At the invitation of Xu Shanzhang of Yunyang Academy, Ren Shimin took two restored paintings and went to Yunyang City. Ren Yaoqi had just seen her father off when she received a letter from Xiao Jinglin.
After returning, Ren Yaoqi began corresponding with Xiao Jinglin. They wrote to each other almost every two or three days. Although there was nothing particularly important in their letters, both of them thoroughly enjoyed the exchange.
In her letter, Xiao Jinglin wrote about her recent insights in martial arts and military strategy, new things she had tried, and her newfound fondness for a sweet wine called Peach Blossom Brew, which she had secretly bought several times behind Xiao Jingxi's back.
Xiao Jingxi was still stubborn about taking his medicine, but oddly enough, a strange plant of unknown variety in his study refused to die no matter how much it was watered.
Lady Xu's heart condition had improved significantly, and her complexion looked much better. When visiting the Princess Consort at Yanbei Prince's Mansion, she often mentioned Ren Yaoqi, expressing great admiration for her.
Silly Girl, that foolish tiger, still believed she was actually a cat. While at Yanbei Prince's Mansion, she loved playing with a Persian cat named 'Snow White' raised by Nanny Xin. The poor cat was chased around the courtyard every time it came out and eventually became too scared to leave its room. Disheartened, Silly Girl developed the same hobby as Xiao Jinglin—drinking Peach Blossom Brew.
Ren Yaoqi hadn't expected the usually reserved Xiao Jinglin to write such lively and humorous letters, often making her laugh heartily as she read them.
Compared to Xiao Jinglin's letters, Ren Yaoqi's were rather dull. She mostly wrote about the books she had recently read and how she practiced the sword techniques Xiao Jinglin had taught her every day, feeling that her health had indeed improved. These two activities were the highlights of her otherwise uneventful life.
Later, Xiao Jinglin sketched some sword techniques in her letters and sent them to Ren Yaoqi. Inspired, Ren Yaoqi began to include small drawings in her replies instead of writing much. Her sketches depicted herself, Ren Yaohua, her parents, and the maids and nannies, capturing small moments from her daily life with vivid and lifelike detail.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Jinglin loved them and often urged her to draw more, saying she wanted to collect them carefully.
The day after receiving Xiao Jinglin's letter, Ren Yaoqi had just returned from paying her respects at Glory and Splendor Courtyard when someone hurried in to report that a carriage from Yanbei Prince's Mansion was waiting outside the main gate. A young woman claiming to be the Commandery Princess's maid had come to invite the Fifth Young Miss out.
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi was both surprised and delighted. She had just received Xiao Jinglin's letter the day before, but there was no mention of her visiting White Crane Town today.
This was Xiao Jinglin's second visit to the Ren Family. Although she didn't even enter the gate, it was still a great honor for the merchant-class Ren Family.
Since the Commandery Princess did not enter the Ren residence, the family, to show respect, had both main gates opened wide, not daring to keep the esteemed guest waiting outside.
Ren Yaoqi informed Madam Li and sent someone to notify Old Madam Ren before heading out with Pingguo.
With the Commandery Princess visiting twice to wait for Ren Yaoqi, the entire Ren Family now regarded her with newfound respect.
As soon as Ren Yaoqi stepped outside, she saw Hongying waiting at the gate.Hongying stepped forward with a smile and bowed: "Fifth Miss Ren, our Commandery Princess is waiting for you in the carriage." Xiao Jinglin disliked riding in carriages, but whenever she came to visit Ren Yaoqi, she always took one, as Ren Yaoqi couldn’t ride a horse with her.
Ren Yaoqi smiled and nodded, following Hongying into the carriage.
Just as she leaned into the carriage, something flew straight toward Ren Yaoqi’s face. Startled, she nearly fell backward, but Hongying, who was supporting her from behind, steadied her with a hand.
The object that had flown toward Ren Yaoqi came to an abrupt stop just an inch from her face, staring at her with innocent, wide eyes: "Aowu—"
Xiao Jinglin withdrew the hand that had been holding Silly Girl by the scruff of its neck, pulling it away from Ren Yaoqi. Then she tapped its head once and said expressionlessly, "All you do every day is eat. Don’t you see how much weight you’ve gained? How dare you still leap at people."
Ren Yaoqi looked at Silly Girl, who had grown noticeably rounder and was now flailing its limbs: "..."
Xiao Jinglin tossed the struggling, whimpering Silly Girl to Hongying and motioned for Ren Yaoqi to sit beside her. After studying her for a moment, she asked, "How is it that Silly Girl has gained weight, but you’ve grown thinner?"
Ren Yaoqi smiled helplessly and reached out to scratch Silly Girl’s chin. The creature, who had been staring intently at her, narrowed its eyes in contentment, then eagerly sprawled out, exposing its belly to Ren Yaoqi.
Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but chuckle.
Xiao Jinglin remarked, "See? It learned all this from that cat named Bai Xue. Once, it even tried meowing like a cat, but I gave it a good beating, and it hasn’t dared to do it since."
"Why did you come today? You didn’t give me any hint beforehand," Ren Yaoqi asked while stroking Silly Girl’s fur.
Xiao Jinglin lifted the carriage curtain slightly and looked outside. "We’re heading to White Dragon Temple today. Since White Dragon Temple isn’t far from White Crane Town, I thought I’d come find you."
Ren Yaoqi also glanced outside. "We’re going to White Dragon Temple?"
Xiao Jinglin nodded, then added after a moment’s thought, "Is it convenient for you?"
Ren Yaoqi considered it and, having no pressing matters, nodded.
Xiao Jinglin said, "I already had Hongying inform your grandmother earlier, so you don’t need to worry about the elders at home."
Xiao Jinglin always managed to make Ren Yaoqi appreciate her thoughtfulness and consideration in the smallest details.
The Xiao Family’s carriage was sturdy and smooth, so even when traveling at a faster pace, the passengers hardly felt it. This time, they arrived in just over half an hour, nearly twice as fast as Ren Yaoqi’s previous trip.
Hongying added, "The Commandery Princess had instructed the carriage to travel slowly, but I didn’t expect the return trip to take so long. The sun is already high."
Ren Yaoqi: "..."
The carriage finally entered a courtyard at the foot of White Dragon Temple. Xiao Jinglin didn’t seem to intend to enter the temple itself. As soon as the carriage stopped, she stepped out first, then turned to help Ren Yaoqi down.
Just as Ren Yaoqi steadied herself, she heard a voice tinged with laughter from nearby: "Why so fast?"
Turning around, Ren Yaoqi saw Xiao Jingxi, dressed in dark robes, standing under the corridor, smiling at them.
Xiao Jinglin glanced at Xiao Jingxi, somewhat puzzled. "Because we came back in a horse-drawn carriage!"Xiao Jingxi shook his head, then smiled and said, "I just opened a jar of good water sealed here last year and brewed a pot of tea. Come and have a drink."
With that, he turned and walked toward the inner courtyard. Only then did Ren Yaoqi notice the wooden clogs he was wearing.
Xiao Jingxi truly lived up to his reputation as Yanbei's most handsome man. Even in simple wide-sleeved black robes and wooden clogs, he exuded an unparalleled elegance.
Everyone appreciates beautiful things, and Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but glance at Xiao Jingxi a few more times.
In the center of the second courtyard stood two large glass fish tanks. On the right grew a pomegranate tree, already bearing some unripe fruit. Beneath the tree were a table and low stools made from polished tree stumps. Though simple and unadorned, they held a unique rustic charm.
Xiao Jingxi walked over and sat at the table. Xiao Jinglin pulled Ren Yaoqi to sit opposite him. Waving Hongying aside, Xiao Jingxi picked up the teapot himself and filled the cups in front of Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin.
Xiao Jinglin frowned. "Is this the tea brewed with that water—the snow collected from some flower petals and buried underground for a year?"
Xiao Jingxi smiled without answering, wisely choosing not to respond.
Xiao Jinglin set her cup down and called to Hongying, "Go fetch my peach blossom wine. I want Yaoqi to try it too. This spoiled water shouldn’t be used to entertain guests."
Xiao Jingxi raised an eyebrow with a faint smile. "Oh? Peach blossom wine? Didn’t you say you had none left?"
Xiao Jinglin replied without batting an eye, "I forgot when you asked earlier. Now I remember I brought a jar when I came today."
Xiao Jingxi glanced at Ren Yaoqi.
Ren Yaoqi looked at the siblings, then silently picked up the tea Xiao Jingxi had poured for her and took a sip. The tea was rich in aroma and refreshing in taste. Ren Yaoqi nodded. "Good tea."
She thought for a moment but refrained from praising the water.
Hearing this, Xiao Jingxi’s eyes curved slightly. Ren Yaoqi inexplicably thought of the phrase "beauty is a feast for the eyes."
Soon, Hongying returned carrying a small jar. Glancing nervously at Xiao Jingxi, she poured a small cup each for Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin before scurrying away as if fleeing.
Xiao Jingxi sipped his tea, smiling silently.
Xiao Jinglin sensed something amiss and immediately took a sip from her cup, then glared at Xiao Jingxi. "When did you swap my wine?"
Xiao Jingxi replied calmly, "After you told me you hadn’t brought any."
Xiao Jinglin angrily downed the liquid in her cup. "It’s just sugar water again!"
Xiao Jingxi coaxed patiently, "We’re outside now. What if you get drunk? Besides, even if you can drink, Miss Ren Fifth shouldn’t. If her family found out, it would cause trouble."
Just then, Silly Girl trotted over happily. Standing on her short legs in an awkward posture, she leaned on the table and sniffed at Ren Yaoqi’s wine cup.
Remembering that Xiao Jinglin had mentioned in her letter that Silly Girl also liked peach blossom wine, Ren Yaoqi curiously held her cup under the dog’s nose. Silly Girl twitched her whiskers, sniffed, then wagged her tail and walked away with her head turned.
Xiao Jinglin shot a sidelong glance at Xiao Jingxi. "See? What kind of stuff did you prepare? Even the dog won’t touch it!"
Ren Yaoqi glanced at Xiao Jinglin, hesitated, but ultimately decided not to mention that Xiao Jinglin had already drunk a cup earlier. It would be too hurtful.
Xiao Jingxi: "..."
Thank you all for your support^^~Let Silly Girl out to act cute~.
There will be another chapter around 12 o'clock, and then the next one will be tomorrow morning.
OpenNovel