonan, sister."
"My name is Zhang Yunyun." Zhang Yunyun smiled when she heard this and said to Li Nan, "You can just call me sister."
"Thank you, Sister Zhang." After Li Nan said this, a faint smile appeared on her face. It was a bit shy and very cute.
The two chatted off and on. Before long, they arrived at the door.
"Brother!"
When Li Nan, who was chatting with Zhang Yunyun, saw the person at the door, she couldn't help but let out an exclamation. She was just about to rush forward, but then she remembered Zhang Yunyun beside her. So she held back her emotions and stood still.
When Li Yun saw them, he quickly walked forward. When he got closer and saw Zhang Yunyun, his face was full of shock. He said to the two of them, "Miss Zhang! Xiaonan! Are you guys okay!"
Seeing the worry in her brother's eyes, Li Nan's eyes instantly filled with tears. They welled up but never fell.
"I... I'm okay." Li Nan wiped away her tears fiercely and said to her brother, "Thanks to Sister Zhang. Otherwise... otherwise I would..."
Li Nan's tears didn't fall, but her voice choked.
"Thank you, Miss Zhang." Li Yun looked up. Not knowing what else to say, he just said uncertainly, "How about Miss Zhang come into my house and have a cup of tea to relieve the heat before going back?"