Even with Yun Wenting's good temper, he couldn't help feeling somewhat angry upon hearing these words: "Second brother, what kind of talk is that?"
Yun Wenfang curved the corner of his mouth, glanced at Yun Wenting, raised an eyebrow, and said: "Am I wrong? You were clearly very angry just now when you saw that Wu Yiyu bullying Xiao Jinglin. Yet when standing before people, you still forced yourself to smile and even invited them onto the boat. Young Master Yun, aren't you tired?"
Yun Wenting pursed his lips and remained silent for a moment, but he no longer flared up. Instead, he asked calmly: "Oh? And what would you do?"
Yun Wenfang tilted his head and seriously thought for a moment, then scoffed, half-jokingly saying: "If her stick were aimed at someone I care for, I'd kick her into the river. Then I'd tell her, 'Get lost, don't let me see you again! I'll kick you every time I see you!'"
Hearing this, Yun Wenting actually laughed, shaking his head and looking at his brother with a tolerant expression, as if regarding a willful child: "You!"
Yun Wenfang raised an eyebrow: "What? Think I wouldn't dare?"
Yun Wenting shook his head and said gently: "No, I know you would dare." Yun Wenting fell silent for a moment, "But, you don't have to endure, yet the Yun Family always needs someone to endure."
Yun Wenting's voice was very soft and still gentle. Yun Wenfang glanced at him but found himself unable to utter any sarcastic remarks.
After passing under the bridge arch, the painted boat sailed smoothly without further obstacles.
"Sorry to have startled you. I didn't expect to run into them," Xiao Jinglin said to Ren Yaoqi after sitting down in the painted boat.
Ren Yaoqi shook her head: "I'm fine."
Xiao Jinglin thought for a moment, then said to Ren Yaoqi: "That woman just now is named Wu Yiyu, the only daughter of my aunt. She has never gotten along with me. Today you were with me... if you ever encounter her in the future, try to avoid her as much as possible, so you don't end up at a disadvantage."
Ren Yaoqi chuckled: "You're worried she might harm an innocent bystander like me? Don't worry, I won't be staying in Yunyang City for more than a few days, and I hardly go out. In a few days, I'll be returning to White Crane Town with the elders, so I probably won't have the chance to meet this Miss Wu."
Xiao Jinglin thought that made sense, so she nodded and said nothing more.
The painted boat traveled north along the city's waterways. After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, it gradually slowed down. Voices of the boatwoman speaking with someone could be heard outside—they must have reached the city's exit sluice gate, where guards were stationed. Yunyang City was considered Yanbei's primary stronghold, with ample defensive forces. However, because waterways were rarely used, the garrison at the north and south sluice gates was half that of the four main city gates.
Xiao Jinglin retrieved something like a handwritten order from her sleeve and handed it to her maid, instructing her to take it outside. She herself sat by the window.
The guards outside naturally knew that anyone who could openly use the north sluice gate like this must be from the prince's residence, so their routine questioning was polite. Upon seeing the order the maid presented and catching a glimpse of Xiao Jinglin's profile by the window, they immediately saluted and ordered their subordinates to open the sluice gate to let them pass.
The painted boat smoothly exited the city from the inner city waterway, and the sailing channel gradually widened. Xiao Jinglin ordered her maid to draw back the curtains on both sides of the boat, allowing those inside to have an unobstructed view of the scenery outside.Sunlight spilled across the broad river surface, as if scattering a layer of finely crushed golden light, shimmering and dazzling. The wind blowing in through the window carried a damp, fishy scent—not exactly pleasant, yet it left one feeling refreshed and invigorated.
The further they traveled from the city, the denser the greenery grew along both banks.
Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin each gazed out of their respective windows, seemingly captivated by the scenery outside. Neither spoke; when these two were together, silence often prevailed.
It wasn’t until Xiao Jinglin instructed, “Stop right here,” that Ren Yaoqi withdrew her gaze and looked toward her.
Xiao Jinglin, unusually, offered a smile. “Before you arrived today, I caught a few fish. I’ve already had the restaurant staff clean them. Shall we have a hot pot for lunch?” For some reason, Ren Yaoqi felt that when Xiao Jinglin spoke of food, her eyes sparkled. Though her tone remained indifferent, Ren Yaoqi sensed her delight.
“That sounds wonderful. It’s been a long time since I’ve had that,” Ren Yaoqi replied with a smile.
The hot pot was a hollow copper vessel, with the central cavity used to hold charcoal and the outer, larger “belly” for holding broth. Once the broth boiled, raw meat or vegetables could be added to cook in it.
Common folk in Yanbei often ate this in winter—it was warm, convenient, and lively when a family gathered around a table. Noble families occasionally enjoyed it too, though the servants usually did the cooking. For banquets, each person would have their own individual hot pot and could cook for themselves.
The painted boat docked by the shore. Hongying and another maid brought in items one after another: copper pots, charcoal, sliced fish, lamb, meatballs, and side dishes. It was much simpler than what Ren Yaoqi had eaten at home before.
As soon as the broth pot was brought in, the entire boat filled with an irresistible, mouthwatering aroma.
Ren Yaoqi’s eyes lit up as well.
Xiao Jinglin arranged the dishes herself while explaining, “The broth base was brought over from Drunken Immortal Pavilion.”
Drunken Immortal Pavilion’s hot pot was famous throughout Yanbei, but…
“I remember Drunken Immortal Pavilion doesn’t sell takeout, does it?” Ren Yaoqi asked curiously.
In places like the capital, renowned restaurants often had peculiar rules. Strangely, the more unusual the rules, the more they were praised by young nobles, who considered it a mark of elegance. Few would use their power to break the establishments’ rules, though there were always exceptions—usually nouveau riche types who didn’t understand the customs, and who would be mocked and looked down upon for it.
Xiao Jinglin’s two maids silently lowered their heads as they set out bowls and plates.
Xiao Jinglin replied nonchalantly, “Oh, I had my guards go straight to their kitchen and take it. It’s just a pot of broth, and it’s not like we didn’t pay.”
“...”
Unaware of the others’ expressions, Xiao Jinglin frowned and instructed the maid, “I want chili sauce, not sesame paste.”
Watching Xiao Jinglin, Ren Yaoqi suddenly laughed and pushed her own dipping sauce toward her. “Here, take mine. Let’s swap.”Xiao Jinglin waved her hand to dismiss the maids, not allowing them to help serve the dishes, and began to serve herself. The clothes she wore today had arrow sleeves, so it was quite convenient for her to move around. Without calling out to Ren Yaoqi, she placed fresh fish slices into the pot, swished them back and forth a couple of times, then transferred them to her bowl and began eating.
Ren Yaoqi’s sleeves, however, were wide and not very convenient for movement. Pingguo stepped forward and said, “Miss, let this servant assist you.”
Ren Yaoqi shook her head, unhurriedly picked up a few slices of fish, and, just as she would when practicing calligraphy or painting, used her left hand to pull up her right sleeve before dipping the meat into the broth.
Her movements were as elegant as when she wrote or painted, yet her skill at dipping the meat was no less proficient than Xiao Jinglin’s, and she appeared completely at ease.
Xiao Jinglin couldn’t help but pause her own actions, looking at Ren Yaoqi with surprise.
Ren Yaoqi blinked at her, then placed the fish into her mouth.
By the time Ren Yaoqi reached for more meat, Xiao Jinglin had snapped back to attention and, not wanting to fall behind, continued eating.
Xiao Jinglin ate just as quickly as last time, making anyone watching her feel their own appetite increase.
The two ate in silence, heads down, until they were both sweating lightly and thoroughly satisfied.
When the table was nearly cleared, Xiao Jinglin couldn’t help but smile at Ren Yaoqi and say, “That was truly satisfying.”
Ren Yaoqi smiled back. “Thank you, Commandery Princess, for thinking of me whenever there’s something delicious to eat.”
Last time they met, Xiao Jinglin had taken her to eat braised donkey meat, and this time it was the hot pot she had “snatched.” Both were unique experiences, hard to forget.
Xiao Jinglin was in a good mood and spoke a bit more. “You’re different from them.”
Ren Yaoqi raised an eyebrow curiously. “How so?”
Xiao Jinglin tilted her head and thought for a moment, wrinkling her brow childishly. “Eating with you is comfortable. I’m glad I invited you today. If it had been Xiao Jingxi, he’d have more rules than a woman! Just watching him eat would fill you up.”
Faced with Xiao Jinglin’s complaint, Ren Yaoqi could only pretend not to hear, though inwardly she was laughing uncontrollably.
Still, she truly couldn’t imagine someone like Xiao Jingxi sweating profusely while eating hot pot. She felt he should simply not eat, not use the restroom, and just spend his days smelling incense.
After the meal, the two chatted about this and that for a while. Suddenly, Ren Yaoqi heard what sounded like firecrackers and drumbeats coming from the river not far away. She looked out curiously.
Xiao Jinglin said, “The dragon boat race is about to start. Shall we have our boat go over?”
Ren Yaoqi nodded. “This is my first time here. You decide, Commandery Princess.”
“Xiao Jinglin.” Xiao Jinglin waved for a maid to instruct the boatwoman to row over, then turned back to Ren Yaoqi.
Ren Yaoqi was momentarily puzzled but quickly understood. Smiling, she nodded. “When no one else is around, I’ll call you Jinglin, and you can call me Yaoqi. How does that sound?”
The corners of Xiao Jinglin’s lips lifted slightly in a faint smile. “Good.”
The dragon boat race course was the same every year, with high platforms set up on the shore at both the starting and finishing points, decorated with red silk, lanterns, chairs, and tables. After the painted boat sailed for another quarter of an hour, Ren Yaoqi could see the platform on the shore.Xiao Jinglin had the boatwoman anchor the painted boat at a spot near the shore with a good view. Ren Yaoqi looked out the window and could see Elder Han and another old man of similar age sitting happily chatting on the high platform. Old Master Ren was also up there, though unlike Elder Han, he was not seated at the head position.
**********************************************************************************************************************************(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please come to Qidian () to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
OpenNovel