"Ruanruan, I really can't rest easy leaving you all alone."
So much has happened during this time. Thinking about how Ruan Ruan almost lost her life, Mu Bai is filled with lingering fear. How could he bear to leave her alone?
Su Ruanruan just smiled, locked the courtyard gate, and took Mu Bai's hand, "Brother Mu Bai, I'll take you somewhere."
Where are we going?
"You'll know when you get there." Su Ruanruan led him to the clothing store from last night.
I selected several new clothes for him, inside and out. The inner garment was made of silk, which was crisp, fine, smooth to the touch, and very comfortable to wear next to the skin.
The outer garment was made of satin, smooth and shiny. Although it was not as fine as silk or satin, it was much better than the coarse cloth clothes Mu Bai was wearing.
She could have bought something more expensive, but she knew Mu Bai didn't like to flaunt his appearance. This was just right—neither undignified nor ostentatious.
The bamboo green and tea white colors complement Mu Bai even more, making her figure handsome and upright, with a clear and bright appearance, like a poem or a painting.
Su Ruanruan regretted bringing Mu Bai to choose clothes; he looked so handsome that she was afraid he would attract the attention of other noble ladies.
"Ruanruan, I still have clothes, there's no need to spend so much. Besides, didn't we already buy an outfit last night?" Mu Bai refused, pulling Su Ruanruan to walk back.
Su Ruanruan blocked his way and pulled him to a small alley outside the shop. "You'll be on the road to Lingzhou for several days, and you'll be staying there for several more days. One set of clothes won't be enough."
"Those clothes you had before are old. They're fine to wear at home, but they're not presentable enough to wear outside, are they?"
Seeing that Mu Bai was about to argue again, Su Ruanruan covered his mouth with her hand, "Just think of it as me, okay? I hope that you will always be the most dazzling star in front of everyone."
Su Ruanruan cupped Mu Bai's cheeks, "I know you're worried I'll spend too much, but I'm not. You're my man, Su Ruanruan's man, and you can't embarrass me when we're out in public. I bought this dress for you today, and you can't refuse."
The words "You are my soft and gentle man" made Mu Bai feel extremely comfortable, and a smile appeared on his lips.
"Okay, I'll listen to Ruan Ruan."
The two returned to the clothing store, where the shopkeeper greeted them warmly once again.
After receiving the items and paying the silver, Su Ruanruan and Mu Bai returned home.
Mu Bai returned to his room, tidied up the birthday painting he had just finished and the books he had recently copied, and then went out.
Meanwhile, Su Ruanruan took advantage of this time to go to the tofu shop and asked the shop assistant to find the little beggar she had met on the Fengshui Bridge the night before.
She then went to a pastry shop and bought some pastries and dried fruit to eat on the way.
I paused for a moment as I passed a clothing store, then decided to go inside anyway...
When she returned, Mu Bai had already come back.
The clothes that had been drying on the bamboo poles in the courtyard were gone; Mu Bai had neatly collected them into the cabinet.
Two more books and a stack of Xuan paper appeared in the room.
"You have to practice your calligraphy properly while I'm gone, don't be lazy." Mu Bai ruffled Su Ruanruan's hair. "I'll be checking when I get back."
Su Ruanruan handed a package to Mu Bai, saying, "Give these clothes to Fang Ru on the way."
Mu Bai was somewhat taken aback, not expecting that Ruan Ruan would actually buy Fang Ru a new set of clothes.
Seeing that he was a little jealous, Su Ruanruan quickly hooked her arms around his neck.
“I know Fang Ru has a problem with me, but as a friend and classmate, he has really been good to you. I know that his family only has two elderly people supporting his studies, which is really hard for him. I just wanted to express my gratitude.”
Fang Ru's situation was similar to Mu Bai's. Mu Bai was an orphan, while Fang Ru's family consisted of only two elderly people who farmed to support his education.
Although Su Ruanruan had only met him a few times, she knew that he lived frugally and probably wouldn't prepare new clothes for him.
He took good care of Mu Bai at the academy, and even injured his left arm while protecting Mu Bai from Zeng Yuan and his gang. This garment can be considered as repayment for his kindness.
I also hope that he and Mu Bai will work hard together and eventually pass the imperial examinations to become Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest level of the imperial examinations).
"Brother Mu Bai, I will be good to those who are good to me."
Of course, there are some people she won't let go of either.
Before she finished speaking, Su Ruanruan had already tiptoed and kissed Mu Bai's warm lips...
On the ground, only two shadows intertwined.
After a long while, Mu Bai finally released Su Ruanruan's beautiful lips and pulled her into his arms. "Ruanruan, I will definitely come back for your birthday. Wait for me."
"Okay, I'll wait for you, Brother Mubai. Let's get married after the autumn imperial examinations are over!"
Mu Bai's heart clenched tightly, fearing it was just his imagination. He stared intently at Su Ruanruan, "You... what did you say?"
"Brother Mu Bai, shall we get married after the autumn imperial examinations are over?"
Words could not express the overwhelming joy in his heart. Mu Bai was stunned by this sudden surprise. After a moment, he nodded hoarsely, as if pounding garlic, "Okay."
"Ruanruan, be careful at home, I'll be back soon."
"Okay, I'll wait for you."
City gate
Mu Bai poked his head out of the rented carriage, looking at Su Ruanruan with reluctance.
Su Ruanruan's gaze followed that gaze further and further away until the other person disappeared from sight.
Su Ruanruan held Bai Ruan, who had been brought back by Fang Ru, in her arms and said, "You've gotten fatter again."
She looked again at the figures that had long since disappeared outside the city gate and murmured softly, "Brother Mu Bai, I can't bear to part with you."
Su Ruanruan felt a gaze fall on her, turned her head and looked over, and sure enough, she saw Huo Yan resting in the shade under a willow tree.
He sat in a rocking chair, legs crossed, drinking tea, but his gaze seemed to linger on her.
Su Ruanruan stared at him for a few moments, then turned and walked towards him.
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