Although Ren Yaoqi was pleasantly surprised by Xiao Jingxi's words, she hadn't let the surprise overwhelm her reason, so she voiced her doubts.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingxi smiled and reassured her, "That's why this matter still needs a catalyst." He thought for a moment, then added, "It's not possible yet. The catalyst hasn't arrived; we'll have to wait a little longer."
Ren Yaoqi nodded. She was somewhat curious about what Xiao Jingxi meant by "catalyst," but seeing that he didn't seem inclined to explain in detail at the moment, she didn't press further. Since Xiao Jingxi had said so, it meant he had some confidence in the matter, and Ren Yaoqi could trust that.
The two walked along, and although they weren't moving quickly, the exit of the plum grove was already in sight.
Xiao Jingxi suddenly asked, "I heard you also have a pair of twin maidservants?"
Ren Yaoqi glanced at Xiao Jingxi, somewhat surprised. "Yes, they're currently staying at my maternal grandfather's home, learning some martial arts."
Xiao Jingxi was likely referring to Leshan and Leshui. Ren Yaoqi sometimes saw the two sisters when she visited Xianwang Residence. Both sisters trained diligently and had made significant progress over the years. Ren Yaoqi herself didn't know martial arts, so she couldn't judge others' skills, but according to Xia Sheng, these two girls were talented in martial arts and counted among his top disciples. Ren Yaoqi planned to find an opportunity to bring them back next year.
But how did Xiao Jingxi know about Leshan and Leshui? And what did he mean by asking about them now?
Thinking of Nan Xing, who had been following Xiao Jingxi earlier, and Hongying, who was with Xiao Jinglin, Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but tease, "What? Does Young Master Xiao want to ask for them from me again?"
Ren Yaoqi emphasized the word "again," and upon hearing it, Xiao Jingxi couldn't help but inwardly smile wryly, knowing she was alluding to the time he had taken Tong Xi and Zhu Ruomei from her and was now mocking him.
Outwardly, however, he maintained a serious expression and smiled as he refuted, "How could that be? Am I that short of people?"
Ren Yaoqi glanced at him and smiled without speaking.
In her heart, she thought that even if Xiao Jingxi truly had his eye on Leshan and Leshui and wanted to ask for them this time, she wouldn't agree. She had spent years cultivating them with great effort—how could Xiao Jingxi just take them away as soon as he fancied them? That would be far too easy.
Xiao Jingxi cleared his throat and said, "Because twins share similar appearances and a deep connection, if properly trained, they can sometimes be unexpectedly useful. For example, Hongying and Nan Xing can accomplish tasks others cannot."
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi recalled how Nan Xing had flawlessly impersonated Hongying earlier.
"So, I was just asking if you'd like to entrust them to me first. After they're properly trained, you can take them back, so as not to waste their potential." Worried that Ren Yaoqi might misunderstand him as trying to take them from her again, Xiao Jingxi carefully added, "Moreover, if they were given to you under the name of the Princess Consort or the Commandery Princess, it would be more convenient for you to use them in the future."
Xiao Jingxi's words struck a chord with Ren Yaoqi. He made a valid point: if Leshan and Leshui came from Yanbei Prince's Mansion, it would indeed be more advantageous for her future plans.If she brought them back herself, Leshan and Leshui would be maids of the Ren Family. Before she left the Ren Family, Old Master Ren and Old Madam Ren would have the authority to deal with them. However, with the backing of the Yanbei Prince's Mansion, no one except herself would dare to order her maids around in the future. Moreover, allowing Leshan and Leshui to learn more things would naturally bring only benefits and no harm.
Seeing Ren Yaoqi's expression, Xiao Jingxi knew she was somewhat swayed and joked, "Don't worry, I won't secretly keep your maids and not return them. I'll send them back to you after a year."
Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but laugh, thought for a moment, and then nodded in agreement. "Alright."
Seeing her agree, Xiao Jingxi couldn't help but curl the corners of his mouth.
Regardless of anything else, Ren Yaoqi's willingness to entrust her future personal maids and capable assistants to him clearly showed her great trust in him. As for why he wanted to take Ren Yaoqi's future personal maids and capable assistants first, only Xiao Jingxi himself knew his little scheme.
"I'll have Nan Xing go pick them up later," Xiao Jingxi said, his voice tinged with pleasure.
Ren Yaoqi glanced at Xiao Jingxi but said nothing.
The two walked to a fork in the road and couldn't help but stop. Xiao Jingxi looked at Ren Yaoqi, and Ren Yaoqi looked back at him. After a moment of silence, Ren Yaoqi said softly, "I'm going back."
Xiao Jingxi, with a smile on his face, suddenly raised his hand toward Ren Yaoqi's cheek. Ren Yaoqi was startled and froze for a moment, not daring to move. Xiao Jingxi's hand, however, moved slightly upward and stopped at her temple. Then, he gently and quickly plucked a plum blossom that had accidentally blown into her hair, giving her a slight smile with a hint of childish mischief.
Ren Yaoqi's face flushed, and her heart raced. Realizing she had been teased, she couldn't help but glare at him. By then, Nan Xing and Ren Yaoqi's two maids had quietly approached, so Ren Yaoqi didn't say anything more.
"I'm leaving," she said softly.
Xiao Jingxi nodded and stepped aside, letting Ren Yaoqi leave first.
Ren Yaoqi lowered her head and walked back with her maids. It wasn't until Ren Yaoqi's figure disappeared into the plum grove that Xiao Jingxi left with Nan Xing on another path.
Ren Yaoqi retraced her steps but, before reaching the warm pavilion where the young ladies had gathered, heard a commotion near the lake not far ahead, along with the startled cries of maids.
Ren Yaoqi paused, frowning slightly.
Sangshen asked, "Miss, should we go take a look?"
Without hesitation, Ren Yaoqi shook her head. "No, let's go back. We'll find out what happened soon enough."
She wasn't a particularly curious person and understood it was best to avoid places where trouble was brewing. After saying this, she turned and left.
However, after only a few steps, she heard footsteps ahead.
Looking up, Ren Yaoqi saw someone approaching from around the corner not far away. She couldn't help but pause in surprise. The newcomer walked quickly, his brows slightly furrowed, and the corner of his mouth lifted in a half-smile. Though he appeared to be smiling, there was a hint of mockery in his expression, giving him an air of both nonchalance and impatience.
Ren Yaoqi hadn't expected to suddenly encounter him here.The newcomer also spotted Ren Yaoqi in an instant, his steps faltering as his eyes suddenly brightened. The furrow between his brows smoothed out immediately, and the sarcastic smile on his face turned sunny.
Without pausing, his long legs carried him swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, he stood before Ren Yaoqi.
"Where have you been? I've been looking for you for ages!" he blurted out, his tone accusatory yet his voice low and cheerful, as if the two were intimately familiar and had only just parted.
Ren Yaoqi lowered her gaze, using the moment of her curtsy to step back slightly, widening the distance between them. "Second Young Master Yun." Compared to Yun Wenfang's joy and excitement, Ren Yaoqi remained far more composed.
Yun Wenfang's gaze remained fixed on Ren Yaoqi, unwilling to blink even once. The joy of their reunion made him overlook her coolness and distance; he simply wanted to keep looking at the one he cherished.
"You've grown taller," Yun Wenfang said, gesturing from the top of Ren Yaoqi's head to his own chest, a brilliant smile spreading across his face. Gone was his usual half-smirk, replaced by a genuinely unrestrained and radiant expression.
Ren Yaoqi sighed inwardly, unsure how to respond.
She wanted to simply walk past Yun Wenfang but knew that, given his temperament, such an act might provoke him. She had no desire to draw attention by engaging in a public tussle with him here.
Just then, footsteps echoed from the direction Yun Wenfang had come, signaling someone approaching.
Yun Wenfang naturally heard them. His smile faded slightly, his brows furrowing once more. He glanced at Ren Yaoqi, his expression conflicted and hesitant, but ultimately said, "I should go now, to avoid dragging you into messy affairs."
Though Ren Yaoqi didn't understand his meaning, she immediately stepped aside to clear the path.
Yun Wenfang looked at her again and added, "No matter what others say, don't believe them. I... I still remember what I said back then. You must remember it too, understand?" Though his words were spoken quickly and with his usual assertiveness, his tone was uncharacteristically gentle and kind.
By now, the footsteps were very close. Without waiting for Ren Yaoqi to respond, Yun Wenfang slipped into a narrow path and vanished from her sight in a blur.
At the same moment, several people appeared from the direction Yun Wenfang had come, all walking hurriedly with anxious expressions. Ren Yaoqi glanced at them and recognized a few unfamiliar maids and matrons, with only one matron looking somewhat familiar—likely someone from the Xu family.
"She was barely breathing when they pulled her out. The lake is so cold in this weather, and calling for a doctor will only delay things further. What a tragedy!" one matron muttered as they walked.
They noticed Ren Yaoqi and immediately fell silent, offering a hurried bow.
Ren Yaoqi nodded. Seeing their urgent demeanor and recalling the snippets of conversation she had overheard, she didn't stop them to ask further questions and allowed them to pass.
Sangshen whispered, "Miss, did someone fall into the water?"
Ren Yaoqi frowned and shook her head. "I don't know. Let's go find Mother and the others first."
Realizing something must have happened, Ren Yaoqi wasted no time and immediately went to find Madam Li and Ren Yaohua.Before reaching the previous greenhouse, Ren Yaoqi saw Wujing running over while looking around. Upon spotting Ren Yaoqi, she visibly heaved a great sigh of relief and immediately approached, saying, "Fifth Miss, I’ve finally found you. Third Miss sent me to fetch you back."
I accidentally fell asleep last night...
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