Dongsheng, upon hearing this, glanced at Xiao Jingxi with a hesitant expression, wanting to ask for clarification but unsure how to phrase it.
To investigate the Qu family matter, he had visited this library more than once. He had carefully gone through every volume recording the local county administrations of Yan Prefecture but found no mention of the Qu family whatsoever.
Although Yanbei had experienced a prolonged period of warfare in the past, after the Yanbei Prince's Mansion regained control of the region, specialized scribes had compiled records of the changes in local families and populations. Even if some details were not thoroughly documented due to limitations, the disappearance of a major family could not have left absolutely no trace.
While Dongsheng was struggling with this, Xiao Jingxi remained calm. After a moment's thought, he raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "Are you certain you're looking for the Qu family?"
At these words, Dongsheng was taken aback and stared at Xiao Jingxi.
Xiao Jingxi's gaze lingered briefly on the row of bookshelves filled with records of Yan Prefecture's county administrations, hinting meaningfully, "I don't recall any Qu family. Could it be that you've remembered incorrectly? Perhaps it might be... the Zhai family?"
Dongsheng was startled. "Zhai? The Zhai family?"
Xiao Jingxi did not answer Dongsheng further. Instead, he leisurely picked out two books and, accompanied by Tong He, turned and left on his own.
Dongsheng watched Xiao Jingxi's back disappear from the study before suddenly realizing something. He hurriedly turned back to the bookshelf, eagerly searching until he pulled out several volumes. He then sat cross-legged on the floor to flip through them.
"The Zhai family... the Zhai family... I think I have some impression of it..." he muttered softly to himself as he turned the pages.
Suddenly, his eyes fixed on a particular page, and his hand stopped instantly.
"There really is a Zhai family..."
That day, Ren Shijia sent someone to the Ren Family Villa. Since the following day was the full-month celebration for the Ren family's young grandson, Lin Cen, Old Madam Ren had first dispatched someone to the Lin family to ask her daughter if she needed any assistance. Ren Shijia took the opportunity to send a trusted matron to reply and also deliver some lychees transported from the south to Old Madam Ren.
Transporting lychees all the way to Yanbei was extremely difficult, so their price had multiplied several times, and they were generally hard to come by. However, consuming too many lychees could cause internal heat. Although Old Madam Ren loved them, she dared not eat too many. She instructed someone to set aside a plate of lychees for Old Master Ren and send a plate each to her sons and grandsons. Seeing that there were still plenty left, she summoned her granddaughters.
Ren Yaoqi tasted a few lychees in Old Madam Ren's room before setting them aside, as eating too many could cause mouth sores. Meanwhile, Old Madam Ren was speaking with the matron sent by Ren Shijia.
When word came from outside that the Commandery Princess of the Yanbei Prince's Mansion had sent someone again, Ren Yaoqi was quite surprised.
Xiao Jinglin had been visiting her rather frequently lately, and she wondered what the matter was today.
Although Old Madam Ren was still occupied with her conversation, she dared not slight the Yanbei Prince's Mansion. Before Ren Yaoqi could even speak, she waved her hand, signaling Ren Yaoqi to go ahead.
Ren Yaoqi withdrew, returned to her room to change into outdoor attire, and then set out with Pingguo.
Granny Xu approached and said, "Young Miss, wouldn't it be inconvenient to bring only one maid?"Ren Yaoqi pretended to look helpless. "There's no other way. The Commandery Princess said she really dislikes having too many people follow her. If I hadn't pleaded, she wouldn't even have allowed Pingguo to come. Anyway, she doesn't lack attendants."
Granny Xu had no choice but to let it go.
When Ren Yaoqi stepped outside, she saw the same carriage that had picked her up last time waiting at the door. To her surprise, today's driver was Dongsheng.
Upon seeing Ren Yaoqi come out, Dongsheng jumped down from the carriage and greeted her as "Fifth Miss Ren," but as he raised his head, he gave her a meaningful glance.
Ren Yaoqi noticed his expression and realized Dongsheng seemed to have something he wanted to tell her.
However, the entrance of the Ren Family was hardly a suitable place for conversation. Ren Yaoqi nodded slightly and then boarded the carriage.
She had assumed, like last time, that the carriage had come to take her to meet Xiao Jinglin. But once inside, she discovered that Xiao Jinglin was actually sitting in the carriage today.
Ren Yaoqi exclaimed in surprise, "Your Highness, is there something you need from me today?"
Xiao Jinglin motioned for Ren Yaoqi to sit down before nodding. "Old Madam Yun sent someone to ask me to visit, and she mentioned you as well, so I thought I'd come pick you up on the way."
Ren Yaoqi was taken aback.
She very much wanted to turn around and get off the carriage, but since she had already come out, she couldn't find a reasonable excuse to go back. Although Yun Wenfang had invited her twice, she truly hadn't planned on actually going.
Ren Yaoqi's silence made Xiao Jinglin glance at her, frowning slightly. "What's wrong? You don't want to go?"
Xiao Jinglin hadn't given it much thought. The elders of the Yun Family had always been very affectionate toward her, and they were her grandmother's maternal family. The Yun Family had sent people to invite her multiple times, so when Old Madam Yun sent someone again today, she agreed.
She enjoyed Ren Yaoqi's company and, thinking about having to deal with the women in the inner courtyard, she straightforwardly decided to bring Ren Yaoqi along. Although she herself disliked such social engagements, she also knew they weren't necessarily bad for Ren Yaoqi. It just hadn't occurred to her to ask Ren Yaoqi if she was willing to go first.
Xiao Jinglin couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed with herself.
Noticing Xiao Jinglin's mood, Ren Yaoqi shook her head. "No, it's not that. I've never been to the Yun Family before, and I don't know Old Madam Yun or the other ladies." Since she was already out, turning back now would seem strange if anyone found out.
Thinking Ren Yaoqi was nervous, Xiao Jinglin reassured her, "It's fine. We'll just go to say hello and then leave. I know a place that serves really delicious tofu pudding. We can eat there before heading to Yun Mansion. And on the way back, I'll take you to Tanji for roast duck."
Xiao Jinglin's earnest expression made Ren Yaoqi chuckle. Xiao Jinglin certainly had a soft spot for food—every time they met, she insisted on treating Ren Yaoqi to a meal. It almost seemed like eating tofu pudding and roast duck was the main event, and visiting the Yun Family was just a side trip.
Even though Ren Yaoqi didn't want to go to the Yun Family, she couldn't bring herself to be upset with Xiao Jinglin.
Xiao Jinglin always traveled with minimal fuss, and this time there was only one carriage. When the carriage stopped, Ren Yaoqi lifted the curtain and looked outside. They were in a very ordinary small alley, where an elderly couple was selling tofu pudding from a wheelbarrow at the entrance.
"Wait here for me. I'll go buy some," Xiao Jinglin said, patting Ren Yaoqi's shoulder as she prepared to get off.
Ren Yaoqi quickly said, "Your Highness, let Pingguo go buy it instead."Xiao Jinglin waved her hand without even turning her head. "She doesn't know what seasonings to add to make it taste good." With that, she jumped off the carriage.
Ren Yaoqi watched the swaying curtain with great helplessness. Xiao Jinglin was the most peculiar noble lady she had ever met—without exception. Though she thought this, Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but smile.
Just as she was about to lift the curtain to see what Xiao Jinglin was up to, she heard Dongsheng whisper from outside, "Fifth Miss, I've found out something, but it's not about the Qu Family—it's about the Zhai Family." (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please vote for it on Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
OpenNovel