"Did you come with Second Young Master Xiao?" Ren Yaoqi asked with a smile.
Zhu Ruomei shook his head. "A few days ago, after my injuries had mostly healed, the young master allowed me to return to Yunyang City to visit my mother. He said he would have tasks for me later, but for now, I was free to handle my own affairs. I came to White Crane Town to see Uncle Yuan and the others, and also to ask if Fifth Miss has anything she needs my help with."
"You don’t need to stay by Second Young Master Xiao’s side?" Ren Yaoqi asked upon hearing this.
Zhu Ruomei grinned and shook his head again. "From what I gathered from the young master, he intends for me to stay in White Crane Town in the future."
Seeing Ren Yaoqi’s surprise, Zhu Ruomei lowered his voice slightly and whispered, "Most likely, I’ll be stationed at White Dragon Temple, though the young master hasn’t specified what I’ll be doing there yet."
White Dragon Temple? Ren Yaoqi pondered for a moment. Combined with the information she had previously heard from Dongsheng, she guessed that Xiao Jingxi’s decision to station Zhu Ruomei at White Dragon Temple was likely related to the hidden soldiers there.
Zhu Ruomei had shown military talent in her previous life, so this arrangement could be a good opportunity for him.
"Even though Second Young Master Xiao hasn’t asked you to accompany him to Yanbei Prince’s Mansion, he must have his reasons for this arrangement," Ren Yaoqi said softly, concerned that Zhu Ruomei might think Xiao Jingxi didn’t value him enough.
"Don’t worry, Fifth Miss, I understand," Zhu Ruomei nodded.
After a pause, he added, "If there’s anything you need help with in the future, just have the Yuan family send word to me. As long as it’s within my ability, I won’t refuse."
Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but laugh and teased, "I wouldn’t dare try to steal someone from Second Young Master Xiao."
Zhu Ruomei smiled sheepishly but replied earnestly, "Second Young Master Xiao said that as long as I complete the tasks he assigns me, he won’t impose too many restrictions. So you can rest assured, Fifth Miss."
Ren Yaoqi raised an eyebrow inwardly. Was Xiao Jingxi really that generous?
If that were the case, it would be even better.
What she lacked most now was reliable help outside the inner courtyard. While she could cultivate trusted aides within the inner courtyard, finding trustworthy people for external matters was far more difficult.
She smiled and said, "Thank you for your thoughtfulness. If I need your help, I’ll have someone contact you."
Zhu Ruomei grinned again. Ren Yaoqi noticed that this tall, sturdy man was actually quite cheerful and smiled often.
It was just past noon, a time when people should be having their meals, but aside from Xiao Jinglin’s carriage blocking the middle of the alley and the few of them, there was no one else in sight. When they had entered earlier, they had seen a few vendors carrying their goods and hurried passersby, but now the alley was eerily quiet.
"Is this alley always so deserted? Doesn’t Sister Mo have any business here?" Ren Yaoqi finally noticed this and couldn’t help but ask.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Ruomei glanced around and whispered, "Before Second Young Master Xiao left, he gave a few instructions to Tongde, who then left for a short while. Soon after, the alley became quiet. Although you can’t see anyone else, Fifth Miss, there are actually quite a few people from Yanbei Prince’s Mansion stationed in the shadows. I suspect Tongde also had people guard the entrance to the alley to keep outsiders from entering."Upon hearing this, Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but be taken aback. Had Xiao Jingxi ordered people to clear the area before he left?
Was he afraid someone might barge in and disturb Xiao Jinglin? But given Xiao Jinglin's temperament, she likely wouldn't mind such things. Earlier, when they entered, although Xiao Jinglin mentioned there were guards hidden nearby, she hadn't stopped anyone from entering the alley.
As Ren Yaoqi was lost in random speculation, Zhu Ruomei said, "Fifth Miss, the sun is strong here. Why don't you get in the carriage first? I'll be staying at Yuan Dayong's house these few days. If you need anything, just send someone to the Yuan family to find me."
Seeing that Xiao Jinglin had already boarded the carriage and was waiting for her, Ren Yaoqi didn't want to keep her waiting too long, so she nodded and walked toward the carriage.
Zhu Ruomei watched her board the carriage and only turned to leave after the carriage had driven out of the alley.
After Ren Yaoqi got into the carriage, Xiao Jinglin gave a slight nod and instructed Dongsheng outside to drive away, without asking what Ren Yaoqi and Zhu Ruomei had discussed.
As the carriage left the alley, Ren Yaoqi deliberately glanced at the alley entrance and indeed saw two guards stationed there.
The carriage stopped on the street ahead, and Ren Yaoqi instructed Pingguo to get off and gather the maids and elderly servants left at the teahouse to return together to the Ren Family.
"Commandery Princess, are you acquainted with Mo Xiaoliang's family?" Ren Yaoqi casually chatted with Xiao Jinglin.
Xiao Jinglin nodded. "Mo Kai was originally a veteran soldier stationed at Jiajing Pass. A few years ago, while leading a patrol outside the city, he encountered a small cavalry unit of Liao people. During the skirmish, Mo Kai noticed that the group was covering for a scout trying to escape, so he pursued him alone. Unexpectedly, he ran into another group of Liao cavalry. Outnumbered, Mo Kai, fearing the scout might carry intelligence harmful to our troops, grabbed him and jumped off their horses, rolling down a cliff."
Mo Kai was likely Mo Xiaoliang's husband and Mo Xiaoliang's father.
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi fell silent for a moment. "Does Mo Xiaoliang have an older brother?"
Xiao Jinglin nodded faintly. "Yes, Mo Kai's eldest son, Mo Xiaolong, was an excellent scout despite his young age. However, he went missing during a mission in the winter of the year before last."
As a scout, going missing usually meant dying silently somewhere, with many scouts never having their bodies recovered. This was all too common in the military. Given how long Mo Xiaolong had been missing, it was impossible for him to still be alive.
No wonder...
Although Xiao Jinglin's tone was light, Ren Yaoqi felt a heaviness in her heart.
The two of them didn't speak again for the rest of the journey.
The carriage soon arrived at the entrance of the Ren Family. Xiao Jinglin lifted the carriage curtain and glanced at the main gate, saying to Ren Yaoqi, "I won't go in."
Ren Yaoqi understood that Xiao Jinglin might not be accustomed to life in the inner courtyard or enjoy chatting and laughing with the ladies and young misses of the household. She nodded with a smile. "Then I'll head back now. By the way, when will you be leaving White Crane Town?"
Xiao Jinglin thought for a moment. "I came with Xiao Jingxi this time and won't stay long. I'll likely return to Yunyang City by tomorrow at the latest."
"If you need someone to accompany you on outings, just send someone to find me," Ren Yaoqi said with a playful blink.
Hearing this, Xiao Jinglin curved her lips slightly and gave a faint nod.
Ren Yaoqi got off the carriage and entered the Ren residence.Before she even reached the inner gate, a servant woman hurried out from inside, walking up to Ren Yaoqi with a smile: "Fifth Miss, you've returned? Old Master Ren and Old Madam Ren are waiting for you in Glory and Splendor Courtyard. They instructed this servant to call you over as soon as you entered the mansion."
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi showed no surprise at all. She nodded and followed the servant woman from Glory and Splendor Courtyard to see Old Master Ren and Old Madam Ren.
Normally at this time, Old Madam Ren would have already finished her midday meal and be taking a nap, but today she was sitting with Old Master Ren on the southern heated kang in the right side room, chatting.
Seeing Ren Yaoqi enter, Old Master Ren was the first to speak with a smile: "Fifth girl is back? Have you eaten yet?"
Old Madam Ren also looked at Ren Yaoqi with a smile, the dimples on her face making her appear especially amiable: "The small kitchen still has hot hibiscus soup."
Ren Yaoqi stepped forward to bow: "Thank you for your concern, Grandfather and Grandmother. Your granddaughter has already eaten."
Old Madam Ren then beckoned to her, pointing to the spot beside her: "Come quickly and sit here to talk."
Ren Yaoqi glanced at the "precious seat" beside Old Madam Ren, thought for a moment, then lowered her head and stepped forward, but sat instead on a small embroidered stool nearby. She said somewhat shyly: "Your granddaughter will sit here instead, so she may better listen to Grandfather and Grandmother's teachings."
Old Master Ren stroked his beard and laughed heartily.
Old Madam Ren chided affectionately: "You child..." Thinking she was shy and timid, she did not press further.
"Where did you go with the Commandery Princess today?" Old Master Ren finally began his questioning.
"First we went for a stroll outside the city, but found there wasn't much interesting there, so we returned to town. Since the Commandery Princess doesn't like crowded, lively places, we randomly found an inconspicuous small shop for our midday meal. After that, we came back." Ren Yaoqi answered honestly.
"Oh? Outside the city? Was it near our Ren Family's coal mines, by any chance?" Old Master Ren said thoughtfully.
Ren Yaoqi's mind turned quickly. What did Old Master Ren mean by this? Did he think Xiao Jinglin's visit to the Ren Family had ulterior motives, that the Yanbei Prince's Mansion was interested in the Ren Family's coal mines?
But without pausing, she said: "Originally your granddaughter hadn't noticed, but now that Grandfather mentions it, I remember we encountered a Ren Family camel caravan transporting coal on the road. It must indeed have been near the coal mines."
Old Master Ren and Old Madam Ren exchanged a glance, both showing deep thought in their eyes.
"What did the Commandery Princess talk to you about? Did she mention our Ren Family at all?" Old Madam Ren asked.
Ren Yaoqi pretended to think: "She didn't really talk about the Ren Family. Instead, she chatted with me for a while about the horses and camels used for transporting coal."
Old Master Ren frowned pensively: "Horses and camels?"
Ren Yaoqi nodded.
"Was there anything else? I heard the Commandery Princess had you dismiss all your attendants, leaving only one maid to serve?" Old Madam Ren asked again.
"The Commandery Princess said she doesn't like having people following her around, so she had me dismiss everyone. The Commandery Princess mostly told me about some things she encountered outside the pass and asked me how I pass the time in the inner chambers. As for other things... I'm not sure what Old Madam means?" Ren Yaoqi asked, feigning confusion.
"Did the Commandery Princess come to White Crane Town alone this time?" Old Master Ren asked.
"It seems she came with the Xiao Family's Second Young Master. Second Young Master Xiao had business to attend to, so the Commandery Princess came to find me."Old Madam Ren's smile grew even more amiable. "Then how long will they be staying in White Crane Town? Since you are acquainted with the Commandery Princess, our Ren Family must certainly fulfill our duties as hosts and hold a proper banquet. It would be even better if we could also invite Second Young Master Xiao."
Old Master Ren also nodded with a beaming smile. "Your grandmother is right. See if you can send another invitation to the Commandery Princess?" (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please come to Qidian to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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