"Granny Gui, please go and invite Third Madam over," Old Madam Ren instructed Granny Gui.
Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but frown slightly, but Xiao Jinglin, seated at the head of the room, said, "No need. I've already met Third Madam last time. Today, I came specifically to see Ren Yaoqi."
Only then did Old Madam Ren relent, smiling as she asked Xiao Jinglin, "Did Commandery Princess meet Yaoqi during your last visit to White Dragon Temple?"
Xiao Jinglin glanced at Ren Yaoqi and nodded.
"No wonder you two hit it off so well," Old Madam Ren said with a beaming smile.
After sitting for a short while, Xiao Jinglin set down her teacup and stood up. "I'd like to invite Ren Yaoqi to go out with me. This is my first time in White Crane Town, and I'd like her to show me around."
Xiao Jinglin spoke of going out as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world. Although Yanbei wasn't as strict with etiquette as the Jiangnan region, noble young ladies rarely went out for casual strolls unless it was during major festivals where they mingled with the common people. After all, their status dictated their behavior.
People of the time believed that only by being raised in seclusion could a gentle and well-mannered lady be cultivated. No respectable lady was ever shaped in the bustling streets. This was something that even the most open-minded customs couldn't change.
However, Old Madam Ren agreed without a second thought, smiling as she said, "Why not let Yaohua and Yaoyin accompany the Commandery Princess as well? It'll be livelier with more people."
Fifth Madam Lin quickly pushed her daughter forward, saying, "Yes, yes, and our Yu'er should go too."
Xiao Jinglin glanced at the other young ladies of the Ren Family and declined softly, "No need. I don't like crowds. Ren Yaoqi alone will suffice."
The Ren Family was eager to establish ties with the Yanbei Prince's Mansion. Old Madam Ren wished Xiao Jinglin could get along with all her granddaughters, as it would help elevate the status of the Ren Family's young ladies.
Thus, Xiao Jinglin's refusal left Old Madam Ren somewhat disappointed. However, she couldn't insist, so she repeatedly instructed Ren Yaoqi to take good care of the Commandery Princess and fulfill her duties as a host.
Although Xiao Jinglin had invited Ren Yaoqi, the decision wasn't hers to make. Even if she didn't want to go, the Ren Family would eventually force her to. Having lived two lifetimes as a member of the Ren Family, Ren Yaoqi understood this all too well. Fortunately, she wasn't one to dwell on such matters and merely smiled at the thought.
Ren Yaoqi took note of the varied expressions on the faces of the Ren Family members. She lowered her head and obediently followed Xiao Jinglin out of Glory and Splendor Courtyard.
Perhaps it was her imagination, but Ren Yaoqi felt that Xiao Jinglin let out a long sigh of relief once they were outside. Though Xiao Jinglin's expression remained unchanged, Ren Yaoqi, standing very close to her, sensed it.
She must be unaccustomed to dealing with these inner household women, Ren Yaoqi thought, recalling that Xiao Jinglin lived in the border city year-round and rarely returned to the Yanbei Prince's Mansion.
Just after leaving Glory and Splendor Courtyard, Ren Yaoqi saw Old Master Ren and Eldest Master hurrying toward them. Eldest Master Ren was the first to spot Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin and quickly said something to Old Master Ren.
Old Master Ren also looked up and walked over with a perfectly measured smile, bowing to Xiao Jinglin. "Your humble servant, Ren Yonghe, greets the Commandery Princess. What an honor to have you here!"
Eldest Master Ren also bowed behind Old Master Ren.Xiao Jinglin nodded lightly and said in a calm tone, "Sorry to trouble you. I wish to go out for a stroll with Ren Yaoqi." Her tone and demeanor could hardly be described as warm; instead, they carried a genuine sense of distance, much like when she had met the women of the Ren Family in the Glory and Splendor Courtyard earlier.
Nevertheless, Old Master Ren cheerfully replied, "Although White Crane Town is small, there are still a few places worth seeing. For example, the 'Lingyin Spring' and Daomen Mountain. Additionally, there is a restaurant in town called Fengxian Tower. While the name may not be particularly eye-catching, their Fengxian buns are considered the best in White Crane Town. Besides that..."
At this point, Old Master Ren glanced at Ren Yaoqi and smiled, saying, "Why not let Qi'er's elder brother accompany you? It would be more convenient for him to guide you around."
Ren Yaoqi lowered her head, pretending not to notice Old Master Ren's gaze.
Xiao Jinglin had already declined, "No need. I have attendants to lead the way."
Old Master Ren did not insist further and only extended a smiling invitation, "Then I must ask the Commandery Princess to stay at our humble home for a few days. Since you and Qi'er get along so well, it would be nice for the two sisters to spend more time together."
Ren Yaoqi felt her face flush upon hearing this. The attempt to establish a connection was truly swift. Old Master Ren had even managed to claim a sisterly bond between her and the Commandery Princess.
Xiao Jinglin neither agreed nor refused, simply nodding before departing.
Ren Yaoqi glanced at Old Master Ren and followed her.
"Why did the Commandery Princess come to White Crane Town today?" Ren Yaoqi attempted to break the silence once Old Master Ren was out of sight.
In truth, she and Xiao Jinglin could hardly be considered acquainted, having exchanged fewer than ten sentences in total. And Xiao Jinglin was clearly not the type to warm up to strangers easily, so the atmosphere between them now felt understandably stiff.
"Hmm, just to look around," Xiao Jinglin replied briefly, showing little enthusiasm for further conversation.
Ren Yaoqi fell silent as well.
The two walked forward in silence, much like their first meeting, though this time Ren Yaoqi was not being dragged along by Xiao Jinglin.
Strangely, Ren Yaoqi felt that such silence seemed more fitting for Xiao Jinglin, and the atmosphere no longer felt as rigid.
Ren Yaoqi glanced at Xiao Jinglin, this time with a rare hint of curiosity. She suddenly had a feeling that, compared to the bustling, servant-filled life of a grand mansion, this young woman seemed more suited to solitude.
The Ren Family offered to prepare a carriage for them, but Xiao Jinglin declined. She had also arrived by carriage that day. However, Xiao Jinglin still did not bring any maids or elderly attendants. Ren Yaoqi, unaccustomed to being without attendants, brought two maids and two elderly attendants herself.
Once they passed through the Inner Gate and reached Xiao Jinglin's carriage, Ren Yaoqi realized that the driver that day was actually Dongsheng. After a moment of surprise, she understood. Since she and Xiao Jinglin had no prior friendship, Xiao Jinglin must have come to see her at Xiao Jingxi's request.
However, Ren Yaoqi did not see Xiao Jingxi inside the carriage. In the end, only she and Xiao Jinglin rode in Xiao Jinglin's carriage. The maids and elderly attendants Ren Yaoqi had brought were eventually accommodated in another carriage arranged by the Ren Family. Xiao Jinglin did not seem bothered by the inconvenience and waited quietly.
The carriage eventually headed out of town. Not far beyond White Crane Town lay the Western Hills.Due to the numerous coal mines and kilns on the Western Hills, along with various ceramic workshops of different sizes nearby, the mountain paths around the area had been flattened by the constant traffic of cargo-carrying vehicles. As a result, the roads were wide and smooth, allowing the carriage to travel as steadily as if it were on flat ground.
However, because of the abundance of coal mines and kilns in the vicinity, the roads here were uniformly black, and even digging three feet deep would still reveal black soil—a result of coal carts traversing these paths year after year.
At that moment, a long convoy of coal-pulling vehicles approached from the opposite direction, accompanied by the crisp sound of bells. Xiao Jinglin had just lifted the carriage curtain to look outside and let out a soft exclamation at the sight of the convoy: "Are those camels?"
Ren Yaoqi glanced over and recognized the Ren Family emblem among the convoy. A Ren Family steward, accompanied by several miners, was driving dozens of single-humped camels forward, their bells jingling as they moved.
"Yes, most of the roads here are mountainous. Before the coal mines were established, there were many lime kilns in this area. Since horse-drawn carts struggled on the mountain paths, camel carts were used instead. Later, when the coal mines were built, camels were also employed to transport coal. Over the years, the constant traffic has made this mountain path much smoother. So, the Ren Family’s coal mines now use both horse-drawn carts and camel carts. However, camels can carry much heavier loads than horses and are less delicate, which is why the coal mines prefer using camels for transporting coal."
Xiao Jinglin nodded. "I’ve ridden a camel before, but it was the kind with two humps." She paused briefly before adding, "Camels once saved my life."
Taken aback by Xiao Jinglin’s sudden remark, Ren Yaoqi wondered if she was referring to something that had happened during her time at the border.
However, Xiao Jinglin said nothing more and simply watched quietly as the camel convoy passed by, stirring up a cloud of dust. Ren Yaoqi blinked as a grain of sand flew into her eye, causing some discomfort. She took out a handkerchief to wipe her eye and decided to close them until the convoy had passed. Since Xiao Jinglin hadn’t drawn the carriage curtain, Ren Yaoqi didn’t feel it was her place to say anything.
Xiao Jinglin, however, noticed Ren Yaoqi’s discomfort and lowered the curtain, shielding the interior from the swirling dust.
Only then did Ren Yaoqi open her eyes, offering an apologetic smile.
Xiao Jinglin watched as Ren Yaoqi put away her handkerchief and remarked, "Can’t you handle even this much dust?" There was no condescension in her tone, only curiosity.
Ren Yaoqi glanced at Xiao Jingxi and replied, half-jokingly, "Well, Commandery Princess, you aren’t bothered because your eyelashes are thicker than mine."
Xiao Jinglin was momentarily taken aback, then smiled faintly. "That’s a novel explanation." Her smile appeared and vanished quickly, lingering only briefly on her face before disappearing again before Ren Yaoqi could fully take it in.
"I’ll have Xiao Jingxi try it," Xiao Jinglin added unexpectedly.
Ren Yaoqi thought carefully about Xiao Jingxi’s eyelashes—they did seem quite thick—and couldn’t help but chuckle. "Then, Commandery Princess, please don’t tell him I’m the one who suggested he try it."
"Why not?" Xiao Jinglin asked casually.
Why not? Ren Yaoqi was speechless. Naturally, it was because she was afraid he would come looking for her to settle the score.
After this exchange, the two of them finally grew a little more familiar, and the atmosphere between them improved considerably."What about the camel you had before, Commandery Princess? Did you bring it back to raise?" Ren Yaoqi tried to find a topic Xiao Jinglin would enjoy.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Jinglin found the question rather odd: "No, I didn’t bring it back. It was eaten."
Ren Yaoqi: "..."
Seeing Ren Yaoqi’s expression, Xiao Jinglin thought for a moment and then explained, "Generally speaking, soldiers cherish their warhorses deeply, because on the battlefield, a warhorse is like their own legs, sometimes even their closest comrade. However, when food becomes scarce, warhorses are still slaughtered. On the battlefield, 'defeating the enemy' and 'surviving' are always the first things one must learn." (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please come to Qidian to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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