"It's all thanks to you," Zhang Yunyun said, halting in her tracks. She turned to look at Meng Ruyi earnestly. "If you hadn't helped me, I really wouldn't know what to do on my own."
Seeing that Meng Ruyi was about to demur, Zhang Yunyun quickly added, "Don't be so polite with me."
"Alright, alright," Meng Ruyi replied with a smile. Seeing that Zhang Yunyun was truly no longer worried about County Magistrate Zhang, she felt a bit relieved.
It had been quite a struggle. Finally, Zhang Yunyun could lead a peaceful life. Now, Meng Ruyi could finally set off for the capital without any qualms.
"By the way," Zhang Yunyun took a few steps and a sneer crept onto her face. She couldn't help but laugh. "That family is really getting their just deserts. The concubines and servants have all run away. Liu Haoran has been spending his days in debauchery and has racked up a large debt. He's been chased around by the debt collectors until he's dizzy."
"Now, no one even cares about him. My maid saw him drunk on the side of the road the other day."
"That woman is also quite a joke. When she realized that my father was heartless, she had other ideas. She tried to become a concubine to a wealthy merchant from out of town, but was beaten up by the merchant's wife who came all the way from afar."
Zhang Yunyun sighed, finding it all rather meaningless. "If she had just stayed put, her life wouldn't have ended up like this."
Meng Ruyi said nothing and simply sighed along with Zhang Yunyun.
...
At the residence of the Third Prince.
Zheng Yuanqing, the Third Prince, was in high spirits as things had been going smoothly for him recently. Looking at Song Huaizhi sitting across from him, he said, "If I'm lucky, I might even be able to return to the capital with you."
Song Huaizhi didn't respond immediately. He took a sip of his tea before saying, "I'm afraid the Third Prince will be disappointed. Yu Yu and I are leaving next month, so we won't be able to travel with you."
"What!?"
Zheng Yuanqing exclaimed in surprise and suddenly stood up. "Why so soon?"
As soon as he asked, he saw Song Huaizhi looking at him with a half - smile, a hint of danger in his handsome face.
Zheng Yuanqing knew he had asked a rather odd question, so he slowly sat down, a bit embarrassed.
It was no secret that the situation in the capital was in turmoil. Song Huaizhi was a disciple of that Mr. Lin, so it was only natural that he would rush back to stake his claim. It was quite strange how Mr. Lin, such a remarkable person, had found two highly talented disciples in this backwater place.
Song Huaizhi was mysterious and of lowly origin, but his talents left Zheng Yuanqing astounded. Meng Ruyi was the same. She seemed gentle and kind - hearted, but was just as tough to deal with as Song Huaizhi.
Thinking of this, Zheng Yuanqing couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for those in the capital and secretly relished their misfortune.
Ha, he thought, countless people would surely fall at Song Huaizhi's hands in the future. He could almost picture their frustration when they had no way to vent their anger. It would be even better if the Crown Prince and the like...
As he thought of this, the smile on Zheng Yuanqing's face was uncontrollable. But when he came to his senses, he saw Song Huaizhi looking at him with a half - smile again.
"Ahem," Zheng Yuanqing tried to make up for his gaffe. He cleared his throat and said seriously to Song Huaizhi, "I just suddenly remembered something about the capital, so I was a bit distracted."
"By the way," Zheng Yuanqing redirected the conversation. Looking at Song Huaizhi, he asked, "Do you have any clues as to who the assassin was a few months ago?"
He had investigated for a long time and only knew that the assassin was from the capital, but had found out nothing else. As an unfavored prince with a weak maternal family, his influence was limited.
Asking Song Huaizhi for help was the least costly option for him at the moment. At most, he would have to give up a bit more, but he wouldn't be completely ruined.
After all, he had seen through Song Huaizhi. Song Huaizhi was always sly and cold - hearted. Since he had invested in Zheng Yuanqing, he wouldn't just sit back and watch him die, letting all his efforts go to waste.
"Yes," Song Huaizhi looked up at him slightly when he heard the question. His expression was cold, and he didn't say anything else after that.
"Sigh!" Zheng Yuanqing knew he couldn't get information from Song Huaizhi for free. He simply spread his hands and showed his empty palms. "You know, I have nothing now. It's not that I don't want to pay, but I can't afford to."
Song Huaizhi remained unmoved. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke under the other's cautious gaze. "Miss Fang from the Fang family in the capital."
"...Ah?"
Zheng Yuanqing had run through all possible scenarios in his mind, but he never expected that the assassination attempt on him was related to a delicate young lady.
The Fang family was affiliated with the Shangguan family.
Zheng Yuanqing racked his brain for a long time but still couldn't figure out why Miss Fang would want to harm him. So he looked at Song Huaizhi pleadingly, waiting for an answer.
"Your uncle's family is trying to curry favor with the Shangguan family, so they are discussing a marriage alliance with the Fang family. Miss Fang seems to have someone she loves, but her voice is too weak, so she resorted to this extreme measure."
"That's not right," Zheng Yuanqing suddenly became sharp. His brows furrowed tightly. "No matter how bold she is, she wouldn't do such a thing. Could there be someone behind the scenes pulling the strings?"
Song Huaizhi didn't say a word and simply sipped his tea quietly.
"I really didn't expect..." Zheng Yuanqing murmured. "You're leaving for the capital next month. Could you please help me investigate the situation?"
"By the way," Zheng Yuanqing remembered something else. He rubbed his hands together and put on a big smile, which made Song Huaizhi instinctively move away from him. "I wonder how Jingzhe is doing?"
"Mr. Song," Zheng Yuanqing sighed and continued. "You know, I have nothing but my life. So could Jingzhe stay by my side?"
Song Huaizhi was almost laughed at by this audacious man in front of him. He wanted information and now he wanted a person. Did he think Song Huaizhi didn't know that he had already sent people to look for Jingzhe?
He was being so greedy. Did he think Song Huaizhi was a pushover?
"I'll take my leave," Song Huaizhi stood up and gave him a warning look. "Jingzhe doesn't want to be by your side. With Yu Yu around, I naturally won't force her."
"Take care, Third Prince. We'll meet again in the capital. I hope you'll still be in one piece when we do."
After saying that, he took out a letter from his sleeve, placed it on the table, and then turned around and left without hesitation.
"Thank you, Mr. Song," Zheng Yuanqing knew that although Song Huaizhi seemed to dislike him, he had actually given him quite a bit of help. So he also stood up to see him off. "Take care, Mr. Song."
He wondered when he would be able to go to the capital.
Zheng Yuanqing watched Song Huaizhi leave, a hint of melancholy crossing his face.
...
The journey to the capital was approaching.
With only five days left until their departure, Meng Ruyi couldn't help but feel anxious. She spent all her time clinging to her parents.
Xu Fanglian was also reluctant to part with her daughter, but she couldn't stop her.
So today, she put aside her work and cooked a meal for her daughter.