Meng Ruyi was just waiting for the wedding day to draw closer day by day. Whenever she was free, she would go out for a stroll, visiting Zhang Yunyun and the baby in her womb. Watching Zhang Yunyun's belly grow bigger day by day, Meng Ruyi became more and more eager for the baby's arrival.
The wedding was scheduled for the beginning of spring. Spring came late this year, probably around March.
So when the letter reached the capital and came back, there were not only a few familiar faces but also a whole bunch of rewards from Zheng Yuanqing.
The emperor was like a god in this small place. When the imperial edict and boxes of items were carried into the Meng family's residence, those who had been coveting the Meng family's property immediately gave up their ideas. They were relieved that they hadn't taken any action against the Meng family and came to offer their congratulations with gifts in a well - behaved manner.
Everything that happened was good, and everything was moving in the best direction.
One day in early February, the main gate of the Meng family was knocked. The servant opened the door and saw several travel - worn people standing there. One of them said as soon as they saw the servant, "We're here to find your Young Master Song."
Before the servant could say anything, he looked up and saw a tired - looking man staring at him. He thought the man looked familiar at first glance, and then he exclaimed in surprise, "Young Master Gu?"
Hearing this, Gu Ling woke up from his contemplation. He smiled at the servant and said, "Yes, it's me. These are also Ruyi's friends."
The servant rushed to deliver the message.
When Meng Ruyi rushed over, she saw Gu Ling, Tang Xiyi, Wen Xiuhe, and Shangguan Xue standing in the front hall. When they saw her coming, smiles appeared on their faces.
"You're here!?"
Meng Ruyi couldn't help but be overjoyed. But when she saw the tiredness on their faces, she quickly said, "Go and rest first. You've been on the road for so long. You must be exhausted."
"It's not hard."
Gu Ling gave her a deep look. The profound look in his eyes flashed by, and then he quickly resumed his old cynical expression. He said to Meng Ruyi, "After receiving your letter, we set off immediately. His Majesty can't come, but he asked us to bring something for you."
"What is it?" Meng Ruyi asked curiously.
Wasn't Zheng Yuanqing's wedding gift sent here long ago? Why was there still something now?
Curiously, she turned her head and saw Gu Ling taking the cloth - wrapped package from the attendant. Seeing his solemn expression, Meng Ruyi subconsciously held her breath.
Wen Xiuhe and Shangguan Xue beside them only knew that Zheng Yuanqing had summoned Gu Ling alone before they set off and had given Gu Ling something. But neither of them knew what it was.
Gu Ling placed the long package on the table. With a complicated look on his face, he pulled open the string that secured the cloth. There, lying quietly on the cloth, were a letter and a long sword.
"This!"
Wen Xiuhe was the first to cover her mouth in surprise. She looked at Shangguan Xue beside her, who was equally shocked. The two exchanged a look, unable to hide their surprise.
There was a similar sword in Wen Xiuhe's family.
This was the imperial sword!
Meng Ruyi also glanced at the long sword in surprise. Finally, she said to Gu Ling, "Take it back. Brother Xiaosong and I are just merchants. This precious item is of no use to us."
"Ruyi," Gu Ling sighed deeply. "His Majesty guessed you would say so, so he wrote this letter and said that you and Song Huaizhi should open and read it."
"Then I'll wait for Brother Xiaosong to come back and open it together."
Hearing the words "Brother Xiaosong", Gu Ling paused for a moment, then nodded.
After arranging the guests in the guest rooms, Meng Ruyi turned around and saw Gu Ling looking at her.
It was dusk. The thick and dim orange light shone on Gu Ling's face, making his facial features more distinct and handsome.
This was the male protagonist!
Meng Ruyi couldn't help but recall the long - forgotten plot, and a faint smile appeared in her eyes.
"Ruyi," Gu Ling watched Meng Ruyi smile, and the corner of his mouth couldn't help but curl up slightly. His eyes looking at her were gentle yet dim, which made Meng Ruyi stunned for a moment.
"Hmm?" Meng Ruyi asked, "What's wrong?"
Gu Ling stared at her silently. A thousand thoughts raced through his mind, but the words he wanted to say were swallowed back in an instant, turning into a long sigh.
Gu Ling remembered a lot of the past, such as his arrogance when he first met Meng Ruyi and his embarrassment when he chased after her.
The person in front of him always had a smiling face, but in fact, she was no easier to approach than the cold - faced Song Huaizhi.
It had taken Gu Ling a long time to make her accept him.
At first, he was just unwilling. He wondered what was so good about Song Huaizhi and wanted to snatch this person's attention from him. Later, his feelings gradually turned into a young man's innocent affection. But Meng Ruyi was truly oblivious. Gu Ling was relieved at first, but finally, he found that she was only responsive to Song Huaizhi.
In the end, all his feelings reverted to the initial unwillingness. But she was about to get married and would soon marry her childhood sweetheart Song Huaizhi. Gu Ling was jealous of him, but he clearly knew the gap between himself and Song Huaizhi.
"I'm glad to see you well..." Gu Ling paused. "I'm relieved to see you and Song Huaizhi doing well."
Hearing this, Meng Ruyi couldn't help but smile softly and said, "We're also relieved to see you well."
After all, they were playmates who had grown up together. How could they not be happy?
After saying that, Gu Ling quietly said goodbye to her and watched the person in front of him turn around and disappear around the corner.
...
The busier one is, the faster time seems to pass.
It seemed like just a blink of an eye. When Meng Ruyi came to her senses, she was already sitting in the bridal chamber waiting for Song Huaizhi to arrive.
It turned out that the neighboring Gu Mansion had been bought by Song Huaizhi, and the two mansions were connected.
When Meng Ruyi knew that Song Huaizhi was coming to pick her up from there, she couldn't help but burst out laughing. She watched as Song Huaizhi "married" himself into the Meng family as if he were doing it on his own accord.
There were especially many bullet - screen comments today, sighing as if they were saying goodbye.
[Ah! In a blink of an eye, Yuyu is getting married! Song Huaizhi is so lucky. I can't help but cry.]
[I have a feeling like a cabbage has been eaten by a pig. It's so melancholy.]
[It's so hard. In the original text, by now, Song Huaizhi has started to take extreme measures, and it seems that Yuyu... Oh my god! Today seems to be the day when Yuyu was killed in the original plot!]
[Congratulations to Baby Yuyu for starting a new life!]
So in the original plot, was she killed on this day?
Meng Ruyi was silent for a moment and continued to watch the farewell messages on the bullet - screen.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Three knocks, and the door was opened. The bridesmaid rushed forward. Meng Ruyi saw everything hazily through the veil.
Song Huaizhi seemed to have drunk quite a lot of wine. He could hardly walk steadily.
Those who came to make a ruckus in the bridal chamber stood in the room, looking at the newlyweds with full blessings.
Song Huaizhi took the jade ruyi from the bridesmaid and lifted the veil. His breath caught for a moment.
Under the veil was a beautiful and familiar face, smiling at him.
It was like a dream. Song Huaizhi drank the nuptial wine and let the bridesmaid finish the congratulatory speech. After everyone left, he suddenly came to his senses and stared fixedly at Meng Ruyi.
Somehow, the corners of his eyes were slightly moist.
Meng Ruyi also looked at him. The bullet - screen suddenly froze on the last message [A Harmonious Union for a Hundred Years], then flashed and disappeared.
Coming back to her senses, Meng Ruyi saw the glistening in Song Huaizhi's eyes. She smiled softly and said tenderly to him, "Husband."
Looking at the jade ruyi slipping from Song Huaizhi's hand, Meng Ruyi's heart skipped a beat. She remembered the long sword that had pierced through her and only felt the magic of fate.
She stepped forward, wiped the tears from the corners of Song Huaizhi's eyes, and then silently hugged him.
After going through all the hardships, the two finally managed to break free from the original ending and join hands.