“Sister Wei, she’s seriously ill?!” The young man felt a lot of guilt. If he had known her body was so weak, he would have just entrusted her to bring out a letter. It would also save his mother from blaming him for not knowing better when she finds out about this.

He frowned worriedly, resting his chin on his hand, “Youning, you haven’t told anyone else about Sister Wei’s letter, have you?”

If Li Ruantang knew about this, it might be difficult to explain.

Moreover, he hadn’t had time to read the letter yet, so he didn’t know if its contents were good or bad. The young man was worried one moment and troubled the next, his eyes glancing at the envelope pressed on the table several times.

“No.” Hu Youning shook his head. When he looked out the window again, that silhouette had long since dispersed with the wind.

Meng Jun sighed in relief upon hearing this, “That’s good.”

“However, Youning, although you’ve expressed your intentions, there’s one thing I can’t hide from you.” The young man spoke seriously, holding the envelope, “Noble families in the capital are not a long-term concept. As the saying goes, today’s rich and powerful are tomorrow’s ghosts in prison.”

“You need to think carefully. Once you step in, it might not be as you imagine.”

“I understand.” Hu Youning nodded slightly.

In matters of love, slow and steady is the best strategy. Moreover, now that Lady Li’s heart and eyes were full of Jiujiu, if he wanted to gain a bit of her affection, he would need to be patient and wait for the right opportunity.

“I didn’t come today with any other intention,” Hu Youning smiled shyly. “I just thought that since she’s your wife-master, I couldn’t keep my feelings for her hidden from you, even if I could hide it from everyone else.”

“Jiujiu, what I’ve said today, I’ve only told you. As long as you and I don’t say anything, no one else will know about this.”

His face tinged with a slight blush, “Then… if I just quietly like her, would you mind, Jiujiu?”

The young man in front of him, with his smiling eyes, looked full of hope.

Even though he had spoken so frankly, Youning seemed to always avoid the main point.

Thinking of the dream he had at night, Meng Jun felt anxious again and said seriously, “Youning, I would mind.”

The innocent expression on Hu Youning’s face froze, “Jiujiu, you…”

Afraid that he would make excuses about not hearing clearly again, the young man steeled his heart and raised his voice considerably, “I mind, very much.”

“Because my wife-master only likes me.”

Meng Jun’s face reddened as he said this. He nervously looked out the window, and after confirming that no one was around, he continued, “I’m afraid Youning will get hurt, and even more afraid that because of my wife-master, Youning and I can no longer be friends.”

He looked apologetically at the stunned Hu Youning, “Youning, it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have told you such things.”

“But now, I really do mind.” The young man paused, then said softly, “About my friend liking my wife-master.”

When Hu Youning left, his shoulders were still slightly hunched, even though he had anticipated Jiujiu’s answer before knocking on the door.

However, he really hadn’t expected the young man to refuse so firmly.

After all, didn’t Jiujiu like someone other than Lady Li?

Hu Youning couldn’t understand. As soon as he stepped into his own room, he saw Zhou Fulang sitting inside. His expression was grim, and he was holding a newly made woman’s pouch in his hand.

Hu Youning was so shocked that his scalp tingled, and he quickly closed the door.

“Youning, you!” Zhou Fulang had words on the tip of his tongue, but after holding back for a long time, he couldn’t say anything harsh. He sighed deeply, “Why do you insist on this?”

“Father, I just wanted to try,” Hu Youning smiled bitterly. “Maybe, you know.”

“So stubborn!” Zhou Fulang frowned, “Lady Li is not a passionate person. You’d better give up this idea as soon as possible.”

“Father!” Hu Youning fell to his knees with a thud. Those naturally smiling eyes were now full of tears, “Since you know, can you help me, just once? If it doesn’t work, I will definitely give up and not think of it again.”

There were still muddy places in the long mountain gully. The carriages from outside couldn’t enter this section, so they had to walk out on their own.

This was also Hu Youning’s last chance. He pleaded pitifully to the relative who regarded him as his life.

“You!” The raised palm ultimately didn’t fall heavily. Zhou Fulang sighed softly, “Fine, whether this succeeds or fails is heaven’s will. You can’t blame anyone in the future, do you understand?”

“Thank you, Father!” Hu Youning hurriedly expressed his gratitude. He wiped his tears, saw Zhou Fulang off, and then sat on the edge of the bed, carefully stroking the small red flower newly embroidered on the pouch.

He wasn’t greedy at all, he just wanted this little bit of tenderness.

The grass and mud are fresh after the rain.

Entering Long Mountain Gully again, the young man slowed his pace considerably. He hadn’t really taken in the scenery here before, but now with Li Ruantang holding his hand, he wasn’t afraid of falling repeatedly like that night.

Those beautiful phoenix eyes glanced left and right, occasionally pouting with regret. When Li Ruantang asked him about it, she only received a mysterious look in response.

As noon approached, the group was resting in the shade of a tree when there was a rustling sound in the grass behind Li Ruantang, with continuous movement.

When Hu Youning came over to deliver steamed buns, he arrived just as Jiujiu stood up from the grass, “Wife-master, look!”

Just that simple form of address made her previously faint smile become much more lively. Hu Youning’s heart tightened. He pursed his lips and placed the oiled paper package down carefully. As he walked back, he quietly paid attention to the movement behind him.

Li Ruantang was still smiling, but noticeably more gently.

The young man, with some mud on the hem of his clothes, ran pitter-patter to her side, holding up a brightly blooming small red flower, “Isn’t it beautiful!”

He had searched for a long time, comparing all along the way, before finding this most beautiful little red flower.

Those beautiful phoenix eyes were sparkling, earnestly waiting for her answer.

Li Ruantang lowered her gaze slightly, looking at the young man whose face had flushed a light red from the heat. He was as beautiful as jade, with extraordinary charm.

Her heart stirred, and the fingers behind her back moved slightly. Just as she was about to take half a step closer, the words “Sister Wei” rang clearly in her ears.

Li Ruantang sighed inwardly, wondering how many good sisters her young husband had who would search high and low for him.

The young man couldn’t guess her thoughts at this moment. He just anxiously tugged at her sleeve, pushing the little red flower forward again, “Wife-master?”

“Mm, it’s beautiful.”

“I knew wife-master would like it!” Having received her approval, Jiujiu immediately smiled with crescent eyes. He very generously placed the little red flower in Li Ruantang’s palm, “For wife-master.”

As the young man said this, his handsome face was still tinged with a faint red. Those beautiful phoenix eyes looked at the stunned Li Ruantang with unspoken words. He pulled out another little red flower from his sleeve, “Look, this one and the one just now grew in the same place.”

“Hmm?” Li Ruantang looked at the two little red flowers in her hand, not understanding.

Meng Jun lowered his head shyly, urging in a small voice, “Wife-master, when you receive a gift, you should give one in return.”