After going to the embroidery workshop early in the morning and working hard until late at night, Ruan Mianmian returned to the bedroom. The little maid had already prepared hot water. After taking a bath and changing clothes, she lay down on the bed.
"Aren't you tired, Princess? It's getting late. Let's take a rest." Jiu'er said casually when he saw Ruan Mianmian staring at the roof in a daze.
Ruan Mianmian turned over and lay on his side facing out: "Sister Jiu'er, how much do you know about him?"
"He?" Jiu'er reacted quickly, "Is the princess asking the third master?"
"Yeah." Ruan Mianmian patted the edge of the bed and motioned for Jiu'er to sit down.
Jiuer sat down and started chatting: "My slave and the third master didn't have much interaction. Until his accident, in those few months, the old marquis seemed to have noticed something and ordered us to protect the third master day and night."
Ruan Mianmian understood immediately when he heard it. It was probably at that time that his grandfather discovered some clues, so he secretly sent someone to protect Ruan Qi.
"Originally, it was inconvenient for me to be a woman, but due to the lack of manpower, Ruan and I took turns protecting the third master secretly. During that time, we had more contact with him."
A light flashed in his eyes. His grandfather had never mentioned this, and Ruan Mianmian didn't know what he had noticed at that time.
"How should I put it? The third master is well-read and a bit of a scholar. He pays attention to everything and is very particular about the rules. In fact, he is the most particular in our Hou family."
Xiao Naituanzi said with disdain: "Humph, he is not as good as a nerd like my second uncle."
Jiu'er hesitated for a moment and then said calmly: "The second master doesn't care about things, and the third master has a cheerful personality. He seems to be easy to get along with, but after getting along with him for a long time, you will know that he always follows the rules, which is far from the easy-going old master."
"So, uncle is still approachable." Ruan Mianmian suddenly missed Ruan Chan outside.
"The eldest master is the one whose temperament is closest to that of the old marquis." Jiu'er advised, "Since the princess knows, don't be angry with the third master. He has such a temper and is not deliberately targeting you."
Ruan Mianmian glanced at Jiu'er: "Why do you say good things for him?"
Hearing this, Jiu'er raised her head suddenly and met Ruan Mianmian's eyes. Her eyes were as clear as a trickling stream, so clear and transparent that they seemed to reflect her heart.
"Back then, it was because I failed to protect him that he fell into the water." Jiu'er didn't dare to lie.
Ruan Mianmian slowly closed her eyes: "You feel guilty for him, so you said good things to him. I don't blame you. Remember, it's just this once. Go down, I'm sleepy."
After sending Ruan Mianmian away, Zhou Yunning waited in her room until late at night. When she heard the sound of the courtyard door, she quickly stood up and went to the window to look. Sure enough, she saw Ruan Qi walking from the courtyard door.
Walking to the door, Zhou Yunning was about to open the door when she heard his footsteps heading towards the study.
After standing in front of the door for a long time, Zhou Yuning let out a long sigh, turned around and sat down in front of the bed.
Suddenly, Zhou Yunning smiled bitterly. After all, he was different from the past. Not only was Ruan Qi different, but so was he.
Being so wronged, Zhou Yunning was shocked to realize that she felt bitter in her heart but did not cry. You must know that in the past, although she was not a person made of water, she was also a delicate person who shed tears pitifully whenever anything happened.
That night, Zhou Yunning thought she would stay up all night, but she didn't expect to fall asleep after tossing and turning. However, she didn't sleep very well, and she kept dreaming. When she woke up and opened her eyes, she couldn't remember anything.
Ruan Mianmian slept very deeply. She woke up when the sky turned white. She just turned over. Jiu'er outside had sensitive ears and came in to take a look when she heard the slightest movement.
Looking into Xiao Naituanzi's big eyes, Jiu'er whispered: "The princess is awake, it's still early, why don't you sleep a little longer."
"I won't sleep anymore." Ruan Mianmian sat up.
Jiu'er stepped forward and pulled up the quilt to cover Ruan Mianmian: "Sit down for a while to wake up. The fog is heavy in the morning, so be careful of catching a cold."
Ruan Mianmian blinked and quickly woke up, "Where did he spend the night last night?"
"He?" Jiuer quickly responded, "Are you asking the third master?"
"Um."
"In the Yanlongyuan study room." After Jiu'er finished speaking, he added, "I came back from Fu'an Hall in the middle of the night last night. I guess I wasn't afraid of waking up the third lady."
"Is there any movement over there, mother?"
"The third lady seems to be awake too."
"Wait for me to wash up. Let's go to Fu'an Hall first and have breakfast when we come back."
"It would be nice to go after breakfast."
"No." Ruan Mianmian insisted.
Seeing this, Jiu'er said no more. If the princess decides to do something, she must do it.
Jiu'er was quick with her hands and feet, and Ruan Mianmian was not particular about it. He tied up two small knots at will, and quietly led her out of the smoke cage courtyard without even wearing a headdress.
The old Marquis needs to get up early to go to court. As people get older, they don't sleep much. Mrs. Ruan usually gets up before dawn.
When Ruan Mianmian came to the gate of Fu'an Hall, she happened to meet Ruan Geng who was wearing official uniform and was about to go out.
Ruan Geng saw through Ruan Mianmian's little thoughts: "It's so early today?"
"There is something on my mind." Ruan Mianmian said bluntly.
"You are young, don't think too much, everything has a grandfather and grandmother." It's good to talk to smart people, Ruan Geng gave Ruan Mianmian some reassurance.
Ruan Mianmian nodded slightly: "Grandpa, walk slowly."
After watching Ruan Geng leave, Ruan Mianmian took Jiu'er into Fu'an Hall.
As early as when they met at the gate, someone rushed in to report to Mrs. Ruan.
Mrs. Ruan had already finished washing. She stretched out her hand and Granny Yun helped her get up. The master and servant were chatting while walking towards the hall.
"The princess came to the door at dawn, is there something wrong?"
"Ayun, you are pretending to be confused because you understand." Old Man Ruan sighed softly, "It's just for Ruan Qi's sake."
"Old man, Sanfang is finally reunited as a family. Why don't you seem unhappy, slave?"
"I'm happy, but..."
Seeing that Mrs. Ruan was hesitant to speak, Grandma Yun lowered her voice: "It has something to do with the little princess."
"Last night, I didn't hear Mianmian call him daddy."
"Don't worry, madam. Maybe it's because the third master suddenly came back. The princess is still young and won't be able to accept the sudden appearance of her father for a while."
"Mianmian is not an ordinary doll. Hey! It's all Ruan Qi's fault. Tell me, what did he do?" Mrs. Ruan vaguely guessed the knot in Ruan Mianmian's heart.
Aunt Yun also noticed that Mrs. Ruan was in a difficult situation, her palms and backs were full of flesh, and she couldn't say much.
While they were talking, the master and servant came to the door of the hall, and happened to meet Ruan Mianmian and Jiu'er who came in from the direction of the door.
"Mianmian pays my respects to grandma."
"My dear, come here quickly." Mrs. Ruan stretched out her hand towards Ruan Mianmian.
The grandfather and grandson crossed the threshold hand in hand, and Ruan Mianmian led her grandmother to the main seat in the hall and sat down.