Upon arriving at Feiwu Pavilion, Xiao Jinglin, fearing Ren Yaoqi might be nervous, whispered to comfort her, "Don't be afraid. Although Grandmother has a cool temperament, she is not an unreasonable person." After a pause, she added, "No matter what, I'm here with you."
Ren Yaoqi didn't feel particularly nervous or afraid. She had already endured more difficult times. However, she was eager to understand Consort Dowager Yun's attitude, especially since Consort Dowager Yun was Xiao Jingxi's paternal grandmother and differed from the Old Princess Consort.
Inside Feiwu Pavilion, sandalwood incense was burning, mingled with a hint of mint—a rich and refreshing scent that invigorated the mind. Consort Dowager Yun's maid led Xiao Jinglin and Ren Yaoqi through the main hall and lifted the carved bamboo curtain on the right.
As soon as Ren Yaoqi entered the right side chamber, she saw Consort Dowager Yun seated on the Arhat Bed at the head of the room. The bed was made of huanghuali wood with a rattan surface, carved with the pattern of "Three Stars Shining Together" and surrounded by a three-panel screen. Consort Dowager Yun had changed into another set of clothes, still very plain in style. When they entered, she glanced over calmly, her expression unreadable.
Xiao Jinglin led Ren Yaoqi forward to pay their respects to Consort Dowager Yun. Ren Yaoqi lowered her head and performed the gestures meticulously. Afterward, Consort Dowager Yun's maid guided them to their seats.
The room fell into silence as Consort Dowager Yun remained quiet.
Xiao Jinglin glanced at Consort Dowager Yun and spoke up first, "Grandmother, do you notice that Feiwu Pavilion has changed?"
Consort Dowager Yun responded with a faint "Hmm," neither confirming nor denying.
Xiao Jinglin continued, "It's been many years since you last visited, hasn't it? A few years ago, Father ordered the hot spring villa to be renovated, and Feiwu Pavilion was also altered in several places. Are you accustomed to it now?"
Only then did Consort Dowager Yun turn to look at Xiao Jinglin, frowning slightly as she said, "I'm not used to you suddenly talking so much."
Xiao Jinglin: "..."
Silence descended once again.
Just as Ren Yaoqi was wondering whether she should say something, Consort Dowager Yun suddenly addressed her, "How did you come to know Wenfang?"
At these words, both Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jinglin nearly changed expressions.
Xiao Jinglin quickly interjected, "Grandmother—"
But Consort Dowager Yun raised her hand and calmly stopped her, "I wasn't asking you. Sit quietly."
Xiao Jinglin frowned but could do nothing, casting a worried glance at Ren Yaoqi.
Ren Yaoqi quickly regained her composure. Without much hesitation, she replied candidly, "My grandmother and the Yun Family's Old Madam are cousins from the same clan. Second Young Master Yun is my distant cousin. He stayed with the Ren Family for a while when he was young." Even if she didn't mention this, Consort Dowager Yun would likely know.
Consort Dowager Yun looked at Ren Yaoqi for a moment, her expression inscrutable.
Ren Yaoqi couldn't quite grasp Consort Dowager Yun's intentions. The fact that Consort Dowager Yun had summoned her and suddenly brought up Yun Wenfang's affairs meant she must have heard something. Was Consort Dowager Yun planning to make trouble? But without evidence, how could she? There was nothing between her and Yun Wenfang, and Yun Wenfang hadn't appeared for a long time—he had even become engaged.
Ren Yaoqi was unaware that Yun Wenfang had been injured by Xiao Jingxi. Xiao Jingxi hadn't told her, and the Yun Family certainly wouldn't publicize the matter.
Just as the atmosphere grew awkward, Consort Dowager Yun's maid entered to announce that Second Young Master Xiao had arrived.
Ren Yaoqi was taken aback, while Consort Dowager Yun gave her a thoughtful look.When Xiao Jingxi entered, he did not look toward Ren Yaoqi. Like an ordinary grandson, he stepped forward to pay his respects and greet Consort Dowager Yun.
Consort Dowager Yun frowned slightly. "Haven't you been so busy lately that you're like a dragon—seen only in glimpses, never fully visible? What brings you here today?"
Xiao Jingxi smiled, his expression unchanged. "Since Grandmother has arrived, your grandson naturally came to pay his respects."
Consort Dowager Yun curled her lips meaningfully. "You certainly have a knack for timing your visits."
Xiao Jingxi did not argue upon hearing this. Instead, he simply smiled at Consort Dowager Yun, even showing a hint of bashfulness as if caught by an elder.
Seeing this, Consort Dowager Yun did not press him further and waved for him to take a seat.
Xiao Jinglin secretly rolled her eyes, thoroughly disdainful of Xiao Jingxi's act. She doubted he even knew how to write the word "bashful."
Only then did Xiao Jingxi turn his gaze to the others in the room and asked with a smile, "What were you all discussing so happily just now?"
Everyone in the room: "..."
Which eye did you see us discussing happily? There should be a limit to telling such blatant lies!
Consort Dowager Yun glanced at Xiao Jingxi and lowered her head to sip her tea.
Xiao Jingxi was completely unfazed by the awkward silence. He skillfully began chatting with Consort Dowager Yun. Although she hardly spoke, the atmosphere in the room gradually lightened under his influence. Xiao Jinglin had to admit she was no match for this talent of his.
Seeing that everyone was being led by the nose by Xiao Jingxi, Consort Dowager Yun finally set her teacup down with a measured force and said calmly, "I dislike meddling in others' affairs, and I haven't done so all these years. If all of you find my words unwelcome, I will simply refrain from speaking. After all, I hardly stay in the residence for more than a few days each year."
Upon hearing these words, even Xiao Jingxi had to soften his tone. "Grandmother's concerns are certainly not meddling."
Consort Dowager Yun gave him a faint look. "Let me ask you, what should be the criteria for a gentleman when choosing a wife? Should he prioritize virtue or talent? Is character more important, or appearance?"
The room fell silent at this question. Though Consort Dowager Yun dressed plainly, her expressionless delivery carried an undeniable authority.
Xiao Jingxi remained entirely unaffected by this pressure. He lowered his head in thought, then smiled and said, "Your grandson does not know the criteria for a gentleman, but ordinary people all wish to marry a partner who is both virtuous and talented, as well as beautiful in appearance."
"Both virtuous and talented? Beautiful in appearance?" Consort Dowager Yun looked at Xiao Jingxi with a half-smile. "Quite ambitious. Have you found such a person?"
Xiao Jingxi glanced at Ren Yaoqi but did not answer Consort Dowager Yun's question. Instead, as if recalling something amusing, he smiled and said, "Father told me these were Grandfather's words when educating him, and he passed them down to me exactly as they were."
Consort Dowager Yun: "..."
Consort Dowager Yun was left speechless by Xiao Jingxi's reply. It was difficult to press the matter further without involving the old Prince and the Prince of Yanbei.
For once, Consort Dowager Yun let her emotions show, glaring at Xiao Jingxi. Strangely, the atmosphere in the room lightened once again, and the maids beside Consort Dowager Yun even lowered their heads, suppressing smiles."What else did your grandfather and father teach you? Tell me everything," Consort Dowager Yun snorted coldly.
Xiao Jingxi rested his chin on his fingers as if pondering, then looked at Consort Dowager Yun seriously and said, "They also taught that even if one cannot marry a woman of virtue, talent, and beauty, one must never marry the kind who enjoys stirring up trouble and gossiping. The principle of drawing close to the virtuous and keeping away from the petty applies equally to the inner household."
Upon hearing this, Consort Dowager Yun was taken aback, her expression turning somewhat unpleasant.
After a long pause, she sighed wearily and said, "Enough, all of you may leave now. I am tired."
Xiao Jingxi was the first to rise obediently, respectfully saying, "Grandmother, rest well. We will come another day to pay our respects."
Xiao Jinglin and Ren Yaoqi also stood up.
Consort Dowager Yun did not look at them again, instead leaning on her maid's arm as she walked to the right side chamber.
Only after Consort Dowager Yun had left did they withdraw from Feiwu Pavilion.
Xiao Jinglin asked, "How did you know we were summoned by Grandmother?" Naturally, Xiao Jinglin did not believe that Xiao Jingxi had coincidentally run into them while paying respects to Consort Dowager Yun—no one would believe such a claim.
Xiao Jingxi merely smiled without answering.
Xiao Jinglin immediately realized that by now, the entire hot spring villa was likely filled with Xiao Jingxi's informants, reporting any movement to him at the slightest sign of activity.
Xiao Jinglin snorted but said nothing more.
Xiao Jingxi turned to Ren Yaoqi and said softly, "Grandmother probably won't summon you again. As for the people outside, you don't have to see any of them. If you go out, it's best to stay with Jinglin and keep both Leshan and Leshui by your side. Although the hot spring villa is Xiao Family territory, with so many people around these days, it's easy for something to go wrong."
Ren Yaoqi listened and nodded in agreement.
Xiao Jingxi glanced at her a few more times, then looked at Xiao Jinglin.
Xiao Jinglin rolled her eyes discreetly and reluctantly took a few steps forward, though she refused to go far, maintaining a distance of only three or four steps from them.
Xiao Jingxi knew that with Xiao Jinglin's hearing, she could still hear their conversation, but he didn't mind. The reason he had Xiao Jinglin make a show of stepping aside was simply to avoid embarrassing Ren Yaoqi, who might feel shy.
"I am staying at Youlan Pavilion. If there's anything you can't handle, send Leshan or Leshui to find me. Don't try to bear it alone. No matter what, I will always stand behind you, so don't be afraid," Xiao Jingxi said in a lowered voice.
Xiao Jingxi did not mention the matter of Yun Wenfang that Consort Dowager Yun had inquired about. It was merely an insignificant matter, as he had defined it—someone stirring up trouble.
Xiao Jingxi's deep, pleasant voice whispered gently in Ren Yaoqi's ear. Though she was already familiar with it, it still made her heart race uncontrollably. She dared not look up, her face flushed as she murmured, "Mm."
Xiao Jingxi looked at Ren Yaoqi's obedient demeanor, feeling an indescribable joy in his heart. Hidden by his sleeve, he gently took Ren Yaoqi's hand, releasing it quickly before she could react.
Ren Yaoqi finally looked up at him, her cheeks flushed with shyness.
The brief touch stirred ripples in both their hearts, and the air was filled with the sweet, cloying fragrance of gardenias.
The two stood facing each other for a moment until Xiao Jinglin, unable to bear it any longer, coughed softly, breaking the inexplicable atmosphere around them. Xiao Jingxi chuckled lightly and turned to leave.That evening, the Princess Consort held a banquet at the Cloud Brocade Pavilion in the hot spring villa, inviting all the young ladies who had come to attend the Thousand Gold Banquet. Court ladies and Yanbei ladies gathered together, each more dazzling than the last, creating a scene of unprecedented liveliness.
Everyone has seen the recent updates, and I’m truly sorry.
When writing Mingmen Guisha, as it was my first book, I wrote whatever came to mind without much pressure. For Dimou, with more readers liking it, I’ve felt a lot of pressure, afraid of disappointing everyone if I don’t write well, especially when I hit writer’s block, which makes me very anxious. Recently, as the story reaches its climax, considering the conclusion, the main and side plots, and their connections and coherence… it’s particularly taxing on the brain cells, and I almost fell into depression…
My editor, moderators, and many readers have been very concerned and worried about me…
To be honest, I’m also anxious. If possible, I’d love to update three times a day 〒 〒. After all, no one dislikes honor and money (you have to believe that pink tickets, bonuses, and royalties are not something I don’t want 〒 〒)…
But lately, life has been very busy, and even when I hit writer’s block, I haven’t had much time to sort out the plot, so I’ve been stuck here awkwardly.
Over the weekend, I reread what I’ve written so far, sorted out my thoughts a bit, and built a rough framework for what’s to come. Though it’s not detailed, it’s still better than when everything was a tangled mess. In the coming days, I’ll continue refining this framework, hoping to bring this story to a satisfying and regret-free conclusion.
At the same time, I’ll work hard to make up for the missed updates in the next few days (ensuring both quality and quantity).
Finally, thank you to everyone who hasn’t abandoned this story. Thank you for enduring this unreliable author.
I also promise that this book will be completed and definitely won’t be abandoned.
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