*********The previous chapter has been revised at the end. Interested readers can take a look, but it's not essential ^^~
As Lei Ting turned his head, he sensed a gaze scrutinizing him, but only saw a carriage passing by in front of him. Judging by the decorations on the carriage, it seemed to be for female family members. He frowned and shifted his gaze away.
Liu Gui caught up from behind him, stopping a step away, and whispered, "Master, the Liu family crossed Hejian Prefecture yesterday. Based on their pace, they'll arrive tomorrow. Should we send someone ahead to meet them?"
Lei Ting's stern face showed no expression. "Did they send anyone to ask us to meet them?"
Liu Gui glanced at his master and replied cautiously, "No."
Lei Ting curled the corner of his mouth, but there was not a hint of warmth in the gesture. Liu Gui couldn't help but lower his head.
"Since the guests haven't notified us, even if you send someone, no one will appreciate it," Lei Ting's voice was devoid of any emotion.
"Yes," Liu Gui dared not say more, even regretting his earlier words.
While others didn't know how the Grand Madam passed away, he, as Lei Ting's confidant, knew all too well.
The Liu family had been secretly sent to Yanbei under someone's instigation, intending to publicly expose the Grand Madam's identity. On the surface, the Grand Madam was the legitimate daughter of the once-great Liu family, which had fallen into decline decades earlier after being implicated in court struggles and incurring the late emperor's wrath.
It was thought that the Liu family members had either died or fled, but unexpectedly, a few had slipped through the net. Among those arriving this time was reportedly a cousin from the Grand Madam's generation.
Fortunately, the Lei Family had received advance notice, avoiding being caught off guard. However, to protect the Lei Family, the Grand Madam had...
The Grand Madam was resolute and determined. By the time Lei Ting sensed something amiss and rushed to intervene, it was already too late.
"Where is Pan'er now?" Lei Ting suddenly asked, his voice finally carrying a trace of emotion.
Liu Gui quickly replied, "The young miss is in Second Master's courtyard. When Second Master is away, she is cared for by the wet nurse and a few senior maids from his quarters. Please rest assured, Master."
Lei Ting nodded.
Liu Gui glanced at Lei Ting and said cautiously, "Master, Miss Yuegui has tried several times to fetch the young miss, saying she wanted to take her to your courtyard to care for her, but the young miss refused."
Lei Ting frowned. "Yuegui? The senior maid who used to serve A-Fu?"
"Yes, Master. After the Madam passed away, Miss Yuegui remained in the courtyard and has been managing the accounts there."
"Since she was an old servant of the Madam, give her a generous dowry after the mourning period ends," Lei Ting said casually.
Lei Ting never concerned himself with such inner courtyard matters, but he made an exception to mention this because she had served his late wife.
Liu Gui glanced at Lei Ting, understood his meaning, and bowed his head in acknowledgment without another word.
Although the Grand Madam had previously suggested that the eldest master take Yuegui as a concubine, it was clear the eldest master had not taken it to heart. Now, with the Grand Madam's passing and the master observing mourning, such matters were even less likely to be considered.
Though Liu Gui felt it would be better if there were a woman in charge in the master's courtyard at this time. With the Grand Madam gone, the Lei Family no longer had anyone to manage the inner courtyard. This was also why, despite knowing Yuegui's intentions, he had never exposed them."Since Pan'er enjoys staying in Second Brother's courtyard, let her be there. I don't have time to look after her anyway." Lei Ting reached up to pinch the bridge of his nose.
Liu Gui responded with a low murmur of acknowledgment.
Lei Ting had only one daughter, Lei Pan'er, yet father and daughter were not particularly close in their daily lives. The head of the Lei Family had far too many matters demanding his attention each day, and even if he were free, caring for a daughter was not something he could personally undertake.
Thus, compared to Lei Ting, who was always stern, Lei Pan'er was actually closer to her second uncle, Lei Zhen, who was willing to play with her.
Although Lei Zhen had a cheerful disposition, he was also an exceptionally attentive young man. After Madam Lei passed away, he immediately took his niece in to care for her personally, proving far more capable in this role than her own father, Lei Ting.
Ren Yaoqi's carriage arrived at Tanji Restaurant just as the hour of Si was ending. Because she had received word from Ren Yaohua unexpectedly, she had set out later than planned.
Hongying, the maid by Xiao Jinglin's side, had been instructed to wait at the entrance. As soon as Ren Yaoqi's carriage arrived, she guided the coachman to drive through the side alley to the restaurant's back door.
Although the rules of propriety in Yanbei were not as strict as in the capital, it was still common for women from inner households to enter restaurants and shops when traveling. However, they would only use the doors specially designated for women, keeping them separate from the male guests in the front halls.
But it was clear that Tanji Restaurant was not accepting outside customers today. As Ren Yaoqi was led by Hongying to the private room on the second floor, she didn't encounter a single soul along the way, not even a waiter.
The private room was spacious, divided into a front hall and a rear hall. Upon entering, Ren Yaoqi thought that such an ostentatious arrangement didn't seem like Xiao Jinglin's style.
Sure enough, when she walked into the inner rear hall, she saw Xiao Jinglin and Xiao Jingxi, the brother and sister, sitting at an Eight Immortals table in the center of the room, playing chess.
Xiao Jingxi seemed to really enjoy chess; every time Ren Yaoqi encountered him, a chessboard was invariably present.
As for why Ren Yaoqi thought it was Xiao Jingxi who liked chess and not Xiao Jinglin—that was because Xiao Jinglin currently sat there with tightly furrowed brows, her frown deep enough to crush a fly.
Sitting opposite her, Xiao Jingxi wore a faint smile at the corner of his mouth. Despite his ethereal, immortal-like demeanor and appearance, Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but see a hint of mischievous amusement in him, like a cat toying with a mouse under its paw.
Seeing Ren Yaoqi enter, Xiao Jinglin's eyes lit up. Then, with an expressionless face and an air of nonchalance, she tossed the chess piece she was holding onto the board. Instantly, the neatly arranged game, with more black pieces than white, was thrown into complete disarray.
A muscle twitched at Xiao Jingxi's temple, yet he still greeted Ren Yaoqi with a perfect smile and a nod.
Ren Yaoqi suddenly felt that being an ethereal immortal must be quite exhausting.
Pretending she hadn't seen anything, Ren Yaoqi stepped forward to greet the brother and sister, then was pulled by Xiao Jinglin to sit beside her.
"The game isn't over yet," Xiao Jingxi said leisurely, reaching out to reset the chessboard. Even though all the pieces were out of place, Young Master Xiao Er could restore them to their exact positions without error.
Xiao Jinglin frowned and fell silent for a moment. Without another word, she grabbed the chess pieces from the board indiscriminately, regardless of color, and stuffed them into the chess pot by her hand. Then, with an impassive expression, she handed the entire pot to Hongying. "Bury it."
Xiao Jingxi: "..."
Ren Yaoqi silently turned her head to admire the pair of beautiful vases by the wall.In the end, the chess pieces were saved, as that particular set was part of the Second Young Master Xiao’s private collection.
Naturally, the game could no longer continue. Xiao Jinglin lowered her head to sip tea, the teacup concealing the slight upward curve of her lips.
After a moment of silence, Xiao Jingxi was the first to speak.
“It’s still early. If you’re not hungry, shall we have the dishes served in half an hour?”
Xiao Jinglin had eaten some snacks outside before arriving, so she wasn’t particularly hungry. She glanced at Ren Yaoqi, who nodded without objection. Her mind had been preoccupied throughout the journey, leaving her with little appetite.
This was the fourth time Ren Yaoqi had met with Xiao Jinglin and Xiao Jingxi. She herself didn’t understand how she had become so entangled with these two.
“Do you know about the Lei Family’s affairs?” Xiao Jingxi suddenly asked Ren Yaoqi.
So it was indeed about the Lei Family. However, she had never concealed her stance, and she wondered what Xiao Jingxi intended by discussing the Lei Family with her now.
“Are you referring to Madam Lei’s passing?” Ren Yaoqi replied cautiously.
Xiao Jingxi looked at Ren Yaoqi. The young girl’s expression carried a composure and gentleness that belied her age, her dark, clear eyes meeting his gaze without flinching or looking away.
“The Liu family is on their way. They set off before Madam Lei’s sudden death.” Xiao Jingxi didn’t avert his gaze either, and as he spoke these words, he smiled slightly, as if curious about her reaction.
Ren Yaoqi was first taken aback, then startled. In just a moment, she grasped all the information contained in that statement.
“Did she take her own life?”
Xiao Jingxi remained silent, which was tantamount to confirmation.
Although she had suspected as much earlier, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but frown.
“The lawful wife of Old Master Lei was indeed the legitimate daughter of the Liu family, but she passed away from illness twenty years ago, and the only legitimate son she bore also died of smallpox. The Madam Lei in Yunyang City was originally just a songstress, kept by Old Master Lei as an external mistress.” Xiao Jingxi sighed.
Thus, as long as the Liu family stepped forward to expose this Madam Lei as an imposter, the Lei Family would be finished. That was why Madam Lei took her own life before the Liu family arrived in Yunyang City.
Wait…
“Did she truly take her own life?” It was also possible that the Lei Family had killed Madam Lei to cover up the matter.
In truth, whether Madam Lei committed suicide or was discarded by her own family had no bearing on Ren Yaoqi’s plans. However, recalling the head of the Lei Family she had met earlier, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but ask.
Xiao Jingxi raised an eyebrow slightly but shook his head. “Although Lei Ting cannot be considered a true gentleman, he is not a person of vile character either.”
Hearing Xiao Jingxi’s assessment, Ren Yaoqi felt somewhat relieved. Even though Lei Ting’s character was unlikely to influence her subsequent decisions—after all, she had long passed the age of acting on impulse—there was still a difference between helping a person and helping a beast.
OpenNovel