Ren Yaoying returned to Yunyang City in the evening. Ren Yaohua stood beneath the eaves of the main house, looking down at Ren Yaoying as she came to pay her respects to Madam Li.
When Ren Yaoying met Ren Yaohua’s sharp gaze, she couldn’t help feeling a pang of guilt, but she forced herself to remain calm and greeted with a smile, “Third Sister, why are you standing here instead of going inside?”
Ren Yaohua stared coldly at Ren Yaoying for a long time. She thought that if it were her old temper, she would have slapped Ren Yaoying twice and kicked her down the steps to teach her a lesson.
Now, Ren Yaohua’s disgust for Ren Yaoying was even greater than before, but she found herself unwilling to resort to violence.
So Ren Yaohua merely cast a disdainful glance at Ren Yaoying, then turned and entered the main house first.
Watching from the side, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but smile faintly and followed behind Ren Yaohua.
Ren Yaoying, under Ren Yaohua’s gaze, inexplicably felt a sense of humiliation from being looked down upon. She bit her lip and secretly clenched her fists.
The next day was the Double Ninth Festival. Early in the morning, Madam Li took Ren Yaohua, Ren Yaoqi, and Ren Yaoying out by carriage. Third Master Ren and Ren Yihong were also going to the southern outskirts outside the city, following behind on horseback. Climbing mountains during the Double Ninth Festival had always been an activity shared with close friends and relatives. Before leaving the city, Fifth Master Ren arrived with Ren Yijian. Since Ren Yaoyu had not yet recovered her health, Madam Lin stayed at home and did not join them.
In the southern outskirts of Yunyang City stood Tianqing Mountain. Though called a mountain, it was actually just a large, slightly elevated earthen slope. Earlier, someone had planted pear trees all over the mountain. Later, one year, a fire broke out, burning down more than half of the pear trees. For some reason, after the fire, someone replanted a large area of osmanthus trees in the burned areas.
The pear blossoms covering half of Tianqing Mountain were exceptionally beautiful. During the season when pear blossoms adorned the branches, this place became a favorite spot for scholars and poets. Third Master Ren had come here several times to paint scenes of pear blossoms. Later, because of the osmanthus trees, the area also became lively in autumn.
Since Tianqing Mountain had long been a frequent destination for scholars and poets, many resting pavilions had been built on the mountain, along with several sweet-water springs. Combined with its pleasant scenery, it became an ideal spot for climbing during the Double Ninth Festival. This year, Lady Xu and the others held their climbing gathering here.
The Ren Family’s carriage stopped at the foot of Tianqing Mountain. At the base of the mountain stood a large garden built in the style of Jiangnan. It had originally been a temporary palace of the Yanbei Prince’s Mansion. Later, when the Liao people invaded and the Xiao Family retreated, the palace fell into disrepair. After the Xiao Family regained control of Yanbei, they renovated the palace and allocated it to Yunyang Academy. Thus, it was usually used by Yunyang Academy for various poetry gatherings, painting sessions, and literary meetings. Today, it served as the resting place for Ren Yaoqi and the others.
Madam Li took Ren Yaoqi and her sisters to meet Lady Xu and the others. Third Master Ren went to meet his friends, while Ren Yihong was called away by his classmates.
Madam Li arrived quite early today, but Lady Xu and several other madams familiar with Madam Li had also arrived. Since this climbing gathering was organized by the madams of Yunyang Academy, they acted as the hosts.Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua were speaking with Liu Menghan and Chen Zhiyi when suddenly, a soft, sweet voice called out nearby, "Sister Yaohua! Sister Yaoqi!"
Turning her head, Ren Yaoqi saw Lei Pan'er, dressed in a pink outfit, running toward them on her short little legs.
Seeing the little girl's joyful expression, Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua couldn't help but smile.
Lei Pan'er broke free from her nursemaid, rushed forward, and wrapped her arms around Ren Yaohua's leg. Looking up with a grin that showed all her teeth, she chirped, "Hehe, caught you!" Then she refused to let go.
Her adorable, innocent antics made everyone laugh.
Ren Yaoying, who had been standing quietly to the side, also turned her gaze toward Lei Pan'er, glanced at Ren Yaohua, and then wore a thoughtful expression.
Everyone enjoyed teasing Lei Pan'er, and Ren Yaoying also asked gently with a smile, "Did Miss Lei come alone today?"
Lei Pan'er replied, "Pan'er's father and second uncle came too."
Mentioning Lei Ting, everyone couldn't help but think of his engagement to Ren Yaohua. They were somewhat surprised to see Lei Pan'er and Ren Yaohua getting along so well. Fortunately, the ladies and young misses present were all well-mannered. To avoid making Ren Yaohua feel awkward, no one pressed further on the topic. Liu Menghan even deliberately steered the conversation elsewhere.
Ren Yaohua, however, shot a cold glance at Ren Yaoying.
Later, the invited ladies and young misses arrived one after another. Ren Yaoqi was momentarily taken aback when she saw Han You and Ren Yaoting appear together.
Walking beside Han You and Ren Yaoting were Jiang Yuan Niang and an unfamiliar young lady. Ren Yaoqi had never seen this stranger before. She wore a light blue long-sleeved jacket embroidered with orchids, and her clothing and accessories were quite ordinary. She was tall, with a classic oval face, and her looks could only be considered above average. However, her demeanor was exceptionally serene and pleasant to behold.
"Fifth Sister," Ren Yaoting called out when she saw Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua, and she walked over arm in arm with Han You.
Han You looked somewhat embarrassed when she saw Ren Yaoqi.
After exchanging greetings, Ren Yaoqi learned that this unfamiliar girl was the Jiang Family's sixth young lady, Jiang Qianniang.
Ren Yaoting smiled and said, "We were just saying earlier that we would definitely run into you today. A-You originally wanted to go find you, but I told her you must have been busy lately, so I took her out to play for a few days. Please don't blame her."
Han You had previously asked Ren Yaoqi to help introduce her to the Jiang Family's young ladies. Now that the Jiang sisters were walking with them, it meant they had already become acquainted without Ren Yaoqi's help.
Ren Yaoqi glanced at Ren Yaoting and sighed inwardly. It seemed Ren Yaoting still had feelings for Han Yunqian; otherwise, she wouldn't have gone to such lengths to please Han You.
Ren Yaoqi smiled and said, "Then I should thank Seventh Sister, or I might have neglected Miss Han."
Except for Jiang Qianniang, everyone else was already familiar with one another, so they quickly fell into conversation. Although Jiang Qianniang didn't speak much, she seemed to have some education, as she occasionally chimed in when Liu Menghan and Chen Zhiyi were talking.
Clever, low-key, and not at all annoying—this was Ren Yaoqi's first impression of Jiang Qianniang. The Jiang Family's daughters were truly remarkable.Lady Xu had the chrysanthemum wine and chrysanthemum cakes served, saying everyone should rest for a while before heading to Tianqing Mountain together. For this mountain-climbing gathering, Lady Xu and the others had put in considerable effort, so aside from the climb itself, they had arranged various entertainments. The ladies and young misses present were all eager to give it a try.
At that moment, Pingguo approached and whispered in Ren Yaoqi’s ear, “Miss, the Commandery Princess has arrived and sent her attendant Hongying to invite you. The Commandery Princess says there are too many people here, and she doesn’t want to come in. She’s waiting for you outside.”
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi was delighted. She exchanged a few words with Ren Yaohua, then went to inform Madam Li before leaving with Pingguo. However, before departing, she deliberately reminded Ren Yaohua once more to be cautious of Ren Yaoying.
If possible, Ren Yaoqi wouldn’t mind always protecting Ren Yaohua and shielding her from misfortune, but she knew she couldn’t.
Ren Yaohua was about to get married soon. Although the situation in the Lei Family wasn’t overly complicated, being the wife of the Lei clan head wasn’t a role just anyone could handle smoothly. If Ren Yaohua couldn’t even manage someone like Ren Yaoying, Ren Yaoqi felt Ren Yaohua should reconsider her marriage prospects.
However, Ren Yaoqi knew Ren Yaohua had improved a lot recently, as evidenced by her not slapping Ren Yaoying directly the day before. So, Ren Yaoqi decided to let Ren Yaohua handle the matter with Ren Yaoying herself this time, stepping in only if absolutely necessary.
After leaving discreetly with Pingguo, Ren Yaoqi indeed spotted Hongying, who immediately led her to Xiao Jinglin.
Xiao Jinglin had come by carriage that day. When Ren Yaoqi lifted the curtain, she saw Xiao Jinglin sitting upright inside.
“Jinglin? Didn’t you say earlier you wouldn’t attend the mountain-climbing gathering today?” Ren Yaoqi asked with a smile.
Xiao Jinglin instructed Hongying to drive the carriage and replied, “There are too many people inside; I don’t like it. But I never said I wouldn’t climb the mountain today.”
Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but laugh. “You certainly have a way with twisted logic.”
It was only after getting to know Xiao Jinglin better that Ren Yaoqi realized her true personality among close friends differed somewhat from the cold demeanor she usually displayed in public. At the very least, she wasn’t truly an icy person.
After boarding Xiao Jinglin’s carriage, Ren Yaoqi didn’t ask where they were going. The carriage moved slowly, and the breeze blew in from beneath the curtain, lifting it slightly and creating a pleasant atmosphere.
The carriage traveled for about the time it takes to burn an incense stick before coming to a stop.
“Commandery Princess, we’ve arrived. I see the Second Young Master’s carriage up ahead,” Hongying reported from outside the curtain.
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi was taken aback. Was Xiao Jingxi here too?
Xiao Jinglin jumped down from the carriage first, then turned to help Ren Yaoqi alight.
Once steady on her feet, Ren Yaoqi noticed a familiar carriage parked not far ahead, and Xiao Jingxi was just stepping down from it.
Xiao Jingxi wore a white cloak embroidered with subtle cloud patterns, his dark hair and eyes striking. When he glanced over with a faint smile, Ren Yaoqi’s heart skipped a beat.
Ren Yaoqi paused briefly before following Xiao Jinglin forward.
She curtsied, and as she looked up, her gaze met Xiao Jingxi’s smiling eyes. It had been some time since they last saw each other, and for some reason, Ren Yaoqi found Xiao Jingxi particularly handsome today, her eyes lingering on him a moment longer.Sorry for the late update.
We had guests at home today~o(∩_∩)o.
OpenNovel