Xiao Jinglin's painted boat indeed arrived quickly. Although Xiao Jinglin herself was not present today, both boats had been moored in this section of the river since early morning.
Yun Qiuchen asked with a calm expression, "The Commandery Princess's boat is also quite steady. Shall we board?"
The other young ladies from the capital exchanged glances, then all turned their eyes to Yan Ningshuang.
Yan Ningshuang smiled and said, "Then let's go aboard." With that, she took her maid's hand and led the way toward the boat.
Suddenly, Zhao Yingqiu pressed her forehead and swayed unsteadily. Yun Qiuchen, standing beside her, quickly supported her and asked with concern, "What's wrong, Miss Zhao?"
Yan Ningshuang also turned to look.
Zhao Yingqiu offered a weak smile. "I've been exposed to the river breeze all afternoon, and I seem to be feeling unwell. I didn't notice it earlier, but now that I see the boat..."
Everyone understood—Zhao Yingqiu was likely reminded of her journey to Yanbei by boat, during which she had been in poor condition, listless and drained.
Yan Ningshuang suggested, "Perhaps you should return and rest?"
Zhao Yingqiu nodded and apologized to the group. "Then I'll take my leave. I hope you all enjoy yourselves."
Yun Qiuchen beckoned her maid, Yinzhu, and instructed, "Accompany Miss Zhao back and have someone invite Doctor Yang to examine her."
Zhao Yingqiu expressed her thanks and left with Yinzhu.
The rest followed Yan Ningshuang and Yun Qiuchen onto the boat.
Xiao Jingxi's painted boat slowly sailed downstream along the Liyang River, with the other boat following at a moderate distance. The trailing boat showed no intention of catching up, as if both vessels were genuinely there to admire the river and mountain scenery.
However, the presence of the following boat did not seem to disturb those on the leading one. Pei Zhiyan invited Xiao Jingxi for a game of chess, and Xiao Jingxi gladly accepted. The Xu couple and Ren Yaoqi sat quietly to observe the match.
Both Pei Zhiyan and Xiao Jingxi were top-tier chess masters. Pei Zhiyan's style appeared casual but was actually full of unexpected moves, each step concealing traps. Xiao Jingxi's style, in contrast, displayed a steadiness beyond his years. No matter how Pei Zhiyan played, Xiao Jingxi never lost his rhythm, yet he did not hesitate to deliver decisive, ruthless blows at the right moments.
Though their moves were not fast, the game was intensely fierce, captivating the spectators even more than the earlier dragon boat race.
Ren Yaoqi had played against Xiao Jingxi before and had privately wondered who would prevail if he faced Pei Zhiyan. Her initial conclusion was that her teacher might have a slight edge. However, watching this battle unfold, Ren Yaoqi realized her earlier judgment might have been subjective. Although Xiao Jingxi showed no clear advantage over Pei Zhiyan, he never once revealed signs of defeat.
Thus, Ren Yaoqi understood: Xiao Jingxi had, to some extent, gone easy on her during their previous games, especially during that draw. With his steady style, he should not have fallen so easily for her traps. After all, when it came to setting traps and luring opponents, if Pei Zhiyan claimed second place, no one would dare claim first.As the two sides fought fiercely and the situation remained deadlocked, Pei Zhiyan smiled, looking at Xiao Jingxi with genuine admiration. He leisurely teased, "One's character can be seen in their chess style. Even when playing chess, Young Master Xiao remains as steady as a mountain, impervious to attack. I can't help but wonder—has Young Master Xiao ever been flustered by anything?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingxi raised his gaze, a white chess piece twirling deftly between his fingers. He glanced subtly at Ren Yaoqi beside him and smiled. "Naturally, I have."
"Oh?" Pei Zhiyan, rarely showing curiosity, looked at him, and the Xu couple also turned their attention to him, eager to hear more.
However, when Ren Yaoqi caught that glance, her heart skipped a beat, and she felt inexplicably nervous, fearing that Xiao Jingxi might say something inappropriate.
Xiao Jingxi gently placed the white piece in his hand onto the board—another clever move. As everyone's attention was drawn to the chessboard, he slowly said, "Whether one feels nervous depends on the person and the matter. As long as one is human, there will always be things they care about deeply. Naturally, I am no exception."
Pei Zhiyan looked at Xiao Jingxi with some surprise. Having a weakness was not something one would openly admit, especially for someone of Xiao Jingxi's status and position, as acknowledging a weakness was equivalent to admitting a vulnerability.
Meeting Pei Zhiyan's gaze, Xiao Jingxi smiled faintly. "Avoiding one's 'weakness' is tantamount to denying oneself—that is the behavior of the weak."
Pei Zhiyan tilted his head and placed a piece, his expression one of keen interest. "Then how does Young Master Xiao deal with his weaknesses? Do you strive to overcome them?"
Xiao Jingxi thought for a moment, his voice still carrying a faint smile. "Overcome what can be overcome, and face what cannot. Since they are an indispensable part of oneself, they should be taken seriously." After a pause, he added, "Moreover, I don't think it's a bad thing for a person to have one or two weaknesses. No one is perfect, and the loneliness of being at the top is not particularly pleasant."
Listening beside them, Ren Yaoqi couldn't help but gaze blankly at Xiao Jingxi's profile, unable to look away.
Although Xiao Jingxi's expression remained calm as he spoke these words, there was an inexplicably captivating aura about him. Even though he admitted to having weaknesses, no one present doubted for a moment that this composed and confident young man was an absolute powerhouse.
Those present sighed in contemplation, seemingly lost in their own thoughts, reminded that they, too, were ordinary people with their own weaknesses.
At that moment, Xiao Jingxi turned his head and met Ren Yaoqi's gaze. The faint warmth and gentle affection in his eyes were unreservedly conveyed to her. Even though he quickly turned his attention back to the chessboard, Ren Yaoqi's heart raced uncontrollably, unable to calm down for a long time.
By the end of the game, it was no surprise that a stalemate had been reached.
Xiao Jingxi and Pei Zhiyan exchanged a glance. Pei Zhiyan smiled slightly and dropped a piece into the chess pot. "I've lost."
Xiao Jingxi raised an eyebrow. "This is a draw."
Pei Zhiyan shook his head and said leisurely, "It may not be easy for you to defeat me now, but that's only because I have the advantage of age... In a few years, I may no longer be able to hold my own against you."Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingxi couldn't help but smile and joked in return, "According to Mr. Pei, it seems that in a few years, you won't be able to take advantage of my youth anymore?"
Xu Wanli burst into hearty laughter, teasingly looking at Pei Zhiyan as he said, "This reminds me of children who always think that in a few years they'll grow bigger than their older brothers, not realizing that while they're growing, their brothers are growing too. Jinyan, you're regressing as you age!"
Lady Xu also laughed along.
Pei Zhiyan didn't mind the teasing from his friend across generations and shook his head with a smile. "What I mean is that in a few years, even if I take advantage of my age, I might not be able to win against this young friend Xiao. Why force me to admit it outright?"
Xu Wanli was taken aback by this and then protested unhappily, "What young friend? Calling him that so casually messes up the seniority!"
Xu Wanli was Xiao Jingxi's teacher, naturally a generation above him. Pei Zhiyan was both Xu Wanli's brother-in-law and his friend across generations, so by all accounts, Pei Zhiyan was also a generation above Xiao Jingxi. Referring to him as a friend indeed disrupted the proper hierarchy.
Pei Zhiyan leisurely took a sip of tea from his cup and said indifferently, "I acknowledge my young friend—what does that have to do with you? You remain his teacher. Otherwise, given your age, it's barely acceptable for you to consider me a friend across generations, but if you considered him one, it would seem like an old cow trying to eat tender grass."
Xu Wanli grew furious upon hearing this and immediately began arguing with Pei Zhiyan.
Ren Yaoqi watched in amazement as Pei Zhiyan, with a relaxed expression and sharp words, bantered with Xu Wanli. She had never seen Pei Zhiyan interact with a true close friend before. So, even her teacher had a childish side like a little kid? Ren Yaoqi found this quite refreshing.
All in all, this brief pleasure boat excursion was quite enjoyable. Unfortunately, Pei Zhiyan still had to return to the villa to discuss with two other officials how to draft a memorial, so he couldn't accept the invitation to stay for a meal. The pleasure boat traveled back and forth along the middle and lower reaches of the Liyang River before stopping at the original boarding spot.
The pleasure boat that had been following them also returned, but it kept a slightly greater distance.
Xiao Jingxi left some people behind to look after them. Just as they were about to board their respective carriages, they saw someone from Xiao Jinglin's pleasure boat run to the bow, waving and shouting something toward them. Unfortunately, the distance was too great to make out what was being said.
They halted their steps. Xiao Jingxi summoned a guard and instructed him to take some men in a small boat to assist and see what was happening.
Ren Yaoqi whispered to Xiao Jingxi, "Is there anyone here skilled in medicine? To be safe, it would be best to send someone with medical knowledge along."
Ren Yaoqi's concern was not without reason. If the pleasure boat was sailing smoothly on the river and the people on board were panicking, having a doctor along might be more helpful.
Xiao Jingxi nodded upon hearing this. "There are two doctors on standby; they should still be here." He then turned and gave a few instructions.
By the time the small boat was ready, a doctor carrying a medicine chest had indeed arrived.
Several guards and the doctor boarded the small boat together and rowed swiftly toward the pleasure boat. Xiao Jingxi himself did not go, as the small boat already had both martial and medical personnel—his presence wouldn't add any assistance.Before long, the small boat that had rowed past returned, but the physician was no longer on board. As soon as the guard stepped ashore, he immediately reported, "Young master, a young lady suddenly fainted."
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