Having previously heard that Ren Shimin intended to go to the heated pavilion in the garden to enjoy tea and play chess, Ren Yaoqi directly exited the covered walkway and headed toward the path leading to the garden.
The Ren Family’s garden, with its pavilions, terraces, towers, waterside pavilions, and upturned eaves, all followed the southern architectural style. Although many cold-sensitive flowers and plants could not survive due to the local climate, seasonal blooms were replaced each quarter. Thus, the garden remained a vibrant tapestry of blossoms throughout the year.
At the center of the garden stood a lakeside pavilion, an ideal spot for cooling off in summer. However, as the surrounding area was planted with spring and summer seasonal flowers, the pavilion in autumn and winter offered views of withered lotus stems and barren branches or a vast expanse of white, all while being exposed to piercing, bone-chilling winds. Therefore, once autumn arrived, the masters of the Ren Family abandoned the pavilion for the heated pavilion nestled in the plum grove at the northwest corner.
Though the heated pavilion was not large, it was equipped with a heated floor, and its windows were covered with translucent paper, allowing faint glimpses of the sparse, slanting shadows outside, creating an atmosphere of refined elegance and tranquility. Ren Shimin often came here to paint.
As Ren Yaoqi approached the heated pavilion, it was silent inside, yet she continued without pausing her steps.
“You two, wait over there in the pavilion. I’ll speak with Father for a moment and then come out.” In a nearby pavilion, two maids were huddled around a charcoal brazier, warming themselves. They appeared to be the maids assigned to the heated pavilion, having been sent out by their master inside.
Seeing someone approach, the two maids stood up. One of them was about to come forward, but Xier, without waiting for them, quickly walked over with a smile. Xueli initially seemed to want to say something but, after glancing at Ren Yaoqi and thinking for a moment, simply curtsied and turned to follow Xier.
Ren Yaoqi lifted her hand and drew aside the curtain of the heated pavilion.
Inside, a low table was set, with Ren Yijun and an unfamiliar young man seated at opposite ends. Ren Shimin sat sideways, holding a small teapot, sipping tea while observing the game. All three, whether players or spectator, were completely absorbed, unaware that someone had entered.
Only Ren Yijun’s attendant, crouching nearby, looked up. Seeing Ren Yaoqi gesture lightly to him, he crouched back down.
This was the first time Ren Yaoqi had a clear, direct view of this legendary young master of the Han Family.
He had removed his fur cloak, wearing only a white robe with orchid embroidery on the cuffs and collar. His hair was dark, his brows well-defined, his nose bridge high and straight, and his lips thin and pressed together. His expression, slightly tilted in thought, was earnest and serene. From her angle, she could see the slight upward tilt at the corners of his slightly lowered eyes.
He was a man of striking appearance, with a composed and steady demeanor.
As if sensing Ren Yaoqi’s gaze, he looked up, his narrow eyes dark and profound like a winter night.
Ren Yaoqi lowered her eyes without a change in expression, curtsied slightly in his direction, and then walked straight to Ren Shimin’s side without glancing elsewhere.
Only then did Ren Shimin notice her, his face showing surprise. Nevertheless, he gently waved his hand, signaling her not to speak for now—anything she had to say could wait until the game was over. Observers should remain silent and not disturb the players’ concentration, a principle Ren Shimin always adhered to.
Ren Yijun frowned and glared at her, his expression openly displeased, before quickly turning his head away, ignoring her.
Ren Yaoqi then stood quietly behind Ren Shimin, not making a sound, her gaze fixed intently on the chessboard before her.Ren Yijun and Ren Shimin hit it off because they shared similar interests. Besides enjoying composing poetry, playing the qin, and painting, they were both avid chess players and could be considered skilled in the game.
Yet, despite this, Ren Yijun was already showing signs of defeat in this match.
A quarter of an hour later, Ren Yijun let out a long sigh and conceded defeat by placing down his piece.
"I lost again!" he said, though his tone held no trace of displeasure. Then, turning to Ren Shimin, he added, "Third Uncle, this fellow is truly formidable. I've lost three matches in a row. Why don't you take over? You must teach him a lesson!"
Young Master Han lowered his head with a faint smile and silently began gathering the chess pieces.
Having watched the game for half the day, Ren Shimin was already itching to play and felt eager to give it a try. He glanced at Ren Yaoqi and whispered, "Yao Yao, can whatever you need wait until after I finish this game?"
Ren Yaoqi nodded, and Ren Shimin immediately switched seats with Ren Yijun, looking quite pleased.
The match began once more.
Ren Yaoqi continued to watch in silence, her presence barely noticeable. Thus, no one found her standing there to be in the way.
This time, Ren Shimin lasted a bit longer than Ren Yijun had, but in the end, he still met with defeat, losing by two pieces.
Ren Yaoqi gazed at the final board, lost in thought.
Another round yielded the same result—this time, Ren Shimin lost by three pieces.
Ren Yijun laughed heartily, reaching out to pat Young Master Han on the shoulder with great admiration. "You, my friend, are truly impressive!"
Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but feel slightly taken aback. This was the first time she had ever seen Ren Yijun laugh, and it was a hearty, unrestrained laugh. With that laughter, the somewhat gloomy aura that usually surrounded him instantly dissipated, replaced by the lively energy of youth, making him appear rather handsome.
Ren Shimin also looked at Young Master Han with appreciation. "Yunqian, I concede!"
Watching the two men of the Ren Family, Ren Yaoqi finally understood why her father, who had never concerned himself with household matters in her previous life, had suddenly taken it upon himself to arrange his daughter's marriage. He genuinely hoped that this Han Yunqian would become his son-in-law. In his eyes, excellence in painting, calligraphy, and chess were not only criteria for choosing friends but also for selecting a son-in-law.
Among his daughters, Ren Yaohua was the closest in age to Han Yunqian.
"Another round?" Ren Yijun suggested enthusiastically.
Han Yunqian, however, glanced outside and said apologetically, "It's getting late. My mother and sister have likely already returned. Shall we call it a day? Next time, I'll host and invite both of you over for tea and chess."
Ren Yijun had a peculiar temperament. If he took a liking to someone, he would be very tolerant. Conversely, if someone annoyed him, he would make things difficult for them at every turn.
Han Yunqian had won his favor, so even when he declined the suggestion, Ren Yijun didn't take offense. Instead, he nodded and said, "That works too. What do you think, Third Uncle?"
Ren Shimin was an easygoing man and didn't insist. Smiling, he replied, "Then we'll play again next time. Today, I need to study the winning strategies carefully."
Han Yunqian stood up to take his leave, and Ren Shimin rose as well. "Let me walk you out."
Han Yunqian quickly declined, "You are my elder. How could I trouble you to see me off? I still need to pay my respects to Old Madam Ren before I leave."
Suddenly remembering that his daughter was still waiting for him, Ren Shimin glanced hesitantly at Ren Yaoqi.Ren Yijun waved his hand dismissively. "Why bother with such formalities? Would Yunqian blame us for being neglectful? I'll have Duobao escort him out. Third Uncle, why don't you sit down and discuss the previous game with me?" He spoke with an air of familiarity, as if there were no need for pretense.
Han Yunqian smiled and nodded, then bowed to everyone present.
"Young Master Han, Duobao will see you out," Ren Yijun's servant stepped forward and said.
Han Yunqian followed Duobao out. Ren Yaoqi quietly watched his retreating figure until it disappeared from the warm pavilion, not uttering a word the entire time.
"Third Uncle, shall we replay the previous game?" Ren Yijun said eagerly, already beginning to reset the board to the point where Ren Shimin had just started to show signs of defeat.
"Yao Yao, did you need something from your father?" Ren Shimin asked his daughter with a smile.
"Third Uncle, whatever it is can wait a little longer," Ren Yijun shot an impatient glare at Ren Yaoqi, clearly annoyed.
Ren Yaoqi blinked at Ren Shimin, then crouched down to help Ren Yijun reset the board.
Ren Yijun glanced at her, and seeing she made no mistakes, let her continue.
Ren Shimin laughed heartily, patted Ren Yaoqi's head, and sat down opposite Ren Yijun.
"I remember, this is exactly where you started losing, Third Uncle. Yunqian's move was brilliant! It secured half the board in an instant." As he spoke, Ren Yijun placed a stone, replicating Han Yunqian's earlier move. "Third Uncle, how about another chance to turn the tables?"
Ren Shimin held his small teapot, stroked his chin, and pondered for a long time. Just as he was about to make his move, a slender, pale hand suddenly reached out from beside him, took the white stone from his hand, and placed it on the board.
Ren Shimin was taken aback, unable to react immediately.
Ren Yijun, however, grew angry and was about to scold her when his eyes swept over the board. Instantly, his eyes widened in astonishment. "In...incredible!"
"Is that Young Master Han really so formidable?" Ren Yaoqi propped her chin on her hand, made a playful face, and spoke with an air of defiance. "I don't think so."
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