The study was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
The Third Prince stood in the study, waiting silently for the arrival of Song Huaizhi and Meng Ruyi. His gaze fell on the setting sun shining in through the window. The twilight was heavy, with a tinge of yellowish dusk, making his heart feel heavy.
Creak———
The next moment, the door was pushed open. He turned to look outside and saw the two of them standing at the door.
Song Huaizhi pushed the door open, motioned for Meng Ruyi to enter first, then gently closed the door. He looked at the Third Prince with a cold gaze.
It was really strange. The Third Prince was absent - minded for a moment. He thought that a man as ruthless as Song Huaizhi could actually have a companion, and he was extremely gentle with her.
But... was he really good to Meng Ruyi? Maybe Meng Ruyi was just a weakness he put forward. In fact, this man was invincible. He just showed a weakness to gain others' trust.
Thinking like this, the Third Prince's gaze fell on Meng Ruyi.
This young lady was extremely beautiful. She had almond - shaped eyes and fair skin. There was still a hint of childishness on her cheeks, which reduced her overall calm and steady air but did not diminish her beauty at all.
Although this young lady came from a humble background, she was no less outstanding than the noble ladies in the capital.
In a flash, Meng Ruyi and Song Huaizhi had come to his side, stood still, and were looking at him curiously.
Meng Ruyi thought this man might not be very smart. He was almost trapped by a pile of messes himself, yet he still looked at her with a sympathetic look.
What was he thinking?
Meng Ruyi was utterly confused.
Song Huaizhi sneered in his heart. He knew very well that the Third Prince liked to over - think. He guessed that the Third Prince might think he was using Meng Ruyi as a guise, so he didn't expose it.
How pitiful! To be used by Song Huaizhi, even though she was a disciple of Mr. Lin.
The Third Prince looked at Meng Ruyi, sighed in his heart, but only showed a somewhat fake smile on his face and said, "Sorry, Miss Meng, Mr. Song. I'm really sorry to visit you so late."
"Sure." Song Huaizhi responded. He looked at the Third Prince with a half - smile, pulled out a chair for Meng Ruyi, and then said, "Your Highness must have just accomplished that task. Why don't you sit down and let's talk in detail."
Seeing Song Huaizhi looking so considerate, the Third Prince sighed even more. He nodded, pulled out a chair for himself, sat down, and waited for Song Huaizhi to speak.
"I wonder what Your Highness's plan is now?"
Song Huaizhi was calm. He just threw out the question and waited for the Third Prince's answer.
When facing Song Huaizhi, the Third Prince always felt like he was facing those old foxes. Every look of Song Huaizhi was worth pondering, and he always spoke half and hid half.
"Mr. Song clearly knows what's on my mind, but still wants me to say it." The Third Prince gave him a resentful look and then continued, "Next, I will surely try to subdue the private army left by the Gu family first."
"But this is impossible." As he said this, the Third Prince no longer concealed his headache and directly said, "I know this matter will surely end in failure, so I only hope to cooperate with the Gu family. I also hope that Mr. Song can help me establish a connection with the Gu family."
Saying this, all the expressions on the Third Prince's face disappeared, leaving only a serious look. He stood up, bowed to Song Huaizhi, and said, "I, Zheng Yuanqing, came here alone today. I know I'm powerless now, so I'm seeking Mr. Song's help. If Mr. Song has any requests in the future, I will surely not shirk."
Only then did Meng Ruyi realize that she now knew the Third Prince's name.
The character "qing" showed that he was indeed not very favored. The Crown Prince's name was Zheng Yuanjia. "Jia" meant that the person who named him hoped he would be excellent in character, talent, and appearance, and also blessed him with a bright future.
"Qing", did it mean that they hoped he would never be involved in power and always be "clean"?
When Meng Ruyi thought this through, she realized how bold Song Huaizhi and the Gu family were to help an unfavored prince.
Thinking of this, she subconsciously turned to look at Song Huaizhi.
Song Huaizhi looked calm. He also stood up, supported Zheng Yuanqing, and said indifferently, "Your Highness overestimates me. I'm just a merchant. There's very little I can do."
Hearing his words, Zheng Yuanqing suddenly burst out laughing. Then he looked at Song Huaizhi meaningfully and said, "Really?"
"Mr. Song is being too humble." Then, Zheng Yuanqing restrained his smile on his face and stared at Song Huaizhi, saying, "But I understand what Mr. Song means. I only hope that Mr. Song can give me a helping hand. For me, it will be like sending charcoal in the snow."
Song Huaizhi would help him, but he would also get something from him. Zheng Yuanqing didn't resent this, so he could understand Song Huaizhi's reluctance to take risks.
"Let's discuss the specific matters another day. It's getting late today. I won't bother you two anymore."
Meng Ruyi and Song Huaizhi watched the Third Prince leave. They only looked at each other and saw the smiles in each other's eyes after he stepped out of the courtyard gate.
"What was he feeling sympathetic about?"
Meng Ruyi found it funny but didn't understand what this man was thinking. He actually showed such a look towards her. So she couldn't help but ask Song Huaizhi, who seemed to know everything, standing beside her.
"... Cough." Song Huaizhi coughed lightly to cover the smile on his face. He looked at Meng Ruyi gently and said, "Maybe he regarded you as a guise I put forward, so he thought I was using you and thus felt sympathetic towards you."
Meng Ruyi was utterly confused. She looked at Song Huaizhi in disbelief and said, "... How is his brain structured?"
The bullet comments burst into laughter.
[Hahaha I can't take it anymore. How come just as Gu Ling the little fool left, someone came to take his place!]
[The Third Prince thinks Meng Ruyi is pitiful, but actually the only one being used is himself!]
[I'm dying of laughter. Yu Yu's expression on her face is so cute!]
"Maybe he's outsmarted himself?" Song Huaizhi didn't want to laugh at first, but was triggered by the smile on Meng Ruyi's face. Seeing the bright smile on the young girl in front of him, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly.
After dinner, Meng Ruyi felt that she had been so busy today that she could hardly catch her breath. She walked side by side with Song Huaizhi towards the small courtyard.
The sky had been completely dyed deep black by the twilight. It was much cooler than at noon.
Thinking that it was stuffy in the room, Meng Ruyi planned to take a stroll around the Meng Mansion. As she walked, she thought about Zhang Yunyun's current situation.
She wondered if Zhang Yunyun would be free in a few days to come to the Meng Mansion for a chat. Maybe she should find her tomorrow and talk to her. Maybe she could even arrange for Zhang Yunyun to meet Li Yun.
Before she knew it, Meng Ruyi found that she had already stood in front of the small courtyard. Song Huaizhi beside her was quietly looking at her.
For some reason, Meng Ruyi blushed when she was looked at by him. She quickly turned her head to cover her embarrassment and said, "Brother Song, don't you go back and rest?"
"Sure." Song Huaizhi responded, "But it's hot today. I want to take a stroll first before going back."
They actually thought alike.
Reason told Meng Ruyi that she should say goodbye to Song Huaizhi first and then go back to her room. But thinking like this, she honestly said, "Then shall we go together? I'm also a bit hot."